Chapter 48: More Troublesome

Chapter 48: More Troublesome

Wu Guoliang's mind grew more complex for a time, while Xiao Yuchen was not as tense. Many things are like this; they seem insurmountable and daunting in your mind, but when you actually face them, they're not as difficult as imagined.

This was exactly how Xiao Yuchen felt now. He had thought that negotiating with Wu Guoliang as an equal would be nerve-wracking, but in reality, it wasn't as anxiety-inducing as he had anticipated.

"I remember the first time I saw you, you were only six or seven years old, about this tall," Wu Guoliang raised his hand to indicate a height and continued sentimentally, "Back then, you were following Zi'an around, and he had you reciting poetry. You puffed out your little chest and recited with such rhythm and cadence, it was delightful. In the blink of an eye, you've grown so much."

Xiao Yuchen felt a twinge of nostalgia upon hearing his father mentioned. His father had passed away over two years ago, and the past slowly turned into memories. Yet, every mention always brought a warm and slightly bitter feeling to his heart.

"You flatter me, Uncle," he said.

Wu Guoliang waved his hand dismissively, "Although Zi'an and I were not the closest of friends, we were well-acquainted. Your grandmother and Jingyun's maternal grandmother were close friends, which led to your engagement with Jingyun. I was truly happy and relieved that you two were betrothed. When she came home yesterday and told me you wanted to break off the engagement, I was utterly shocked. Nephew, where did Jingyun go wrong to upset you and the Marquess's wife? I will make sure she corrects her behavior."

Xiao Yuchen had been lost in thoughts of his father, but Wu Guoliang's words snapped him back to reality. He picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip, pondering how one must always be cautious in conversation with this old fox, lest you get led astray unwittingly.

Wu Guoliang started by playing the emotional card with his father, then brought up the broken engagement, yet he didn’t mention a word about the incident at Chongguang Temple. Xiao Yuchen was certain that if he followed Wu Guoliang's lead and explained why he wanted to break off the engagement, Wu Guoliang would have a response waiting for him.

Xiao Yuchen felt a surge of annoyance. If his father or mother were present today, would Wu Guoliang dare act this way? He probably would have started with an apology instead.

Repeating the mantra 'show no joy or anger' twice in his mind, he placed the teacup on the table, producing a crisp sound. Looking at Wu Guoliang, he said, "Uncle, as for the matter of breaking off the engagement, you should ask the Second Miss about it. She insists on breaking it off. Then there were many incidents at Chongguang Temple..."

He feigned difficulty in speaking.

Wu Guoliang's fingers tensed slightly. He hadn't expected Xiao Yuchen not to follow his lead. It seemed that the young master of the Marquess's household had indeed matured.

He let out a deep sigh, looking exhausted, "It's all due to my lack of strict discipline. I’m too ashamed to speak of such incidents. Nephew, I hope you can keep this a secret, or my Wu household's womenfolk won't be able to live it down."

"Uncle, what exactly happened at Chongguang Temple?" Xiao Yuchen asked, anger apparent on his face, "If... if the one targeted at Chongguang Temple that day had been me, I... I shudder at the thought. After all, the people from your household came for me. Uncle, wouldn’t you be angry if you were in my shoes?"

Wu Guoliang was at a loss for words due to Xiao Yuchen's retort. He had intended to manipulate the situation by invoking the moral standing of the women in his household, but Xiao Yuchen had bluntly exposed the plot against him. How could Wu Guoliang respond to that?

Momentarily silent, Xiao Yuchen continued, "Since my father passed away, my younger brother and I have been in a haze of confusion. The Yongning Marquis’s household is indeed vulnerable, but I never expected that even you, Uncle, would take advantage of our weakness."

"Nephew, it's absolutely not... not what you think," Wu Guoliang stood up in shock. He could never admit to bullying the widow and orphan of the Yongning Marquis residence; the Liang family served as a stark example.

"Uncle, my mother was also quite upset at Chongguang Temple. Even now, she's seething with rage. There's no point in keeping things under wraps anymore. After all, mother and I can't be bothered with that now. Let's discuss everything once our hearts are no longer clouded with resentment."

Wu Guoliang opened and closed his mouth several times without saying a word. Xiao Yuchen's meaning was clear: if they wanted them to keep silent, they'd first have to calm them down.

For some reason, he suddenly recalled how the Liang family had damaged a rockery in the Yongning Marquis residence and compensated with thirty thousand taels of silver.

It was said that every stone of that rockery had been blessed by the monks of Putuo Temple. Of course, Wu Guoliang didn't believe it, but the predicaments he faced now seemed eerily similar to that rockery's tale.

Ha!

Who says a widow and orphan are easy to bully? Let them see, the affairs of the Yongning Marquis residence are much more troublesome now than in the days of Xiao Huai. Xiao Huai wouldn't have been so nitpicky. But, they were in the wrong, and he had no choice but to reluctantly accept it.

"It's all due to my lack of discipline, causing you, my dear nephew, to be aggrieved," Wu Guoliang lamented. What else could he say?

"Uncle, my mother's heart is heavy, and I must go to console her, so I won't keep you," Xiao Yuchen stood up, gesturing for his guest to leave. Wu Guoliang had no choice but to take his leave, his heart heavy with thoughts.

Once the guest had left, Changfeng and Changming entered the hall, looking at Xiao Yuchen with admiration. Changfeng even remarked, "Young master, you were especially imposing just now."

"You have the bearing of the lady of the house," Changming added.

Xiao Yuchen let out a long sigh, "Let's go to Shian Garden."

His actions had been spur of the moment, and unexpectedly effective, filling him with a bit of smug satisfaction.

Upon arriving at Shian Garden, Tang Shuyi was playing mahjong with Cuizhu, Cuiyun, and a young maid. Seeing him, Tang Shuyi waved him over to join the game. The young maid stood up, and he took her place.

Mahjong had become popular in recent years, especially among the ladies of the inner court. As it was invented by a great scholar, many literati held it in high esteem. Xiao Yuchen had studied the game when it first gained popularity and was quite adept at it.

In her previous life, Tang Shuyi had loved playing mahjong. Today, she had found a set while Cuiyun and the others were tidying up, sparking her interest.

Xiao Yuchen glanced at his tiles, threw a five of circles onto the table, and began recounting his encounter with Wu Guoliang. After hearing it, Tang Shuyi couldn't help but praise him, "Well done."

For his first confrontation with an old fox like Wu Guoliang, maintaining the upper hand without being swayed, and even outmaneuvering him, was commendable for a seventeen-year-old. She encouraged him further, "A child worth teaching."

Xiao Yuchen, delighted by the praise, was as happy as a mouse sipping honey, but he maintained his composure, simply smiling and responding, "It's all thanks to mother's teachings."

Seeing his elation while he struggled to stay composed, Tang Shuyi couldn't help but burst into laughter. Her eldest son was quite endearing in his stubbornness.

"Three bamboo," Xiaoyu Chen declared as he played a tile. Tang Shuyi swiftly pushed her tiles forward with a slap. "Mahjong!"

………