Chapter 375: This Man is All Bully and No Brains

Chapter 375: This Man is All Bully and No Brains

Tang Shuyi didn't linger at the Xie residence and soon took her leave with Xiao Yuming. The purpose of their visit today was twofold: to dispel the rumors about Xiao Yuming and to show the Xie family their stance.

After their departure, Lady Xie discussed with Lord Xie the conversation she had with Tang Shuyi. Upon hearing it, Lord Xie remarked, "The Lady of the Marquis is sensible indeed."

Lady Xie nodded, then asked, "What exactly did you say to Xiao Yuming?"

Lord Xie replied, "I told him that a man should prioritize his future prospects."

Lady Xie, frowning, pressed, "Is that all?"

Lord Xie responded with an air of her being unreasonable, "What more could I say?"

Frustrated to the point of exasperation, Lady Xie took a deep breath and said, "You should have given him more guidance."

Lord Xie, with a look suggesting she was making a fuss over nothing, said, "What guidance? He only visited the brothel once. What should I admonish him for? To not frequent brothels or take concubines in the future?"

Lady Xie’s face tightened, and she stayed silent while Lord Xie sighed, "My dear, even if Xiao Huai doesn’t take concubines, his son might. You can’t let Xihua harbor such illusions; it would only hurt her in the end."

"I didn’t say Xiao Yuming can't take concubines in the future, but you..."

Lady Xie stopped mid-sentence and didn't continue. Lord Xie, lacking the face to lecture Xiao Yuming, had several concubines in his own household and would occasionally invite famous courtesans to dance and sing during gatherings with friends.

Seeing her looking aggrieved yet unable to voice her complaints, Master Xie felt a tinge of annoyance towards Xiao Huai. Everyone has concubines; only you choose to be different. He used to think himself a good husband for not favoring concubines over his wife and for being caring, but now he felt diminished by comparison.

He stood up and walked outside, announcing that he would come to her chamber to rest that evening. Madame Xie watched his retreating figure, suddenly feeling tired. She even questioned if she was wrong. Compared to many men, Master Xie was indeed good. Over the years, they had respected each other as equals. Why then did she suddenly feel dissatisfied with him?

With a sigh, she got up and headed towards her daughter's courtyard. One shouldn't compare themselves with others; after all, how many men like Xiao Huai are there in the world? If fate has not granted it, one shouldn't add to their own troubles.

Upon arriving at Xie Xihua's courtyard, she saw her daughter embroidering a purse. Madame Xie sat beside her and asked, "Have you met with Yuming?"

Xie Xihua nodded, "Yes, I have."

Madame Xie looked at her daughter's face for any signs of unhappiness and, finding none, felt relieved. She asked, "Did he explain himself to you?"

Without hiding anything, Xie Xihua recounted their conversation. Madame Xie couldn't help but laugh, then said, "Yuming is indeed a sincere child."

Xie Xihua smiled in agreement. One could discern the truth of a person's words by careful observation. Xiao Yuming was clearly genuinely "simple," not an act.

Seeing her daughter's reaction, Madame Xie's smile grew wider, "The Duchess of Dingguo is skilled in raising her children, her actions beyond reproach. You should learn from her in the future."

"I understand," Xie Xihua responded.

Madame Xie stroked her daughter's head, feeling genuinely pleased with the matrimonial match.

Meanwhile, Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuming returned home. Xiao Yuming called over Steward Zhao to report on his investigation. Steward Zhao's face was creased like a steamed bun, "Young Master, in such a short time, even at the risk of my life, I couldn't find anything!"

Xiao Yuming huffed and rolled up his sleeves to leave. Tang Shuyi hurriedly asked, "What are you planning to do?"

Xiao Yuming turned, teeth clenched, "I'm going to find that brothel madam. She must know who's behind the rumors."

Without someone's instigation, would that madam testify?

After speaking, he stormed off. Tang Shuyi did not stop him but instructed Steward Zhao to follow and prevent any impropriety. Steward Zhao quickly obliged and followed.

Xiao Yuming didn't head straight for the brothel but first went to gather Qi Er and Yan Wu. The three of them had visited the brothel together initially, and now, if he was to cause a scene there, they should be together.

Qi Er and Yan Wu had also heard the rumors. Yan Wu even complained, "Why do they only talk about you and not us?"

Xiao Yuming kicked him on the buttocks, retorting, "You want them to talk about you, is that it?"

"No, no, no," Yan Wu hurriedly said, "You're engaged, and I'm not. If I get a bad reputation, I'll never find a wife."

Qi Er chimed in from the side: "Do you think your reputation is any good now?"

Yan Wu glared at him, "We're all in the same boat, no point in throwing stones."

The three jostled and joked all the way to the brothel, which was closed during the day. Xiao Yuming, upon seeing this, kicked the door open. The bouncer inside was about to protest when he recognized the trio and immediately bent over with a smile, saying, "The young masters are early; the ladies are still asleep."

Xiao Yuming lifted his leg and shoved the bouncer aside, shouting loudly, "Summon your madam for me."

Seeing his vehemence, a few bouncers quickly ran to fetch the madam, and shortly, a flamboyantly dressed woman in her thirties approached.

"Greetings to the three young masters," the madam bowed to Xiao Yuming and his friends.

"Are you the madam here?" Xiao Yuming inquired.

With a smile, the madam responded, "I have just taken over the role yesterday."

Xiao Yuming frowned, "How did that happen?"

The madam explained, "The former madam sold this establishment to me yesterday."

"Where is she now?" Xiao Yuming pressed.

The madam shrugged, "I have no idea."

Xiao Yuming gritted his teeth, "Is everything you're telling me the truth?"

The madam's face was a picture of panic, "I wouldn't dare to deceive you!"

Xiao Yuming's gaze bore into her until her face turned pale. "Think about it, Madam," he said, "That Autumn Madam ran off after crossing you. I only dared to take over because I have some connection to Lord Geng Si."

The Lord Geng Si she mentioned belonged to the imperial Geng family, a family with enough clout in the court to be considered royal merchants. Xiao Yuming certainly wasn't intimidated by the Geng family or those behind them. But clearly, this wasn't much related to the Gengs.

He snorted and turned to leave. The madam watched his retreating figure and heaved a huge sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, Xiao Huai was detained for a chat by Minister Yu, a senior official in the cabinet. During the conversation, he casually mentioned that a relative of his, born of a concubine, had bought a brothel from someone else, and that he had scolded him for it.

Xiao Huai had also heard the rumors about Xiao Yuming and understood what Minister Yu was implying. It was nothing more than a fear that they would take out their frustrations on the current owner of the brothel.

He said nothing, merely hummed an acknowledgment and walked away. Minister Yu watched his back, wondering, did he care or not?

After pondering for a moment, he hastened his pace home, deciding not to fret over whether Xiao Huai minded or not. It was best to close down that brothel as soon as possible.

To put it plainly, people tend to bully the weak and fear the strong. Although Xiao Huai controlled the whole capital city, he only ever took action against the Emperor, treating others as he always did.

Magistrate Yu felt that rumors of Xiao Er Gongzi's promiscuity were none of his concern; if the Geng family wanted to purchase that brothel, so be it. But now, just a slight show of displeasure from Xiao Huai was enough to instill fear in him.