Chapter 24 Throw Him Out

Chapter 24: Toss Him Out

"Alas! If only I could pick freely from Xi's storeroom, I might be able to select one or two fine items to make the Grand Scholar think highly of me... Previously, I found a Jiangzhou Chengni inkstone from her storeroom—a rare treasure of the world! Unfortunately, this vile woman has emptied everything from my study. No..."

Yang Xingxian stood up in a rage: "I must go find her. Since she refuses to divorce and won't give money, she should at least offer something for her husband to use for connections. She ought to have some sense!"

"My son speaks wisely—a man is a woman's heaven. No matter how she carries on in the household, she should know what matters most. Who throws tantrums like this? I'd love to slap her twice myself..."

Yang Xingxian saw his mother, who always preached propriety, speaking so improperly, and couldn't be bothered to argue further. He quickly took his leave.

Achang saw the young master heading toward Jade Bower again and grew nervous—was the young master going to get beaten again?

Sure enough, the young master was stopped at the courtyard gate.

Achang said angrily, "You foolish girl, are you blind? This is the young master, the mistress's husband! How dare you block him? The mistress and master are just having a small marital spat, and you're preventing their reconciliation?"

The maid was startled for a moment but quickly replied, "The mistress has ordered that all visitors be announced and gain her permission before entering the courtyard."

With that, she hurried inside.

Several brawny maids stood guard at the gate, glaring fiercely!

Yang Xingxian took a few deep breaths: "This woman has gone mad! Even her husband must be announced to enter the courtyard! And you lot—how can you all be so burly? Is it to make your mistress look even more dainty and lovely?"

Achang was also at a loss for words. Other madams and mistresses preferred maids who were pleasing to the eye, and wouldn't hire maids like these...

Yet these maids ignored them completely, not budging no matter how the two of them mocked them.

So what if they were big or brawny? The mistress said being useful mattered more than being pretty! As long as they could guard the courtyard well and protect her, they were good maids.

They weren't just big—several of them had real fighting skills, just like Ye Fei and Ye Xue, and the others got up early every morning to train with Qing Bi!

Only when the maid came back and let them in did the two finally enter the courtyard, still fuming.

Looking around, the courtyard was even more beautiful than before—the gardener had truly put in effort. Flowers were blooming in a riot of colors, and beside the stone table and stools sat two large antique vats, with blooming lotuses and vivid koi swimming inside.

Yang Xingxian curled his lip in disdain—this woman really knew how to live it up.

When he finally entered the hall, he saw Xi Qianyue in casual clothes, her hair loosely tied, no ornaments, looking harmless.

Unfortunately, when she looked at him, a hint of sharpness crept into her eyes for no reason.

"Young Master Yang, what brings you here?"

She asked it as if he were a stranger—even colder than that.

Yang Xingxian suppressed his displeasure, adjusted his expression, and smiled: "My dear, after all these days of fussing, aren't you over it yet?"

Xi Qianyue snorted coldly: "It's not about being over it. If you've got something to say, say it. If not, I won't keep you."

"I came today to ask a small favor," Yang Xingxian said, thinking he was being gracious. "You have a Jiangzhou Chengni inkstone—could you give it to me? It's not for vanity, but to get my foot in the door with the Grand Scholar Yan Can, to seek his guidance on my essays."

"Do you think a great scholar's door opens for an inkstone? If that were the case, his reputation would take a hit."

Seeing Xi Qianyue unmoved, Yang Xingxian grew anxious: "I've got to try. The Jiangzhou Chengni inkstone is extremely rare—maybe the scholar would be interested? This is for my imperial exams; surely you can see what matters?"

But Xi Qianyue refused again: "No. My mother searched far and wide and paid a fortune for this Jiangzhou Chengni inkstone. If you want to open some door, do it on your own—don't come after mine."

"You ungrateful, short-sighted woman! Where's your womanly virtue? If I pass the exams, won't you share in the glory? Do you think your stinking money will earn you any respect in this capital?"

Yang Xingxian flew off the handle again.

Xi Qianyue shook her head, looking at him with a hint of pity: "Is this how you ask for something? So entitled, as if I owe you. Actually, you owe me several thousand taels of silver—don't get it twisted."

She suddenly shouted: "Someone, throw him out!"

Two second-rank maids rushed in, hoisted Yang Xingxian up, and practically dragged him out of the courtyard!

Yang Xingxian struggled hard but couldn't get free.

He cursed the whole way, but it was no use—the two maids seemed deaf, not even batting an eye.

Achang, being smart, quickly followed him out.

Yang Xingxian stared at the courtyard gate as it closed in his face, completely baffled: "Tell me, what's wrong with that Xi woman anyway? I've already asked nicely—what grudge does she have that she can't let go?"

Achang was puzzled too. In his mind, when the master came begging, and it wasn't something priceless to the mistress, why not just hand it over?

This was really bad for the couple's relationship!

"Forget it, it seems this vile woman is determined to drag this out with me. Call Liu Mei to come serve me."

Yang Xingxian stormed back to his courtyard, feeling a fire with nowhere to vent, and ordered a servant to draw him a bath.

When Liu Mei arrived, tipped off by Achang and seeing the young master bathing, she knew exactly why she'd been summoned.

It was daytime... but who cared? If she could bear a son first, once the young master inherited the title, she'd have it made.

Achang heard the two laughing and fooling around inside, and soon the sounds turned improper. He quickly backed off and told the others to stay away.

Oh, young master—you said you'd come to study, to prepare for the autumn exams, and now this...

If the mistress found out, she'd probably beat him to a pulp.

Achang shrank his neck, praying the young master would hurry up.

Qing Rong tried to persuade Xi Qianyue: "Mistress, the young master only wanted that inkstone, and it was for a good reason—why not just give it to him? If it helps him pass his exams, wouldn't you benefit too?"

"You silly girl, the inkstone is nice, but would a true great scholar think highly of him over a mere inkstone? Besides, why should I help him? My happiness has nothing to do with him." Xi Qianyue said casually.