Chapter 30 A Temper Too Fierce

Chapter 30: Too Much Temper

Yang Xingxian looked dejected: "It costs five hundred taels. But even with money, it's hard to come by—not something you can just buy anywhere."

Lady Wu was taken aback, muttering: "That's utterly extravagant. A mere inkstone costing several hundred taels? Is she mad? If we bought that inkstone for you, the whole household would have nothing to eat."

Yang Xingxian forced a bitter smile: "Mother, if five hundred taels could buy it, it wouldn't be so precious! They say five hundred, but these days, even with silver in hand, you can't find one. Heaven knows where Lady Xi's mother managed to get it for her."

Lady Wu dropped the subject—anything costing more than five taels, she didn't want to hear about.

"Mother, do you think if I accompany her back to her family's home tomorrow, she might soften a bit?"

Lady Wu felt her son was truly wronged. Clearly, that merchant's daughter had married above her station, yet here was the grand young master having to accommodate her.

And all for a mere inkstone!

She took her son's hand: "This really is a humiliation for you."

Yang Xingxian gave another bitter smile: "Nothing to be done—a poor man can't afford pride... I'll endure for now!"

"Yes, endure for now. Once my son passes the exams and inherits the title, we'll surely have that vile woman cast out."

Yang Xingxian recalled how Xi Qianyue had caught him in the act during the day and had summoned his other chamber maid, Lian Ye, to see her—she must care about him, right?

It was just that this little woman was too hot-tempered.

The Marquis called out from his bed: "Xingxian, did your sister go kneel and apologize to your wife?"

"Marquis, Luo'er is your own flesh and blood, a Marquis's Daughter! How could she kneel to a merchant's daughter? Would she even dare accept it? Isn't she afraid of shortening her own fortune and lifespan?"

Lady Wu was somewhat displeased. The Marquis was growing more senile by the day. Lying in bed all the time had made his thinking strange.

"Foolish woman! She tried to kill someone! If you don't earn her forgiveness, this will surely blow up into something big later."

The Marquis patiently tried to reason with them, but neither mother nor son took his words seriously.

Yang Xingxian and Yang Luo had been close as siblings since childhood, and he couldn't bear to make his sister kneel.

Besides, as things stood, Lady Xi ate well and slept well—more energetic than him. The matter had passed; what was the point of dwelling on it?

The next morning, Yang Xingxian dressed in new clothes early. Achang buttered him up: "Young Master, when the Young Mistress sees how sincere you are, she'll surely be pleased."

"Just coaxing a little woman—and she's my own wife. How could I not manage that?"

Yang Xingxian had had these fine clothes made a few days ago, and today was the first time wearing them.

He hoped Xi Qianyue would see how dashing he looked and stop being mad at him.

Xi Qianyue was leading her maidservants out of the courtyard when she saw Yang Xingxian approaching, waving a folding fan and striding with what he thought was an elegant gait.

"My dear wife, I know you're returning to your family's home today. Let me accompany you to see your mother. And of course, your little brother."

Xi Qianyue could see the fawning on his face, and it only deepened her disgust.

"Sudden eagerness means either treachery or theft. Don't waste your efforts on me. My family's affairs are none of your concern. You and I are merely neighbors living side by side."

She ignored the way his smile instantly crumbled and walked straight toward the stables.

Yang Xingxian hurried after her, still trying to board the carriage.

Xi Qianyue shot Qing Bi a glance. Qing Bi and Ye Ling stepped forward together, one on each side, and grabbed Yang Xingxian, holding him in place.

Achang shouted: "What are you doing?! How dare you stop the Young Master from boarding the carriage! Are you mad? The Young Master was kind enough to accompany the Young Mistress back home!"

Ye Xi, not to be outdone, grabbed Achang and clamped a hand over his mouth.

Only after the carriage had traveled a good distance did the maids release the master and servant, then quickly caught up and leaped aboard.

"Mad! Utterly unreasonable! That woman is possessed!"

Yang Xingxian was furious and smacked Achang on the head: "Didn't you say this trick would definitely work? Why didn't it work at all?"

"Maybe the Young Mistress is still upset about how you refused to accompany her back to her family's home on the third day."

Achang offered this excuse lamely.

"But I'm making up for it now! This young master has never suffered such humiliation in his life!"

"Young Master, why don't we go pick her up later? The Young Mistress will surely be touched."

Achang was thrilled by this idea.

What woman could refuse her husband coming to fetch her from her family's home? It showed how much the husband's family valued her!

Xi Qianyue returned to her family's home and told Zeng Shi about hiring a tutor for Xun Geer. Zeng Shi was overjoyed but also a bit worried.

"Xun Geer is still so young—he hasn't even fully settled into our home yet. Isn't it too early to start lessons?"

"A good teacher is hard to find. Young Master Qi's ancestors were high officials who fell from grace due to some offense, and only in his generation is he allowed to take the imperial exams. Moreover, he's willing to come to our home. Mother, use the courtyard next door for their lessons. That way you can keep an eye on things at all times. Ye Fei and Ye Xue will also stand guard properly—anyone unrelated, just throw them out."

Upon hearing that the tutor would arrive soon, Zeng Shi immediately gave orders to have the neighboring courtyard cleaned out.

The courtyard was already tidy; the main task was arranging the main hall to suit teaching.

A quarter of an hour later, Qi Jing arrived with Amao.

During their conversation, Zeng Shi was quite satisfied with him.

Xun Geer formally became his student, and Qi Jing accepted the customary teacher's gift.

He saw that Xun Geer was only three years old yet spoke clearly with bright, lively eyes, and he took an instant liking to him.

What was rare was that Xun Geer wasn't shy with him either. Knowing he was about to start studying, he took it very seriously.

They all went to inspect the neighboring courtyard and were pleased with the bright, clean environment.

Xi Qianyue again reminded Ye Fei and Ye Xue, who gave her their solemn assurances—guaranteeing that no one else would come into contact with Xun Geer, let alone his food or clothing.

The first day's session of one and a half hours passed quickly, with two breaks of a quarter hour each.

Though Xun Geer was young, he sat still remarkably well.

As soon as class ended, he wore a big smile like any other child.

He went up and took Xi Qianyue's hand: "Big Sister, I like you so much. Will you eat with me?"

Xi Qianyue naturally agreed without hesitation.

Qi Jing was tidying up in the main hall when a maid announced that the eldest young master had come to pick up his wife.

Qi Jing noticed Xi Qianyue's expression visibly darken, and she said impatiently, "Why can't this guy just leave us alone? I really want to have him thrown out."

Zeng Shi scolded her in a low voice, "The more you talk, the more out of line you get. Since our son-in-law has come to the door, we should receive him properly."

Zeng Shi told her to return to her own courtyard, then apologized to Qi Jing and had the maid walk him out the front gate.

As Qi Jing was about to leave the courtyard, he saw Young Master Yang, dressed in brand-new attire, fanning himself with a folding fan, a big, exaggerated grin on his face, clasping his hands in greeting toward Zeng Shi.