RMACAUH Chapter 8

Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Even Wang Taichuan, who coveted his beauty, was disgusted…

Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Even Wang Taichuan, who coveted his beauty, was disgusted…

In the carriage returning to the residence, Feng Yue looked solemn.

Wei Xiaofeng didn’t come to the school, but the *ge’er* born to the concubine did. How could the Wei family be so improper? Wouldn’t it be a laughing stock if it spread out?

He could only blame himself for knowing so little about the Wei family and Wei Xiaofeng in his previous life. Later, when he went to Beichuan with him, he never mentioned his experiences as a *ge’er* in the Wei family.

Only on the day of returning to his maternal home did he learn from Wei Xiaofeng’s mother’s weeping that Wei Xiaofeng was not valued in the Wei family.

In that case, Feng Yue could only think of one possibility: Wei Xiaofeng was being bullied.

Thinking of this, Feng Yue clenched his fist.

“Yuan *gonggong*!”

“This old servant is here. What are your orders, Your Highness?”

“Go to the Wei residence and inquire why it was the *ge’er* born to the concubine who came to the school today, and not the one from the side consort.”

“Yes.”

Who knew that Yuan *gonggong*’s inquiry wouldn’t bring him back even by evening.

Feng Yue only ate a few mouthfuls for dinner, rinsed his mouth, and told the maids to clear everything away.

Yuan *gonggong* had not yet returned at this time, so the situation must be complicated. Xiaofeng was so pure, kind, and weak, who knew what he was being abused into?

In order to calm down, Feng Yue went to the study to get a military book to read.

At *youshi*, the maids began to light the lamps in every corner of the palace. Feng Yue, feeling restless, put down the book. Steward Zhao came running breathlessly.

“Your Highness, Yuan *gonggong* is back!”

Feng Yue was overjoyed and stood up with a *teng*, only to feel a blackness before his eyes and a dizziness, and he fell back down.

He supported his forehead with one hand, inwardly despising himself. This time, the serious injury had caused a deficiency of both *qi* and blood. It was indeed not suitable to be too emotional.

He couldn’t be as careless as he was in his previous life. He had to take care of himself.

“Your… Your Highness, don’t tire yourself out too much. Thinking too much isn’t good either.” Steward Zhao stepped forward with a worried face to help him. “Slowly, get up slowly. It’s not good to get up too quickly.”

Feng Yue waved his hand, pushing away Steward Zhao’s support: “It’s fine. Where is Yuan *gonggong*?”

As soon as he spoke, Yuan *gonggong* had already strode to the door, stepping forward quickly and making a bow: “This old servant greets Your Highness.”

Feng Yue dismissed Steward Zhao, his face ashen as he asked, “Did you find out anything?”

“Replying to Your Highness, I did inquire…”

Feng Yue frowned: “Then speak.”

Yuan *gonggong* hesitated, but seeing his Highness’s eager appearance, he still replied truthfully: “This old servant bribed two maids in the backyard of the Wei residence and learned after a little inquiry that there was actually no other reason. It’s just that the *ge’er* born to the side consort didn’t go himself. He insisted on letting his two younger brothers go.”

Feng Yue’s expression froze for a long time. “Perhaps there’s another reason?”

“According to those two maids in the Wei residence, that Xiaofeng *ge’er* has been unlearned and unskilled since he was a child. He’s not very ambitious and doesn’t like to study. This old servant suspects that he’s afraid of being confined in the school and not having freedom.”

Feng Yue inexplicably felt guilty and held the celadon teacup, taking a light sip of tea. He took a breath from his chest, his tone somewhat unsteady: “That’s impossible… Perhaps there are other hidden reasons. He’s just like that on the surface. In fact, he can endure hardships and is very considerate.”

“Uh…” Yuan *gonggong* shook the whisk in his hand, his eyes darting around, not daring to look directly at his Highness. “Actually, this old servant also followed that Wei Fifth *Ge’er* all the way.”

“Oh?” The end of the word carried a barely audible tremor. “He, what did he go to do?”

Yuan *gonggong* rarely smiled, with the tolerance and kindness of an elder: “He didn’t do anything, really. At noon, he went to Wanxiang Tower, ordered ten dishes for himself. After eating, he strolled along the small street for a quarter of an hour, and then went to Zimoju to drink and play with the ladies there for an afternoon.”

“Zimoju is full of dancing girls. What can a *ge’er* play with a group of dancing girls?”

“He and those dancing girls put flowers in each other’s hair.”

The heart that Feng Yue had been holding onto finally died. Xiaofeng just didn’t like to study. He wouldn’t even understand the love poems he recited in the future!

“I still have to find a way to get him to school and learn more things.”

Yuan *gonggong* was astonished. “Your Highness is very concerned about this Wei Fifth *Ge’er*.”

“Don’t mention this matter to anyone, including my mother. Yuan *gonggong*, you’ve worked hard. Go back to your room and rest.”

“Yes.”

Feng Yue sighed softly and sat back on the small couch, murmuring, “As long as he’s not being bullied, it’s fine.”

*

Wei Xiaofeng never went to the front hall to dine with the head of the family, so no one cared if he slept until the sun was high in the sky.

That day, he continued to laze in bed as usual. Wan Lingxiu rushed into his bedroom in a flurry, grabbing him out of the warm silk quilt.

“My *ge’er*, how can you still be sleeping? The sky is about to collapse!”

“Ugh…” Wei Xiaofeng rubbed the sleep from his eyes, puzzled: “The sky is fine, what’s collapsing? Don’t disturb my sweet dreams. I haven’t had enough sleep!”

Wan Lingxiu was already anxiously sweating, but Wei Xiaofeng was still lying down like a salted fish, not even bothering to turn over.

“Get up quickly!” Wan Lingxiu helped him up again. Wei Xiaofeng swayed unsteadily, and Wan Lingxiu straightened his body, propping open his eyelids. “You wicked creature! I don’t know when you provoked the Wang family’s eldest son. He brought a matchmaker over this morning to propose marriage, wanting to marry you as a side consort!”

“I have no worries about food and drink in this backyard. Why would I eagerly go to their Wang family to be subservient? Is the Wang family’s eldest son suffering from some evil ailment and acting crazy?!”

Wei Xiaofeng rolled his eyes fiercely.

It must have been that Wang family *ge’er* went back and told his elder brother those unfounded lies that made the Wang family’s eldest son confidently come to the door.

Thinking this, Wei Xiaofeng angrily got out of bed, not even putting on his outer robe. He spread out a cloth and wrapped up the silver notes and his favorite hairpins.

Wan Lingxiu was at a loss at this time: “Why are you packing your bags at this time?”

“Of course, I’m running away! With my father and the *da niangzi*’s temperaments, they’ve been waiting so long for someone to come to the door to marry me. No matter what crooked dates he is, they’ll definitely make the decision to marry me off!”

“If you just run away like this, what about your father and the Wei family’s reputation?”

“They’re not people of reputation anyway, what reputation do they need?”

The Wei family’s expenses had been supported by squeezing his mother’s dowry for years. If this kind of family scandal spread, the Wei family would be drowned in spittle.

Wan Lingxiu was struck as if by a thunderbolt, her eyes blurred with tears: “Okay, Mother will run away with you! If you run away and leave me alone, your father will only catch me and vent his anger on me. I can’t stand this anger.”

“What about Third Brother?”

“Your Third Brother is a *langjun*, studying at the Imperial Academy. The Wei family is counting on him to pass the imperial examinations and obtain fame! Your mother and I are different, we can be kneaded into any shape.”

“Mother, you’re right!” Saying this, he threw the bag over his shoulder and was about to rush out the door.

“Come back!” Wan Lingxiu dragged him back, throwing his outer robe to him: “Put your clothes on!”

“I was wondering why it was so cold! It made me angry…” Wei Xiaofeng hurriedly put on his outer robe, urging Wan Lingxiu: “Hurry back to your room and bring your silver notes and valuables. While they’re not paying attention, let’s quickly go and seek refuge with our maternal grandparents’ family!”

These two had just run to the courtyard when they were stopped by the steward leading people.

“Where are Wan *xiaoniang* and Fifth *Ge’er* going? The master is still meeting guests in the front hall, waiting for Fifth *Ge’er* to go over for the *xiangkan*!”

Wei Xiaofeng was puffing up with anger, choking with a choked voice, “I’m not going! Call Seventh to go!”

The steward smiled like an old fox, his eyes very sharp. “Wang *dàláng* specifically requested Fifth *Ge’er* to go over, how can we refuse? This humble one is only acting on orders. If we call *da niangzi* over to vent her anger, wouldn’t that be too ugly?”

Wan Lingxiu timidly tugged at Wei Xiaofeng’s sleeve, signaling him not to be impulsive.

Wei Xiaofeng’s chest felt heavy, as if it was pressed down by a huge rock. He threw the bag to Wan Lingxiu. “Mother, go back to the room first. Let the *xiangkan* be the *xiangkan*. If I’m not willing, can he tie me up and throw me into the Wang family?”

Only then did the steward’s smile reach his eyes: “It’s good that Fifth *Ge’er* thinks this way. Please.”

When he went to the front hall, he saw a harmonious scene. Wei family’s mistress Qin Sufang looked at Wang Taichuan with eyes full of smiles, constantly offering him tea.

The two siblings from the *da fang* were hiding behind the screen, laughing and waiting to watch the show.

Seeing Wei Xiaofeng step into the front hall, Qin *da niangzi*’s crisp voice called out, “Oh, Fifth *Ge’er* is here! Quickly, come and sit by your mother’s side.”

Wei Xiaofeng gave a salute with a face full of resentment, glancing at Wang Taichuan sitting in the master’s chair on the left. He was short and stubby, his facial features blurred, and he wasn’t even middle-aged yet, but his stomach was like he was seven or eight months pregnant. The greasy confidence he showed when staring at him was simply an eyesore!

Qin *da niangzi* put on a modest and virtuous appearance, saying earnestly: “Our family’s Fifth *Ge’er*, although he’s not as sophisticated and sensible as other family’s *ge’er*, he is pure, kind, and docile in nature. It is Fifth *Ge’er*’s good fortune to be favored by Wang *gongzi*. If a good story can be made, then it is God’s will and a good match cultivated from a previous life!”

Wei Xiaofeng vomited out the pastries he had eaten with a ‘*wa*’ sound, and then retched repeatedly. He rinsed his mouth with tea, but couldn’t find a spittoon for a moment, so he spat the dirty water back into the teacup.

Even Wang Taichuan, who coveted his beauty, had his facial features distorted by disgust.

Wei Xiaofeng felt that this was called reciprocity. It was right to disgust everyone together.

Wei Xinhe’s face turned ashen with anger, and he roared in a low voice, “Do you have any manners at all?!”

“Father, I feel nauseous and uncomfortable. It’s all churning in my throat. It’s really hard to swallow it down.” Wei Xiaofeng was full of grievances, his eyes red-rimmed.

Qin *da niangzi* forcibly suppressed her anger, itching with hatred, but she still had to squeeze out a gentle and tolerant smile. “Wang *gongzi*, don’t mind him. Fifth *Ge’er* is not usually like this.”

Wang Taichuan was so disgusted that he couldn’t even swallow the tea. He hurriedly said, “I’ve already had tea today, and seeing that it’s going to rain soon, I’d better go back earlier.”

Qin *da niangzi*: “Then what about your marriage with Fifth *Ge’er*?”

Wang Taichuan: “Don’t mention this matter again, don’t mention it again. It was this little nephew’s impudence. This little nephew takes his leave!”

As soon as he spoke, he ran off in a hurry with the matchmaker.

“You kneel down for me! Steward, bring the rattan cane!” Wei Xinhe was determined to teach him a lesson today. “Last time, you offended Guangling Prince in the imperial garden during the palace banquet, and I haven’t had time to punish you yet. Now you are so ignorant of propriety again. If I don’t discipline you properly today, wouldn’t you ascend to heaven in the future?!”

Wei Xiaofeng quickly knelt down and begged for mercy repeatedly, so he could suffer less.

“Father, I was wrong. Can you not hit me? It hurts so much to be whipped with the rattan cane.”

Qin Sufang pursed her lips, looking at him with her eyes turned up, as if looking at a pool of stinky mud, unable to hide her disgust, “You deserve to be punished. I want to say a few good words for you, but I don’t know where to start!”

The steward brought the rattan cane over. Wei Xinhe had never liked this *ge’er* in the family and didn’t know how to control his strength. He took the rattan cane and whipped it on Wei Xiaofeng’s body.

Wei Xiaofeng wailed in pain, trying to block it with his hands. The rattan cane whipped his hand, and he put his hands behind his back. The rattan cane landed on his shoulders…

He cried with tears in his eyes, hugging his head and crawling under the table, continuing to beg for mercy: “I was wrong, I was wrong. Please, Father, don’t hit me, it hurts… I know I was wrong, it was my fault, *wu wu wu*…”

Qin Miaoh He, looking at him being beaten like a dog crawling all over the floor from behind the screen, laughed wildly, and scolded in a low voice: “Serves you right!”