AWB Chapter 67 Gossiping (First Line)
Chapter 67 Gossiping (First Line)
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere was just right, and the conversation flowed freely. Nie Feng, being a forthright military officer, got straight to the point and stated his purpose.
"Sanlang saved my wife's younger sister at Linxian Lake that day. My wife and father-in-law are very grateful and have specially asked me to convey their thanks." After saying this, he raised his cup in a toast.
"This was also a coincidence," Shen Qing retorted, repeating the conversation he had overheard on the awning boat that day.
"Outrageous!" Nie Feng was a man of strong emotions, unlike that old fox Lu Qin who could keep his temper in check. He slammed his hand on the table, making the cups and saucers rattle loudly.
"Despicable and vile! Utterly shameless!"
Previously, he had only heard the general outline, knowing that Liang Shou had conspired with the Seventh Daughter of the Yan family to push Lu Yuanzhi into the lake, intending to stage a hero rescuing the beauty. Now, having heard the detailed plan and lewd remarks, he felt deeply disgusted.
They were also relieved that Shen Qing had stopped Liang Shou's plan; otherwise, if Lu Yuanzhi had gotten into trouble, the Nie family would have lost face.
Thinking of this, he raised his glass and toasted Shen Qing again: "I am deeply grateful and thank you without words. The Nie and Lu families owe Sanlang a favor."
"I understand, it's all in the wine," Shen Qing said boldly, downing his drink in one gulp.
As they exchanged drinks and became more familiar with each other, Shen Qing asked curiously, "What are the Lu family's plans to do about Liang Shou's matter?"
Upon hearing this, Nie Feng paused in his act of raising his glass. Shen Qing assumed he was reluctant to speak frankly, so she said, "I was just asking casually. If it's inconvenient, then forget it."
“It’s not that there’s anything wrong with saying it,” Nie Feng sighed helplessly and put down his cup. “The Second Prince has just become the Crown Prince and is currently riding high. When one person attains power, even his chickens and dogs rise to heaven. Now that the Marquis of Weiyuan is attached to the Crown Prince, the Lu family has no choice but to temporarily avoid the limelight to prevent being used as an example to warn others.”
Shen Qing nodded knowingly. No wonder a count's son dared to be so arrogant; he must have something to rely on.
Recalling the past, Shen Qing felt something was amiss. At that time, the Crown Prince was the eldest prince, Xiao Yuan. How did Liang Shou foresee that the second prince would be able to ascend to the throne in a short period of time?
Based on his years of experience with palace dramas, and focusing on cause and effect rather than evidence, he had a guess: the Yu clan's complete annihilation in the Southern Frontier must have been due to an inside traitor, and it was inextricably linked to the Second Prince's faction.
If he could deduce it, how could those cunning old foxes in the upper echelons of the Eastern and Western Yu Kingdoms not see the clues? The fact that Emperor Yu still heavily relied on Duke Liang must be the same reason why Emperor Wu favored the Lion Steed.
The southern border always needs a great general to guard it. Without Duke Yu, we can only use Duke Liang for the time being. It's just a pity that the Yu family was caught in a sudden disaster and became a pawn in this game.
The imperial family is the most ruthless. The Duke of Yu and his heir spent their lives fighting to protect their country and died on the battlefield. Not only did they lose their honor in their later years, but they also failed to protect their families. I wonder what they would think in the afterlife.
Sigh, Shen Qing also downed another cup, "Life is full of disappointments, tomorrow I'll let my hair down and drift away in a small boat."
"Cheers!" Nie Feng was also infected by Shen Qing's heroic spirit and drank it all in one gulp.
"Bang-"
Just as Nie Feng and his friends were enjoying their drinks, a series of clanging and banging noises came from downstairs, causing everyone to stop what they were doing and instinctively look toward the source of the sound.
"Why is the courtesan pretending to be so high and mighty if she doesn't accept customers? Still playing the 'pure and chaste' card?"
Why does that voice sound so familiar? In such a place of pleasure, it's common for men to get carried away and fight over women. Shen Qing's gossip radar was activated. Most of the men who come to the brothel are sons of powerful and wealthy families. This is quite a spectacle.
"Let's go take a look?"
Nie Feng and Shen Yun exchanged a glance, thinking that Shen Qing was indeed young and loved to join in the fun, but they nodded in agreement and got up together to accompany Shen Qing out of the room. Standing on the corridor outside the door, they could see the scene in the lobby downstairs.
Wow, it really is an acquaintance. The person who was cursing was none other than Liang Shou, whom they had just mentioned, and the beautiful woman opposite him with a steadfast and unyielding expression also looked very familiar.
The madam, trying to smooth things over, waved her handkerchief and said obsequiously, "My lord, please calm down. Tangyi has been booked by the Marquis and won't be seeing any other guests. Shall I find you another one? Xiange~ Nongying~ come out and serve Young Master Liang~"
"Go away!" Liang Shou shoved the madam aside and went to pull Ye Tangyi away.
"Let go!" Ye Tangyi pushed him away in disgust. "My lord!"
"What kind of damn marquis? I don't even care about him." He said this while still groping her with his hands.
Shen Qing narrowed his eyes, wondering whether he should bring the "urban legend" back into the public eye. Just then, a sharp male voice came from the door.
"Oh~ Who is it that doesn't take me seriously?"
“You’re wrong,” Liang Shou turned his head and sneered, “Who do we have here? Get out of here and don’t ruin my good time.”
Shen Qing thought this petty person was getting ahead of himself and wasn't very bright; he was getting too cocky.
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, he was sent flying backward, smashing the table in the main hall to pieces. Liang Shou curled up and howled in pain.
Ning Cuo straightened his sleeves nonchalantly, "You dare to address me by my given name?"
Although Ning Cuo was not as good as Shen Qing, he was still a military officer who had practiced martial arts since childhood and had accumulated military merits. He was more than capable of beating up Liang Shou, a spoiled brat.
Ye Tangyi immediately rushed to Ning Cuo's side and pitifully took his arm.
"You!" Liang Shou struggled to his feet, still about to utter harsh words.
"Zi'an, apologize to Marquis Wei Yun now!"
Liang Shou looked at Liang Yan, the heir of the Duke of Liang, who came out of another room upstairs. He was unwilling, but when he received Liang Yan's sharp gaze, he could only reluctantly bow and say, "I was drunk and behaved badly. Please forgive me, Your Excellency."
Ning glanced at him and then ignored him. She looked up and nodded to Prince Liang. When her gaze fell on Nie Feng, she paused for a moment and then looked away. She walked towards the inner courtyard with Ye Tangyi, who was holding his arm.
Shen Qing, being observant, noticed the subtle tension between Ning Cuo and Nie Feng—there was more to it than met the eye!
Liang Shou limped upstairs and saw Shen Qing. Because he had been drinking water all day, he didn't recognize that this was the person who had stepped on his head and ruined his plans. He walked straight past them into Liang Yan's room and slammed the door shut to block their view.
Liang Shouyou was still indignant, "I'd rather make a mistake than be a mere loyal subject, what's there to be afraid of?"
Liang Yan glanced at this fool. Did he think that Xiao Chen could rest easy now that he had become the crown prince? Ning Cuo was the king's man, but the current one was not someone to be trifled with.
Meanwhile, after returning to his seat, Nie Feng sullenly gulped down several mouthfuls of wine, and the surrounding air seemed to drop several degrees. Shen Qing quietly leaned close to Shen Yun and whispered in his ear, "Why does the General seem to be in a bad mood after seeing Marquis Wei Yun?"
Shen Yun glanced at Nie Feng secretly and saw that he was still drinking alone and hadn't noticed them. He whispered, "I told you before that Wei Yunhou's deceased first wife, Nie Yiren, was the General Zhonglang's biological younger sister."
What a coincidence! Shen Qing then remembered that the gossip she had heard at Linxian Lake that day mentioned Ning Cuo had a wife who had been incredibly kind to her, and that she had even called him a scumbag back then.
Judging from Nie Feng's current state, things shouldn't be that simple. Otherwise, the Nie family, standing on the moral high ground, could have easily beaten him every time he made a mistake. Why would they be drinking alone in such a cowardly manner?