While the excitement was happening on this side, the families of the several young masters involved had all received news.
When they heard that their sons had led people to surround the Wang family compound, everyone gasped in shock. Their first reaction was: this must be a dream, right?
They knew their own children well—stealing chickens, touching dogs, fighting, drinking, gambling, visiting brothels—all of that was normal. But surrounding the Wang family compound? Had their brains short-circuited?
After the servants who brought the news guaranteed it repeatedly, these several families all flew into chaos. On one hand, they hurried to have their troublemaking sons dragged back; on the other hand, they gathered family members to jointly discuss damage control. Since the incident had already happened, the main thing to do next was to shift blame. Everyone unanimously insisted their own children weren’t bold enough for this and must have been instigated by someone. After asking around, it turned out to be the young madam of the Marquis Dingxi’s estate.
Good heavens, the descendants of the Marquis Dingxi had finally appeared in the ranks of spoiled troublemakers.
But why was it the young madam? Not a young master?
Marquis Dingxi was having the same thoughts at this moment—his family’s descendants had finally joined the ranks of unfilial troublemakers.
He remembered when he was young, his grandfather had mocked a colleague whose grandson caused trouble, fighting someone today, cursing someone else yesterday. That colleague had laughed heartily while patting his grandfather’s shoulder, saying what kind of grandson wasn’t mischievous? Were they raising him like a girl? Even if it was a girl, so-and-so’s daughter could mount horses and wield swords. At the time, his grandfather’s expression had been very ugly. Later, when those colleagues discussed their own children’s mischief, their expressions showed no reduction in annoyance but rather carried a hint of pride. While boasting, they also said, “Look at your Old Chang family—so nice, the children are all quiet and elegant like girls.”
This wasn’t envy; it was mockery.
The Old Chang family had really changed their nature…
After this phrase spread, grandfather never attended colleague gatherings again, and eventually those old-generation brothers simply stopped meeting…
Marquis Dingxi still remembered how, amidst the laughter of that group of rough old men, grandfather had looked at him once—that look was full of disappointment…
He was a waste, a waste who couldn’t make grandfather proud.
With great difficulty, Chang Yuncheng had grown up, and he thought he would finally welcome the days grandfather had hoped for—cleaning up after his son’s troubles, with annoyance mixed with pride. But this boy turned out to be a lone hero who never called for help when fighting, never told his family whether he won or lost, let alone summoned followers to join in.
Children’s affairs were children’s affairs. If the children didn’t speak up, how could he shamelessly go around bragging? When even the victims remained silent, he felt he lacked confidence.
Yes, the Old Chang family, who had earned merit through battlefield conquest, had really changed their nature. He might as well accept fate.
He never expected such a day would come—servants came rolling and crawling in to report that because someone from Qianjin Hall had been arrested, the young madam had gone to fight, and the scene wasn’t small…
“Rebellion! Rebellion!” Madam Xie was still cursing angrily, pacing back and forth in the room in fury. “This lowly servant, this lowly servant absolutely cannot be kept! The face of our Marquis Dingxi estate will be completely lost by her!”
Face…
“Who won?” Marquis Dingxi suddenly asked.
This question stunned everyone in the room.
“For now, the young madam won, I suppose. The Wang family closed their doors and ran, but the young madam also suffered—she was struck in the face…” the servant who brought the news stammered.
Looking toward the door, Marquis Dingxi’s expression grew increasingly excited.
“My lord, write the divorce papers. When the Wang family pursues this matter tomorrow…” Madam Xie said hatefully.
“What the hell will they pursue!” Marquis Dingxi suddenly shouted, slapping the table and standing up.
This sudden commotion startled everyone.
“They arrested someone from my family’s medicine shop, went to demand the person back, and got beaten for it! This matter won’t end so simply! They want to pursue it! I haven’t even pursued it yet!” Marquis Dingxi shouted at the top of his voice. Because it was the first time, his voice was excited, trembling, and cracking, making him sound lacking in authority.
Everyone stared at him blankly. They recognized every word the marquis said, but put together, why couldn’t they understand it?
“Come! Get weapons! Go to the Wang family!” Marquis Dingxi swept his sleeves and strode out with large steps.
He’s gone mad…
Watching Marquis Dingxi stride away, stumbling slightly as he tripped while going out the door, Madam Xie’s only thought was this.
The Wang family, which had caused commotion among all the other families, was now quite peaceful by contrast.
When Hu San was awakened from the woodshed, he was sleeping soundly with drool flowing, disgusting the servants with his appearance.
Could this kind of person really be the first great disciple of the Marquis Dingxi’s young madam?!
But now they dared not be rash in the slightest.
“Young Master Hu, please,” they said with smiles and respect.
This “please” scared Hu San out of his wits, and he reached out to cover his lower body.
“What are you going to do?” he shouted hoarsely.
The servants’ faces darkened again.
“Young Master Hu, please hurry. Someone has come to take you,” they said.
This time Hu San heard clearly and suddenly straightened up.
“What are you calling me?” he asked.
“Young Master Hu,” the servants called again.
Looking at them, Hu San suddenly burst into laughter.
“Call me a few more times so I can hear,” he said.
The servants endured their temper, lowered their heads, and addressed him again.
Before Hu San had even stepped through the main hall door, he couldn’t help but shout “Master!” A pretty maid lifted the curtain, and Hu San rushed in with two steps, immediately seeing Qi Yue sitting in a chair, surrounded by A’Ru and A’Hao doing something.
“Master!” Hu San’s eyes couldn’t help but redden. Thinking of the fright he’d suffered this half day, feeling both wronged and terrified, he rushed directly toward Qi Yue.
Chang Yuncheng stood up from the side, blocking Hu San’s path and looking at him coldly.
Hu San abandoned his plan to hug her legs and complain, standing properly and honestly.