682 An Offer That Cannot Be Refused (1/2)
”You, boy, are really lacking in respect. Once this news gets out, the pitiful scholar that you are will not survive for long.”
”Yes, he destroyed the future of every scholar in the Central Mainland Region on an impulse. If it were me, I would have killed him too!”
At noon the next day in the pavilion of King Wuyang's palace, Zhou Bao, the Child-endowing Buddha, and Wang She were lying comfortably on couches. But this time the Child-endowing Buddha looked different. He was wearing a rich landowner's garb, and nobody could see his portly figure. He was a monk of the Snow Mountain Great Wheel Temple but looked like the boss of a brothel ship.
These two men did not know where the rumors came from, but today at the break of dawn they hurried to see Zhou Bao, as if they wanted to hear his jokes. ”I think your boy was harmed enough. He just swore at you a couple of times, and for that, you turned him into the single greatest enemy of all the scholars!”
”Hmph, he was that type of person, arrogant and young. I already gave him plenty of face by not killing him there and then!”
”His current problem is a lot more wretched than it would have been had you killed him there and then. Now, not only does he have to face every angry scholar in the realm, but he also has to face himself. Because of his few words, the sage's path he believed in his whole life was cut off in all of the Central Mainland Region. If he can't take it, he might kill himself!”
”That doesn't mean a damn thing to me! Don't start what you can't finish.” Zhou Bao shrugged his shoulders and sneered. ”By the way, what are you two up to today?”
”We heard that you were going to see your son-in-law today. We are quite interested in seeing how it will go!”
”Son-in-law? Hmph, figures. Since you two are here, I will give you a good show for free!” Zhou Bao said indifferently.
”A show? Will you split up the happy couple? My boy, be careful not to provoke your daughter's ire, she will hate you for a lifetime!” The two unscrupulous guys beside him fanned the flames.
”A long punishment is better than a short one. This Feng Xuan boy is offensive to the eye. Also, my daughter is too young. If she were to find somebody else in two years' time, that still wouldn't be too late!” He suddenly stopped speaking as Zhou Mu arrived.
”Father—!”
”Come in and sit down. There are many benches.” Zhou Bao cast a shady glance at him. ”Where's your mother?”
”She's in the rear court consoling my sister!”
”Consoling her? Why is she consoling her? Go and call them in!”
”Huh? Father, you—!”
”If I ask you to go, you will go. Today we will all sort this out face to face!” Zhou Bao looked at him resolutely.
”Yes!” Zhou Mu saw that Zhou Bao was in a bad mood and did not dare say anything else. He ran straight to the Inner Yard.
”Oh, is that Feng Xuan? He's not bad looking. He's young, well cultivated. It seems he's carrying with him a little secret. Not bad! Quite suitable as a son-in-law!” The two men were still lying on the divans, but with their cultivation, they only had to scan the place with their divine thoughts and they could ascertain all the details big and small. It was almost twelve forty-five, and Feng Xuan was hurrying over to King Wuyang's palace. At the speed he was going, he would arrive just in time.
”This boy sure has an air of haughtiness. If you made anyone else come here, they would be waiting at the entrance of King Wuyang's place before the break of dawn!” Wang She smiled.
”I think we should play with him a little, set up some obstacle to make him arrive late. Then it'll be easier to justify yourself to your baby daughter!”
”I know how I'll handle this, don't you worry about it. Just worry about watching the show!” Zhou Bao glanced between his two guests.
”Father, you can't do this! Feng Xuan and I are just friends. How could you do this?!”
”Are you telling me what I can and can't do?!” Zhou Bao looked straight in front of him at his willful daughter, Zhou Qing. It seemed helpless, he had really spoilt her. ”You must understand, the boy provoked me first, he attacked me first. If it weren't for you, he would not even have a corpse for you to find. Do you think that if someone is rude to your daddy, I will just sit back and watch?”
”No, I mean—!”
”It doesn't matter what you mean. I won't kill him, I will even give him a great deal. All I want to know now is whether you've really taken a liking to him?”
”Father, you—!”
Hearing this, Zhou Qing turned bright red and glared resentfully at her father. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Wang She and the Child-endowing Buddha. ”How could you do this, ask your daughter such questions in front of guests?”
”Don't worry, those two are your elders. Whatever they think, whatever they say, it doesn't matter!” Zhou Bao said without a hint of worry. ”Have you or have you not taken a liking to the boy?”
”Yes, yes!” Zhou Qing had been spoilt by Zhou Bao since she was little, and there were no taboos between them. But admitting this kind of thing in front of so many people was embarrassing. She lowered her head shyly, face as red as a baboon's bottom, eyes fixed on the floor wishing she could disappear into it. She also resented her father terribly for this. What type of father would do this? Even Yan Yunfei by her side couldn't help but feel resentful, but she didn't show it in front of so many people. She just comforted Zhou Qing by placing her hand on her shoulder.
Who knew whether Zhou Bao would ask more questions?
”So, do you think he likes you too?”