Chapter 105 - Another Dispute (2/2)

Dong Hui was to blame for no reason and couldn’t speak a word.

She didn’t say anything unnecessary at night, but in the end she was reproached mercilessly in public and lost face.

She could endure it, so she said nothing.

But Shi Qingxue couldn’t endure it and her smile disappeared. She said harshly, “I heard from Grandpa that in the past, he and the late emperor once argued about the military affairs, but Grandma supported Grandpa and then he won in the battlefield at last. He kept it in mind for long and told us several times.”

Every member of the Shi Family had heard of this story. Shi Lei had truly told many times, and even Mo Shujun had told a few times in order to show that the couple deeply loved each other. But Shi Qingxue mentioned it now and it had totally different meanings.

Mo Shujun’s face changed, with different expressions, but Shi Qingxue acted as if she was telling stories and didn’t even talk to her. If she retorted her, Mo Shujun would confess without being forced, so she felt more than depressed.

The princess royal was used to being respected for many years. Even if she was wrong, she wouldn’t admit her mistake or swallow insult and humiliation silently.

She glared at Shi Qingxue, who was unmoved. And then she goggled at Shi Junhe, who also lowered his head and ignored her.

This time, the old madam almost exploded. “Fine, fine. I am annoying now. I am off, okay?”

Then she waved her sleeve and went back to the Shou’an Hall.

Seeing that, Zhou Ruyu hurriedly led two daughters to comfort her, and the people from Second Master’s Family also followed her in a hurry.

Soon, most of the people left the dining hall.

“Brother, you can make Mother so angry. You are really capable.” Shi Juncai watched the play from the beginning to the end and laughed freely. He didn’t care about his son’s future, nor did he fear that his mother would get sick out of anger.

Shi Junhe didn’t reply but glared at Shi Juncai, with a long face. “It’s said that another man came to ask you to repay a debt the other day and almost destroyed the accountant’s office of our family. What was going on?”

Shi Juncai looked resentful but didn’t dare to ignore Shi Junhe. “Nothing serious. Every official would have dinner and social intercourse with others to keep a good relationship, but pay day hasn’t come round this month, so I am in debt.”

“Can you owe ten thousands of taels of silver for social intercourse? The comer was a servant of the Yixiang Pavilion and he said you paid the most beautiful girl every month. Is that to have social intercourse?”

Usually, Shi Junhe wouldn’t rebuke his brother regardless of his dignity, but Shi Juncai had gone too far. If Junhe continued to indulge him, there might be some trouble.

“You know that some officials in high positions like those girls. They want somebody to keep company. I have to ask them for help, so I can’t disagree, right?” Shi Junhe said boldly.

But Shi Junhe wouldn’t allow it. He snorted. “The officials should be just, upright and law-abiding. It’s breaking the law to stand treat or send gifts occasionally. How could you dare to invite them to somewhere like the brothel?”

Shi Juncai disdained the outdated rules but didn’t have the nerve to offend his elder brother. He had to nod. Anyway, he had paid the debt, and it would be as usual in the future.

“You…” Shi Junhe could do nothing to his brother’s rascal attitude but sigh. He waved his hand to tell him to go.

The family dinner ended in discord.

When Wenren Chi walked out of the mansion gate, Shi Baoning chased him in haste. “Chi, wait for me. Wait.”

Wenren Chi pretended not to hear and drove away.

When Shi Baoning reached the gate, he had disappeared.

In the next few days, Wenren Chi, who used to come to greet the elder generations of the Shi Family on time in the morning and evening every day, didn’t come but sent a letter to explain that he was “busy with work” on the first day.

Dong Hui didn’t know Wenren Chi’s evil thought but was clear that Mo Shujun’s words had broken his heart. Seeing that Shi Baoning was unhappy all day, Dong Hui could do nothing but comfort her softly, “How about you go to the Wenren Family’s mansion? Now you are engaged, and you are brother and sister. Nobody would comment on you.”

With tears in her eyes, Shi Baoning said with grievance, “Chi must have heard me calling him that day, but he left without looking back. If I go to his mansion, wouldn’t he look down upon me?”

Shi Qingxue responded in surprise, “It was Grandma who said something improper and hurt Chi’s feelings. It’s natural for you to comfort him. Why would he look down upon you? If my man was wronged, I would at least stay with him and offer comfort even if I can’t seek justice for him.”

“But…” Shi Baoning was aware of that, but she was always reserved, and it was hard for her to lower her level to please somebody.

“Fine, if you don’t go, I am going.” Shi Qingxue wanted to see Wenren Chi since long ago, but she was too busy in the past few days. It was the right time now.

But Shi Junhe ordered with a straight face, “What are you going to do? You can’t go.”

Shi Qingxue blinked in confusion. “Why? I have something to tell Chi.”