The Husband I Snatched Is Not Right!-Chapter 343 - 340: Couldn’t You Just Stand There and Let Him Hit You?
Upon these words being uttered, the faces of the military generals present changed.
Wei Zhao’s status was prominent, yet in the end, he was humiliated by a mere young wastrel. His spouse, since entering the Duke Zhou Mansion, had not been welcomed, enduring silently and swallowing grievances?
Who can say Wei Zhao’s present plight won’t be their own tomorrow?
The civil servants’ expressions weren’t any better.
Aside from the Crown Prince Faction and those civil servants aligned with the Duke Zhou, the rest respected Gu Fuju and admired the late Duke Shun.
Bullying the Grand Tutor’s own daughter, in their eyes, was akin to the Duke Zhou Mansion slapping Gu Fuju’s face.
Shen Zhiyi watched as Yu Tingwan spoke a few words, and everyone’s thoughts churned endlessly, faces changing repeatedly.
The one who started all this, however, seemed unfazed.
Yu Tingwan’s tone was gentle, but every word was piercing.
"Sister-in-law, I’m from the countryside, ignorant and lacking in knowledge. I don’t know if my words might offend."
"But since the Duke Zhou Mansion is hosting a banquet, you should endure considering their immense power."
"Even if Zhou Xuan struck first, so what?"
Yu Tingwan questioned, "Why did you have to retaliate? Couldn’t you just stand there and let him hit you?"
Shen Zhiyi:...
This is outrageous.
Who could be more mocking and sarcastic than you?
Yet the questioning seemed particularly sincere.
As if it was truly advising the Zhou Family, teaching Ning Yunling how to conduct himself.
Zhou Xuan: ???
"Nonsense!"
Unable to care about the pain and his embarrassment, he shook with anger.
"Clearly, he was the one who first insulted me!"
Yu Tingwan: "Is that so?"
"What did he say?"
Zhou Xuan was about to speak, but pride kept him silent, and he swallowed his words.
Yu Tingwan: "Did anyone hear it?"
Yu Tingwan asked again, "Do you have any witnesses?"
At this point, she appeared particularly troubled: "Prince Zhou, this isn’t right. How can you slander without evidence?"
Ning Yunling’s eyes lit up, showing rare cleverness for once.
"That’s right."
"As a princely heir, I was speaking kindly with you, yet you suddenly went mad, viciously grabbing my collar."
Xiao Huaian: "I testify."
He toyed with the jade pendant at his waist: "Zhou Xuan, why can’t you speak properly? Ning Yunling’s mind isn’t sound to begin with, and you intimidate him? Why not take it up with me?"
Ning Yunling was about to nod.
The next instant, his eyes widened.
Your mind isn’t sound!
Xiao Huaian: "He is the sole heir of the Marquis Ning Mansion. If Wei Zhao is truly cursed by you, and the Duke Shun Mansion has no heir, I’d fear he would have to take on the responsibility."
He sighed.
"But you are different."
"Your father was a romantic in his youth, and with your limp, there’s no relying on you, but he has many sons."
Xiao Huaian also asked: "Isn’t that right, Duke Zhou?"
Duke Zhou: ???
Outrageous!
Yu Tingwan seemed hesitant: "What should be done."
"Perhaps Duke Zhou and the Duchess should, while everyone is present, also give an explanation to the Duke Shun Mansion and Marquis Ning Mansion?"
The nanny witnessed this and her eyes darkened, silently calling out ’not good’.
The Empress was looking to ally with the Grand Tutor Mansion, Duke Shun Mansion, and Marquis Zhongyong Mansion!
Worried about how to make her move, and today, she offended the entire Zhou Family?
This Duke Zhou is utterly oblivious!
The nanny quickly stood up to mediate: "The Zhou Family has not been hospitable, please everyone, calm down. This old servant sees that both princely heirs are straightforward, in essence, it’s just youthful hot-bloodedness."
She looked towards Zhou Xuan.
Zhou Xuan often visited the palace for the Empress’s blessing and was somewhat close to her.
The nanny naturally helped tidy Zhou Xuan, silently cursing Ning Yunling for being heavy-handed, but not showing it.
Being the Empress’s attendant, her words carried weight naturally.
"Since Prince Ning isn’t married, his unrestrained behavior could be expected, but the princely heir is different. You are a father now. How could you cause conflict with fellow guests at the little master’s full moon banquet? It really lacks grace and poise!"
"This old servant thinks, why not shake hands and make peace? Such petty matters shouldn’t lead to conflicts or jokes."
With that, she glanced around.
"Duke, shall we begin the banquet?"
Duke Zhou had nowhere to vent his anger, unconsciously tightening his grip on the child.
The infant, being naturally delicate, hadn’t awakened from the earlier commotion. But now, feeling the pain, she cried out, not even opening her eyes.
The cry was soft, weak like a faint meow, evoking pity.
He soothed her for a while to no avail, losing patience.
"The nanny is right."
He turned his head to give orders: "Pass the word, start the banquet."
Chu Ning didn’t care about Zhou Xuan, but the child mattered to her. Receiving her from the father-in-law, she tenderly comforted her.
Yet, mysteriously, this child had been distant from her since birth.
Even now, despite her tender efforts, the child wailed heartily, calming only when in the wet nurse’s arms.
The nanny then approached Yu Tingwan: "Please, young madam, have a seat."
"Alright, everyone, take your seats."
Seeing it was enough, Yu Tingwan smiled at the nanny and returned to her place.
Shen Zhiyi, who was engrossed: "It’s over, just like that?"
Yu Tingwan: "What else?"
Delicacies were served one after another, and the atmosphere soon returned to the prior lively chatter, as if nothing had happened.
Duke Zhou took the main seat, sternly instructing Zhou Xuan not to cause anymore incidents, lest the Zhou Family became a joke!
The men continued to toast and recite poetry.
The women discussed rouge and powders. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
Yu Tingwan glanced at Tan Jiang.
Tan Jiang discreetly made a sign, and before long, a servant from the Duke Mansion approached Chu Liulang, whispering something to him.
Chu Liulang furrowed his brow, seemingly hesitant, then after a moment, stood and left.
His brother Chu Ning, ever attentive, turned his gaze upon the delicate Zhou Yurou not far away.
Resentment surged within him.
Why is this happening!
Without Yu Tingwan’s intervention, Chu Ning rose to his feet.
"Father-in-law, since the child was born frail, with yesterday’s fever still not abated, she’s lethargic and listless. I fear she may catch a chill again. Might I take her back to the inner courtyard?"
Duke Zhou suspected nothing.
After all, during the Crown Princess Consort’s giving birth, she took strong, hastening medicine, and it would take time to nurture the child’s health.
"Go ahead."
Chu Ning departed with the wet nurse and attendants, respectfully withdrawing.
Watching this unfold, Yu Tingwan rose slowly.
"I’m not one to be aggressive."
Shen Zhiyi:...
You... aren’t you just that!
"Hey, where are you going?"
Yu Tingwan: "To the restroom."
She was off to watch an affair of passions.
Yu Tingwan kindly offered: "Would you care to join?"
Shen Zhiyi: "What’s wrong with you, just go and come back quickly."
"Ah."
Yu Tingwan sighed: "This truly is the wrong decision."
Hearing this, Shen Zhiyi felt she might miss out by not going, and rose without hesitation.
Shortly after, Xiao Huaian also stood up.
There weren’t many unseen secrets in the Capital’s mansions he wasn’t aware of!
Back when Chu Liulang was flirting with his own sister Chu Ning, he even eavesdropped behind the wall.
Ning Yunling saw him leaving and asked: "Where are you going?"
Xiao Huaian: "To the latrine."
Ning Yunling: "I’ll go too."
He put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and quickly followed.
Thus.
The four eventually collided at the intersection leading to the backyard, looking at each other.
Ning Yunling: "Could it be you all are also..."
The only one genuinely wanting to use the latrine—Ning Yunling.
"What’s up?"
He naively blurted.
"Seems like the Duke Zhou Mansion’s latrine must be gold-plated!"
