The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 529 - 496: Teach Him a Lesson (Part 2)

Song Yuanbao stretched his hand over his head, "Why are you hitting me? Before the game started, I told His Highness that I’m forfeiting and not participating in the competition."

Ye Rong turned his head to look at Zhao Xi, "Your Highness, is there such a matter?"

Zhao Xi tried hard to recall, and calmly replied with an "oh", "It was too noisy at the time, I didn’t hear it clearly."

Ye Rong gritted his teeth and moved his fist closer, "Still dare to play tricks on me? Damn you!"

In his heart, Song Yuanbao had torn Zhao Xi to pieces a thousand times, suddenly lowered his arm and with a face of determination said, "Go ahead and hit me, anyway, my face isn’t worth much."

Seeing that his fist was really about to descend on Song Yuanbao, Ye Ling panicked and hurriedly shouted, "Brother, don’t hit him!"

Ye Rong paused, "Ah Yao, why are you taking sides against your own brother?"

Being watched by so many people, Ye Ling was too embarrassed to lift her head and whispered, "Young Master Yuanbao delayed the competition to catch rabbits for me."

"Rabbits? Are you saying those two rabbits were caught for you by Song Yuanbao?"

"Yes." Ye Ling twisted her fingers, feeling so embarrassed she wanted to crawl into a hole.

"Consider yourself sensible, doing something decent!" Ye Rong let go of Song Yuanbao’s collar, then realizing something was still off, drew an arrow from his back and pressed it against his neck, "Be honest, do you have other intentions towards Ah Yao?"

Song Yuanbao sighed.

"Why the hell are you sighing, did you go mute?"

Song Yuanbao lazily half-lay on the ground like he had no bones, supporting himself with his elbow, one leg bent, "If I tell you I have no intentions, you’ll accuse me of being duplicitous and stab me with an arrow. If I tell you I do, you won’t even need an accusation and will just stab me, so how do you want me to answer?"

Ye Rong, angry, said, "If you can’t answer, then say your last words!"

Song Yuanbao chuckled quietly, looking towards the cage, "See, that’s what I caught with my own hands. I haven’t even had a bite yet. When I’m dead, roast them for my drink." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Ye Ling’s face turned from red to white upon hearing this, "No, no, no, you can’t kill the rabbits, they’re not grown yet! Brother, you’re being unreasonable, you didn’t catch them for me, Young Master Yuanbao did, why is he guilty? If you dare stab him and roast the rabbits, I’ll go back and tell Grandma that you’re bullying me."

Ye Rong’s mouth twitched, "Who said I’d roast the rabbits? I won’t, I’ll just stab him, okay?"

"That’s not okay either!"

"Why not? Are you against roasting the rabbits or against stabbing Song Yuanbao?"

Ye Ling looked at him with grievance, "Can you not do either?"

Ye Rong nearly fainted with anger, "Have you been bewitched by this little rascal?"

Ye Ling defended herself, "Young Master Yuanbao is His Highness’ man, if you kill him, you won’t get away either."

The little girl was on the verge of tears as she spoke.

The Ye family had only this one daughter from two branches, doted on by the old lady like she was made of sugar. Ye Rong knew that if he dared to make his sister cry today, his brothers would hang him up to beat him when they got back.

Realizing the consequences, he had to back down and temporarily spared Song Yuanbao.

It was just a casual joke anyway, everyone was out here to have fun. Was it worth having murderous thoughts over two rabbits?

Seeing Ye Rong finally put the arrow away, Xue Yan, pale-faced, said, "Third brother, you almost scared me to death."

Ye Rong glanced at Xue Yan’s bloodless face, then at Song Yuanbao who seemed unfazed, and scoffed, "He’s the one who was nearly killed, not you. Why are you nervous?"

"I-I am of course nervous."

This hunting trip outside the city, although organized by His Highness, was ultimately to send off their uncle. If something happened during it, the Xue family would surely be held accountable.

Moreover, he didn’t want anything to happen. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone to be happy?

"Alright." Ye Rong pressed down on Xue Yan’s shoulder, "Go start the fire, don’t look like a hanging ghost, it’s quite unseemly."

Xue Yan could imagine how bad his face looked without a mirror, he smiled sheepishly, but he couldn’t help it; he’s been like this since birth, introverted and timid, easily flustered in the face of things.

As the commotion died down, Zhao Xi spoke up, "Even though we’re short two rabbits, the banquet at the Banquet Guest House won’t change. Go ahead, pick some game you want to eat, slaughter it by the creek and roast it."

The young men, hearing they still had a chance to dine with the Eldest Prince at the Banquet Guest House, cheered and rushed to choose their game. Soon after, some started the fire, some did the slaughtering, and the ten or so people coordinated seamlessly.

Zhao Xi and Yun Huai sat on the high platform. Xue Yinhuan came to bring water to them and heard Zhao Xi say, "Yun Liulang, don’t you plan to stay a few more days before returning?"

Yun Huai replied with a smile, "I have no choice, there are over a hundred disciples at home to manage. Besides, I’ve been here long enough, it’s time to go back."

At the Yun Martial Arts Hall, everything is decided by strength. Yun Liulang’s skills are unmatched, so naturally, only he can keep the disciples in line. If he leaves for too long, some may become unruly and cause trouble.

Zhao Xi felt quite regretful.

Growing up, Yun Huai was the first person he felt an instant connection with. After spending these days together, he found many admirable qualities in Yun Huai’s words and actions.

It’s just a pity that they are about to part ways.

"Have you ever considered seeking a position at the court, Yun Liulang?"

"There’s no need to join the court," Yun Huai declined politely. "Every three years, the Yun Martial Arts Hall sends a batch of disciples to the Capital to compete in the martial exams. As the current instructor, I am already contributing to the court by nurturing talents. Whether I join the court myself is not of much consequence."

Yun Huai’s intellect is certainly not inferior to his exceptional martial skills. Zhao Xi would love to have such a dependable ally, but since Yun Huai had no such intention, he didn’t want to force him.

Yun Huai glanced at the shade under a nearby tree. Song Yuanbao was sitting there talking to some young men. He smiled, "Besides, you already have a promising Assistant Minister candidate by your side."

Zhao Xi sighed lightly, "You even know what I’m thinking. You’re indeed insightful."

Yun Huai said, "When His Highness visits Jiangnan in the future, I will certainly fulfill my role as host."

Zhao Xi smiled, "It’s a promise."

After sending the water, Xue Yinhuan returned with freshly roasted rabbit meat for the two of them.

Every year at the Imperial Family’s hunting event, the palace attendants roast meat over a fire. However, Zhao Xi is always strict with himself in terms of habits and diet, and he never exceeds his limits. Therefore, he has never touched this kind of food.

Today, with Yun Huai present, he rarely picked up his chopsticks and tried a couple of bites.

Xue Yinhuan was only responsible for delivering water and meat, and she hardly spoke. However, she heard part of Zhao Xi’s conversation trying to keep Yun Huai.

It was within her expectation that her little uncle would refuse.

Xue Yinhuan thought that compared to becoming an official, her little uncle would prefer to be a chivalrous hero in the Jianghu.

...

As evening approached, a group of young men, satisfied with food and drink, began preparing for their journey back.

Previously, at the hunting grounds, everyone had witnessed Yun Huai’s and Zhao Xi’s archery skills. The two were evenly matched. After all, while Yun Liulang was renowned, their Prince was not to be underestimated either. Years of hard practice were certainly not in vain.

Someone was curious as to who had better horsemanship, Yun Liulang or His Highness.

With the young men egging them on, Yun Huai resignedly smiled, "It seems they won’t be satisfied without us having a match today."

"Then let’s have a race," Zhao Xi said, instructing Song Yuanbao to lend his horse Yi Zhangqing to Yun Liulang.

The match would only be fair if the horses were evenly matched.

Song Yuanbao didn’t mind, leading Yi Zhangqing over to Yun Huai and raising an eyebrow, "Uncle, give it your all to push some people down, so they won’t strut around all day, hurting my eyes."

Zhao Xi immediately shot him a cold glare.

"Even if you glare at me, I must speak out." Among everyone present, only Song Yuanbao dared to speak to Zhao Xi in such a manner. "How about it, Prince? How does it feel to meet your match? You always step on me and throw your weight around. Hmph, this time you’ve met your match, haven’t you? Uncle, don’t hold back, teach him a lesson."

Yun Huai couldn’t help but laugh, "You little brat."

"Can’t help it, I’m just someone who loves to speak the truth." Song Yuanbao, arms crossed, leaned against a nearby tree, looking at Zhao Xi with a triumphant gaze.

He had been oppressed for two whole years, unable to rise up. It was rare to see someone better than Zhao Xi, so he felt gratified and avenged.

Zhao Xi withdrew his gaze. Yun Huai spent a moment familiarizing himself with the horse, then mounted it. The two of them simultaneously swung their whips, and in the blink of an eye, they were out of sight.

"Quick, quick, let’s go after them." One of the young men said excitedly, clearly eager to see the outcome of the race.

As everyone mounted their horses, they heard Ye Rong, who was holding a rabbit cage for his sister, shout furiously, "One male, one female, Song Yuanbao, what do you mean?"