In less than a quarter of an hour, the room was filled with people. It was estimated that the doctor was examining Jiao Lianping. Madam Chen was holding the child, wiping her tears, both mother and son stifling their cries and sobbing softly.
Madam Jiao sat aside with a displeased expression, her hands clenched into fists within her sleeves, finally suppressing the anger in her chest.
But looking at her son, who had been beaten into a bloody mess, and then at Jiao Lianyu, who was feigning innocence behind Prefect Jiao, a ruthless glint flashed in Madam Jiao's eyes. She regretted not being soft-hearted back then, not sparing this little beast for the sake of the Jiao family. Otherwise, Ping'er would not have suffered such a great injustice today.
Prefect Jiao stood with his hands behind his back. After calming down, he also felt some regret. No matter how angry he was, he should not have lost his composure. If his face was scarred…
"Doctor Luo?" Seeing Doctor Luo stand up, Chen An asked anxiously, looking at his husband, who had already fainted from the pain, with worry and heartache.
Prefect Jiao and Madam Jiao looked over with concern. No matter how useless Jiao Lianping was, he was still their son, the eldest son of the Jiao family, and they had once placed great hopes on him.
"Your Excellency need not worry. Although the eldest young master has suffered, it is only a flesh wound," Doctor Luo said with certainty. Seeing Prefect Jiao's solemn expression, he continued, "As for this wound on his cheek, it is a bit deep. However, as long as a good medicine for scar removal is found, there will be no obvious scars left in the future."
Hearing this, Prefect Jiao and the others finally relaxed their hearts. It was good that there would be no scars; he could still serve as an official in the future.
Jiao Lianping's handsome face also showed a look of joy, but he secretly regretted in his heart that his elder brother's luck was truly good, having escaped this calamity. Otherwise, the Jiao family would be completely estranged from his elder brother from now on, and someone who could not…
…
Zhan Feiyu sealed the few letters she had written. "Send them out later."
Is the young lady planning to befriend Young Master Jiao and the others? He Nuan took the letter. The first one was to be sent to the Jiao residence, but it was addressed to Jiao Lianping, not Prefect Jiao.
"It's just a small gesture," Zhan Feiyu explained with a smile. The events of today would surely not be kept secret. Although Jiao Lianping and the others came from noble families, they were not heavily relied upon by their families. It was hard to guarantee that some people, under the guise of avenging her, would not target them.
After He Nuan took the letters out, Zhan Feiyu began her studies for the day.
On the other side, just as Zhan Feiyu had predicted, as soon as Jiao Lianping and the others left the wine shop, the news arrived.
"Second Young Master, the eldest young master is desperate and resorts to any means. He even dared to bring a male entertainer to see Miss Zhan." The young servant shook his head disdainfully. The eldest young master was just lucky to be born well; otherwise, with such stupidity, why would he enjoy wealth and luxury?
Jiao Lianyu was coloring a painting of flowers and birds on the long table and said slowly, "Does Father know about this?"
"My lord is still at the yamen," the servant replied in a low voice. He hesitated and continued, "Shall I have someone leak the news to my lord? Is the young lady planning to befriend Young Master Jiao and the others? He Nuan took the letter. The first one was to be sent to the Jiao residence, but it was addressed to Jiao Lianping, not Prefect Jiao.
Befriend the young masters? He Nuan took the letter. The first one was to be sent to the Jiao residence,
"It's just a small gesture." Zhan
Miss is a distinguished guest of Lord Qiu. The eldest young master is unreliable and even dared to bring a male entertainer to disrespect the precious Miss Zhan. Whether it was intentional or unintentional, my lord will surely not spare the eldest young master lightly in order to give Miss Zhan an explanation.
"No need. My elder brother is arrogant and conceited, but he is not stupid. Too much of a good thing can be bad. If it makes Father suspicious, it will be counterproductive." With the last stroke of vermilion red dotting the kingfisher's eye, Jiao Lianyu showed a gentle smile on his handsome face. "Brotherly affection. If my elder brother makes a mistake, I, his younger brother, naturally have to mend it a little."
The servant was stunned for a moment before he reacted, his face full of flattery. "You are still so wise, Young Master. I am truly far behind."
A hint of smugness flashed in Jiao Lianyu's eyes. He picked up a cloth to wipe his hands. "To make the act complete, make sure my elder brother believes that I was the one who reported him."
"Yes, I'll do it now." The servant nodded repeatedly. By then, the lord would surely dislike the ungrateful eldest young master even more.
…
Qianzhong Prefecture Yamen.
"My lord, something big has happened!" A middle-aged man, resembling a steward, rushed into the yamen.
Fortunately, the constables recognized him as the steward of Lord Wei's household. Thinking of Lord Wei's incompetent youngest son, such scenes happened several times a month.
Cai Zhiyuan and his group were still in prison. Prefect Jiao hadn't even had time for lunch, and all the officials in the yamen were busy. Lord Wei, who was working in his office, heard the shout and his expression turned extremely unpleasant.
"My lord, it is my fault for not teaching my son properly." Lord Wei quickly stood up to apologize. It was enough to be disgraced in the past, but during this critical period, that rebellious son was still causing trouble again and again. Lord Wei wished he could immediately return to the Wei family and beat him severely.
Lord Teng, seated at the head of the table, did not look up and said, "Go out and see, don't cause any trouble."
"Yes." Lord Wei felt utterly humiliated in front of his colleagues. After bowing, he strode out of the door.
The steward, ignoring the presence of others, said urgently, "My lord, something has happened!"
"What did that rebellious son do now?" Lord Wei squeezed the words out from between his teeth. This morning, he had sent someone back with a message, telling the Wei family to act cautiously, especially that rebellious son, who should be confined at home to prevent him from causing trouble. Yet, something had happened within two hours.
"The young master went out with the eldest young master at noon..." The steward quickly explained the matter. Seeing Lord Wei's furious face, he cautiously continued, "I heard that Lord Qiu has also received the news."
This was Qianzhong Prefecture. What news could be hidden from Lord Qiu? Moreover, the Yi Pin Lou was full at noon, and the Jiao eldest young master, Tan, and this group of scions were familiar faces. Coupled with Bai Yu Lou's male entertainer, Xiao Tao Hong, it was estimated that by tomorrow, this news would have spread throughout the streets and alleys of Qianzhong Prefecture.
In his extreme anger, Lord Wei almost choked on his breath, his old face turning red. "That rebellious son… rebellious son…"
It was not that Lord Wei was so angry. What was Zhan Feiyu's status? She was the youngest disciple of the current Grand Scholar, and half a student of Elder Qiu. Lord Qiu treated her with the courtesy of an equal.
Such a noble status was almost comparable to royalty! Yet, this little beast from the Wei family actually brought a male entertainer to meet guests. Who was he insulting?
Seeing Lord Wei's abnormal expression, the steward quickly stepped forward to pat his back and help him breathe. "My lord, you must calm down."
Pushing away the steward's hand, Lord Wei, who saw stars, finally recovered. "You go back and tie up that little beast for me. I'll ask for leave from the lord!"
No matter how busy the yamen was, Lord Wei had to ask for leave and return to the Wei family. Even if he beat this little beast to death today, he had to go to Miss Zhan's place to apologize! He could not endanger the entire Wei family for a little beast!
After a while, Lord Wei had to explain the reason to his superior, Lord Teng, in a low voice, and then asked for leave and hurried back to the Wei family in a carriage.
These troublesome things! Lord Teng was also having a headache. After all, the leader of these scions was the eldest young master Jiao!
Thinking of Prefect Jiao, who was still busy, Lord Teng sighed. He didn't ask the younger generation to be ambitious and enterprising, but at least they shouldn't be a drag! Closing the official document in his hand, Lord Teng had no choice but to get up and report the situation to Prefect Jiao.
…
Two quarters of an hour later, Jiao Residence.
The smell of blood permeated the room, and coupled with the messy study, one would think it had been robbed.
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Jiao Lianping, who was leaning on the ground, had a deathly pale face. Besides the swollen palm prints on his cheek, there was also a bloody wound on his forehead, with traces of ink visible. He knew without looking that it was a wound from being hit by an inkstone.
Coupled with the thin summer clothes, one whip followed another. The blood seeped through the fabric. If he hadn't been leaning against the display shelf behind him, he would have fallen down by now.
"If you have the guts, beat me to death! It will just make room for your talented second son!" he said word by word, panting. Each word exhausted his last bit of strength, and he could only rely on resentment to hold on.