Chapter 88

As the dishes, alternately cold and hot, were served, everyone remained silent, as it was considered impolite to talk during meals. Xu Hao took a sip of the sweet osmanthus wine and, finding it uninteresting, put down his cup. Although he was a guest at the Mu family, he felt no stranger after being there for so long. He had long since abandoned the pretense of being reserved and ate heartily with Mu Ang, who was in his growing years, like two calves greedily chewing on peonies, without any restraint.

Fortunately, apart from Mu Qingshuang, the women were already used to their family members' eating habits. Mu Ningsnow merely glanced curiously at Xu Hao, who seemed to have been reborn as a hungry ghost, and then smiled.

Seeing her son and Xu Hao competing to eat, Mu's wife was already full just from watching. She ate a few bites of vegetables, put down her silver chopsticks, rinsed her mouth, and washed her hands. She then looked at her son's hearty eating with delight and said, "That's how it should be. A man should eat with the vigor of a storm. I can't stand men who eat less than women; they don't act like men. But it seems that Ang is eating more and faster than before. Could it be that your servants are neglecting you, making you so hungry?"

Mu Ang, busy shoveling rice into his mouth, mumbled, "He leads the way in grabbing food every day. If you eat slowly, not only do you get no food, but you also have to serve tea to everyone. I don't want to lose."

Mu's wife was speechless for a moment, then gave Xu Hao, who looked embarrassed, a stern look and said softly, "You can take your time with me. Servants, add two more bowls of Eight Treasures Fresh Soup for the two of them."

Mu Qingshuang found this amusing and suddenly said, "I want to eat raw meat. Do you two dare to eat it?"

Xu Hao looked up in surprise. Mu Ningsnow put down her silver chopsticks and explained, "It's a custom in Yunnan. She has been eating it since she was young. You don't have to pay attention to her."

Mu Ang's mouth twitched, hesitating whether to accept the challenge. Xu Hao nodded indifferently, "I dare to eat it. Raw meat is tender and fresh, with a unique flavor. But I must remind you, the reason people cook meat and vegetables is that eating raw and cold food in ancient times often led to illness, and long-term consumption could shorten one's lifespan. After the ancients learned to cook food with fire, the incidence of illness decreased significantly, and they lived longer."

Mu Qingshuang snorted and continued eating her vegetables. Mu Ningsnow smiled, "Do the people of Yunnan not know this? Eating raw meat is a way to worship ancestors and deities, and it is only consumed during festivals. She is just trying to scare you."

Xu Hao smiled and nodded. He wanted to spend more time with the beautiful lady, but Mu's wife was sitting there, watching them closely. As the saying goes, "Strike while the iron is hot, but know when to stop." He asked Mu Ang, "Are you done?"

Mu Ang quickly wiped his lips with his sleeve, stood up, and pulled Xu Hao away. Mu's wife frowned but could do nothing but shake her head.

Xu Hao was about to ask when the eldest sister would return, but Mu's wife said, "I want to keep the sisters for a few more days. Please go home and explain to your elders that my second daughter has no friends in the capital, and I hope they will stay for a few more days before leaving."

Xu Hao and the eldest sister exchanged a glance. Seeing her nod in agreement, he smiled and said, "As you wish."

"Quick, quick," Mu Ang urged, pulling Xu Hao along, his pace quickening. Mu Ningsnow, expressionless, continued eating. Suddenly, she put down her bowl and chopsticks again and picked up the fragrant tea served by a maid.

Hongye, who had sharp eyes, saw that the jade bowl still had a little rice left and asked, "Is Ningsnow sister full?"

"Yes," Mu Ningsnow replied, her previous affection replaced by a distant tone. Hongye found this strange and said no more, pouting and putting down her chopsticks. Mu Qingshuang, confused, asked Hongye, "Are you full too?"

Xu Qinglian, who had been watching, chuckled to herself. Mu's wife, also observing, felt a mix of emotions.

Mu Ningsnow quickly realized she had lost her composure and apologized to Hongye, "I was thinking about something. Don't be angry with me, Hongye. I'm sorry."

Hongye, whose temper came and went quickly, immediately brightened and smiled, "I'm not angry with you, sister."

Mu Ningsnow was touched and said, "You are more sensible than some people. Sigh!"

This comment puzzled everyone, but Xu Qinglian understood and felt anxious. Suddenly, she heard her brother's voice outside, speaking loudly as if to himself.

"Hey! It's going to snow. How nice, I love snow."

"Are you crazy? It's summer, how can it snow? It might rain, but the sky is so dark, I can't see anything."

"Snow is in my heart. What do you know, little brat?"

"How much older are you than me? I hate how you always act so old. Let's fight outside if you dare."

"I won't bully the young. I'll use my magic to summon snow and see if you beg for mercy."

"I'm not afraid of snow. Bring it on, I'll step on every snowflake and turn them into mud."

"Ha! You're done for. The snow will remember your words, and you'll be punished within three days."

"Tch!"

The voices grew fainter and eventually inaudible. Xu Qinglian laughed inwardly and watched Mu Ningsnow's reaction. Mu Ningsnow, initially smiling like a blooming flower, then looked both amused and exasperated, and finally stood up, saying she was tired and needed to retire, before quickly leaving.

Mu's wife frowned, lost in thought. There was no need to say anything; her heart was filled with mixed feelings. She had no particular grudge against Xu Hao, except for his lack of ambition, and even found him somewhat admirable. He was open-minded, unconventional, and bold, a rare quality in the capital.

The problem was that Ningsnow was still in mourning for two more years. If they continued to exchange glances and signals, it could damage her reputation. Who knew what might happen in two years? If the other family arranged a marriage or something went wrong, it could ruin her daughter's future.

Mu's wife's gaze naturally turned to Hongye, who was whispering to Qingshuang. She thought it was inevitable to adopt this girl as her goddaughter and might as well adopt Qinglian as well. This way, the boy would become her godson and the godbrother of Ningsnow and Qingshuang, and no one could say anything.

Meanwhile, Xu Hao was unaware of Mu's wife's careful planning. If he knew, he would have praised her for her wisdom.

In the outer courtyard, Mu Ang led Xu Hao through a maze of paths to a small courtyard. Xu Hao looked around and recognized the neighboring courtyard as Jiang Song's. Jiang Song, to save money and enjoy the Mu family's food, had moved in early.

Jiang Song's wife had died of illness last year, leaving behind a twenty-something unmarried son, Jiang Wenzhang. He disliked studying and preferred to hang out with ruffians in nearby villages, gambling compulsively and often absent from home. Jiang Wenzhang had one good quality: he was clear-headed and loyal, but sometimes he was also foolish and unruly, especially when drunk, becoming even more despicable than his father.

After Jiang Song lost a lawsuit to Liu Lao, he lost his reputation in the academy and was given a bad evaluation. Someone took advantage of this and swindled a large sum of money from him, which was almost his life savings. Enraged, Jiang Song cursed at Liu Lao's house every day for half a month, which led to the death of Liu Lao's bedridden mother.

Xu Hao, feeling indignant, wanted to teach Jiang Song a lesson but couldn't do it himself. He decided to involve Mu Ang.

The sky was pitch black, with dark clouds obscuring the moon. Mu Ang led Xu Hao into the courtyard, finding it amusing. They crouched under a window, and Xu Hao, feeling a childlike urge, followed suit, leaning against the wall. The windows were open, propped up by a stick.

On the kang (a traditional heated bed), four servants were sitting, two around twelve and two around fourteen, laughing and drinking around a small table. Xu Hao recognized them as Mu Ang's attendants: Shibiyen, Mo, Pinshu, and Puzhi.

On the table were a bottle of wine, a few bowls, a plate of sheep's stomach, a plate of braised fish, a bowl of stewed pork knuckle, and two plates of dried fruit. The oldest attendant, Shibiyen, teased the youngest, Pinshu, "Where have you been all day, you lazy woman? I haven't seen you at all."

Pinshu, flushed from drinking, retorted, "Nonsense, I've been in the tea room all day. If anyone is lazy, they're a turtle. What do you want from me? Do you want to be my grandson for a day?"

The other two attendants laughed, and Shibiyen, embarrassed, cursed, "You dare to talk back, you slut! I want to have my way with you."

He grabbed Pinshu and pushed him onto the kang, kissing him fiercely, several times.

Pinshu pushed him away, saying, "Do you think you can kiss me whenever you want? Get off me. I won't scold you because you're older. Why are you so rough? You've chipped my teeth and messed up my hair."

Xu Hao, unable to bear the stimulation, felt goosebumps. He looked at Mu Ang, who was still watching with interest. Xu Hao shook his head, thinking this boy would not turn out well.

Shibiyen, not letting up, continued to tease Pinshu, touching him all over. Finally, Pinshu kicked the table in anger, scaring the other two attendants, who quickly steadied the wine bottle and complained, "The wine is spilled. If you want to fight, do it in another room. My clothes are stained; you'll have to pay for them."

"You deserve it for standing by and watching," Pinshu cursed, kicking again, his face red.

Shibiyen laughed, "I was just teasing you, and you got so angry?" Without waiting for a response, he pounced on Pinshu, forcing him onto the kang, spitting into his mouth and messing up his hair.

"You slut, just because you've caught the master's eye, you think you're better than us? If you don't comply, I'll make you eat my semen."

The other two attendants laughed, clapping and cheering.

Pinshu, struggling to stand, said angrily, "Play and laugh all you want, but why spit in my mouth?"

Shibiyen mocked, "You've eaten enough spit. Is mine disgusting? Fine! If I don't make you suck my dick tonight, I'm not human, just a lecher."

Xu Hao, unable to bear it any longer, pushed Mu Ang hard.

PS: This is Xiaochai's wicked sense of humor. Ha ha ha! If you don't vote for me, humph! I'll write whatever I want.

Salute!

Page flip AD starts

Page flip AD ends