Chapter 71

"Excuse me, excuse me... I'm sorry, I have an emergency, please let me through, please make way..."

"Pushing, are you? Can't you see everyone is queuing? Only you are in a hurry, no one else is?"

"Hey, that guy, don't cut in line, go to the back..."

"Damn, can't you see? Be careful, if you knock over my gift, you'll be in trouble..."

In the long queue, Feng Jueyu pushed and shoved his way through, sweating profusely, and managed to squeeze to the front of the hundred-meter-long line. He received countless scowls and curses along the way, but he couldn't afford to lose his temper. These high-ranking "house servants" from prestigious families were usually quite proud. They were used to acting superior with their masters, looking down on others as if they were the emperor's second son. They wouldn't even notice anyone but their masters, and arguing with them would surely drown you in their words.

Feng Jueyu tried to avoid trouble as much as possible, keeping his head down and rushing to the front to reach the old steward who was receiving gifts. No one recognized him.

Finally, after much effort, Feng Jueyu's back was drenched in sweat, but he had no time to care. He approached the old steward, smiled, and said, "Sir, may I have a word with you?"

"Sir, who are you...?"

The old man was indeed the steward of the Zhang residence, but he only managed the gate and the front yard, with a "deputy" title. The Zhang residence was a gift from the emperor, so large that even the stewards were numerous, but he was not the chief steward.

Feng Jueyu's cutting in line did not sit well with those behind him. In Tian Nan, everyone had a face to keep. They had been waiting for a long time, so why should they let him cut in line? Several house servants and young masters started to protest.

"Hey, that guy, do you know the rules of queuing?"

"That's right, everyone has been waiting for a long time. Why should you cut in line? Go to the back and wait your turn."

Feng Jueyu, sweating profusely, could only turn back and smile apologetically, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

"Sorry, my ass. Who are you? State your name. You really don't know the rules."

Seeing the situation, Feng Jueyu was sweating even more. He was just delivering a chess manual, and it wasn't much. He quickly seized the opportunity to say to the steward, "My name is Feng. I'm here to wish Lord Zhang a happy birthday. Unfortunately, I have some urgent matters at home and can't personally hand the gift to Lord Zhang. Could you please receive it and pass it on to him? He will understand once he sees it." As he spoke, a silver ingot appeared in his hand, and he discreetly slipped it to the old man.

Most of the people coming to wish Lord Zhang a happy birthday were high-ranking officials from Tian Nan City, and they all brought expensive gifts. However, no one thought of bribing the steward at the gate with silver. Seeing Feng Jueyu use this strategy, the stewards and servants at the front all wished they could slap themselves. They thought, "Look at him, how well he handles things. We've been standing here for two hours, what a waste of time. How stupid of us..."

Actually, they weren't stupid. Everyone who could come to Lord Zhang's birthday was someone important, and no one would dare to lose face.

Because of their noble backgrounds, they all felt it was unnecessary to flatter the servants of the Zhang residence. After all, which steward or servant would be short of a few pieces of silver?

Damn, it turned out they were short.

Seeing the steward take the silver so quickly, the servants at the front regretted it deeply. If they had known, they would have done the same, how much easier it would have been.

The deputy steward didn't expect someone to try to cut in line and bribe him. Before he could react, he had a silver ingot and a tattered book in his hand. He noticed Feng Jueyu's fine clothing and noble demeanor, and thought he might be a young master from some noble family. Such a person was unexpectedly humble and worldly-wise, which was quite likable.

Looking at the few people at the front who were looking down their noses, he found them increasingly annoying. Without a word, he slipped the silver ingot into his sleeve, making the most vocal and dissatisfied young masters fume with anger.

The deputy steward ignored them, glanced at the "Wang You Qing Le Ji" (Forget Worries and Enjoy Life Collection), and said, "Sir, you are too kind. It's a pity you can't attend the celebration, but it can't be helped."

"Attending would be the real pity," Feng Jueyu thought to himself, but he said, "It is a pity, but I have no choice. I have some family matters. Please take care of it for me. I'll take my leave now."

Feng Jueyu was about to leave when the deputy steward grabbed him, perhaps because of the silver ingot. He smiled and said, "Sir, please wait. Could you leave your name? I need to report it to my master."

"Name? No need, right?"

Feng Jueyu was anxious, knowing that if he didn't leave soon, the Shangguan family's carriage would arrive.

The deputy steward didn't understand his concern and said, "It's necessary, it's the rule."

"Well... Okay, my name is Feng Jueyu..."

"Feng Jueyu?" The deputy steward was stunned, the name sounded familiar, but he couldn't place it. He wrote it down and asked, "Sir Feng, where is your residence?"

"My residence..."

Feng Jueyu was about to make up an excuse when a commotion came from the crowd. Before he could turn around, he heard Shangguan Ruofan's voice behind him, "Sister, Father, Grandfather, look, it's Brother-in-law..."

"Jueyu?" Shangguan Lingyun's rough and powerful voice echoed like a thunderclap.

Perhaps because of the events of the previous night, which had shocked the entire Tian Nan City, no one failed to recognize this Shangguan family patriarch who dared to defy the imperial edict. Without a word, the long queue split into two, making way for the middle path.

Shangguan Lingyun, with Shangguan Tengfeng, Shangguan Ruomeng, and the entire family, walked over without any restraint, followed by numerous servants carrying boxes and gift boxes. They quickly reached the gate.

"Damn," Feng Jueyu thought, knowing he couldn't leave now...

"Brother Feng, I didn't expect you to be here before us."

Shangguan Ruomeng walked over gracefully, her smile warm and radiant, her elegant and dignified attire attracting many admiring glances.

This Shangguan family's young lady was not a stranger in Tian Nan City. She was the young manager of Huairen Hall, a businesswoman of great repute, known to everyone.

As she walked from the back of the queue, many high-ranking officials got out of their carriages and horses to greet her, calling her "Young Lady" warmly. Of course, the most respected was Shangguan Lingyun, the old patriarch.

This founding period Tian Nan Seven Kings, after his thunderous anger the previous night, had once again gained the attention of the world. The Shangguan family was not to be provoked, not to be offended...

At the same time, everyone noticed the person the young lady's beautiful eyes were fixed on, none other than the young master Feng who had just bribed the steward with silver.

Seeing the young lady's affectionate gaze and her steady approach, the high-ranking officials present shivered... especially the few young masters who had just criticized and even insulted Feng Jueyu, who buried their heads, beads of sweat dripping to the ground...

Damn, this guy is Feng Jueyu, the one who was almost kidnapped by bandits, causing Shangguan Lingyun to send hundreds of guards to search the entire city, and even defy the imperial edict.

How could it be him?

The few servants and house servants at the front quickly turned their heads, afraid that Feng Jueyu would remember their faces.

Shangguan Lingyun, who dared to defy the imperial edict for him, was someone to be avoided as much as possible, a person not to be provoked...

"Little Sister Ruomeng..."

Feng Jueyu, seeing Shangguan Ruomeng approaching, felt his heart sink to the bottom. He had just told her he would be delayed at a friend's house, and now she had caught him. What a bad year...

But since he had been caught, he couldn't avoid it. He could only force a smile and greet her.

"Little Brother, weren't you supposed to have something to do? Why are you here?" Shangguan Lingyun walked over with a powerful gait, his towering figure blocking half the sky. If someone didn't know better, they would think it was about to rain.

"Ah, this... Yes, ha-ha, why? I was afraid of being late, so I came over after finishing my business. The two places aren't far apart..."

Shangguan Lingyun didn't suspect anything, nodded, and waved his hand. The servants behind him started to present the gifts.

The deputy steward, realizing Feng Jueyu was from the Shangguan family, recalled the city-wide search that shocked the nation the previous night, which was all because of this Shangguan family's son-in-law. He is Feng Jueyu, no wonder the name sounded familiar. I actually took his silver...

The deputy steward was increasingly alarmed and quickly ordered someone to count the gifts and announce the numbers, then respectfully escorted the Shangguan family into the residence.

Feng Jueyu followed behind. Taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, the deputy steward quietly followed and grabbed Feng Jueyu, returning the silver ingot and the "Wang You Qing Le Ji."

"Sir Feng, I didn't recognize you earlier. Please don't be offended. I can't accept this silver. Please take it back."

"This..." Feng Jueyu was stunned but quickly understood. The deputy steward was probably scared. He smiled bitterly and said, "How can I do that? Once given, it can't be taken back. This silver is for the brothers as a tip. You keep it. I'll give the chess manual to Lord Zhang myself. Don't worry, no one will know about this."

The deputy steward was deeply moved and reluctantly accepted the silver, returning the chess manual.

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**End of Chapter**