Chapter 542: Chapter 534: Visiting to Retrieve Someone
Xiong Er and Jing Xiaosi were accompanied by Mr. Lin for their meal, both of them frequently glancing towards the entrance, showing a fair bit of distraction.
Lin Qingfan observed their restlessness, couldn’t help but hook the corners of his mouth slightly upward, thinking that though the eldest son of Xiong Family has established some accomplishments as an official outside, Xiong Er, the second son, was nothing but a playboy with brute strength but no brains. Yet, looking at him now, he seemed to have a more naive heart than other playboys, quite simple and honest.
As for Jing Si, he had only found out today that there was some trouble at the Marquis Chang’an Mansion, seemingly related to his younger brother being unwell. However, his and Xiong Er’s temperaments seemed to complement each other.
These cousins, both not bad at all.
"Here they come." Xiong Er suddenly stood up.
Lin Qingfan looked over and saw his father accompanying Qin Liuxi as they walked over, with a serene and amiable demeanor, prompting him to also stand up and take a deep look at Qin Liuxi.
It was she who saved his grandmother’s life, rumored to be a female crown.
Lin Qingfan merely glanced once before shifting his gaze, moving to his father’s side to greet him with a bow: "Father."
Xiong Er sloppily followed with a bow, turning to look at Qin Liuxi, seeing her relaxed expression, his tense heart also relaxed.
"Let’s change to a new table of dishes, I’ll drink a couple of cups with the Junior Temple Master," Lin Xiang ordered, seeing that the food and drink had been touched, instructing his eldest son to make arrangements.
Lin Qingfan grew even more surprised, his father regarded this female crown highly, he moved to the door to make arrangements.
The steward came in to report: "Prime Minister, Mr. Xiong, the Assistant Minister of War, has arrived."
"Oh?" Lin Xiang smiled: "Perfect timing, change the table of drinks, we’ll drink a few cups together, please invite him over."
Xiong Er: "?"
His old man has arrived, this is the end!
Mr. Xiong received word that Xiong Er was back while he was grooming his splendid beard, however, the next moment he heard that the boy, along with Jing Si, had caused some enormous trouble, frightening him so much he pulled out a few hairs, but he had no time to care about it, hurriedly asking his wife to prepare gifts to rescue his son.
On his way there, he was incredibly anxious, fearing that if something really went wrong with the Madam Lin, the Xiong Family wouldn’t be able to compensate.
That Xiong scoundrel, Xiong Er, would definitely need to be confined when he got back.
Having run around with Jing Si for nearly a year, not even coming home for New Year’s, he was gallivanting outside, yet now, as soon as he returned, he caused such a huge disaster.
Rascally thing.
Mr. Xiong cautiously followed the steward to the front parlor, seeing Xiong Er standing one step behind Lin Xiang, he immediately dashed forward and grabbed his ear, unleashing a beating.
"Look at you, rascal, it’s fine you wandered off without coming home, but as soon as you return, you cause trouble. I’ll beat you to death," as Mr. Xiong berated and beat him: "You even dared to block Prime Minister Mansion’s old lady’s carriage from leaving and even made audacious proclamations, you brute, you’re so capable why don’t you ascend to heaven?"
Xiong Er cried out in pain: "Dad, dad, go easy, you’re hurting me, when mom finds out she won’t let you into her room, then we’ll see you cry."
Everyone: "..."
This was the gossip they got to hear for free, quite, explosive?
Mr. Xiong became furious, exerting even more force: "Keep talking, keep being stubborn with your old man."
Xiong Er wailed even louder.
Lin Xiang, having had his fill of amusement, coughed once, and said: "Alright. There’s no need for Mr. Xiong to be so harsh, your son’s pure heart is commendable, he’s a good child."
Mr. Xiong thought to himself, finally, you spoke up, otherwise I would not know how to step down.
That dead boy doesn’t have brains but he’s built big and tall; it’s exhausting for a short old man like myself to beat him.
Mr. Xiong let go, then took small steps forward, clasping his hands in respect: "Prime Minister Lin, it is my fault for not disciplining my son properly, leading to his reckless behavior. You can punish him however you see fit, Prime Minister Lin, I have no objections. Unfilial son, why aren’t you kneeling down? And you, Jing Lian, kneel down too and kowtow to the Prime Minister to admit your mistakes."
Prime Minister Lin quickly responded: "No, no. In fact, if it weren’t for your son and nephew’s intervention and introduction of a physician with excellent medical skills, my mother might have been in grave danger. I should be the one thanking you."
As he spoke, he bowed toward Mr. Xiong, and standing beside him, Lin Qingfan, seeing this, also bent down to clasp his hands in thanks.
Mr. Xiong stepped back in fright, saying: "Prime Minister, this is too much honor for someone as unworthy as me, I dare not accept it."
Prime Minister Lin straightened up and said: "It’s only proper. Since you’re here, why not join us for a few drinks?"
Mr. Xiong politely declined a couple of times before he followed them inside, giving Xiong Er a fierce glare, then glanced at Qin Liuxi, who stood aside with his arms crossed, enjoying the spectacle.
Is this the young man with the exquisite medical skills?
Alright, this is not the time to twist the ears of the rascals to get military intelligence, thought Mr. Xiong, tearing his gaze away and following Prime Minister Lin with a fawning and sleazy demeanor, constantly inquiring about Madam Lin’s well-being. Upon hearing she was stable, he felt relieved as if a weight had been lifted from his heart.
The two rascals’ lives were spared.
Watching Mr. Xiong’s behavior, Qin Liuxi understood who Xiong Er took after.
Prime Minister Lin personally saw to the guests, and the dining table was filled with cheerful hosts and guests, where they only discussed parenting and not politics, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Jing Xiaosi, however, was somewhat silent.
Marquis Chang’an did not come.
Does he not care about the life and death of his eldest son, or is he entangled with that trouble caused by his stepbrother? What would his reaction be if he knew that he had been cuckolded by that woman?
Jing Xiaosi lifted his cup and took a sip, hiding the mocking smile at the corner of his mouth.
Trouble continued in Marquis Chang’an Mansion. First, the young master suddenly fainted, and despite the Imperial Physician coming in and out, there were no positive results. Then, a Daoist from Jinhua Temple arrived, and whatever he did, he entered with black hair, but in less than two hours, his hair had turned all white, and he was completely dejected, scaring the life out of someone.
According to what Marchioness Chang’an said, someone had cast a nightmare spell on her son, and the Daoist’s haggard state was a result of his attempts to solve this issue. Unfortunately, his magical power was insufficient, and he needed to return to the temple to seek assistance from his fellow Daoists.
Marquis Chang’an had no choice but to invite all the physicians in Shengjing City, but alas, everyone was at their wit’s end.
When he received the news from Lin Xiang Mansion, Marquis Chang’an was stunned. Jing Lian’s willful behavior already greatly annoyed him by not coming home for the New Year, but with his mother shielding him and allowing him to indulge in his pleasures, he let it be.
But now, he’s back and has stirred up trouble with Lin Xiang Mansion? Such a calamity?
What a rebellious son.
Marquis Chang’an was furious and had no intention of going to Prime Minister Mansion to fetch him. It was Mrs. Niu who heard about the incident caused by Xiong Er and Jing Xiaosi at the city gate and spent quite some effort persuading: "Regardless, he is still your cousin’s eldest son, and now with Xiao Si like this, what would we do if something happened to him?"
How would she know Jing Lian’s condition if they don’t bring him back?
Upon hearing this, Marquis Chang’an hesitated and said: "Then I shall go."
As he stepped out the door, Mrs. Niu’s face darkened and she threw down two fish-playing-pearl tea cups, angrily saying: "What a master at hiding, right under my nose. This stepson, such cunning schemes."
No, wasn’t the previous informant reporting that he was in Li City? How did he come back so quickly?
At that moment, Qin Liuxi said to Jing Xiaosi: "Tell me, if your father asks me to treat your stepbrother, should I accept?"
Things were getting more interesting.
Jing Xiaosi was startled and before he could respond, the Steward from Prime Minister Mansion came to report again, Marquis Chang’an had arrived.