Chapter 70

Chapter 70: You Were Not Allowed to Go!

Ye Zhuo Yun asked, “How does General Pei plan to do it?”

Ye Zhuo Yun felt tempted. Ye Rong was Ye Zhuo Yun’s only son, and no one wanted to erase the ‘wastrel’ label from Ye Rong more than Ye Zhuo Yun did.

Pei Ling Yuan said, “What else can we do? Of course we throw a huge banquet and promote our sons properly. Minister Ye, Official Chen, Official Zhou – are you doing it or not? Let’s do it together!”

Ye Zhuo Yun cleared his throat. “Isn’t that a bit too exaggerated?”

Pei Ling Yuan replied, “Exaggerated? His Majesty praised them in open court. If we invite everyone to have some fun, what’s wrong with that?”

Ye Zhuo Yun agreed, “That makes sense!”

The men immediately struck the plan.

Pei Ling Yuan said, “Good! Then we’ll go ask Grand General Shang if he wants to join. If Grand General Shang joins, he doesn’t need to pay. The rest of us can pool money and it’ll be enough. After all, the biggest credit belongs to Young Master Shang Er!”

After they settled it, they stopped Shang Tian Hao, who was striding away.

Shang Tian Hao halted.

After Shang Tian Hao heard Ye Zhuo Yun’s proposal, his already gloomy face turned even darker. Shang Tian Hao never expected Shang Xing Yu, that wastrel who lived off others, to stumble into merit and even earn praise from His Majesty at morning court.

If Rao’er heard about it, wouldn’t she think of Qin Meng Cen again, that vile woman?

Shang Tian Hao wished he did not have a son like Shang Xing Yu at all.

As for holding a banquet for him… how could that be possible?

Shang Tian Hao said, “No need. It’s only a small merit. If you make a big show of it, don’t you feel ashamed?”

Ye Zhuo Yun became unhappy. “How is it shameful? His Majesty praised them in open court. What young gentleman from any household has that kind of honor?”

Pei Ling Yuan also advised, “Grand General Shang, it’s important for a father to be strict, but you can’t keep a stiff face all the time. At such a happy moment, why do you look like you’re facing an enemy?”

Shang Tian Hao said, “Do as you please. As for the Shang Residence, we won’t join the excitement.”

Shang Tian Hao turned to leave, but Chief Attendant Su hurried over at that moment. “Grand General Shang, please wait. His Majesty requests you to go in alone.”

Shang Tian Hao froze for a moment. Shang Tian Hao nodded to Ye Zhuo Yun and the others, then strode back.

Ye Zhuo Yun asked, “Eunuch Su, did His Majesty not summon me?”

What business required Shang Tian Hao, a military officer, but not him, the Minister of Revenue? There had been no need to wage war lately.

Chief Attendant Su replied, “No. As for today’s matter, congratulations to Minister Ye and the lords.”

Since it had nothing to do with him, Ye Zhuo Yun did not dwell on it. Ye Zhuo Yun continued discussing the banquet with the others.

Very quickly, they decided to hold the banquet tonight at Tao Ran House.

With Ye Zhuo Yun, the Minister of Revenue, the guest list was decided quickly as well.

Only when it came to the Duke Qi Residence did the men hesitate.

Ye Zhuo Yun frowned. Ye Zhuo Yun really did not want to invite the other people from the duke’s household, but inviting only Princess Qing Ning, a woman, also seemed awkward.

Pei Ling Yuan said, “Invite only Princess Qing Ning!”

Pei Ling Yuan continued, “That Qi Shu Xian seemed decent at first, but I didn’t expect him to have no spine at all. He let his old parents bully his own daughter-in-law.”

Ye Zhuo Yun said, “Fine. We’ll do what General Pei says.”

That evening, invitations from the Four Houses were delivered into Ping Lan Residence.

Sheng Zhi Wan changed into an indigo dress and had An Zhi tell the steward to prepare the carriage.

When the steward learned Sheng Zhi Wan was leaving the residence at night, the steward looked troubled.

The steward suggested, “If Princess is going out, why not speak to the Heir Apparent first and arrange a few guards who know martial arts to follow Princess?”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “No need. This time is different from last time. I am attending Minister Ye and General Pei’s banquet inside the city. I am not leaving the city gates.”

The steward had no choice. While arranging the carriage, the steward also sent someone to report to Qi Shu Xian.

Qi Shu Xian was in the study. After hearing the steward’s report, Qi Shu Xian’s face darkened, and Qi Shu Xian marched over and blocked Sheng Zhi Wan at the doorway.

Qi Shu Xian reached out to grab Sheng Zhi Wan and barked, “Get down. You’re not allowed to go!”

Sheng Zhi Wan dodged aside.

Sheng Zhi Wan asked, “What does the Heir Apparent mean? Do I not even have the freedom to leave the residence?”

Qi Shu Xian said, “Do you know the residence did not receive an invitation?”

Sheng Zhi Wan replied, “But I received one.”

Qi Shu Xian said, “They didn’t send an invitation to the residence, but they sent one to you. They invited only Madam and not Husband. There’s no such logic anywhere. If you go today, you’ll be humiliating the duke’s household. Where will the Duke Qi Residence put its face?”

Sheng Zhi Wan sneered. “The Duke Qi Residence’s face wasn’t ruined by me. Wasn’t it ruined by you people? You blocked me outside the gate and forced me to follow some old-dynasty practice. Even with witnesses, you still insisted I wasn’t clean.”

Qi Shu Xian argued, “That’s a different matter. The past is already past. Why do you keep holding on?”

Sheng Zhi Wan said, “The Heir Apparent can let it go, but I can’t!”

Sheng Zhi Wan did not look at him. Sheng Zhi Wan ordered Zhang Da, “Leave the residence!”

Qi Shu Xian roared, “You’re not allowed to leave the residence!”

Zhang Da looked at Qi Shu Xian, then at Sheng Zhi Wan. Then Zhang Da gritted his teeth and said, “Heir Apparent, this servant’s life was saved by Princess. If you want to beat me or punish me, wait until this servant comes back to receive it.”

After saying that, Zhang Da snapped the whip.

Qi Shu Xian dodged in a hurry and could only watch as the carriage drove past him.

Sheng Zhi Wan lifted the curtain and saw Qi Shu Xian’s dark face. Sheng Zhi Wan felt delighted and called loudly, “Zhang Da, don’t be afraid. You were bought with my silver. Your indenture papers are in my hands. People from the Duke Qi Residence have no right to punish you!”

The words drifted back into Qi Shu Xian’s ears.

Qi Shu Xian clenched his fists so hard they shook, anger surging up.

In the end, it could only become one hard punch slammed into the wall beside him.