CHAPTER 222: CHAPTER 222: PROTECTING ONESELF

After seeing off the civil and military officials, the bustling Dongxiang Marquis Mansion quieted down.

Prince NanAn and the others walked back.

Su Chong placed his hand on the shoulder of the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion and asked, "Tell me about the legendary Second Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion."

"Why are you interested in him?" Prince NanAn chuckled.

"Isn’t it all stirred up by you? I know how formidable the Heir of Duke Chong is, but as for the Second Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion, I know nothing," Su Chong said.

The Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion said, "Let me tell you, the Second Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion is practically my amulet."

Su Chong, "...."

"Not just for me, but for Chu Shun and the others too," the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion added.

"...."

"The more I hear, the more curious I become."

"Go on, tell me," Su Chong urged.

Prince NanAn looked at Su Chong and said, "Before he became the Deputy General of the Flying Tiger Army, the Second Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion was a well-known playboy in the Capital."

"The kind of playboy none of us four combined could match," added the Heir of Duke Dingbei.

"...."

"Drinking, brawling, gambling — we do it occasionally, he did it as a regular routine," said the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion.

"The Second Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion was the epitome of playboys in the Capital, while the Heir of Duke Chong was an exceptional talent and a model for noble family offspring."

"When the Heir of Duke Chong formed the Flying Tiger Army, many noble offspring wanted to join. Provoked by others, the Second Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion went too but failed to pass the test."

"Humiliated, he fought with the current Duke Chong, then ended up imprisoned. It was the Heir of Duke Chong who magnanimously got him out."

"After that, the Second Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion worked hard and eventually passed the Heir of Duke Chong’s test, joined the Flying Tiger Army, climbed step by step to the position of Deputy General, and gained great military merits. His prestige is only second to that of the Heir of Duke Chong," said Prince NanAn.

After giving a rough introduction to the Second Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion, Prince NanAn continued, "Such a playboy turned into a Deputy General of the Flying Tiger Army, brought glory to his ancestors, became the pride of his parents. Every time my father calls me a playboy and good-for-nothing, my mother brings up the Second Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion as an example, leaving my father speechless."

"Put it this way, if I made mistakes warranting thirty to forty strokes, he can bless me to receive only at most twenty strokes," Prince NanAn said with a look full of gratitude.

Su Chong, "...."

The group, as they walked, discussed about visiting the Second Master of Jibei Marquis Mansion to offer incense some day.

Not far behind them.

Marquis Dongxiang’s face was full of black lines.

Mrs. Tang’s shoulders almost dislocated from shaking.

Steward Lin walked over and said, "Marquis, the Emperor did not take a doctor to treat the Old Duke."

"Didn’t?" Marquis Dongxiang frowned slightly.

"What’s wrong?" Mrs. Tang asked.

"The task I entrusted to my son-in-law, he didn’t complete," said Marquis Dongxiang.

Mrs. Tang knew what the matter was. She said, "Isn’t it because he couldn’t enter the palace?"

"Such a small matter, he could have accomplished even without entering the palace," Marquis Dongxiang said.

Riding on horseback back to Duke Zhen Country Mansion, Young Master Xie felt a chill run down his spine.

This chill was inexplicable but somewhat familiar.

Back when he was adamantly opposed to marrying Su Jin, Marquis Dongxiang’s gaze gave him the same feeling.

He hadn’t done anything to anger him.

Xie Jingchen thought along the way, then realized he might have forgotten to accomplish something.

Marquis Dongxiang asked him to introduce the doctor who detoxified him to the Emperor.

The Emperor wasn’t sick or in pain, so he didn’t need to see a doctor.

Moreover, for the past few days, he hadn’t felt this way, only today he did.

Xie Jingchen guessed that Marquis Dongxiang wanted to help detoxify Old Duke Chong.

This matter wasn’t appropriate for him to appear publicly. Since the Emperor was very concerned about Old Duke Chong’s health, it was best to allow the Emperor to take a doctor to detoxify Old Duke Chong.

But—

Marquis Dongxiang couldn’t possibly know that the one who detoxified him was his daughter.

It was inappropriate to introduce her to the Emperor.

Having the Emperor take her to detoxify Old Duke Chong was even more inappropriate.

...

Jibei Marquis Mansion, Shen Family.

Old Master Shen and Third Master Shen entered the mansion with sullen faces.

The two young masters followed behind, looking as if someone owed them money and hadn’t paid.

They went straight to the main courtyard where the Old Madam was waiting for them.

Seeing them enter with such grim expressions, the Old Madam’s heart sank. She asked, "Why do you all look so upset? Did something happen?"

Old Master Shen didn’t speak.

Third Master Shen angrily said, "Marquis Dongxiang has turned his thousands of brothers on Qingyun Mountain into an army named the Flying Tiger Army!"

"Is that all?" the Old Madam asked.

Just that?

Such a casual tone—

Old Master Shen looked at the Old Madam and said, "Mother, aren’t you angry?"

The Old Madam chuckled, "Yes, I’m quite angry, but what good does it do? Can you stop Marquis Dongxiang from naming his subordinates the Flying Tiger Army?"

"The Flying Tiger Army has long ceased to exist. Must future generations be barred from reestablishing a Flying Tiger Army?" the Old Madam asked.

"Our Jibei Marquis Mansion isn’t that overbearing."

Third Young Master Shen said, "How can there be none? Just a few days ago, my father said if second uncle were on the court, Marquis Dongxiang wouldn’t dare to be so arrogant."

"If second uncle were still alive, he’d make Marquis Dongxiang run with a bloodied nose!"

The Old Madam, "...."

"If it were just about reestablishing the Flying Tiger Army, it’d be one thing. But Marquis Dongxiang’s men are a bunch of bandits. Just thinking that people might one day compare Marquis Dongxiang’s Flying Tiger Army to second uncle and his men makes me furious," Second Young Master Shen said.

"Grandmother, there are already not many people who remember the Flying Tiger Army. If Marquis Dongxiang’s Flying Tiger Army suffers defeat after defeat, and everyone scorns the Flying Tiger Army, second uncle and his comrades wouldn’t rest in peace in the afterlife," Third Young Master Shen said.

The Old Madam frowned tightly.

"Did Marquis Dongxiang’s army suffer a defeat?" she asked.

"...."

"No news has come back yet," Old Master Shen said.

Third Master Shen sat down and said, "Father went with Marquis Dongxiang to deliver grain and grass to the military camp. Marquis Dongxiang wants to name the army Flying Tiger Army, and father would definitely have opposed. Knowing Marquis Dongxiang’s temper, I really worry for my father...."

Especially since Marquis Dongxiang has returned to the Capital, while Jibei Marquis has not.

These days, their hearts have been in continuous turmoil.

The Old Madam sipped her tea and casually asked, "Did any of you stand up to oppose?"

Old Master Shen shook his head, "No, we know that our Jibei Marquis Mansion has always supported the Emperor. The Emperor favors Marquis Dongxiang, and if he doesn’t oppose naming the army Flying Tiger Army, our opposition would only displease the Emperor without effect."

"Thankfully, the Emperor cherishes old ties and didn’t let his favor towards Marquis Dongxiang lead to wanton behavior. The Emperor bestowed the name Su Family Army on that bandit army."

The Old Madam frowned and said, "Bandit army — that’s too harsh. To sustain eight thousand brothers on a single mountain shows no small amount of courage. The fact that the court couldn’t conquer them attests to the fighting capabilities of that army."

"Mother, you are right," Old Master Shen said.

"I heard Prince NanAn and the others sent their sons to train at the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion. Is that true?" the Old Madam asked again.

"Indeed, it’s true," Old Master Shen replied.

"Once your father returns to the Capital, I plan to send Zuo’er and Rui’er to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion as well. In the coming days, you need to practice martial arts diligently and not let people look down on Jibei Marquis Mansion or tarnish your second uncle’s name," the Old Madam instructed.

Second Young Master Shen, "...."

Third Young Master Shen, "...."

Thinking of Prince NanAn and their faces.

The two Young Masters Shen shivered in unison.

Going to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion wouldn’t tarnish second uncle’s name, but would tarnish their own faces with disgrace.