Chapter Twenty Neighborhood Rumors

  At the banquet, Song Kai finally understood that Li Menghuan was indeed the youngest daughter of the Princess's family. Her father, also known as the Imperial Son-in-law, was named Dong Changyun, who was the top scholar in the imperial examination and a renowned talent throughout the Tang Dynasty.

  Dong Changyun would have had a good career as an official, but he has lost hope in the current chaotic imperial court. Moreover, he truly loves Princess Li Yuanyuan, so he became her husband and although he doesn't have real power anymore, his life is not bad either.

  Dong Changyun's maternal uncle is Sun Tang, so Li Menghuan and Sun Ximei are in a maternal cousin relationship. The other two boys, Dabao and Erbao, also have a kinship with Sun Ximei and Li Menghuan. When Princess Zhang moved out of the imperial palace, she came to Suzhou because Dong Changyun's relatives were all here.

  After a conversation, Song Kai had already become sworn brothers and sisters with Sun Ximei, Li Menghuan, Dabao and Erbao.

  "Song Kai, what's on your mind? Speak up and we'll definitely help you," Sun Ximei said, her usual self not being one for idle chatter, except for Li Menghan, the rest of the brothers and sisters were all afraid of her, today she spoke out like this, it also showed that she was indeed willing to follow Song Kai's lead in causing trouble.

  Song Kai nodded, looking at the several young men and women who were drunk, he thought to himself that it was amusing. He opened his mouth and said: "Actually, it's quite easy. I thought about it yesterday, why Liu Ji Qian would be so determined to marry off Liu Niangzi to Yang Huaiyan. I think it's just because Yang Huaiyan can bring convenience to Liu Ji Qian. If we talk about the greatest convenience, that would be the recent imperial tribute of silk and cloth. Yang Huaiyan must have made this promise, which is why Liu Ji Qian was so anxious and determined to marry off his daughter."

  "How detestable!" Li Menghuan slapped the table, got up with a swagger and walked two steps before sitting down beside Song Kai. "Brother Song, rest assured that the imperial tribute is only possible with the approval of the Weaving Bureau. I'll go back and tell my mother about it, and she'll make sure Yang Huaiyan can't arrange anyone to take on this task."

  Song Kai patted Li Menghan's head and said, "Then thank you, Brother Song Kai."

  Li Menghan smiled and giggled, her little head originally wanted to dodge, but thinking of Song Kai and Liu Niangzi's deep affection, she gave up.

  Sun Ximei narrowed her eyes, seeing Song Kai intimately patting Li Menghan's head, and felt a little uncomfortable. Drinking together was already improper, now they were even closer, but it seemed like she couldn't say anything.

  Song Kai Zhen didn't have too many ideas, although Li Meng Huan looked very cute, but after all, she was still a bit too young.

  After drinking for a while, Song Kai said in a low voice: "Today I have a plan, which may be able to win back Liu's wife at the last moment. However, it needs everyone's help."

  Li Menghan nodded, her small face flushing red, "You said, Song Kai, we must help you."

  "Today you go to Liu Ji Qian's house, just need to do this and that, at the time, I believe Liu Zhuang will be able to see Yang Huaiyan's true face," Song Kai said in a low voice, reciting the plan. This plan was mostly thought up by Xue Wei Hai on the spur of the moment, and then slightly modified by Song Kai.

  After listening to Song Kai's plan, everyone in the private room burst out laughing and then said some interesting things before leaving.

  Having done all this, Song let out a sigh of relief. No matter what, he had to make Liu Jiqian give up his plan to marry his daughter to Yang Huaiyan.

  After Sun Ximei left the inn, she bid farewell to Yang Menghuan and others, and headed towards Liu Jiqian's home.

  Arrived at Liu Ji Qian's home, knocked on the door, and soon an old man came to open it. Seeing that it was a woman, he was slightly surprised and said: "Little girl, you are here..."

  "Oh, I'm a doctor from Hui Chun Tang, and Sun Tang is my grandfather," Sun Xi Mei reported her name.

  The old man heard this and hastily bowed his head, saying: "So it's Sun Niangzi from Hui Chun Tang."

  Sun Ximei nodded, "Excuse me, is Madam Liu at home? Last time she came to our store and asked some questions. Today I'm here on my grandfather's orders to have a word with Madam Liu."

  "Ah! Please come in, please come in. I'll go tell the master right away." The old steward bowed and led Sun Xiamei inside with a respectful attitude.

  Sun Ximei nodded.

  Upon arriving at the living room, Sun Ximei sat for a while. Before long, Liu Jiqian hurried over, "Madam Sun, I'm honored by your presence, truly flustered."

  Sun Ximei stood up and sized up Liu Jiqian, who was slightly chubby with a kind face, looking not like a big villain, but with a wide forehead, having a greedy appearance.

  He cupped his hands and exchanged some pleasantries with Liu Jiqian.

  "Alas, when did my little daughter go to the Hui Chun Tang? I didn't even know. To think of it, as a father, I'm too neglectful of her," Liu Ji Qian sighed, "Madam Sun, please sit down for a moment, I've already sent someone to call my daughter."

  Just as they were talking, Liu Yuvan walked in from the doorway and saw Sun Ximei. She frowned slightly, for she had never been to Huichuntang for medical treatment and did not recognize the woman in front of her.

  Sun Ximei looked up and down at Liu Yumei, feeling a sense of powerlessness in her heart. This woman was indeed born with beauty, and coupled with her childhood friendship with Song Kai, it's no wonder he couldn't forget her.

  "Hello, may I ask who you are..." Liu Yuxiang was confused.

  Sun Ximei smiled, "Liu Niangzi, have you forgotten? Last time you came to our Hui Chun Tang, I was the one who took your pulse. Let's go to your room and discuss your condition in detail."

  As she spoke, Sun Ximei pulled Liu Yuvan's arm and walked out while making a signal with her eyes towards Liu Yuvan.

  Liu Yuyan was also a clever woman. She followed Sun Ximei out and the two of them headed towards the back courtyard's boudoir.

  In the living room, Liu Jiqian sighed, "Alas, since her mother's death, I've become more and more estranged from Cihong."

  The old steward poured a cup of water and handed it to Liu Jiqian, "Master, don't blame yourself, Madam Liu has always been intelligent and independent."

  "Ah, I hope this arranged marriage will satisfy her. Yang Huaiyan is one of the four great talents of Suzhou City, and his father is an official in the imperial court, who has also been very helpful to me," Liu Jiqian said with a smile, "It's been so many years, and now my little girl is getting married."

  The old steward heard this and slightly furrowed his brow, then said in a low voice: "Master, there's something I don't know if I should say or not."

  "Hmm? Old Li, why are you suddenly being so polite? We've known each other for over thirty years," Liu Jiqian smiled slightly, "Just say it."

  "Master," the steward thought for a moment, then said, "Recently, there have been rumors among the neighbors that Yang Langjun... is a man who seeks fame and fortune by any means."

  "Huh? What's going on? Old Li, tell me in detail," Liu Jiqian sat down, "What exactly happened?"

  The old steward spoke out and told all the rumors he had heard, that Yang Huaiyan was unlearned and untalented, relying on his father's power to obtain his official position, and that he was also dissolute in behavior, frequently entering and exiting brothels, not returning home at night, and that his character was even worse, often wantonly insulting the maidservants of the household...

  Liu Jiqian's mouth opened and closed repeatedly, "Really... really is this true!?"

  The old steward sighed, "I also have some doubts, so when I first heard the rumors, I just smiled. But later, in the vegetable market and tea house, I kept hearing these rumors, and they were quite credible, so I couldn't help but believe them."

  "How could this be... how could it be like this!" Liu Jiqian was shocked, the wedding was about to take place, the betrothal gifts had been received, but now something like this happened, wasn't he pushing his daughter into a fire pit?!

  In Liu Yuyuan's boudoir, Liu Yuyuan looked at Sun Ximei with confusion and asked, "Sister Sun, what is going on?"

  Sun Ximei pulled Liu Yuvan's hand and smiled: "Today, I'm entrusted by someone to come find you."

  "Entrusted by someone?" Liu Yuyuan was still somewhat perplexed.

  "Yes, alas, your feelings for Song Kai make me, a woman like them, feel jealous in my heart," sighed Sun Ximei.

  Liu Yuxuan's mouth was agape, and after a long while, she finally understood. She still couldn't believe it, "Is... is Song Kai the one who invited you? Song Kai... how do you know Song Kai?"

  Sun Ximei smiled, "They're all trivial matters. But Song Kai's feelings for you are truly enviable. The two poems he wrote for you even bring tears to one's eyes."

  "Huh?" Liu Yuyan became even more confused.

  Sun Ximei sighed, waved her hand and said: "Don't mention those things, Yuxian sister. Song Kai and the rest of us have already made a plan, we will definitely make your father change his mind. Tomorrow, bring your father to my medical clinic, everything has been arranged, you can rest assured."

  Liu Yuyuan was even more stunned, was all of this thought up by Song Kai? That bookworm Song Kai could actually get the doctor's daughter Sun Niangzi to run errands for him? That bookworm Song Kai had actually come up with a plan to make Father change his mind? The key is, when did Song Kai ever write poetry for me? And even made Sun Niangzi jealous?

  Sun Ximei patted Liu Yuxiu's hand again and said, "Sister, tomorrow you must bring your father to the medical hall. It's getting late, I'll go back first."

  Liu Yuyuan hastily nodded and smiled at Sun Ximei, "Thank you, Sister Mei. If it really can make Father change his mind, I will be eternally grateful."

  Sun Ximei just smiled and turned to leave, arriving at the hall where Liu Jiqian was drinking tea with a gloomy face. Sun Ximei didn't mind and said: "Liu Zhanggui, I'm very sorry, but I still can't quite grasp Liu Niangzi's condition. Tomorrow you must bring Liu Niangzi to Hui Chun Tang and let my grandfather diagnose it personally."

  Liu Jiqian was startled and quickly walked over, saying: "Alright, alright, Sun Niangzi, Yu Cai's body... what's going on with it?"

  "It doesn't matter, some women's private matters, it should be liver qi stagnation, may have something to do with marriage, Liu Zhuanggui doesn't need to ask more," Sun Ximei smiled slightly at Liu Jiqian and left.

  Liu Jiqian's heart ached, had he driven his daughter to illness?

  The key is that Yang Huaiyan, is he really as unbearable as the rumors in the neighborhood? If so, this marriage cannot be done!