Chapter 17: The Strong Guest Overpowers the Host

  ．

  Don't say that a strong guest doesn't oppress the host.

  In the hall, Li Ke, Qin Mubai and Mrs. Yang were performing a play together, while Wu's two brothers had become onlookers. Although the elder brother was like a father, they were now in charge of the Wu family's affairs, but it seemed that Li Ke was not going to give them any face.

  They can't even take charge of their own family matters, and although the Wu brothers are not pleased in their hearts, they don't dare show any dissatisfaction, and there's even a hint of delight. In any case, sending away an unwelcome younger half-sister from a different mother and forming ties with the Qin family is also a good thing for them.

  Qin Mubai and Mrs. Yang signed their names on the marriage contract, Li Ke shook it with a loud laugh: "Today is a good day, let's set up a banquet to celebrate! Come, come, come, let this king be the host, invite people from both families to my mansion to celebrate."

  As soon as the words fell, the Wu brothers were like being struck by lightning, and they trembled all over, excitedly kowtowing: "Thank you, Your Highness, for your kindness!"

  So abrupt.

  Everyone was stunned, and the faces of the Wu family brothers suddenly turned red to their necks.

  This spoiled and favored servant's face is really a bit embarrassing to show at home.

  "Haha, get up, no need for formalities!" Li Ke waved his hand and smiled, "Mrs. Yang, regarding the wedding date, I'd like to hear your opinion first. Later, after meeting with Prince Yi, we can also discuss it with Wang."

  The Wu brothers stood up gloomily and stood aside awkwardly, listening obediently with their hands hanging down.

  Madam Yang said: "It's been less than a year since my husband passed away. According to the customs of the Great Tang, a new widow is not considered for remarriage for three years. Calculating the time, there is still more than a year left. By then, my daughter Xiaozhu will also be sixteen and have reached the age of wearing her hair in a bun... I wonder what Your Highness's intentions are?"

  "Ah, my great Tang dynasty is governed by filial piety. Mourning for one's father is a must. Alright, let's wait until the three-year mourning period is over after responding to the country's affairs, and then we can proceed with the marriage. I'm sure the Duke of Wing will also agree." Li Ke slapped his thigh and stood up, laughing "Ha ha", "Today is a joyous occasion, a good thing. The king is very happy. Later, at my residence, you all can drink to your heart's content and get drunk."

  "I obey your orders, thank you for your kindness." Everyone bowed to thank her, and then Mrs. Yang said, "My son-in-law, according to the 'Book of Rites - Qu Li', it is written that when a woman is engaged, she should be given a courtesy name by her husband's family - now that Xiao'er has been betrothed to you, as her husband's family, you should give her a courtesy name."

  "Hmm? Mrs. Yang is right. Xiao Wang was momentarily careless and forgot." Li Ke patted his palm, "Mu Bai, why don't you quickly obey Madame Yue's orders?"

  "Obedience is better than respect......" Qin Mu Bai thought for a moment, and with a faint smile, said, "Mother-in-law is above, the son-in-law observes that the second daughter's beauty is unparalleled, why not just use the character 'mei'?"

  " Wu Mei? Mei Niang? Good name, really good name." Madame Yang suddenly smiled with joy, "The Wu family has a custom, from the husband's generation onwards, the children of future generations will be named in order. From now on, Zhuo Er's nickname will be changed to... Mei Niang!"

  "Wu Mei Niang, what a great name!" Li Ke burst out laughing and waved his hand, "Mu Bai, I'll head back to the palace first to arrange for the banquet. You stay here and have a good chat with your mother-in-law and uncle. Once the preparations are ready, I'll send someone to fetch you."

  "Thank you, Your Highness."

  Li Kuiyang walked away with a long stride.

  Qin Mubai was silent for a long time. Thinking left and right, today should be wearing Li Ke's way, falling into his plan. Although it is said to be a gentle trap, a kind trap, but Qin Mubai's understanding of Li Ke deepened several layers in an instant.

  This person is only about twenty years old, yet so clever, thoughtful and meticulous in handling matters.

  Born into royalty, raised in intrigue and power struggles from a young age, indeed not ordinary.

  "Son-in-law, what are you thinking?" Mrs. Yang said with a smile. Wu Yuanqing and his brothers also stepped forward, bowing their hands together: "Brothers are sorry for not being a good host on your first visit, please forgive us."

  Mrs. Yang involuntarily took a few steps back, lowered her head and stood humbly to one side.

  Qin Mubai took note of this small detail and thought back to what Wu Zhao had said earlier, about how she and her mother were bullied by these two brothers.

  Suddenly I feel anxious.

  "Two uncles, I have a suggestion, I don't know if it's suitable to mention or not," said Qin Mu Bai.

  "Although brother-in-law is humble." The Wu brothers cupped their hands and bowed, asking cautiously.

  Qin Mubai smiled slightly and said, "Since I have already promised to marry Mei Niang, our two families can be considered one family. The wedding will take place more than a year from now, during which time Mei Niang will still live in the Yingguo Gongfu. Since she is already a member of my Qin family and my wife, I have no reason to let her natal family continue to support her. Is that not right?"

  The Wu brothers' faces showed a moment of doubt and they said: "Brother-in-law, what are you talking about? Isn't this being too polite?"

  "Otherwise," Qin Mu Bai smiled and said, "Although I am new to officialdom, I have a meager salary and some land. My intention is to give my 350 mu of official land to Mei Niang, so that she can make a living. To avoid rumors that the Qin family does not know how to treat others with respect. The two uncles do not need to send them back to their hometown, just give me some face and let them temporarily stay in the Yingguo Gongfu. What do you think?"

  "What?!" The two Wu brothers were taken aback in unison and immediately froze.

  How did he know these things? Isn't it obvious that he's going to take our army? He deliberately said that he would offer his own land, and "ask" us to accept them, and not even mention that we bullied the mother and daughter, forcing us to divide our property with him, otherwise he will not let go! At such a young age, his heart is so vicious, without making a sound or showing any emotion, this strong guest is going to take over us... It's hateful, but he happens to be the third son of the Qin family, and Li Ke is backing him up!

  "Fourth Brother is worrying too much, I've never thought of sending them back to their hometown!" Wu Yuanqing hastily said, "Not only that, but I'm discussing with Second Brother to allocate half of the land allocated by the imperial court to Mother, so she can raise Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister. The wealth of this Duke's estate will also be divided equally among them. We're all one family, we should live in harmony and share our prosperity together, haha!"

  "Is that so? It turns out that Big Brother is so deeply righteous, and it's actually Little Brother who has been narrow-minded." Qin Mubai cupped his hands together in a bow, smiling naturally with a hint of apology. "That means that from today on, Mother-in-law, Mei Niang, and Third Sister can move into the main house instead of living in the miscellaneous rooms in the backyard?"

  "That's natural, that's for sure!" Wu Yuanqing's forehead was sweating profusely, but his face wore a busy smile as he nodded repeatedly in agreement.

  Mrs. Yang took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes wrinkled even deeper, though her expression was calm, her eyes revealed many comforting smiles.

  This son-in-law is quite something!

  Wu Yuanshuang was looking down, not daring to look directly at Qin Mubai. In his heart, he kept muttering: This little Qin is formidable, pretending to be weak while hiding a knife in his smile... He thought that after climbing up the big tree, he could mix well in Chang'an, but unexpectedly, it was this Yang woman and those two wild kids who had someone backing them up. Our brothers' good days in the Wu family are over.

  "So be it, I'll thank you then, Big Uncle." Qin Mu Bai gave a proper bow to Wu Yuan Qing, but it made him feel a chill run down his spine.

  It hurts!

  This worship is really expensive, and half of our family's property has been lost in vain! How hateful!

  But this is not cheap, and I have to return it too.

  Wu Yuanqing was so angry that he could have swallowed Qin Mubai whole, his face turned iron-green but he had to force a smile and pretended to be relaxed and elegant in return.

  Look at this harmonious family, outsiders see it and may even applaud in admiration.

  Mrs. Yang stood by, her old face beaming with a smile, and her heart was filled with joy.

  What a relief! That son-in-law is really something special, what a wonderful guy!

  "Son-in-law, the banquet will take some time, wait for me to personally go down to the kitchen and make a few dishes of palace-style royal cuisine for you to try." Madam Yang came forward and pulled Qin Mu Bai's hand, wanting him to sit in the main seat.

  The east bed is a guest, came to the old man's house, where there is reason to sit in the right position. This Yang madam obviously deliberately let Qin Mubai suppress Yuan Qingyuan and his brother tightly.

  Qin Mubai also knew her intentions and didn't make excuses, swaggering as she sat down.

  The Wu brothers' eyes widened, staring blankly at Qin Mu Bai sitting upright and dignified in the main seat that Li Ke had just occupied, swallowing hard together, their faces flushing red and white.

  "Please sit down for a while, I'll be right back." Mrs. Yang smiled warmly at Qin Mu Bai and hurried off. Watching her walk away with light steps, she seemed to have suddenly become twenty years younger.

  Mrs. Yang left, and the Wu brothers couldn't just stand there doing nothing. They had to put on a happy face and sit down next to Qin Mu Bai, accompanying him in drinking tea and chatting idly.

  Qin Mubai saw the two brothers looking stifled and angry but not daring to speak, and couldn't help but laugh in her heart.

  They are just a pair of insignificant brothers, so what if they have some anger, it won't make any big waves. In comparison, the Qin family is much more harmonious than this Wu family.

  Mrs. Yang went away for a long time and finally brought back several stacks of dim sum, looking at her beaming face, her mood was indeed good to the extreme. Probably since Mr. Wu's death, she had never felt as carefree and exhilarated as she did today.

  "Son-in-law should eat a bit more." When Mrs. Yang said this, the look in her eyes was as if she were sizing up her own son.

  The old saying goes that a mother-in-law's fondness for her son-in-law is genuine, just like her love for her own daughter.

  To Mrs. Yang, this son-in-law is not only someone to be pitied but also someone to rely on. In the future, as a widow with no children, she will have to depend on him for support.

  At this moment, Mrs. Yang felt as if she had grasped a lifesaving straw in the midst of desperation. Qin Mu Bai was like a shining star to her, appearing at just the right time.

  After having tea and snacks, Qin Mubai and these people really had nothing to talk about, so they stood up and bid farewell.

  Mrs. Yang and the Wu brothers escorted him out of the hall, Qin Mubai invited them to stay, and he himself went out.

  Today's affair is indeed full of twists and turns, rich in drama. Originally, two rascals came to hunt for beauty and indulge in lust, but unexpectedly, they ended up with a marriage.

  From now on, isn't there one less loli and one more wife?

  Qin Mubai was lost in thought with a bad premonition when he suddenly heard a soft scolding voice beside him: "Hey!"

  Without turning back, who else could produce such a bewitching and soul-stirring voice like a devil's bell except for the little demoness Wu Meiniang?

  "What brings you here, Mei Niang?" Qin Mu Bai stood still, smiling at her.

  Wu Mei Niang's hands were clasped in front of her full chest, leaning against a withered peach tree, seemingly slightly indignant and breathing rapidly, causing a pair of full and slight undulations. The deeply squeezed-out furrows were enchanting and captivating.

  "Who made you marry me?" Wu Mei Niang suddenly let out her hands, quickly took two steps forward. Her small mouth pouted, staring angrily at Qin Mu Bai with wide eyes.

  A woman with bare feet is beautiful when she walks.

  Qin Mubai innocently tilted his face and pushed away: "Meiniang, I'm also a victim, I was forced to!"

  "What did you say? You, you, you! …" Wu Meiniang was suddenly enraged, pointing at Qin Mubai and jumping with anger. "You scoundrel, you got the benefit and still pretend to be innocent! It turns out that you agreed to marry me, do you still feel wronged?"

  "And another thing, don't call me Meiniang - my name is Zhao!"

  Qin Mu Bai's hearty laughter. Interesting.

  "Then jump, really soul-stirring." His not-so-good intentioned gaze fell on Wu Meiniang's full and plump chest, hugging his elbow, and smiled teasingly: "From now on, you're my woman. Whoever dares to bully me, tell me. I'll blast him to smithereens in no time."

  "You're just bragging! Hmph!" Mu Yin'er pouted and turned her face away, muttering in a low voice, "What parental orders and matchmaker's words? I won't obey. I don't want to marry you."

  "You're lying." Qin Mu Bai's face wore a smile, "Your eyes tell me that you can't hide how thrilled you are right now. Marry me and your heart will be at peace, extremely satisfied."

  "You... really have a thick face!" Wu Mei's face suddenly turned red, and she scolded with a mix of anger and amusement, "I've never seen anyone as shameless as you! Don't dream about it, I definitely won't marry you!"

  "Is that so?" Qin Mu Bai smiled indifferently, clasped his hands behind his back and strolled a few steps, saying leisurely, "However, it's not up to you, I'm afraid! In our Great Tang, whether it's the law or customs, they've all decided that you won't marry anyone else. Besides me, there's no one in the world who can take you away. This point, you shouldn't have any doubts about."

  Wu Mei's small face trembled slightly, and she hummed softly with her mouth pouted, turning her head away.

  Although the Tang Dynasty was open-minded, it was still a typical patriarchal society. Whether it was the law or secular morality, only men were allowed to have the power to regret marriage and divorce. Women were absolutely not allowed to regret marriage proposals or initiate divorce. Otherwise, they would be ridiculed by society, just like a woman who had an affair with a man and was caught in the act, and would also face legal punishment.

  "But, although I said that, I'd like to hear why you won't marry me?" Qin Mu Bai asked, changing the subject.

  It can be said that it has reached the heart of Wu Mei Niang.

  "After talking for half a day, this is the first time you've spoken like a human being." Wu Mei Niang hummed twice and said in a vase-like voice, "Although you come from a prestigious military family, you are an illegitimate child, with only a seventh-rank official position. In the future, there will be many royal and noble young masters who want to marry me, why should I marry you?"

  "With confidence, I like it." Qin Mu Bai smiled lightly, "Then tell me, what kind of person would be qualified to marry you?"

  .??，！