Chapter 26: A Man Should Have Ambition and Spirit

  "Sincerely Seeking Recommendation Votes"

  Jiang Xuning was only sixteen or seventeen, while the one with the surname Liu was twenty-six or seven, a difference of over ten years. However, in the Tang Dynasty, this was very normal. The Tang people had a custom that when men and women got married, they particularly emphasized that the man should be older than the woman, with the saying "the man is ten years older, same year same age".

  Men from big cities and towns, especially scholars, tend to get married relatively late. Therefore, it's quite normal that Liu Junwen is more than ten years older than Jiang Xuan Ning.

  Seeing such an awkward scene, Ma Qiao hurriedly advised: "Xiao Ning, don't think too much about it, maybe she's his own sister or a neighbor..."

  Yang Fan coldly said, "These two are both over thirty years old, a man and a woman together going to the hair accessories store to buy ornaments, their behavior is so intimate and affectionate, if you say there's nothing private between them, do you believe it?"

  Ma Qiao gave him a few meaningful glances, and persuaded him: "Men, after all, occasionally flirt with each other. You've seen it, what if you hadn't? Xiao Ning, as an unmarried girl, how can you be so bold and questioning, why not... let's go."

  Yang Fan said: "Leave? Can Sister Ning just pretend it never happened?"

  Ma Qiao hastily pulled him to one side and whispered, "Xiaofan, what's wrong with you today? Why are you stirring up trouble everywhere? What do you want Xiaoning to do? Can he still go forward and argue with him? The wedding is about to take place, just bear with it for a moment, forgive him, and it will be over."

  Yang Fan said sternly: "How can you talk about happiness if you deceive yourself and others like this?"

  Ma Qiao hastily said: "Xiao Ning has already signed the marriage contract with him, although they haven't had the wedding ceremony yet, they are already husband and wife. You're not advising them to make up, instead you're letting them fight until it's unbearable?"

  Yang Fan pursed his lips and stopped talking, only staring tightly at Jiang Xuan Ning to see her attitude. He could tolerate others cheating him, but he couldn't tolerate others bullying his friends. However, this was ultimately Jiang Xuan Ning's business, and he needed an attitude from her.

  Jiang Xunin's mind was racing, although the scene before her eyes made her indignant and sad. But as an unmarried girl, could she really step forward and question him with the demeanor of a legitimate wife? Jiang Xunin hesitated for a moment, then sighed and said, "Forget it, Xiao Fan, let's go!"

  Just as the three of them were about to leave, another scene unfolded in the store. Jiang Xun saw it with his own eyes and his face turned bright red with anger.

  The woman didn't choose that branch of plum blossoms, and she walked to another counter. Liu Junhuan hurriedly followed her, but unexpectedly the civet cat suddenly jumped down from his shoulder and slid onto the floor, seemingly wanting to chase after its mistress. At this moment, Liu Junhuan was also taking a step forward, and the civet cat was as fast as lightning. He didn't have time to react, and one foot landed on top of the civet cat.

  That red cat-like creature let out a sharp cry, rolled around on the ground several times, and pounced beside the woman, whimpering pitifully. The woman's face changed color with rage, raised her hand, and slapped a loud slap on Liu Junwen's face, scolding: "You blind dog!"

  Liu Junwen covered his face and said in a low voice: "I... its movements were too fast, I didn't react in time."

  The woman slapped him again and scolded: "You can't even take care of my little treasure, what else can you do, you useless thing!"

  The woman scolded Liu Junhuan, then bent down to pick up the cub and cooed: "My little treasure, let me take a look, are you hurt? Oh dear, my little treasure, see how much pain you're in. This good-for-nothing who can't even keep an eye out is already being taught a lesson by Mom, don't cry anymore."

  Liu Junwen accompanied a smile, fawningly said: "Yes, little Bei is good, it's my fault, I have eyes but no pearls, hurt you without ah, come, let me rub for you."

  As soon as his hand was stretched out, it was slapped down by the woman. She glared at him and scolded: "Get your dog paws away, Xiaobei doesn't want them."

  Jiang Xun saw this scene, and was so angry that her pretty face turned red, her whole body trembling. Whether her man was flirting or chasing after flowers, she could endure it all, but her man had no backbone at all, not like a real man, how could she bear it?

  Jiang Xuning's eyes were filled with shameful tears, Ma Qiao failed to hold her back, she had already shaken off Ma Qiao's arm and walked into the store with her head held high, standing in front of Liu Junwan and asking in a low voice: "Liu Junwan, who is this woman and what is your relationship with her?"

  Liu Junwen saw her and was startled, changing color as she said: "Xun Ning, how did you come here?"

  Jiang Xun Ning coldly smiled and said: "If I hadn't come, how would you have seen your husband's such magnanimity? Who is this woman, and what is her relationship with you?"

  The woman saw Jiang Xun Ning scolding Liu Junhuan, and she was also stunned for a moment. She then calmed down, looked at Jiang Xun Ning, gently stroked the fur of the civet cat, and asked slowly: "Junhuan, who is this saucy little girl?"

  Liu Junwen said with a smile: "This young lady's surname is Jiang, and her name is Jiang Xuning."

  Jiang Xun Ning coldly said: "How come, you don't even dare to admit that I am your wife who has not yet passed the door?"

  "Oh, so this is the girl who sells breakfast at the open-air stall you mentioned."

  The woman raised an eyebrow and sneered, her lips pursed in a cold smile. "Let's go," she said disdainfully. "I've lost all interest in window shopping. What a disappointment."

  "Wait!"

  Jiang Xuning reached out to stop Liu Junhuan from leaving with the woman, asking: "You haven't told me yet, who is this woman?"

  Liu Jun Wan hastily said: "This lady is... is Mrs. Yao who lives with me in Yongtai Alley."

  Jiang Xuning glared with her apricot-shaped eyes and asked in a low voice: "What is your relationship with her?"

  Liu Junwen angrily said: "Jiang Xun, you haven't even married into my family yet, how dare you interfere so much? When did it become your turn to ask about my affairs?"

  At this time, Mrs. Yao had already walked out of the door and was standing at the entrance, where a light carriage was waiting, driven by a Kunlun slave, accompanied by a Goryeo maid. Mrs. Yao lifted the curtain of the sedan chair and said slowly, "Liu Junhuan, are you coming or not? If you don't come now, then don't bother coming in the future."

  Liu Junfan stomped his foot and walked around Jiang Xun Ning, heading out. Jiang Xun Ning was also really annoyed, chasing after him and grabbing his sleeve, saying: "Liu Junfan, you have to tell me clearly, what's your relationship with her?"

  Liu Jun Wan said in a very bad tone: "You, surnamed Jiang, are overstepping your bounds. Don't say you haven't married into my family yet, even if I had entered the bridal chamber with you and become husband and wife, you still wouldn't have the right to control me, let go!"

  "Speak clearly first!" Jiang Xuning said stubbornly.

  "Let go!"

  "Really a useless waste! You don't say it, I'll say it for you."

  Mrs. Yao puffed out her chest, glared at Jiang Xun Ning and said proudly: "You ask me what relationship I have with Liu Junwen? Let me tell you, he eats my food, drinks my wine, spends money on his friends and gambling, all of it is mine. What do you think our relationship is?"

  "Madam Yao pinched her handkerchief and said, taking a step closer with an overbearing tone: Oh..., I forgot to tell you that even the wedding expenses for your two at the end of the year were paid by me. You can ask your son-in-law himself what kind of relationship he has with Madam!"

  Liu Junwen's face turned red and his ears were burning, facing Jiang Xuning's eyes that were filled with shame and anger, he could only helplessly lick his lips, wiping away the thin layer of lip balm, but didn't have the courage to say a word.

  Jiang Xunin's whole body trembled with anger, pointing at Liu Junhuan: "You... you... A man should be upright and strong, but you are so despicable! I know your family has fallen on hard times, and the situation at home is much worse than before. But rich people have their own way of living, poor people have their own way of living. When a person is poor, his will cannot be weak. You don't even care about dignity, actually becoming a sycophant. How can you still call yourself a scholar? Do you still know what's called propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame?"

  Liu Junwen was scolded by her, furious and humiliated, raised his hand and slapped Jiang Xuan's face loudly, Jiang Xuan covered his cheek and said in shock: "Liu Junwen! You... you actually hit me?"

  Liu Junwan sneered, "Although we haven't had the wedding ceremony yet, we've already signed the marriage contract and are recognized as a legitimate couple under the laws of the Tang Dynasty! Today, I'll teach you, this lowly servant who doesn't know how to be a virtuous wife, a lesson. How about it? You're my lawful wife, but you still engage in such a humble occupation, selling noodles on the street and disgracing my family's reputation?"

  I had heard of you long ago, but considering your family's difficult situation, I thought this was unavoidable, so I never came to bother you. Mrs. Yao and I... both love poetry and songs, we often exchange and appreciate each other's work, and consider each other close friends. Because she saw my family's poverty, Mrs. Yao often lent a helping hand, assisting me, that's all, but I didn't expect you to be so despicable, not only falsely accusing me and ruining my reputation, but also insulting my benefactor and friend, how can I still tolerate you? Cheap woman, get out!

  Mrs. Yao listened and just sneered coldly, but she didn't demolish his stage again either.

  Ma Qiao hurried over and said: "Let's talk it out properly, both of you calm down..."

  Liu Junwen glared at him and said: "My husband and I are talking, who are you?"

  Ma Qiao smiled and said: "I am a neighbor of Xiao Ning, today I accompanied her to Nanshi to buy hair accessories..."

  Liu Junwen let out a strange laugh, grabbed Ma Qiao's arm and pointed at Jiang Xuning: "Good! I went to Nan Shi with Mrs. Yao, and you spoke of me in such an indecent way. And you, a woman who is engaged to be married, not only failed to follow the proper path for a woman, but also went on a tour of Nan Shi with someone else, and even asked him to accompany you to buy jewelry and accessories. What kind of relationship do you have with him? Are you his mistress?"

  Jiang Xunin's eyes turned red, and she sobbed: "You... how can you be so shameless? Do you know that I get up early every day to sell noodles and make money? I knew your family was not well off, but I thought about earning more dowry for the future. I wanted to take care of household chores, so you could focus on studying and taking the imperial examination... I never expected that my husband would be such a person..."

  Liu Junwen's face turned red with rage, and he scolded: "What kind of person am I? You this unchaste servant girl, today I will teach you a good lesson!" As soon as he finished speaking, his left hand reached out to grab Jiang Xuan Ning's hair bun, while his right hand was about to slap her face again.

  Yang Fan could no longer bear it, and with a "whoosh" he flipped up his robe, tucked it into his waist, and charged forward!

  P: Because I flipped through a "Yang Family Generals" when I was young, I liked the character Yang very much. Now, I have written 11 books in total, with four of them having Yang as the main character. Today, I finally met Huang Laoxie and had a brief conversation with Mr. Huang Yi. I deeply feel that our generation's writers are all like this, and Mr. Huang is also a straightforward person who values relationships. Talking to him was indeed delightful!

  In the wee hours, sincerely seeking recommendation votes, all friends, cast your votes!