Chapter 15 015 Who says gentlemen use words and not fists?

Luo Fu had personally dealt with the Duchess of Dingguo, a kind-faced, plump, and unassuming old lady who didn't concern herself with worldly affairs. However, this old lady could even notice if an actor on stage took an extra half-step, so Luo Fu was certain that her carefully crafted red eyes wouldn't escape the old lady's discerning eye. Therefore, whether Li Jiulang would be punished depended on whether the Duchess favored her beloved grandson or valued the Li family's upbringing of their descendants.

Luo Fu kept this a secret from her mother-in-law, but she didn't intend to hide it from Xiao Yu, the root of the trouble.

In Shensi Hall, Xiao Yu, who had just finished lunch alone, was about to take a nap when he heard his wife returning to the courtyard. Xiao Yu then re-tied his belt, which he had only half-undone, and headed outside.

Luo Fu had already stepped into the main hall. She glanced at her handsome husband, who seemed to be engrossed in his studies all day and indifferent to worldly affairs. Luo Fu's face showed resentment. She then walked past him and quickly went to the inner room.

Xiao Yu paused for a moment, then turned and followed her into the inner room. He saw his wife sitting angrily by the bed, not even glancing at him. Xiao Yu sat down next to her and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Did you suffer some injustice outside?"

Luo Fu didn't answer. After a while, she turned around and pointed to the upper part of her back, ordering, "Someone hit me here with a stone. Can you check if there's any bruising?"

Xiao Yu's expression changed. He didn't care about day or night or etiquette. In a few quick movements, he untied his wife's skirt, which reached her chest, and half-removed her upper garment, revealing her snow-white shoulders and a light pink bodice covering her back.

With her back to him, Luo Fu pointed to a spot on the strapless bra.

Xiao Yu observed carefully and indeed found a small patch of red skin. It wasn't exactly bruising. He gently pressed it, and his wife's delicate back flinched. She cried out in pain and moved forward, pulling her clothes up. Once she was dressed, she continued to face away from him, silently expressing her grievances.

Xiao Yu's anger flared, and he frowned, asking, "Who hurt you?"

Luo Fu said sullenly, "Li Jia Jiulang, I was strolling around the garden with my eldest and second sisters-in-law when he suddenly appeared from behind and attacked me, saying he wanted revenge for the time you beat him and his seventh brother. How would I know what grudge you had? When I asked my eldest and second sisters-in-law, they knew nothing about it either. Without knowing the inside story, I didn't have the confidence to confront him, so I could only accept the loss."

As she spoke, Xiao Yu kept looking at the spot on his wife's back where she had been hit; it was only a hand's width away from the back of her head. What if it had hit her head instead...

How big is the rock?

Luo Fu finally turned around and used her thumb and forefinger to circle the size of the lychee for him to see. While gesturing, she still looked at Xiao Yu's expression with a wronged expression, trying to see if he was going to stand up for her or if he had some other idea.

Xiao Yu's face was grim, fearing that his wife had almost been hit on the head by a pebble the size of a lychee.

"What grudge do you have against the Li brothers?" Luo Fu asked, grabbing one of his hands.

Xiao Yu snapped out of his reverie, first rummaging through the cupboard to find a bottle of ointment to reduce swelling and bruising. As he applied the ointment to his wife, he explained in a calm tone: "Three years ago, I went to the outskirts to enjoy the autumn scenery. I passed through a village and saw Li Qilang and Li Jiulang tying the village children's dog to a tree and shooting it with a slingshot. The village children's elders, who had received the spoiled brats' silver coins, tried to take the child away. The child cried incessantly, so I went up to persuade the Li brothers not to do evil even if it seemed insignificant."

“They wouldn’t listen and scolded me for meddling. I insisted on intervening, so they had their guards beat me.”

Fearing trouble, the four guards first asked who he was. After Xiao Yu revealed his identity, the guards tried to persuade the Li brothers to let the matter drop, but the Li brothers didn't care about ordinary people or Xiao Rong, a relatively unknown marquis, and insisted that the guards take action.

护卫从李家领工钱，只能听命于两个小主子，他们倒是没想真揍萧瑀一顿，想的是比划两下把萧瑀吓唬走，偏萧瑀不吃这一套，与青川一起放倒国公府的四个护卫后，萧瑀还亲自动手，将李七郎、李九郎面朝树绑在他们拴土狗的树上，再捡起地上的弹弓，对着兄弟俩的屁股分别弹了两下。

The two brothers shouted and cursed, and Xiao Yu took out two taels of silver and threw it at their feet: "I've paid you."

The brothers hurled even harsher insults, but Xiao Yu continued to pull the slingshot until the brothers gave in and admitted their mistakes. Only then did Xiao Yu release them, saying, "Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you."

Luo Fu: "...After they returned to the manor, did they complain to their families, or did the Duke's manor cause you any trouble?"

The ointment had been applied, and Xiao Yu helped his wife straighten her blouse: "Either they knew they were unruly and dared not complain, or they did complain, but the elders in the family were discerning and did not take their side. I guess it's more likely the former."

Luo Fu: "Why?"

Xiao Yu: "If my eldest and second sons grow up and do bad things outside, and are dissuaded and slightly punished by others, if I know about it, I will definitely advise my father, eldest brother, and second brother to visit that person and thank them in person. If my father and brothers are too ashamed to show their faces, I will also perform the proper etiquette for them. The Duke's mansion has three generations living under one roof. I don't believe that they are completely ignorant of etiquette. I suppose the two children have kept this matter a secret."

Luo Fu: "..."

So after her husband severely humiliated the two young masters of the Duke's mansion, he not only didn't worry about being retaliated against by the Duke's mansion, but also hoped that they would come to his door with gifts to thank him in person.

"Have you told your father, mother, older brother, and second older brother about this?" Luo Fu asked, her feelings a mix of emotions.

Xiao Yu: "No, they wouldn't understand me."

When his two older brothers were ridiculed, he pointed out that the mockery from those privileged children was also rude. His eldest brother would say, "Never mind, don't take it to heart," while his second brother would continue to fawn over them. Regarding the same incident, his father told him to watch his mouth and not offend anyone, while his mother privately praised him for his right to criticize, but also advised him to stay away from those privileged children, out of sight, out of mind.

After this happened many times, Xiao Yu stopped telling his family what he did outside that didn't need to be told.

After Xiao Yu finished speaking, Luo Fu, who was watching the play like an audience, suddenly sensed a hint of expectation in Xiao Yu's eyes.

Is he hoping she can understand him?

Luo Fu avoided Xiao Yu's gaze as if she had been burned.

To be honest, she found it hard to understand. On one hand, there was the powerful and influential Duke's mansion, whose members were related by marriage and with whom she frequently visited. On the other hand, there was a brief encounter with a strange village boy whom she might never see again in her life. If it were Luo Fu, although she couldn't stand the way the spoiled brat bullied the weak, she was even more afraid of offending the powerful and wealthy. She would most likely glare at the spoiled brat secretly and then leave in a hurry.

She couldn't understand why Xiao Yu dared to get involved, but Luo Fu knew that Xiao Yu had done a good thing. The Li brothers were doing evil, and the village children who couldn't be stopped were pitiful, as were the stray dogs tied to trees and subjected to slingshots. They needed someone like Xiao Yu to lend a hand.

Especially today, having personally witnessed Li Jiulang's dissolute behavior, Luo Fu might not be able to resist hitting Xiao Yu if he dared to make her endure the grievances for nothing.

On the other hand, if the Duchess insisted on turning a blind eye and favoring her grandson, and the Duke's mansion remained peaceful after she left, Luo Fu could only endure it. Despite her anger, her father-in-law, Xiao Rong, did not have the power to go against the Duke of Dingguo. How could Luo Fu, a mere daughter-in-law from a peasant family, dare to use her slender arms to twist the Duke's powerful thigh?

How contradictory! She didn't want to endure it, yet she chose to. She didn't want Xiao Yu to ignore her grievances. If Xiao Yu really stood up for her, she would feel relieved but also uneasy.

Ultimately, it was because the Xiao family's power was inferior. If her father-in-law had made great military achievements and ranked first among the dukes, or if Xiao Yu had risen to the position of prime minister and held great power, who would dare to mistreat her?

He probably can't count on his father-in-law. Xiao Yu is still young, perhaps...

Luo Fu quickly pulled herself out of her daydream. Forget about being a prime minister; let Xiao Yu pass the imperial examination and become an official first.

"Your ointment really works, it seems to stop hurting," Luo Fu said, pretending to be relaxed.

Xiao Yu did not regret trying to dissuade the Li brothers, but blamed himself for implicating his wife: "It's all because of me that you've suffered."

Luo Fu leaned into his arms and said softly, "You didn't do it on purpose. Blame Li Jiulang for failing your teachings and remaining unruly. But thinking about it carefully, they were born into nobility and are used to being fawned over by their subordinates. You humiliated the two brothers by tying them to a tree in front of the villagers. It's understandable that the children, with their pride, hold a grudge against you. Fortunately, I wasn't seriously injured, so let's just let it go. Otherwise, it would be quite difficult for your second sister-in-law to be caught in the middle."

Xiao Yu remained silent.

Luo Fu looked up at him: "By the way, do you have any other grudges or conflicts like this? It's happened twice in a row. I'm really afraid that next time I go out to visit someone, I'll be targeted for no reason again."

Xiao Yu: "...It's hard to remember everything at once. Next time you go out to visit someone, tell me first so I can think it over. But I can assure you that I have never done anything indecent or provocative."

Currently, the person with whom he has the deepest grudge is the Left Chancellor Yang Sheng. However, Yang Sheng is only a chancellor, and he has already retaliated against him. It wouldn't implicate his wife, so it's better to remain silent than to frighten her by speaking out. As for the sons of powerful and wealthy families with whom he has had verbal disputes, Xiao Yu doesn't believe that they are all like Madam Yang and Li Jiulang, who are ungrateful for their own mistakes and instead of retaliating against him, they despicably take their anger out on their wives.

Based on these two experiences, Luo Fu had a clear understanding: Xiao Yu may have offended some people, but none of them were innocent and deserved their fate, so she could continue to move around openly and honestly.

After resting for half an hour, Luo Fu woke up and went to Jingxian Hall to see her second sister-in-law, Li Huaiyun, to strengthen their relationship. She hadn't had a reason to visit her before, but after Li Jiulang's outburst today, knowing Li Huaiyun's personality, she was surely feeling guilty and needed Luo Fu's help to comfort her. Some people are just too polite, taking the rudeness of their own family members upon themselves.

After coaxing Li Huaiyun back to a cheerful mood, the two sisters-in-law took Erlang and Yingjie to Jishan Hall. The children played together, and the sisters-in-law chatted about everyday matters.

Winter days are short, and it gets dark as early as 3 PM. After leaving Jishan Hall, Luo Fu stopped by Wanhe Hall in front of it to sit with her mother-in-law before returning to Shensi Hall. However, Chao Sheng told her that Xiao Yu had gone out and should be able to come back for dinner.

Luo Fu found it strange. They had been married for almost a month, and Xiao Yu did nothing but study. It seemed that he didn't need to go out to meet friends unless she called him.

Do you know where the young master has gone?

Chao Sheng shook his head: "Young Master didn't say anything, he just called Qing Chuan and set off."

Luo Fu had no choice but to wait at the central court.

.

The Luo River flows through the middle of the capital, dividing the eastern city wall into north and south sections. The section of the city wall north of the Luo River only has one gate, the Upper East Gate. Li Gong, the Duke of Dingguo, who was in charge of the Eastern Camp of the three major capital garrisons, lived in the north of Luo River. He would go out of the city in the morning and return in the evening almost always through the East Gate. This is something that anyone with a little sense could guess.

As the sun sets in the west, the towering eastern city wall blocks its last rays, casting a large shadow at the foot of the city. A cold wind howls, causing the people and merchants entering and leaving the city gates to shrink their necks and walk as fast as they can.

Amidst the bustling traffic of cars and people, two figures stood motionless on the east side of the official road outside the city gate.

Another gust of cold wind carrying dust and dirt blew in. Xiao Yu closed his eyes and turned his head to avoid it. He regretted not wearing a cloak or taking a carriage. But he had to wait for the Duke of Dingguo here. If he waited too comfortably, how could he show his anger in front of the Duke of Dingguo?

As the officials finished their shifts at the end of the day, the soldiers guarding the city saw the third young master of the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion standing outside like a proud pine tree, undeterred by the cold wind, for almost half an hour, seemingly waiting for someone...

Several fast horses came against the wind, and at this hour, with such a robust and muscular physique, the leader must have been the Duke of Dingguo, who had returned from the Eastern Camp.

The soldiers guarding the city perked up, heads held high, ready to receive the Duke's inspection.

Li Gong was also quite chilled by the cold wind and just wanted to get home quickly for a bowl of hot soup; he had no time to inspect any soldiers. As he approached the city gate, he slowed his horse, intending to join the queue to enter the city—as a duke from a noble family spanning generations, Li Gong was humble despite his achievements and dutifully came to queue every day.

As soon as the horse came to a stop, Li Gong noticed someone running towards him from the roadside. Li Gong gripped the reins and looked over, recognizing the scholar from Xiao Rong's family. He was wearing a light gray round-necked blue robe, and his handsome face was made even paler by the cold wind. Only his eyes, which were as calm as still water, stared at him, making the battle-hardened Li Gong feel a chill in his heart for no reason: the visitor was not friendly!

Despite the cold, Li Gong was not afraid of the handsome scholar. He smiled at Xiao Yu and asked from his superior position, "It's freezing cold, Yuanzhi, why are you here?"

Xiao Yu glanced at the several Eastern Camp military officers behind Li Gong, then pointed to the side and said, "Please, Duke, let's speak privately for a moment."

Li Gong was still somewhat intimidated by Xiao Yu's sharp tongue, so he dismounted and led Xiao Yu a few dozen steps before stopping: "What is it?"

Xiao Yu spoke concisely, first recounting his entanglement with Li Qilang and Li Jiulang three years ago, and then mentioning the humiliation his wife suffered at the Duke's mansion today: "If Jiulang resents me but is afraid he can't beat me, he can ask Uncle Li San or even you to teach me a lesson. Why did you have to sneak up on a weak woman from behind? Is this how Mr. Wen of the Duke's mansion taught him?"

Li Gong: "..."

No need to beat around the bush when cursing Mr. Wen, just curse him directly!

Xiao Yu stood tall and straight, relying on his father's impressive height to continue looking directly at Li Gong: "The trouble I sowed, Jiu Lang could have ambushed me and killed me without me uttering a word of regret, but my wife is innocent. She gladly went to your mansion as a guest but suffered such a great humiliation. Xiao Yu truly regrets it. I regret that I overestimated myself and offended the powerful and wealthy, which led to the women in my family being implicated."

Upon hearing this, Li Gong's breathing became so heavy it was almost heavier than the wind whistling past his face. He wasn't angry because Xiao Yu's words were like slaps to his face, but because his two unruly grandsons had done such a vile and shameful thing!

"Stop your sarcastic remarks! I only learned of the disgraceful deeds of Qi Lang and Jiu Lang today. You just wait, I'm going back to the manor to give you and your husband justice!"

Pushing aside the junior who came running up to glare at him, Li Gong galloped back to the official road like a tiger descending a mountain. After mounting his horse, he stood in line for half an hour, puffing out his beard and glaring, before riding away.

Xiao Yu wasn't in a hurry, but he was cold, so he hurriedly led Qingchuan back.

Qingchuan didn't quite understand: "Young Master, is it necessary to take this matter to the Duke of Dingguo?"

If a son is not taught properly, it is the father's fault. If you really want to punish Li Jiulang, would it be more appropriate to find Li Jiulang's father, Master Li San? After all, the higher the official rank, the more important it is to save face. And Master Li San is not a foolish father who condones his son's evil deeds.

Xiao Yu said without turning his head, "Third Master Li is also afraid of being scolded by the old Duke. He may only punish his son slightly in his own courtyard. Only if the old Duke makes a big fuss about this matter and the news spreads can it deter those despicable people who still want to take revenge on me through the Madam."

If protecting the reputation of villains only leads to them becoming more ruthless, today Xiao Yu will let those privileged young men know that he, Xiao Yu, will not swallow his anger. Anyone who provokes him again will only have their vile deeds exposed and publicized.

A note from the author:

----------------------

Xiao Yu: I'm not the kind of gentleman who only talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk. [doge emoji]

Here they are! 100 little red envelopes, see you tomorrow!