24 The egg has fallen into the water ◇
◎If I am guilty◎
Duan Jingchuan gave Old Marquis Duan a reassuring look, then turned to Feng Ran and said, "Madam, where do you think we should put this gun? How about you do it for me?"
For a moment, Feng Ran's eyes filled with tears. Don't misunderstand, this was definitely not out of emotion, but because the gold in her hand had not only not been given away, but was also rejected by others and left to be left to suffer in the wind and sun, and she didn't dare to say a word.
He said with a bitter expression, "I think it would be great to put it in the center. Anyone who comes here can see the golden color at a glance, wouldn't that be wonderful!"
Despite his quick wit, Duan Jingchuan still couldn't figure out Feng Ran's thoughts. "What's the point of putting it in the middle? Someone can't keep holding it up all the time."
"That's easy, let me do it." Reluctantly, he snatched the golden spear from Old Marquis Duan's hand, looked it over from all sides, moved a few steps to the center, and nodded to himself.
He raised the golden spear high with both hands, then forcefully slammed it into the ground. With a clang, the spear was driven three-tenths of an inch into the ground, standing upright.
Although the surrounding stone slabs had minor cracks, they were not completely broken.
Duan Jingchuan walked over without thinking and gently shook the golden spear, which stood motionless against the wind. Unconvinced, he pulled hard, but it remained as still as a bell.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, and gave Feng Ran a graceful bow, saying, "Madam, you have great strength. I am ashamed to admit that I am not as strong as you."
"Alright, I don't want to see either of you. Go back and rest today, come back tomorrow!" Before Duan Jingchuan could even start exercising, Old Marquis Duan immediately gave him the order to leave. His other siblings received the same treatment.
Having gotten up early, only to be punished, Feng Ran was wide awake and followed Duan Jingchuan dejectedly, forgetting all about what he had just said.
Duan Yuze looked at Duan Jingchuan with a probing expression, and was even more shocked when he saw that the other party's expression was completely normal.
Duan Yuche, however, didn't think too much about it and secretly ran over to Feng Ran to ask, "Second sister-in-law, I heard that Mr. Mo was angered by you and left. Is that true?"
Feng Ran was a little annoyed and quickly shook her head in denial, "That's not true."
Duan Yuche didn't believe the rumors circulating in the manor were unfounded. "Then why isn't Mr. Mo coming?"
Feng Ran patiently replied, "The gentleman doesn't like egg drop soup. He's probably afraid I'll invite him to have egg drop soup today, so he didn't come."
Why drink egg drop soup?
"Because Mr. Mo wants to be friends with me as gentlemen!"
What does the friendship between gentlemen have to do with egg drop soup?
"Isn't there a saying that a gentleman's friendship is like an egg falling into water? She wants to be a gentleman's friend with me too, so isn't that just asking for egg drop soup? An egg falling into water!"
When Duan Yuche brought up the topic, Duan Jingchuan thought to himself that things were going badly, but he had no reason to stop the conversation from continuing, since he was going to find out anyway.
As soon as the explanation of "egg in water" came out, the others secretly looked at Duan Jingchuan with sympathy, especially the Duan Jingyin sisters, whose eyes were practically overflowing with sympathy. They also glared at Feng Ran from time to time, as if blaming her for being ignorant.
Duan Yuche remained silent for a long time before murmuring, "Second sister-in-law, that's not how it's explained."
Feng Ran looked knowing and said with great certainty, "I know, my husband taught me later, but I feel it's no different from egg drop soup."
They are different, very different.
One signifies that you are still a noblewoman, while the other signifies that you are ignorant and incompetent.
This was the opinion of everyone present.
Everyone had left, leaving only Lord Duan in the training ground.
He cleared his throat, strolled leisurely to the golden spear, looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then placed his hand on it and casually lifted it up, but the golden spear remained unmoved.
Lord Duan got really into a fight with the spear, his legs spread shoulder-width apart, his hands gripping it tightly as he squatted down to exert force.
drink!
Finally, Lord Duan, his legs trembling, walked out of the training ground in a very weak manner. At the same time, he instructed his steward, Old Li, to prepare a portion of the food that had been served at Jinghua Courtyard recently, just as it had been. Then, he went into his study alone, picked up the imperial decree of marriage, and looked aggrieved.
"Your Majesty, if I am guilty, please issue an edict to punish me. Why did you choose such an incomprehensible daughter-in-law for me?"
He's completely lost face today; it's obvious to everyone that he couldn't even lift that golden spear in the training ground. The reputation of General Dingyuan is likely ruined by him; he's even weaker than a woman.
"Lord Marquis, are you alright?" As one of the few people who knew the truth, Old Li was extremely worried. After seeing that Lord Marquis Duan had suffered a setback at the martial arts arena, he thought it over and decided to comfort him in private.
"Old Li, do you think Jingchuan and his wife were born to torment me?" Old Marquis Duan covered his face with one hand, his tone filled with indescribable helplessness.
Old Li chuckled, "My lord, what are you saying? Didn't you praise the Crown Princess just a few days ago?"
Old Marquis Duan felt a little awkward and tried to save face, saying, "It's not because she's strong that I have this feeling."
Old Li remained silent, his eyes downcast, his expression practically screaming disbelief.
Lord Duan laughed and scolded, "You old rascal, yes, I admit, I was indeed dealt a blow. I didn't expect Jingchuan's wife to be so strong, making me lose face in front of the children."
Old Li's weathered face beamed with a smile, "My lord, isn't this a good thing?"
Old Marquis Duan said with a weary expression, "You're unmarried, so you don't understand. In bed, with his wife's strength, how could Jingchuan possibly win?"
Old Li couldn't help but speak up for Feng Ran, "The Crown Princess is not an unreasonable or rude person, she's just a bit too strong."
Old Master Duan sighed, "Ignorance is bliss, but ignorance is terrifying. She can drive away the renowned Mr. Mo with a simple 'bland egg drop soup' comment. A novice can defeat a master. When she delivered the gun to me today, she truly didn't realize that no one could wield a seventy-pound gun."
Picking it up shouldn't be a problem, but if he were to wield it, his old back probably wouldn't be able to handle it. He wouldn't dare lose face like that. Don't think he doesn't know that Jingchuan's little wife likes to watch him wield the spear.
Having said all that, Old Li fell silent.
The two elderly men, whose combined age was over one hundred, looked at each other in the study, unsure of what to do, both worried about the couple's cohabitation.
Lord Duan was the first to lose his composure, turning to talk about Duan Jingchuan again, "Speaking of which, I didn't expect Jingchuan's change. You didn't see it at the martial arts arena today, he actually said dozens of words without avoiding my gaze at all, every word was precious, I almost burst out laughing at the time."
Old Li couldn't help but feel speechless at his master's childlike nature, and prompted, "Isn't the master afraid that the heir apparent will be suspicious?"
Old Marquis Duan's beaming face froze. Good heavens, he had forgotten about this. He tentatively asked, "Why don't you go and explain to that girl?" Then he shook his head to himself, "No, no, I'm her father-in-law. What's wrong with scolding her a little?"
Old Li comforted him, "My lord, there's no need to worry. I'm sure the young master will understand your intentions and will explain to the young master's wife when he gets back. The young master's wife doesn't seem like the type to hold grudges."
"Sigh, that's exactly what I'm worried about too. It's just a gun, I'm not really that angry, it's just that Jingchuan's wife is too naive. This capital city is full of intricacies, what if neither of them can stand up for themselves, what if they get eaten up by someone in the future?"
Old Li comforted him, "Lord Marquis is still in his prime; there's no need to think about things so far ahead."
"I have to consider this. I've never liked the ways of the inner quarters, but I'm not stupid. The two brothers, Yu Ze and Yu Che, are eyeing the position of heir, and the sisters don't like Jing Chuan either. They must be talking behind his back a lot. Now, Jing Chuan's wife doesn't seem like a capable woman. She's usually silly and simple-minded. I'm afraid they won't be able to escape the intricacies of the household."
"The Marquis has the heart of a loving father; I'm sure the young master will understand."
"You don't need to flatter me or praise me. What good will it do if he understands? My son is certainly not stupid, but whether he is willing to do it is another matter. For almost twenty years, he has counted the number of times he has stepped out of the gate of Jinghua Courtyard. If he is to take charge of the Marquis's Mansion in the future, how can I let him stay at home forever?"
"My lord, if I may speak frankly, why do you insist on passing the title of heir to the second young master? Is it really because of the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children?" Old Li didn't quite understand. The Dingbei Marquis's mansion was different from other mansions. The title of Dingbei Marquis was not only an honor and a title, but also a matter of life and death and responsibility. Such a mansion was usually occupied by the most capable person.
Lord Duan sighed deeply and looked out the window at the withered branches.
Deep winter had arrived, and the sky outside the window was shrouded in a solemn and desolate atmosphere. He didn't answer Old Li's question directly, but instead turned and asked, "How many years have you been with me?"
"Your Excellency, if we count carefully, it has been at least thirty years."
"Do you think I'm a good general and a good father?"
Old Li immediately gave a thumbs up, "General Dingbei's great reputation is known throughout Dafeng, and everyone who has seen and heard it can attest to it. How could you say such a thing, General? I am deeply moved by your fatherly heart. How could you possibly question this matter?"
Lord Duan shook his head and refused to say anything more.
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