Chapter 14 Undercurrents
"A new husband?"
When the people gathered in the front yard heard that another young man had been sent from the palace, they inevitably had different expressions. Even the matter of Meng Lanxi serving the county lord last night was temporarily put aside.
Only Xue Xiyang was in high spirits. The fatigue from staying up late waiting was swept away, and a smile of anticipation filled his slightly raised eyes.
His eyes fell on the man who came in with the eunuch. After confirming that it was the drunk man he had seen in Cuiyu Tower, the smile on his face became more mocking.
Most of the others had never seen Yang Huaijiang before, and they were all surprised to see this new competitor with bloodstains and injuries on his face.
"Hahaha, his face looks like a big tabby cat!" Shangluo was used to being unrestrained and couldn't help but point at Yang Huaijiang and laugh.
Cui Fufeng glanced at him and said, "Shangluo, please don't be rude. This is Yang Huaijiang, the young master of the Hongnong Yang family. Actually, he's the county lord's cousin."
Shangluo stuck out his tongue, and when he saw Yang Huaijiang glaring at him fiercely, he shrank behind Ji Linyou.
Ling Tianshui glanced at the blood scab on Yang Huaijiang's forehead, crossed his arms calmly, and said nothing.
Cui Fufeng stood up and bowed to Yang Huaijiang, saying, "Brother Yang, you've just arrived in the capital, and you've been chosen by the Emperor and Empress as a candidate to marry the County Lord. This is truly a cause for celebration. It just so happens that the County Lord summoned you today, and everyone is here. I'll introduce Brother Yang to you. From now on, since we'll all be in the backyard together, we'll be familiar with each other's talents, and we can look after each other."
"Master Cui, you're worrying too much. Why should I take care of them? They'll all be gone in a few days anyway." Yang Huaijiang returned the greeting with a forced smile, saying, "Since I'm capable of entering the backyard, the outcome will be decided in the next two days. As for you, Master Cui, I heard you entered the county lord's backyard to solve a case. Now that it's over, why don't you go home?"
This arrogant look made everyone in the hall look at him sideways.
When Ling Tianshui came here, everyone was already very dissatisfied. They didn't expect that there is always someone stronger than the strong, and there is always someone higher than the mountain. Compared with this arrogant Yang Huaijiang, Ling Tianshui is actually quite low-key.
Cui Fufeng's voice also turned slightly colder: "Don't worry, Young Master Yang. I will take my own actions."
Seeing that even the most noble young man from an aristocratic family in the capital was upset by his words, everyone exchanged glances in private and felt even more disgusted with Yang Huaijiang.
When Qiandeng sent the palace messenger away and returned to the hall, he felt a dark tide in the hall.
She glanced at Yang Huaijiang's face, said nothing, and walked straight to the center of the upper seat behind the curtain and sat down.
All the gentlemen bowed to her and took seats, but Yang Huaijiang did not know what was good for him and went straight to the upper seat closest to Qiandeng.
A hand grabbed his shoulder and pushed him back like a chicken. Ling Tianshui sat down expressionlessly, placing his long legs between him and Qian Deng. "Newcomer, find your place and don't run around."
Yang Huaijiang, escorted by the Inner Palace Bureau, had originally come here fearlessly. But now, seeing that everyone from the county lady to the candidates looked down on him, he was immediately furious and kicked Ling Tianshui's crossed legs: "How dare you! I was escorted here by the Inner Palace Bureau under the imperial decree..."
Before he finished speaking, Ling Tianshui hooked his toes on his popliteal flexion, and when his knee bent reflexively, he stepped on his shoulder and pressed it lightly.
With a thud, Yang Huaijiang's knee hit the ground hard and he fell to his knees on the blue brick floor, grimacing in pain.
Jin Tang beside him laughed heartily: "Young Master Yang, isn't this very polite? He shows such great courtesy as soon as he arrives!"
Ji Linyou folded his arms in praise: "It is only natural for a newcomer to pay respect to the county lady and to greet us seniors."
"Damn it..." Yang Huaijiang had always been flattered in Guozhou, so he had never suffered such humiliation before. He wanted to jump up and argue with them, but his knees ached so much that he couldn't get up. He could only cling to the chair and grit his teeth, "You bunch of villains! I'm the candidate personally chosen by the Emperor and Empress, and you dare to disrespect me!"
"Young Master Yang, there's no need to be so proud of your status," Cui Fufeng said calmly. "To be honest, all of the young masters here were selected by the Ministry of Rites, reported to the Inner Palace Bureau, and only after passing the Emperor and Empress's approval did they become candidates for the County Master's husband."
Shangluo put his hands on his hips and sneered, "Exactly. Why do you think you're better than us?"
"Hmph, let's wait and see..." Yang Huaijiang said sinisterly. His confident look made Qiandeng think of Xue Xiyang mentioning that someone from the East Palace had given him a box.
What on earth could give him such confidence?
And, just last night, I hinted that I would help him fulfill his wish, and today he arrived openly under the protection of palace eunuchs. Who in this world has such extraordinary abilities?
Thoughts raced through his mind, but Qiandeng remained calm on the surface. He only looked at Yang Huaijiang through the curtain and asked, "In that case, cousin, do you want to live in the front yard with my aunt, or live in the back yard with the other gentlemen?"
Seeing the county lady ask him this, Yang Huaijiang's attitude softened, and even a smug smile appeared on his face: "Of course it's the backyard. After all, your husband is closer to you than your cousin, right?"
"Then I'll wait and see if my cousin has the ability to stand out from the many young men in my mansion and eventually become my husband." Qiandeng raised the corner of his lips and looked at Jin Tang, "Mr. Jin, is there a renovated house in the backyard that is suitable for Mr. Yang to live in?"
When Jin Tang heard this, his eyebrows immediately lit up and he said, "Yes! I think Gu Tengzhai is quiet and elegant, it's the perfect fit!"
When everyone heard his suggestion, they couldn't help but laugh.
Gutengzhai is located in a cramped corner, with inconvenient access and narrow roads. There are also two tall rockery standing in front. It is damp and without sunlight, and it is simply the worst place in the backyard.
"Okay, since you want to stay here, then you can stay there first. But there are rules in my backyard. Gentlemen who stay here need to take care of everything themselves. Others, such as attendants, are not allowed to enter. Can you abide by them, cousin?"
Yang Huaijiang smiled at her with a drooling face, "Thank you for your concern, cousin. It's just for a few days, I'll just bear with it. If you're worried, please come visit me more often."
"Then it's settled. I'll send someone to clear out Gu Teng Zhai." Qian Deng didn't bother to talk any more with him. Ending the conversation, he continued, "I've called everyone here today because of something important. I'm sure you gentlemen have heard the news. Yesterday, I went to the palace to meet with Her Majesty the Queen. She instructed me to find a husband as soon as possible. After all, my late mother's funeral is imminent, and there are no sons or nephews to officiate. The palace's message is that I should quickly choose a husband to officiate at the funeral for my late mother and lead the funeral procession."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall sat up straight, staring at her, eagerly waiting to see who she would name next.
The gauze curtain in front of her was embroidered with auspicious clouds in the sky and auspicious cranes dancing, obscuring Qiandeng's expression. One could only vaguely see her gaze slowly moving across everyone's faces, deep and hazy.
No one could tell who she was interested in, but it was clear that she didn't stay with anyone for even a moment.
"This matter has been dealt with so hastily that I cannot yet determine who among you is up to the task. Perhaps the palace will make a random appointment, or perhaps I will make a last-minute decision, which may not be entirely satisfactory." Her voice was cold, each word clearly pronounced. "So, if you have any objections, please raise them as soon as possible and seize the opportunity to escape, so as to avoid causing harm to yourself and others, and regretting it later."
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