The night was deep. The butler carried a lantern and walked at the front, followed by the three members of the Jiang family, the old, the middle-aged, and the young.
The Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness had a deep and serious expression, while Jiang Chengxiao looked somewhat listless and showed no awe. Pan Ge'er, who was following at the back, was still in a daze. He looked sleepy and kept yawning, clearly having just gotten out of bed.
"Grandfather, are we going to the ancestral hall to worship so late? I've heard that the closer it gets to midnight, the heavier the yin energy becomes, and the gates of hell open wide—"
Pan Ge looked around. The areas not illuminated by the lanterns were completely dark, so dark that you couldn't see your hand in front of your face.
Although the road leading to the ancestral hall has been widened, it always feels somewhat deserted in order to maintain reverence for the ancestors.
These people seemed to be swallowed by darkness at any moment, their hearts filled with fear, which caused their voices to tremble.
Before he could finish speaking, he was slapped on the back of the neck.
Marquis Zhongyi said irritably, "Can you stop talking nonsense, brat? The ancestral hall is where the ancestors of the Jiang family are enshrined. Even if the gates of hell were to open wide, seeing your Jiang family bloodline, they would only protect you. What, are you afraid they will take your life?"
Pan Ge'er was completely stunned by the slap, rubbed the back of his neck, and didn't dare to say a word.
Jiang Chengxiao, standing to the side, chuckled and said, "Father, what you're saying is normal for Pan-ge'er to be afraid, as he's just a child. It's also a form of reverence for ghosts and gods."
After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but yawn, which was seen by the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness, who then slapped him again.
"Stop talking nonsense and hurry up and pray to your ancestors to bless you, so that next time you meet the third brother, you won't be a castrated dog."
Jiang Chengxiao's expression changed; this topic was really unavoidable, and it hit the nail on the head.
"Father, are you favoring my third brother? I've been eating for a few more years than him, so if anyone's going to be a eunuch, it'll be him."
Marquis Zhongyi sneered: "I never show favoritism. Everyone relies on their own abilities. You can't beat him at all now. If it weren't for the protection of our ancestors, you would have been castrated by now."
Although his words were harsh, they were the absolute truth, leaving Jiang Chengxiao speechless.
***
At the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence, it was time for dinner again.
Once Xu Wanying was seated, she realized that almost everyone had arrived, except for the second couple.
"Why isn't Second Uncle here yet? He's always the last one to arrive these past few days. Grandfather, was he not devout enough when he went to the ancestral hall to worship last time, and was he blamed by the ancestors?" Jiang Pan sat in his seat, already unable to contain himself any longer.
He was at the age where he was growing, and after a half-day riding lesson in the afternoon, he was already starving.
The delicious food on the table was still steaming hot and fragrant, making him keep swallowing his saliva, unable to resist.
Before Marquis Zhongyi could even begin to reprimand Jiang Pan, Li Chunlan glared at him.
“Brother Pan, don’t talk nonsense. Your second uncle has always been filial. How could our ancestors blame him? He just returned to the capital and is busy with many things. It’s normal.”
As they were talking, a report came from outside.
Jiang Chengxiao and Lu Ling walked in one after the other. As they crossed the threshold, Jiang Chengxiao turned around, took Lu Ling's arm, and naturally helped her up.
He only let go of her hand after she had regained her balance.
The young couple's little interaction was so natural and spontaneous; they looked so loving and genuine.
"Brother Pan, are you talking bad about me behind my back again? Your second uncle brought you a lot of gifts. The ones he gave you a few days ago were just some odds and ends. There are still some good things he hasn't given you yet. Are you making fun of me like this because you don't want them anymore?" Jiang Chengxiao teased casually.
Pan Ge'er immediately raised his hands and bowed respectfully in apology.
[Tsk tsk, host, look how good Jiang Chengxiao is at putting on an act!] The system couldn't help but speak up at this moment.
Jiang Chengxiao, who was teasing his nephew, instantly lost his smile.
He had been warned by the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness and had not yet made a move against Xu Wanying and the system, but he was very unhappy about it. Every time he heard the strange electrical sound of the system, he became extremely irritable.
[Why is he pretending again? Is his uncle-nephew affection for the chubby boy fake? Is Jiang Chengxiao, as the second son, actually eager to become the heir apparent and deeply dislikes the eldest grandson of the main branch?]
However, as a son born of a concubine, the path to becoming the heir apparent is extremely difficult for him. Even if he ruins the eldest son's family, there are still the third and fourth sons. Oh, no, Jiang Chengli is completely focused on Xing Xiaoya and certainly has no interest in vying for the Marquis's mansion. Perhaps—
Upon hearing the system's words, Xu Wanying became quite interested, and countless scenes from popular domestic drama novels flooded her mind.
The system immediately interrupted: "[That's not it. Compared to the Marquis's mansion, he's more interested in women.]"
So what is he pretending for? You've been enjoying playing the riddle-maker lately, haven't you? Just say what you have to say!
The system, though insulted, didn't dare retaliate, only uttering a single sound before providing the answer: "He's showing off his affection in front of everyone, didn't you notice?"
"So what if he's showing off? You said it yourself, Jiang Chengxiao may be a womanizer, but he also cherishes Lu Ling. No one can overstep the position of his wife. Lu Ling looks delicate; isn't it normal for him to help her up?"
[System, if you don't have anything good to say, don't force yourself to say it, okay? Listening to your nonsense makes me uncomfortable.]
Xu Wanying lowered her head to hide her expression, and took the opportunity to roll her eyes, cursing the system in her heart.
[Host, don't be impatient, I haven't finished yet, the gossip is coming soon!]
[He is usually very considerate and attentive to Lu Ling, and it's normal for him to help his wife, but his behavior today is different; he's covering something up.] The system feigned profundity.
[What are you trying to hide?] Xu Wanying became somewhat interested.
The system lowered its voice: [Concealing the fact that he's impotent. Ever since he saw Xing Xiaoya that day, he hasn't felt any desire. You have to understand, a man Jiang Chengxiao's age, full of vigor and vitality, how could he not have those needs? But he hasn't had sex for several days, whether with Lu Ling or other women, he just can't muster any interest.]
Although it was clearly a strange electronic voice, the Jiang family members all detected a hint of schadenfreude in it.
Xu Wanying resisted the urge to look up, but the rest of the Jiang family turned their gazes to Jiang Chengxiao, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Jiang Chengxiao gritted his teeth, the veins on his forehead bulging, and his fists clenched tightly.
【Huh? Really? System, you haven't been getting so worked up from my scolding these past few days that you're starting to spread fake news, have you?】 Xu Wanying was also shocked.
"Of course it's true! I used energy to test it, and it really is no good." The system assured me confidently.
Is it possible that he was just too tired? After all, the long journey would have an effect.
The system immediately denied it: [Impossible. He's rested for several days and is still exhausted from travel. Besides, the men of the Jiang family have practiced martial arts since childhood and are full of energy. He's not only impotent with women, but even the physiological responses that every man experiences upon waking have disappeared.]
Jiang Chengxiao is now a complete useless piece of trash!
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