Chapter 25 The Second Master Makes a Fool
Before Cui Xiao could say anything, Xiao Shunzi, who had been standing with his hands hanging down like an invisible man, suddenly raised his head.
He still had a humble smile on his face, and his voice was neither too loud nor too low, but it resounded clearly in the dead silence of Yanshou Hall:
"Oh, what the Second Master said... I feel a little confused when I hear this."
He tilted his head slightly, with just the right amount of confusion on his face, and looked at Cui Jun, his eyes clear and frank:
"Our Crown Prince is now the Third Prince's tutor appointed by the Emperor. His every word and action represents the reputation of the Crown Prince!
"This work of massaging shoulders and backs, serving tea and water... In all the years I've served in the palace, I've never heard of any tutor serving his own brothers? This... doesn't seem to be in accordance with etiquette?"
He paused, then turned his gaze to Madam Zhou, who was shaking with anger on the kang, and smiled even more "sincerely":
"Besides, old lady, you are the old lord of our Weiyuan Marquisate. You are the one who knows the big picture and understands the rules!
This marquis's mansion has a tradition of poetry and etiquette, and the young men and women brought up here are all very polite!
How could you let the eldest grandson, who represents the dignity of the prince, do something that is against the rules and demeaning to his status? Don’t you agree, old lady? "
These words were like a soft knife tempered with poison!
On the surface, he is confused and puzzled, but secretly, every word and sentence is a slap in the face!
It points out that Cui Xiao’s status is noble and represents the dignity of the prince!
It is ironic that Cui Jun’s request is absurd and rude!
What’s even more amazing is the last sentence, which directly puts Madam Zhou on the pedestal of “being sensible and understanding the rules”!
She was forced to either admit that she was old and confused and didn't know the big picture, or she could only swallow her anger and accept the loss!
"Oh...you...uh..."
Old Madam Zhou was so angry at these words that her blood boiled. She made a more rapid hoarse sound in her throat, her eyes rolled back, and she pointed her skinny fingers at Xiao Shunzi and then at Cui Jun. Her body twitched violently and she was about to faint again!
"Mother! Mother, what's wrong with you?"
Cui Jun panicked and rushed to the edge of the kang, shouting outside
"Doctor! Call the doctor! Mother is not well again!"
The doctor was naturally well prepared and immediately rushed in with the medicine box, and there was another flurry of pinching the Ren Zhong point and feeding the patient ginseng soup.
Cui Jun looked at his mother's appearance, shocked and angry, and all his anger was directed at Xiao Shunzi!
It's all because of this damned eunuch! He's so talkative! He's the one who caused my mother this!
He turned around suddenly, pointed at Xiao Shunzi's nose, his eyes red, and cursed:
"You lowly eunuch! You dog slave! Do you have the right to speak here?!
A rootless, filthy thing dares to point fingers and stir up trouble in the Marquis' Mansion?!
Who the hell do you think you are? How dare you anger my mother! I...I will beat you to death, you little dog slave!
The more he cursed, the angrier he became, and he actually rolled up his sleeves and made a gesture to rush forward and start fighting!
With that violent and ferocious look, how could he have the dignity of a noble son? He was just a street thug!
The Yanshou Hall instantly fell silent! Everyone was stunned! Even the doctor who was helping the old lady calm down for a moment forgot to move!
Insulting a palace eunuch! And the eunuch was actually sent by the emperor's chief eunuch! And he even used the taboo word "eunuch"!
Cui Yan had been watching coldly, but now his face darkened when he saw his brother was so stupid.
He took a step forward, and his tall body stood in front of Xiao Shunzi like an iron tower. He grabbed Cui Jun's raised wrist with such force that Cui Jun cried out in pain!
"Enough! Cui Jun!"
Cui Yan's voice was like ice, carrying an unquestionable pressure.
"This is a eunuch from the palace! He represents the emperor's reputation! How can you be allowed to speak nonsense here?! Get out! Reflect on your mistakes behind closed doors!"
Cui Jun's wrist bones were nearly broken by his elder brother's iron-like grip. When he met Cui Yan's cold and intimidating gaze, all the violence in his heart was instantly extinguished, leaving only pain and a trace of fear.
He didn't dare to make trouble anymore and was "invited" out by two strong servants in disgrace.
Xiao Shunzi stood behind Cui Yan, the humble smile on his face had long disappeared, replaced by a cold look.
He lowered his eyes, looking at the clean tips of his shoes, but his hands in his sleeves were clenched into fists.
Eunuch...dog slave...these words were like poisonous thorns, piercing into the most sensitive and untouchable part of his heart.
In the palace, even the lowest-ranking eunuchs would be given some face by their masters. How could they have ever been subjected to such blatant and vicious insults?
He slowly raised his head, his eyes sweeping across the messy Yanshou Hall, across the old lady still twitching on the kang, and finally landing on Cui Yan.
The voice was calm without a trace of ripples, but it carried a biting chill.
"The Marquis is indeed a strict ruler of the household. This servant has truly broadened his horizons today."
Cui Yan looked at Xiao Shunzi's cold eyes and cursed his brother in his heart for being as stupid as a pig!
He hurriedly bowed, his tone apologetic and comforting.
"Eunuch, calm down! My brother is ignorant and reckless, and he spoke without thinking, which offended you. It is really because of my failure to discipline him!
This Marquis will definitely punish him severely! I hope that the eunuch will forgive me and not bother with this foolish man."
Little Zhou had a small bag of pine nut candies in her hand at some point, and she was slowly picking one up and putting it into her mouth with an elegant posture, as if she was enjoying a wonderful opera.
Cui Xiao stood beside his mother, watching the farce with a calm look in his eyes, and even a hint of sarcasm at the corner of his mouth.
A noisy "paying respects" ended with Mrs. Zhou fainting from anger and the second master being confined to his room.
Back in the main courtyard, Cui Xiao personally escorted Xiao Shunzi back to the warm room in the west wing. Xiao Shunzi's face was still grim, and he sat there without saying a word.
A moment later, the Marquis' wife, Xiao Zhou, came in with her maid, Chunlan. Chunlan was holding a heavy red sandalwood box in her hands.
Xiao Zhou's face was filled with sincere apology and just the right amount of worry.
"Eunuch Xiao Shunzi, what happened today is truly a misfortune for our family, and I'm sorry that you've been wronged.
My second brother...ah, he's just a completely confused bastard!
"The Marquis has already severely punished him. This little gift is not a token of respect, but just to calm the eunuch down and buy some refreshments." As he said this, he gestured for Chunlan to present the box.
When the box was opened, it was filled with neatly stacked, shiny new official silver, totaling two hundred taels!
This is not a small amount of money, enough for an ordinary family to live comfortably for several years!
Xiao Shunzi looked at the white silver, then looked at Xiao Zhou's sincere face, and his tense expression finally relaxed a little.
He stood up and bowed deeply to Xiao Zhou.
"Madam, I appreciate your kindness. Today's matter... I understand that it has nothing to do with the Marquis, Madam, or the Crown Prince. It's just..."
He paused, his voice cold.
"Second Master's words were really... too much."
"Don't worry, sir."
Xiao Zhou said in a gentle voice, but a sharp flash of light flashed in her eyes.
"The Marquis will definitely give the eunuch an explanation. However... I hope that after returning to the palace, the eunuch can speak on his behalf in front of Eunuch Fu'an. Don't let those... foolish words of fools pollute the emperor's ears and jeopardize Xiao'er's future."
This is the key point.
Xiao Shunzi naturally understood what he meant.
He took the silver box and said solemnly
"Madam, don't worry. I will report the truth to Eunuch Fu.
The Crown Prince is diligent and respectful in the palace, and has earned the Third Prince's trust. Eunuch Fu and His Majesty are both aware of this."
After sending Xiao Shunzi away, Cui Xiao returned to his parents.
Cui Yan rubbed his brows, his face exhausted: "Idiot! Idiot! He's pushing himself to death!"
Xiao Zhou snorted coldly, "It would be better to force her to death! She'd be an eyesore! It would be better if that old woman died of anger too, to save us from having to fight!"
Cui Xiao looked at his parents and smiled: "Mom, where did you get that bag of pine nut candy?"
Little Zhou rolled her eyes at him and said, "Your father is so lazy in the study! How boring would it be to watch a play without some snacks?"
The next morning, Xiao Shunzi returned to the palace in the comfortable carriage arranged by the Marquis' Mansion, carrying the heavy two hundred taels of silver and a belly full of "experiences".
He went to Fu'an's residence as soon as possible.
Without adding any exaggeration, he simply described everything he saw and heard in Weiyuan Marquis Mansion yesterday in detail and vividly.
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