Chapter 48 Welcoming all troublemakers
"Your Highness, you must do me justice! I was sitting here peacefully praying for my family when this man suddenly came over and insulted my father and mother. Then those crazy women rushed over and started yelling and cursing. In the end, they even sent those uncouth men to do this and that to me!"
"This woman truly cannot live any longer..."
Song Jin, dressed in a dark green robe, her black hair tied back with a red ribbon and adorned with a peach wood hairpin, looked just like the wishing tree beside her, laden with red plaques and ribbons. At that moment, she clung tightly to Qi Zheng's leg, sitting on the ground and letting out a series of wailing cries.
There wasn't a single serious word, only vivid imagery, especially in front of that pile of exhausted people. Qi Zheng could completely imagine the scene of her attack: a punch here, a kick there, a flick to the left, a slap to the right.
During this period, Song Jin first killed the assassins, then went up the mountain alone, and then saved the city from danger. Even though she is usually playful, impulsive, reckless and carefree...
Qi Zheng always considered it to be a basic disguise of a master, because with Song Jin's appearance, unless one was truly a person with profound internal strength, no one would be able to tell that she was a real master.
Looking back now, this person was a genuine country bumpkin, bullying men and women, teasing cats and dogs, and causing trouble were all part of her daily life; she didn't need to pretend at all.
In this situation, regardless of who is right or wrong, no normal person would leisurely sit on someone's back and enjoy the absurd scene of the Duke of England's heir hanging from a tree while the Duke's matriarch frantically worries.
This person in front of me can, and even has the audacity to, commit such a series of evil deeds and then preemptively file a complaint.
Qi Zheng had been wandering the martial arts world for so many years, and he had truly never seen many young people who could act so openly and unrestrainedly as Song Jin. He remained silent for a long while before finally speaking with difficulty.
"Let go first."
He shouldn't have said anything, because the moment he did, Song Jin hugged him even tighter, even secretly stroking his thighs a couple of times. His thighs were clearly the work of a martial artist, all hard, muscular—though they could also be taut.
Regardless of his feelings, Song Jincai clung to him like a koala clinging to a tree, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"I won't let you go! Your Highness, you must do me justice! If I let you go, that old hag will surely bully me to death! Waaah! I'm so ignorant, coming from the countryside. I didn't know you city people were all so shameless, always looking down on the powerful and bullying the weak. You only know how to bully orphans and widows like us. If you had any guts, why didn't you say a word while my father was here? Bah, shameless..."
Judging from her chattering little mouth, anyone with eyes can tell she wasn't bullied.
Let go
Qi Zheng's expression grew increasingly solemn, his aura imposing and somewhat intimidating, but it had no effect on the person before him. He took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to kick the man away, and said in a deep voice...
"Let go first, I'll take charge for you."
Song Jin shut her mouth, which had been cursing, raised her head, looked at his face, and asked suspiciously, "Really?"
Qi Zheng closed his eyes: "Really, let me go first."
Song Jin said again, "You are a prince, you must keep your word."
Qi Zheng said expressionlessly, "If you don't let go, it doesn't count."
Song Jin quickly released the person, jumped up from the ground, patted her knees and bottom to tidy herself up, and then very attentively went forward to tidy up Qi Zheng.
Qi Zheng took a step back without hesitation, glanced at the familiar faces in the crowd, and said calmly, "Just say it. Sanqing Temple is a quiet place, why are you making such a fuss?"
It was indeed quiet; a group of people in charge were quietly joining in the fun.
Song Jin immediately wiped her eyes and said in a pretentious tone, "This is a long story, but Your Highness, please find a doctor for Song Lao Si and Song Lao Wu first. These people are nothing but bandits and robbers. They attacked as soon as they arrived, without any reason. I was forced to fight back."
Qi Zheng turned his head and looked at the bruises on the faces of the two brothers who stood silently beside him, his expression one of deep emotion.
Putting aside whether it's reasonable for the British Duke's Mansion to take action in front of so many people, even if they really did hit someone in the face, they shouldn't have. Are they hoping the Song family will come knocking with evidence?
Qi Zheng hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.
Old Mrs. Lu, who had been crying and wailing under the tree, came shakily over, leaning on her cane. She limped along, her face contorted with grief, her eyes red, her usually neat hair disheveled, her expression filled with sorrow and indignation.
"Prince Qi, you must avenge me! This shrew—no, this shrew! Look what she's done! My grandson saw her hanging the branch alone and, worried she wouldn't be able to throw it up, kindly offered to help. And look at him now, still up there! And everyone else who tried to help has been ruined by her!"
"Prince Qi, I, a noblewoman of noble birth, am not going to live anymore..."
This scene was all too familiar. Qi Zheng remained silent and began to wonder why he had come in to join in the fun, and whether it was too late to leave now.
Fortunately, he didn't need to say anything at the scene. Seeing that this old hag still had the nerve to complain, Song Jin raised his chin, pointed his finger at her nose, and sneered: "Old hag, you're already so old. I advise you to shut up and stop talking nonsense. Who knows when you'll really be gone. If you really don't want to live, go over there and jump down. If you're afraid of heights, there's a cesspool behind there. You can crawl into it. If that doesn't work, your grandson has a red rope to hang you from."
Old Madam Lu had lived a life of luxury, and even the emperor had to give her some respect. She had never been treated like this before, and she trembled with anger, uttering, "You, you, you..."
Song Jin sneered: "You, you, you, watch your mouth. If your ancestors knew you were such an unreasonable and ungrateful old hag, they might jump out of their graves to talk to you. Don't think you can act like an old lady just because you're getting old and about to go to your grave. I don't buy that. If this were in our village, I'd slap you twice until you beg for your mother's hand..."
Old Madam Lu had never suffered such humiliation in her life. She was so angry that her eyes rolled back, and she looked as if she was about to faint.
Song brocade continues to be exported there.
"Old Madam Lu is almost 70. She's a titled Lady of the Imperial Decree, and she's also my sister-in-law's elder. Watch your words," Qi Zheng stopped Song Jin and warned her.
That's infuriating; things aren't that simple anymore.
Song Jin pursed her lips, glancing at Old Madam Lu's slightly rolled-up eyes. Thinking that she'd really anger someone to death, she'd have to dig up their grave, she reluctantly shut her mouth, only moving her lips to silently curse.
Having stopped there, Qi Zheng turned to Old Madam Lu and reassured her, "Song Jin grew up in the countryside. Conditions there are difficult, but the people are open-minded and speak frankly, not caring much about formalities. She's still young and doesn't understand; she's just a child. Old Madam Lu is highly respected and understanding, so please don't hold a grudge against a country girl like her. Let her have her way."
Upon hearing this, Song Jin burst out laughing, her gaze towards Qi Zheng filled with surprise and admiration.
Wow, she knows how to talk! Her kneeling wasn't for nothing.
Qi Zheng could only give her another warning glance, telling her not to be so arrogant. This person had already insulted her, hung up on her, and even hit her; she had taken advantage of him completely, so she shouldn't be afraid of suffering a little loss.
Alright, seeing how cooperative he was, Song Jin obediently bowed to him, suppressing a laugh and pretending to be serious: "I hope Your Highness is right. You're an old woman, be magnanimous and don't hold a grudge against a young girl like me."
Qi Zheng: ...
This guy really knows how to stir up trouble.
Old Madam Lu was so angry she couldn't speak, clutching her chest and trembling. Finally, the young girl beside her stepped forward. The girl looked no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, with bright eyes and white teeth, a graceful and delicate appearance, and her numerous ornaments swaying gently. She bit her lip and said angrily...
"Miss Song, haven't you gone too far? My grandmother is 69 years old this year, almost seventy. I wouldn't expect you to show some respect, but surely you don't have to point your finger at me and curse me like that? I'm ashamed to say I've never seen such manners before. In such a large capital city, I've never heard of any young lady daring to act like this."
Song Jin showed no sign of guilt whatsoever; in fact, her eyebrows and eyes lit up, and she arrogantly took two steps forward.
Lu Hanyu subconsciously helped Old Madam Lu take two steps back.
Seeing this, Song Jin laughed heartily, a smirk playing on his lips, and arrogantly declared, "That only proves you're like a toad trapped in a dry well, never having seen the world. You should reflect on yourself instead of using this to judge me."
Lu Hanyu trembled with anger, but a carefully cultivated young lady is still a young lady; even in anger, she remained dignified. She gritted her teeth and said, "Respecting the elderly and caring for the young, and not forgetting guests and travelers, are principles known to all. Miss Song has no respect for elders and is rude. Aren't you afraid that such behavior will bring shame to your elders in the family?"
Seeing her like this, Song Jin raised an eyebrow, picked up a pebble from the ground, and flicked it forward, hitting Lu Hanyu directly on the forehead, leaving a small red mark. Enraged, Song Jin leisurely...
"This 'respect for elders and love for children' applies to both the elderly and the young. This old hag doesn't respect the elderly or the young, so why should I respect her? Little girl, don't stand up for yourself here. What are you talking about? What kind of lady is she? What kind of gentle and virtuous woman is she? Where were you when your shameless brother cursed my mother? Where were you when that shameless old hag sent those people to grab me, wanting to slap me and humiliate me?"
Lu Hanyu's expression changed. She bit her lip, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed: "My elder brother meant well, it was just an unintentional act, yet you have humiliated him like this."
"What, you're unhappy because I didn't humiliate you? Tsk, all that high-sounding talk, it all boils down to you guys being unable to mess with me, isn't it?" At the end, Song Jin drew out her words and burst into laughter. Under everyone's astonished gazes, she lightly touched the ground with her toes, easily ascending the giant tree covered in red threads, then dragged the person down and threw them to the ground.
"If I were truly just an unknown girl, what would it matter if this person publicly humiliated my ancestors? Even if I were slapped in front of so many people and forced to commit suicide, what would it matter? If I didn't say a word and these idiots forcibly took me back to their mansion to suffer endless humiliation, would you all kneel down and admit your mistakes?"
"Those who insult others will always be insulted in return. If they can't even humiliate someone, they resort to violence; if that fails, they come up with grand principles. Anyway, you've got the say, say whatever you want, I don't care. But if you want to cause me trouble, come at me if you can beat me; if you can't, then be a coward and stay quiet among our esteemed guests, hahaha."
Song Jin raised an eyebrow, her demeanor arrogant and unrestrained, her words equally disdainful and domineering. She stood on Lu Jingyi's chest, a gentle breeze causing her sparse, long hair to flutter, and the red rope tokens hanging above her head to shake violently. Suddenly, a thin red rope token fell to the ground.
She grabbed at random
May everything go smoothly and may all your wishes come true.
Song Jin looked at the red card, suddenly laughed, and immediately accepted it, putting it in his pouch. Then he took out a piece of gold and threw it into the crowd.
"Not bad, not bad, your Sanqing Temple is indeed very accurate, I will take your good wishes. However, I have something to attend to today, so I will take my leave first. I hope I won't encounter so many fools next time I come."
"I am Song Jin, daughter of the current Grand Secretary Song Shang. I am here at the Song residence to welcome anyone who wants to cause trouble."
...
With that, she strode away.
As she approached, the dense crowd parted to make way, and people of all ages watched her flamboyant figure with varying expressions.
Fear, condemnation, anger, and hope
Seeing that the path was about to close again, Song Anzhi and Song Qingzhi, who hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise, hurriedly followed. Because they were walking so fast, they could be seen limping slightly—it was from when Song Jin tried to stop her from beating up Old Madam Lu, and she had thrown them off.
Thinking about it still brings tears of bitterness.
But I have to say, it was a real relief!
It was definitely worth it to find this little sister.
...
The three brothers left without leaving behind a mess.
Qi Zheng stood there, looking at the group of elderly, weak, sick, and disabled people present. His face was serious, and his aura was cold. Before the other party could speak, he said, "The young master of Lu seems to be unharmed. The old lady need not worry. As for the dispute between the Duke of Ying's mansion and the Song family, it is inconvenient for me to get involved. I will take my leave now."
After saying that, he lightly stepped off the wall of the Taoist temple and left.
Meanwhile, Song Jin had just finished such a big battle. Although she didn't think she was wrong, and was even a little happy because she had vented her anger and stretched her muscles, she also knew that the scale of the operation was too large and that she had offended the Duke of Ying's mansion to no end.
The days of playing with Qi Zheng are probably over.
Once she was out, she didn't intend to stop, striding briskly down the mountain until she reached the stables at the foot of the hill.
Before Gao Jun's herd of horses, Qi Zheng stood tall and patiently fed the steeds with hay. Hearing footsteps, he turned his head and, seeing Song Jin and the other two, said indifferently, "Let's go."
Song Jin was unusually taken aback: "You, you..."
Qi Zheng glanced at him lightly: "What? You're not going?"
Seeing his calm demeanor, as if nothing had happened, Song Jin gradually concealed her astonishment. Her phoenix eyes curved into crescents, gleaming with a starlight-like brightness, and she burst into laughter.
"Of course I'll go! I want to introduce you to Huanghuang."
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