Chapter 124: Taking Advantage of Seniority
After returning from Xinzhou, Shen Ning was actually very confused.
She knew it was all a misunderstanding, but when she thought about how the affection in Xiao Nanchen's eyes that night had all solidified into deep surprise and embarrassment, she couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable.
She even felt a little regretful that she shouldn't have said those words so subconsciously... She didn't want to hurt him.
But if I really just go with the flow, it still feels very weird... so frustrating.
Xiao Nanchen had said before that he would tell her about his identity after he was done with his work. It was obvious that he wanted to be honest with her. So what would happen in the future? Would he regret it again?
Shen Ning was in a state of confusion, so when she received Mrs. Lu's invitation, she agreed.
Just take it as a way to relax.
There were more and more refugees outside Pingning City, and the weather was getting colder. The magistrate's wife held a Double Ninth Festival banquet and invited the wives of the wealthy families in Pingning to attend the banquet. At the same time, she told them that she wanted to raise money to build a refugee village outside the city to accommodate the refugees.
This is equivalent to telling these ladies and rich girls that they have to pay money to attend this banquet.
Shen Ning was naturally willing. After discussing with Madam Lu privately, she decided to take out two thousand taels directly, but openly gave Madam Lu five hundred taels.
She didn't want to be too high-profile. After all, if she directly took out a few thousand taels, it would be difficult for others to deal with it. After all, not everyone can make a lot of money.
She wanted to help, not to show off, nor did she want to put others in a difficult position and make them feel uncomfortable.
At this moment, Mrs. Lu was even more impressed by this country gentleman, and her smile, which was initially too enthusiastic and not sincere enough, became much more genuine.
On the Double Ninth Festival, Chen Ning took July to the banquet as usual.
When I arrived at the Lu family's backyard, I saw the Xu family at a glance... Xu Ying was there, and beside her were Li Yushi and her half-sister.
Xu Ying also saw Shen Ning, her expression suddenly froze, and she gritted her teeth secretly.
She wanted to skin Shen Ning alive, but she knew that it was not possible now, especially today. The only reason she could get the invitation to enter the Lu family yard again was because her mother reluctantly took out a hundred taels of silver.
Mrs. Lu wanted to raise money for the refugees, so she sent her another invitation.
Xu Ying was kicked out last time and almost became the laughing stock of the entire Pingning. If she couldn't save herself, her marriage would be in trouble in the future.
She had to let everyone see that she, the young lady of the Xu family, still had status.
That was why Xu Ying suppressed her anger and turned her gaze away from Chen Ning, whom she hated with gnashing teeth.
Shen Ning naturally noticed Miss Xu's expression, and secretly clicked her tongue before continuing forward.
When she was welcomed in by Madam Lu, Shen Ning saw that the old woman from the Xu family was also at the table. Too lazy to look at the old man, Shen Ning informed Madam Lu and turned around to appreciate the flowers.
However, just as he reached the garden, he saw Xu Zhiyi, dressed in a silver-white brocade robe and full of nobility, walking by the opposite corridor, surrounded by Lu Zhixian and several other people.
Xu Zhiyi also saw Chen Ning, his expression was very indifferent. He glanced at her and then coldly looked away, as if he didn't know her.
Shen Ning breathed a sigh of relief.
Are you going to let her go?
At this moment, a sneer suddenly sounded from behind: "Why, it seems that the Third Master is tired of playing with you. You are just standing here and no one even looks at you."
Xu Ying learned her lesson this time. She did not argue with Shen Ning in public, but chose to vent her anger when no one was around.
Her tone was particularly sharp: "Why don't you go find Huang Yaozu? That old guy will definitely be willing to take you in."
Shen Ning suddenly laughed: "Miss Xu, I really don't know whether to praise you for learning quickly, or laugh at you for being stupid forever. Do you think it's okay to scold me behind other people's backs?"
Xu Ying sneered: "You can go and tell Mrs. Lu what I scolded you for."
Those words, no one could say them. Did Shen Ning want to tell Madam Lu that Xu Ying said she was tired of being played by Mr. Xu San?
Doesn't she have any shame?
Shen Ning smiled: "But why should I go to find Madam Lu?"
Xu Ying was stunned for a moment, then suddenly came to her senses.
Last time in the Lu family's backyard, Chen Ning deliberately provoked her in private, causing her to lose face in public. Only then did Xu Ying learn her lesson and retaliate in her own way, going to a secluded place to scold Chen Ning.
But she forgot that Chen Ning could plot against her secretly, and now... she could also teach her a lesson openly.
"Disrespecting the township lord is insubordination. In July, I will slap you in the face."
Seeing that the situation was not right, Xu Ying turned around and ran, but she could not outrun July. She was grabbed by July just after taking a few steps. Then she saw the little girl grinning and waving at her.
Xu Ying closed her eyes and could only endure the slap... But the next moment, a loud bang was heard.
When Xu Ying got up in a daze, covering her face, she was completely dazed. Her head was buzzing and her mouth tasted fishy and sweet.
She was actually slapped and sent flying.
Xu Ying felt dizzy and it took her a moment to come back to her senses.
Seeing Shen Ning sitting there and looking at her with a smile, Xu Ying wanted to pounce on her and tear her to pieces immediately.
At this moment, a voice sounded behind her. Xu Ying narrowed her eyes and then burst into tears: "I just want to apologize. Why is the county lord bullying me like this and using such violence..."
Mrs. Lu was supporting Mrs. Xu and was accompanying a group of daughters from wealthy families to enjoy the flowers when she was caught off guard by this scene.
Seeing Xu Ying sitting on the ground with half of her face swollen, Mrs. Lu was disgusted and speechless, but for the sake of Old Madam Xu, she could only patiently ask someone to help Xu Ying up quickly.
Madam Xu frowned and asked, "What happened?"
Xu Ying cried as she stepped forward and hugged Old Madam Xu's arm. "Grandma, grandma, please help me. Last time, I didn't know the status of the township lord and offended him with my words. Today, I happened to meet him and wanted to apologize to him in person, but I didn't expect..."
Seeing that Xu Zhiyi and his group in the corridor seemed to have turned back because of the commotion here, Xu Ying's voice became louder and she said with tears in her eyes: "I wanted to apologize, but I didn't expect that Shen Xiangjun was not only unwilling to show mercy, but also ordered his servants to abuse me."
Xu Ying cried bitterly: "Grandma, Shen Xiangjun is too bullying..."
Shen Ning watched the Xu family's grandparents perform leisurely, sitting very still. Qi Yue patted her shoulders from behind and whispered to Shen Ning, "They are so disgusting and shameless."
Shen Ning patted her hand: “Little girl, don’t say dirty words.”
Across from her, Madam Lu forced a smile to smooth things over: "There must be some misunderstanding here. Why don't we go back and talk about it..."
"No need."
Madam Xu spoke in a deep voice, picking up the old lady's attitude: "No matter what, you shouldn't hit people, right?"
She looked at Shen Ning coldly: "Mr. Shen Xiangjun, I am relying on my age to bully others, but I still ask you to give me an explanation today."
Mrs. Lu sighed helplessly.
Shen Ning smiled: "You still know that you are taking advantage of your age?"
Madam Xu opened her eyes wide indifferently: "You said..."
"You need someone to buy into your seniority, but I won't buy into your claims today. Old Lady Xu, do you have an imperial decree?"
The Xu family is a remote branch, and none of its children or grandchildren hold high positions. How could Old Madam Xu have received the imperial edict?
"No?"
Chen Ning smiled, but spoke slowly and carefully: "Then why didn't you greet Ben Xiangjun when you met him, huh?"
Madam Xu raised her finger and pointed at Shen Ning, her hand shaking with anger: "You, you..."
Xu Ying shouted: “My grandmother is old, doesn’t Shen Xiangjun even know how to respect the elderly?”
Chen Ning sneered: "Respecting the elder is about character and virtue, not respecting the longevity of your old bones. If that's the case, then I might as well respect the turtle under the East Third Bridge. It is said that it has lived for a hundred years. Isn't it more worthy of respect than Old Madam Xu?"
Being compared to a turtle by Chen Ning, Mrs. Xu was so angry that she almost couldn't breathe. She trembled and scolded: "Bullying others with your power, Chen Ning, you bully others with your power! Madam Lu, are you going to watch her bully me like this?"
Without waiting for Madam Lu to speak, Shen Ning sneered: "Why, your Xu family is used to bullying others, but now it's our turn and we can't get used to it?
Oh, that's right, that's the Xu family tradition. It's not good to ask too much of you. If the top beam of a house is not straight, the bottom beam will be crooked. It's not surprising that you can have such a face."
Madam Xu was so angry that she smashed her cane: "You bitch..."
Shen Ning curled her lips: "July."
Qiyue stepped forward and slapped him hard: "How dare you insult the village master? What's your punishment?"
Madam Xu was stunned by the slap. She turned around, spat out two teeth from her mouth, and rolled her eyes... She actually fainted.
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