Chen Zhancai's breath hitched. His three brothers-in-law were no different from street thugs and petty hooligans. He had wanted to bluff in front of them, but these three hotheads weren't buying it at all.
I wanted to keep up the act, but I was afraid of angering them. If they really acted like bastards and beat me up in public, I would be utterly humiliated.
Thinking of this, he dared not pretend anymore, but he couldn't vent his anger, and his whole body trembled. After a long while, he finally managed to utter a sentence, "You are truly an insult to civilization!"
Liu Dashan's purpose in coming here was not pure; he wanted Chen Zhancai to rise to prominence in the future so that Liu could take good care of his three sons.
That unfilial son is truly blind. He repeatedly told me at home not to talk to Chen Zhancai like before, but before I could even finish three and a half sentences, he revealed his true colors.
Liu Dashan was almost driven to the point of vomiting blood by his three sons; he started cursing as soon as he opened his mouth.
“You unfilial children, how dare you three speak to your brother-in-law like that? Your brother-in-law is a scholar now, do you even know what a scholar is?”
Even the county magistrate has to give you face. Who do you think you are, strutting around like this? You're a bunch of good-for-nothings, utterly useless. Go to the back and stop embarrassing yourselves!"
Liu Bao, Liu Gen, and Liu Gou were thoroughly scolded and embarrassed, too embarrassed to utter another word.
Liu Dashan looked at Chen Zhancai with a big smile, "Good son-in-law, they are young and still children. Calm down and don't take it to heart."
"They're all fathers now, and you still call them children?" Seeing his three brothers-in-law behaving obediently under their father-in-law's scolding, Chen Zhancai felt emboldened and rebuked them sternly.
"As the old saying goes, it is the father's fault if he raises a son but does not teach him. If the father-in-law continues to turn a blind eye and let them run wild, he will surely get into trouble in the future and will not be able to avoid imprisonment."
"Yes, yes, yes, what you say is absolutely right, son-in-law," Liu Dashan nodded repeatedly, smiling obsequiously. "I will definitely keep a close eye on them from now on, and make sure they dare not go west if we tell them to go east, they certainly dare not curse chickens if we tell them to beat dogs, and they absolutely dare not blow their noses if we tell them to pick their toes. If you become successful in the future, son-in-law, please remember to help them out!"
“Father-in-law, it’s not that I’m criticizing you, but someone your age should be very perceptive. Why are you getting more and more confused?”
Chen Zhancai deliberately started to be sarcastic and mocking.
"As the saying goes, a pig's intestines that can't stand upright, or a son of a duke that can't be helped up. A dead pig is perfectly fine, but you insist on scalding it with boiling water. Father-in-law, you're asking me to say, 'How can rotten wood be carved into something useful?' You're just asking the impossible!"
If it were before, Liu Dashan would have slapped Chen Zhancai across the face several times already. It was too much; he even went so far as to indirectly insult Chen's three sons, calling them good-for-nothings.
It's infuriating as it may be, things are different now; they're getting cocky.
If he were to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar in the future, he would be a respected and noble official, and everyone would rush to curry favor with him.
Even if he's filled with rage, he has to suppress it and put on a smiling face.
“What you say is true, son-in-law. But even donkey dung balls can have fevers. Who knows, they might learn to behave well someday. I hope you will be kind to them then.”
The more Chen Zhancai listened, the more resentful he became, and he couldn't help but make sarcastic remarks, "As the saying goes, without good seeds, you can't grow good seedlings; without good gourds, you can't saw good ladles. Father-in-law, don't count on us."
Upon hearing these words, Liu Dashan was so angry he almost lost his temper on the spot, but fortunately, Granny Liu stopped him in time and whispered a reminder.
"Stay calm. Your son-in-law is not what he used to be. Don't do anything reckless!"
After being reminded like that, Liu Dashan finally calmed down and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"My dear son-in-law, I was blind before. Your three brothers-in-law were ignorant. Please don't take it to heart. I apologize to you."
As he spoke, Liu Dashan bowed deeply to Chen Zhancai.
Liu Fengjiao couldn't bear to watch any longer. She glared at Chen Zhancai reproachfully and quickly stepped forward to help Liu Dashan up.
“Father, we’re all family. Saying things like that makes us sound distant. Zhancai is doing well now, which is a blessing for the Liu family. Don’t worry, Zhancai is just all bark and no bite. He’s just venting his frustrations. Don’t take it to heart. He’ll take care of his three younger brothers in the future.”
"Okay, okay, I'm relieved to hear that." A smile appeared on Liu Dashan's face.
Chen Zhancai felt much better at this moment. Just as he was about to humiliate the Liu family again, he saw Old Man Chen walk briskly over from the kitchen and tease Liu Dashan.
"My dear in-law, you're a rare guest indeed! It's been years since I've seen you, and you're still alive!"
"Oh, my dear brother, you're still alive, how could I possibly go before you?"
"Your mother-in-law is here too. Don't stand here, quickly find a place to sit down, the feast will begin soon."
"My dear in-laws, just go ahead and do your work, don't worry about us," Liu Dashan said, leading his family to find an empty table to sit down.
Liu Bao's face was very ugly. "Dad, look at how arrogant Chen Zhancai is. Why should we put up with this humiliation? Let's just beat him up."
"Exactly, what's so great about passing the lowest level of the imperial examinations? Look at how smug he is, he's practically lost his bearings." Liu Gou chimed in, pursing his lips.
Liu Gen was also panting with anger, looking defiant, and rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight back and save face.
Liu Dashan glared at them fiercely, "What do you know? Behave yourselves and don't cause any trouble. Although Chen Zhancai is only a Xiucai now, he has a bright future. If he really gets lucky and becomes a Juren, he will be an official. With this relative, we can walk around with our heads held high!"
Granny Liu also chimed in, "Your father is right. If you endure it now, you can benefit from it later and live a good life."
Although Liu Bao, Liu Gen, and Liu Gou were unconvinced, they dared not say anything more.
After exchanging a few perfunctory pleasantries with Liu Dashan, Old Man Chen approached Old Woman Chen.
"Old woman, is everyone here yet?"
"They should all be here." Grandma Chen nodded, then asked, "How are the banquet preparations going?"
"Don't worry, we're just waiting for your order to start the feast."
"Don't listen to me. You have to ask your son about this. We can only start serving the food when he says when the banquet will begin."
"Okay, okay, I'll go ask Zhancai."
"Come back first." Old Mrs. Chen called Old Mr. Chen back and whispered, "These poor bastards don't give much in gifts, so you must remember to control the amount of food. If it exceeds our expectations, we will suffer a huge loss."
Old Chen patted his chest and said, "Old woman, don't worry, I guarantee you'll only make a profit."
"That's good. Let's go ask our son when we're going to start the feast." Old Mrs. Chen came to Chen Zhancai's side. "Son, now that everyone's here, if there's nothing else, let's start the feast!"
"Mom, why are you in such a hurry? Don't forget, today is my big day. I have to say a few words!"
"Yes, yes, yes, my son is right." Old Mrs. Chen nodded repeatedly and shouted loudly to the chaotic crowd.
"Everyone, please be quiet and find a place to sit down. Let my son Zhancai say a few words, and then we will begin our meal."
......
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