Chapter 190:
“The ancient saying goes… To govern the family, one must first cultivate oneself; to cultivate oneself, one must first rectify one’s heart; to rectify one’s heart, one must first make one’s intentions sincere; to make one’s intentions sincere, one must first extend one’s knowledge, and extending knowledge lies in the investigation of things…”
“…With the heart rectified, one can cultivate oneself; with oneself cultivated, one can govern the family; with the family governed, one can govern the nation; with the nation governed, the world will be at peace.”
“If you do not cultivate yourselves and nurture your natures, how can you govern your families well? Let alone have your descendants bring glory to the Dongli Kingdom…”
“Today I, Zhao Guangyuan, swear that in every day of my lifetime, I will keep my eyes wide open to watch every word and deed of all the Zhao Shi clan members. Whoever schemes again, has impure intentions, and does such cowardly things like stealing and trickery or poisoning to frame others, I will surely drive their entire family out of the Zhao clan!”
This time, the sound echoed through most of Zhao Li Village.
“Hmph! I, Li Fuquan, am the same. The clan genealogy of the Li Shi clan never keeps such scum and bad goods! Remember your every move, and when the time comes, don’t blame us brothers for being heartless!”
Both ancestors had spoken, and everyone nodded frequently in agreement!
Some shrank back guiltily!
Zhao Er swallowed saliva, lowering his presence, surrounded by mocking, spitting, and discussing voices aimed at the back of his head…
“Damn it, this matter is all Zhao Er’s fault!”
Cursing him, “Exactly, there was no such thing originally, and now wherever we go, it feels like the back of our heads are being stared at!”
“Zhao Er, you are wrong in this matter. As the head of the family, not only did you fail to discipline your wife and let her do such a thing of poisoning neighbors’ livestock, but you also connived at deception and concealment. Now you even plan to retaliate and frame San Mao’s Wife. Is this how you teach your children and descendants?”
Zhao Guangyuan berated him head-on. As the clan leader of the Zhao clan, he could only cower and not dare utter a word!
“I already reminded you last time, but it seems you didn’t remember my words! Do you think with you two spouses teaching by word and deed like this, with such character, will your descendants grow into upright people? Will they amount to anything in the future?”
This was like a fierce stick waking him up, a sudden enlightenment. Lately, he had lost his reason due to the silver spent on medical treatment…
“If the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked. Take a good look at Li Ergou; he’s a lesson!” Gou Sheng from Li Ergou’s family had lately been stealing and trickery everywhere.
Kind-hearted villagers saw he was pitiful and gave him food, but he clung on, going meal after meal to beg. When they stopped giving, he stole!
This family was done for…
“Sorry, clan leader, I was wrong!”
“Hmph! Considering you’ve been law-abiding in the village for years without doing anything outrageous, and now you admit your mistake, we’ll spare you from being driven out of the clan for now. Go back and reflect properly!”
“Yes!”
This was for Luo Zhi’er to see; they scolded but gave no major punishment!
But Luo Zhi’er wasn’t ruthless enough to demand anything severe. Having the right attitude was enough. After all, everyone evolved from animals, just without tails; everyone was acting…
“Zheng Woman, pass the message to Li Shi, tell her to behave! If she can stay peacefully in Zhao Li Village, then stay quietly and do less things that lose face!”
“If I, Li Fuquan, hear rumors of her going to any yamen and talking nonsense outside, losing Zhao Li Village’s face, then even my Li clan has no such person!” Li Zuzu said!
Old Zheng Woman shivered; why did it turn to her family? She had been wondering where her family’s Fengjiao had run off to!
“Yes, clan leader!”
Li Zhengsen was extremely unhappy inside; was this matter passing so easily?
Then wasn’t his wife’s ear eaten by the dog in vain? It was hard to get everyone united against a common enemy today…
“Two great-uncles, let me say something, but… they… they’re injured like that, no need for compensation?”
“Hmph! This is their own fault, they deserve to pay silver themselves for treatment; no one else to blame!”
“Hehe, yes, but… I, your second uncle, for some reason feel a bit uneasy about it. Maybe I’m too kind-hearted! My family has never produced such people…”
Some villagers pursed their lips; was Li Zhengsen as good as he claimed?
“Exactly, they injured people and made them spend a large sum of silver. Li Shi’s leg is also broken; that’s fact. Not compensating is too unkind! Never mind that silver isn’t important—in this world without silver, everyone would go drink northwest wind!” Zhao Anyi chimed in!
“Well said! Perfectly said!”
Luo Zhi’er clapped her hands! She stood up, turned around, curled her lips, and said,
“Hehe! Second Uncle, I only realized today that you truly are my good second uncle. Since you’re so purely kind-hearted and feel uneasy, why don’t you go compensate?”
“What? It wasn’t me who clamped their legs; why should I compensate?” This Luo Zhi’er still wanted him to pay silver!
“Aren’t you our second uncle? Usually when something happens in my family, I never see you feel uneasy, but for things targeting us, you keep jumping in to feel uneasy!” Li Zhengsen’s face alternated between pale and green! Like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water!
“That damned beast dog of yours ate my wife’s ear, and you haven’t given us any explanation yet. Now you want me to compensate too?”
Old Lady Zhao, “Li Zhengsen, in my opinion, you shouldn’t have said this. It’s right for San Mao’s Wife to be angry at you; what exactly are you thinking?”
“Hmph! What am I thinking? I just can’t get over it. My wife was fine, but that beast ate her ear. Zhao Anyi said it right: without silver, go drink northwest wind?”
“I want compensation; that’s my meaning! She, Luo Zhi’er, must compensate me, your second uncle! Otherwise…”
“Beat that beast to death!”
Someone unknown chimed in!
“Outrageous!”
Suddenly, a majestic rebuke came from behind them!
It scared them into trembling with fear!
Everyone curiously followed the sound to look back, nearly blinded by the sight!
How did this village get several young masters with extraordinary bearing and noble aura?
They looked more splendidly dressed than the last, handsome to the point that the women, old women, and young women were dazzled, eyes blooming—only Zhao Er trembled in fear…
Wasn’t that one beside him the one who threatened him outside the city wall last time, saying he was from the Young Master’s side, demanding they treat his Dog well, or else… how did he come?
Looking at the figure in front of him, like a celestial immortal from a painting, skin snow-white, noble aura emanating from his whole body—could it be… could he be that Young Master…
His mood sank, kept sinking, to the bottom… his legs kept going soft…
That gaze swept over Li Zhengsen. Li Zhengsen didn’t know who the newcomer was, just felt intimidated and panicked, not daring to speak.
Thin lips twitched,
“Otherwise… what will you do?”
“Who dares to boldly beat and kill our Young Master’s famous dog?” Song Wu said!
Li Zhengsen, for some reason, stumbled and knelt on the ground, looking like a lost dog in defeat,
“I was wrong!”
“Who was it? Who just said my This Young Master’s beloved dog needs to compensate?”
“Which heartless one is saying to beat it to death again?”
That young master’s voice was clean and clear, speaking faintly.
Everyone fell silent; many still couldn’t grasp the situation. Having been peasants all their lives, who had truly seen such a scene?
“Who said This Young Master’s precious famous dog is a damned beast?” His gaze coldly swept over the crowd!
“May I ask, this young master is…” Li Zhengxin looked serious and hurried over…
It was like seeing a ghost; this oppressive feeling innate from the bones—no one dared answer.
“Our village is holding a village meeting; outsiders are not allowed to participate!”
“This is the Night Heir of Anle Marquis Manor!” Song Wu loudly replied.
Then he pulled out the shield of Anle Marquis Manor from his bosom and showed it, letting his gaze convey the rest.
Shock overflowed visibly in Li Zhengxin’s eyes…
This was great; it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky. Everyone exploded into an uproar. Luo Zhi’er looked at this person in confusion; why did he suddenly come?
Not only did he bring them, he also revealed his own background and name…
“The ones beside are respectively Young Master Wang, son of the County Magistrate of Taoyuan Town; Young Master Jiang, the Young Master of Hongfutai in Jiangnan; and Jia Yuanwai’s Jia Young Master from the town…”
Song Wu introduced them one by one…
“What?”
Li Zhengxin hurriedly nodded and bowed to pay respects to them! Those few were arrogant, looking down on everything!
His back was drenched in sweat; how much had they heard just now?
The others were shocked, delighted, complicated, discussing fervently.
“What to do now? We’ve offended Anle Marquis Manor’s Young Master!”
“It doesn’t concern us; it’s Zhao Er, Li Zhengsen, and them!”
Zhao Fengjiao’s eyes turned, “Am I dreaming? Is this real?”
“Damn it, this Luo Zhi’er really got lucky with dog shit; the Young Master’s beloved dog was really given to them?”
Stomping her feet… “Why not to me!”
Everyone was boiling with excitement; after all, little Zhao Li Village suddenly welcomed so many noble young masters—it was quite thrilling.
