Chapter 226
Xu Xiangren's cry of "Madam" drew everyone's gaze towards him.
At this moment, Niu Shi was extremely anxious inside.
She had just been praying silently that her husband would not acknowledge her, thinking it was enough that she alone had lost face.
If her husband's colleagues were to learn of her actions, it would surely bring him shame.
Yet now, her husband's exclamation of "Madam" made Niu Shi feel so ashamed she wished to disappear.
"Well, well, Lord Xu. So, this lady is your wife," Ma Zhichang said with a mocking look at Xu Xiangren.
"Your esteemed wife is quite a talent," He Ming added with a smile.
"Lord Xu certainly knows how to instruct his wife!" Ding Fenghua couldn't help but cover her mouth as she spoke.
"Y-you flatter me!" Xu Xiangren was somewhat confused, not understanding the meaning behind their words.
However, looking at Niu Shi being held restrained, Xu Xiangren finally sensed something was wrong.
"Who are you people? Why are you holding my wife? Release her at once!" Xu Xiangren barked disapprovingly at Qingyun and the others.
"Xu Xiangren, is this truly your wife?" Mao Liu widened his eyes, staring at his subordinate in disbelief.
His tone was full of incredulity. Even he wouldn't dare offend Prince An, yet this man had the audacity to let his daughter insult the future Princess Consort of An?
Not to mention the female relatives of the Vice Minister of Revenue.
Where did a mere sixth-rank official find the courage to act so disrespectfully towards the family of a second-rank official?
No wonder Prince An had sent people to their doorstep. This was simply going too far.
"My lord, I beg you to uphold justice for your humble official! These people are bullying my wife, right here at the Court of Imperial Stud office! This is a slap to the face of our entire Court, and to your face as well, my lord!" Xu Xiangren put on a pitiful expression as he addressed Mao Liu.
Mao Liu was momentarily taken aback, thinking Xu Xiangren's words seemed to make some sense.
"My lord, this is Lord Xu's private family matter," Wei San, the Deputy Minister of the Court of Imperial Stud, quickly tugged at Mao Liu's sleeve from the side, whispering a reminder.
Only then did Mao Liu come to his senses. Right, this was Xu Xiangren's personal affair and had nothing to do with the Court of Imperial Stud.
"Xu Xiangren, this is your family business. Don't drag the Court of Imperial Stud into it. You brought this upon yourself by offending Prince An. Hmph, don't think you can use us as your scapegoats," Mao Liu said, thinking of Qingyun's identity as Prince An's man.
"Prince An? What about Prince An's estate?" Xu Xiangren looked at Niu Shi, puzzled. Hadn't she said she was sending their daughter to seduce Li Tianyou?
When did they provoke Prince An?
He had been in the capital for some time but had never met Prince An, only heard of his formidable reputation.
His reason for wanting to connect with Li Tianyou was for the Li family's wealth, and also...
Wait, wasn't Li Tianyou's daughter the future Princess Consort of An?
Could it be that Prince An found out about Niu Shi sending someone to seduce Li Tianyou?
"Madam? What have you done?" Xu Xiangren asked, his voice trembling as he looked at Niu Shi.
Hearing this, Niu Shi's eyes darted away evasively. She wanted to explain, but she knew she couldn't reveal her actions right at the gates of the Court of Imperial Stud. If she did, her husband would surely not let her off lightly.
Xu Xiangren frowned at Niu Shi, recalling the previous plan to have their daughter seduce Li Tianyou. Could it be that the scheme had been exposed?
The officials of the Court of Imperial Stud looked at the couple with disdain. They remembered how Xu Xiangren, when he first arrived, was always trying to order them around, forgetting they were all in the same boat, none better than the other.
And now, he actually had the gall to dream of marrying his daughter to Lord Li? What nerve.
"Lord Xu, this is your private affair, your personal conduct. Do not involve the Court of Imperial Stud. You'd best settle your family matters before returning to duty!" Mao Liu said with a dark expression, showing great displeasure at the shameless behavior of Xu Xiangren and his wife.
"My lord, it's all a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding!" Seeing Mao Liu's anger, Xu Xiangren hurriedly tried to explain.
He also blamed Niu Shi inwardly for being incompetent.
How could she have gotten caught?
One should act within one's means. If you can't handle it, you shouldn't overreach.
Now look, the matter had even reached the Court of Imperial Stud. His old face was utterly lost.
"Officer, my deepest apologies. This humble official failed to discipline his subordinate properly. However, this is their personal conduct. I must trouble you, Officer, to explain to Prince An upon your return that these matters have nothing to do with our Court of Imperial Stud!"
Mao Liu whispered to Qingyun, almost pleading.
He feared Prince An might vent his anger on the entire Court of Imperial Stud if displeased.
The other men nearby also glared at Xu Xiangren, equally afraid of being implicated.
Though resentful, Xu Xiangren had no choice but to quickly approach Qingyun and say carefully, "Officer, this humble official failed to manage the women in his household properly and has caused trouble for His Highness the Prince."
Xu Xiangren was also confused. He had thought Prince An was only after the Li family's wealth.
He hadn't expected Prince An to care so much about the Li family's affairs?
Li Residence
As soon as Li Zhiwei entered the house, Li Tianyou hurried out from a room, looking at her with an ingratiating smile. "Daughter, you've worked hard!"
"Father, shouldn't you explain to Mother about that young lady outside?" Li Zhiwei rolled her eyes inwardly. Was her father, having been promoted, planning to imitate those in the capital by taking a concubine?
She felt today was the day to lay things out clearly.
"My lady, I truly have no connection with that girl. I don't even know her!" Li Tianyou said urgently to Lady Yao.
"I must say, that young lady looks youthful and fertile. If you truly fancy her, husband, I am not an intolerant person. Why not take her in?" Lady Yao looked at Li Tianyou, speaking with a serious expression.
"My lady!" Li Tianyou was genuinely anxious now. What did his wife take him for?
Take a concubine right after a promotion?
If he had such intentions, he would have taken one long ago. Why wait until now?
"Master, I mean it. Besides, you only have Wei'er as a child. That is indeed too few," Lady Yao voiced her true thoughts, advising him sincerely as she saw fit.
"My lady, I really don't know that girl, and I have no desire to take a concubine. Moreover, our family has no hereditary title to pass on. Having Wei'er is more than enough," Li Tianyou said with utmost seriousness.
"Father, what about that woman? You don't know her either?" Seeing her father speak so earnestly, Li Zhiwei didn't press the topic further. After all, it was her parents' affair, and it wasn't her place to question.
However, regarding that woman's words, Li Zhiwei felt she had purposefully targeted Li Tianyou.
Perhaps, during her time away from the capital, her father had inadvertently offended some official he shouldn't have?
And that person was now scheming to frame him?
