Yi Zichuan, who never minded stirring up trouble, was in no hurry to leave after reading the Imperial Decree. He simply stayed in the front hall, watching the palace servants carry in the dowries, one load after another.
“General, you truly have a tolerant temper!” Yi Zichuan took the tea offered by a maid and moved closer to General Xia, whispering, “Aren’t you going to drive out these people who are here to snatch Miss Xia’s marriage? Are you planning to keep them for dinner?”
Xia Maoshan’s face turned from dark to green, looking utterly unpleasant.
Bianjing City was filled with spies from the officials, and matters in the General’s Residence could not be hidden from those above.
Moreover, the Imperial Decree had arrived at such a coincidental time, and its wording explicitly mentioned the “dowry,” clearly signaling to these clan relatives. Noticing Xia Maoshan’s expression, Yi Zichuan chuckled and added fuel to the fire: “You know, the matter of Yong’an Wangfu calling off the engagement wasn’t widely known that day. How did it end up with your entire clan wanting a piece of the pie? General Xia, it seems there might be a traitor in your residence!!”
Xia Maoshan was no fool. The matter of the broken engagement with Yong’an Wangfu was known to very few. For things to have escalated to this point, even without thinking too hard, it was clear who was behind the sabotage. His sharp, dagger-like gaze fixed directly on Second Madam Xia and Xia Yuruo.
Just then, someone reckless enough to step forward appeared: “Maoshan…”
Xia Maoshan glanced coldly at the old man: “Third Uncle!”
“Since Jianxi’s marriage has been decided by His Majesty, we elders have no right to say more. There are matters at home, so we won’t stay any longer. We’ll take our leave now!” The old man, seeing that Xia Maoshan still addressed him as “Third Uncle,” secretly breathed a sigh of relief and straightened his back slightly.
Xia Maoshan stared at Third Uncle standing before him, silent for a long moment, before finally letting out a cold laugh: “Then this junior won’t insist on keeping you for dinner, Uncle!”
“No need, no need!” Third Uncle paused, then continued, “Jianxi’s marriage is settled, and we can’t say much about it. But in the future, you must always consider the clan in your actions. As an elder, I cannot always favor your family alone. Don’t you agree? We are all part of the same clan and should support one another!”
“Third Uncle, there’s no need to say more!” Xia Maoshan interrupted him. “You are an elder, and you have your difficulties. This junior understands. However, from now on, do not come to me with clan affairs. My grandfather and father’s ancestral tablets were never enshrined in the ancestral hall. In the future, do not come to the General’s Residence seeking funds for the repairs of the Xia Clan Ancestral Hall. Our Xia family will not support ingrates!”
Third Uncle’s face instantly turned grim: “Xia Maoshan, what do you mean by that?”
“Third Uncle, do you not understand?” Hearing the commotion, Xia Madam stepped forward. “It means that from now on, no matter what urgent matters arise in the Xia Clan Ancestral Hall, they have nothing to do with our General’s Residence. As for the estate you currently reside in, I will reclaim it after the New Year. Third Uncle, when you return, you should inform the clan relatives living there to move out as soon as possible!”
“Xia Maoshan!” Third Uncle immediately grew agitated. “I am your elder! Those living in the estates are all clansmen with no homes of their own! Are you really going to deny your own kin over a mere marriage contract?”
“You didn’t seem to consider General Xia family when you were stealing his belongings! Now that he’s reclaiming what’s his, you accuse him of denying his kin?” Yi Zichuan scoffed. “Old man, you’ve got an answer for everything, good and bad alike!”
Third Uncle’s face flushed crimson at Yi Zichuan’s words. He wanted to explode in anger but knew he couldn’t afford to offend the current Prince Regent. Fuming until he saw stars, he clutched his chest as if about to collapse on the spot.
“Can’t win the argument, so now you’re pretending to be sick!” Yi Zichuan clicked his tongue and shook his head. “The advantage of old age – when you can’t win an argument, just collapse on the ground!”
“You… you… you…”
Xia Jianxi, standing nearby, couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at her lips upon hearing Yi Zichuan’s words. She quickly turned her head to avoid being seen.
“Elders without dignity!” Yi Zichuan sneered. “With acting skills like that, why not join an opera troupe!”
“Wang Ye, this is ultimately the Xia family’s internal matter. As an outsider, it’s inappropriate for you to interfere!” Second Madam Xia, unable to contain herself upon seeing Yi Zichuan’s attitude, spoke up.
“Oh?” Yi Zichuan glanced sideways at Second Madam Xia. “This is the General’s Residence. Even General Xia hasn’t spoken yet – who do you think you are?”
As Second Madam Xia prepared to retort, Xia Yuruo pulled her hand to stop her.
The people crowded around, seeing that the most respected Third Uncle was about to be angered into unconsciousness, hurried forward to support him. “Xia Maoshan! Are you just going to let an outsider mock your elder like this?”
“What Wang Ye said is reasonable – how is that mocking!” Xia Maoshan coldly stared at the crowd before him. “You all can’t even handle these few words, yet you keep claiming my daughter’s reputation is ruined? You eat the General’s Residence’s food, then take up the General’s Residence’s pots to smash its people! Do you truly think I’m already dead?”
With Xia Maoshan’s anger flaring, everyone present immediately fell silent, even Third Uncle who was clutching his chest didn’t dare make another sound.
Seeing that none of the clansmen dared speak, Second Madam Xia, who had been acting like a bystander until now, suddenly said in a low voice: “Big Brother, such impressive official authority!”
The previously wilted Third Uncle immediately regained energy and slammed the table. “Xia Maoshan! You’ve really let your official position go to your head! You don’t put us elders in your eyes anymore! Aren’t you afraid we’ll report you to the authorities for filial impiety?”
“Filial impiety? My grandfather died decades ago, and my father has long been reincarnated! What kind of elders are you to me?” Xia Maoshan stared coldly at Third Uncle. “What, should every person in the world named Xia come before me claiming to be my elder?”
Third Uncle grew timid under Xia Maoshan’s gaze and couldn’t speak for a long while.
Seeing that Third Uncle probably couldn’t hold out much longer, Second Madam Xia spoke again: “Big Brother, after all, we’re all relatives…”
“There’s a military tally in Jianxi’s dowry. Besides our immediate family, only Second Brother would know about this!” Xia Maoshan interrupted Second Madam Xia. “I presume you clansmen heard about this from my sister-in-law here, became interested in my daughter’s marriage and dowry, and that’s why you’ve come making trouble!”
Second Madam Xia watched as everyone turned their gaze toward her and immediately grew flustered: “You—you’re talking nonsense! It’s not…”
“Why would Aunt and Cousin do such a thing?” Xia Jianxi, who had barely managed to suppress her smile, pinched herself hard and stepped forward with red-rimmed eyes. “If Cousin wanted it, she could have just told me directly. I would have willingly given it to her. Why… why did she have to tarnish my reputation?”