At this moment, Meng Wenxiu finally confirmed that the uninhibited, brazen voice belonged to Meng Shuping. He discreetly observed the others and noticed that no one else seemed to react—it appeared only he could hear that voice.
Once he realized this, Meng Wenxiu felt an overwhelming surge of rage. This brat actually dared to call him an old beast in his mind! Disrespectful, arrogant, and insolent! Had he known earlier, he would never have allowed anyone to bring this beast back!
He immediately roared, "You unfilial son! Why are you just standing there? Do I have to invite you over myself?"
By then, the others had hurried over as well. Feng Shi noticed the one unfamiliar face in the crowd and knew it must be Meng Shuping. She couldn't help but sneak a glance at this son born of a concubine. He was clear-eyed and handsome, but he kept his head slightly lowered, hiding behind two elder female servants, looking somewhat fearful and nervous.
No matter how she looked, Feng Shi didn't think Meng Shuping seemed as rude and wild as others had described. However, one shouldn't judge solely by appearances—it was better to wait and see.
Meng Shuchun, Meng Qingyun, and the others also turned their gazes toward Meng Shuping, curious about this newly found brother.
Being stared at by everyone, Meng Shuping felt like he was suffocating. Initially, there were elder female servants shielding him, but as soon as Meng Wenxiu arrived, they quickly stepped aside.
Meng Shuping stiffly took a step forward, feeling deeply dissatisfied with Meng Wenxiu. *"Calling me 'beast' and 'unfilial son'—his temper is really something. Does he have a rage disorder? Yikes, is he going to hit me?"*
At that thought, Meng Shuping stopped in his tracks. *"He glares at me the moment he arrives, and now he wants to hit me. Does he have a grudge against me? Am I even his son? Could they have made a mistake in their investigation?"*
Meng Wenxiu was almost tempted to laugh in his fury. So this brat knew he was about to be punished! But what good did that do now? Why hadn't he thought of that earlier? Today, he would teach this brat a lesson to prevent him from becoming even more insolent and unruly.
Hearing this, Meng Shuyang was astonished. Was this little brat his Second Uncle's son? Then, he felt a surge of triumph. It seemed his Second Uncle wasn't going to protect this brat—today was going to be entertaining.
Seeing Meng Shuping still hesitating, Meng Wenxiu scowled and was about to lose his temper when he noticed Sun Shi from the third branch rushing over in a panic.
Earlier, after Meng Shuping and the others were separated by the elder female servants, Meng Shuxin had immediately returned to the third branch to summon Sun Shi. Upon hearing that her son had been beaten by some unknown ruffian right in their own home, Sun Shi instantly became enraged and hurried over with a group of maids and servants.
Without wasting time wondering why the second branch was there, Sun Shi went straight to Meng Shuyang. "Yang Geer, let me see—are you hurt anywhere?"
At her question, Meng Shuyang suddenly felt even more pain all over his body. He immediately began moaning and groaning, "Mother, I'm hurting everywhere! It's all because of him! You have to teach him a lesson!"
Hearing this, Sun Shi immediately glared furiously at Meng Shuping. "Where did this worthless rogue come from, daring to cause trouble in our Earl's mansion? Does he even know what kind of place this is? Someone, tie him up and give him thirty strokes of the plank!"
Noticing the faint spray of spittle in the air, Meng Shuping quickly stepped back. *"Wow, the people of the Earl's mansion are so impressive! And when they talk, why do they spray saliva? Good thing I'm standing far away, or it would've hit my face."*
Meng Wenxiu and Meng Shuyang glanced at each other and silently took a step back.
Sun Shi stiffened, flushed with anger, and ordered the servants behind her, "What are you waiting for? Hurry up!"
"Yes."
As Sun Shi's servants moved to seize Meng Shuping, and Meng Wenxiu remained silent, Feng Shi had no choice but to step forward. "Wait."
Sun Shi then turned to Feng Shi, suspicious. "What? Is he a relative of yours, Second Sister-in-law?"
If that were the case, she would have to have a serious talk with Feng Shi.
Feng Shi explained, "Third Sister-in-law, you may not know this, but this is our Ping Geer. He was just found recently and returned to the mansion today."
Sun Shi was taken aback. After thinking for a moment, she recalled that the Ping Geer Feng Shi mentioned was the son born of a concubine the second branch had lost. So it was him?
At this realization, a trace of contempt appeared on her face. "Second Sister-in-law, even so, he can't just come back and start beating his cousins. After all, he was raised in the countryside—crude and ill-mannered. You'll have to teach him some rules later, so he doesn't embarrass the Earl's mansion."
Meng Shuping thought the people in the Earl's mansion were all ridiculous, constantly talking about rules and manners. He couldn't help but mutter, *"If we're talking about embarrassment, who could be more embarrassing than Third Uncle? I heard when I arrived that Third Uncle's mistress got pregnant, and Third Aunt found out. Wow, Third Aunt scratched Third Uncle's face so badly it looked like a chrysanthemum—he hasn't been able to go out since. And then? The child the mistress was carrying turned out to be Third Uncle's friend's! Hahaha, what a massive green hat!"*
Sun Shi's face turned ghastly pale with rage, and Meng Shuyang nearly lunged at Meng Shuping again. If not for someone quickly restraining him, another fight would have broken out. Both glared furiously at Meng Shuping, only to see his innocent expression.
*"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Raised in the Earl's mansion, taught such fine manners—truly bringing honor to the family. Huh? What's wrong with Budget Dad? Does he have a toothache?"*
Meng Wenxiu was both furious and embarrassed, barely controlling his expression. He took a deep breath and sternly rebuked Meng Shuping, "You disgraceful wretch! Apologize to Yang Geer at once!"
Meng Shuping found it utterly absurd. *"Is Budget Dad okay? Did he even ask why we fought before demanding an apology? When Third Aunt said she was going to hit me, why didn't he say a word? He's so timid with outsiders but knows how to bully his own son. Is this how he fathers?"*
He lowered his head and muttered, "He started it."
Meng Wenxiu glared at him angrily. "You dare talk back? Yang Geer has always been well-mannered. Why would he pick a fight with you for no reason? I don't even need to ask—it must be you who acted arrogantly and bullied Yang Geer first. Hmph! Raised in the countryside all these years, you're lacking all discipline and decorum!"
Meng Shuping rolled his eyes secretly. *"Oh, oh, oh. If I didn't know better, I'd think Yang Geer was his son. The favoritism is blindingly obvious. Since he looks down on me so much, why did he bring me back? Just to have someone to scold? Surely not? Doesn't he have other sons to scold?"*
Meng Wenxiu grew even angrier and was about to lecture him again when Feng Shi spoke up. "Husband, perhaps we should clarify what happened first, so the child isn't wronged. There might be some misunderstanding."
Although Feng Shi didn't know Meng Shuping's character, she had some understanding of Meng Shuyang's nature. Meng Shuyang had always bullied the weak and feared the strong. If Meng Shuping fought him, there must be a reason.
Hearing this, Sun Shi objected. "Second Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that? Are you saying it's our Yang Geer's fault? Our Yang Geer is a young master of the Earl's mansion, not some country bumpkin who's so skilled at fighting."
Meng Shuping tutted. *"With a few more years of practice, he could be a bandit! And he's not skilled? Third Aunt's standards are really high!"*
Sun Shi glared at Meng Shuping with fire in her eyes. Her son was so honest—how could he ever become a robber? Meanwhile, Meng Shuping, having grown up outside, was clearly uncouth!
Meng Wenxiu, however, believed that Meng Shuping must have been wandering around, prompting Meng Shuyang and his brother to stop him. When Meng Shuping insisted on pushing through, a conflict arose. He angrily said, "What misunderstanding could there be? If this wretched creature hadn't been running around, would he have fought with Yang Geer? I'm sure he started it!"
Meng Shuping couldn't understand Meng Wenxiu's bias. *"Yang Geer this, Yang Geer that—why is he so good to him?"*
*"Hm…"*
*"Could Yang Geer be his and Third Aunt's…"*
*"Wow! The people in the Earl's mansion really know how to have fun!"*
Meng Wenxiu's face flushed red with anger. He pointed at Meng Shuping and shouted, "You… you… unfilial brat! Unfilial brat! Someone, bring the plank!"
Seeing that Meng Wenxiu was serious, Feng Shi was alarmed. She quickly tried to dissuade him. "Husband, you mustn't! He's just returned. Whatever it is, we can teach him slowly. Why resort to the plank?"
*"Yeah, yeah. I'm an undisciplined wild brat from the countryside. How can you hold it against me? Where's the dignity befitting a noble house?"*
Meng Wenxiu roared, "No one try to stop me! Today, I will teach him some rules!"
Hearing this, the others hurriedly tried to mediate. "It's just a fight between brothers—it's perfectly normal. Who hasn't quarreled before?"
"Although Fifth Brother is at fault, he was raised in the countryside. If he doesn't understand these things, we can teach him. Father, you mustn't anger yourself over this!"
"Father, don't worry too much. After all, this is within our own home—even if it's embarrassing, it won't spread outside."
"…"
Listening to these seemingly conciliatory but actually provocative words, Meng Shuping couldn't help but sigh. *"Jeez, not many good people in this family either!"*
Feng Shi and the others were startled. Who had said that? But with the chaos at hand, they had no time to investigate and could only ask later.
Meng Shuyang watched gleefully, certain that Meng Shuping was in for a beating.
Seeing the situation turning against him, Meng Shuping decided it was best to make a quick escape. Oh well, a wise man knows when to retreat. This Earl's mansion wasn't worth staying in anyway.
While no one was paying attention, Meng Shuping slipped away from the edge of the crowd and quickly disappeared.
Seeing that she couldn't dissuade Meng Wenxiu, Feng Shi had no choice but to bring up the Earl of Anyang. "Husband, even if you must punish him, now is not the time. Ping Geer still has to be presented to the Earl later. If you beat him now, what will you say when the Earl asks?"
Meng Wenxiu, who had been consumed by anger, now calmed down and realized the impropriety. After all, no one else could hear that voice. If he punished Meng Shuping too harshly, it would seem unreasonable.
Moreover, Feng Shi had a point—if he were to beat the person now, how would he explain it to the Patriarch later? The top priority was to handle the matter at hand first.
After thinking it through, Meng Wenxiu snapped his sleeve and said, "Hmph! Even if I don't beat him, I won't go easy on him!"
He turned to look toward Meng Shuping, "Since… where is he?"
Everyone turned around and saw that the spot where Meng Shuping had been standing was now empty.
Meng Wenxiu's barely-contained anger flared up again. Gnashing his teeth, he ordered the maids and servants who had come with him, "Go! Find him and bring him back to the courtyard!"