Chapter 202: Chapter 196 Marquis Mansion Birthday Banquet Chapter 202: Chapter 196 Marquis Mansion Birthday Banquet Han Fei received the order and immediately led Yang Zhenshanâs personal followers in a rush forward. The entourage beside the young master of Marquis Jingâan Mansion chose to give up resistance.
They did not believe that Yang Zhenshan would dare to persecute their young master under broad daylight. Even if they were captured, it wouldnât be long before Yang Zhenshan would release them. Although it was embarrassing, as long as their young master wasnât in life-threatening danger, they wouldnât be considered to have made a grave mistake.
Indeed, Yang Zhenshan couldnât really punish the young master. After all, he merely smashed a shop, which wasnât considered a serious crime. Even if Yang Zhenshan was disgusted internally, he could only teach the guy a lesson.
However, lessons differ, and making a pampered noble offspring carry bricks on a construction site was a lesson he would never forget.
After a moment, Han Fei led his followers and took the group away.
âYou girl, acting like a wayward scion. If you dare to act recklessly, see if your grandfather wonât discipline you!â
Yang Zhenshan stared and scolded Yang Qingwan.
A girl from a well-bred family actually quarreled publicly and even ordered her servants to hit people.
While it wasnât entirely wrong to scold or hit people â some people indeed deserve it â a lady of high standing, even if insulting or hitting someone, should maintain the grace and etiquette of a well-bred girl, not shout and brawl publicly like a spoiled brat.
Yang Qingwan bowed her head, assuming an apologetic posture, and said, âGrandfather, Qingwan knows her mistake!â
Yang Zhenshan looked helplessly at the little girl.
The third generation of the Yang family, unlike Yang Mingcheng and Yang Yunyan, who had suffered hardships, truly came from peasant backgrounds.
However, it was different for Yang Chengye and Yang Qingwan, the younger generation. Although they were not born with silver spoons in their mouths, they indeed never experienced hardship.
Even the eldest Yang Chengye, when he could remember, the Yang family had already started to prosper.
And Yang Qingwan had never faced any hardships. When Yang Zhenshan came to the Yang family, Yang Qingwan was only three months old. Since then, the Yang family had lived a life without any worries about food or clothes.
Moreover, with Yang Zhenshanâs doting, Yang Qingwan grew up pampered.
Itâs often said that spoiling a child is akin to harming them, and while most people understand this, many forget when it comes to practice.
Yang Zhenshan indeed spoiled his children.
âSigh, from tomorrow, youâre going to take lessons with your younger aunt at Nanny Liâs place! Learn some manners and etiquette!â Yang Zhenshan felt that he couldnât teach the little girl so he had to let the manners nanny do it.
âAh, Grandfather, do I have to go!â Yang Qingwan asked with a pained expression, looking pitifully at Yang Zhenshan.
With her lively and active nature, going to the strict Nanny Li for lessons was simply torture.
âNo!â
Yang Zhenshan said decisively, hardening his heart.
Before, Ms. Wang had sent Yang Qingwan to Nanny Liâs school, but the girl was unwilling and always ran to Yang Zhenshan to act spoiled. Tormented by her pleas, he could only tell Ms. Wang to wait.
And just like that, two years had passed.
Now, Yang Zhenshan felt that it was time for the girl to properly learn etiquette and manners.
Yang Zhenshan didnât like those clichĂ©d etiquettes himself, but when in Rome, do as the Romans do. He had to follow the rules of this world whether he liked them or not.
âStudy well, otherwise Grandfather wonât take you shopping anymore!â
Yang Zhenshan threatened.
The little girl completely deflated, pouting her lips, bowing her head, her face full of grievance but not daring to retort.
Seeing her like this, Yang Zhenshanâs heart inevitably softened again!
âLetâs go, itâs time to head home!â
Although his heart softened, Yang Zhenshan did not change his decision. He picked up the little girl and was about to leave the Jinxiu Workshop.
âMaster Yang!â
Just as Yang Zhenshan was preparing to leave, Ning Qing, who had been standing aside, suddenly spoke up.
âMiss Ning, is there anything else?â Yang Zhenshan asked curiously.
Ning Qing was slightly taken aback.
âI have nothing, no other matter!â
She said somewhat nervously.
She didnât call out to Yang Zhenshan because she had something to report, but to find out how Yang Zhenshan would deal with her.
Yang Zhenshan had arrested her companions to work outside the city, but he had not dealt with her, leaving her anxious.
She originally thought that Yang Zhenshan might also vent his anger on her, but she never expected that he seemed to have no intention of dealing with her.
Indeed, Yang Zhenshan had no intention nor reason to deal with her.
The girl had only stood by the young manâs side from the beginning to the end, neither saying nor doing anything. Yang Zhenshan had no basis for dealing with her.
Moreover, she was from Marquis Jingâan Mansion, a real member of the royal family. Yang Zhenshan didnât have the authority to handle a royal family member.
âIf thereâs nothing else, Iâll be leaving first!â
âMiss Ning should also leave soon. As for the young master from Marquis Jingyuan Mansion, Miss Ning does not need to worry about him. I was just teaching him a lesson, and wonât harm him!â
Having said that, Yang Zhenshan carried Yang Qingwan and walked out the front door.
Ning Qing bowed to his departing figure, her eyes flickering, the thoughts in her mind unknown.
After reaching home by carriage, Yang Zhenshan handed the little girl over to Chunhua, urging her to quickly take the girl back to the main houseâs courtyard.
If they were any later, Yang Zhenshan feared he might change his mind.
This girl was too good at acting spoiled; one wonders who she learned it from.
Returning to the main courtyard, Yu Qingyi was chatting with sisters Yang Yunyan and Yang Yunxue.
Upon seeing Yang Zhenshan return, the three hurriedly stood up, âMaster is back!â
âGrandpa!â
A sweet voice rang out, and Yang Zhenshan immediately beamed with joy.
The adorable little Jiang Miao, upon seeing Yang Zhenshan, stretched out her arms wanting a hug.
Yang Zhenshan picked her up, âLittle Miao is such a good girl!â
This girl was much better behaved than Yang Qingwan, not because she was younger, but simply because she was naturally well-behaved.
From a young age, she was never fussy and could happily play by herself.
âWhat are you discussing?â Yang Zhenshan asked while affectionately teasing little Jiang Miao.
Although Yu Qingyi was a stepmother, she had gotten along very well with the Yang family in the past two years, and everyone had accepted her, especially the women of the household, who all looked up to Yu Qingyi as a leader.
Yu Qingyi indeed had leadership skills, having once been the Sect Leader of Sky Blue Sword Sect.
âWe were discussing tomorrowâs trip to Chongshan Pass!â explained Yu Qingyi.
Yang Zhenshanâs expression changed slightly, âAre the birthday gifts prepared?â
Yu Qingyi wanted to go to Chongshan Pass because, three days later, it would be the Marchioness of Changpingâs fiftieth birthday.
This time, the Changping Marquis Mansion was planning a big celebration, sending out numerous invitations.
The Yang family had also received an invitation.
Of course, Yang Zhenshan couldnât possibly go, since he was busy with official duties and could not justify taking several days off for a birthday banquet.
Even if he was willing, Liang Chu would not be.
After all, many people were attending to congratulate the Liang family on the birthday, and if every family head attended, Chongshan Town would probably come to a standstill.
âThey are all prepared, here is the list of gifts!â Yu Qingyi handed the gift list to Yang Zhenshan.
Yang Zhenshan took a glance and thought for a moment before saying, âCut this gift list in half!â
âCut it in half!â Yu Qingyi was startled, âMaster, the gifts arenât considered extravagant!â
Giving gifts followed certain etiquettes, they should neither be too stingy nor overly extravagant.
She had also thought through this gift list thoroughly, ensuring it was neither shameful to the Yang family nor too revealing of its wealth.
Yang Zhenshan shook his head and said, âI know they arenât extravagant, itâs just unnecessary!â
âUnnecessary!â Yu Qingyi was puzzled.
Yang Zhenshan explained, âLiang Chu, after all, is the General of Chongshan Town. Although celebrating a birthday is not a major event, if the Marquis Mansion openly receives too many gifts, it might invite criticism.â
âAnd this birthday banquet isnât about collecting gifts!â
âWhat is it for then?â Yu Qingyi asked.
At this moment, Yu Qingyiâs limitations became apparent. Although she was decisive and had her own ideas and insights, her experience as a Jianghu Martial Artist was insufficient. Despite having learned much about courtly affairs over the past two years, her understanding was still not deep enough in some areas.
Why was Liang Chu hosting this birthday banquet?
It certainly wasnât for gifts.
Liang Chu had been in Chongshan Town for four years, and during that time, rarely did his family host banquets, neither for the gentlemen in the front yard nor for the ladies in the back.
And Liang Chuâs wife was also a low-key person, spending most of her time in Chongshan Town practicing Buddhism in the back yard, seldom mingling with other officialsâ wives.
But now, the Liang family was making a big deal of this birthday banquet, clearly with a purpose in mind.
âFor the military campaign!â
Yang Zhenshan said softly.
âMilitary campaign!â
Not only was Yu Qingyi taken aback, but Yang Yunyan and Yang Yunxue also looked alarmed.
Yang Zhenshan nodded gravely, âIf Iâm not mistaken, Chongshan Town will once again mount a campaign against the Da Rong Dynasty next year!â
A birthday banquet seemed unrelated to a military campaign against the Da Rong Dynasty, but it actually represented the stance of Liang Chu and the Changping Marquis Mansion.
The gatherings of officialsâ wives in the backyards were not just for chatting about families and marriages; sometimes, they also reflected the currents of political movements.
Hosting a birthday banquet that invited many families of high-ranking military officers in Chongshan Town was a demonstration of Liang Chuâs strong control.
It also indicated that Liang Chu had completed the reformation of Chongshan Town.
The Changping Marquis Mansion hosting a lavish birthday banquet was Liang Chuâs way of making amicable gestures to all high-ranking military officers of Chongshan Town, as well as declaring his position.
The people who needed to be dealt with had been handled; the places that required reform had been nearly sorted outâyou can all rest easy now.
Following this, just act according to my plans, and there will be no dredging up of old issues.
That was the purpose of Liang Chu using his wifeâs birthday celebration.
In four years, Liang Chu had transformed the once broken Chongshan Town into a new, vibrant, and capable military hub.
Now that the reformation was finished, it was time for Chongshan Town to look outward.
The defeat at Fushan City years ago was a disgrace for Chongshan Town and for Da Rong, a disgrace neither the town nor the court had forgotten.
Even the old Emperor was waiting for Liang Chu to wash away this disgrace.
So, Chongshan Town would surely campaign against the East Sea Hu Clan, now known as the Da Rong Dynasty.
It was already September, and this year was too late to start; therefore, a campaign would certainly occur next year.