Chapter 569 - 406: Losing Face_2

She wanted to use this opportunity to let Puyang Zong show off a little and, by the way, to offer Feng Yun a profound apology and reflection.

So that Wen Xingsu could overhear and she could settle a matter that weighed on her heart.

Yet Puyang Zong didn’t even put down his chopsticks and lazily adopted a new sitting position, appearing utterly resigned to his fate, devoid of the demeanor of a young noble from a prominent family, and said with a smile that was more mockery than mirth:

"As for experiences, I’ve had plenty."

He then pointed at the wooden case in front of him.

"But with such fine food before me, any talk of my experiences would be in poor taste, better not to embarrass myself."

Puyang Yi couldn’t bear to see his carefree attitude.

It would only worsen Wen Xingsu’s impression of their family.

"Brother," she coughed lightly, "aren’t you supposed to say something?"

Puyang Zong raised his eyebrows and finally put down his chopsticks.

"If you insist on hearing my experience, then I won’t hold back. Up earlier than the chickens, to bed later than the dogs, bitten by mosquitoes, the rats’ shrieks, going to the outhouse is like setting off a bomb, the village houses so bleak, only those who live there would know..."

Quite the smooth talker, isn’t he?

Feng Yun herself found it amusing.

The conditions of Huaxi Village School are limited; ordinary people might think having shelter from wind and rain suffices, easily content, but who is the Prince of Danyang?

Each day spent there must have felt like a prison sentence.

"It seems Huaxi Village School’s facilities must be further improved. Thank you for your insight, Commandery Prince..."

She bowed to Puyang Zong with great seriousness.

Puyang Yi’s face turned crimson with shame, "Lady Yun, don’t listen to his nonsense; I’ve visited Huaxi Village School, it’s spacious and bright, not cold in winter nor hot in summer, nothing like he describes..."

"Easy for you to say with no skin in the game." Puyang Zong, having harbored his annoyance for so long, wouldn’t allow her to deny it, "If we made you go there, I bet you wouldn’t last three days before running back to Mother, crying and complaining..."

Puyang Yi’s face was fiery hot, as if it was being roasted over a flame.

With her brother behaving like this, how was she supposed to face General Wen with any dignity?

"Everyone, please enjoy your meal at your leisure." Suddenly, Wen Xingsu got up, bowed to them, "I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now."

Having said that, without waiting for a response from the Puyang siblings, he looked at Feng Yun.

"Yun Yun, I’m heading back to camp."

Feng Yun glanced at Puyang Yi, whose face was red as if bleeding, and stood up immediately.

"I’ll see you out."

"No need. Stay and have your meal with the County Lord and Commandery Prince."

Wen Xingsu nodded to them again, then slowly left the table and exited the house.

Feng Yun followed, saying to Puyang Yi: "I’ll be right back. Please take your time."

The two siblings left one after the other, leaving Puyang Yi and her brother looking at each other in awkward silence.

Puyang Yi was so angry she turned pale.

"You did that on purpose?"

Puyang Zong lifted his chin slightly, "And what if I did?"

But it wasn’t wholly intentional—the food was delicious; he genuinely couldn’t resist eating it.

However, when Puyang Yi asked, he had to speak out to avenge her arrow.

"Don’t think I don’t know you fancy that General Wen, making excuses to run to Huaxi at every opportunity, and even convincing our mother to build houses here... Puyang Yi, do you have no shame, throwing yourself at a man?"

The siblings had bickered since childhood; they never spared each other in their verbal sparring.

But in the past, no matter how offensive Puyang Zong’s words were, besides quarreling with him and beating him up, leading to chases around the yard...

She had never cried.

Never.

So, when Puyang Zong saw the tears streaming down from her eyes, he panicked immediately...

"What, what did I say? Why are you crying? I didn’t mean it like that... Hey, what I said wasn’t wrong, a clear-eyed person can see, he’s not interested in you. You’d better get a grip, he’s the deputy general of the Beiyong Army, with a face as fine as jade, exceptional in ability. And you? Look at yourself, already married once, set fire to your former husband’s house, useless at everything except eating, drinking, and playing, how are you worthy of him..."

"Puyang Zong!"

This was the first time Puyang Yi called him by his full name.

No matter how noisy it got before, she had never done so.

"Get out!" she pointed towards the door, "Get out, I don’t want to see you."

Puyang Zong couldn’t stand to see her cry, but he was not one to lose face easily. The Prince of Danyang had yet to learn how to show weakness in front of his sister.

"Why should I leave? If anyone should go, it’s you. I haven’t even eaten my fill..."

"Fine. I’ll go." Puyang Yi, who had just been overcome with anger, now came to her senses. Of course, she wouldn’t oust the host, so she leaned on the low table, stood up, and rushed out like the wind.

She happened to bump into Feng Yun, who was returning from seeing off Wen Xingsu.

It was also the first time Feng Yun saw Puyang Yi crying, she paused, her hands steadying Puyang Yi’s shoulders as she looked down.

"What’s the matter?"

"It’s nothing." Puyang Yi’s tears fell even more fiercely as she sniffled continuously.

"Did your brother bully you?" Feng Yun asked.

"No." Puyang Yi shook her head.

Although Puyang Zong’s words were harsh, she knew her tears were not because he was wrong, but because he spoke the plain truth, wounding her pride.

"Thank you, Lady Yun, for your hospitality today. I shall not stay long. If you are free tomorrow, accompany me to the manor again."

Puyang Yi bowed to her and, as if recalling something, turned back, took out a purse from her bosom, and stuffed it into Feng Yun’s hand.

"This is for my brother’s board. If it’s convenient, have someone make some tasty food to sate his cravings. He doesn’t have many hobbies; he just likes to enjoy good food..."

After saying this, she left without looking back.

Puyang Zong stood inside, just catching this moment, completely dumbfounded, and after a long while, he muttered to himself:

"Did I go too far?"

Feng Yun gave him a cold glance and turned to leave.

Puyang Zong stood there all alone, hesitating to eat or not, wanting to leave but reluctant...

Caught in his awkwardness, a servant came into the courtyard and greeted him.

"Prince of Danyang, someone is looking for you."

Puyang Zong was taken aback.

Ever since he was exiled by his mother to Huaxi Village to teach, his former friends had cut off contact. Who would come looking for him?