In the village, all around were country folk.
Before the country folk, speaking of them with a disrespectful tone, it must be said, the Feng Family, from top to bottom, had been insolent for too long, becoming rather too big for their britches...
Lady Chen did not scold; she simply lifted the curtain for a glance and grew somewhat impatient.
"Itâs awfully cold outside, tell them to make way quickly!"
"Yes," the attendants responded in unison, quite haughtily.
In their eyes, most of the land in this manor belonged to the Prefectural Governorâs Feng Family; old habits die hard, and they naturally had no fond feelings for these unfamiliar village guards, almost wishing to turn up their noses to the sky.
"Make way, make way! Donât block our ladyâs path."
The village guard remained still, with the Sun Familyâs young master at the front. Today was his shift; he came over as quickly as he could upon receiving the news, not offering the Feng Family a shred of goodwill.
"The Village Chiefâs wife said, the road was made by our villagers. Foreigners wanting to enter must pay a toll..."
What?
A toll fee?
The attendant became incensed upon hearing this, pointing at a cart ahead.
"That cart just now was clearly from Yunchuan; how come it could pass without paying?"
The young master Sun replied, "The Crown Prince of Yunchuan is one of our villagers; visitors from Yunchuan arenât considered foreigners."
His words made sense, causing Lady Chen to become vexed.
She slowly drew back the curtain, looking at the thin and scrappy youth, and hummed softly without a trace.
"So, these rules were specifically made for us?"
Her eyebrows were raised, looking as if she was seeking justice.
Unexpectedly, young master Sun didnât even blink an eye before nodding, "Yes, my lady, these rules were personally set for you by the lady?"
"Impudence!" Lady Chenâs face darkened, "Do you know who I am?"
Young master Sun said, "All I need to know is who the Village Chiefâs wife is."
Lady Chen shouted, "I am the Village Chiefâs wifeâs mother!"
Young master Sun opened his mouth in astonishment, glancing at Village Guard Dong Da beside him, his brow furrowed, he questioned dubiously, "Wasnât the ladyâs mother long deceased? Could it be a haunting?"
Dong Da said, "Then she cannot enter the village even more so."
Young master Sun calmly nodded and pointed the wolf dog beating stick in his hand at Lady Chen on the carriage.
"Impersonating the Village Chiefâs wifeâs mother, surely harbors ill intentions. You, cannot enter the village."
Lady Chen sneered, "What now, even if we pay the toll we canât enter the village?"
"You cannot," young master Sun lifted his chin proudly, looking down, "Our village only welcomes guests of noble character; we do not welcome despicable and shameless villains."
Despicable and shameless villains...
Lady Chen was so angry that her heart pounded and her lips quivered.
Feng Liang peeked his head out at this moment, took one look, and leaned over to whisper in Lady Chenâs ear.
"Mother, heâs doing this on purpose..."
Feng Liang had studied at the village school in the village and knew that the Sun Family had close relations with Changmen.
"This Sun small fry, he always used to tattle on me to my elder sister, causing me to be punished by her..."
Lady Chen was already fuming, and convinced that her precious son had endured Feng Yunâs torment and humiliation during his time at the Changmen village school, she became even more furious.
"Iâll ask you one more time, will you let us pass or not?"
Young master Sun replied, "You could ask a thousand times, and the answer would still be no."
Lady Chen huffed in annoyance, "One who does not drink a toast will drink a forfeit, it seems like you are tired of living..."
With gritted teeth, she hummed, and the Feng Residenceâs attendants drew their swords, menacingly pointing them at the group of village guards.
"If you donât clear the way, donât blame this grandfatherâs blade for being blind!"
They didnât take the stick-carrying village guards seriously.
Feng Yun, to avoid more trouble, hadnât equipped the village guards with swords and spearsâof course, the Imperial Court wouldnât allow it either. Although her tool workshop could produce them, she didnât want unnecessary complications.
With this comparison, the stronger and the weaker were clear at a glance.
However, young master Sun wasnât intimidated.
He was a hunterâs son, having followed his father from a young age on adventures; his father told him, when facing wild beasts, one must never show fear or a willingness to retreat or else the beast will see through your weakness and pounce to bite you to death.
To him, Lady Chen and her entourage were like wild beasts.
Young master Sun faced the gleaming swords, walked forward with chest high and pride, lifted his stick and held it crosswise in front of him, his eyes fierce and unblinking.
"Whether your swords are blind, I do not care. But rest assured, my wolf dog beating stick wonât go easy on any evil dogs!"
The Feng Residence attendants, infuriated, were about to step forward to seize someone.
Several village guards rushed up together, protecting young master Sun.
The onlookers around, all began shouting loudly.
"Drop your weapons! Everyone, drop your weapons!"
"Who dares to bear arms and cause trouble in Huaxi Village, will be punished according to the village rules."
The village rules they spoke of were posted on the notice board at the entrance of Huaxi Village; everyone entering and leaving the village could see them.