BSI Chapter 78 Thanks
Chapter 78 Thanks
Ximen Qing looked at Wu Yueniang and tentatively asked, "It's September 25th now. According to the calculation, the third day of the next month is the date for my reunion with my brothers who I often associate with."
On that day, we'll need to prepare two proper banquets and invite a few singing girls and courtesans so you and your brothers can have a good time at our house all day. How about you help me with the arrangements?"
This implies that they intend to hold such a filthy gathering in their own home.
Just as Ximen Qing had predicted, although Wu Yueniang had been smiling as she recounted how Zheng Tu had helped her out of the predicament, her pretty face immediately turned serious and all smiles vanished when she heard that Ximen Qing was going to invite those courtesans into the house for entertainment.
Although Wu Yueniang usually ignored Ximen Qing's debauchery outside, preferring to ignore it, she would absolutely not allow him to bring those courtesans into the house and create chaos.
What's more... a thought inexplicably flashed through her mind: what if she had to watch Uncle Zheng, with his arm around that shameless young lady, drinking and flirting with her...
Absolutely not!
With a stern face, Wu Yueniang couldn't help but repeat the same three things she always used to criticize Ximen Qing:
"And you shouldn't even mention these people! I've seen through them long ago. Not one of them has any conscience or character. They're just wandering souls who come to seduce you and make you run into corpses every day!"
"Ever since you got involved with these people, when have you ever spent a proper moment at home? Now that Sister Zhuo's health is so poor, I advise you to cut back on your drinking, stay away from these people, and focus on taking care of the family!"
Zhuo Erjie, whose real name was Zhuo Diuer, was Ximen Qing's third concubine. She was thin and frail, and often suffered from various ailments. Recently, she had contracted a cough that had not yet healed.
In the past, when Ximen Qing heard her say such things, he would usually just laugh it off.
But today, thanks to Zheng Tu's help, he felt honored and immediately replied:
"Your other words are usually pleasant to hear, but I'm finding it hard to listen to what you're saying today. So, you're telling me that none of my brothers are good people?"
But if you think about it carefully, when I ask them to do things, which one of them doesn't obey? Which one doesn't do things perfectly? Even Xie Xida is a clever and capable person.
Not to mention my new acquaintance, Brother Zheng. If it weren't for him yesterday, wouldn't the shop have been smashed to pieces?
In the end, Ximen Qing finally revealed his true intentions:
"I've come up with a plan. This kind of coming and going isn't a long-term solution. Why don't we take this opportunity to have the nine brothers I regularly associate with, making a total of ten of us, swear an oath of brotherhood, burn incense, and become sworn brothers? That way, we'll have someone to rely on when we're out in the world tomorrow. Wouldn't that be better?"
It turns out that Ximen Qing was a master at manipulating people's hearts.
He first made a tricky request, asking that the prostitute to come to his house to have sex with him, knowing that Wu Yueniang would not want to make a mess of the house and would definitely refuse.
After she stopped them, they came up with a compromise: to become sworn brothers with them. In this way, Yue Niang would not be able to forcefully stop them anymore.
This is a strategy of "letting them go first, then capturing them"!
Although Ximen Qing was not the kind of weak man who was afraid of his wife and had to ask for her permission in everything, he knew that this woman often thought of his family and that he had to rely on her to take care of many things.
Therefore, even if he had some ideas, he would often use clever tactics rather than confront her head-on.
Wu Yueniang raised an eyebrow, about to retort in her usual manner: "Sworn brothers it is! But I'm afraid others will rely on you more in the future. If you have to rely on others, it's like putting a puppet on a stage; you'll probably be missing a breath."
But as the words were about to come out, he remembered that Zheng Tu had just helped Ximen Qing out of a major disaster yesterday.
She opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed her words, lowering her eyes and softly saying, "Since you've made up your mind... then so be it."
When Ximen Qing saw that Wu Yueniang no longer objected, he was secretly pleased, knowing that the matter was seven or eight parts done.
He immediately patted Chunmei beside him: "Go ahead and call Dai'an'er. Tell him to quickly invite Master Zheng to the mansion and say that I have important matters to discuss!"
Chunmei responded and left.
……
When Zheng Tu arrived at the flower hall, he heard Ximen Qing's cheerful voice.
At this moment, Ximen Qing had changed into a dark brown silk robe and was wearing a square headscarf. He was talking to Wu Yueniang.
Upon seeing Zheng Tu enter, the two stopped talking.
Zheng Tu clasped his hands in a respectful greeting to the two women: "Brother Ximen, Sister-in-law."
Wu Yueniang looked up at the burly and strong Uncle Zheng in front of her. Although the man was dressed simply today, he seemed to have become even more robust, with his muscular body filling out his clothes.
Although he wasn't particularly handsome, he possessed a certain inexplicable charm.
For some reason, her mind suddenly became chaotic, and the scene of her losing control in the past reappeared in her mind.
Her eyes darted away, not daring to look at him for long. She quickly curtsied and said in a low voice, "Uncle is here... You brothers talk, I'll go to the back to see the tea and snacks."
After saying that, he pretended to be nonchalant, lowered his head and left, his steps were a little hurried, and he almost tripped on the threshold.
Ximen Qing was so focused on Zheng Tu that he couldn't possibly notice these trivial details.
He warmly took Zheng Tu's hand, calling for a maid to serve tea as he laughed, "Well done, Second Brother Zheng! Dai'an has already told me in detail about yesterday's matter. I never expected you to have such skill and strength, brother! You've truly brought honor to me!"
Zheng Tu made a few self-deprecating remarks, and then the two took their seats as host and guest, respectively.
Ximen Qing waved his hand: "Brother, don't be so modest!"
He dismissed everyone except Chunmei, who was pouring tea, before speaking seriously, "Brother invited you here today because there is an important matter I need to discuss with you."
"Please feel free to speak."
Ximen Qing then explained the matter of the sworn brotherhood in detail: "Brother Zheng is new here and may not know this. The third day of the month is the time for my gathering with several brothers I often visit. However, our monthly gatherings are nothing more than drinking and playing, and ultimately they don't lead to anything meaningful."
I thought to myself, since we get along so well, brother, why not take this opportunity to find a temple, have a formal marriage certificate written, and make a total of ten of us, including you, to become sworn brothers? We can share blessings and hardships together, have someone to rely on, and look out for each other. What do you think, brother?
Upon hearing this, Zheng Tu pondered to himself, "It's fine to form a sworn brotherhood with someone like Ximen Qing, but the rest of those ten brothers are all sycophants, irresponsible, mean-spirited, and ungrateful..."
Ximen Qing added, "Brother, rest assured, after we become sworn brothers, I will definitely treat you unfairly. Yesterday you protected my shop, and I haven't even thanked you yet—"
He then took out a written contract from his sleeve. "This is a 30% stake in the herbal medicine shop on South Street, as a token of my gratitude. We'll share the profits monthly. After we become sworn brothers, you and I are true brothers; whatever my brother has, you'll naturally have too!"