Chapter 64: Asking for Punishment and Letting Jiulang Marry You

Shen Yuan looked at him, and for a moment thought of when he and his little silly fish first fell in love. His phoenix eyes that contained stars and celestial bodies curved slightly, “Actually, I shouldn’t tell you this now. But I guess Ruantang has already mentioned it to you.”

The young man in front of him raised his reddened eyes in confusion. Shen Yuan smiled and said softly, “You also know that there are no elders left in the Prince Su’s mansion except for Ruantang. So when this case is over, I will personally go to the Meng mansion to discuss your marriage.”

“Master, master-in-law.” Meng Jun was clearly embarrassed, but his form of address was extremely honest. The young man pursed his lips and whispered, “My mother is often not at home. What if you can’t find her then?”

Hearing this, Shen Yuan was greatly amused. He gently patted the shoulder of the worried young man, “Don’t worry, my wife-master will notify Madam Meng in advance.”

Oh?

Meng Jun’s eyes lit up with joy, how could he have forgotten about this? The young man had just let out a sigh of relief when he saw the smile on Shen Yuan’s face. Belatedly realizing, his face turned red again. He hurriedly covered his cheeks, “Master-in-law, don’t misunderstand. I, I’m not in a hurry to get married.”

“Mm, I know.” Shen Yuan nodded seriously. The young man’s face grew even redder, so nervous that even his exposed neck turned pink.

Shen Yuan couldn’t help but smile again. Afraid that the young man in front of him might faint from embarrassment, he considerately changed the subject, “By the way, didn’t you say you came with your younger brother?”

Now that the farce was over, Meng Tan’er should have shown up.

Meng Jun pondered and said, “Master-in-law, have you heard of the white-browed actor in this garden?”

“You mean Bai Shuang?” Shen Yuan frowned, and instantly understood what Qi Yun meant by that child.

He called Huai’an over and said a few words in a low voice, then turned to Meng Jun and said softly, “The second young master is probably with him now. This person has been somewhat insane for many years, reportedly due to a broken heart.”

Shen Yuan briefly told Meng Jun about the old story he had heard earlier.

Outside the door, Ruo’er respectfully reported, “Master-husband, the white-browed actor is requesting to see Young Master Meng.”

“I see.” Shen Yuan first exchanged a glance with Meng Jun, and after seeing the young man nod, he gestured for the servant to bring the person in.

The gongs and drums on the stage had already ceased.

As soon as Bai Shuang appeared, the young master felt that his features were somewhat familiar. Behind him was an angry-looking Meng Tan’er, who was tied up.

Upon seeing Meng Jun, Meng Tan’er immediately became agitated. He struggled hard a couple of times. His gagged mouth made muffled sounds.

Bai Shuang raised an eyebrow, first bowed to the two seated people, then slowly and methodically explained why he had tied up Meng Tan’er.

He was neither servile nor overbearing as he handed over the letter he had been holding for a long time, “Young Master Su, if the elder young master Meng doesn’t believe me, here is a letter personally written by Han Fushi from your mansion.”

“Originally, Han Fushi had saved this slave’s life, but this slave truly couldn’t bring himself to do something that would ruin someone’s reputation. That’s why I deliberately lured the young master Meng over, restrained him, wanting to help the elder young master avoid this calamity.”

“Fortunately, the elder young master is blessed with deep fortune and has Young Master Su’s protection.” He pretended to let out a sigh of relief. In the corner of his eye, Meng Tan’er’s gaze was so fierce it could almost bite. Bai Shuang personally went forward and removed the cloth gagging Meng Tan’er’s mouth.

As expected, Meng Tan’er, who had long been consumed by anger, first cursed his eighteen generations of ancestors as soon as he opened his mouth.

Bai Shuang wasn’t angered, just knelt properly to the side.

“Tan’er, don’t be rude.” Meng Jun truly couldn’t bear to listen anymore. He coldened his face and scolded, “What exactly is this letter about?!”

The letter spread out on the table was indeed in Han Fushi’s handwriting.

Meng Tan’er’s heart sank, and he glared hatefully at Bai Shuang kneeling beside him. Considering he was just a child, his thoughts were naturally obvious. At this moment, anyone could see that his expression was one of admission.

“Big brother. Actually, actually……” He wanted to clear things up for his father, but the black and white words were clear, and he had heard the commotion in the corridor just now very clearly.

The words Meng Tan’er wanted to say got stuck in his throat. He stared blankly at Meng Jun sitting at the head, vaguely knowing the gravity of the matter, but still clinging to a glimmer of hope, “Big brother.”

“I, my father was just confused for a moment. After all, nothing has happened to you now. Why don’t we just pretend this never happened, okay?”

“Big brother, I know you’re kind-hearted. Just forgive my father this once. Otherwise, if mother finds out, my father will surely be driven out of the house. Big brother, you’ve already lost your father, you should know how painful it is not to have a father by your side. Big brother, for the sake of our brotherhood, help me, please?”

He took a few steps forward, only to be blocked by Huai’an.

Meng Tan’er was so anxious his face turned red. He continued, “I’ll promise you, I’ll be obedient from now on and won’t compete with you anymore.”

“Big brother—”

The more he spoke, the more outrageous it became. Meng Jun frowned as he listened. Before the young master could speak, Shen Yuan, who had been sitting for a while, coldened his eyes and smiled lightly, “As a mere concubine-born son, I’m afraid you don’t have the right to use the word ‘compete’.”

“Moreover, a failed scheme doesn’t mean it wasn’t attempted.”

“Who are you? I’m talking to my big brother, what business is it of yours?!” Meng Tan’er was young and didn’t recognize Shen Yuan. He rolled his eyes fiercely and turned to Meng Jun again, “Big brother, I know you’re not saying anything because there’s still a chance to turn this around, right?”

“Tan’er.” Meng Jun looked somewhat surprised at Meng Tan’er who was making light of everything in front of him, “Is this how Han Fushi has been teaching you propriety, integrity, honor, and shame all these years? Is this how he taught you right from wrong?”

“Big brother, I know my father did wrong, but your reputation wasn’t ruined. Why can’t you forgive my father? He just wanted to lift the confinement.”

“Just wanted to?” Meng Jun’s fingers tightened in his sleeve. “Fine, let me ask you, why didn’t you feel it was wrong when you were scheming against me?”

“Now that the scheme has failed, you know it’s wrong. You’re still young, perhaps you don’t know how serious it is to ruin someone’s reputation, but does your father not understand?”