Chapter 331 - Brother Jiu Knows the Truth, Three Little Gentlemen (2)

The news spread faster than expected. Halfway through the banquet, the palace sent someone to invite Xiao Zhenting into the palace on the grounds of discussing government affairs.

The Emperor was so angry that he was about to ascend to heaven by the matter of Yu Shaoqing. Before he could even catch his breath, such a big thing happened again. The Emperor felt that his hair could not grow properly.

“Your Majesty.” Xiao Zhenting entered the imperial study and bowed to the person in the seat.

The Emperor waved his hand. “There’s no need for formalities. What happened in the Prince Manor today? Is that armor really yours?”

Xiao Zhenting was not surprised that the news had reached the Emperor’s ears so quickly. The Emperor had many ears and eyes, so even if he did not go to the scene, there would naturally be someone watching every move there for him.

“Yes, it’s mine,” Xiao Zhenting said truthfully.

Even though he had guessed it, the Emperor was still shocked when he heard him admit it himself. “Why did your armor go to Nanzhao?”

If Xiao Zhenting had not been ruthlessly humiliated by that boor, the Emperor would have suspected that Xiao Zhenting had done something shameful behind his back with the people of Nanzhao, to the point of offering his armor to please the other party!

Xiao Zhenting did not say anything.

The Emperor was furious. “What? Are you mute? I’m asking you a question! What’s wrong with your armor? Did you really sell it?!”

Helian Qi personally announced that he had bought it from a merchant from the Great Zhou Dynasty. Whether it was real or fake, Helian Qi and the merchant would know. This matter could not be hidden from the Emperor, so Xiao Zhenting did not refuse. “Yes, I sold the armor.”

“You!” The Emperor choked. “Can that armor be sold?!”

The Emperor did not know whether to be surprised that he had really sold it or surprised that he had admitted it so readily.

Back then, countless people coveted his armor, but he did not give in to any of them. There was once Duke Wei who wanted to buy his armor for a hundred thousand gold coins, but he mercilessly refused. His nephew, Xiao Yan, had always wanted his armor, but he did not give it to him—

The Emperor took a deep breath. “How much did you sell?”

Xiao Zhenting said, “Fifty thousand taels of gold.”

And it was sold at a cheap price!!!

The Emperor was so angry that his lungs were about to explode. “Ten years ago, you weren’t even tempted when Duke Wei gave you a hundred thousand gold. Why are you bending your back for a mere fifty thousand taels now? Xiao Zhenting, you’re angering me to death! Tell me! Tell me! Why did you sell it?!”

“It’s for Young Master.”

In the Young Master Manor, Shadow Six reported the news he had obtained from Shangguan Yan to Yan Jiuchao.

“That Gu Master stated a price of a hundred thousand gold. Grand Marshal Xiao couldn’t take it out, so he had no choice but to sell the armor. That rich merchant knew that he had an urgent need and deliberately lowered his price.”

Duke Wei had also once liked Xiao Zhenting’s armor. Everyone knew that he had offered a hundred thousand gold.

Xiao Zhenting might be an expert on the battlefield, but bargaining was not his forte. If not for the fact that he needed fifty thousand taels and could not lower the price, the rich businessman would have had lowered it more.

“Idiot!” Yan Jiuchao clenched his fists.

“Did the rich merchant collude with the envoy from Nanzhao?” Shadow Thirteen asked. If he did, this would be a trap.

Shadow Six shook his head. “No, Helian Qi did happen to bump into that rich merchant showing off his armor in the restaurant. That group of good-for-nothings didn’t believe that he bought real armor. Helian Qi believed him, so he spent a lot of money to buy the armor.”

Shadow Thirteen frowned. “He picked up a bargain!”

Shadow Six continued, “Grand Marshal Xiao was summoned to the palace by His Majesty. I believe His Majesty has also heard of this matter and is furious.”

The Emperor did not care about a set of armor. The armor belonged to Xiao Zhenting, so it had nothing to do with him. However, if someone used the armor to slap the Great Zhou Dynasty in the face, the Emperor could not sit back and do nothing.

Shadow Six sighed. “I’m afraid His Majesty will vent his anger on Grand Marshal Xiao.”

Under the light, Yan Jiuchao’s gaze was a little terrifying.

The next day, an earth-shattering news spread in the Capital—the unyielding Grand Marshal Xiao actually sold the armor to the people of Nanzhao for tens of thousands of taels of gold. The rumors had always been more exciting than the truth. The role of the rich merchant had invisibly disappeared from the rumors, and the entire matter became a deal between Xiao Zhenting and the people of Nanzhao. Back then, Duke Wei had once offered a hundred thousand taels, but he was unmoved. The people of Nanzhao had only given him a mere fifty thousand taels, but he had eagerly given the armor away. Such fawning behavior was really disappointing!

The commoners cursed, and the court was in an uproar.

It was as if everyone had forgotten how this man had risked his life to save the people time and time again. Just this matter alone made him easily fall from his pedestal.

Yu Wan guessed that Yan Jiuchao would not be in the mood to have fun after such a big thing had happened. Last night, he had left the three little fellows in his room. When she woke up, Yan Jiuchao had already left. Shadow Six had truthfully reported the entire battle armor incident to Yan Jiuchao and did not hide it from her at all. She knew that Xiao Zhenting had endured the pain and gave up his love in order to gather money to treat Yan Jiuchao’s illness. However, no one expected the incident of Nanzhao’s envoy to happen. Yan Jiuchao seemed to be heartless, but who could guarantee that he would feel better than her after hearing the truth?

“You guys have to be more obedient these few days, understand?” Yu Wan pinched the three little fellows’ chubby faces.

The three of them looked at their mother in confusion.

Yu Wan put on their clothes and asked Tao’er and Li’er to bring them downstairs to wash up.

The goat milk soup in the kitchen had cooled down. The three little fellows turned their heads and drooled.

The goat’s milk soup was a new trick that the chef had thought of. He took the fresh goat’s milk and boiled it. After it cooled down, he removed the condensed milk foam on it and placed it into the cooked millet rice. Then he added a little snowflake salt and dried mutton grains and boiled them into a pot of thick porridge. When he finished cooking, he cut the dried milk foam into strips and sprinkled it in. The porridge was rich and fragrant.

Yu Wan did not like this taste, but the little fellows liked it very much. They held spoons in their chubby hands and opened their mouths wide, looking silly.

Yu Wan smiled. She only ate half a bowl of porridge. Her appetite was not as good as a few days ago. She was about to get someone to remove the bowls and chopsticks when she heard the servant report that Bai Tang had arrived.

Bai Tang had not been here for a while. Yu Wan missed her and quickly got someone to invite her into the Qingfeng Courtyard.

When she entered the room, the three little fellows were still engrossed in eating the goat milk soup. The three of them had gained an entire round of weight compared to before Yu Wan’s wedding. Their faces were chubby and their little fats were trembling. Bai Tang was dumbfounded.

“Ah? How did they become little fat kids?” Bai Tang reached out with her mouth agape and rubbed their little fat faces hard. “Oh, it feels so good.”

The three of them obediently let Bai Tang pinch their faces. Not only were they not angry, but they even nodded and greeted her like little gentlemen. They also showed their right faces as if they were asking Bai Tang if she wanted to pinch their faces.

“Aiyo!” Bai Tang’s heart melted. How could there be such cute children? She really wanted to carry them back.

Bai Tang was addicted to it.

After the three little fellows finished their goat soup, they took the water from Tao’er and rinsed their little teeth. They jumped down and looked at Yu Wan adorably.

Yu Wan gently rubbed their little heads and smiled. “Go play.”

The three of them bowed politely and reluctantly bade farewell to Bai Tang and Yu Wan. Like three polite little gentlemen, they left the room in an orderly manner.

Bai Tang liked it so much that she wanted to cry. She wanted such obedient children! She wanted them!

However, after leaving the Qingfeng Courtyard and confirming that their mother could not see them, the three little gentlemen immediately transformed into little demons and fiercely went to cause trouble!

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