CHAPTER 489: CHAPTER 489: GUESTS

The private school at the front had been converted into a Carriage Inn some time ago, yet oddly no guests had come, with everyone flocking to the Xu Inn in the town instead.

"Isn’t it just that guests have finally arrived, and seven at once, very generous ones at that." Ms. Ni said proudly: "Although the Xu Inn is run by the Xu Family and has been in the town for decades, that was before our family opened a Carriage Inn. Now that we have, the Xu Inn is no longer up to par. In time, our family will certainly push out the Xu Inn and become the sole establishment in town."

Ni Ruiniang burst out laughing, truly unable to understand where her aunt got her confidence from, thinking that the Wan Family’s few rooms that had nothing to offer could outdo the Xu Inn, it was simply laughable.

Upon hearing Ni Ruiniang’s laughter, Wan Lifang angrily said: "Ni Ruiniang, what’s so funny? Do you really think that our Wan Family is inferior to the Xu Family?"

Ni Ruiniang: "What do you think? The Xu Family is a major landlord in the county, residing in the county town with a plethora of manors and shops. What does the Wan Family have? Nothing but a dilapidated private school, a decrepit house that has been lived in for decades, which you can’t even afford to repair. How could you possibly compare with the Xu Family? Have some shame!"

After listening, Wan Lifang shivered with anger, pointing at Ni Ruiniang and cursing: "It’s you who’s shameless! Eating and living off the Wan Family’s resources, and you still look down on the Wan Family. Get out! We don’t need you."

Ni Ruiniang spat directly at Wan Lifang: "What are you, to think you can tell me to leave? I’ve heard that Junior Minister Ming from the capital is coming to Tianfu County. If you don’t treat me better, one of these days I’ll go to the county government and raise a ruckus, accusing you, Wan Lifang, of immorality and plotting against your own offspring. By then, not only will your father’s position as Scholar be gone, but you’ll also be thrown in jail!"

Right now, the Scholar’s position was all that was left for the Wan Family. Without that title, the Wan Family would surely fall, and Scholar Wan would not be able to withstand the blow and would likely take his own life.

Wan Lifang knew he could not outargue Ni Ruiniang and could only curse in anger: "You poisonous woman!"

He should not have said that. As soon as he did, Ni Ruiniang exploded, leaping up to fight Wan Lifang: "How dare you call me a poisonous woman? You’re the one who killed your own son, who is more venomous than you in this world?!"

Slap slap slap!

Ni Ruiniang grabbed Wan Lifang’s hair and furiously slapped his head.

Wan Lifang was not to be outdone, throwing several punches at Ni Ruiniang’s stomach, knocking her to the ground, causing her to bleed again.

Ni Ruiniang sat on the ground crying: "Alas, why is my life so miserable? Wan Lifang, you beast, you’ve ruined my life. Even if I die, I’ll drag you down with me!"

After her miscarriage, she did not recover well, and the doctor said it would be very difficult for her to conceive again. She had lost the will to live and, driven mad, would bite Wan Lifang every time she saw him.

Ms. Ni watched them, too angered to refrain from hitting both of them: "Stop fighting, you’re supposed to live together in the future. How can you lead your lives if you quarrel like this every day?"

Wan Lifang sneered coldly: "Ha, who would want to spend a lifetime with such a shrew. Mother, I am going to meet the guests out front. Please drag this shrew back to the inner house, lest she embarrass us in front of the guests and turn them away."

With that, he turned and walked towards the private school.

Upon seeing this, Ni Ruiniang cried out in sorrow, pointing at Wan Lifang’s retreating figure: "Auntie, look at him, he’s already starting to despise me, what should I do in the future?"

Ms. Ni had recently been driven to distraction by Ni Ruiniang, and said unhappily: "Don’t just blame Brother Fang, look at yourself, where’s any bit of your previous gentleness and virtue? Any man would be displeased with you behaving like this."

She helped Ni Ruiniang up, saying: "You need to temper your temper and capture Brother Fang’s heart if you want to live a good life in the future."

And looking at her stomach, continued: "Take good care of your health, once you’ve recuperated, give the Wan Family a healthy grandson, and your position in the Wan Family will be secure."

Ms. Ni did not yet know the difficult circumstances Ni Ruiniang would face in having children, and was still eager for her to conceive quickly.

Ni Ruiniang had unspeakable sorrows. Her mother had told her not to let her aunt know about her infertility, otherwise, her aunt would despise her.

Ni Ruiniang could only wipe her tears and nod her head: "Mm, Ruiniang understands."

After speaking, she bent over, holding her aching stomach, and slowly walked back to the inner residence.

Wan Lifang had already arrived at the front private school.

The private school consisted of two adjoining rooms combined into one large area, which had now become the dining hall of Carriage Inn, where six burly men and a woman in her forties were sitting inside, drinking alcohol and eating meat.

Old Ni and Mrs. Ni were serving them, pouring wine and ladling soup, bustling about non-stop.

Those six men ate with great gusto, cutting the braised meat and roasted duck with daggers, then using those same daggers to bring the food to their mouths.

Wan Lifang shivered at the sight and thought to himself: Aren’t they afraid of cutting their tongues?

The woman noticed him and said to Old Ni: "Buddy, we have a new guest, hurry up and take care of him, so you don’t lose a piece of business."

Old Ni said with a smile: "Nanny Yao, this gentleman is our Young Master, not a guest."

Nanny Yao exclaimed, "Oh, so it’s Young Master Wan. Where have you returned from? Have you eaten yet? Why don’t you join us for a drink?"

Wan Lifang walked for four hours before returning home, and by now he was tired, hungry, and irritated. Glancing at the table full of meat dishes in front of Nanny Yao and the others, he couldn’t help but swallow his saliva in greed.

Ever since the students left the school, his family’s days weren’t as good as before, and he had not eaten meat for ten days; he was truly craving it badly.

Wan Lifang bowed to Nanny Yao and said politely: "Since Nanny Yao has so kindly invited me, it would be disrespectful for Lifang to decline."

One man said: "Young Master Wan is Scholar’s son. It’s our good fortune to have him dine with us coarse folk. Please, take a seat."

Wan Lifang, seeing their great respect towards him, felt very satisfied and sat down to eat the meat. He was already restraining himself, but the roasted duck was just too delicious, and he ended up greasy all over his mouth and hands.

Old Ni and Mrs. Ni frowned at the sight, wanting to remind him but fearing a rebuke from Wan Lifang, they decided against it.

Nanny Yao and the few men exchanged glances, their eyes filled with mocking smiles. The Lord had indeed spoken truly; this Wan Lifang of the Wan Family was a fool, easily bought over by a meal of meat and a few flattering words.

The man who spoke earlier raised his bowl of wine and said to Wan Lifang: "Young Master Wan, to meet is to share a destiny, I toast to you."

Nanny Yao had already started pouring a bowl of wine for Wan Lifang.

Wan Lifang picked up the wine bowl, clinked it with the man’s, sipped a little wine, and then continued eating meat as if he hadn’t tasted meat in eight generations.

Nanny Yao and the others didn’t say anything; they just smiled and continued eating their meal slowly.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wan Lifang finally had his fill of meat. Embarrassed, he wiped his hands and laughed: "Please excuse my behavior, gentlemen. Today I went to seek knowledge at the Scholar’s Family far away, and I was late returning home, so I was hungry. It was rather disgraceful of me."

Nanny Yao said with a smile: "Young Master Wan jests. Being able to eat is a blessing, eating a lot means more blessings. Unlike us, we’re just managing affairs and serving as Protectors, born with the fate of servants, with little fortune to speak of."