Chapter 270 – Yishan Hot Springs (5)
Jiang Pengji’s unceremonious retort left the man’s complexion shifting between red and pale.
Tsking softly, she turned with a cold smirk towards the two young men, drenched and sputtering from the scalding soup.
“Earlier today, you two nearly killed me at the city gate; where were your thoughts on your current predicament then?”
The two watery messes, once brimming with hatred, shivered at Jiang Pengji’s words, their minds snapping back to reality.
They caved, even too scared to flounder.
Many onlookers, initially disgusted by Jiang Pengji’s brazen actions, now exchanged glances. Upon hearing her words and witnessing the two’s guilty expressions, a good number of clever folks changed their demeanor, acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Clearly, this tipsy half-grown boy had suffered at their hands earlier and was now seeking to reclaim his self-respect.
It was best for outsiders to stay out of such quarrels.
“Tsk, bullies like to pick on the weak.”
Jiang Pengji raised her cup, taking a hearty swig. At this rate, the barrel of clear wine would soon run dry.
“Didn’t you all seem mighty earlier? Now it seems like one worse than the other! Where’s your backbone? Where’s your pride? Your audacity to toy with my life… has that all gone to the dogs? Heh, a bunch of useless fools!”
Jiang Pengji wasn’t really drunk; her wits were as sharp as ever. She had come to stir up trouble and was intent on letting off some steam.
This was the capital; she couldn’t kill these two, but humiliating them in front of everyone was entirely fair game.
“Little people reveling in their petty successes.”
Just then, the atmosphere tightened as a crisp voice, like jade striking a plate, echoed from one side.
Jiang Pengji maintained a cold smile as she turned her gaze toward the speaker, her tone laced with menace.
“Did you just call me a little person reveling in success?”
The speaker was a young man of tender years, his skin tinged with red from the hot spring, with a handsome face and eyes like beads of ink. His hair hung damp around his face, lending him a somewhat delicate look amidst the mist.
“Isn’t it little lord’s behavior that epitomizes a little person thriving?” Undaunted by Jiang Pengji’s cold smile, the young man snorted, “From what I heard earlier, those two almost mistook little lord for dead. As gentlemen, shouldn’t they resolve grievances and right wrongs? Instead, little lord here abuses his power while drunk in public! Such behavior is downright petty.”
To put it mildly, wasn’t that just the actions of a spoiled brat?
The live stream comments froze, with viewers anxiously awaiting Jiang Pengji’s next move, fearing she’d erupt in violent rage and stain the hot springs with blood.
In reality, Jiang Pengji only laughed brightly, even ignoring the two pathetic fools.
“If I truly am a little person reveling in success, wouldn’t that mean you are just standing there, shamelessly pontificating? What a saintly display you put on!”
Jiang Pengji casually tossed her wine jug into the hot spring, splashing water all over those two hopelessly soaked fools.
“My standing here today to humiliate them is only because I’m alive! If I had tragically fallen to their arrows earlier… would you, in turn, have shed a tear for me?” Jiang Pengji scoffed, “I know you wouldn’t, especially since you’re a stranger. The dead remain dead; they can’t compare to the living’s value. If you wish for their survival, keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, I might just cut them down myself!”
The young man’s expression darkened, “What a twisted argument… Taking advantage of your ancestors’ legacy to act tyrannically…”
“That’s where you’re wrong! They’re taking advantage of their ancestry, delighting in the lives of commoners. Should a commoner die, they might receive a mere scolding or two; not a soul in the netherworld will speak for the dead!” Jiang Pengji’s voice surged, “If you want to criticize, lash out at these two lowly beasts before coming to me! I’m merely repaying hate with hate!”
“Commoners and noble families can’t be compared!” the young man countered.
Jiang Pengji nearly burst out laughing, fiercely firing back, “Did a donkey kick your brain?”
The young man’s eyes widened in shock, seemingly taken aback by Jiang Pengji’s vulgar insult.
Wasn’t that as good as cursing someone to their face?
“That little lord has a point; Zu De, you shouldn’t blur the events because of a commoner’s inferiority and a noble’s superiority. Though the little lord acted rashly, it’s understandable—there were reasons behind it. However, the little lord’s harsh words were indeed too much! Zu De has a thin skin; he can’t withstand such torment.”
Just as tension escalated, a rich laugh broke the air, tinged with mockery.
Jiang Pengji frowned subtly, following the sound.
A middle-aged man with gray hair yet a vigorous demeanor approached, his steps light and purposeful.
Upon his arrival, the previously firm young man’s complexion shifted dramatically.
He bowed slightly and respectfully called out, “Teacher.”
“Are you the young lord from the Liu Residence?” The middle-aged man stepped before Jiang Pengji, his weathered eyes seeming to see right through everything, causing her to furrow her brow. “Truly a dragon among men, exceptional in countenance.”
“And you are?”
Thanks to this man, Jiang Pengji lost her desire to feign drunkenness, her gaze locked intensely with his.
The brash behavior caught the ire of the youth known as “Zu De.” His respected teacher had never been so openly disrespected, and his impression of Jiang Pengji had soured further.
But the middle-aged man only smiled benevolently, raising a hand to quell his student’s ire.
“I thought you might know me. I’m referred to simply as Mr. Yuanjing.”
Mr. Yuanjing?
Jiang Pengji’s lips twitched; she hadn’t expected to encounter the legendary Mr. Yuanjing under such circumstances.
Looking like an ordinary middle-aged man fresh from the hot springs, he didn’t seem as absurd as rumored.
Mr. Yuanjing chuckled optimistically, his eyes slightly crescent-like, “In the capital, a single tile can topple three high officials. Little lord, your boldness knows no bounds; you dare to act so freely.”
Jiang Pengji clicked her tongue, smiling, “No, you’re mistaken. I still have my reservations. Otherwise, these two would be bleeding out right now instead of merely sipping hot spring water.”
As an afterthought, she added, “Actually, according to your student’s perspective, nobility is above commoners; however, among nobles, there are still distinctions. Naturally, I hold superiority over these two; they offended me, thus I have the right to humiliate them, don’t you think?”
Zu De: “…”
Hearing Jiang Pengji’s “clever reasoning,” Mr. Yuanjing found himself simultaneously amused and exasperated.
