Chapter 1364 – The Ladies’ Tea Party (7)
Yang Si was all smiles while Han Yu wore a face as serious as a thundercloud.
“Wenbin, even if you loathe Si, must you show such a glum face? Talk about bad luck!”
Yang Si’s cheerful mood was ruined by Han Yu’s icy glare, and he was too chickenshit to confront Han Yu head-on.
Wasn’t all this hassle because of Yang Si’s antics?
Glaring at Yang Si, Han Yu’s brows were furrowed enough to squish a fly.
“Just now, the Lord said… you can prepare a betrothal gift to propose?”
His pitch-black eyes were filled with dissatisfaction, and there was an undercurrent of disgust, making Yang Si’s blood boil.
“And what if it is?” Yang Si shot back, miffed, “You’re allowed to have a harem, but I can’t find a lady who can share the load?”
Han Yu scoffed. “You don’t deserve it.”
What is this nonsense?
What does “you don’t deserve it” even have to do with anything?
Yang Si was still sulking from the slap in the face when Han Yu already turned around and waved his sleeves to leave. The fiery Yang Si hurried to catch up.
They were supposed to be good buddies who loved to bicker, so not only was it okay not to wish him well, but he also called him “you don’t deserve it”?
Anger made him want to flip the table!
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Yang Si wanted to rush up and demand answers, but suddenly thought better of it and stopped in his tracks.
Wait a minute—did Han Wenbin misunderstand something?
Recalling Jiang Pengji’s words, Yang Si realized in an instant that Han Yu had misinterpreted him. Frustrated, he slapped his forehead.
He charged after him, forcing a smile to say, “Wenbin, hold on! You misunderstood!”
Han Yu paused, turning to look at him, “What did I misunderstand?”
“It’s indeed a proposal to the Lord, but the proposed lady isn’t the Lord herself.” Yang Si spread his hands, feeling the weight of his dark mood. “The Lord has a lover, and it just so happens to be your little junior! If Zixiao gets wind of this, am I still going to live?”
Han Yu: “…”
Yang Si continued, “The proposal is for marrying Colonel Jiang! The Lord treats her like a sister. If it’s a marriage proposal, how can it not involve the Lord?”
“Colonel Jiang?” Han Yu raised an eyebrow, “You’ve got good taste.”
But those words were far from a compliment; each syllable dripped with sarcasm.
Nong Qin was the top female warrior under the Lord, and there were countless eyes on her, yet Yang Si had snagged her.
Han Yu felt a twinge of sympathy for Nong Qin, wondering why she had chosen a guy like Yang Si.
Yang Si pretended not to understand, shamelessly smiling, “Of course I have good taste.”
Han Yu was visibly upset.
Yang Si came back to his senses and asked, “Why do you seem so peeved about what’s happening with the Lord and me, but when it involves Zixiao, you have no reaction?”
Han Yu replied, “Let’s not even go there. Zixiao is a gentleman with integrity; what about you?”
Yang Si was left speechless.
“I used to be young and naive, but now I’m… a reformed playboy! One who’s worth gold!”
Yang Si tried to regain his ground, but Han Yu just sneered at him.
Young and naive?
A reformed playboy worth gold?
Ha! What a colossal face on him!
Han Yu expressed his disdain with icy indifference, leaving Yang Si to despair and cover his face.
Is he really going to have to work with this “hypocrite” for an entire year?
If that’s the case, Yang Si wasn’t sure whether he’d die from paperwork hell or from sheer frustration; Han Yu’s mouth was just too infuriating!
“Wenbin… about what the Lord gave you, any plans?”
Yang Si decisively changed the subject; sticking to this topic would surely send him into cardiac arrest.
Han Yu furrowed his brows, troubled. “Collecting files, checking on rumors, creating new laws—those aren’t difficult. The hard part is making the Common People accept the new laws. If the Common People revolt, the Lord’s reputation would suffer, and I fear other aristocrats might oppose.”
Jiang Pengji’s laws to protect children somewhat undermined the feudal patriarch’s control over private property.
With filial piety being paramount, feudal patriarchs naturally wanted their children to obey them unconditionally.
If hitting or scolding their kids were deemed illegal, those parents would go up in flames.
They gave life to their children and put food on the table, and raised them, so why shouldn’t they control everything about them?
That was the current mindset of parents.
Therefore, if laws were to be enacted, every detail needed careful consideration, drawing a clear line between educating kids and maliciously beating them.
Yang Si said, “Actually, I have someone in mind who can help us.”
Han Yu asked, “Who?”
Yang Si grinned, “The Lord’s lover!”
The two hats in hand visited Wei Ci, who was busy juggling two documents, each in a hand, working like a machine.
This work efficiency was off the charts!
Yang Si knocked on the table and called out, “Zixiao, we need to talk!”
Wei Ci looked up from his writing, “What’s up?”
Han Yu stepped forward, “Wenbin’s request; Jingrong said you can help.”
Wei Ci’s expression grew serious. He set aside the two bamboo slips to dry, standing to greet the duo.
“If there’s something, Wenbin should just send a messenger. No need to run all the way here.”
Han Yu sighed and laid out the situation, causing Wei Ci’s expression to grow even graver.
“We came to ask if you have any ideas on how to preserve the Lord’s reputation?”
“That’s not too difficult,” Wei Ci thought for a moment and replied, “When the Common People are in favor, heaven’s will is on your side. What does it matter if the aristocrats oppose? As long as the Common People agree, the Lord will face little resistance in establishing new laws. Just leave this to me—”
Controlling public opinion was Wei Ci’s forte!
Han Yu asked, “What do you plan to do?”
Wei Ci smiled, “The Common People are tired of glorifying tales and romantic stories; it’s time for a change after the new year.”
Yang Si shivered and asked, “Wait—are you planning to have novelists write… those kinds of stories?”
Wei Ci replied, “Why not? Novels are 70% true and 30% false. Even if some parts are embellished or exaggerated, the overall foundation is real. If we get novelists to write stories and spread them through the streets, the Common People will definitely be outraged. Once their emotions peak, Wenbin can then lay out the preliminary new laws, and the Common People will cheer and praise the Lord’s benevolence. Anyone opposing will risk being torn apart by the crowd. Legislation protecting children is inherently good; what’s there to worry about for those who oppose it?”
The Common People were all illiterate, unable to recognize a single character.
When their ignorance fueled hatred, it was despicable, but when they were simple-hearted, it warmed the soul; their emotions were the easiest to stir and manipulate.
The Common People wouldn’t know whose interests were specifically harmed by the new law; they would only see the innocent children being hurt.
Proposing the new law at this time, the Common People would not only not oppose but would probably support it with overflowing righteousness.
Yang Si and Han Yu trembled slightly behind the scenes.
This manipulation of public sentiment was expertly executed.
Han Yu frowned. “Don’t you worry this could backfire?”
Exploding negative emotions could bring about adverse effects.
Wei Ci lowered his gaze and chuckled lightly, “Wenbin needn’t worry; I have my proportions.”
