Shipin Dalizheng

Suddenly, there was a loud buzzing sound, and the Third Master was the first to shout, "You old woman, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Mother Yao shouted, "I'm not talking nonsense. Look carefully. He and Master Jin look so much alike. When you compare them, you can tell who's closer and who's more distant at a glance."

The Third Master subconsciously went to look at Rong Tang, but Rong Tang just lowered his head to drink tea, listening to them quarreling without saying a word.

The Third Master calmed himself down and looked at Yaohui again. He was indeed very convincing, but because he looked so much like Jin Shizhao, the old men disliked him even more. What kind of a good guy was Jin Shizhao? Before he fell from power, he had caused great harm to the people of Rongjia Village.

The old men looked at each other, exchanged glances, and stopped talking. Instead, they all leaned towards Rong Tang to show their stance.

Rong Xiu was dumbfounded. "Cousins, what are you doing? Yaohui is the old uncle's grandson, isn't he?"

The third master opened his mouth but didn't say anything, the sixth master's eyes wandered away, and the eighth master simply turned his head away and didn't look at anyone.

"You...you are so ungrateful! It was the old master who brought you to the outskirts of Shangjing City. It was the old master who gave you his own land to farm. It was also the old master who provided you with relief every year so that you could survive. Now you are afraid of this fake one and want to drive the real young master away?"

The three masters remained silent, as if they were embarrassed by Rong Xiu's questioning.

Rong Dajiang didn't know how to start for a moment. He certainly supported Rong Tang more, but the old uncle's biological bloodline could not be covered up. Otherwise, how could he be a human being?

He was about to speak when Rong An pulled him back and stepped forward, frowning as he said, "This is just your side of the story. The truth has yet to be determined. But Earl Jian'an summoned all the village elders to discuss this, which shows he has a clear conscience. Aunt Xiu, do you recognize this Young Master Yaohui?"

Rong Xiu was furious. "What do you know, you ignorant child? Well, what good have you done for him that you have to speak for him? Besides, what good has he done for you? When the old uncle was here, he gave things to the clan members for free, and it was like this for many years, year after year. And he? He gave us a little bit, but he still asked the villagers to return the favor. He is so petty, how can he treat us as family? Yaohui said that when he becomes the Earl of Jian'an, he will give half of his property to the clan members. This is the attitude that a family should have."

When everyone heard this, they were all upset. The elders were even more ashamed and angry. They all looked at Rong Tang and said, "We didn't think so. Brother Tang, don't listen to her nonsense."

Rong Dajiang was even more furious, "Xiu Gu, I respect you as my elder, how could you be so foolish as to covet the property of the Bo Mansion?"

Rong Xiu blushed and said, "I don't covet the property of the Earl's Mansion. I just want everyone to distinguish who is my relative."

Rong An could no longer bear it, "Aunt Xiu, although we are poor in the village, we are not shameless. In the past, we accepted the relief from the old man because we had nothing and would starve to death if we didn't accept it. But it doesn't mean that we can just sit back and wait for help. When Young Master Tang first came, the villagers still couldn't eat enough. It was he who came up with the idea of ​​opening a winery for us and giving everyone shares. As long as we were willing to work hard, we would get money and have food to eat. It's only been half a year, and every family in the village has food to eat, and we can buy thick clothes in winter. Young Master Tang came to see us with gifts, and everyone was more or less able to repay the favor. We were so happy. But in your mouth, we have become heartless beggars. To be honest with you, we would rather send things to Young Master Tang every month every year than go back to the old days when we couldn't eat."

Rong Xiu's face was pale, but she was still stubborn. "He used the money from the Bo Mansion to do favors, and you are still grateful to him..."

Before she could finish, Steward Tao glared at her, "Madam, please speak with conscience. You chant Buddha's name all day long, and the Buddha is watching you. When the young master first came, he never entered the mansion. It was you who lived there, enjoying a life of luxury. You've also seen the account books of the mansion. When has the young master ever taken out a single ounce of silver from the mansion? To be frank, in the past six months, you have been the biggest spender in the entire mansion. Ginseng, bird's nest, brocade, gold jewelry, silver charcoal, every month you spend more than a hundred ounces of silver. Your monthly expenses are as much as the masters' lifetime savings."

After hearing this, the masters were horrified and turned their eyes to Rong Xiu. Rong Xiu felt inexplicably panicked and tightened her brocade fur coat with her hands, "I..."

Rong Tang's lips curled slightly, "Go and take off the gold ornaments on Madam Gu's head. Regardless of whose it belongs to, it's definitely not hers."

Several servants from the Earl's Mansion came up immediately and quickly removed all the pearls and jade from Rong Xiu's head while she screamed.

Someone with nimble hands and feet took the opportunity to tear off the thick silk cotton fur coat, revealing a pink coat and skirt that did not suit Rong Xiu's age.

Rong Tang looked at her sarcastically, "Is Madam Auntie okay with that?"

Rong Xiu's face was pale. She had some objections, very strong ones, but she couldn't say it out loud now.

Rong An approached Yao Hui again. "Who you are is still undetermined, but let's assume you are real. Let me ask you, where do you live?"

Yao Hui pursed his lips and said nothing. Yao Decai said angrily, "He lives with me. I've taken care of him and raised him for so many years. What's wrong with the Marquisate giving me a little as a thank-you gift? In my opinion, let alone a tiny bit, even if they asked for half of Jian'an Marquisate's belongings, that would be what they deserve. This is the only bloodline of the Rong family."

Rong An frowned and didn't respond. He just looked at Yao Hui and said, "So, you have actually been in Shangjing City the whole time?"

Yaohui took a moment to answer, "Yes."

Rong An sighed, "Well, let me ask you this: your residence isn't far from the Jian'an Marquis's Mansion. Madam Rong was seriously ill and dying, so why didn't you come to see her? Also, Madam Rong has been searching for her son for nearly a year, so why didn't you come to recognize him? Also, on the day of Madam Rong's burial, Young Master Tang and the Jin family were causing a huge uproar, so why didn't you show up and tell the truth? What were you doing when Rongjia Village was in dire straits? What were you doing when your people were bullied by the Jin family? What did you not do? Others did it."

He pointed at Rong Tang, "He was the one who traveled thousands of miles to return home, he was the one who showed filial piety to his mother, he was the one who rode on horseback to fight, and he was the one who helped the poor in the village. I didn't see you during all the turmoil, but now that the Bo Mansion has risen and is rich and prosperous, you've popped up! Let me ask you, are you worthy of the sage books you read?"

With every question he asked, Yaohui took a step back, until he almost retreated to the wall. The calmness and composure of the young scholar also began to crack. "I..."

Rong Xiu rushed over to protect him, shrieking, "He's just a child, he's only read sage books, how could he have so many tricks? It's not that he didn't want to show up that day, but firstly, Jin Shizhao is a powerful figure who has long controlled the Earl's Mansion, and secondly, he's weak and effeminate, how could he withstand the repeated pursuit of the Jin family father and son."

Rong An sneered, "So Aunt Xiu felt that it was natural for him to be a coward back then, and it is also natural for him to come out and reap the rewards now."

Nangong Jing burst out laughing. He had never known that the people around Rong Tang were so talkative. After being insulted by him, even if he was indeed the biological blood of the old Earl of Jian'an, his value in his heart was greatly reduced.

Yao Hui seemed unable to bear such criticism. His face turned grim as he argued, "I don't know. Mother Yao only told me not long ago."

"Now that you know, do you think you are worthy of jumping out and competing for the title and the family property?"

Yao Hui's face turned pale. "I've never had any intention of competing for anything. I just want to return to my roots. You can deny me anything, but the only thing you can't deny is that I'm the true bloodline of the Rong family."

Yao's mother shouted, "There's still an engagement."