Rong Han was still a child after all. Hearing that his cousin aunt right in front of him actually had a way to deal with his little uncle, whom he had admired since childhood, he immediately grabbed her hand and wanted to see the powder she was talking about.
Shi Ning'an was afraid that he would hurt Zeng Ruoyun's hand, so she quickly got up and supported Rong Han, smiling, "Han'er, don't listen to your cousin aunt's nonsense. Her attack was a sneak - attack, and it doesn't count."
Zeng Ruoyun was insistent, "If we're talking about sneak - attacks, Rong Heng's was the real one. I wasn't even on guard, and he came over and dislocated my arm."
Before Shi Ning'an could react, Rong Han exclaimed, "Little uncle hit you? He hits women?"
Zeng Ruoyun nodded heavily, "Yes, your little uncle is so excessive, right?"
Rong Han immediately shouted, "Yes, how could little uncle hit a woman? Little uncle is so bad. Aunt, I'll never take little uncle as my role model again!"
Rong Heng felt like he was about to be furious. If it weren't for the fact that his grandfather, eldest uncle, and father were at the table, he really would have liked to punch that sly woman Zeng Ruoyun to let her know what hitting a woman really meant.
However, Zeng Ruoyun pondered for a moment and then shook her head, "That's not right either. People have both flaws and virtues. Your little uncle may be bad, but he's still a real man. After all, he defends the border and serves the country and the people, right?"
Rong Han nodded.
Zeng Ruoyun added, "Of course, he hits women."
Rong Han then shouted along, "Yes, he's bad. He hits women."
Rong Heng's fists clenched so tightly that they creaked. Zeng Haomiao, who was sitting one seat away from him, was so scared that he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Coincidentally, Rong Sui was sitting next to Zeng Haomiao. From time to time, he would raise his wine cup, with a half - smile on his face, and say, "Brother Haomiao, come, I'd like to toast you."
Zeng Haomiao was good at medicine, but his alcohol tolerance was really low. After being forced to drink a few cups of wine by Rong Sui, he felt dizzy and was about to collapse.
But Rong Sui didn't let up. He still poured wine for him cup after cup.
Finally, Xia Anhai, who was sitting next to them, couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up to stop him, "Cousin, Brother Zeng can't hold his liquor. You shouldn't persuade him to drink anymore."
Rong Sui still had that half - smile on his face and said, "Our guests should be well - entertained. A Hai was born in Wuyun. I'm sure his alcohol tolerance is good. Come on, I'd like to toast you."
Xia Anhai had no choice but to raise his cup to clink with Rong Sui's. It was true that his alcohol tolerance was not low, but he really couldn't stand Rong Sui's constant persuasion to drink. Moreover, Rong Heng, who had been irritated by that little woman in the next room, had nowhere to vent his anger. He could only clink cups with Xia Anhai one after another. After just a short while, like Zeng Haomiao, Xia Anhai's face was flushed red and his vision was blurry.
Princess Zhaoming watched Zeng Ruoyun and Rong Han bickering with a smile on her face. Then she said with concern, "I've already talked to your two uncles. The Rong family still has an empty mansion in the city. You can stay there for a while. It's also a way to make amends for what Heng'er did to you today."
Zeng Ruoyun didn't think much of Rong Heng, but she was very well - behaved in front of the elders. She thanked the princess repeatedly.
Princess Zhaoming shook her head and said, "There's no need to be so polite. I heard from Ning'an that you're just like her older sister. When you're here, just treat it as your own home, okay? Just so happens that Heng'er is free these days. Wherever you want to go and play, you can ask Heng'er to accompany you. Ning'an, your cousins from the Xia and Zeng families are all guests. You should also accompany them."
Shi Ning'an quickly nodded in agreement. She was thinking that she would talk to her aunt alone later. She only regarded Cousin Zeng as her own brother and had no other feelings for him.
Just then, they heard Rong Sui's voice from next door, "Grandfather, after the Queen Mother's birthday celebration, I'll be free too. Heng'er and Ning'an may not be very familiar with the capital. How about I take my cousins out to play then?"
Rong Jian naturally agreed.
Hearing this, Princess Zhaoming said to Mrs. Xia, "Rong Sui has been a cold - hearted child since he was young. Not only has he never taken children from the relatives' families out to play, but he's also impatient even when accompanying people in the mansion. It's really rare that he's willing to accompany them without us even having to say anything."
Mrs. Xia smiled and said, "The children are growing up and becoming more polite. And they're all of a similar age. It's good for them to go out together."
After the meal, Zeng Haomiao was dizzy and just wanted to go back quickly and lie down to rest. But unexpectedly, Rong Sui, his cousin from the Rong family, came up, grabbed Zeng Haomiao, and said with a smile, "I've heard that Brother Haomiao is very good at chess. This is a rare opportunity. I wonder if Brother Haomiao would do me the honor of playing a game with me?"
Zeng Haomiao couldn't refuse, so he could only reluctantly agree.
At this time, Xia Anhai didn't have the strength to stand up for this Zeng family brother he had never met before. He just thought about finding an excuse to slip away secretly.
But Rong Sui had sharp eyes. He smiled and called out, "Cousin, I've long heard from Heng'er that you're not only excellent in martial arts but also very talented in literature. How about joining us?"
Xia Anhai was in great distress. He gave Rong Heng a pleading look.
Rong Heng didn't understand his hint at all. He immediately put his arm on Xia Anhai's shoulder and said, "Yes, yes, yes. I've always wanted to see who's better at chess between you two. This is a rare opportunity. Come on, come on."
Xia Anhai and Zeng Haomiao glanced at each other. They both saw helplessness and a hint of fear in each other's eyes.
Shi Ning'an wanted to talk to her aunt from the maternal side, but she couldn't find the opportunity, so she just followed her aunt around all the time.
Princess Zhaoming was busy back and forth. She had to take care of the guests who came to visit and also arrange for people to settle them in the Rong family's other mansion. When she turned around, she saw Shi Ning'an following her like a little tail.
She laughed, "Why are you following me, Ning'an? Go and accompany your cousin."
Before Shi Ning'an could even mutter a word, Mrs. Xia walked over.
"Why are you here, Ning'an? Just in time. Your cousins are playing chess in the pavilion. Come on, take the fruit plates and tea over there."
Shi Ning'an thought to herself that it didn't matter. Anyway, the engagement wouldn't be decided immediately. She might as well wait until her aunt was free. She picked up the fruit plate and led the maids to the pavilion.
Sure enough, she saw Rong Sui sitting there, looking calm and confident. Opposite him, Zeng Haomiao looked a bit embarrassed. Maybe he had lost the game of chess. He seemed to be discussing with Xia Anhai beside him which move he had made a mistake on.
Xia Anhai stroked his chin and said, "Brother Zeng, let me have a game."
Zeng Haomiao waved his hand and said, "No, no, no. I'll try one more game."
Shi Ning'an called out sweetly, "Cousin."
The four of them all turned their heads and saw a graceful young girl walking over with a fruit plate in her hand and a smile on her face.
Xia Anhai thought that maybe he had drunk too much wine, and his eyes were a bit unfocused. He remembered what his aunt had said to him. At first, he didn't take it seriously, but now he thought that if it was the girl in front of him, it wouldn't be so bad.
Shi Ning'an put the fruit plate on the shelf beside and said with a gentle smile, "Are you all tired, cousins? You've just drunk some wine. You can have some fruits first."
Zeng Haomiao nodded and said, "That's good."
When Shi Ning'an reached out, a section of her wrist was exposed. It was as white as jade and was really eye - catching.
Zeng Haomiao avoided looking and picked up an orange and put it into his mouth. He said, "There are such sweet oranges at this time of the year."
Shi Ning'an smiled and said, "There are special greenhouses. Fruits that are out of season can also be grown. There are some on the Rong family's estate. When you're free later, I'll take you there to have a look."
Zeng Haomiao nodded in agreement. Suddenly, he frowned and looked at Shi Ning'an and said, "Why do you look so pale, sister?"
Shi Ning'an replied, "Are you drunk, cousin? I told you this morning that it's because I haven't had a good rest these days."
Zeng Haomiao said "oh" twice, "You should take good care of yourself, Ning'an. You're so far away from us now. Don't let us worry about you."
Shi Ning'an said with a smile, "Cousin is still as long - winded as before."
Zeng Haomiao was quite drunk. He actually nodded and said, "You're my sister, so I have to be long - winded. Although you're no longer in the Zeng family, in my heart, you're just like A Yun. You're both my own sisters."
Shi Ning'an was stunned, and her eyes turned red.
Zeng Haomiao added, "You're in the Rong family now. The brothers in the Rong family treat you well, but after all, they're not your real brothers. I'm always worried about you. Don't worry, Ning'an. No matter where you are in the future or who you marry, the Zeng family will always be your natal family, and I'll be your real brother."
Rong Heng slapped him on the shoulder and said, "What are you talking about? What do you mean we're not her real brothers? Ning'an is in the Rong family now. Don't we also treat her like our own sister? In the future, if she..."
"Cough, cough," Rong Sui smiled and poured water for Zeng Haomiao himself. He said to Rong Heng, "Brother Zeng is not wrong. After all, Ning'an grew up in the Zeng family. Brother Zeng is her real elder brother."
Zeng Haomiao nodded in a daze, "Don't think that you can bully Ning'an just because she has no relatives. I'm her elder brother, and I won't allow anyone to bully her..."
Seeing that Zeng Haomiao was exhausted, Rong Sui reached out to support him and replied, "Brother Zeng, don't worry. I... won't bully her."
Maybe he was too tired. Zeng Haomiao just fainted like that.
Rong Sui waved his hand, and two servants came over and carried Zeng Haomiao to the guest room.
Xia Anhai was still in a daze. His tongue was also tied. He stammered, "How about... going to rest first..."
Rong Sui's eyes flashed, "Cousin doesn't have as low an alcohol tolerance as Brother Zeng. I haven't played chess with you yet."
Xia Anhai felt that something was wrong, but he just couldn't figure out what it was.
Then they heard Zeng Ruoyun's voice shouting, "Ning'an, why are you here? I've been looking for you everywhere."
Rong Heng glared angrily, turned his head, and sneered, "Didn't you go to turn my nephew against me? Well, are you sure you've succeeded? Don't come back later and find that I can win him back with just one piece of candy."
Zeng Ruoyun also sneered, "You're so petty. I was just joking with him. You actually took it seriously? Tsk, tsk, tsk. I don't know how you became a general and are still respected by everyone in Wuyun. Are the people in Wuyun all blind? Or have they been deceived by you?"
While they were arguing, Shi Ning'an whispered, "Cousin, you said that Fourth Cousin secretly followed the Zhao family during the disaster - relief in Huai'an. Why was that?"
Xia Anhai explained, "He wasn't following the Zhao family. He just found that someone was going to harm the Zhao family at that time, so he went to investigate. No wonder Rong Heng said that he met a woman who used a hidden weapon on him, something like a poisoned needle. It turns out that it was actually Cousin from the Zeng family."
Shi Ning'an burst out laughing, "It wasn't a poisoned needle. It was just a powder that would cause pustules."