#25 - Is there any law left? (4000 words, two chapters in one)

Chapter 25: Is There Still Any Justice?! (4000 words, two chapters combined)

A small room next to the study hall, stood several children.

On the left, three children had bruised faces, especially the one named Xiong Hai Zhi, who had lost a front tooth, and spoke as if the wind was whistling through a gap.

On the right, three children, Xu Ming stood upright, Xu Pangda looked a little nervous, Qin Qingwan raised her fair and proud little chin, her small hand tightly clutching Xu Ming's sleeve, as if saying: "Who dares to touch my Brother Ming!"

Sitting in front of the children were Mr. Xiao and the man in the python robe.

Xu Ming raised his head and glanced at the man in the python robe a few times.

This man always wore a smile on his face.

Noticing Xu Ming's gaze, the man in the python robe even nodded to Xu Ming.

If Xu Ming remembered correctly, in the "Wu Dynasty Code," the python robe was a kind of bestowed garment from the emperor, and wearing a python robe required wearing a jade belt.

The python robe was similar to the dragon robe worn by the emperor, and was not originally among the official uniforms, but rather a bestowed garment specially granted to officials of the Wu Dynasty.

Obtaining this kind of bestowed garment was considered a great honor.

This man's position... was not low.

At least, this man was deeply valued by the Wu Kingdom's emperor.

"I've made Brother Zihong laugh, I didn't expect that Brother Zihong would see such a lively scene today," Xiao Mo Chi said with a smile.

The man named Su Zihong shook his head: "My Wu Dynasty was founded on martial prowess, not to mention the friendly exchanges between young friends, even in the imperial court, people often start fighting while talking. The more capable the officials, the more they like to use their hands. This shows that these young friends will be the pillars of the Wu Kingdom in the future."

"Brother Zihong, you're still joking," Xiao Mo Chi said with a helpless smile, shaking his head, his gaze turning to the children, "Tell me, young friends, why did you start fighting?"

"..."

The group was silent.

Xiao Mo Chi looked at Xu Ming, whom he admired the most: "Xu Ming, you speak first."

"..." Xu Ming cupped his hands in salute, "Returning to the teacher, I don't know either."

"You don't know?" Xiao Mo Chi said with a smile, "Hai Zhi and the others' teeth were knocked out by you (the previous chapter's 'break his legs' has been changed to 'knock out his teeth,' which does not affect reading)."

"Returning to the teacher, I did indeed take action, but that was because my brother was being beaten, how could I stand by and watch, doing nothing?" Xu Ming scratched his head, seemingly righteous, yet seemingly innocent, "As for the reason, I really don't know..."

Moreover, Xu Ming felt that he was really quite innocent. He had controlled his strength very well at the time. The reason their teeth were knocked out was probably because they were about to lose their baby teeth?

"That's right, that's right!" Qin Qingwan quickly echoed, "Although Xu Pangda isn't familiar with us, Xu Pangda's younger sister is our best friend. How could we stand by and watch when Xue Nuo's brother was being bullied?"

"Then Hai Zhi, tell me, how did you come into conflict with Pangda..."

"Who is it? Who beat my son!"

"Is there still any justice?!"

Just as Xiao Mo Chi was about to ask Xiong Hai Zhi and the others, three women walked in noisily.

Xiao Mo Chi and Su Zihong both frowned slightly.

"Mother, waaa... Mother... my teeth are gone..."

"Mother, I was kicked so far away..."

"Mother, I almost didn't see you again..."

Seeing their mothers arrive, Xiong Hai Zhi, Li San, and Wang Wu quickly walked over and hugged their mothers' legs.

The three madams looked at their children's bruised faces, covered in dust, and even with missing front teeth, and felt heartbroken.

"Don't worry, don't worry, who beat you! Mother will stand up for you!" The Minister of War's wife—Madam Xiong, touched her son's face.

"It's him!"

Xiong Hai Zhi and the other two pointed at Xu Ming.

"It wasn't Brother Ming who hit them, it was, it was me who hit them!"

Xu Pangda swallowed, standing in front of Xu Ming with a pale face, his legs trembling.

Xu Ming and Qin Qingwan looked at Xu Pangda in surprise, not expecting Xu Pangda to be so responsible.

But please stop shaking your legs.

"They were the ones who..." Just as Qin Qingwan was about to step forward to argue, Xu Ming pulled Qin Qingwan's hand, and then stepped forward, "It was me who hit them."

"You!" Madam Xiong was so angry that her chest heaved violently, "Whose child are you?"

"Xu Country Manor, son of the Fifth Madam," Xu Ming said.

"Xu Country Manor, Fifth Madam?" Madam Xiong thought for a moment, "Just a mere illegitimate son, who gave you the courage!"

Saying that, Madam Xiong stepped forward and was about to slap Xu Ming.

Su Zihong frowned and wanted to step forward, but was stopped by Xiao Mo Chi.

Just as Madam Xiong's slap was about to land on Xu Ming, and Xu Ming was about to dodge, Madam Xiong's slap was grabbed by a slender, fair hand.

Madam Xiong raised her head.

Before Madam Xiong could react, Wang Feng had already raised her other hand and slapped Madam Xiong in the face.

"Wang Feng! You! You dare to hit me?!" Madam Xiong said angrily, her face turning pale.

"I'm hitting you," Wang Feng stood in front of Xu Ming, her hands folded in front of her body, looking coldly at Madam Xiong, "Madam Xiong, what great prestige you have, daring to attack the children of my Xu Country Manor, do you really think that my Xu Country Manor has no one left? I must have my brother report to His Majesty and ask how Lord Xiong teaches his wife and children! Even a five-year-old child is beaten!"

"You..."

Madam Xiong's face turned green and white.

Although Wang Feng's father was dismissed from his official position, her brother was still in the court, serving as the Vice Censor-in-chief. If her husband was bitten by those dogs from the Censorate, it would be enough to give him a headache no matter what.

"Madam Wang! We are all reasonable people, our children have been beaten like this, shouldn't you give an explanation?!" Madam Li stepped forward and said, also giving Madam Xiong a way out.

Wang Feng frowned slightly, turned her head, glanced at Xu Ming and Xu Pangda behind her, her eyes questioning.

Xu Ming also looked at Xu Pangda.

Xu Ming really didn't know why they started fighting.

Logically speaking, based on his understanding of Xu Pangda these past few days, his personality was actually quite soft and he wouldn't easily get into conflict with others.

But Xu Pangda just lowered his head and said nothing.

Wang Feng looked at Xiong Hai Zhi and the other two, and the three children immediately lowered their heads, looking very guilty, and didn't dare to say anything.

"How about this."

Xiao Mo Chi also noticed that something was wrong. The reason why these children started fighting was probably not something that could be put on the table.

"It's almost noon, and the madams and children haven't eaten yet. The madams should take the children back first. Today's matter is my negligence, and I will definitely give the madams an explanation. Mo Chi apologizes to the madams."

Saying that, Xiao Mo Chi stood up and bowed to the group to apologize.

Madam Xiong and the others were taken aback and quickly said, "Mr. , what are you saying? Since Mr. has said so, then we will believe in Mr."

"We also believe in Mr.'s fairness."

"The children's matter is probably not a big deal, we will go back first."

The others also quickly said.

Although Xiao Mo Chi didn't hold any official position, Madam Xiong and the others had heard their husbands say how popular this Mr. was. Since he had said so, they couldn't continue to make a fuss, or it would leave a very bad impression.

Not to mention that there was also a man in a python robe next to Mr. Xiao...

They really didn't dare to make things too ugly.

Madam Xiong finally glanced at Wang Feng and the others, bid farewell to Xiao Mo Chi, and left the school with her children.

Wang Feng also breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, and bowed to Xiao Mo Chi: "Today's matter has disturbed Mr."

Xiao Mo Chi shook his head: "Madam, you are too polite. It was all my negligence. I will go to the madams' residences to apologize later."

"Mr. is too serious," Wang Feng nodded, "Then I will take this rebellious son away first."

Xiao Mo Chi: "Madam, please take care."

Wang Feng glanced at Xu Pangda, Xu Ming, and Qin Qingwan, signaling them to leave with her.

"Xu Ming, you should stay behind first, Mr. has some things he wants to ask you," Just as Xu Ming was about to leave with Wang Feng, Xiao Mo Chi called out.

Wang Feng turned around and bowed: "Mr. , Ming'er is still young, I don't know if Ming'er..."

Xiao Mo Chi smiled and shook his head: "Madam is overthinking it, I just have some questions I want to ask Little Brother Xu Ming, there is no other meaning."

Wang Feng glanced at Xu Ming with some worry.

Xu Ming: "Auntie, take Pangda and Qingwan back first, I know the way."

"Alright," Wang Feng nodded, "Your mother doesn't know about this yet, I won't tell her first, explain it to her yourself when you get back."

Xu Ming nodded: "Thank you, Auntie."

Qin Qingwan wanted to stay and be with her Brother Ming, but in the end, she was pulled away by Wang Feng.

"Mr."

After everyone left, Xu Ming, who was the only one left, cupped his hands in salute to Xiao Mo Chi.

"Xu Ming, I heard that before you hit Xiong Hai Zhi and the others, you said 'They are all officials of the Ministry of War, that makes things easier.' What did you mean by that?" Xiao Mo Chi asked with a smile.

"Returning to the teacher, according to the 'Wu Kingdom Code,' all official positions in the Ministry of War are earned through fighting on the battlefield. One cannot hold a position in the Ministry of War without military merit.

Ming has also heard Madam Qin say that all the sons of officials in the Ministry of War must practice martial arts. The Ministry of War values speaking with one's fists. If any child is beaten to tears, it is his incompetence.

Ming greatly admires the Ministry of War's straightforward style, and believes that even if Ming injures the children of the Minister and the two Vice Ministers, they will not blame him, and will not trouble Ming's mother, otherwise they will be laughed at by the people in the court."

“Hahahaha.” Su Zihong said with a smile, “It really is as you said. They heard that their son was beaten, but they didn't dare to cause you trouble. Otherwise, bullying the small with the big would be ridiculed by the court's civil officials. They can't afford to lose that old face. But you, little one, you're only five years old, how did you become so precocious?”

“Ming just thinks a bit too much.” Xu Ming said.

The more Xiao Mochi looked at Xu Ming, the more he liked him, always feeling that Xu Ming had a natural air of a scholar.

This kind of temperament, if it were in the court, would be very pleasing to the civil officials.

It's just a pity…

Why is such a child just a son of a concubine?

Xu Mansion.

Xu Pangda followed his mother towards his courtyard.

Wang Feng walked very fast.

Xu Pangda had to run a few steps every few steps he took to keep up.

Xu Pangda glanced at his mother's profile.

His mother's face was very cold.

Xu Pangda's heart thumped, feeling that he was definitely in for a hard time.

Back in the courtyard, Wang Feng closed the gate, turned around, and looked at Xu Pangda coldly: “Kneel down!”

Xu Pangda didn't dare to disobey his mother. He put down his small book bag and knelt in front of his mother, lowering his chubby head.

Wang Feng picked up a tree branch and hit Xu Pangda, scolding as she hit: “I told you to study! You went to fight! What are you fighting for?! Who can you beat?!

Fighting!

I told you to fight!”

The tree branch struck Xu Pangda again and again. Wang Feng hit him as tears dripped down.

“Mother, I'm sorry…”

“Mother, I'm sorry…”

“Wuwuwu, I'm sorry, Mother…”

Xu Pangda's tears fell to the ground in large drops from the pain, but he didn't beg for mercy. Instead, he kept apologizing to his mother.

After hitting him seven or eight times, Wang Feng heavily wiped away her tears: “Mother is asking you! Do you know you were wrong?!”

“Mother, I'm sorry… I'm really sorry… but Pangda is not wrong…” Xu Pangda choked out.

“Still not wrong? You still don't know you were wrong!”

Wang Feng picked up the tree branch again and struck Xu Pangda again and again.

“Do you know you were wrong!”

“Pangda is not wrong.”

“Do you know you were wrong!”

“Pangda is not wrong, wuwuwuwu, Pangda is not wrong…”

“You…” Wang Feng was so angry that her chest heaved. She threw the tree branch beside Xu Pangda, “How are you not wrong?!”

“They can scold Pangda, but they can't scold Mother! Pangda is not wrong… Pangda won't admit he's wrong…” Xu Pangda cried as he wiped his tears and snot. The welts under his clothes burned with pain.

Wang Feng stood there stunned, staring blankly at her child.

Xu Pangda wiped his tears and snot, his sobs intermittent:

“They said… they said Mother is useless, not even as good as a concubine… said… said Mother will be… will be driven out of the Xu Mansion sooner or later, said that Younger Sister has… has prospects, but it has nothing to do with Mother, said Mother deserves to be neglected.

It's all Pangda's fault, it's all Pangda's fault, for not being able to cultivate.

Pangda can't even… even study well, and the poems he writes are laughed at by others.

It's all Pangda's fault for being sleepy in class, and Pangda doesn't understand what the teacher teaches.

It's all Pangda's fault for not inheriting the peerage, which caused Mother to be scolded…

Mother, I'm sorry… I'm sorry… Mother…”

Listening to her child's explanation and looking at his sobbing appearance, Wang Feng felt as if all the strength in her body had been drained away, and she sat heavily on the ground.

No wonder, when Mr. Xiao asked for the reason, her child didn't say it in front of so many people… So that's why…

Wang Feng looked at her hand, at the child kneeling in front of her, and thought of Pangda's inability to inherit the hereditary peerage, and her neglect of him…

That hereditary peerage, was it for Pangda, or was it for her own vanity!

“What am I doing!”

Wang Feng raised her palm and slapped herself heavily on the face again and again.

“What am I doing!”

“What am I doing!!!”

[These past two days have been large chapters of 4000 words. I originally wanted to split them into two chapters of 2000 words each, but as I wrote, I didn't know where to cut them off. It seemed like cutting them off anywhere was inappropriate, so I simply combined the two chapters into one.

The number of words updated daily during the free period is 4,000 words. After it's put on the shelves, I'll see if I can update more.]