Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Although Qiguan Rang was born as a commoner, he had learned how to survive among the various influences in the northern border. His experience was much richer than teenagers like Feng Jin, whose thoughts were seldom put into practice.
Feng Jin had considered Qiguan Rang a distant man that was difficult to befriend, but his opinion had changed after a brief conversation with him; he was excited by his wise remarks.
Very quickly, Feng Jin addressed him as “Wenzheng” instead of “Langjun.” This proved how friendship between ancient men was often prompted by a skipped beat of the heart... Ahem...
“Wenzheng, you said you’ve got a guess. What’s it?”
Qiguan Rang tapped his fan on his knee and asked solemnly, “Huaiyu, do you know the House of Meng in the county Meng?”
Feng Jin was confused. How was it related to the Meng’s? But before he inquired, an appalling thought flashed in his mind, startling himself to the brink of losing his manner. “How can you...”
Qiguan Rang returned a cold smile, his eyes further darkened by irony and disdain. Feng Jin’s disbelief was expected, for the conjecture was a humiliation to every member of the upper-class.
“Their ancestors were brave, loyal warriors, but that guarantees nothing for their descendants,” Qiguan Rang derided. “When it comes to the Meng’s... Huaiyu, you may not have heard about it as you left Shangjing by that time and have seldom written to your family.”
Who were the Meng’s?
Their ancestor, Meng Jing, also called Meng Ziliang, played a crucial role in fighting for the Xia Dynasty. Praised by the first Xia emperor for being a “white dragon,” and given the name of “the Legend of Warrior,” Meng Jing was so revered that he was worshipped by families across the current five kingdoms.
That commenced the prestigious status of the Meng family, which was not affected by the decline of the former dynasty and the division of its territories. Because of the house, the county in which it was based also changed its name to Meng.
However, like what Qiguan Rang said, Meng Jin’s offspring were getting feebler and feebler each generation. They were never ashamed of their ridiculous conducts and always thought that they would be nothing compared to their ancestor’s reputation.
It was true that a hero’s glory never lasted more than five generations.
Feng Jin could guess what Qiguan Rang had implied: the culprit of the crimes in Meng and Hejian was from the Meng house.
“What do you mean?” While Feng Jin understood many of his peers were foolish and shameless, he could barely believe Qiguan Rang’s accusation against the great family.
“The county military chief of Meng and his army revolted and burned the place of the county chief.” Qiguan Rang looked at Feng Jin, hinting. “The military chief was always loyal to the Meng’s. He hasn’t stated a reason for his rebellion, but I’ve found the names of his wife and daughter on the bamboo slips. Huaiyu, don’t you think these are related?”
Feng Jin’s lips trembled, struggling to argue as he usually did, yet his mind was a buzzing mess.
“They are indeed.” Jiang Pengji’s voice interrupted Feng Jin’s effort. He turned and saw the thin girl rushing in wide steps and kneeled down abruptly. No one showed their discontent with her manner, for her fury was too explicit for them to mention anything.
“What did the scoundrel say?” Qiguan Rang touched his fan with his palm.
At the same time, Wei Yuan, like Feng Jin, had not recovered from the assertions of Qiguan Rang and Jiang Pengji.
The four greatest houses in Dongqing were the Feng’s in Shangyang, the Wang’s in Langye, the Xie’s in Qiongning, and the Meng’s in Cang. While the first three had a long history, their reputation was no match for that of the last, the family of the Legend of Warrior.
How would the Meng’s be related to the scandal in his backyard? Wei Yuan needed peace and time to digest.
“The man claimed that their leader is someone called Meng Liang. Huaiyu, have you heard about him?”
Feng Jin replied, “Yes. A close friend of mine, Meng Heng, the eldest legitimate son of the Meng’s, was the brother of Meng Liang. Still, how can that be? My friend is so well-mannered that one won’t doubt how disciplined his family must be.”
The two became friends because of their similar social status and background.
Jiang Pengji disagreed. “Huaiyu, I think quite differently. However good your friend is, it’s irrelevant to his brother. Every child is a separate individual. Even though they receive the same education, what they absorb and put into practice can be distinct.”
This was indisputable to Feng Jin.
“According to the man I asked, Meng Liang was so spoiled from his own family that every female servant already fell prey to him when he reached eleven. Moreover, the boy is always looking for new targets, and is used to getting what he wants by force.”
While the viewers had witnessed her interrogation, they goggled at her inference.
Hongjun Laozude Juhua: “(Cry) The boy was so experienced at eleven, and I’m still single.”
Guomin Laogong Diaozhatian: “(Cry) Me too! Are there any cute girls for me?”
Zaixia Yeliangchen: “I can never do it.”
Zaixia Zhaoritian: “Me neither.”
Zaixia Longaotian: “Me neither.”
“...”
Could her audience pay attention to the atmosphere and avoid making her laugh in such serious moments?
After a cough, she resumed, “Meng Liang also acquired the facial disguise skills from gangsters who he befriended. His soft features make his female disguise so vivid and real that not even his family can recognize him. With the aid of such techniques, Meng Liang gained the trust of many girls who later became his victims.”
Gradually, he became bored of the simple games and wanted to share the pleasure. He introduced the skills and procedures to his friends and they started a competition among themselves. From commoners to ladies at officials’ and merchant’s houses, they were excited by the perils and had stretched their hands further...