Ruan Ziji had come to Feng to deliver news specifically.
He felt that Xie Jiang had no deep roots in the capital, and couldn't get many messages in the first instance.
The Hao family had directly gone to Shuntian Prefecture to pick up the person, without even informing Xie Jiang. Wasn't this just bullying Xie Jiang for having no backing in the capital?
Perhaps it was because Xie Jiang had just been enfeoffed as the Marquis of Nanhai and was bestowed the former residence of Prince Qing, that the Hao family felt some reservations in their hearts, and thus only took Hao Wei back from Shuntian Prefecture, and did not immediately seek out Xie Jiang to settle the score.
Otherwise, who knew how they would have dealt with Xie Jiang.
But why should Xie Jiang endure such grievances!
Did those wretched bastards from the Hao family deserve to make Xie Jiang suffer such humiliation!
He wanted to tear the Hao family apart.
He also knew that Xie Jiang was by no means the type of person to let things slide.
"What?! They took him back?!"
Just now, at Yilan Pavilion, the old gentlemen had mentioned Hao Wei, but they hadn't said that Hao Wei had been taken back home by the Hao family!
Xu Hengyi looked up at Xie Jiang. Was this matter just going to be let go like this?
"They quietly took the person back last night, and still haven't given Xie Jiang an explanation. What does the Hao family mean by this?"
And Shuntian Prefecture too!
With irrefutable evidence, they still asked for three days to investigate!
They had promised to handle the matter impartially!
Wasn't this just playing with Xie Jiang!
Ruan Ziji could guess the Hao family's intentions, "They want Young Master Xie to be sensible and pretend that nothing happened."
Xu Hengyi was so angry he cursed, "Hao Wei brought so many people to storm into Xie Residence, shouting that Xie Jiang should die. It was clearly an attempt to kill Xie Jiang, and now they want to pretend nothing happened!"
"The Hao family is clearly bullying Young Master Xie! Is Young Master Xie someone who can be bullied so easily! They haven't even considered if we agree!"
"Young Master Xie, we can't just let this go!"
"Young Master Xie, tell us, what should we do?"
The followers all looked at Xie Jiang expectantly.
With just a command, they could open the gates and unleash their dogs, heading straight for the Hao family mansion.
Xie Jiang showed neither surprise nor anger, merely smiling dismissively, "This matter naturally cannot be let go, but I agreed with Magistrate Wang and Vice-magistrate Huo to give them three days to investigate the facts."
Jin Haolin said anxiously, "The person has already been taken back by the Hao family, what investigation is there to be done! Shuntian Prefecture is fooling you!"
"Exactly, exactly! Shuntian Prefecture is deliberately delaying, clearly siding with the Hao family!" Han Zhao nodded vigorously.
Xie Jiang smiled at him, "Do you think I can be fooled?"
Jin Haolin was not entirely sure if Young Master Xie might have a moment of impulsiveness.
Xie Jiang walked slowly towards Fuyun Xuan, "Shuntian Prefecture said three days, so let's give them the full three days. It's only the second day, why the rush."
Ruan Ziji pondered, "And after three days?"
Xie Jiang smiled innocently, "If no one gives me an explanation after three days, I will go and demand it myself."
Xu Hengyi could not stand it either, "Yes, we'll go and demand it ourselves!"
Ruan Ziji waved to his companions, "Let's gather at the Marquis of Nanhai's residence early the day after tomorrow!"
"How does Young Master Xie plan to demand it?" Jin Haolin poked his head out from beside Ruan Ziji, his eyes full of eagerness.
Ruan Ziji stood in front of Young Master Xie by himself, resolutely preventing the others from crowding around Xie Jiang.
The space next to Young Master Xie was his! All his! If they had the guts, they could push Xu Hengyi away from the other side!
How could Xu Hengyi allow himself to be pushed aside? When he played with Xie Jiang, these people didn't even know where they were.
How dare they compete with him for Xie Jiang!
Who held more importance in Xie Jiang's heart was obvious!
Overestimating themselves!
Ruan Ziji waved and pushed Jin Haolin's head back, looking at Xie Jiang with pure innocence, "Is there anything we can help with?"
There actually was, "Do you know any rascals?" Xie Jiang asked.
Ruan Ziji didn't understand for a moment, "What kind of rascals?"
Xie Jiang said, "Lazy, idle, familiar with smashing and looting."
Ruan Ziji understood, "Don't know." He had to deny this, "But I can find them."
Jin Haolin said, "Lazy, idle, and familiar with smashing and looting, aren't they just street thugs?"
"What does Young Master Xie want with idle thugs and bullies? We're very good at fighting and causing trouble," Han Zhao patted his chest and recommended himself.
Ruan Ziji glared at Han Zhao. How could he say such a thing in front of Young Master Xie!
Xie Jiang silently estimated, "A hundred or so would be about right. If not, fifty or sixty would also be fine."
"Yes, yes, of course there are. We'll definitely find them all..."
Ruan Ziji declared there was no problem, he would definitely handle this small matter well.
~
That evening, the newly established Marquis of Nanhai's residence hosted two banquets.
One table was for the sweet potato digging elderly group, and the other was for the famous young dandies of the capital.
Xu Hengyi wanted to distance himself from the dandies. How could he, a pure and upright young man, associate with the famous young dandies of the capital?
If any gossip reached his father's ears, he would undoubtedly receive another severe beating. His backside already had a layer of old calluses.
But looking at the old gentlemen at the other table, Xu Hengyi compared the two and felt that the table with the young dandies was more reliable.
At least Xie Jiang was at this table.
The young dandies ate very quietly during this meal. They dared not cause trouble, and drinking... They had originally intended to try it. The wine brewed by Young Master Xie's residence was highly praised by the old gentlemen, and they...
As the Duke of Zhao and the Duke of Qian looked over at them, Han Zhao immediately cowered and waved his hands, indicating he wouldn't drink.
No drinking, no drinking, definitely no drinking.
They had all been doted on by their families. Their elders spoiled them in every way possible, how could they be as imposing as these old gentlemen.
Ruan Ziji quietly asked Xie Jiang, "I heard that the old gentlemen ate meals at Xie Residence for those few days in Ninghe. Now that Xie Jiang is back in the capital, seeing how happily the old gentlemen are eating and drinking, won't they be coming to freeload meals frequently in the future?"
Xu Hengyi answered for Xie Jiang, "Why don't you ask yourself if you want to come and freeload meals?"
Of course Ruan Ziji wanted to.
That's it then, "We all want to come and freeload meals, so why wouldn't the old gentlemen?" The old gentlemen not only freeloaded meals, but also wine.
Xu Hengyi began to look dejected as he said this, then wouldn't he frequently encounter the old gentlemen if he came to freeload meals in the future?
Jin Haolin, Han Zhao, and the others listened, feeling utterly disheartened.
Xie Jiang said, "What are you all afraid of? They won't eat you. Let them scold you a few words, and if they hit you then..."
Han Zhao thought that according to Xie Jiang's usual style, he would instigate them to fight back. Startled, he dropped his chopsticks and waved his hands repeatedly, "We can't, we can't fight back..."
Did they even dare to dream of such rebellion?
They didn't have enough skin to be flayed!
Xie Jiang swept his gaze over them, "I mean if they hit you, then run. Don't you have legs? The old gentlemen's legs, no matter how good, are already slow. Can they outrun you?"
"Hit who? Hit who? You little brats, what are you whispering and plotting? Do you think we can't hear, huh? Which one of you is itching for a beating and wants to run after hitting an old gentleman?"
The old gentlemen were exceptionally sharp-eared and clear-sighted. The young gentlemen's table was clearly speaking in hushed tones, yet the old gentlemen somehow heard it. Marquis Yongxin rolled up his sleeves and walked over.
The old gentlemen who were drinking heartily all looked towards them.
Han Zhao and the others all looked like mice encountering a cat.
"These few admire the demeanor of the old Marquis and the old dukes, and are preparing to train diligently for ten days to half a month, and then spar with the old Marquis and old dukes. They are afraid that the old Marquis and old dukes will be too heavy-handed and break their legs, so I told them to run if they can't win."
Xie Jiang felt he had been righteous, and this was considered helping them out of a tight spot.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the old gentlemen all perked up, and they all declared that they would give the young scamps half a month, and then they would come to the Marquis of Nanhai's residence to stretch their muscles!
The young scamps all looked as if their souls had departed their bodies, their faces ashen.