dognovel Chapter 343 It's better to lose face than to lose your life
Chapter 343 It's better to lose face than to lose your life
After the ceremony, neither Prince Qi, Prince Xuan, nor Xiao Han announced that they should rise and discontinue the formalities.
Prince Qi and Prince Xuan both looked at Xiao Han. They didn't know the details of the feud, but since it had come to the point of drawing swords, the matter must be complicated. They felt that it was best to leave the matter to Xiao Han to handle.
The guards who had been brandishing knives and preparing to attack Long Chuqing were now kneeling on the ground with their heads down, trembling with fear at the sight of the scene.
No wonder that girl was so arrogant. Not only did she dare to beat up their young master, but she also dared to challenge the old lady and the doctor's wife, making them very angry. It turns out that she had three princes and princesses backing her up.
With such powerful backing, why would the old lady and the first lady still provoke her?
Fortunately, the girl wasn't hurt, otherwise their heads might already be on the ground.
Thinking of this, even on such a cold day, their backs were already covered in a cold sweat.
Xiao Han glanced down at the dozen or so people kneeling on the ground, and finally his gaze fell on Old Madam Ye.
He asked in a cold voice, "Madam Ye, what was your intention in ordering several guards to draw their swords against this Miss Long beside me just now?"
Despite being questioned, Madam Ye remained calm and composed.
She said with a half-smile, "Your Highness must be mistaken! How could I dare to order someone to harm people in a Buddhist sanctuary?"
"The guards in the manor were merely performing a ritual to pray for blessings and ward off bad luck, as instructed by me. Perhaps this young lady just happened to be passing by, which led to the misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? You mean that I, my two brothers, and my sister are all blind? The swords they raised were all aimed at Miss Long's back. If my guards hadn't intervened in time, they would have already done as you wished and injured her."
King Xuan crossed his arms and said, "I saw it just now too."
Princess Ruoyang stepped forward and said, "I saw it clearly too. Those swords were clearly aimed at Sister Long's back. It startled me just now. Fortunately, Sister Long is alright, otherwise my brother and I would not have let you off so easily."
Prince Qi said, "I saw it too. Is Old Madam Ye trying to fool us by making up excuses like this?"
Why? Why are they all protecting her? Hearing Prince Qi, Prince Xuan, and the princess all speak up for Long Chuqing, Ye Lingwei was filled with resentment and envy.
Faced with the group's relentless pressure, Old Madam Ye's expression turned serious.
She feigned composure and continued to explain, "This old woman would not dare to deceive Your Highnesses, nor can she bear such a crime. This is indeed a misunderstanding. As for the guard's sword-wielding behavior, it was merely a movement in the ritual. There was absolutely no intention to harm this young lady."
In short, she should just deny it. As long as she stubbornly refuses to admit it, there's nothing they can do to her.
Xiao Han glanced at her disdainfully, cursing inwardly: "Old hag, you're really shameless. You're so old, yet you still lie so easily."
Xiao Han had an idea and chuckled, "Oh, it seems I really misunderstood Madam Ye. However, I've never seen a ritual to drive away bad luck before! How about having your guards demonstrate it to my entourage?"
“I would like to see it too,” Princess Ruoyang said with a smile, taking Long Chuqing’s arm. “Sister Long, this ritual to drive away bad luck must be very interesting. We are so lucky today to be able to see a performance at the temple.”
Long Chuqing smiled faintly: "Hmm, I'd also like to see how this ritual to ward off bad luck differs from others!"
She then looked at Madam Ye.
She had already let their unwarranted harassment go unpunished, but they insisted on making her lose face.
King Xuan added fuel to the fire, saying, "I would also like to witness this novel ritual. I'm sure Old Madam Ye won't hesitate to demonstrate it."
Taking the opportunity, Prince Qi said, "Then we'll have to trouble Madam Ye to make the arrangements. It'll also be a good opportunity for us to broaden our horizons and get rid of our bad luck."
At this moment, the guards became even more uneasy. What kind of blessing ceremony was this? They had no idea about such things.
Why are they always the ones who get hurt?
Sure enough, as soon as the master opens his mouth, it's always the subordinates who suffer and take the blame.
The princes had already set up the stage for them, and they were just waiting for the performance to begin.
Old Madam Ye was now in a difficult position, having been hoisted high up; the ritual had to be performed no matter what.
If she didn't let the guards demonstrate, wouldn't that prove she had just lied to the princes?
Madam Ye knew that Prince Qin was deliberately trying to embarrass her, but since the words came from her mouth, if she denied the matter of praying for blessings, wouldn't that prove that she had just drawn her sword against that brat?
"Get up, all of you!" Xiao Han said indifferently. "Let's begin preparing the blessing ritual!"
The guards trembled with fear. They had no choice but to perform the ritual; losing face was better than losing their lives.
Madam Ye had no choice but to bite the bullet and let the guards perform.
The guards had no choice but to perform, brandishing their swords and dancing wildly and without any rhyme or reason.
The guards of King Qi and King Xuan brought stools into the main hall so that their masters could sit and watch.
Qingying, not wanting to miss out on trouble, invited other people who had come to the temple to offer incense to come and watch.
"Come and see, everyone! This is a ritual performed at the Prime Minister's residence to ward off bad luck. Come and see, and maybe even get some good luck yourself."
The Ye family felt insulted, but there was nothing they could do, since they were the ones who started it all.
They held all their resentment against Long Chuqing.
Looking at their venomous eyes, Long Chuqing found it all amusing.
Xiao Han didn't call a stop, so they could only keep jumping with their swords raised.
This wave of attacks was not particularly harmful, but extremely insulting.
"Amitabha."
After jumping for about half an hour, Abbot Jikong came to the rescue.
"Dear benefactors, the temple has prepared some vegetarian meals. If you do not mind, you may move to the dining hall for your meal."
They've been jumping around for so long, they've lost all face, and they've been taught a lesson enough. Since the abbot has come to their rescue, it's decided to let them go.
Xiao Han stood up from the bench. "Well, it's already noon. I suppose any bad luck will be melted away by the sun."
Xiao Han looked at Old Madam Ye and said with a hint of sarcasm, "Old Madam Ye, your Ye family's rituals seem rather improper! You should refrain from these crooked practices in the future, lest you fail to drive away the existing bad luck and instead attract new bad luck."
Everyone covered their mouths and chuckled.
When Madam Ye heard this, she almost choked on her breath, but she dared not speak out and took several deep breaths to suppress her anger.
At this moment, Madam Ye felt both angry and regretful. She should have known better than to provoke that little bitch; nothing good ever came of running into her.
Ye Lingwei bit her lip tightly, resentment rising in her heart: how dare he humiliate the Ye family like this.
"Chu Qing, Fifth Brother, Sixth Brother, Zhi'er, let's go have our meal!"
"Great!" King Xuan patted his belly. "I've been feeling quite hungry for a while now."
Xiao Han turned to Abbot Jikong and said, "I'll trouble you to lead the way, Abbot."
Abbot Jikong gestured for them to follow: "Please come with me, esteemed benefactors."
The Ye family members, filled with shame and anger, glared at Long Chuqing's departing figure.