Chapter 641: A Battle of Wits and Courage
Chapter 641: A Battle of Wits and Courage
Meng Laoye was stunned by the remark.
Meng Bo, who had been eavesdropping outside the room, turned his head and saw four people standing behind him, giving him a massive fright!
"Good heavens!"
He clutched his chest, his face pale as he stared at the four people.
Being scared to death by a sudden fright is no joke!
This was far more terrifying than seeing a ghost at midnight. When had these people sneaked up behind him?
Ji Li pointed inside, "Keep watching. Don't worry about us; we'll just hang around."
Meng Bo: "…"
Yu Zi Chuan, to get a better view of someone’s embarrassment, moved his royal buttocks from the roof to the veranda.
Apart from him, there was Shangguan Ling, who was thrilled to the core, and Qing Shuang, who had been drawn by the commotion.
Qing Shuang said, "The Grand Marshal actually admitted to being the top scholar."
Lu Yuan had once taken the imperial exams on Xun Yu's behalf, achieving the top rank. The title of top scholar was, in fact, his own glory.
This was a past he preferred not to mention.
He didn’t care to clear his name or reveal his scars to others, nor did he care how others perceived him.
Whether he was cruel or uneducated, he didn’t bother to explain.
But today, to stay at the Meng Clan Estate, he had actually defended his honor?
Shangguan Ling was speechless, "I’ve really seen it all today…"
Meng Laoye glanced at Lu Yuan, "Nonsense. I’ve never heard of the First-Rank Great Marshal being a top scholar. I’ve only heard that Grand Marshal Lu is uneducated and incompetent."
The handsome young man smiled at Meng Laoye, "Old man, why don’t we test if he has the talent of a top scholar?"
Without waiting for Meng Laoye to refuse, he quickly continued, "I have an idea that will make him back down and keep that girl in Youzhou, to keep you company."
Meng Laoye glared at his wayward grandson, "Stop suggesting stupid ideas."
The handsome young man said seriously, "This time, it’s not a stupid idea. If it is, you don’t have to listen."
The four people outside were incredibly curious and wanted to know what kind of crazy idea he had.
Shangguan Ling patted Meng Bo's shoulder, "Can this kid really pull it off?"
Meng Bo thought for a moment and said honestly, "He has a basket full of stupid ideas, but whether they work or not is another story."
Shangguan Ling said in puzzlement, "Why do I feel like the Grand Marshal is about to be tricked?"
Yu Zi Chuan: "He doesn’t seem to have any good intentions."
Qing Shuang: "Hmm."
The five of them perked up their ears.
The handsome young man didn’t speak loudly.
He leaned close to Meng Laoye’s ear and whispered something.
A thoughtful look flashed in Meng Laoye’s eyes.
The handsome young man smiled, "What do you think? Isn’t it a good idea?"
Meng Laoye, unusually, didn’t scold him.
The handsome young man held out his hand, "Old man, give me some silver to spend."
Meng Laoye kicked him out.
Then, he "invited" Lu Yuan out as well.
However, he didn’t expel him from the Meng Clan Estate but arranged a courtyard for him to stay in.
Of course, it was far from Meng Qianqian’s courtyard.
When they moved into the courtyard, Shangguan Ling looked incredulous, "So, we’re just… staying at the Meng Clan Estate? What did that kid say to the old man to make him change his mind?"
Lu Yuan didn’t answer but said, "Go find him."
Shangguan Ling asked, "Why?"
Lu Yuan replied, "You’ll see when you go."
"Alright."
Shangguan Ling turned to leave but stopped at the threshold, "Where should I find him? I forgot which younger brother of the young lady Meng Bo is."
Lu Yuan said, "Meng Lang."
"Got it."
Outside the courtyard, the person had introduced himself as Meng Xuan, but the Grand Marshal had said lying has consequences.
Shangguan Ling, curious about Meng Lang, set off.
Though it was his first time at the Meng Clan Estate, he was the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, so it wouldn’t be too hard to find Meng Lang’s courtyard.
Meng Lang seemed to have anticipated his visit. He lounged in a wicker chair in the courtyard, one hand behind his head, the other holding a delicious peach, savoring it with evident enjoyment.
His casual and free-spirited demeanor added a touch of unbridled charm.
Shangguan Ling suddenly thought of a phrase—Dashing Youth on a Steed.
"Here you are."
Meng Lang said leisurely, "Not coming yourself but sending a lackey? This lack of sincerity makes it hard for me to cooperate."
Shangguan Ling’s mouth twitched, "What official airs and graces are you putting on, brat?"
Meng Lang laughed, "You guys have official airs, but do you dare put them on?"
Shangguan Ling: …Why is this kid so annoying?
Shangguan Ling suppressed his anger and said to Meng Lang, "The Grand Marshal sent me to find you."
Meng Lang said, "Oh, you mean my brother who’s neither good-looking nor useful? What does he want you to do?"
Shangguan Ling said, "He didn’t say. He just told me to find you."
Meng Lang smiled and thought for a moment, "I have a pretty good idea what he wants you to do."
He then held out his hand to Shangguan Ling.
Shangguan Ling asked curiously, "What for?"
Meng Lang smiled, "One hundred taels of silver, and I’ll tell you."
Shangguan Ling was taken aback, "You’re really that ruthless, kid?"
Meng Lang shrugged, "Do you want to leave empty-handed, or do you want to spend a little to save trouble? Your choice."
Shangguan Ling’s mouth twitched.
One rebellious Yu Zi Chuan was already a headache, and now the Meng Clan Estate had an even worse one.
He had been watching the Grand Marshal’s misfortune, but now the stone had hit his own foot—
One hundred taels it is.
Better than getting scolded later.
Shangguan Ling handed over the silver note.
Meng Lang gave him a letter, "Here you go."
"Is that it?"
Shangguan Ling asked hesitantly.
Meng Lang patted the silver note, "Go on, you won’t be disappointed."
Shangguan Ling took the letter back to Lu Yuan’s room with mixed feelings.
When he opened the letter, he was stunned.
The letter clearly stated: Promissory Note.
Shangguan Ling was baffled.
So, he had spent one hundred taels to buy a promissory note?
Even more outrageous, the promissory note clearly stated that the First-Rank Great Marshal owed Meng Lang three favors.
He panicked, "Grand Marshal, this kid is raising the stakes!"
He remembered it was supposed to be one favor.
But when he looked at the Grand Marshal’s expression, he saw no surprise or dissatisfaction.
So, the Grand Marshal had really agreed to the brat’s unreasonable terms?
When?
Lu Yuan said calmly, "Prepare the writing materials."
"Ah, you’re really going to sign it?"
"Do I need your approval to do my job?"
"Of course not!"
Shangguan Ling, having learned to be a yes-man from the young lady, fetched the writing materials and ink.
Lu Yuan, with a straight face, took the brush and ink, and signed the promissory note.
Shangguan Ling took the promissory note back to Meng Lang.
Meng Lang patted the promissory note and raised an eyebrow, "First-Rank Great Marshal, Great Liang Huang Changsun, is just so-so."
(End of Chapter)
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