Chapter 63: Big Sister, I Wrote A Poem For You

The mother was being mourned, but her son was so excited that he sat before the feast and gorged himself, truly overturning many people’s worldview. Many looked stunned, unable to believe such things could be done by a biological son. Such extreme unfilial behavior made the guests around quietly shake their heads.

Just as Zheng Zhuang was eating with great relish, a wail came from outside the door, “Aunt, you died so miserably, your nephew has come too late~”

Everyone was startled and turned to look. They saw a short man rush in, wailing nonstop. Li Chaosheng, who was mixed in at a table eating meat and drinking, nearly sprayed his wine. He recognized the newcomer: the third of Yanggu’s four talents, Wen Buzhi, that lecherous third brother who wrote the famous poem “Manhood.”

Now, recalling it, that masterpiece still echoed in Li Chaosheng’s mind for a long time.

Autumn night thickens, you all come to this place, reaching out to touch the kiln, both enter the cave together.

Wen Buzhi came in and first lay in front of the altar and wailed for a while. The crying was genuinely sorrowful. After all, when his aunt was alive she often secretly gave him money to spend. Now that the aunt was dead, he feared not a single penny would be given to him.

Watching Wen Buzhi cry on and on, Zheng Zhuang’s younger concubine kicked Zheng Zhuang and said, “Your cousin is wailing again. But all is well now. The old lady is dead, so our family’s money won’t have to fill his holes anymore.”

Zheng Zhuang heard this, bit into a pig trotter, and sneered, “My cousin lazes around every day, relying on my mother to support him. He won’t get that luck from me. Not a single cent will he swindle away.”

Zheng Zhuang said this and drank a gulp of wine. Beside him, the second concubine, the older but elegant one had a slight shift in expression and she said, “Husband, after all he is your cousin. If you can help him a bit, then help.”

“Oh, little sister, that’s an interesting thing to say. Our Zheng family’s money did not drop from the sky, you know? If you want to be a good person, little sister, use your own private funds.”

“You…”

The second concubine glared angrily, eyes wide. These Zheng family relationships were truly messy. The former third concubine, after getting involved with Zheng Zhuang, became the first concubine, while the former second concubine remained the second. Although she was older than the new first concubine in age, by etiquette she had to call that first concubine “older sister.”

The former third little sister became an elder sister. Do you think the second one had no resentment? And Zheng Zhuang was the same as his father, preferring the younger ones. Did he not know the older ones had more flavor? It was this cousin who knew how to appreciate an older woman.

Wen Buzhi cried for a while, then lifted his head and looked at the steward, saying, “Steward, where is my cousin?”

The steward then pointed to the table where only three people were seated. Wen Buzhi’s eyes brightened. He stood up and walked over.

“Cousin.”

Zheng Zhuang did not even bother to look at him in the eye, “Oh, cousin, you need something?”

“Hey, why are you talking like this? We are cousins. Our aunt just passed away, of course I would come to see her off.”

After saying that, Wen Buzhi sat directly at the dining table and said, “Steward, bring another set of bowls and chopsticks.”

The steward rolled his eyes at him, not very pleased, but still went to get another set of bowls and chopsticks. Wen Buzhi sat down and began hunting across the table for tasty food, stuffing things like shrimp meat and pork knuckle into his mouth.

He ate and drank, then looked at Zheng Zhuang with a smile and said, “Cousin, now that Aunt is gone, the vast Zheng family business falls into your hands. You’ll be a big rich man. Cousin is your real cousin. From now on we must be closer. Cousin will help you a bit so you won’t be cheated.”

Zheng Zhuang snorted when he heard this and said, “You will try to trick me. Without you, no one can trick me.”

After saying that he turned his head aside. Wen Buzhi, not offended, continued, “Gosh, why do you speak like that? Your cousin here plans to take the imperial exams. If I pass, it will be a great benefit to the Zheng family. In the future, if we brothers join forces, won’t the world be ours?”

“Stop talking nonsense, cousin. I’ll be frank with you. From now on, not a single cent of Zheng family money will be given to you.”

Zheng Zhuang said this with a dark face.

“Hey, you…”

Wen Buzhi was about to argue, but saw the second concubine beside him constantly giving him looks. Wen Buzhi immediately put on a smiling face and said, “Hahaha… cousin has really grown up. Good. With the Zheng family estate in your hands I can rest easy. Drink, drink.”

Wen Buzhi cheerfully raised his cup. Zheng Zhuang originally did not want to respond, but then the second concubine said, “Husband, your cousin also means well. We cannot be too ungracious or people will ridicule us.”

Zheng Zhuang then raised his cup and downed it with Wen Buzhi. The atmosphere slowly eased.

After the meal, everyone dispersed. Li Chaosheng and Shopkeeper Zhou stood up and began to play funeral music. During this time Wen Buzhi did not even notice Li Chaosheng. Li Chaosheng continued without any disturbance.

They played for about two hours. It was already late at night when the funeral music stopped. The work for today was done. Li Chaosheng and Shopkeeper Zhou were assigned guest rooms to stay in and would return to the city tomorrow. At this time the city gates were already closed.

However, Zheng Zhuang, the two concubines, and Wen Buzhi could not sleep. They had to keep vigil over the old lady.

Li Chaosheng returned to the room, a bit drowsy, and fell asleep. Once he slept, the two paper men awakened, slowly climbed out of Li Chaosheng’s arms and said, “Little Black, want to go out and play?”

“No. You tricked me last night.”

“Hey, hey, don’t be petty. This time I definitely won’t trick you. There happens to be a corpse outside. Let’s try the Musical Instrument Requiem Method our Master taught us.”

Little White kicked Little Black lightly. Little Black heard this and said, “Alright, let’s go out for a stroll.”

Then he flew out together with Little White. They flew near the tent and halfway there the two little paper dolls suddenly saw Wen Buzhi, who was at that moment talking with the second concubine.

“What is going on? Why didn’t you let me speak at the table just now?”

“You fool, what do you know? That idiot, Zheng Zhuang, is bewitched by that little vixen and is muddled. Now he treats you like an enemy. If you chase after benefits, won’t that make Zheng Zhuang angrier?”

“Ah, that little bitch. Sooner or later I’ll deal with her. Big sister, help me with this.”

At this moment Wen Buzhi slipped a hand onto the second concubine’s buttocks and put on a pleading look.

“Ah! Do you have a death wish? Someone might see us.”

She shot Wen Buzhi a look. Wen Buzhi immediately grinned and said, “I am not afraid of being seen. Kill me and I’ll accept it. To die under the peony and become a ghost is still romantic, hehe~”

“You fool, you really have the audacity. Fine, I’ll think of a way for you. But do not rush. That little vixen has tricks. I still can’t fight her lately.”

“Mm, I’m not in a hurry, I’m not in a hurry.”

Wen Buzhi said this and reached a hand toward her chest, murmuring, “Big sister, I wrote a poem for you. Let me recite it for you.”

“Recite it~”

“Big sister is beautiful, with snow-white skin and long legs. If I sleep with big sister for one night, ah~ just thinking about it makes my heart feel beautiful.”

“Look at your lecherous face~”