Chapter 866: Father and Son Reunited

father owed, heartless and unfilial."I can't count on him for money, not even if our whole family starved to death."Then, where did you get these five taels of silver" Liu Shi couldn't help but ask.Ba...Zong Bai thought he would appear with great pomp and arrogance, but when Zong Pingchuan's carriage just arrived at the door and hadn't been settled properly inside, a woman rushed out, pulling Zong Pingchuan who was unwilling and had a terrible expression.

"Hurry!"

"If Taiwu's illness is delayed, he will be ruined for the rest of his life."

"Today, no matter what, I must get that bastard to agree to treat Taiwu!"

Yuan Xiangli was still dressed in her usual flamboyant attire, but her face was considerably paler than at the last imperial birthday banquet. A layer of powder couldn't hide it; it was clear that she had been through a great deal of hardship lately.

As soon as Zong Pingchuan got out of the car, he saw people everywhere. He shook off Yuan Xiangli's hand with a flick of his wrist, his brow and eyes full of impatience.

He hissed, "That's enough. You think this is still the carriage, calling people names like that"

"She is now the concubine of King Jing."

Yuan Xiangli interrupted coldly, "She's not yet!"

"Your Majesty has admitted it himself, hasn't he It's only a matter of time,"

"If you offend her, it's the same as offending Prince Jing's Residence. Prince Jing is deeply favored by both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Have you considered this for me"

Had it not been for the presence of so many people here, Zong Pingchuan would have nearly lost his gentlemanly demeanor.

He hadn't thought Yuan Xiangli was stupid before, on the contrary, she often used her status as a minister's daughter to gain many resources and support among the officials.

But recently, their family's days have become increasingly difficult. Ever since the youngest son was emasculated, everyone in the household suddenly developed a strange ailment of itching all over.

They were itching non-stop, day and night. Some maidservants couldn't control themselves and scratched their faces and bodies until they bled, making it impossible to show their faces.

Their symptoms were particularly severe, fortunately someone brought them a potion that claimed to cure all poisons. After drinking it, their symptoms noticeably improved.

But Zong Pingchuan and his wife truly suffered at home for several days, wishing they could call all the doctors in the capital to treat her. Even the imperial physician came, but he was also helpless against this illness.

I've tried all sorts of medications and dozens of ointments, but nothing can alleviate the itching.

Besides their faces, both of them had several scratch marks on their bodies.

Yuan Xiangli is a delicate young lady. She was pampered since she was little and had never suffered like this before. Her skin is more delicate and fair than ordinary people's, and it looks quite pitiful when scratched.

Although both of them are now completely symptom-free, Zongpingchuan saw the extremely unsightly scratches on his wife's fair body when they went to bed at night. Some wounds had healed and formed scabs, making him reluctant even to look at Yuan Xiangli.

He went to the study with a blanket in his arms.

During the time Fang Jinxiu was busy preparing the Hundred Vegetables Feast at Jinshu Villa, there wasn't a single peaceful day in the Zong Mansion.

The couple quarreled every day, not for this or that, but for everything. They felt that nothing was going smoothly.

Yesterday, the imperial physicians gave Zong Taiwu an ultimatum, saying that only the acupuncturist who treated his injury could cure it. Because their methods were unique, they dared not attempt treatment lightly.

After all, if one treatment doesn't work and there's a slight deviation, the second young master of the Shangshu Mansion will completely lose his fertility. The imperial physician simply cannot bear this responsibility.

Fang Jinshu never sent a hundred-vegetable banquet invitation to Zong Pingchuan. After all, she had a public disagreement with Yuan Xiangli at the Emperor's birthday banquet. Even if she invited all the dignitaries in the capital, it would be reasonable not to invite them as a couple.

So many people witnessed it at Your Majesty's birthday feast.

But today the two of them came uninvited, arguing and making a fuss even before they got out of the car, which drew curious glances from those around them.

Other officials, upon seeing Zong Pingchuan, rushed over to greet him.

"Master Zong has arrived as well."

Actually, they were very surprised to see Zong Pingchuan and his wife here.

After a moment's thought, I was deeply impressed by the other party's lofty aspirations.

That day in the main hall, Madam Zong made things so difficult for her, a weak woman. Yet, she was able to repay kindness with kindness and invite this couple to attend a banquet.

They felt ashamed and inadequate, lacking Fang Jinshu's broadmindedness.

Zongpingchuan saw that the other party's official rank was not as high as his, and he was not a heavy minister. He just nodded to the other party without replying.

His expression faltered, his face turning very unpleasant. He turned and went inside.

The officials behind him saw this and stopped thinking about greeting Zong Pingchuan, lest they bring embarrassment upon themselves.

Isn't there just a prime minister from the Yue family, not even with a powerful family background, who acts so arrogant.

From the moment the couple started arguing, Zong Bai deliberately turned away and went to greet other guests, pretending he didn't see them.

Only when Zong Pingchuan truly became angry did Yuan Xiangli have to swallow her anger. The two of them temporarily ended their argument, and he then turned his head towards this side.

"Exclaimed in feigned surprise."

"Who are you two"

Zong Pingchuan was stunned to see that the person welcoming him at the door was actually Zong Bai. He froze for a moment, then frowned deeply.

"How are you here!"ould endure in silence, he was indeed a man of character."Thank you, Jinxiu. It's okay, it's okay.""I'll help Tiger Brother rest inside first." We can't let these things at home affect his wounds any...