When these words came out, the Xu Mo siblings were all stunned.
Even the Wang family carriage behind stopped in its tracks, only lifting a corner of the curtain to reveal slender, fair fingers.
Xu Mo was good-looking, already tall and graceful at just thirteen. His adolescent aura was striking, and his younger siblings all knew it.
It was just that most young ladies only dared to sneak a peek from afar, or be secretly delighted, never having someone as blunt and thoughtless as Niu Xianxian to charge up to him so shamelessly.
Even someone as calm as Xu Mo was silent for a moment before gently saying, "Miss is joking."
"I'm not joking," Niu Xianxian widened her eyes. "My family is the foremost yuangwai in Shili Town. Ordinary men can't even catch my eye. Now I'm giving you the chance to marry into the Niu family, you should consider it your blessing."
No one had seen such an arrogant girl before.
It was like a scholar meeting a soldier - even if you were right, you couldn't make your case clearly.
Xu Moseng, who had lost both parents, been publicly caned, and accused in court, not to mention being secretly poisoned, could only turn back with a wry smile and look at his younger siblings helplessly.
Zheng Ruqian gaped, never having seen someone with skin so thick in his life.
Fang Heng tightened his grip on his staff, seeming to be in inner turmoil over whether or not he could hit a girl.
Wen Zhiyun grabbed Third Brother's sleeve, panic in his eyes, afraid Eldest Brother would be taken away to become a bandit's wife.
Jiang Sheng glared with wide eyes, looking ready to stamp her feet, but was held back by a hand on her shoulder.
Glancing back, she saw it was Fifth Brother Chang Yan.
Little Fifth, who was most silent and tactful, pulled Jiang Sheng behind him and walked up side by side with Xu Mo.
Niu Xianxian's puzzled gaze fell on him, and then suddenly lit up.
In terms of temperament, Xu Mo was unparalleled, with a gentle and noble air.
But in looks, Chang Yan was the best - the little boy had striking brows and eyes, red lips and white teeth, a dazzling beauty that made people overlook his gender.
Niu Xianxian liked those like Xu Mo, but seeing Chang Yan, she thought he wouldn't be bad either.
Unfortunately, this one was too young, no more than ten, not fully grown, with still some childishness in his features. He was not suitable to marry into her family.
Niu Xianxian shook her head and moved her gaze back to Xu Mo.
But before she could continue coercing him, Chang Yan gave a faint smile. His young voice was light and noble, but his words made listeners' expressions change. "In ancient times, Lady Qin copulated with a beast and gave birth to Sister Niu, who barked madly in the streets, harming others. Why do you think that was?"
"Oh, I know, it's because there was no elder in her household to teach her properly."
Although Niu Xianxian was blunt, she was not stupid. She immediately understood he was insulting her and flew into a towering rage, breathing heavily in anger.
Chang Yan went on. "Panting like an ox, with nostrils to match. Does Sister not have any silver at home? If not, I'll give you two taels to buy yourself a nose ring."
Niu Xianxian's eyes bulged and her hands shook.
Chang Yan frowned. "Shaking for no reason - looks like sheep epilepsy. Sister's household is truly abundant, with oxen, dogs, pigs, and sheep. No wonder she seeks those of her own kind - beasts recognize their own."
Niu Xianxian took two steps back, nearly falling over.
Chang Yan shook his head. "This is a public street, no place for beasts to roam. Sister should go back, whether to your sheep pen or cattle shed, at least it's a place to stay."
Niu Xianxian let out a great cry and fell back limply.
Chang Yan stepped back, mission accomplished, and returned to Jiang Sheng's side, patting her shoulder.
Jiang Sheng seemed released from a spell. She stared wide-eyed, at a loss for words for a long time. "Fifth...Fifth Brother, who taught you that, who taught you?"
Eldest Brother was gentle, Third Brother candid, Fourth Brother kind - none were the sort to curse or use foul language.
Could it be Second Brother?
Jiang Sheng looked at him suspiciously. Zheng Ruqian waved his hands innocently. "I don't know how to scold people either, I'm a good boy too!"
That left only self-taught brilliance.
Jiang Sheng looked again. Chang Yan had an innocent, pure look on his exquisite little face. His narrow eyes were full of artlessness. It was like the eloquent villain just now hadn't been him at all.
Oh well, however it happened, Niu Xianxian was driven off for now.
The previously arrogant and self-assured girl was now yelling furiously, wishing she could rush up and strangle Chang Yan.
But her brothers would never allow that.
Xu Mo stood at the foremost position alone, his tone indifferent. "Miss Niu, if you have any injustice, sue us in court and we'll face you fair and square. But if you want to harm my younger brother, you'll have to see if the laws of Dayu Dynasty and rules of Xieyang County allow it!"
He looked so handsome speaking righteously like that.
Niu Xianxian froze for a moment.
Taking advantage of this time, Xu Mo led his siblings away with long strides.
Leaving Niu Xianxian to be supported by her servants, inner turmoil and anger warring within her - the desire to destroy things and the longing to obtain in conflict.
Suddenly, a luxurious carriage passed by. The curtains on both sides were lifted up, and a fair, slender hand holding a large pot of cold leftover tea poured it directly onto Niu Xianxian's head.
Right on her forehead.
"Ah..." Shaking with rage, she let out a piercing scream. "Who was that, who?!"
But the carriage slipped away nimbly, ignoring her frenzy.
At the entrance to the Xieyang County yamen, Bian Wenxuan was waiting with his official hat on. Seeing Xu Mo, he leapt and skipped excitedly. "You're finally here, hurry, hurry! The witnesses and evidence are all ready, just waiting to convict that old Niu!"
Actually this was a minor dispute at most, that could be resolved with an apology and compensation. The county magistrate alone could decide it.
But Bian Wenxuan knew Zheng Ruqian was Xu Mo's brother, Fang Heng's as well, so he had to give these two face.
That's why he had deliberately waited over half a quarter hour.
Xu Mo acknowledged his favor by cupping a hand in salute and led Zheng Ruqian into the hall.
The others waited outside to listen.
Because the witnesses and evidence were ample, Mr. Niu did not resist much either, only admitting that everything had been done by the Niu family. He would compensate Zheng Ruqian ten taels of silver and restrain his household's behavior going forward.
By the time Niu Xianxian had changed outfits and rushed over, the hearing was already finished.
She charged up to the white-bearded Mr. Niu and jabbed a finger at Zheng Ruqian, yelling, "Father, what happened? Did this villain get the punishment he deserved?"
Mr. Niu sighed but did not reply.
In doting on his daughter in old age, he never expected to raise such an arrogant personality, self-centered, foolish, and arrogant. The ten taels of silver were a small matter, but Niu Xianxian's ruined reputation in Shili Town was the greater issue.
"Father, why are you sighing?" Niu Xianxian glared with wide eyes. "Don't tell me we were the ones at a disadvantage?"
"Let's go, let's go." Mr. Niu pulled her wrist. "Let's go home, Xianxian. We'll talk at home. Don't disturb the officials and master."
Just then, Bian Wenxuan and Xu Mo were chatting and laughing as they walked out of the hall.
One was recognizable in his official uniform and hat, while the other wore simple light blue robes, holding documents from the yamen in his hand - clearly the master.
Niu Xianxian gaped. Recalling her earlier talk of marrying into his family, cold sweat broke out all over.
Then Zheng Ruqian also walked over and called out, "Eldest Brother."
Xu Mo looked up, a smile in his brows and eyes. "Yes, what is it?"
Whatever they said after, Niu Xianxian could no longer hear. Her vision went black and she fainted limply to the ground.
Poor Mr. Niu still didn't know about his only daughter's outrageous remarks. Hunched over, he held her up anxiously. "Xianxian, Xianxian, what's wrong?!"
The people gathered in front of the yamen paused their conversations to look over.
Wen Zhiyun rubbed the three pulse-taking fingers on his hand, hesitating whether he should go over.
Just then, Chang Yan poked him from behind. "Does Third Brother still have that babdou powder you snorted for three days last time?"
