Unyielding Bone of Dust

The young master from the Ye Family was escorted to the front hall by his wives and concubines.

"Quickly, let the old dowager have a look. What has happened to the husband?"

"Right, could he have been bewitched?"

At this moment, another person dressed as a steward, older in years, came over and respectfully bowed to Lin Suqing and the second Crown Prince.

"Earlier, the second steward was reckless and rude, unaware of his manners, and offended your grace. We ask for your generous forgiveness," said the head steward, whose attitude was completely different from the previous one's, more composed and dignified.

The second Crown Prince replied indifferently, "It was nothing."

Then the head steward bowed to Lin Suqing, while Lin Suqing was filled with resentment. He had just suffered a series of hardships, how could it all be settled by just a few words?

"If apologies were useful, I'd beat up your young master first and then apologize. Would you accept that?"

But since the master had accepted the apology and did not pursue it further, if he continued to hold onto the matter, he risked seeming petty. He, therefore, had to compromise, "Sigh, let it be, prepare a table full of delicacies to express your gratitude." He couldn't be wronged for nothing, right? He would finally catch up on a good meal.

After knowing the full story, the old dowager treated them with great courtesy as esteemed guests, specifically instructing the servants to set up the banquet for expressing gratitude in the front hall.

When they followed the head steward there, the physician had just finished diagnosing their young master.

"What is the cause of my son's troubles?" the old dowager asked authoritatively from her seat of honor, her cane stood in front of her, capped with a smooth emerald that matched her lake-green brocaded silk gown.

"Replying to the old dowager, the young master has only injured some tendons and bones, and there are no other serious issues," said the regular family physician of the Ye residence, his tone lacking any strangeness.

The old dowager expressed surprise, "Then why is he speaking nonsense, not even recognizing me?"

"This..." The old physician seemed somewhat troubled, "Seeing as the young master truly has no other ailments, I dare not speculate without evidence."

At this moment, the legitimate wife suggested in a low voice, "Mother, how about... we send for a witch doctor?"

"Nonsense!" The old dowager slammed her cane down firmly, scolding without sparing any feelings, "Those charlatans can barely read a few words; they're good for nothing but deceiving and swindling."

While the old physician was putting away his medicine box, he noticed the head steward leading Lin Suqing and the second Crown Prince over and greeted the old dowager with a bow, "Since the old dowager has guests today, I shall not intrude further. If the young master feels any discomfort, please call upon me at any time. I take my leave."

The woman addressed as the young madam stepped forward a few paces to see him out, but the old physician stopped her courteously, "Young madam, please stay your step."

Seeing Lin Suqing and the second Crown Prince arrive, the old dowager invited them to sit down with a smile, "Honored guests, please take a seat. I apologize for any neglect; please forgive me."

But it was only the second Crown Prince who sat down, while Lin Suqing stood with his hands tied behind the Crown Prince. The old dowager voiced her surprise, "I recognized at a glance that the gentleman is distinguished and exceptional in bearing. I did not expect even his attendant to be so spirited and talented. It seems I have been short-sighted."

Lin Suqing mused internally, she hadn't seen him earlier in his t-shirt and shorts; indeed, clothes make the man, as the old dowager's compliments were probably for his attire.

The usually taciturn second Crown Prince gave only a faint smile, replying, "You flatter me."

The head steward turned around to give orders to the maids to start serving dishes, then stood behind the young master and the old dowager, maintaining a distance from their maids and attendants. In contrast to the rash second steward, the head steward was highly courteous and proper.

During their casual conversation, dishes were served one after another — Steamed Dragon Crab, Fresh Abalone in Shell, Sweet and Sour Glutinous Rice with Chicken, Clear-Steamed River Scallops... Feast after feast of delicate dishes arrived in a continuous stream, a table full of exquisite delicacies.

But the young master of the Ye residence merely glanced at the dishes before closing his eyes again, bringing his palms together and silently reciting scriptures.

Madam urged him repeatedly, "My dear, why aren't you eating? Don't you usually love this spicy rabbit meat?"

The young master gravely said, "Amitabha."

He looked as if he personally slaughtered the meat dishes before him, his expression filled with guilt.

Could he truly be a monk?

Lin Suqing watched the array of exquisite food and wine on the table, swallowing his saliva over and over again. He knew the Crown Prince definitely wouldn't eat, but he was uncertain when the elderly madam and madam would finish. He struggled to contain his drooling desire…

Gurgle~

Unexpectedly, his stomach made a noise beyond his control, heard by both the Crown Prince and the elderly madam, creating an extremely awkward situation.

The Crown Prince said, "Please have a seat."

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Lin Suqing instantly felt a rush of gratitude, thinking how caring the Crown Prince was, almost wanting to throw himself at the Prince's sleeve and weep.

Yet no sooner had he taken his seat than the faces of the elderly madam and the madam darkened somewhat, losing composure, not to mention what it implied about their Ye residence's standing. However, due to the lifesaving grace they had shown earlier to the young master of the Ye Family, they had thousands of grievances but couldn't lash out in anger at the moment.

The elderly madam said with a rigid smile, "The gentleman is really generous with the servants."

Lin Suqing, with a mouthful of chicken leg, paused and quickly replied with a smile, "Our Family Head has always been magnanimous to the servants."

As Lin Suqing continued to eat, he couldn't shake off the feeling that maybe the Crown Prince had deliberately asked him to join at the table. Could it be a ploy to irritate the elderly madam?

Perhaps it was because they had never shared a table with someone of servant status, both the elderly madam and madam had sour expressions, ceasing to pick up their chopsticks or converse with him.

At this moment, a maid brought over several plates of stir-fried vegetables and steamed rice. The elderly madam spoke with veiled anger to her son, "You do not partake in the fine food and wine; you should at least eat the rice and vegetables, right?"

The young master slowly opened his eyes and upon seeing the steamed greens before him, said, "Thank you for the offering." He then started to eat.

The elderly madam exclaimed, exasperated, "I really don't know what's gotten into you, not even recognizing your own mother."

And then she angrily added, "You better not let me find out this is some new game you're playing, or I will break your legs!"

The young madam, who was being treated as a stranger by her own husband, suddenly stood up, bowed to the elderly madam, and said, "Mother, why not investigate the Xu Family in Sitian County to see if they secretly bribed someone to ambush us?"

The elderly madam stamped her cane, rebuking, "Nonsense!"

The young madam immediately knelt down, covering her face with a handkerchief and weeping profusely, "Mother, it was indeed the Ye residence who rudely forced the marriage on the Xu family daughter-in-law to begin with. In my personal opinion, it is quite likely that the Xu family hired the assailants. I mean, who would willingly let their daughter-in-law be taken by force?"

"You are becoming more and more preposterous!" The elderly madam's anger was apparent, but due to the presence of outside guests at the table, she managed to contain her rage and could not vent it openly, instead she scolded the maid behind the young madam, "Er Ya, the young madam is unwell, why don't you take her back to her room to rest."

The young madam, hesitating to speak but also not daring to defy the elderly madam's command, could only dab the tears on her face, get up, pay respects to Lin Suqing and the Crown Prince, and then leave the banquet with the support of her maid.