"Stop screaming." Cheng Jinyang put the mask on Xiao Wangshu and pushed her towards the bathroom. "Hurry up and brush your teeth, your mouth reeks."
Then he turned around and said to the tearfully weak Cui Xiaoniang(Young lady) on the bed, "Behave yourself. We have guests coming today. Don't cause any trouble, or I'll send you back to the Cui family estate."
"Guests? Who?" Cui Xiaoniang immediately became curious.
"People from the Fanyang Lu family," Cheng Jinyang replied.
They were probably here for that plan, so getting to know their teammates in advance was good.
"Oh, I know the Fanyang Lu family well!" Cui Jinqi said with a grin. "Our Cui and Lu families have a good relationship. How about I say a few good words for you in front of them?"
"Wait until they arrive," Cheng Jinyang said ambiguously.
In the afternoon, guests indeed arrived at the estate's entrance, reportedly a brother and sister from the Fanyang Lu family.
Cheng Yuexian and Cheng Huaiyan went out to greet them, while Cui Jinqi and Cheng Jinyang hid in the shadows of the corridor, sneaking a peek at the visitors.
"I know them." She turned around, beaming. "Here's your chance again, ask me to help you say something nice."
"No need," Cheng Jinyang replied.
"Don't regret it then." Cui Jinqi walked out, waving to the siblings, "Qingyun!"
The girl coming over brightened up, "Jinqi? What are you doing here?"
The two girls ran to each other, holding hands and chatting happily, whether genuinely friendly or just putting on a show.
The brother from the Lu family frowned and asked, "Cui Jinqi, is she also your guest?"
"The clan leader's friend," Cheng Huaiyan answered.
"Your clan leader certainly has a wide circle of friends," the other party replied with a sneer.
Cheng Huaiyan remained silent, knowing this was Lu Zhongyou, the son of the fourth elder of the Lu family, known for being "impetuous" and not easy to get along with.
As for his sister, Lu Qingyun, she had a reputation for being "serene and graceful."
In these times, a family's judgment of their children was based solely on their potential for supernatural abilities, not their personality.
Lu Zhongyou had a guaranteed fourth-grade bloodline talent with a slight chance of reaching the third grade, whereas Lu Qingyun was also guaranteed fourth grade but had no chance of the third grade.
This slight probability difference made Lu Zhongyou's status in the family much higher than Lu Qingyun's.
Rumor had it he looked down on his sister, though Lu Qingyun, with her good nature, maintained a decent sibling relationship.
"Since you're here, bring your clan leader out to meet us," Lu Zhongyou said arrogantly, hands behind his back.
Cheng Jinyang: ...
No wonder Cui Jinqi asked if I needed her to say something nice. This Lu guy looks like the type to cause trouble for no reason! I feel like if I go out there now, I'll definitely be mocked and ridiculed.
However, on second thought, this is my Cheng family estate. How can I let someone disrespect me on my home turf?
So he leisurely made his way over to the Lu siblings.
Seeing Cheng Jinyang approach, Cui Jinqi wore a look of anticipation; Lu Qingyun smiled, her eyes darting between Cheng Jinyang and Cui Jinqi, guessing at their relationship.
A quick glance at the siblings gave Cheng Jinyang an impression of them: Lu Zhongyou stood with hands behind his back, chin raised high, a typical arrogant young man. He didn't just look down on Cheng Jinyang, but probably on everyone but himself.
Lu Qingyun, on the other hand, was pretty and caught his eye. About the same age as Cui Jinqi, she had shoulder-length hair and soft, gentle features, clearly a very kind and delicate young lady.
"Are you Cheng Jinyang?" Lu Zhongyou asked arrogantly, his chin still slightly raised, nearly speaking through his nose.
"Yes," Cheng Jinyang smiled and bowed, saying loudly, "Nice to meet you, Brother Zhongyou."
Lu Zhongyou was a bit older (20 years old), making them peers. According to family etiquette, Cheng Jinyang needed to bow first, and the other would return the gesture.
However, before he could bow, Lu Zhongyou sneered:
"Ordinary aptitude, dull disposition. My Lu family does not exchange courtesies with a useless person."
"My Cheng family's teachings are quite the opposite." Cheng Jinyang's expression remained unchanged as he formally bowed, completing the gesture.
Pffft, the two girls beside them couldn't hold back their laughter.
Lu Qingyun first chuckled, then forcibly stopped herself, looking somewhat annoyed and displeased. Cheng Jinyang's words had not only implied that Lu Zhongyou was the "useless person," but also criticized the Lu family's upbringing.
As for Cui Jinqi, she had no such reservations and burst into laughter, tears streaming from her eyes:
"Qingyun, look! I told you he's not an honest person. See how angry he's made your brother."
Lu Zhongyou also understood the underlying meaning in Cheng Jinyang's words and clenched his fists in fury, instinctively wanting to punch him. However, considering his sister, Miss Cui, and the Cheng family members present, it wouldn't be appropriate to act out and lose his composure, making a fool of himself. So, he could only angrily fling his sleeve and shout:
"A sharp-tongued dog that barks is often cowardly inside!"
This meant he was accusing Cheng Jinyang of being all talk and no action.
"Brother Lu is right." Cheng Jinyang feigned a look of shame and acceptance, "The way of the dogs, I really didn't know. Now, after Brother Lu's explanation, I am enlightened."
Lu Qingyun couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter, while Miss Cui laughed so hard she clutched her stomach in pain.
"You!" Having been humiliated twice in a row, Lu Zhongyou finally couldn't restrain himself and raised his hand, about to deliver a blow to destroy the dignity of the one who had insulted the Lu family.
However, Lu Qingyun quickly grabbed his arm, stopping his action, then sternly said:
"Cheng Jinyang, the Lu family visits the Cheng family land, and this is how you treat your guests? Truly eye-opening."
"You jest, miss." Cheng Jinyang also responded seriously, "The Cheng family's way of treating guests is nothing more than eight words: return virtue with virtue."
When he mentioned "eight words," the first half being "return virtue with virtue," Lu Qingyun immediately caught on and narrowed her eyes, asking:
"And the other half is 'return grievance with grievance'?"
"No, it's 'courtesy first, then force'." Cheng Jinyang smiled and said, "Return virtue with virtue, courtesy first, then force. That's all."
Lu Qingyun remained silent.
Returning grievance with grievance might feel satisfying, but aristocratic families valued propriety. Such straightforwardly chivalrous behavior was considered the way of the common folk. Acting on it was one thing, but stating it outright was unbecoming.
As for "courtesy first, then force," it was straightforward and left no room for criticism.
Earlier, Cheng Jinyang had indeed shown due courtesy, while it was Lu Zhongyou who had been needlessly offensive. Realizing this, Lu Qingyun sighed softly and said nothing more.
"Courtsey first, then force?" Lu Zhongyou sneered, then calmed his anger and said indifferently, "It's not as righteous as Confucius' 'repay resentment with straightness,' but it has the undertone of military strategists' use of force. Well said! Truly worthy of a military family."
He had suffered two setbacks and had no way to save face. However, his sister's prior questioning of Cheng Jinyang, followed by his unflustered response, eased the previously tense atmosphere, allowing him to back down gracefully. This showed that while Lu Zhongyou was impulsive, he wasn't entirely thoughtless.
Seeing that Lu Zhongyou didn't persist, and instead feigned compliment and tacitly conceded, Cheng Jinyang decided to let it go and gestured:
"Please, this way."
The Lu siblings walked ahead, with Cui Jinqi trailing behind. She sidled up to Cheng Jinyang and whispered:
"When did you become so sharp-tongued?"
"Don't be silly." Cheng Jinyang mimicked Lu Zhongyou's arrogant expression and said, "Did you think I, the clan leader of the Cheng family, have been hanging around for nothing?"