Although their engagement had long since been settled, Xing Xiuyan had come this time under the pretext of visiting her future sister-in-law, Jia Yingchun. As her future brother-in-law, Sun Shaozong had no summons and could hardly barge in to demand an explanation.
After giving it some thought, he went to You Erjie's rooms in the west wing of the rear courtyard and had her summon Mother You for private instructions. He sent her to investigate the Xing household nearby. The Xings were staying in the small courtyard that had once belonged to the You family, so Mother You knew all the neighbors well. No one was better suited for the task.
Having received her orders, Mother You naturally did not dare delay. She hurried back to the old house with Cai Xia and returned roughly half an hour later.
"I heard that Eldest Master of Rongguo Mansion held a banquet two days ago. When Master Xing returned home, he kicked up a fuss. He has had a black face ever since, and no one in the whole neighborhood dares speak to him."
"And besides..."
So it really was because of Jia She again!
Last time, he had come to Sun Mansion under the excuse of celebrating the Second Prince's birthday, demanding an outrageous sum. After Sun Shaozong refused him, he bore a grudge and began spreading rumors outside, utterly disregarding the marriage ties between their families.
He had always been a shameless rascal, but he still bore the title of Eldest Master of Rongguo Mansion. Before long, quite a few people had truly come to believe that the Jia and Sun families had turned against one another.
That was also why Jia Zheng had made such a grand visit and specifically mentioned that Jia She was confined at home for