Those on Chu Rongguan's side pointed angrily at the young wastrels and said:
"They provoked us first."
The wastrels refused to back down:
"Chu Rongguan dared to do it, so why can't we talk about it?
We were only talking. Chu Rongguan had a guilty conscience and struck first."
Chu Rongguan glared furiously at the wastrels and said:
"What did I do? Those are all rumors.
Everyone knows rumors can't be trusted. You're nothing but a bunch of wagging tongues from the marketplace.
The Tenth Princess Consort is a daughter-in-law of the imperial family. Who are you to gossip about her?
They're showing contempt for imperial authority."
"You're the one showing contempt for imperial authority. You even dared to seduce a daughter-in-law of the imperial family. You really don't know when to stop courting death."
"I told you, those are all rumors."
"There's no smoke without fire!"
One of the wastrels remembered something. He took the packet of medicine from inside his robe, walked up to Xiao Ming, and handed it to him, saying:
"Lord Xiao, this packet of medicine fell off Chu Rongguan.
He was willing to risk his life for it and fought desperately to snatch it back. Fortunately, we were quick enough to stop him.
My lord, we suspect there's something fishy about this medicine."
At the sight of the packet, Chu Rongguan's expression changed drastically. He lunged forward to grab it:
"Give it back! That belongs to me."
Xiao Ming frowned and sidestepped, leaving Chu Rongguan grasping at empty air.
The wastrel pressed his advantage:
"Lord Xiao, you saw that, didn't you?
He's willing to risk his life for this medicine. He even tried to snatch it out of your hands.
My lord, should we summon a physician to find out what this medicine is for?"