The fool has become a spirit, and she can speak

Chapter 1715 Brothers in Suffering

Wan Lianxing was a master at bewitching people. He looked at Madam Wan and said, "Sister-in-law, let's use family discipline. This person has no respect for elders and is lawless. If he is not disciplined, he will grow up to be crooked."

Without a doubt, under Wan Lianxing's intimidating instigation, Cheng Feng received a thorough beating.

Cheng Feng lay on the bed complaining, "Wife, is there anywhere to reason with him? My brother-in-law got the short end of the stick from you, and now he's taking it out on me. I'm so angry but I don't dare to vent it. What did I do to deserve this?"

"Hmph!" Shang Xi vigorously sprinkled the wound medicine onto Cheng Feng's injured buttocks. "Kind people are bullied, and good horses are ridden! Your uncle is treating us like pushovers!"

"Wife, you're smart. Think of some other way to stop this. Our son is only ten years old. What kind of wife is he going to marry? This is a pipe dream! It's absurd!"

"Hmph! Your mother has been bewitching Cheng Youning over and over again for your father's sake. If Cheng Youning doesn't get married to bring good luck to your father, then Cheng Youning is considered extremely unfilial, a sinner to the Wan family, and unworthy of being a grandson. How can a child like Cheng Youning withstand her moral blackmail!"

Cheng Feng turned his head to look at Shang Xi, "Wife, what did you just say about kidnapping?"

“Moral blackmail. Your mother is using morality to blackmail your son, and all of us. She takes advantage of her age to put us in a dilemma where not listening to her is considered unfilial. This method is not sophisticated, but it works well and is most effective against filial sons like you and Cheng Youning.”

“Daughter-in-law, I am filial, but not blindly so. However, you are right, our son has indeed been morally blackmailed by his grandmother! But is there any way to prevent our son from being morally blackmailed by them?”

"You mean it's unconventional!"

"Yes, it's the anti-routine!"

"Hmph, your mother and your uncle hit it off immediately. With their combined strength, how could we possibly be a match for them! Ge Dongqing is truly despicable. He's the one who came up with this dirty trick. Your uncle isn't a superstitious person. Without Ge Dongqing's instigation, your uncle wouldn't have thought of this 'marrying for good luck' idea."

"I believe you, wife. This wicked scheme was Uncle Ge's idea. He deserves to lose his wife and children!"

"Hmph, he doesn't deserve to be separated from his wife and children! He's just a childless man!"

"Honey, is it really appropriate for us to talk about Uncle Ge like that? You can't insult someone by calling them childless, can you? Isn't that a bit too harsh?"

Shang Xi didn't take it seriously. What did it matter that she scolded Ge Dongqing? She wanted to whip him twice. "I didn't say that. Go listen to what people say on the street. Everyone knows he's childless. If he doesn't want to live off childless people, he can do what your uncle does and snatch children from other people, or have his woman cheat on him. To put it bluntly, your uncle and Ge Dongqing are two unfortunate brothers, and the kind that don't deserve pity!"

Cheng Feng glanced towards the door and whispered, "Wife, did you poison your mouth today? Wife, be careful what you say. If this gets to your uncle's ears, he'll punish you for disrespect. He may look like a smiling tiger, but he's actually very vengeful."

"Hmph! Let him cut off my head if he dares!" Shang Xi had a bellyful of grievances with nowhere to vent them. If Wan Lianxing were to scold her today, she would definitely argue with him. She wanted to show him how loyal she had been to him all these years!

The young couple's conversation soon reached Wan Lianxing's ears, and his attendant said with a grin, "Your Majesty, your niece-in-law has called Lord Ge a childless man."

The most vicious insults could not have been used, and the sensitive and suspicious Wan Lianxing immediately pressed, "She insulted me too, didn't she?"

"Hahaha, she said you and Lord Ge are brothers in misfortune!"

Ge Dongqing looked like he was facing a lawsuit, full of bitterness and resentment, his face full of worry. "Brother, I have offended Shang Xi. She used to be very respectful to you, always calling you Uncle Ge this and Uncle Ge that whenever we met. Now she dares to mock you to my face. It's no wonder she calls me childless behind my back."

"You're not the only one being scolded; I didn't escape it either! Who would have thought that a marriage to ward off bad luck would elicit such a strong reaction from that young couple? And you, you've married several wives and concubines, yet you can't bear a single child. If you could try harder and produce a child, wouldn't you be able to hold your head high and not be called my sworn brother?"

“Brother, you can’t blame me for not being able to have children! I’ve tried my best. Brother, your niece-in-law’s mouth is too sharp; she’s made me feel so ashamed. How could I, Ge Dongqing, become childless?” Ge Dongqing cried. He wasn’t crying because of Shang Xi’s words; he was crying because he heard that Lu Siniang was pregnant, and when he thought of himself, Shang Xi’s words were like a sword hanging over his head. He was afraid that Shang Xi’s words would come true and he would become childless. He cried and said, “Brother, my family has had only one son for three generations, and only one male heir for five generations! If it’s my generation…”

Wan Lianxing waved his hand, telling him to stop. "Brother, others may not know your situation, but do you think I don't? You are at most the only son in two generations."

"Brother, we can't let this skill be lost with me!"

"What's the use of crying? You have to work hard yourself! Look at you, you've neglected to supervise your wives and concubines, and your harem is a mess. But that's nothing compared to what you're going to do. Don't let yourself be indulging in debauchery all day long and end up with an heir. That would be a real joke!"

Ge Dongqing looked aggrieved and pitiful. "Big brother, Shang Xi's mouth is simply poisonous! How could she curse us brothers like that! It's one thing to talk about me, but she doesn't even spare you, big brother. Who are you, big brother? You are the emperor, the supreme ruler, how could you be called childless?"

Unseen by Ge Dongqing, Wan Lianxing's heart was weeping. "My dear brother, to be honest, if You Ning hadn't been adopted by me, I would have been a certainty of having no offspring. Although Shang Xi's words were unpleasant, they were the truth. The whole country knows I am childless, so why should I be afraid of what others say? I have long since let it go."

The attendant sat there laughing. If Wan Lianxing had let go of his resentment, he could have sent him to the Prince's mansion to eavesdrop on the young couple's private conversations.

"But that's none of Shang Xi's business! Your heart is breaking!" Ge Dongqing was in pain for himself, not for Wan Lianxing. At this moment, he was too busy crying for himself to even cry for others! The phrase "extinct lineage" had deeply pierced his fragile heart.

"Then what do you want me to do? Punish her for the crime of disrespect? If I do that, I will be gossiped about behind my back. Over the years, Shang Xi's contributions to me and the people are evident to all! She has done a lot to provide relief to the people, offered suggestions for improving the land, and contributed money and effort to resettling the refugees. Even the weapons that I, Fengqi, use are improved by Shang Xi again and again. Shang Xi has made great contributions to the state of Fengqi and is a meritorious official in the expansion of Fengqi's territory."