A large splash erupted in the pond, startling a school of beautiful fish and leaving the banquet guests in stunned silence.
"Good heavens… what kind of absurd spectacle is this?"
"Duke Jin's Manor was just boasting about their close ties with Yangyuan Marquis Manor, and now General of the Western Garrison has kicked their heir into the river?"
"They’re really going at it—General of the Western Garrison disciplining his brother-in-law. He’s not sparing Duke Jin’s Manor any face at all."
Xu Wan’s eyes widened as she retracted her earlier thought that Zong Zhao had a mild temper. His decisiveness was downright terrifying—how could he just act without even exchanging words first?
Only Zong Jincheng was overjoyed, clapping his hands and cheering, "Dad, that was amazing!"
Truly worthy of the father who had once slain Huaishui with a single spear strike. This Chen Yunyu was insufferable—always whispering nonsense to his mother in the past, which had infuriated him so much that he’d once ordered Buyan to beat Chen Yunyu black and blue.
Now, before he could even report the matter to his father, Zong Zhao had taken action himself. It just proved that so people were born to be punched—no matter the ti or place. Heh.
"Yunyu!" Xu Lian'er shrieked. "Soone, help! Quickly! My husband can’t swim!"
The colorful koi fish scattered in panic as Chen Yunyu flailed wildly in the water, his head bobbing up and down as he gulped mouthfuls of pond water.
"H-help… help … glug… glug…"
"......"
Another wave of silence fell over the crowd.
Who would dare save soone kicked in by the General of the Western Garrison?
Every guest at the banquet was a shrewd socialite, each more adept at picking sides than the last. Though Duke Jin's Manor held a ducal title, they lacked real power—how could they possibly challenge the most favored first-rank general in the empire?
In the end, it was Duke Jin's Manor’s own servants who scrambled to fish Chen Yunyu out. Gasping for breath, he coughed out, "Zong… Zong… you… you…"
Afraid he’d say sothing reckless, Xu Lian'er hastily covered his mouth. "Yunyu, calm down first! Don’t be angry! General Zong is our brother-in-law—he didn’t an it! It’s just a misunderstanding!"
She loudly insisted this for the crowd’s benefit, swallowing the humiliation in hopes of still clinging to the general’s influence.
The guests exchanged glances, most barely concealing their amusent. Few had any interest in humoring her.
Chen Yunyu, however, was furious. Staggering to his feet, he gritted his teeth and demanded, "Brother-in-law, if this was a misunderstanding, shouldn’t you apologize?"
After all, they were brothers-in-law, frequently crossing paths in the capital. No one wanted outright hostility—this was an unspoken rule among nobles.
But he couldn’t stand Zong Zhao—how could one man have it all? A beautiful wife, fa, power… while he had nothing?
Chen Yunyu’s eyes still burned with resentnt.
The crowd gasped.
Who couldn’t see through Xu Lian'er’s desperate face-saving act?
Yet instead of playing along, Chen Yunyu had the audacity to demand an apology from the General of the Western Garrison… Had he lost his mind? Left his brain at ho today?
SPLASH!
Zong Zhao kicked him back into the pond.
The spectators erupted in shock, the thrill of fresh drama drawing even more onlookers—adults and children alike craning their necks for a better view.
Chen Yunyu was no match for Zong Zhao. This ti, he plunged headfirst into the water with an even louder crash.
"AHH!!" Xu Lian'er scread hysterically. "Husband!!"
"Hahaha!" Zong Jincheng laughed, clapping wildly. "This is great! Dad’s the best! Kick him again! He dared glare at us—let him drink more pond water!"
Xu Wan covered half her face, torn between amusent and exasperation. In the capital, she maintained a reserved, conflict-avoidant deanor—not out of fear, but to avoid wasting precious parenting ti on worthless people.
Zong Zhao, however, was different. He acted on impulse, unrestrained by convention or consequence. If soone displeased him, he kicked first and asked questions never.
This kind of freedom was sothing she lacked… yet secretly envied.
Chen Yunyu was fished out again, now drenched and covered in pondweed and mud. This ti, the kick had clearly struck harder—he clutched his chest, coughing violently.
Zong Zhao looked down at him coldly. "I find you… extrely disagreeable."
Chen Yunyu’s head snapped up in disbelief. How could Zong Zhao outright voice such harsh words? He clenched his fists but dared not retaliate—another kick into the river, and his dignity would be shattered for good.
The ssage was clear to all: Duke Jin's Manor had been shalessly clinging to the general’s coattails, and he’d finally had enough.
Xu Lian'er paled. Was Zong Zhao really cutting ties with them so ruthlessly?
"Brother-in-law, please, it’s all a mistake! Let explain—"
Zong Zhao ignored her completely, steering Xu Wan toward the main banquet. Only the little troublemaker turned back, sticking out his tongue and pulling a mocking face.
Xu Lian'er nearly exploded with rage. That spoiled brat!!
With the show over, the crowd dispersed, casting disdainful looks at Chen Yunyu and Xu Lian'er. Neither of them had any grace worth respecting.
Even after walking far away, Zong Jincheng kept chattering excitedly. "Dad, how hard did you kick him? You held back, right? He didn’t even cough up blood!"
Xu Wan patted his slender arm. "There were too many witnesses. Drawing blood would’ve been ssy to handle."
Hearing their conversation, Zong Zhao suddenly frowned. "Did Chen Yunyu do sothing to you two before?"
Zong Jincheng blinked. "Huh? You didn’t know? Then why’d you kick him?"
"His eyes offended ," Zong Zhao said flatly.
The boy gave a thumbs-up. "Dad, you’re sharp! He once tried to steal Mom away—I overheard him!"
Zong Zhao stopped dead in his tracks.
Xu Wan froze, eting his gaze.
Oh no.
Wasn’t this just adding fuel to the fire? What man could tolerate hearing his wife had been propositioned?
Zong Zhao turned on his heel.
Xu Wan hurried after him. "Where are you going?"
"I didn’t kick hard enough," he growled. "I’m fixing that."
Xu Wan: "......"
"Yay! Go, Dad!" Zong Jincheng cheered, never one to miss a chance for chaos. "Punch him until his face swells up! Make sure he never shows himself in public again!"
Zong Zhao stord back with long strides.
Xu Wan lifted her skirts, jogging to keep up. "Zong Zhao, Zong Zhao—calm down! That was ages ago! Besides, I already had Buyan teach him a lesson back then! This is General Qi’s Mansion—don’t be rash! Think this through!"
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