Ren Zhixian’s true intention was: See that? Even if you, lad from the Sang family, are Grandma Shi’s own brother and the top-ranked Xie Yuan, my Cui Bao still sneers at you! Clearly, you’re not that impressive!
Who would have known that upon hearing these words, Cui Bao would be stunned? Grandma Shi is the future family head’s wife, and her legitimate brother would surely not be considered inferior in the future! And he’s a Xie Yuanlang, no less!
"Cui Bao is impolite. I ask for Young Master Sang’s forgiveness!" Without waiting for Ren Zhixian to command, Cui Bao kneeled and bowed to Sang Yufei, her demeanor as shy as it was sweet, and her smile sweeter than honey.
Ren Zhixian’s expression changed slightly, immediately feeling uncomfortable, but since he had reprimanded Cui Bao before, whether it was genuine or feigned, he couldn’t say much when Cui Bao readily took the opportunity to yield.
Sang Yufei was even more uncomfortable than Ren Zhixian, and managed a forced smile, saying "It’s alright!"
Cui Bao "giggled" with her hand covering her mouth, "Xie Yuanlang is just too polite!" It almost made Sang Yufei nauseous enough to vomit.
Shi Fenghua saw this and chuckled inwardly, thinking that just now you were laughing at me, but karma comes fast.
"Come, come, please have some tea, please!" Ren Zhixian was quite embarrassed, coughed, and reached for the tea cup.
But Shi Fenghua and Sang Yufei had already lost interest in that cup of tea; they merely touched it to their lips out of courtesy, without real intention.
Ren Zhixian did not notice and felt more lively after drinking the tea, believing the atmosphere to be quite good, and so he began his flowery speech, engaging Shi Fenghua and Sang Yufei in a "discussion on scholarship," to which Shi Fenghua and Sang Yufei could only respond half-heartedly.
Cui Bao stood silently behind Ren Zhixian, her expressive eyes casting flirtatious glances at Shi Fenghua and Sang Yufei from time to time. The more she looked at them, the more she liked them, making Ren Zhixian appear utterly unimpressive in comparison.
Ren Zhixian saw that Shi Fenghua and Sang Yufei were nodding and agreeing to everything he said. Almost all of their conversation was ambiguous and noncommittal, saying things like "Indeed!" "Exactly!" "Right!" and so on, essentially leaving him to dominate the conversation. He secretly rejoiced, thinking that in terms of learning and talent, these two lads were still far too green compared to him! His self-esteem was immensely satisfied, and upon looking at Sang Yufei again, he no longer felt as repulsed but even developed some sympathy, thinking that although not too bad looking, alas, he’s just a bookworm, completely ignorant of what "scholarly charm" is, without a trace of elegance! Poor thing, truly pitiable!
Ren Zhixian was brimming with pride, and suddenly became generous, laughing at Sang Yufei, "Brother Sang, now that you have also entered the official world, I wonder if you have any clever and charming people to serve you?"
Sang Yufei inwardly despised him, and with a faint smile said, "My family is humble, and my brother and sister-in-law have already spent a lot of money for me to study. I can’t entertain such extravagant thoughts! Besides, I have hands and feet, I can manage things myself!"
Shi Fenghua couldn’t help but respect him, "Second Brother Sang’s character is noble and virtuous; truly admirable!"
Ren Zhixian, on the other hand, didn’t agree, "How can this be! It might have been fine before, but now you are, after all, a dignified Xie Yuanlang. It would be laughable if you had no one to serve you, and it would be an insult to scholars!" He said while gesticulating grandly, then turned his head and pointed at Cui Bao with a smile, "What do you think of this girl?"
Sang Yufei was taken aback and managed a forced smile, "...Alright then." Who engages in appraising the concubine of another? Sang Yufei shook his head inwardly, strongly disdaining the idea.
But what Ren Zhixian said next truly gave him a shock! He heard Ren Zhixian laugh heartily, "I also think this girl is not bad, the smartest and most clever there is. She understands all tasks in the study. Since Brother Sang also thinks so, why don’t I present this girl to Brother Sang as a gift! With her adding fragrance by your side during your night readings, it will surely bring an extra flavor! Hahaha!" Ren Zhixian, believing himself to be generous, couldn’t help but laugh proudly.
Cui Bao was overjoyed at once, her face full of shy blush and her eyes shining as she glanced at Sang Yufei, her head lowered demurely, sending pitiable and adorable signals.
Serving Xie Yuanlang, of course, would be much better than attending to this illogical and confounding pedant.
"No need, no need!" Even the thought of this woman being Ren Zhixian’s concubine made Sang Yufei feel nauseous, he wouldn’t accept, and quickly said, "How could I take someone else’s favorite? Please, brother-in-law, I beseech you to retract your offer! I dare not accept it!"