Meng Ziyun had a sudden idea. "Big Brother, I know Fifth Sister is outspoken, and I certainly don't blame her. But careless words often lead to trouble. Fifth Sister should think more before she speaks in the future. How about this: let Fifth Sister copy the family rules with me to hone her temper."
Since she was already being punished, it would be even better if she could drag someone else down with her.
The others, unaware that Meng Ziyun had already been punished to copy the family rules earlier, all looked at her in shock. Good heavens, injuring the enemy a thousand by sacrificing eight hundred of her own! To make Meng Huiyun suffer punishment, she was even willing to take the punishment herself.
But with this move, no one could say she was being unfair. After all, she had even punished herself—what more could anyone say?
Meng Huiyun glared resentfully at Meng Ziyun. Was she crazy? If she wanted to copy the family rules, why drag her into it? This was exactly why she least wanted to confront Meng Ziyun—you never knew what crazy ideas she might come up with.
But the most hateful one was still Meng Shuping. If he hadn't been plotting behind my back, would she have been punished? Besides, Meng Ziyun and Meng Shuping aren't on good terms either, so why did Meng Shuping help Meng Ziyun instead of her?
Meng Shuyi thought for a moment. If he didn't impose a punishment, Meng Ziyun would undoubtedly go after Meng Huiyun in private to cause trouble. Moreover, Meng Huiyun was indeed at fault in this matter. So he said, "Then Fifth Sister will also copy the family rules ten times. Alright, let this matter end here."
Meng Shuchun quickly interjected, "Let's eat, everyone."
The others reached for their chopsticks or wine cups, and soon the atmosphere became lively again.
Meng Shuyang snorted. He had thought there would be a good show to watch, but it turned out neither of these sisters was a match for Meng Shuping. This Meng Shuping was just too hard to handle.
He set down his wine cup and said loudly, "Fifth Brother, since you grew up in the countryside, did you have to do farm work every day?"
The others, hearing this, also became interested in the topic. "Yes, yes, Fifth Brother, are there any interesting stories from the countryside? Can you tell us about them?"
"I've heard that people in the countryside start working very early every day and don't rest until very late. It must be really tough."
Seeing that he had captured everyone's attention, Meng Shuyang deliberately raised his voice again. "I've heard that in the countryside, they use manure as fertilizer. Fifth Brother, you must have handled manure too, right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone looked at Meng Shuping with sympathy. Really? Fifth Brother had handled manure? That must have been so hard.
Meng Shuping, who had just begun to relax, found himself the center of attention again. He felt his scalp crawl, and he was extremely displeased with Meng Shuyang.
[Has he lost it? We're in the middle of a meal, and he brings this up. How gross! Eww—]
[And what's wrong with shoveling manure? The vegetables he eats grew from soil fertilized with manure. If he's so brave, he shouldn't eat them!]
Hearing this, Meng Ziyun and the others also felt sick. They covered their mouths. "Ugh—"
Seeing that Meng Shuping didn't refute him, Meng Shuyang thought he had struck a nerve and felt quite pleased with himself. "Fifth Brother, you must have had a very hard life, shoveling manure often, right?"
Meng Shuping looked at him in surprise. [Why does he keep bringing up shoveling manure?]
[Hmm…]
[Could it be that he's interested in shoveling manure?]
[Oh~ I get it, I get it. Because he's a son of a noble house, this hobby of his is destined to be unsupported by his family and misunderstood by the world. He can only silently watch others shovel manure with eyes full of envy and resentment. Wow, how pitiful!]
"Snort—" Meng Qingyun and the others couldn't hold back their laughter. Meng Shuchun pretended to be surprised and said, "Sixth Brother, are you interested in shoveling manure?"
Meng Shuyang was furious. "I am not!"
Meng Shuping looked at him sympathetically. [You see, it's because others look at him like he's a weirdo that he's too ashamed to face his true feelings. What's wrong with liking to shovel manure? It's not like he's stealing or robbing—there's nothing shameful about it! He's even contributing to environmental protection! Ah, who would have thought that the seemingly showy Sixth Brother has such insecurities.]
[Others may not understand, but I do. I must respect his hobby! I must support his cause! I must let the whole world know that the manure of this estate is all his to handle!]
"Hahahahaha…" Meng Qingyun and the others finally couldn't hold back their laughter. Meng Shuyi looked at them in confusion, not understanding what they were laughing about. Was there something strange about what had just been said?
Meng Shuyang glared at them angrily. "What are you laughing at? What's so funny?"
Meng Shuping sighed. [Ah, I guess they've known about Sixth Brother's hobby for a long time, right? It's just a pity that I have no experience in this field. Otherwise, I could introduce him to a waste collector to exchange tips!]
"Hahahahaha…" Meng Qingyun and the others laughed until their stomachs hurt. What kind of tip exchange was that? Meng Shuping's idea was just too funny.
Meng Shuyang glared angrily at Meng Shuping. If he was so bold, he should say it out loud! What was the point of keeping it to himself? It made it impossible for him to refute.
Seeing Meng Shuyang glare at him, Meng Shuping couldn't help but speculate, [Could it be that he's impatient to learn about shoveling manure and can't wait? Well, otherwise he wouldn't have brought it up during a meal. But there's nothing I can do to help!]
After hesitating for a long time, Meng Shuping worked up the nerve and said, "Sixth Brother, we don't use manure fertilizer in our fields. I'm afraid I can't help you. Maybe you could ask someone else?"
"No manure fertilizer? How is that possible?" Meng Shuyang didn't believe him. "Then what do you use?"
He thought Meng Shuping must be afraid of embarrassment and didn't dare to say it. But it didn't matter—he would force Meng Shuping to admit it. There was no reason for others to laugh at him while Meng Shuping got off scot-free.
Meng Shuping lowered his head slightly, not daring to meet anyone's eyes. "We use microbial decomposition fertilizer, nitrogen fertilizer, phosphate fertilizer, potassium fertilizer, bio-organic fertilizer, inorganic fertilizer, superphosphate, ammonium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate, and so on."
Meng Shuyang was totally lost. What does that mean? He looked at the others and found they were equally baffled.
He angrily questioned Meng Shuping, "What are you talking about? Are you making fun of me?"
Meng Shuping's eyes shifted nervously. "No, I'm not."
Seeing his reaction, Meng Shuyang became even more certain. "You're spouting a bunch of things we don't understand. If that's not making fun of me, what is?"
Meng Shuping was secretly pleased. [So what if I'm making fun of him? Who told him to be so ignorant? Besides, everything I mentioned are legitimate fertilizers. Is it my problem he doesn't recognize them? Tsk, tsk, tsk. He doesn't think knowing about manure fertilizer makes him something special, does he?]
[Ah, I get it. He must be angry because he wanted to talk to me about shoveling manure but didn't get to. But I really don't know anything about shoveling manure! Can't he stop pushing it?]
"Alright, Sixth Brother," Meng Shuchun said, holding back a laugh. "You've never farmed before, so isn't it normal that you don't understand? Fifth Brother has been in the countryside for so many years—how could he know less than you?"
Meng Shuyang said suspiciously, "Do you understand what he's talking about?"
Meng Huiyun was about to say she didn't understand either when she heard Meng Shuping's voice: [No way, no way. Surely no one would jump out now and admit their ignorance, right?]
So Meng Huiyun immediately closed her mouth. She didn't want to be mocked as ignorant by someone from the countryside.
Meng Shuchun coughed. "Of course. Fifth Brother mentioned the names of several types of fertilizer."
Meng Shuping praised, [Wow, Second Brother, you're amazing! You could even figure that out!]
Meng Shuchun smiled slightly. Fifth Brother had already revealed it in his thoughts—he was just repeating it. Of course, even if he was wrong, Fifth Brother certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to expose him, especially since he had just been helping him out.
Meng Shuyang was annoyed. Did someone actually understand?
Unwilling to accept defeat, his mind raced, and he came up with another idea. "Fifth Brother, I've heard that people in the countryside lead very hard lives. During famine years, they even have to strip tree bark to eat. Have you ever eaten tree bark?"
Seeing Meng Shuyang targeting him again, Meng Shuping was extremely annoyed. [Why does he keep talking to me? It's preventing me from keeping a low profile. Ah, since he keeps trying to draw attention, don't blame me for being harsh!]
Meng Qingyun and the others leaned in, curious about what Meng Shuping would say.
Meng Shuyang, however, was skeptical. He refused to believe Meng Shuping could say anything meaningful. Besides, with his timid, quiet voice, whatever he said would lack impact.
Meng Shuping straightened up, staring intently at the dishes on the table. "Tree bark I haven't eaten, but we have a type of wild goji berry where I'm from that's very effective for treating Sixth Brother's kidney deficiency."
"Pfft—" Everyone in the room burst out laughing. Fifth Brother was ruthless—what a savage comeback!
Meng Shuping puffed out his chest proudly, [Just tell me, was that line savage or what? I'm not bragging—I may not be good at livening up the mood, but I'm more than capable of killing a conversation!]
"Hahaha…" Meng Qingyun and the others burst into laughter again, laughing uncontrollably. Fifth Brother was simply too amusing.
Meng Shuchun cast a gossipy glance at Meng Shuyang, "Sixth Brother, are you suffering from kidney deficiency?"
Meng Shuyang flushed with anger and embarrassment, "No, I'm not!"
No sooner had he spoken than Meng Shuping retorted in his mind, [No? What do you mean 'no'? The imperial physician already said that if you don't abstain from bedroom activities now, you might become impotent in the future. Ah, everyone, let's not provoke Sixth Brother anymore—otherwise, you might end up like me, getting scammed by him.]
Meng Shuchun, trying to keep a straight face, held back a laugh and said with an understanding expression, "It's alright, Sixth Brother. We're all family here—no one will laugh at you. Pfft—"
"Hahaha…" Another round of uproarious laughter followed. Meng Shuyang's face darkened, and he glared fiercely at everyone, "You guys still laughing?"
The room fell silent for a moment, but soon the laughter erupted even louder than before. Meng Shuyi coughed lightly and said, "Alright, everyone, stop laughing. Let's eat."
The laughter gradually subsided. Unable to vent his anger on the others, Meng Shuyang could only direct his fury at Meng Shuping. It was all Meng Shuping's fault that he had become a laughingstock. Just wait—he would get his revenge sooner or later!
Noticing that Meng Shuyang was glaring at him again, Meng Shuping couldn't help but feel exasperated, thinking to himself, [Why is he glaring at me again? If he's suffering from kidney deficiency, he should just get it treated. What's the point of blaming others? Does he think glaring at people will somehow cure his kidney deficiency?]