Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 645 - 645 646 Pretending to be Sick All These Days_1

Chapter 645: Chapter 646: Pretending to be Sick All These Days_1 Chapter 645: Chapter 646: Pretending to be Sick All These Days_1 As expected, right after the servant went to report to the Feng Family residence, Feng Rui followed, hopping mad: “What did you say?!”

“I really didn’t hear wrong, that Qiao Muniang truly has the gall, actually daring to make the outrageous claim that your top scholar title is undeserved, and saying that you can’t even surpass her, if you’re such a shrinking turtle and unwilling to accept the challenge, then it means you are scared!” The servant hurriedly said.

Feng Rui shivered with rage: “What is Qiao Muniang? She’s nothing but a woman from a humble household, yet she dares to look down on this young master. When I was studying, she was still tilling the fields!”

“Exactly, young master, what status do you have? How could she possibly compare with you? Now she’s openly confronting Lady Feng, doesn’t that mean she doesn’t take you seriously? With so many people watching right now, if you don’t show up and face Qiao Muniang, people will really laugh our Feng Family to death!”

Feng Rui flung his sleeves and stormed out, slamming the door behind him: “I refuse to believe it! Can I let that woman run amok? When have I ever been afraid of her!”

Inside the Clearwater Pavilion, as Muniang and Lady Feng remained at an impasse, Feng Rui unexpectedly came to them of his own accord.

“Great, you actually dare concoct such stories about me behind my back, my title as top scholar is undeserved? Then it seems your position as Princess is probably not that substantial either! Today, I want you to witness what a true scholar looks like!” As soon as Feng Rui entered, he bellowed, his demeanor fiercely angry, seemingly truly provoked by Muniang.

Lady Feng was startled: “What are you doing here?”

Feng Rui replied irritably, “Mother, at this time do you really want me to shrink back like a turtle? This woman has spoken so about our Feng Family, if I don’t come now, who knows what kind of wild statements she’ll come up with!”

“You foolish child, with Qiao Muniang being such a cunning person, how could you just come out like this? She’s bound to challenge you today,” Lady Feng said, frantic with worry.

But Feng Rui said, “What’s there to be afraid of? Could it be that I can’t handle a woman from the countryside?”

Then they heard Muniang scoff: “So, Mr. Feng deigns to grace us with his presence today, only because you’ve assumed that, as a member of the weaker sex, I definitely cannot compete with you, is that it? It’s really something that Mr. Feng, despite having achieved the position of top scholar, only dares to take action against someone like me. After pretending to be ill for so many days, it’s only when I issued a challenge that you dared to come out.”

Feng Rui’s face reddened: “Stop your nonsense. If it weren’t for your ludicrous claims here, why would I have come!”

“Then, what was the reason for Mr. Feng pretending to be ill these past few days? Looking at you now, you certainly don’t seem in the least bit ill,” Muniang jeered with a mocking laugh.

Under the scrutinizing gazes of everyone present, Feng Rui had no choice but to stiffen his neck and retort, “Today, I am fortunate to have recovered from my illness, what’s it to you? Is it your place to prattle about whether I’m ill or not?”

Such a far-fetched excuse could only come from a numbskull like Feng Rui. Muniang couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. The Feng Family was foolish to dote on and indulge such a brainless son like a treasure. Surely their vast family fortune would be ruined in his hands sooner or later.

“Just say how you want to compete. Why are you still talking so much?” Feng Rui simply didn’t want to continue trading barbs with Qiao Muniang anymore; he realized he couldn’t outtalk her and now only wanted to humiliate her thoroughly with his scholarship.

Qiao Muniang’s background had not escaped his inquiry. While this woman possessed a talent for commerce, she never had the opportunity to attend a single day of school. Her mind was filled with mere muddle-headedness. To compare herself with him was simply to invite her own humiliation. He was determined to reclaim his honor this time, and then to ridicule her with all his might, using this incident as a laughingstock to mock her to death!

“Mr. Feng seems quite confident,” Muniang said with a teasing smile, “but I hope you won’t cry too bitterly when you lose so miserably.”

Feng Rui stamped his foot: “Start posing the questions! If I, this young master, lose to you today, I’ll write my name backward from this day forth!”

Muniang laughed, “Today is indeed a rare occasion of refined pleasure, and with so many witnesses present, I shall make a fool of myself. However, it seems that not everyone here is well-versed in learning, which may make it hard to judge the competition. Thus, I’ve taken the liberty of inviting Master Ning to serve as our arbiter.”

The crowd was indeed shocked. Qiao Muniang had even invited Master Ning—what on earth was she planning? Even if she sought to humiliate herself, this seemed like a death wish.

Feng Rui scoffed, “With the little knowledge in your belly, it’s ludicrous to require Master Ning’s judgment. I could crush you with the slightest effort! Besides, Master Ning is a venerable and esteemed figure; how could such a rash person like yourself invite him so casually…”

Before he could finish his sentence, an elderly man with white whiskers strode in, laughing heartily, “<>The Princess of Marquis Chen has kindly extended an invitation. How could I not come?

Muniang bowed in greeting: “Master Ning honors us with his presence, I am truly flattered. And today, I request that Master Ning judges fairly.”

“Of course.”

Not only was Feng Rui taken aback, but so was everyone else. Who didn’t know about Master Ning’s temperament? Unless he saw someone highly promising, he wouldn’t make such a visit regardless of their wealth or power.

And the person who’d have caught his favor surely possessed substantial learning. Everyone knew that Qiao Muniang, a woman without formal education, couldn’t possibly have lured Master Ning—how did she manage it?

More importantly, today’s events seemed premeditated as if the banquet Qiao Muniang hosted for the ladies was but a pretext for challenging Mr. Feng. Surely one’s brain must be bloated with water to do such a thing.

But could Qiao Muniang truly be so foolish? And even if she were, would the Marquis Mansion be equally foolish to allow her to tarnish its reputation so recklessly?

The onlookers couldn’t unravel the mystery, but it was clear that the scene unfolding before them was promising to be a splendid drama. They had thought they were merely attending a casual gathering to exchange a few idle words, yet they stumbled upon such thrilling developments. Intrigue piqued, they eagerly turned into an enthusiastic audience.

Feng Rui also sensed something was off. His own scholarly status was tenuous, and he knew it well. The very last person he wished to encounter at this juncture was Master Ning. His impulsive arrival was spurred by the belief that Qiao Muniang, an ignorant woman, was spouting mere bravado. Little did he expect her to have arranged for Master Ning’s presence in advance. Even a fool could smell trouble, yet what retreat could he find now? The bet was laid, and the crowd was watching. Could he possibly claim illness again?

While Feng Rui was in a panic, Master Ning had already begun to pose a question.