Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 328 - 314: Pei Family’s Birthday Banquet, Unwrapping Gifts in Public!

Chapter 328: Chapter 314: Pei Family’s Birthday Banquet, Unwrapping Gifts in Public!

Pei Shouqi’s birthday, although hosted by the Pei Family, had not many invitees.

After all, in the Capital, it was only the eldest son, Pei Shouqi, who was there, and he did not wish for too many attendees, thus only inviting some familiar friends.

Although Zhang San was not invited, he was acting Military Chief of the Town Martial Office, so after announcing himself at the door, he was naturally allowed entry.

Upon entering, Zhang San had Ximen Jinxing take Big Head Wang and Wang Ziteng to deliver the list of gifts and the gifts themselves.

At such birthday celebrations, there were usually two types of gifts.

One type was the common gifts, considered a formality, given based on the relationship between families, personal relationships, and social status, usually in fixed amounts, not exceeding much.

This type belongs entirely to social niceties, unavoidably given.

Some officials, who had good relations with the Pei Family but were unfamiliar with Pei Shouqi, would not come themselves but send a family member to deliver such a congratulatory gift.

The other type was from close friends or those who wished to establish a relationship, bringing more precious and easily presentable gifts, personally handed to the birthday individual.

Zhang San brought a gift himself, then had everyone first deliver the list and other gifts, and then come to the front hall to find him.

At that time, the front hall was bustling.

Most of the people invited by Pei Shouqi had arrived, and many who wished to get acquainted with the Pei Family also appeared in significant numbers.

Pei Shouqi and his wife were entertaining in the front hall when suddenly a servant hurried in and said in a low voice to Pei Shouqi and Lady Yu, "Master, madam, Acting Military Chief Zhang San has arrived and has brought a gift."

Ordinary people did not require announcement, after all, they were just ordinary.

But this Zhang San was no ordinary person; even the servants of the Pei family knew that he had offended the Zheng Family and the Han Family upon his arrival in the Capital, later, for some reason, he also offended the Crown Prince, and even rumors persisted that Changsun Wen Ruchu, the eldest son of the Wen Family, was killed by Zhang San.

This reputation, whose birthday could be happy upon hearing it?

At this moment, Pei Shouqi’s expression was as unpleasant as it could be.

"Madam, how can we send this Zhang San away?"

Lady Yu, holding her husband’s hand, said in a low voice, "Even I, a woman deeply secluded in the inner chambers, have heard of this name, Zhang San. Hearing the name and knowing his deeds, this man must either be a greatly capable person, or he is no good at all. Husband, which of these two kinds of people can you afford to offend? And why offend either of them?"

Pei Shouqi nodded repeatedly, having to admit that his wife was indeed wise.

"Understood, I will go to greet him now, host him well, and send him off soon."

Lady Yu followed her husband out, but just before leaving the front hall, she glanced back at Zheng Poyue sitting on the left-hand side of the hall.

She hoped that nothing untoward would happen at the birthday feast today.

Pei Shouqi and Lady Yu walked up to Zhang San and bowed in greeting.

"I have seen Military Chief Zhang, and your presence at my birthday feast truly graces the occasion!"

Zhang San immediately returned the gesture to Pei Shouqi and Lady Yu.

"Young Master Pei, although this is our first meeting, our connections have long been established."

"Previously, the Town Martial Office was escorting a criminal of the Imperial Court on Chuan-Yu Road, and Sword South Path’s Long Xutuo came to assist with his troops. His disciple, Pei Shoushen, took to me as soon as we met. That lad, truly endearing. Therefore, upon arriving in the Capital, I have always wished to visit."

Although Pei Shouqi was still smiling on the face, his heart sighed in relief: Thankfully, it was only a thought, and you never came.

"However, I am also aware of my reputation, visiting rashly really worried me about causing trouble for the Pei family. Therefore, I took the opportunity of the birthday feast to come and meet. This way others won’t overly speculate and spread unsavory rumors that may affect the Pei family."

Pei Shouqi laughed heartily, saying, "Brother Zhang San, what are you saying? Since you are a friend of my younger brother, you are also my friend! Please, come inside, come inside!"

Lady Yu, on the side, didn’t know whether what Zhang San said was true or false.

But if it was true, it did suggest that Zhang San considered others very carefully before acting.

Worried about trouble in the front hall, Lady Yu decided to first check if the house servants had all things well in hand.

That way, if a commotion did break out in the front hall later, she would have a chance to intervene smoothly.

As Zhang San walked into the front hall with Pei Shouqi, everyone, seeing Pei Shouqi personally come out to greet and bring back a new face, couldn’t help but be curious.

"Brother Zhang San, how about sitting here?"

Upon hearing Pei Shouqi calling the other party Zhang San, the front hall, noisy just a moment ago, instantly quieted down.

Especially a few people sitting on the right side of the main seat in the front of hall, who saw Zhang San coming to sit by, all showed signs of disdain.

At that moment, a young man sitting at the foremost position on the left side of the main seat coldly glanced at Zhang San.

"Brother Pei, I am curious, what kind of great gift did Zhang San send, or what kind of relationship does he have with you, to allow him to sit so close to the front?"

Zhang San glanced at the person who had just spoken.

Zhang San knew that those seated on the left side of the main hall should be from the Ministry of War and the military, while those on the right side were friends of Pei Shouqi from other departments and some who held no official posts.

And to be able to sit in the very front, this person must be one of the Four Young Masters of the Capital, Zheng Poyue, who had just returned from the northern front.

Then Zhang San took out a wooden box and handed it to Pei Shouqi.

"Merely a Secret Manual."

Upon hearing the words "Secret Manual", many furrowed their brows.

Today, on the birthday of Pei Shouqi, everyone else either gifted swords or Pills, which could be said to be very helpful to Martial Artists on their path of cultivation.

Logically speaking, giving a Secret Manual was also normal.

However, Secret Manuals could be either extremely rare and valuable, or they could be common goods easily purchasable.

Since Zhang San’s Secret Manual was in a wooden box, it was naturally inconvenient for Pei Shouqi to open it in public.

"The worth of a Secret Manual depends on what type it is. If it’s an ordinary Secret Manual, but Brother Pei lets Zhang San sit in such a prominent position, I’m afraid it might actually harm Zhang San!"

Zheng Poyue said sternly.

His words seemed to be for Zhang San’s own good on the surface, but in reality, he was prompting Pei Shouqi to publicly reveal the gift, which could embarrass Zhang San.

Meanwhile, Baili Chengfeng, sitting in the center on the right side of the host’s seat, also shouted, "Zheng Poyue’s words are not without reason. After all, Zhang San is new to the Capital, and he might not understand many things. Let’s not wait until he inadvertently breaches protocol and embarrass Brother Pei."

Now, no matter how Baili Chengfeng looked at Zhang San, he was displeased.

Not to mention the conflicts between the Town Martial Office and the Town Demon Office, but because of Zhang San, he was scolded at home, scolded outside, and even scolded at his own family’s shooting range.

After all, I am the Eldest Young Master of the Baili Family. When have I ever been scolded like this?

Zhang San glanced at Pei Shouqi, who looked somewhat embarrassed, and smiled, "It’s better to take the Secret Manual back and read it slowly, it’s not convenient to look at it in public."

Zhang San wouldn’t have caused a problem if he had not spoken, but as soon as he did, Baili Chengfeng became even more energized.

Clearly, the Secret Manual that Zhang San gifted was definitely something embarrassing!

Otherwise, why would Zhang San say such a thing?

"We’re not looking at the content, just the name shouldn’t be a problem, right?"

Upon hearing Baili Chengfeng stir things up, many around him joined in the commotion.

Especially some from the Ministry of Punishment, who already disliked Zhang San.

Now that they had caught a good opportunity to embarrass Zhang San, they naturally would not let it pass.

And Pei Shouqi felt somewhat torn.

After all, if the Secret Manual turned out to be very ordinary, publicly unboxing it would embarrass Zhang San, but what if Zhang San held a grudge against him afterwards?

If it were someone else, Pei Shouqi wouldn’t be worried.

But with Zhang San, it was hard to predict what he might do.

At that moment, Zheng Poyue stepped forward.

"I, Zheng Poyue, having returned from the northern front and always followed General Changsun, learned my first lesson—fairness! Today, the arrangement of seating at the banquet may seem trivial, but when it comes to fairness, it becomes significant."

Saying this, Zheng Poyue approached Pei Shouqi and snatched the small wooden box.

"Since it’s inconvenient for Brother Pei to be the villain on his birthday, let Zheng Poyue take on that role."

With a bang,

Zheng Poyue directly smashed the wooden box that Zhang San had brought.

Baili Chengfeng, who had eagerly moved forward, looked at Zheng Poyue with anticipation, extremely eager to hear the name of the Secret Manual that Zhang San had sent.

Zheng Poyue coldly looked at the Secret Manual in his hand.

"Baili Divine... Xuan?"