Chapter 807: When Words Fail, Resort to Moral Pressure

When Nie Xiaofeng greeted Nie Mingyuan today, the surprise on his face was genuine, and his closeness was not feigned. Nie Mingyuan believed that Nie Xiaofeng truly cared about him as his father and thought he could control Nie Xiaofeng.

But he overestimated Nie Xiaofeng’s longing for the Nie family’s affections.

He can respect Nie Mingyuan because Nie Mingyuan is his biological father.

He can also welcome his brother and sister-in-law into the mansion, provided that they respect his mother and don’t vie for his family property.

Nie Mingyuan’s undiscriminating protection of his two sons and the blatant scheming of his brother and sister-in-law for his property made Nie Xiaofeng wary.

Nie Mingyuan said with a stern face, "I am your father. Is this how you speak to your father?"

"No matter what, they are your brothers, the closest people to you. You are a general now, how can you still be like a child and bicker with them?"

Nie Mingyuan mainly resorted to moral pressure when he couldn’t reason with Nie Xiaofeng.

Nie Xiaofeng let out a cold laugh.

Father is still the same father.

In the past, when his mother was wronged, Nie Xiaofeng heard countless times this kind of moral coercion.

"You are the elder, why argue with them?"

"They lost their birth mother when they were young, you should be more understanding of them."

"They think of their own mother, which shows they are affectionate people. You, as the stepmother, can only be more understanding of them."

Each time it was Gu Baishuang who compromised.

Until three years ago, Gu Baishuang erupted.

Now it’s the same old tactics again, morally coercing him.

Nie Xiaofeng said, "Both my brother and sister-in-law have cursed me to death, yet father still defends them. Is this how a father should be? Since father says I’m bickering with my two brothers, then I’ll bicker to the end, otherwise I won’t bear the reputation of being petty for nothing."

Being back-talked by Nie Xiaofeng, Nie Mingyuan wanted to slap him.

Thinking about how Nie Xiaofeng today was not what he used to be, and that the Nie family needed Nie Xiaofeng to uphold their reputation, they weren’t planning to return after coming to Shengjing and had to rely on Nie Xiaofeng for everything.

Nie Mingyuan took a deep breath and showed a sad face, saying, "Xiaofeng, I already said it’s all a misunderstanding. I think you’ve been instigated by someone, and those instigating you just want to see you break with the Nie family."

Nie Xiaofeng sneered: "Is tonight’s event also someone else’s instigation?"

Nie Mingyuan wanted to say yes, it was all instigated by Gu Baishuang.

He even regretted marrying Gu Baishuang as his wife, thinking he should have taken her as a concubine given the poverty of the Gu family back then to prevent her from rising above his two sons.

"Xiaofeng, have you noticed that ever since your mother got involved in business with the Gu family, she has become increasingly distant from the Nie family? My dissatisfaction with your mother at that time also stemmed from her listening to her stepmother for everything, being coaxed in circles by her. Think about it, your mother wasn’t like this before. I don’t know what she’s said to you while in Shengjing these past six months, but remember, we are family." With a pained look, Nie Mingyuan began to change the topic.

Nie Xiaofeng was speechless.

Father just doesn’t communicate around the core problem today, after shifting blame to Gu Baishuang, now it’s Tong Huaqiong being blamed.

Nie Xiaofeng said, "Father, don’t randomly blame others. I have eyes and ears; I can see and hear. If father hadn’t been wary of my mother back then, my mother wouldn’t have gone into business with Grandma."

Unable to out-argue Nie Xiaofeng, Nie Mingyuan ended with a pained remark.

"Xiaofeng, you have disappointed me greatly."

Nie Xiaofeng’s heart shattered into pieces, and he said, "Since I’ve disappointed father, then father should take my two brothers and sisters-in-law and leave my mansion. Save you from being disappointed by seeing me every day in my mansion."

Nie Xiaofeng turned and left after he finished speaking.

Nie Mingyuan looked at his youngest son who wouldn’t budge, his face changing unpredictably.

Nie Xiaofeng went to knock on Gu Baishuang’s door, but the maid beside Gu Baishuang said she had already gone to bed and would not see anyone.

Nie Xiaofeng looked frustrated.

Thinking about how he forced his mother to come home this evening and reunite with his father and two brothers and sisters-in-law, he wanted to slap himself.

He had hurt his mother’s feelings.

Mother had already seen through them a long time ago, which is why she has been so cold to them for the past three years.

The maid, watching Nie Xiaofeng pacing in front of Gu Baishuang’s door, said to him, "Young master, you were earnest in treating those two like brothers, but they don’t see you as one. When there was no news of you before, they were eager to adopt a son on your behalf, saying it was for your good to continue the family line. If they truly cared for you, they would have prayed for your safety and tried to gather news from the front lines instead."

"What they did was like stabbing a knife into Madam’s heart, wasn’t it? You’ve fought hard to earn honor and get this mansion, Madam hasn’t even warmed her seat in it, yet you’ve brought them in, it’s no wonder Madam is unhappy. It’s appropriate to bring only the master in since he’s your father, but bringing those two families in, what was that for?"

This maid was a confidant of Gu Baishuang, having watched Nie Xiaofeng grow up from a young age, so she spoke with a reprimanding tone to him.

Nie Xiaofeng was deeply regretful.

He planned to have his brother and sister-in-law leave the Nie Mansion the next day.

"Mother, I shouldn’t have brought my brother and sister-in-law into the mansion."

The next day, Nie Xiaofeng went to confess his mistake to Gu Baishuang.

Gu Baishuang said, "It’s good that you can see through it."

Before Nie Xiaofeng could find his two brothers, they instead took the initiative to come to him.

Last night, the two nearly fought each other to the death, but today they appeared before Nie Xiaofeng as if nothing had happened.

When dealing with Nie Xiaofeng and Gu Baishuang, these two could set aside all hatred and unite tightly.

Nie Xiaofeng sneered sarcastically.

Laughing at his own brief betrayal of his mother yesterday.

"Xiaofeng, don’t take last night’s events to heart. Your nephew is still young and ignorant. Yesterday when we returned to our room, your second brother and I already lectured them." Eldest Nie was the first to speak.

Eldest Nie never really regarded Nie Xiaofeng, his half-brother, seriously.

As the eldest, he felt that by lowering himself, he was already giving Nie Xiaofeng face.

Second Nie nodded in agreement, "Xiaofeng, I apologize on behalf of my elder brother and myself. If you’re still upset, take it out on me, but don’t let childish words ruin our brotherly harmony."

Eldest Nie and Second Nie hadn’t intended to apologize to Nie Xiaofeng, but Nie Mingyuan pushed them to come.

Only then were they reluctantly here to apologize.

Eldest Nie and Second Nie examined Nie Xiaofeng’s face.

Seeing no anger, they felt pleased.

Little did they know Nie Xiaofeng was no longer someone who wore his anger openly on his face.

Nie Xiaofeng replied coolly, "Even if we have a good brotherly relationship, there’s no need to live together. Yesterday, I welcomed you into the mansion considering you had just arrived in Shengjing and had nowhere to go, letting you rest here temporarily. You’ve brought whole families, and it’s not good to linger, as my place is not big and might not accommodate two sisters-in-law and nephews comfortably. You’ve rested for the night, and you should move out today, elder brother and second brother."

Eldest Nie and Second Nie were stunned.

Nie Xiaofeng was outright telling them to leave.

This they couldn’t accept.

This General Mansion, granted by the emperor to Nie Xiaofeng, it’s true, but Nie Xiaofeng carries the Nie surname, making this mansion belong to the Nie family.

Since it’s part of the Nie family, and they haven’t divided the family assets, naturally, they believe they have a share in this mansion.

It is absolutely unacceptable to ask them to move out.