"Bang!"
As soon as the two finished speaking, a rush of wind slammed the wooden gate; the neighbor's stray dog startled a nest of sparrows, setting off a cascade of chirping and barking. Xu Gongming and Tian Zhongqing both grew cold along their spines at the noise, exchanging nervous glances. Xu Gongming grit his teeth and whispered,
"I misspoke."
Tian Zhongqing's face turned slightly pale as well. He forced himself to stay calm and nodded, made a bit of small talk, but clearly had lost the mood for conversation. He personally saw Xu Gongming off at the courtyard gate, watched him ride away by horse, then stomped his foot in frustration and cursed himself,
"Running my mouth will only land me in disaster!"
Left to himself, Tian Zhongqing went back into his room and gulped down two large mouthfuls of tea, brooding,
"It should be fine, it should be fine—the Family Head's never punished anyone for a slip of the tongue before."
