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This cousin of his had his lineage cut short by Wei Tingyu's kick; though he could now barely walk, he was utterly cut off from women for the rest of his life. Even if the entire Fan family couldn't swallow this humiliation, they dared not offend the Marquis Jining and could only grit their teeth and endure it! However, Chai An absolutely couldn't endure it!
"Speak! Do you want revenge?!" Thinking of this, Chai An glared fiercely at his cousin, Fan Lianghan, and asked.
"Revenge?" Fan Lianghan was startled, and a hint of viciousness flashed in his eyes! However, his timid nature immediately gained the upper hand. He shrank his neck and said, "My father warned me not to provoke the Li family again!"
"You have no prospects for the rest of your life! What is there to be afraid of?" Chai An almost fainted from anger upon hearing this. However, he heard that Fan Lianghan's father, Old Master Fan, had actually taken two new concubines yesterday! It seemed that this main account was ruined, and he was preparing to level up a new one! And Fan Lianghan, realizing his life was hopeless, had actually become even more cowardly than before... Chai An sometimes wondered how he was even related by blood to this coward.
However, Chai An's words, filled with the bitterness of a blacksmith trying to temper iron, quickly ignited and spread the tiny spark of revenge in Fan Lianghan's heart. Right! Anyway, there's no hope for this life, so what's there to fear? Thinking of this, Fan Lianghan, uncharacteristically, mustered his courage. He nodded fiercely, looking at Chai An, and asked, "Then, Cousin, what do you say we do? How can we get revenge?"
"You've come to your senses?" Chai An was startled, then nodded. At least this cousin still had a tiny bit of spirit that could be ignited! But it's strange, how did he become more like a man after his balls were shattered? Chai An mused inwardly. He wasn't an impulsive person. Rushing directly to the Four Fortunes Study to smash things up was definitely not an option! Besides, Chai An knew about the few guards Wei Tingyu had left there. Even if all of his own household servants and attendants charged together, they definitely couldn't defeat any one of them! So, to get revenge, he had to use strategy! And since the enmity between the two sides had just been formed, if he immediately launched a harsh attack, the other party would definitely point the finger directly at him! If Wei Tingyu retaliated, it was truly hard to say whether he could withstand it.
"Of course, I've come to my senses!" Fan Lianghan clearly understood this principle. He pursed his lips and clenched his fists, saying, "But the Li family has Wei Tingyu backing them; how can we get revenge?"
"We need to find a way!" Chai An frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "It's best if we can get someone else to deal with Wei Tingyu..."
No sooner had Chai An spoken than a servant from the Panlou came scurrying in.
"What is it?" Chai An's face immediately darkened. He was in the midst of plotting revenge and was interrupted by the servant, which displeased him greatly.
"Young Master..." The servant lowered his head in fright upon seeing his master's expression. However, he still braced himself and said, "That Young Master Yang is here again! He cursed away three or four companions and drank two jars of wine in silence! I don't know if he'll cause trouble..."
However, upon hearing this, Chai An's eyes lit up instead of showing worry. Goodness! Isn't this the perfect person to help me get revenge?
"Panlou has new wine today, everyone come and taste it!"
"Panlou has new wine today, everyone come and support us!"
The next morning, the sound of gongs and drums outside the Panlou startled the entire East Market Street, and even the Li family mother and daughters ran to the shop entrance to watch the lively scene. There, Chai An stood on a tall carriage with a solemn face, writing and hanging banners, drawing cheers from the surrounding neighbors and diners. He even invited the famous courtesan, Lu Yanyan, to parade with the wine cart through East Market Street, distributing wine, attracting business, and expanding influence.
"How grand!" Qiong Nu said with an envious look, watching the bustling Panlou, "No wonder they're so arrogant!" Her words naturally elicited a series of soft sighs from the Li family mother and daughters. There was nothing they could do; the Panlou had money to host events and attract customers!
"Shh! Let's go!" And Fourth Daughter Hao De and Fifth Daughter Le Shan, taking advantage of their mother's and sisters' gazes being drawn to the Panlou opposite, quietly picked up two bamboo hats with light veils and placed them over their heads. Then, hand in hand, they stealthily slipped out from behind Lady Li Niang. After all, with the personalities of these two young girls, if they didn't join in on this excitement, they wouldn't be themselves!
What the Li family members didn't notice at this moment was that a lavishly dressed young fop was secretly observing them from a distant street corner.
"That fellow surnamed Chai was right! They truly are a family of beauties!" The young fop watched the figures of the Li family women, so excited that he almost drooled. "But it's too far away; I can't see clearly?!" Thinking of this, he actually frowned directly, even letting out a heavy sigh.
"Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister ran off to play again?!" Eldest Daughter Shou Hua noticed that her two youngest sisters had disappeared and turned to Lady Li Niang, saying. She had specifically sought Dou Zhao's permission to return to her maternal family's tea house today to see her mother and sisters, so she was also present.
"Ah?" Upon hearing Shou Hua's words, Lady Li Niang only then reacted. She turned and looked, and indeed, she didn't see the two girls, and immediately sighed with both anger and helplessness. With such mischievous personalities, if they entered the Marquis's Residence, who knew how much trouble they would stir up! It wouldn't do for a concubine to be running around playing all day, making the principal wife and other concubines anxious and searching for her everywhere, would it?! Besides, Lady Li Niang wasn't forbidding them from going out to play; it was just that they had to bring the female bodyguards sent by the Marquis when they went out! These two little girls, however, were simply naughty and seemed to have become even more rebellious lately!
"I'll go find those troublesome girls!" Shou Hua naturally thought of this issue, frowning and looking at Kang Ning, "You stay here with Mother and look after the business!" Kang Ning nodded upon hearing this, then turned and called into the shop, "Chunlai, you accompany Eldest Sister!"
"And bring two guards!" Lady Li Niang quickly added, "Shou Hua! You are now the treasure of our Li family and the Marquis's Residence; absolutely nothing must happen to you!"
"Don't worry, Mother!" Shou Hua smiled faintly after hearing this and nodded in agreement. After all, she had brought two female Silver Shadow Guards with her when she left the Marquis's Residence today. There was no need to reduce the tea house's guards; just taking these two with her would suffice. Of course, at this moment, as a noble concubine of the Marquis's Residence, it was naturally inconvenient for her to simply stroll around the streets. So, she also put on a bamboo hat with a veil. However, Shou Hua's appearance was exceptionally striking and well-defined; even with the light veil, one could still vaguely discern that a beautiful face lay beneath it! When she passed by the peeking young fop in the distance, his eyes almost popped out! At the same time, his heart pounded faster and faster! Indeed, being closer now, one could truly see that the Li family women were all beauties of fine color! Of course, in Shou Hua's eyes, he and his two attendants were no different from passersby, so even as she walked past them, Shou Hua did not notice the strangeness in their eyes.
After Shou Hua walked away, the young fop exchanged a glance with his two attendants, then directly followed after her. This scene was also fully observed by Chai An, who stood at the Panlou entrance, feigning the appearance of welcoming guests. A sly, triumphant smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and then he turned and entered the Panlou! He was confident that the Li family would soon face great misfortune! Once they got stuck with this persistent leech, even if they managed to tear him off, they would still lose a layer of skin and flesh!
Shou Hua, with Chunlai and two female Silver Shadow Guards, walked around East Market Street but couldn't find her Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister, causing her to frown. Where did those two little girls run off to? How could they be so playful?
"My lady!" At this moment, Chunlai's eyes lit up, and she pointed to an arched bridge in the distance, saying, "Let's go up the bridge and look! It's higher there, and you can see farther. Maybe we'll find the two young mistresses!"
"Good!" Shou Hua was startled, then nodded. That was a good idea! And after walking a few steps, she was indeed a little tired! It would be a good place to rest on the bridge! However, no sooner had the four reached the top of the bridge than two figures dressed as servants suddenly ran out and blocked their path. Before Shou Hua could react, Chunlai immediately shielded her. At the same time, she looked at the two servants and said, "Under the Son of Heaven's rule! In a clear and bright era! What kind of audacious scoundrel dares to harass a virtuous woman?!"
The two Silver Shadow Guards responsible for protecting Shou Hua would only act when they received clear orders from their master or sensed that their master was genuinely threatened! And at this moment, these two servants merely blocked Shou Hua's path, still four or five steps away from her, so they were not considered a threat. Shou Hua was also somewhat bewildered, as this was the first time she had ever encountered such a thing in her life. Could there be some misunderstanding? she thought, intending to ask a question. However, before she could speak, she heard the arrogant voice of a fop suddenly appear from behind her.
"Son of Heaven? What a coincidence!" This voice was incredibly arrogant. The moment it appeared, it caused Shou Hua and Chunlai to turn their heads directly to look at the person's face. They saw a man dressed in brown, with a fair complexion. Judging only by his attire, he indeed looked like a wealthy young master. But his speech and demeanor were full of the air of a fop, and a subtle, sinister gloom lurked in his eyes! After just one glance, Shou Hua inwardly cried out in dismay. After all, she was completely unacquainted with him; he was definitely deliberately looking for trouble!
"That official who sits in the Golden Throne Hall is still my brother-in-law!" The other party's eyes widened even further after seeing Shou Hua turn her face, and he stared intently at her as he spoke, "You tell me, what kind of audacious scoundrel am I?" Upon hearing this, Shou Hua's heart immediately leaped! Although she didn't know if his words were true, to speak like this in broad daylight, there must be some truth to it! If he truly was a royal relative, it would be better for her not to conflict with him, as that could potentially cause trouble for the Marquis. Shou Hua thought to herself, and quietly said to Chunlai, "Ignore them! Let's go!" With that, she pulled Chunlai, intending to turn and leave.
However, the two attendants of the young fop spread their arms and directly blocked their path forward.
"My lady, rest assured!" The young fop smiled as he leaned forward, looking at Shou Hua, and said, "Female beauty is not my preference! Even the most beautiful woman is just a wooden stake in my eyes!" Upon hearing this, Shou Hua's brow immediately furrowed. She thought, If that's the case, why are you blocking my way? But before she could ask, the other party continued to speak, revealing the answer: "It's just a bet with someone! Within ten days, I must marry a Li family woman into my residence! Otherwise, I'll lose him an estate!"
"My lady, just let me have a good look, and not only will I not trouble you, but I'll also reward you with ten taels of gold!" After saying this, without waiting for Shou Hua to react, he waved his large hand, and his two attendants stepped forward, one on each side, attempting to move Chunlai away. And he himself took two steps forward, reaching out to lift Shou Hua's light silk hat.
"My lady! My lady!" Chunlai immediately grew anxious. After all, Shou Hua was the Marquis's noble concubine! If she were harassed in broad daylight, how could that be! Shou Hua was, of course, terribly nervous at this moment. After all, she absolutely wouldn't allow any other man to show her the slightest disrespect! What should I do? Should I order the Silver Shadow Guards to protect me? But if this young fop is telling the truth, wouldn't I potentially offend a noble in the palace? That would cause huge trouble for the Marquis! For a moment, Shou Hua was in a dilemma. Must preserving her chastity and avoiding trouble for the Marquis necessarily be mutually exclusive?
However, just as Shou Hua was filled with trepidation, she suddenly saw the other party's hand, which had been reaching to lift her light silk hat, freeze in mid-air, unable to move forward an inch further. The reason, of course, was not that this young fop suddenly had a change of heart and decided to stop harassing her. Shou Hua clearly saw a large hand reach out from behind her, passing over her shoulder, firmly clamping down on the other party's extended wrist. And this large hand was incredibly strong, because Shou Hua could clearly see the pained expression on the young fop's face!
However, this also meant that a man was standing behind her at this moment! Thinking of this, Shou Hua instinctively turned and took a step back, and indeed, as she expected, her distance from the man behind her was almost skin-tight! As she turned, the light silk of her hat even brushed against his cheek. Goodness! What kind of terrible luck have I had today?! This person behind her, acting righteously, was also annoying; if you're going to help a virtuous woman, you don't need to get so close! Did I just escape one wolf's den only to fall into a tiger's den?
However, her confusion didn't last long, because in her desperate backward movement, Shou Hua forgot to move her feet, and her entire body suddenly lost balance, falling backward abruptly. And as her body lost balance, her mind naturally went blank. In her panic, Shou Hua even directly closed her eyes, preparing for the moment her body would heavily meet the cold stone slab...
However, the next second, she felt a strange sensation! A strong, powerful arm actually passed through her side, directly wrapping around her waist, firmly holding her body in place. Then, before Shou Hua could even scream, the other party gave a strong pull, pulling her unbalanced body back up again. However, this force was somewhat strong, causing Shou Hua to crash directly into the other party's embrace. And the latter actually released the young fop's wrist, using both hands to firmly embrace Shou Hua!
Shou Hua, still shaken, immediately raised her hand to push the other party away, wanting desperately to escape his embrace. After all, besides Wei Tingyu, she had never had such intimate contact with any other man! In terms of both emotion and reason, Shou Hua could not accept it! In her opinion, let alone falling heavily to the ground, even if she had to choose between death and her current predicament, she would rather choose death!
"Shou Hua!" However, the other party not only did not release Shou Hua from his embrace but held her even tighter. But his soft call in her ear caused Shou Hua's entire delicate body to tremble violently. Because she immediately recognized the voiceāwasn't it her own Marquis?
Shou Hua was startled, and at this moment, her body also responded! That's right, the feeling of this embrace and the scent of the other person... It can't be wrong! It's the Marquis! But before seeing him with her own eyes, Shou Hua still wasn't at ease! She lifted her jade arm to push aside the light veil in front of her hat, and after confirming the face before her, she finally couldn't help but shed a line of clear tears.
"Alright, alright! It's okay now!" Wei Tingyu, seeing the beauty in his arms looking like a pear blossom bathed in rain, naturally felt even more heartache! While gently patting her back to comfort her, he simultaneously cast an almost cold gaze at the young fop in front. This young fop was also somewhat surprised upon seeing Wei Tingyu appear, and his wrist was still throbbing faintly. However, besides considering himself unlucky at this moment, he had no other thoughts of fear or terror. After all, with his sister Lady Yang Mei's status, he believed that the Marquis Jining wouldn't dare to do anything to him!