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Though the fop thought so in his heart, he still froze in place upon seeing Wei Tingyu's gaze! For he seemed to read a terrifying meaning from the other party's eyes! That gaze made him shiver as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, endlessly plummeting into a bottomless abyss!
Of course, Wei Tingyu withdrew his gaze after glaring at the fop. For the most pressing matter now was to comfort his beloved wife in his arms; he didn't want Shou Hua to develop any psychological trauma from this.
"Why didn't you order the Silver Shadow Guards to act?" Wei Tingyu felt the trembling of the beauty in his arms cease slightly, then patted Shou Hua's delicate back and softly asked in her ear.
"This concubine didn't know the other party's background..." Shou Hua sniffled, raised her head with a worried expression, looked at Wei Tingyu's face again, and then said, "I was afraid of causing trouble for the Marquis..."
"Don't ever do that again!" Wei Tingyu frowned upon hearing this, thinking, It seems merely providing guards for the women around me isn't enough; I must make them understand they must dare to fight back at crucial moments!
"But what if the other party..." Shou Hua was startled at Wei Tingyu's words, then asked.
"No matter who the other party is! Or what their status!" However, Wei Tingyu interrupted Shou Hua without thinking, looking at her with a firm expression and saying, "In my heart, you are the most precious!"
"Only by protecting yourselves are you truly worthy of me!"
"As for trouble or no trouble, that's not something for you to consider!"
"If the sky falls, your husband will hold it up for you!"
"Do you understand?"
As he spoke the last four words, he also gently cupped Shou Hua's small face, looking directly into her eyes.
"Yes!" Shou Hua was naturally greatly shaken upon hearing Wei Tingyu's words. After all, in this era, the belief that wives were like clothes was the prevailing rule for most noble families! The so-called arranged marriages were nothing more than for profit! So, when interests might be harmed, discarding this "clothing" was the most justifiable and even natural course of action. If this applied to a principal wife, how much more so for a concubine? Yet, Wei Tingyu spoke such words, directly overturning all of Shou Hua's previous values! She had previously believed that it was natural for a wife or concubine to sacrifice herself for her husband, but she never expected that her husband's greatest desire was for them to be by his side! This, of course, included herself! What was the meaning of fearless sacrifice? Only long-term companionship with her husband was what she and her sisters should do within their duty! In just an instant, the concepts in Shou Hua's small mind were completely transformed! Right! I can't be so foolish anymore; my husband wants me to be able to accompany him!
"Isn't this the Marquis Jining?" At this moment, the fop finally reacted, looking at Wei Tingyu with a half-smile, "How does the Marquis know this lady?" When he said this, everyone present was speechless. Even his two servant attendants almost lowered their heads in shame, wanting to pretend they didn't know their master. The two of them were embracing and talking intimately like that; of course, they knew each other. And it was clearly more than just knowing each other, wasn't it? How brain-dead must one be to not see the relationship between these two, and then ask such a foolish question?
"What do you think?" Wei Tingyu was too lazy to waste words with the fop in front of him and spoke coldly.
"Our lady is the Marquis's newly taken noble concubine!" At this moment, Chunlai, who was beside Shou Hua, immediately spoke, her face also showing a smug expression. In her view, with the Marquis here, there was naturally someone to support her lady! So, she could naturally speak with more confidence!
"Noble concubine?" The fop was startled, then frowned. After all, he wasn't a fool. If that fellow Chai An hadn't incited him, insisting that the Li family's daughters were all as beautiful as flowers and betting with him, he wouldn't have so rashly troubled the Li family's lady. However, this Eldest Daughter of the Li family had already married into the Marquis's Residence as a noble concubine? Although the status of a noble concubine was not as high as a principal wife, the addition of the word "noble" was enough to show that the husband's family highly approved of this marriage, and even valued it considerably. So, it could be considered half a formal in-law relationship. Chai An hadn't told him about such an important matter... This clearly showed that he was being used as a pawn! Thinking of this, the fop's expression changed, and a hint of viciousness appeared in his eyes! However, at this moment, he still cupped his hands towards Wei Tingyu and bowed, "Marquis, please don't be offended; I was unaware of this before!"
"Today's matter was all a misunderstanding; I will definitely personally visit the Marquis another day to apologize!"
With that, the fop intended to turn and leave. Of course, his words about personally visiting to apologize another day were nothing more than a polite formality! In his view, he had already lowered his stance and offered a way out. If both sides took a step back, the matter would be resolved, and he still had to settle accounts with Chai An.
"Stop!" However, Wei Tingyu naturally wouldn't be so easily dismissed. Setting aside your perfunctory apology, you scared my obedient Shou Hua, and now you want to just turn and leave like that? Although the other party didn't actually touch Shou Hua's body or clothes, just those two lines of clear tears from his wife were enough to make him pay a considerable emotional damage fee!
"Does the Marquis have any other instructions?" The fop was startled, then turned to look at Wei Tingyu, a confused expression appearing in his eyes. Could it be that this Marquis Jining isn't willing to take the way out I've offered?
"Who are you?" Wei Tingyu scanned the fop's figure from head to toe, then revealed a scornful smile and asked.
"You... you don't know who I am?" The fop was immediately stunned upon hearing this. He knew Wei Tingyu; after all, they were both noble sons of the capital, so he subconsciously assumed that Wei Tingyu must also know him. However, he didn't expect the other party to ask such a question directly, which made him instantly lose face.
At this moment, many onlookers also gathered, pointing and whispering.
"Do I need to know who you are?" Wei Tingyu let out a cold laugh upon hearing the other party's words.
"Hahaha! This person isn't pretending to be some noble's son, is he?"
"The Marquis doesn't even know him! I'd say there's an 80-90% chance he's faking it!"
"This kind of person not only harasses virtuous women on the street but also impersonates a noble's son; truly hateful!"
"In my opinion, beat him up and send him to the capital's prefecture! He should be severely punished!"
... The surrounding onlookers discussed amongst themselves. After all, the current situation looked like this fop was merely putting on a show of power. The fop immediately grew even more anxious. If he were actually beaten up, that would still be good! If he were sent to the capital's prefecture, and the matter reached his sister's ears, she probably wouldn't spare him either! His parents indulged him daily, but this sister never did! In the past, before she married out, whenever he caused trouble, his sister would beat and scold him without mercy!
"Marquis Wei, how can you not recognize me?" The fop, thinking of this, quickly said to Wei Tingyu, "My sister is Concubine Yang Jieyu, the current Emperor's most favored!"
"Oh..." Wei Tingyu blinked, putting on a look of sudden understanding, and nodded, "I thought you looked somewhat familiar; so it's Young Master Yang Xian!"
"Precisely, precisely!" Yang Xian quickly nodded repeatedly. And when these two spoke, the onlookers immediately fell silent. Goodness! Who knew this fop was actually a Young Master from a powerful family! Shou Hua, upon hearing this, immediately felt a surge of tension, but then heavily breathed a sigh of relief. The tension came from realizing this fellow was indeed a noble with palace connections! But she was also fortunate that she had endured earlier and didn't directly conflict with him; otherwise, she would have truly caused trouble for the Marquis!
"Marquis!" Shou Hua, thinking of this, quickly looked up and gently patted Wei Tingyu's chest, then advised, "Since it's a misunderstanding, let it go! Young Master Yang probably didn't mean it..."
However, Wei Tingyu directly grasped Shou Hua's small hand. The soft, icy-jade touch made his heart fill with emotion. Logically speaking, no significant harm was done, but if he didn't severely teach Yang Xian a lesson now, wouldn't any random cat or dog be able to scheme against the women in his residence under the guise of a 'misunderstanding'?
"Yes, yes! It was just a misunderstanding!" Yang Xian didn't know what Wei Tingyu was thinking in his heart; he only nodded quickly upon hearing Shou Hua's words. However, at this moment, seeing Shou Hua nestled gently in Wei Tingyu's embrace, looking soft and lovely, he couldn't help but swallow twice. From this, it was clear that although Yang Xian appeared to back down on the surface, his lustful heart had not diminished in the slightest. Since that was the case, Wei Tingyu was naturally even less likely to let this fellow off!
"Even if it's a misunderstanding, I naturally won't pursue it further!" Wei Tingyu's mind turned, and he looked at the other party, smiling, "However, since this incident occurred, Young Master should still give an explanation and make a proper apology!"
"..." Yang Xian immediately frowned upon hearing this. After all, he was a Young Master, and his sister was a favored Concubine in the palace! This Wei Tingyu wanted him to apologize in public? Before, a polite formality and a way out for everyone was enough, but this mere Marquis Jining is actually showing off in public now? Is he trying to slap my face and the Yang family's face?
"Young Master Yang, don't misunderstand!" Wei Tingyu saw Yang Xian's expression gradually darken. With a snap, he opened his folding fan with his left hand, and while elegantly fanning himself, he smiled and said, "This Marquis isn't asking you to apologize to me!" I knew it! This Marquis Jining couldn't be so unappreciative as to insist on tearing down the Yang family's face, could he? Yang Xian's expression relaxed slightly upon hearing this, but if he wasn't asking him to apologize to him, then what did he want? This question was not only in Yang Xian's mind but also in everyone else's. Even Shou Hua looked at Wei Tingyu with a puzzled expression, wondering what the Marquis intended to do?
"You offended my lady!" Wei Tingyu chuckled, then stared directly at Yang Xian and said, "As the saying goes, every wrong has its head, every debt has its master. You naturally need to apologize to my lady!"
"What?!" Yang Xian was utterly stunned upon hearing this! Is this Wei Tingyu crazy? He actually wants me to apologize to a woman in public?! Even the Marquis Jining doesn't have such treatment, let alone a mere noble concubine in his household?
"Marquis..." Shou Hua was also stunned at this moment. She never expected Wei Tingyu's "support" to mean this. To make a dignified Young Master apologize to a mere woman like her on this street? How was that possible? But seeing the firm expression in Wei Tingyu's eyes, Shou Hua's heart was filled with boundless emotion! He truly is her Marquis! At crucial moments, he can truly hold up the sky for his woman! Thinking of this, Shou Hua's eyes even turned slightly red again, but this time it wasn't from grievance or fear, but solely from profound emotion and love!
And Wei Tingyu gently patted her small hand, then gave her a smile. The meaning in his eyes was clear: You don't need to worry about anything; everything is for me to decide! I will certainly not let you suffer injustice and let it go unpunished! Shou Hua had originally wanted to persuade Wei Tingyu to let the matter go, but after seeing his gaze, she wisely closed her mouth. After all, she knew the Marquis's temper; if he had truly made up his mind, let alone herself, all the wives and concubines in the Marquis's Residence combined couldn't persuade him! Of course, this was also because the Marquis doted on her too much. Although Shou Hua felt helpless in her heart, she also felt an inexpressible sweetness.
"Wow! The Marquis Jining is truly a man! He doesn't even care about a Young Master's reputation!"
"I wouldn't have that courage! Even as a Marquis, he has powerful figures in the palace backing him!"
"That's why you can't be a Marquis! Just be envious here!"
"But will this Young Master Yang be willing to apologize? I don't think this matter is that simple!"
"He definitely won't apologize, otherwise, where would the Yang family's face be? This also involves Concubine Yang Jieyu in the palace!"
"Goodness! When nobles get into a conflict, won't it stir up trouble all the way to the Golden Throne Hall?"
... The crowd of onlookers also whispered amongst themselves. After all, Wei Tingyu's recent demand had shocked everyone present. Women already had a relatively low status in this world; making a dignified Young Master apologize to a woman in front of so many people was no less humiliating than stripping him naked and throwing him onto the street.
"Marquis Jining!" Yang Xian naturally heard these whispers, and his face instantly turned ashen. He fiercely pointed a finger at Wei Tingyu and loudly cursed, "Don't think I'm afraid of you!"
"So, the Young Master is unwilling?" Wei Tingyu let out a cold chuckle, looking at the other party coldly and asking. The most irritating thing was that in stark contrast to his cold face, his right hand was still gently patting Shou Hua's delicate back, comforting the beauty in his arms! This disdainful and cynical attitude, in Yang Xian's eyes, was a complete contempt for him!
Upon seeing this scene, Yang Xian was momentarily overwhelmed with rage and, disregarding the consequences, directly lunged at Wei Tingyu. He himself had no martial arts foundation whatsoever; normally, he just relied on the Yang family's influence and paraded around the marketplace with a few servants. Now that he was personally attacking, he naturally couldn't use any moves other than wild flailing. This ridiculous sight even made Shou Hua laugh directly! That's his level? Even I, a woman who knows nothing of martial arts, can predict the outcome! This person actually has the audacity to provoke the Marquis? He truly fears no death!
Wei Tingyu naturally didn't want to have any connection with this privileged fop. He lightly fanned his folding fan in Yang Xian's direction with his left hand, and at the same time, an internal force shot out from his arm! Although internal force quickly dissipates in the air, at such close range and with Yang Xian knowing nothing of martial arts, how could he withstand a heavy internal force strike? He only saw Wei Tingyu fan his fan, and then a powerful force rushed towards him, directly striking him in the face. This feeling was like being hit directly in the face by a heavy punch. Yang Xian immediately fell backward, collapsing onto the ground with a thump. It took him a full two seconds to barely prop up his head, but all he saw was the world seeming to sway from side to side, and he even tasted a salty-sweet flavor at the corner of his mouth.
"Ah!" This startled Shou Hua, because the Yang Xian in front of her at this moment was truly in a sorry state. His face looked as if it had been trampled by a cow; bruised and swollen, with two streams of nosebleed mixing with snot directly flowing into his mouth.
"Young Master!" Yang Xian's two servants also reacted at this moment and quickly ran to help Yang Xian up in a hurry. But as they helped Yang Xian, they also looked at Wei Tingyu with fearful eyes. The two of them hadn't seen the other party's movements at all just now; how did Wei Tingyu just fan his fan in the air, and their Young Master just fell straight to the ground like that?