Wang Zhilan suddenly pointed at the guards behind her and said:
"These are all top-notch experts from my manor. I won't bully you. Pick any one of them. If you can win, you can take the person away."
In Wang Zhilan's opinion, the opponent was just a frail scholar, no match for these burly women who had practiced martial arts for decades.
Hearing the request, Nian Jiaojiao deliberately showed a distressed expression:
"This might not be good..."
Wang Zhilan waved her hand grandly:
"What's not good about it? Or is it that... Scholar Nian, you dare not? If that's the case..."
"Wait!"
Nian Jiaojiao appeared extremely anxious, as if cornered.
She gritted her teeth and said:
"I agree, but... how will I know you won't go back on your word then?"
Wang Zhilan burst into laughter. She pointed at the people around her and said:
"They are all witnesses. Everyone knows that Wang Zhilan keeps her word. Whether good or bad, once it leaves my mouth, I will certainly make it happen!"
This was the truth; she had always been proud.
However, if she suffered a disadvantage, she would seek double retribution next time.
Nian Jiaojiao listened and pointed at a sturdy woman behind Wang Zhilan:
"Then I'll choose her..."
When Wang Zhilan and her entourage saw whom Nian Jiaojiao had chosen, they all burst into laughter, doubling over.
"Haha, Scholar Nian is indeed a scholar leader. Her judgment is beyond ordinary people. Our captain is indeed excellent!"
After speaking, her smile vanished. She patted the captain on the shoulder, her eyes conveying a fierce, unspoken message.
The captain grinned menacingly and walked towards Nian Jiaojiao.
"Wait!" Nian Jiaojiao suddenly spoke.
Before Wang Zhilan could say anything, she pointed outside the door, "It's not suitable to fight here. Let's go outside."
...
The street.
The stalls on both sides of the restaurant had been moved elsewhere, clearing a space.
Nian Jiaojiao stood still without making any moves.
The captain of the guards charged towards Nian Jiaojiao.
Nian Jiaojiao was not accustomed to these martial arts techniques and could only defend. To others, it seemed the captain of the guards had the upper hand.
However, what no one knew was that the captain of the guards was becoming increasingly astonished with each exchange with Nian Jiaojiao, her movements becoming more cautious and sharp.
If her perception was not mistaken, the opponent's skill was growing at an astonishing rate.
No!
It should be said that the opponent was perfectly replicating her movements.
But the immense force transmitted through her made her bones and muscles ache unbearably with every strike.
After more than a hundred exchanges, Nian Jiaojiao found her weakness and struck her waist.
The captain of the guards stumbled back several steps, remaining motionless for a long time.
Wang Zhilan was displeased:
"What are you doing? Go on! Don't tell me you can't even defeat a scholar?!"
The captain of the guards looked up, spat out a mouthful of blood, and swayed precariously.
The opponent's force had been constantly hitting her, and the final blow had completely dislodged the old bruise she had sustained earlier.
She cupped her hands towards Nian Jiaojiao and said:
"I am not as skilled as you!"
With that, she retreated behind Wang Zhilan.
Wang Zhilan's face turned extremely ugly. She turned and backhanded the captain of the guards, delivering a resounding slap.
The captain of the guards' head was forced to turn, and then she calmly turned her face back.
Slap—
Another slap.
Turn back.
Slap, slap, slap—
The captain of the guards' face turned bright red.
Wang Zhilan glared at the captain of the guards and finally stopped hitting her.
After all, the captain of the guards was her mother's trusted aide, and she could not dispose of her arbitrarily without permission.
She turned to Nian Jiaojiao and said:
"Fine, you can take the person."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded:
"Thank you."
With that, she was about to lead the person away.
"Wait!" Wang Zhilan from behind suddenly said.
Nian Jiaojiao turned and asked:
"What? Are you going back on your word?"
Wang Zhilan smiled thinly and said:
"No, I said you could take the person, but I didn't say you could take both of them."
Hearing Wang Zhilan's words, Xu Nan and Xu Ruoliu hid behind Nian Jiaojiao in fear.
Before Nian Jiaojiao could speak, a burst of laughter came from the second floor of the restaurant.
Everyone looked up.
They saw a young woman holding a wine pot, sitting casually on the window ledge of the second floor.
"Qin Tang! It's you again!"
Wang Zhilan gnashed her teeth.
Too many things had happened recently; she hadn't settled the score with this person for the Full Moon Poetry Society incident!
Qin Tang jumped down from the second floor and stood between the two parties. She turned to Wang Zhilan and said:
"I was enjoying my wine and in a good mood. Then I saw a good show, but when I saw that scabby dog at the end, I couldn't help but laugh."
"Qin Tang! Who are you calling that!"
Qin Tang appeared fearless:
"Whoever it applies to!"
Then, she turned to Nian Jiaojiao and the other two and said:
"You three go first, I'll deal with her."
"Qin Tang, don't think you can get away with anything just because the City Lord of Ying supports you!"
Wang Zhilan was about to send her guards to intercept, but the captain of the guards stopped her, whispering in Wang Zhilan's ear:
"Miss, City Lord Wang instructed that we should avoid conflict with City Lord Ying's side as much as possible right now. If it ruins the grand plan..."
Wang Zhilan hesitated for a moment after hearing this, then gritted her teeth and could only give up.
She stared intently at Qin Tang and Nian Jiaojiao.
"Next time we meet, I will definitely entertain you both properly!"
With that, she led her group away in a grand procession.
After they left, Nian Jiaojiao cupped her hands and bowed to Qin Tang:
"Thank you, Lord Qin, for your assistance."
Qin Tang waved her hand:
"It's nothing! I always found her unpleasant... Moreover, City Lord Ying and I think highly of Scholar Nian."
"When this matter is over, Jiaojiao will definitely visit to express my gratitude!"
After a few pleasantries, Nian Jiaojiao led the still-stunned two brothers to the carriage.
...
"You, you're Nian Jiaojiao! You are really Nian Jiaojiao!"
Xu Ruoliu looked on in disbelief.
He hadn't thought of it when he first heard "Scholar Nian," even though he knew she had passed the scholar exam in a short time and had great potential. But he never expected her to be the top scholar!
Hearing the commotion outside the carriage, Yu Chuan also lifted the curtain and came out.
"Fourth brother? Fifth brother?"
"Third brother, it's really you!"
Xu Ruoliu glanced at Yu Chuan, then at the now ethereal and beautiful Nian Jiaojiao, and felt a pang of envy.
Yu Chuan nodded and asked the two:
"Why have you come to Fengcheng? Has Mother also come?"
For unmarried men like Xu Nan and Xu Ruoliu, traveling alone far from home was contrary to the Xu family's reputation as a "scholarly family."
Hearing Yu Chuan's question, Xu Ruoliu and Xu Nan seemed to recall something.
Their eyes reddened, and tears began to flow.
Xu Ruoliu cried:
"Mother... she's dead!"
"What did you say!?"
Yu Chuan was stunned, thinking he had misheard. His mother was in her prime, and when he left, her health was perfectly fine. How could she be gone so suddenly?
.............
To thank my book fans for their recent support, here is a small theater segment as a gift. Please help yourselves~