Xu Hengyi was startled, "Who's coming to deliver heads? Don't they want to live?"
Nie Tong replied, "The one who lost everything last night and ran back with nothing left but his bare skin..."
"You mean Hao Wei? He still dares to show his face? Hahahaha..."
Xu Hengyi recalled the scene from last night and couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Half the capital saw his bare backside last night. How dare he show his face again..."
"Are you sure Hao Wei came to attack? Doesn't Hao Wei still owe your young master three thousand taels? Is he afraid you'll come to collect the debt, so he's rushing to deliver the money?"
Xia Zeshi suspected Nie Tong had made a mistake.
Didn't everyone know Xie Jiang's fearsome reputation? Was Hao Wei out of his mind to attack?
Xia Zeshi had already composed himself, quickly recovering from his disappointment. His father had ignored him for more than a day, and being ignored wasn't entirely without its benefits, at least he didn't have to worry about being reprimanded.
Nie Tong said, "How could I possibly mistake something like this? The fellow named Hao brought twenty to thirty men, armed with weapons, and was shouting threats at the门口, telling my young master to come out and die."
The reason Hao Wei was so eager to seek revenge wasn't just the humiliation of being paraded naked in the street last night; it was mainly because his young master had slept with Hao Wei's beloved.
The Fifth Prince and Young Master Xu San had been too self-disciplined in the past and had never frequented the pleasure quarters. They might not know that Liu Yingying of Qunfang Pavilion was Hao Wei's favorite. Hao Wei had paid a high price to book Liu Yingying for a month.
Then another month after that.
And he had declared in the pleasure circles that no one was allowed to touch Liu Yingying.
Most people in the pleasure circles were willing to give Fourth Young Master Hao some face.
Liu Yingying was the courtesan of Qunfang Pavilion, but not the courtesan of the entire capital.
There were plenty of courtesans more outstanding than Liu Yingying. If there was no Liu Yingying, there was Yang Yingying or Huang Yingying.
Logically, Liu Yingying, being booked by Hao Wei, should not have received any other guests during that month.
But his young master reasoned with people, ah no, his young master used money to persuade people.
How much silver did Hao Wei spend to book Liu Yingying for a month?
Only five hundred taels?
A beauty like Liu Yingying was worth more.
His young master offered a thousand taels, and it didn't even take a month, just one night.
Who could refuse that?!
Could the madam of Qunfang Pavilion refuse? Could Liu Yingying herself refuse?
Even his young master's face was irresistible.
Besides, Fourth Young Master Hao was parading himself naked all over the capital tonight, so he definitely wouldn't be visiting Qunfang Pavilion.
As for Hao Fourth Young Master getting angry afterward?
What, is Hao Fourth Young Master, a grown man, still going to throw a tantrum at a woman?
Whoever cuckolded him should be the one he's angry with!
Xia Zeshi didn't know what to say.
The mansion wasn't large, and even from the back garden, they could hear the banging on the door.
"Is this Hao Wei fellow crazy! Does he want to get serious?"
Xu Hengyi stood up abruptly, listening to the incessant commotion.
A bet is a bet! Being naked was embarrassing, but bringing people to attack the door, what was that supposed to mean? A fight to the death?
There had always been only one outcome for those who dared to confront Xie Jiang head-on.
Xie Jiang put down her teacup, stood up, and said to Nie Tong, "Since he wants to come in, just let him in. Is the door innocent?"
"Understood!"
Nie Tong knew what to do. He leaped up and disappeared from sight.
Xie Jiang calmly walked towards the front courtyard.
Xia Zeshi hesitated for a moment before following. He actually didn't want to get involved in this commotion; he just wanted to be a well-behaved and sensible Fifth Prince.
But thinking that his father hadn't even asked about his visit to the gambling dens and brothels last night, what was wrong with him casually joining in the fun?
Xia Zeshi felt a pang of sadness as he thought this.
Xu Hengyi sidled up to Xie Jiang and cautioned, "Since this Hao Wei fellow insists on delivering himself to be beaten, I have no objection to you beating him up. But make sure Nie Tong and the others don't go too hard. This is the capital, no need to cause any deaths."
Xie Jiang sighed, "Whether Nie Tong and the others go hard or not depends on Hao Wei himself. If you don't court death, you won't die." While saying this, how could she possibly hold back?
What was the point of her going to the casino last night? Did she enjoy the smoky atmosphere of the casino? Or did she really like the courtesan's bed?
Hao Wei's men came with swords, spears, and clubs, violently breaking down the door. When Nie Tong called for the door to be opened, it was already hanging precariously.
The people in the Xie residence did not stop them, allowing everyone to enter. Hao Wei led the way, holding a sword.
"Where is Xie Jiang! Come out for me!"
After all of Hao's men had entered the courtyard, the gatekeepers of the Xie residence slammed the door shut and bolted it.
Hao's men turned to look, all somewhat surprised and uncertain.
Hao Wei didn't pay much attention. It was good that the door was closed; it saved Xie Jiang from running away!
"Xie Jiang, come out and die! I know you're home! Don't be a coward hiding away! Come out if you have the guts!"
He had always stationed people to guard outside the Xie residence. As soon as Xie Jiang returned, he received the news. He knew Xie Jiang was home right now!
Hao Wei gave the order, "Search!"
"Who is this making such a fuss? It turns out to be Fourth Young Master Hao. Is Fourth Young Master Hao's backside still cold?" Just as Hao's retainers were about to head to the back, Xie Jiang emerged. She stared at Hao Wei's lower half and said, "Why are you going out wearing pants? Is Fourth Young Master Hao not going to streak today?"
Xie Jiang specialized in hitting people in the face.
The Hao retainers, who were about to rush to the back courtyard, stopped in their tracks. As Xie Jiang walked out slowly and unhurriedly, the Hao retainers retreated step by step in fear.
Despite the Xie person looking thin and weak, with a smiling face that seemed harmless, for some reason, they felt fear from the bottom of their hearts.
Hao Wei's face contorted with rage, "Xie Jiang, you're going too far! I'll beat you until you're spitting teeth today!"
Xia Zeshi and Xu Hengyi found Xie Jiang's words too cutting.
Didn't Hao Wei have any dignity?
Xie Jiang felt this was nothing and was about to show Hao Wei, and also Xia Zeshi and Xu Hengyi, what "going too far" really meant.
"Have you brought the three thousand taels of silver? I still need to send a thousand taels to Qunfang Pavilion. I forgot to pay yesterday evening's pleasure, so I can't let Sister Yingying misunderstand me."
"The remaining two thousand taels can last me another two days. Combined with the cash I won from you last night, I can have fun for four more days at Qunfang Pavilion. Sister Yingying must be waiting for me. Fourth Young Master Hao, don't delay my good deeds."
Hao Wei roared in anger, and a cold glint flashed from his hand as he lunged towards Xie Jiang.
Hao's retainers also rushed to protect their Fourth Young Master, engaging in a fight with the Xie residence's people who had surrounded them.
Xia Zeshi saw something amiss. Hao Wei was most upset not about losing his underwear last night, but about Liu Yingying of Qunfang Pavilion.
"Hao Wei and Liu Yingying are..."
Seeing Tian Kangtai standing aside with his hands clasped, not participating in this undoubtedly one-sided beatdown, Xia Zeshi walked over and asked in a low voice.
Tian Kangtai said, "Fourth Young Master Hao publicly declared Liu Yingying to be his woman and booked her at a high price."
Xia Zeshi gasped, suddenly understanding.
No wonder when Young Master Xie came out of the casino late at night and arrived at Yuchi Street, lined with brothels, he ignored many women soliciting customers, stopped in front of Qunfang Pavilion, pointed at it with a profound expression, and said he felt his destined person was inside!