Zhan Feiyu sealed the letters she had written. "I'll send someone to deliver them later."
Did the young lady intend to befriend Young Master Jiao and the others? He Nuan took the letters. The first one was to be sent to the Jiao residence, but to Jiao Lianping, not Prefect Jiao.
"It's just a small favor," Zhan Feiyu explained with a smile. The events of today would surely not remain a secret. Although Jiao Lianping and the others came from prominent families, they were not heavily relied upon by their clans. It was hard to guarantee that some might not target them under the guise of seeking justice for her.
After He Nuan left with the letters, Zhan Feiyu began her daily studies.
Meanwhile, just as Zhan Feiyu had predicted, the news reached them shortly after Jiao Lianping and his companions left the wine shop.
"Second Young Master, the Eldest Young Master is desperate. He actually dared to bring a courtesan when meeting Miss Zhan." The young servant shook his head in disdain. The Eldest Young Master was only fortunate in his birth; otherwise, what right would such a fool have to enjoy wealth and luxury?
Jiao Lianyu was coloring a painting of flowers and birds on his desk. He spoke slowly, "Does Father know about this?"
"His Lordship is still at the yamen," the servant replied in a low voice. He hesitated before continuing, "Shall I have someone leak the news to His Lordship?"
Miss Zhan is a distinguished guest of Lord Qiu. The Eldest Young Master is unreliable and dares to disrespect the precious Miss Zhan by bringing a courtesan. Whether it was intentional or not, His Lordship would surely not let the Eldest Young Master off lightly to give Miss Zhan an explanation.
"No need. Eldest Brother is arrogant and conceited, but he is not foolish. Too much is as bad as too little. If Father becomes suspicious, it would be detrimental." With the last stroke of vermilion added to the kingfisher's eye, Jiao Lianyu's handsome face broke into a gentle smile. "As a brother, if Eldest Brother makes a mistake, I, his younger brother, naturally have to mend it a little."
The servant was stunned for a moment before he understood, his face filled with flattery. "As expected, Young Master is brilliant. I am truly far behind."
A flicker of pride flashed in Jiao Lianyu's eyes. He took a cloth to wipe his hands. "To make the act complete, ensure Eldest Brother believes it was I who reported him."
"Yes, I will attend to it immediately." The servant nodded vigorously. By then, His Lordship would surely detest the ungrateful Eldest Young Master even more.
...
Qianzhong Prefecture Yamen.
"My Lord, something has happened!" A middle-aged man, appearing to be a steward, rushed into the yamen.
Fortunately, the constables recognized him as the steward of Lord Wei's household. Considering that Lord Wei also had an incompetent younger son, such scenes occurred several times a month.
Cai Zhiyuan and his group were still in prison. Prefect Jiao hadn't even had time for lunch, and all the officials in the yamen were busy. Lord Wei, who was working in his office, turned extremely grim upon hearing the shouts.
"My Lord, it is my fault for not teaching my son properly." Lord Wei quickly rose to apologize. While his past disgraces were bearable, during this critical time, his wayward son had caused trouble again and again. Lord Wei wished he could immediately return home and give the boy a severe beating.
Lord Teng, seated at the head of the table, spoke without looking up, "Go and see what's happening. Don't let it escalate."
"Yes." Lord Wei felt utterly humiliated in front of his colleagues. After bowing, he strode out of the door.
The steward, disregarding the presence of others, spoke urgently, "My Lord, something has happened!"
"What has that unfilial son done now?" Lord Wei gritted out the words. He had sent a message back home that morning, instructing the Wei family to act cautiously, especially that wayward son, who was best kept confined at home to prevent him from causing trouble. Yet, trouble had erupted within two hours.
"The young master went out with the Eldest Young Master Jiao at noon..." The steward quickly recounted the events. Seeing Lord Wei's furious expression, he cautiously continued, "I heard that Lord Qiu has also received the news."
This was Qianzhong Prefecture, and Lord Qiu was a high-ranking official of the second rank.
...The door to the private room was pushed open. Zhan Feiyu looked up to see a woman dressed in a light gauze robe, holding a pipa in one hand, her hair styled in a fallen-hairpin bun, her eyes like gentle autumn water. Her naturally charming appearance evoked an involuntary desire to protect her.
"Get out!" Jiao Lianping said with disgust. He did enjoy listening to Xiao Taohong sing, but ultimately, she was just a low-class street performer. With Zhan Feiyu present today, and thinking of her teacher, Scholar Gu, Jiao Lianping wished he could turn back time.
A dandy in a blue robe standing by the door stood up. Seeing that Zhan Feiyu only looked curious and not angry, his anxious heart finally relaxed.
This young lady must come from a prominent family. If her elders knew that a courtesan from a brothel was in the same room with her, not only would they be angered, but it could even implicate the entire family. The reputation of noble ladies could not be tarnished.
A young maidservant at the door looked at the approaching young man in blue and pleaded, "Young Master Wang, my lady..."
"Xiao Lian!" A soft reprimand sounded. Xiao Taohong bowed to the young man in blue. "I apologize for disturbing you all. I seem to have entered the wrong room and will leave now."
"But if you go back, Miss, Aunt Dong will definitely make you entertain guests." The young maidservant burst into tears and fell to her knees, kowtowing to everyone in the private room.
"Eldest Young Master, please show some mercy and save my lady. If my lady returns like this today, she will truly have no way to survive."
Under normal circumstances, even if Jiao Lianping and the others treated Xiao Taohong as a plaything for amusement, they would have helped. After all, for them, it was a matter of life and death, and for the scions like Jiao Lianping, it was just a small gesture.
But today was different. Even the most gentle-tempered Young Master Wang frowned and said displeasedly, "Enough! We'll talk about it outside!"
At least such "filthy words" as entertaining guests should not dirty her ears, considering her age, let alone the fact that Miss Zhan was of noble status.
Xiao Lian suddenly looked up, her tear-streaked face filled with disbelief, as if she couldn't believe that Young Master Wang, who was usually kind to her lady, was now so heartless.
Her gaze swept over everyone in the room. Xiao Lian was familiar with Eldest Young Master Jiao and the others. Finally, her eyes fell on Zhan Feiyu, and she cleverly understood why Young Master Wang and the others were asking them to leave – it was because of this young lady!
"Xiao Lian, get up. We should go back and not disturb the esteemed guests' meal," Xiao Taohong said again, her exquisitely drawn eyebrows showing no resentment, still demure and gentle.
Sobbing, she raised her hand to wipe away her tears. Xiao Lian stood up, but thinking of Li Fengxian's venomous face in the brothel and Aunt Dong's unfeeling ultimatum, sorrow welled up in Xiao Lian's heart. She suddenly took a step forward.
Xiao Lian bypassed Young Master Wang and rushed directly in front of Zhan Feiyu, but was immediately blocked by He Nuan.
"My lady, please be kind and save my lady!" Xiao Lian cried, begging Zhan Feiyu. "Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. My lady, your great kindness will be repaid by me as an ox or a horse in the next life!"
Before Zhan Feiyu could speak, Xiao Lian suddenly turned and lunged towards the nearby wall.
He Nuan frowned, but his movements were swift. He grabbed Xiao Lian's arm and flung her away. Xiao Lian, who had intended to hit the wall, stumbled a few steps and fell to the ground.
"Enough! If you want to die, go back to your White Jade Tower!" Jiao Lianping stood up abruptly, glaring angrily at Xiao Lian, who had fallen to the ground. Such a scene of crying, making a scene, and threatening to hang herself had actually happened in front of Zhan Feiyu.
The others also looked displeased. In their past amusements, whether it was going to the White Jade Tower or having Xiao Taohong sing, it was just to pass the time and have some fun. Spending money to patronize a courtesan was merely a romantic affair.
Even the ladies of their households would not inquire about it. In the end, she wasn't even considered a plaything.
Everyone present knew that Zhan Feiyu was of noble status. The matter had been smoothed over when Xiao Taohong said she had entered the wrong room. Yet, this maidservant still staged a scene of hitting the wall, truly clueless!
Xiao Taohong quickly walked into the private room, pulled up the fallen Xiao Lian, and said with teary eyes, "Don't be foolish! Get up quickly, we should go back."
"I'm not leaving. Miss, let's beg the Eldest Young Master again. As long as the Eldest Young Master speaks, Aunt Dong will definitely not force you to entertain guests anymore."