Qi Leyun was pressed down by her companions on all sides, their hands covering her mouth.

“What are you shouting!” “You’re so embarrassing!”

Qi Leyun was held down but still angrily mumbled: “Why should she? She’s not worthy.”

“No, that’s not it.” The girl from before hurriedly said in a low voice. “Of course it’s not with Third Young Master Xie. If it were with Third Young Master Xie, the Liang family would have announced it for everyone to know.”

That was true. For such a glorious matter, how would the Liang family hide it?

Hearing it wasn’t Third Young Master Xie, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and Qi Leyun also calmed down.

“It’s one of Third Young Master Xie’s younger brothers.” The girl continued, then explained, “I’m not very clear either. My maid heard someone mention it somewhere earlier.”

Although Qi Leyun had calmed down, she was still indignant: “Then Liang Qin is really lucky to be able to become family with Third Young Master Xie.”

In the future, she’d be able to see Third Young Master Xie every day.

Right, after Liang Qin got married in the future, whenever she saw them, she’d certainly go on and on about “my Third Brother Xie.”

How infuriating.

A girl giggled: “Don’t worry, that scene won’t happen.” She looked at everyone, mysterious and a bit smug. “Actually, I heard about this too, but what I heard was that the marriage fell through.”

The girls immediately perked up and all looked at her.

That girl lowered her voice: “Supposedly the Xie family backed out.”

Qi Leyun laughed heartily: “Really?”

The other girls also laughed, and even more girls volunteered: “I heard about it too.” “A while ago didn’t Qin say she was beaten by Chu Zhao?” “Said she was beaten so badly she couldn’t see people.” “Actually no, she was too ashamed to show her face.” “That’s the Xie family looking down on the Liang family.” “Of course, he’s Third Young Master Xie’s brother after all.”

This side chattered and laughed, much livelier than when Third Young Master Xie was present—when Third Young Master Xie was there, how could they have time for chatting and laughter?

Originally, the girls’ laughter had sounded enjoyable to the ears, but at this moment Chu Ke only felt cut by knives. Everyone must be mocking him.

“I’m going back,” he said, rising to take his leave. He couldn’t stay a moment longer. Using his sleeve to cover his face: “From now on, let’s never see each other again.”

The young men held back their laughter and urged: “Why would we never see each other again?” “Brother Ke, don’t say that.” “Which family doesn’t have mischievous sisters?”

No matter what everyone said, Chu Ke could not stay any longer. Surrounded by his companions, he went downstairs.

Liang Qiang also rose. A young servant wandered over from the side, calling out “Young master.”

Liang Qiang fell to the back and asked in a low voice: “What were they saying? Did they mention our Liang family?”

Today this wine house was especially crowded, especially with that Third Young Master Xie present. Given the recent unpleasantness between the two families, he had specifically told his servants to be vigilant, using both eyes and ears.

The young servant looked uneasy: “Yes. Somehow word got out about Miss Qin’s rejected marriage proposal.”

Liang Qiang frowned and glanced at the third floor where the girls were gathered: “Did they only mention Qin?”

The young servant lowered his head: “They were mocking.”

That’s how it was among girls—mocking those without while resenting those with. When a young lady’s marriage proposal didn’t succeed, of course the other girls gloated.

Mocking Miss Qin naturally also mocked the Liang family.

The young servant complained: “I don’t know how it leaked out. The Xie family clearly said not to mention this matter, to act as if it never happened.”

A trace of resentment flashed in Liang Qiang’s eyes: “This kind of thing can’t be hidden anyway. How many eyes are watching each other in the capital? At the slightest disturbance, it spreads everywhere. As for the Xie family, they say one thing but may not necessarily do it. They only say nice things. Otherwise, why would they go back on their word and toy with my Liang family?”

Things have really been going badly lately. First his cousin was humiliated by that Chu family girl, then Uncle was reprimanded by His Majesty, then the Xie family went back on their word. There was rather a feeling of everyone pushing when the wall falls. Uncle’s official career was probably going to have problems.

“I didn’t expect to run into Third Young Master Xie,” the young servant said in a low voice. “Young master should go ask him—going back on one’s word like this, what kind of gentleman’s behavior is that?”

After Third Young Master Xie entered the capital, he had stayed indoors all along and didn’t accept visits from others. He hadn’t even gone to see the Crown Princess, so everyone couldn’t really blame him.

“Idiot,” Liang Qiang cursed at him. “Marriage matters are decided by parents and elders. What’s the point of asking Third Young Master Xie? If he apologizes to me, it would instead make my Liang family look desperate and frantic, even more shameful.”

The young servant lowered his head, not daring to say more: “Poor Miss Qin—how can she face anyone now?”

“What’s there that can’t face people?” Liang Qiang said. “Miss Chu was also mocked. So what?”

She still came out to see people, unafraid of anyone, and even more radiant and spirited than the one or two times she’d been seen before.

He looked toward a spot on the second floor. That girl leaned against the railing, her expression serene, bright and radiant. He hadn’t noticed before that she was so good-looking.

What a pity. Liang Qiang felt some regret. Miss Chu admired him, but he would not marry her.

Not because of the grudge with Uncle and his cousin, but because the Chu family’s standing wasn’t good enough.

Chu Ling’s sun was setting in the west, Chu Lan had accomplished nothing, Chu Ke’s talents and learning were mediocre—the Chu family would only last to this generation.

Who knows what kind of family this Miss Chu would find in the future.

After the family declined, marriage would also be quite unfortunate.

If after marriage she fell on hard times and he saw her again, he would definitely disregard the grudge between the two families and extend a helping hand, just for this young lady’s admiration and praise at this very moment.

Liang Qiang made this promise in his heart, withdrew his gaze, quickened his pace to catch up with his companions, and walked out.

Although the young servant didn’t understand why the young master suddenly had such a self-satisfied expression, it was good that he wasn’t angry about the Liang family being mocked. When the young master was in a good mood, serving him would be more pleasant too. He hurried to follow.

It seemed that with Third Young Master Xie’s departure, the originally bustling wine house had suddenly emptied.

Several young men finished their last pot of wine and called to each other: “Let’s go, let’s go.”

They still had duties. Although their superiors wouldn’t treat them harshly, if they happened upon two superiors fighting, they would inevitably suffer collateral damage.

“Especially you,” they said. “You with the surname Xie—neither those surnamed Yang nor those surnamed Zhao like you.”

The young man covered with the tablecloth didn’t move. His muffled voice came from within: “Since they don’t like me anyway and won’t like me no matter what I do, why care about them? I’m not leaving today. I’ll wait until everyone in the building is gone, then I’ll leave.”

What kind of madness was this again?

When coming, he didn’t want to come. Having come, now he doesn’t want to leave.

……

……

Chu Zhao was also preparing to leave.

She and A’Le finished the remaining half of the food and drink. The two shared a pot of wine and happily settled the bill.

The shop attendant who had been hovering around the whole time was also very happy and personally saw them off: “Miss Chu, come often when you have time.”

Chu Zhao thought for a moment, looked around, and sighed: “I can come often for the next while, but then there will be a long period when I can’t come often.”

After the Third Prince and Crown Prince created chaos, not only would the capital have a curfew for a long time, but during the day many wine houses and tea rooms would also be closed. The borders would be unstable, the Xie family would rebel, the capital would nearly be captured, the people would be in panic and alarm, like frightened birds—no longer having this current prosperity and leisure.

The shop attendant seemed to understand but didn’t, and didn’t delve deeper. He just assumed this girl found it inconvenient to go out. Well yes, after beating her own cousin like that in public, when she went back she would certainly be scolded and confined, or directly sent back to her father’s side.

After this commotion, the shop attendants all knew who this Miss Chu was. Chu Ling, who had been silent in the capital for many years, was now remembered again.

Chu Zhao rose and went downstairs. The girls on the third floor immediately noticed and called to each other: “She’s leaving.”

“So what if she leaves?” Qi Leyun snorted. “We’re leaving too.”

Third Young Master Xie had already left. Having watched the excitement of Chu Zhao fighting and heard about Liang Qin’s embarrassment, the girls were completely satisfied today. Eager to go back and share the excitement with their brothers, sisters, and parents at home, they all rose as well.

For a moment, Yaqu Pavilion was like colorful clouds descending, pleasing to the eye. Countless gazes in the wine house looked toward this direction.

“Some of them are really quite pretty.”

“Which families’ young ladies are they?”

The young men sitting inside also joked and teased, but only Xie Yanlai didn’t move, still covered with the tablecloth.

“Yanlai!” A young man reached out to pull the tablecloth. “Your third brother has already left. You don’t need to feel ashamed anymore. Why are you still covered with this!”

Xie Yanlai clutched the tablecloth and said blandly: “My third brother has left. I’m afraid if I show my face, I’ll make everyone else feel ashamed.”

The young men roared with laughter, some laughing, some cursing, and some kicking him a few times. This side instantly became somewhat noisy too.

The girls were attracted by the commotion and looked over. Seeing it was just some young men joking and roughhousing, they glanced once and haughtily withdrew their gazes.

With Third Young Master Xie before them, all others were rough gravel and broken tiles.

They deliberately squeezed past Chu Zhao as they walked out.

“There’s so much space, why are you pushing?” A’Le said angrily, about to grab the club from the basket.

Chu Zhao indicated she didn’t need to bother. She didn’t yield the path nor get angry. Whoever tried to bump into her couldn’t move her; instead they were bumped aside. Qi Leyun was even tripped. If the maid hadn’t supported her in time, she would have fallen.

Chu Zhao laughed heartily.

“Chu Zhao!” Qi Leyun cursed angrily. “What are you doing!”

Chu Zhao looked at her and smiled: “Watching you embarrass yourself.”

“I’m embarrassing myself?” Qi Leyun pointed at herself. “The one embarrassing herself is you, isn’t it?”

Chu Zhao said with a smile: “I’m not afraid of embarrassing myself. What about you?”

Look at her—like a country shrew! Qi Leyun was about to say more when Chu Zhao’s expression turned cold.

“I’m not afraid of embarrassing myself. I dare beat you right here,” she said. “If you’re not afraid of embarrassing yourself, come and try.”

The girl who had been all smiles just moments ago now had a cold, sharp expression. Qi Leyun was someone who often quarreled with her sisters—what tempers and harsh words hadn’t she encountered? But at this moment, she was actually frightened and stepped back.

It wasn’t that she was afraid of fighting, or afraid of embarrassment, but—she didn’t know what she was afraid of—

“Miss.” The maid was also frightened and grabbed her. “Let’s go quickly.”

The other girls saw this scene. If they really started fighting, they would also be embarrassed along with her. They all came forward to pull Qi Leyun away.

“Let’s go, let’s go.” “Hurry back.” “Be careful—if you’re late going back, your parents will scold you. Didn’t you say your father told you not to oppose Chu Zhao?” “Be careful or he won’t let you go out in the future.”

Everyone pulled Qi Leyun away. However, this time, the words only mentioned Qi Leyun. No one accused Chu Zhao, and there was none of the past naked disdain.

The girls all left in an instant. Only Chu Zhao and her servant remained in the entrance hall.

When the girls first started pushing and shoving, the young men inside who loved excitement had excitedly called out: “They’re fighting!” “This young lady is fierce!” “Hey, the fighting upstairs they mentioned earlier—wasn’t it her?”

There was nothing to see in men and women fighting, but they’d never seen girls fighting!

“Yanlai, Yanlai, get up and look.” Someone shook the phoenix-eyed youth.

Just as they called out, Xie Yanlai pressed him to the ground with one hand.

With his other hand holding the tablecloth over his head, Xie Yanlai’s voice came out even more muffled from behind the cloth: “What are you shouting! Stop shouting! If you shout and annoy her, she’ll come fight you—won’t you be embarrassed!”

The young man pressed to the ground was somewhat puzzled: “It’s not like she’ll fight anyone she sees, right?”

As the two struggled, the other young men said: “Don’t worry, she’s gone.”

The young man on the ground was released. Xie Yanlai finally lifted the tablecloth and looked toward the entrance. Sure enough, he saw that the girl’s figure was no longer at the door.

He let out a breath, tossed the tablecloth aside, grabbed the wine pot and shook it, then tilted his head back to drink.

The capital is so big—how did he run into her! What a fright!