Shops lined Qingxing Street in close succession, with wine shops and teahouses beyond counting.

Second Miss Qiao chose a teahouse from which she could clearly see the main entrance of Youjian Tavern. She sat by a window on the second floor, continuously watching that spot.

It was not yet noon, and there weren’t many people in the teahouse, so it was relatively quiet for the moment.

A maid wearing a blue vest came upstairs and reported quietly to Second Miss Qiao: “Miss, this servant has inquired. Miss Luo comes to the tavern every day, but she rarely comes in the morning. Usually it’s in the evening.”

“Evening?” Second Miss Qiao gripped her teacup and bit her lip.

If she had to wait until evening, that would be quite a long time.

The maid hurriedly said: “There are also times when she comes after midday.”

“Then we’ll wait.” Second Miss Qiao instantly made her decision.

Thinking about what she was going to do, she wasn’t without fear in her heart, but for the sake of her sister she could only go all out.

This was something that required decisive action. If she returned to the residence now, she might not have the courage to come out again.

Waiting time always passed extremely slowly, creating the torment of feeling like days were years.

Second Miss Qiao waited from noon until the sun moved west, finally waiting until Luo Sheng appeared.

She rose abruptly and hurried downstairs.

Luo Sheng had not yet reached the tavern entrance when she heard an urgent call from behind: “Miss Luo, please stop.”

Not recognizing the voice immediately, Luo Sheng turned around.

Second Miss Qiao quickly walked up to Luo Sheng and hastily performed a greeting between peers: “Miss Luo, I’ve finally waited for you.”

Luo Sheng asked without showing her emotions: “You are—”

Second Miss Qiao was furious, but held back her anger and said: “Miss Luo is an important person with many matters—have you forgotten when I accompanied my mother to call on you and ask for help?”

“Ah, I remember now. So it’s Second Miss Qiao.” Luo Sheng seemed to suddenly realize.

Her memory certainly wasn’t that poor. At this juncture when rumors were flying everywhere, Second Miss Qiao’s purpose for appearing here was self-evident.

“Right now it’s not yet time for the tavern to open. If Second Miss Qiao wants to drink, you’ll have to wait a bit.” After politely explaining, Luo Sheng turned to leave.

“Miss Luo, I didn’t come to drink!” Second Miss Qiao’s voice rose.

Qingxing Street was at its liveliest time of day. Youjian Tavern, which attracted countless high officials and nobility, was a unique presence on Qingxing Street. At this moment, two beautiful young women seeming to have a dispute in front of the tavern quickly drew many people to stop and watch.

Luo Sheng’s tone turned cold: “This is a tavern. Since Second Miss Qiao didn’t come to drink, I won’t entertain you.”

Seeing Luo Sheng about to leave, Second Miss Qiao reached out in desperation to grab her sleeve.

A hand shot out, firmly grasping Second Miss Qiao’s wrist.

Hong Dou’s face was tense as she said displeasedly: “What kind of person are you, touching our miss in broad daylight? Our miss doesn’t fancy women!”

As soon as these words were spoken, laughter immediately rose and fell in waves.

That the proprietress of Youjian Tavern kept male companions was known to almost everyone. This was also why many people didn’t believe Prince Kaiyang had feelings for Miss Luo.

What man could tolerate this?

Amid the laughter, Second Miss Qiao’s face turned completely red. Steeling her heart, she knelt down: “Miss Luo, please help my sister!”

With this kneeling, the scene suddenly became quiet.

The onlookers were momentarily stunned.

Judging by her dress, this was also a young lady from a distinguished family—how could she just kneel down like that?

Glancing at the expressionless young woman in plain clothes, quite a few people gasped: Could it be that Miss Luo stole this young lady’s fiancé?

Kneeling on the cold stone slabs, the humiliation of kneeling in public to beg someone almost made Second Miss Qiao’s tears fall instantly: “Miss Luo, my sister’s disfigurement is truly pitiful. Please, for the sake of being fellow women, show great mercy and help her…”

When they had come to beg Luo Sheng before, they still needed to conceal their purpose. Now there was no need.

She even felt that the news of her sister’s disfigurement spreading was a good thing—at least she could openly come to beg Luo Sheng for help.

If Luo Sheng was unwilling, it could also let the world see this person’s cruel heart.

Luo Sheng frowned at Second Miss Qiao kneeling on the ground, somewhat surprised.

She truly hadn’t expected Second Miss Qiao to be able to throw caution to the wind like this. Could she have received some kind of provocation?

One young woman kneeling in supplication, one young woman not saying a word—this quickly caused the onlookers to discuss among themselves.

“What’s the situation? Did Miss Luo disfigure the young lady in purple’s sister?”

“Don’t guess wildly. That young lady in purple should be Second Miss Qiao from the Qiao residence, the Crown Princess’s younger sister.”

Many people immediately thought of recent rumors, and the discussion immediately quieted considerably.

“So the Crown Princess’s disfigurement is true.”

“The Crown Princess is disfigured—why is Second Miss Qiao coming to beg Miss Luo for help?”

“I heard the divine physician regards Miss Luo with favor. Second Miss Qiao is asking Miss Luo to help invite the divine physician, right?”

Those who heard this suddenly understood.

And Second Miss Qiao’s next words also confirmed everyone’s speculation.

“Miss Luo, you once moved the divine physician to treat Grand Commander Luo, and once moved the divine physician to visit Prince of Pingnan’s residence. This shows the divine physician looks favorably upon you. Please help my sister.”

Seeing a young lady from a distinguished family kneeling on the street crying pitifully, the onlookers couldn’t help but feel compassion. Looking again at Miss Luo still maintaining an expressionless appearance, the scales in their hearts tipped further toward the other side.

Listening to those discussions, Luo Sheng smiled slightly: “Is Second Miss Qiao here to ask me for help?”

Hearing Luo Sheng say this, Second Miss Qiao thought she couldn’t withstand everyone’s discussion and was softening her attitude. Joy immediately filled her heart as she called out loudly: “Precisely!”

Luo Sheng’s face suddenly turned cold: “How can I see that Second Miss Qiao has come to sincerely ask me for help? When asking someone for help, shouldn’t one send a calling card first, then when the person you’re asking is available to receive you, bring gifts and speak properly? But Second Miss Qiao—how wonderful! Kneeling and crying in the street like this, clearly trying to use public opinion to force me to comply. How is this asking for help?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the discussion immediately stopped.

Luo Sheng looked around at everyone and asked without courtesy: “I ask all of you—if you encountered someone asking for help in this manner, how would you feel?”

Hearing these words, the onlookers couldn’t help but fall silent.

Asking for help is asking for help, but if someone knelt like this in broad daylight—can’t afford to offend them, can’t afford to offend them.

Everyone’s gaze at Second Miss Qiao immediately changed.

Second Miss Qiao panicked and hurriedly said: “Previously my mother brought me to your door to beg Miss Luo, but Miss Luo was unwilling to help. Today, seeing my eldest sister in such a state, I truly had no other choice but to shamelessly come beg Miss Luo again. Who told the divine physician to show favor only to Miss Luo…”

These words could be said to strike at the heart with every word. Even if Luo Sheng didn’t agree to help, they proclaimed the divine physician’s favor toward her. In the future, those who couldn’t obtain medical treatment would naturally think of coming to beg her for help.

Refuse one, refuse two—over time, she would offend everyone.

Luo Sheng laughed coldly: “Second Miss Qiao also said that previously your honorable mother brought you to ask me for help and was refused. Since you’re clear about my attitude, yet now you’re making such a scene—could it be that your residence’s style is to force others against their will?”

As Second Miss Qiao was struck speechless, Luo Sheng said indifferently: “Second Miss Qiao might as well turn around and look.”