Chapter 24: An Unexpected Encounter

Drunk Moon Tower, second floor.

Standing near the window were three men.

The one on the left wore an ink-colored brocade robe, the one in the middle wore a moonlight-colored brocade robe, and the one on the right wore a light blue robe.

Each of the three men was handsome in his own way.

However, their expressions were remarkably consistent—filled with shock and disbelief.

Behind them, Xiao Che sat, throwing beans into his mouth, thoroughly enjoying himself.

After eating two beans, he chuckled and said, "Now, do you believe what I said?"

The man in the ink-colored robe sighed, "Without seeing it with my own eyes, it's hard to believe that Young Master Gu would accompany that female bandit on a shopping trip."

"It's not just accompanying, it's clearly sticking to her," said the man in the moonlight-colored brocade robe.

He glanced at the people strolling on the street and spoke with a heavy tone, "Sticking to her like a plaster."

"You're exaggerating," Xiao Che said, not convinced.

He had known Gu Yunfeng for so long.

Even if someone stuck to him, he would find it annoying, let alone sticking to someone else.

"Am I exaggerating?" the man in the moonlight-colored brocade robe asked his companions.

"Not at all."

"Being modest."

Xiao Che widened his eyes.

Is that so?

If describing it as sticking like a plaster is considered modest, then how intense must the sticking be?

He wouldn't believe it until he saw it with his own eyes.

Xiao Che got up and looked out the window, only to see Ziling buying a string of candied haws. She took a bite and offered it to Gu Yunfeng...

It was a bit far, so he couldn't see Gu Yunfeng's expression, but he felt his hesitation.

Just when everyone thought he wouldn't eat it—

He took a bite.

The man in the moonlight-colored brocade robe lamented, "It's hopeless, he has already become a meal for the female bandit."

Xiao Che furrowed his brows and said, "This is too abnormal."

Could it be that the female bandit was using a life-saving favor to threaten him?

But Young Master Gu wasn't the kind of person who could be threatened.

He had to ask and clarify this; it was too frightening.

As Ziling was selecting jade bangles, Gu Yunfeng accompanied her. A servant approached and said, "Young Master Gu, the young master of my household invites you to come upstairs and talk."

Without hesitation, Gu Yunfeng immediately refused, saying, "Another day."

Upon hearing this, Ziling hurriedly said, "You go ahead, I'll wander around and won't go far."

Since Gu Yunfeng wasn't around, it was a good opportunity to test the effect. If anyone dared to provoke her, she would give them a severe beating and serve as a warning to others. That way, she should be safe the next time she went shopping.

Seeing her insistence, Gu Yunfeng went up to Drunk Moon Tower.

As soon as he entered the room, several men surrounded him.

Touching his forehead.

Touching his face.

Touching his chest.

Gu Yunfeng pushed their hands away with a disgusted expression on his face.

"There's nothing wrong with her," said the man in a sky-blue silk robe.

Xiao Che looked serious. While others might not know, he knew that Ziling had exceptional medical skills.

Therefore, he doubted, "Did she give you some medicine to make you obey her every word?"

Gu Yunfeng's face darkened.

Was he really so easily swayed?

On the street, Ziling admired the lifelike sculptures of bulls and horses.

Quianqian looked around and suddenly exclaimed with joy, "Miss, the servant girl sees an acquaintance."

"Hmm."

Seeing Ziling's indifferent expression, Quianqian said, "We don't know many people in the capital. Would you like to go over and say hello?"

Ziling hesitated.

She wasn't the real Ziling, and she wasn't familiar with her father, mother, or elder brother, let alone anyone else.

"I won't go. You can go if you want."

"Then I'll go and say hello, and come back."

Quianqian happily ran over there, as if afraid that the person would disappear.

Ziling was curious about who this acquaintance might be.

However, she was more interested in strolling around the shops.

Ziling went from one stall to another, buying anything she liked, much to the delight of the small vendors.

At a jewelry stall, Ziling carefully picked out some earrings.

Meanwhile, a man on horseback approached. He had a tall figure, dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, exuding an air of nobility.

As he walked along, he unknowingly captured the hearts of many young ladies.

When he saw Ziling, he stopped, gazed at her for a while, and then rode away.

Before long, he returned.

Ziling was busy selecting earrings when the man approached, standing behind her. Ziling noticed him and thought he was also looking at the jewelry, so she moved aside.

Glancing at the jewelry, the man said, "Such ugly jewelry, it doesn't suit you at all. Let me take you to choose something beautiful. I have plenty of money, buy whatever you like, spend it freely."

Ziling cast him a sidelong glance.

Was this guy trying to pick her up?

He looked handsome, but why was he so frivolous?

Ziling turned away, ignoring him.

Frowning, the man said, "If you don't want to pick jewelry, we can still have a chat, right? There are fewer people in the alley ahead. Let's go there and talk."

Anger surged in Ziling's chest. She wanted to hit him.

Drunk Moon Tower, second floor.

A man in ink-colored silk robes stood by the window and sighed, "These days, there are more and more audacious and reckless people."

"What's wrong?" Xiao Che asked.

Gu Yunfeng also looked over, and the man said, "Brother Yunfeng, there's someone downstairs who dares to harass your wife."

Gu Yunfeng's face turned dark.

In front of the stall, Ziling was about to leave when a man blocked her way. Annoyed, she said, "Move out of the way, or I'll shout for harassment!"

The man furrowed his brow, twisting it into a knot. "Just a little chat, can't even exchange a few words. Do you really have to be so heartless to me?"

Gu Yunfeng walked over, shielding Ziling behind him, and with a stern face, he said, "How about I have a little chat with you?"

The man looked Gu Yunfeng up and down and asked, "Are you the young master of the Duke's residence?"

Gu Yunfeng smiled and replied, "You recognize me, yet you dare to be so insolent. You must have quite the courage."

"Forget the chat, just beat him," Ziling decisively interjected.

If they let him off easily, their lovey-dovey display would be in vain for the better part of the day.

The man looked bewildered.

Gu Yunfeng obediently raised his fist and threw a punch.

The man took a solid punch to the eye, and the pain made it difficult for him to open it.

The altercation ignited his anger, and after rubbing his eye with his hand, the man started fighting back against Gu Yunfeng.

The man had decent martial arts skills, and Gu Yunfeng couldn't easily resort to violence. After a few moves, Xiao Che worried that the man might use poison, so he stepped in and took the man's punches. He said, "Daring to bully my sister-in-law, we'll teach you a lesson!"

The man laughed, "Quite the bold talk! If you're not afraid of getting beaten, then come at me!"

And so, they started fighting in the middle of the street.

When Qianqian returned after seeing the acquaintance, she saw Xiao Che and the others with bruised and swollen faces.

The young maidservant immediately became furious, took out a whip from her purse, and began lashing out.

She attacked from behind.

The whip struck Xiao Che's calf.

Xiao Che turned around to look at her and caught the whip with his hand. He asked, "Whose side are you on, little maidservant?"

Qianqian couldn't pull the whip back and angrily said, "So many of you bullying my young master alone! Using numbers to overpower the weak! Of course, I'm helping my young master!"

After saying that, she shouted to Ziling, "Miss, they're bullying the young master! Please help him!"

Xiao Che: "...!!!!"

Ziling: "...!!!!"

Gu Yunfeng: "...!!!!"

Gu Yunfeng looked at Ziling, his gaze filled with complexity, his voice drifting, "Is he really your elder brother?"

Ziling: "..."

Qianqian claimed it to be true--

Then it must be true.

But could she say that she didn't know?

Ziling wished she could just die.

Xiao Che released his grip on the whip and shouted, "Stop for now!"

All four of them ceased their actions.

Qianqian went to check on Zhou Qingyu, saying, "Young master, are you alright?"

Zhou Qingyu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said, "You're a loyal and righteous little maidservant, unlike your mistress. Once she got married, she no longer recognizes her brother and even lets people beat me."

"She won't stop even when the beating gets severe."

"Let me tell you, my heart has turned half cold. Ice cold!"

Each word heavier than the previous.

Ziling"...."

Qianqian exclaimed and quickly realized, saying, "Miss, it's not that she's pretending not to recognize Young Master, she genuinely doesn't recognize you. Miss hit her head and doesn't even recognize Marquis and Madam."

Qianqian's voice abruptly stopped.

Zhou Qingyu said, "Why did you stop? Continue."

Qianqian lowered her head and said, "It seems I made a mistake. Madam specifically reminded me today that if I see Young Master on the street, I shouldn't tell the Miss and pretend not to recognize you. I was just angry a moment ago and forgot about it."

Pausing for a moment, Qianqian added, "I can pretend not to recognize you now. Can they continue beating you up, Young Master?"

Qianqian's voice grew softer as she spoke.

Zhou Qingyu had a headache.

He walked towards Ziling, who looked embarrassed. How could he still call him 'Big Brother'?

After Qianqian explained, Zhou Qingyu was no longer angry with Ziling. He approached her and gently touched her head, saying, "Where did you hit your head? Does it hurt? It's one thing if Mom and Dad don't recognize you, but how could you hit your head and not recognize me, your big brother?"

Ziling "..."

Why did that sound strange?

Gu Yunfeng, unable to tolerate him touching Ziling's head, pulled Ziling aside.

Zhou Qingyu's hand hung in the air, and the more he looked at Gu Yunfeng, the more he found him unpleasant. "You're my unlucky brother-in-law?"

Gu Yunfeng "..."

This family, their every word could stir up anger in people.

Zhou Qingyu said, "Did you just want to chat with me?"

Gu Yunfeng "..."

"You're so enthusiastic; I can't refuse. Let's go to the restaurant and talk."

Hooking his arm around Gu Yunfeng's shoulder, Zhou Qingyu walked towards the restaurant.

After a few steps, Zhou Qingyu turned to Xiao Che and the others and said, "You guys come too, my brother-in-law is treating."

"No, if your brother-in-law and brother-in-law are talking, we won't disturb. We'll have dinner together another day."