"Second brother, what are you looking at?"

Upon noticing Xiahou Dun looking up at the second floor with a strange smile, Xiahou Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"Miao Cai, look at those ten guards over there!"

Xiahou Dun raised his head, gesturing for Xiahou Yuan to look over.

Following Xiahou Dun's gaze, Xiahou Yuan immediately understood what Xiahou Dun meant, but looking at the ten burly men, Xiahou Yuan couldn't help but swallow hard.

"Second brother, those ten people look like they're not simple. I'm afraid we can't beat them..."

"Tch~, what are you afraid of? In Luoyang, apart from a few families, whose guards would dare to fight us?"

"Besides those country bumpkins who've never even been to Luoyang, who else would bring so many guards around? These kinds of people probably do all sorts of bad things in the countryside. Teaching them a lesson is also doing a service to the people!"

Xiahou Dun couldn't help but turn his head and glare at Xiahou Yuan, clearly dissatisfied with his timidity.

"Hmm, Second Brother makes a good point, but let's wait and see. If we clash directly, Captain Yang will accuse us of provoking trouble again..."

"Yes, you're right. Let's go over and ask around!"

Xiahou Dun nodded, then led Xiahou Yuan and Xu Chu up to the second floor, their destination being Liu Hong's room.

Inside the room, as Xin Yue finished playing the last section of the melody, Liu Hong and Xi Zhicai opened their eyes.

"The young lady's musical skills are indeed extraordinary; her performance of this piece is quite melodious. Excellent!"

Liu Hong looked at Xin Yue with a big smile and praised her generously.

"Thank you for your praise, young master. It is my honor to have your favor!"

Xin Yue quickly stood up and bowed to Liu Hong to express her gratitude.

Then Xin Yue looked at Liu Hong and asked softly:

"What other music would you like to hear, young master?"

"No need, young lady, please go down first!"

Liu Hong smiled and then waved to Xin Yue.

Xin Yue was slightly taken aback upon seeing this, but quickly regained her senses and bowed to Liu Hong.

"This humble woman takes her leave!"

After saying that, Xinyue picked up the guqin and gave Liu Hong a deep look before walking out.

After Xinyue left the room, Liu Hong turned his head with a serious expression and looked at Xi Zhicai beside him.

"Zhicai, what did you hear?"

Xi Zhicai respectfully replied, "In response to your question, young master, she has come with a grudge!"

"Whose target is it?"

Liu Hong chuckled and looked at Xi Zhicai with curiosity.

"have no idea!"

Xi Zhicai shook his head and then said:

"However... one thing is certain: they're not here for the young master!"

Liu Hong smiled and nodded, "That's true, otherwise they would be looking for those who oppose me, not going to such lengths to get close to you!"

"Not only me, but also those family scions and young officials close to the young master, they have all been in contact with him. It seems they are planning to contact more people and launch an attack on their enemies!"

"Heh~, this Xinyue is from Fanyang. Judging from her speech and musical skills, she is clearly not from an ordinary family. What could possibly be worth them doing this for, besides those few families?"

Xi Zhicai nodded, "What you say is true, young master. It's good this way. With them around, you won't have to figure out how to deal with those people yourself!"

"Fine, go ahead and do as you please. To run into such a nuisance on a trip out of the palace! What a downer!"

Liu Hong waved his hand, clearly no longer interested in these matters, as he had plenty of ways to deal with those people and there was no need to waste his energy on them.

On the other side, the Xiahou brothers, who had just arrived on the second floor, immediately spotted Xinyue coming out of the room.

Xiahou Dun hurriedly shouted to Xinyue:

"Miss Xinyue!!"

Upon hearing the sound, Xin Yue looked over and saw Xiahou Dun waving at her from not far away. Xin Yue was taken aback for a moment, then took light steps and walked over.

Upon approaching, Xin Yue bowed slightly to Xiahou Dun and asked in a puzzled tone:

"Greetings, Young Master Xiahou. May I ask what brings you to my humble abode?"

Xiahou Dun waved his hand with a smile, and then said:

"Miss Xinyue, there's no need for such formalities. I just wanted to ask if that country bumpkin in the room did anything to you?"

"Country bumpkin...?"

Xin Yue paused slightly, giving Xiahou Dun a strange look. She thought of Liu Hong and Xi Zhicai; they didn't seem like country bumpkins at all.

He then shook his head. "No, the two gentlemen were just listening to two pieces of music; they didn't do anything!"

"Oh? You didn't do anything...!"

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Dun couldn't help but show a look of disappointment.

"What does Young Master Xiahou mean by this?"

Looking at Xiahou Dun's expression, Xin Yue couldn't help but frown.

"N-nothing!"

Seemingly sensing Xin Yue's displeasure, Xiahou Dun quickly waved his hand and continued to ask:

Did they give you money?

Xin Yue shook her head. "Not yet!"

"Oh? They didn't pay?"

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Dun's eyes lit up, and he turned around to wink at Xiahou Yuan and Xu Chu behind him. Xiahou Yuan also showed a hint of excitement on his face.

"Young Master Xiahou, the two young masters inside are no ordinary people, you'd better not..."

"Hehe~, it's alright. No matter how special he is, he still has to pay, right? Miss Xinyue, go ahead and do your work, but remember to stay away!"

We brothers want to see who's going to listen to music without paying today!

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!