Chapter 34 Encountering a Scoundrel on the Way Out
In the small room specially set aside for the gatekeeper, Wei Jia stared at A Jiu with a serious expression, lowered her voice and asked sharply, "Did you do the Wang Zhangshi thing?"
Ajiu feigned ignorance with a confused look and asked, "Who is Wang Zhangshi?"
Wei Jia's expression grew increasingly grim: "On the day of the birthday banquet at the Prince of Chang'an's residence, Wang Zhangshi had just finished arguing with the Grand Madam, and as she was leaving, she fell off her carriage and broke her leg. Tell me honestly, did you do something?"
Ajiu looked at Weijia in surprise: "Why would you doubt me, sister?"
Wei Jia frowned. "That day, when Wang Zhangshi left, you left with her. Then Wang Zhangshi fell off the carriage. You still dare to say you didn't do something?"
Ah Jiu, with a wronged and helpless expression, said, "I told you, I needed to pee that day and went to find a toilet."
Seeing that Wei Jia didn't believe her, A Jiu couldn't help but pout and say indignantly, "If my sister doesn't believe me, there's nothing I can do. Anyway, I didn't do anything."
"Besides, if I had really done something, wouldn't the Wang family have come knocking on our door to cause trouble? But did they come? No, they didn't."
Seeing Ah Jiu's nonchalant attitude, Wei Jia was furious, but she couldn't catch Ah Jiu's true colors and couldn't get her to admit her mistake.
"You'd better watch yourself. Don't wait until you really cause trouble, then no one can save you!"
Wei Jia gave a stern warning, then turned and left. Before leaving, she turned back to remind her, "Pack your things, the Grand Madam is getting ready to go."
"Hey!" Ajiu replied with a grin, looking carefree, which made Weijia clench her fists in anger.
Ah Jiu pretended to be stupid, but she knew perfectly well what had happened that day. She had kept it secret, and no one could possibly find out that it was done by someone.
Because she simply seized the opportunity and startled the horse with a small stone.
If an ordinary person were to strike, a small pebble would leave a mark on the horse. A heavier strike could leave wounds, cuts, and even bleeding. Even a measured strike would leave red marks on the horse's body shortly afterward.
But her approach was different.
Her pebble skimmed right off the ground and headed straight for the horse's hoof.
It startled the horse, but didn't injure it.
Even if you sent a seasoned constable with decades of experience to investigate, he would definitely not be able to find out anything.
***
The master and servants quickly packed up and left before the end of Chen Shi (7-9 AM).
After leaving the Xuanping Marquis's residence, the carriage traveled for half an hour before arriving at the Huajiao Tower located in the south of the city.
The southern part of the city was a gathering place for merchants and the most prosperous commercial district in the capital.
The Huajiaolou Theater was the most famous theater in the southern part of the city, and even in the entire capital.
The Painted Corner Tower has its own opera troupe and its own leading performers. However, they are not limited to supporting their own people, nor do they only perform their own plays.
On the contrary, while maintaining their own characteristics, they will invite different opera troupes from all over the country to perform at Huajiaolou from time to time.
In short, as long as a troupe sings well, no matter where they come from, what kind of music they sing, or what kind of songs they sing, as long as they sing well enough, Huajiaolou will spend a lot of money to invite them to perform in the building.
Therefore, the play "Painted Corner Tower" always maintains a sense of freshness and always brings a refreshing experience to the audience.
Min Qiao had heard of the reputation of the Painted Corner Tower before, and knew that it was a paradise for opera lovers.
Having lived two lifetimes, this was her first time visiting the Painting Corner Tower, and everything she saw seemed novel and fascinating.
"Tch, where did this country bumpkin come from? He looks like he's never seen the world before!"
Min Qiaoshi led her people into the Huajiaolou Theater out of curiosity. She glanced at the layout of the theater from the entrance and was immediately mocked by the people behind her.
Min Qiaoshi was not a ostentatious person. She only had Wei Jia and three others with her. Although her clothes were not shabby, they were mainly for convenience and she did not have any accessories that could show her status.
It's normal that the person who came didn't recognize her.
Madam Min didn't intend to pursue the matter, after all, it was indeed she who had blocked her way.
Just as she was about to make way, two servants beside the sarcastic young master stepped forward and reached out to push her.
Before the two servants could even touch Madam Min, Wei Jia reached out and stopped them. Granny Fang also pulled Madam Min back two steps. A-Jiu was even faster, kicking both servants to their knees with a single blow.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
When the young master realized what was happening, his face turned green with anger.
"How dare you! You dare touch my men! Guards! Are you all dead? Guards, come quick!"
Soon, the manager of the Painting Corner Tower arrived with his men in a hurry.
"So it's Young Master Zhao. My servants have been negligent. Please forgive them!" Manager Wu greeted him with a smile.
Young Master Zhao angrily pointed at Madam Min and her entourage, "Where did these Tom, Dick, and Harry come from? They blocked my way and even dared to hit my people! If your Huajiaolou doesn't give me an explanation today, this matter is not over!"
Young Master Zhao was a regular at the Painted Corner Tower, so Steward Wu naturally recognized him. However, these few people at the front...
Manager Wu noticed that Min Qiaoshi and her group were unfamiliar faces, but he wouldn't easily offend anyone.
He immediately said politely, "Is this your first time visiting our Painting Corner Tower, ma'am?"
Min Qiaoshi was clearly the mistress, so these words were naturally spoken to her.
Manager Wu was polite, and Madam Min Qiao didn't put on airs either, responding with a smile: "That's right. It's my first time here, and everything is fascinating. It was our fault for blocking the way. But that young master's servant shouldn't have come up and attacked me. How could an old woman like me withstand their pushing and shoving? The maids were worried about me, so they took action."
As he spoke, he waved to Ajiu.
Ah Jiu then withdrew her foot from the servant's back.
I don't know how such a thin, small girl could have such strength. Not only did she kick two servants to the ground with one foot each, but she also stepped on their backs. Whoever struggled, she stepped on. Not one of them could get up from under her feet.
The two servants hurriedly scrambled to their feet and hid behind Young Master Zhao.
"Useless trash!" Young Master Zhao was so angry he was practically fuming.
Two grown men couldn't even defeat an eight or nine-year-old girl! How can this be tolerated?
Seeing that Steward Wu was being unreasonable and even being polite to others, Young Master Zhao was immediately furious.
"Hey Wu, did I call you here to chat with this old woman? Have you forgotten who I am?"
Young Master Zhao threatened coldly, "Believe me or not, I'll have someone smash up your painted corner tower and force you to close down?"
Upon hearing this, Manager Wu, who was used to greeting people with a smile and even a bit obsequious, instantly changed his expression.
She wondered if it was just her imagination, but at that moment, she felt that Steward Wu's slightly bent back suddenly straightened up a bit.
When threatened, shouldn't one be more careful and humble?
Sure enough, the next moment, Steward Wu appeared with a fawning smile and said, "Young Master Zhao, you flatter me. The Painted Corner Tower is not my property. I am merely managing it for the master."
Young Master Zhao ignored what he said and just stared at him coldly, as if waiting to see how he would perform.
Not wanting to put Steward Wu in a difficult position, Madam Min stepped forward and looked coldly at Young Master Zhao, saying, "This old woman from the countryside also wants to know who you are, young master."
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