Although Nineteen was with Lu Qiqi in the Marquis's mansion, he was still a member of the Shadow Guard. He knew news from the outside world much faster than the people in the inner courtyard of the Marquis's mansion.
Two days ago, after the news came out, he returned to the Prince of Libei's residence.
Having learned from his elder brother that the heir apparent would handle the matter, he eagerly returned to the Marquis's residence.
Li Changlong was of low status and little influence; he was merely a guest in the Marquis of Lin'an's residence.
When something like this happened, there was nothing that could be done to help in the new capital. Although Nineteen was there to comfort him, his heart was in turmoil for two days, and he even developed blisters in his mouth.
Early this morning, Nineteen took him to the street to buy pastries for the two sisters.
Recently, Lu Yao has been enjoying candied fruits and pastries, especially hazelnut shortbread.
Tongxinzhai, the best pastry shop in the new capital, was started when the Empress Dowager was still a young lady.
Now it is a unique existence in the new capital city.
Li Changlong followed Shijiu out, partly to buy some snacks, and partly to find out how the news was spreading outside.
He didn't understand why Lu Qiqi was leaving things to their own devices and not seeking help from her maternal grandparents.
But seeing that she was in a stable mental state, he didn't press her for details, lest asking too many questions upset her.
The two walked into Tongxinzhai side by side. As usual, people who came here to buy pastries had to queue up.
The people queuing were mostly maids and servants, while the wealthy young ladies and gentlemen with status dined in the private rooms upstairs.
Two days ago, when Li Changlong went out, he discovered that Shijiu had special privileges at Tongxinzhai.
If you want any pastries, just go to the innermost private room on the second floor, and a waiter from Tongxinzhai will respectfully bring them to you.
Regarding things he didn't understand in the new capital, Li Changlong simply observed more and said less, and even if he had doubts, he didn't directly ask Nineteen.
Instead, they exchanged a couple of glances, and Nineteen explained it to him himself.
It turns out that the Empress Dowager was the maternal grandmother of the Crown Prince of Libei.
After Shijiu's explanation, Li Changlong suddenly understood.
But more ideas followed.
In his view, the status of the heir apparent was vastly different from that of Qi Qi, even though Qi Qi was now a cousin of the Marquis of Lin'an.
But the fact that both her parents had died and only her uncle was there to support her was staring her in the face.
A few days ago, he heard from the Nineteenth Prince that the Crown Prince had asked for a marriage decree, but the Emperor declined immediately, presumably because of his family background.
For a moment, Li Changlong felt a pang of sympathy for Lu Qiqi.
If in the future, Qiqi gives her heart but receives nothing in return...
Then he would definitely take Qiqi home and have his father arrange a perfect son-in-law for her!
Thinking this, the waiter brought up the pastries, and Nineteen took the pastries and led Li Changlong downstairs.
The lobby was crowded with people eating pastries and drinking tea, so the two of them slowed down their pace considerably.
As they passed a table, they heard four men sitting around it, talking very loudly, as if afraid that others wouldn't hear them.
"If you ask me, a woman should stay at home, take care of her husband and children, serve her parents-in-law every day, and be a good wife."
If she insists on showing her face in public, she should go to the military camp. If it were me, I wouldn't marry a woman like that.
"That's all men there. Who knows what she's like in the army? It's indecent!"
Even if Li Changlong is an outsider, if he can't understand such obvious veiled criticism, then he has lived such a long life in vain.
He was so angry that veins bulged on his forehead, and his fists clenched tightly. His remaining rationality told him that he must not act rashly at this moment and must not cause trouble for Qiqi.
But the face of the man in white, with shifty eyes and a foul mouth, was still deeply etched into his mind.
Nineteen, seeing that his expression was not right, quickly tugged at his sleeve and called out, "Brother Long, leave this to me, don't worry."
After saying that, Nineteen brought over several helpers.
The men at the four-person table were still talking animatedly, completely unaware that a storm was brewing.
Before long, they were invited to the backyard by the staff of Tongxinzhai.
What followed was a blood-curdling scream.
The men, with burlap sacks over their heads, could only huddle together to protect their vital parts from injury.
Nineteen kicked someone with great force, and Li Changlong was no less powerful. These people dared to insult his sister in public.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and he increased the force with which he kicked, causing the howling and screaming sounds beneath him to grow even more shrill.
Before long, the two of them kicked someone and felt relieved.
Nineteen patted Li Changlong on the shoulder, said nothing, and the two left the scene silently.
Tongxinzhai is the property of the Empress Dowager. Anyone who dares to make a move here must have the guts of a bear and the gall of a leopard.
Nineteen hummed a little tune as he walked ahead, carrying pastries, while Li Changlong followed behind him.
He felt relieved when he kicked the person earlier, but now that he's out, he's starting to feel uneasy.
When Shijiu realized that the person behind him hadn't followed, he turned around and found Li Changlong standing five meters away, staring blankly, looking as if the sky had fallen.
Seeing Li Changlong's reaction, Nineteen quickly turned around, walked up to him, and explained, "Those people have foul mouths. Giving them a simple lesson is too lenient."
If they fall into my tenth brother's hands, they'll be in for a world of hurt.
After saying this, he noticed that Li Changlong was still lost in his own world, so he added, "Brother Long, don't worry. Those people are just paper tigers. They're not some noble young masters; they're just people who've taken money and are ruining the county magistrate's reputation."
Besides, not many people dare to make a move at Tongxinzhai. They're too scared to say anything more.
Actually, there's one more crucial point: "I'm a member of the Shadow Guard, after all. Since we dared to beat people up on the Empress Dowager's territory, there must be someone backing us up."
As for who will provide the safety net, Li Changlong understands without needing to elaborate.
Who else could this person be but Song Yanqing, the heir apparent of the Northern King!
However, this is how it should have been, if it weren't for Song Yanqing's ridiculous forced marriage.
He would have been a live-in son-in-law in the Lu family; such a thing was impossible!
Thinking this, Li Changlong's worried expression finally eased.
He asked, "Nineteen, when will your young master be able to marry?"
If they get married soon, these sordid matters will be easily resolved and will no longer exist.
Suddenly, Nineteen was speechless, and even wanted to take a bite of bitter melon. "I want to too!"
Your Highness!
Strive to marry your beautiful bride as soon as possible!
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