Downstairs, diners were numerous. When they saw two women helping a woman with flushed cheeks and unclear eyes down the stairs, they all looked in their direction.
Qiaoniang felt extremely remorseful. She regretted that she didn't usually wear a veil, and today, with Yaoniang drunk, she couldn't even cover herself up.
She asked Bitao to find a driver to bring Xiexiang over, while she took Yaoniang to the counter to pay the bill alone.
Although Yao Niang was already quite drunk, she still thanked the innkeeper sincerely when he told her that the original price of three taels and two qian for the meal had been rounded down to three taels.
Qiaoniang was initially very worried, but upon seeing this, she couldn't help but chuckle.
Seeing that Yao Niang seemed a little unsteady, and learning that the two were waiting for their family's carriage, the shopkeeper asked them to sit on a chair near the counter on the first floor and wait.
At that moment, a group of young men in fine clothes entered through the door. The one in the lead had a wicked smile on his lips, and he was waving a folding fan in his hand. His face was fair, but there was an unnatural bluish-black tinge to it; he walked with a swaying gait, exuding a roguish air.
Qiaoniang's expression changed upon seeing this person.
This man is Lu Jing'an, the most favored young master of the Lu family's direct line. Don't be fooled by his impeccable attire; he's a regular at brothels. He's always out there flirting and teasing, and he'll often approach and verbally harass any beautiful young woman he sees.
Lu Jing'an's behavior made him universally disliked in Shuojing City, earning him the nickname "Little Tyrant of Shuojing." However, the elders of the Lu family fiercely protected him, which emboldened him to act even more arrogantly in the city.
Although he never committed any crimes or caused any major disasters, he was still a common negative example used by wealthy families in the capital to educate their children.
If he were to see Yao Niang in her current state, it would likely cause trouble.
Qiao Niang subtly moved aside, blocking Yao Niang and Lu Jing'an.
Lu Jing'an and his group did not notice Qiao Niang's subtle movements. Led by the waiter, they were about to go upstairs. Qiao Niang felt a little relieved.
Unexpectedly, Yao Niang suddenly spoke up: "Sister Yao Niang, where did Bi Tao go?"
Her voice was sweet and soft, making one's heart tremble.
Qiao Niang secretly realized something was wrong.
Sure enough, Lu Jing'an was drawn by Yao Niang's voice and looked over.
Qiao Niang remained calm. When she saw Lu Jing'an looking at her, she smiled and nodded politely to him from a distance.
Seeing that Qiaoniang was well-behaved and had a very long scar on her face, Lu Jing'an felt bored and turned to go upstairs again.
Before Qiaoniang could even breathe a sigh of relief, she heard a soft, delicate voice behind her: "Why isn't she back yet?"
Lu Jing'an stopped in his tracks, which were about to go upstairs, and walked towards Qiao Niang.
Qiao Niang could barely keep her smile going. The manager, knowing Lu Jing'an's reputation, was afraid that this troublemaker would cause trouble at Zuiyue Tower, so he quickly came over and invited Lu Jing'an upstairs with a smile.
Lu Jing'an ignored her and went straight towards Yao Niang. Qiao Niang tried to stop him, but he blocked her with his fan.
The moment he saw Yao Niang, his face was flushed and his eyes were misty with a hazy look in them, which made his heart flutter.
He adjusted his expression, feeling quite approachable, and asked, "Young lady, are you looking for someone? Why don't you tell your brother, and I'll go look for you."
Yao Niang glanced at him upon hearing this and shook her head: "I don't need your help."
Lu Jing'an wasn't annoyed; he always had immense patience when dealing with beautiful young women. He asked, "Why?"
Yao Niang scrutinized him for a moment, then shook her head again: "You're not good-looking. I don't believe you."
Lu Jing'an was taken aback, then became angry. He considered himself, if not as handsome as Pan An, to be quite dashing, and countless young women in the capital had secretly admired him.
Now this naive young girl in front of me thinks I'm not pretty enough?
He held out his folding fan, wanting to strike Yao Niang hard on the head, but then felt that such an action would be disrespectful to the beauty, so he ultimately refrained from doing so. However, he was filled with unresolved resentment and appeared extremely agitated.
Seeing Lu Jing'an's unfriendly expression, Qiao Niang became even more anxious and raised her voice, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Lu! Young Master Lu is a dashing and romantic man, who in Shuojing City doesn't know that? My sister was just talking nonsense when she was drunk, please don't take it to heart, Young Master Lu."
Lu Jing'an then took a proper look at Qiao Niang, and even that glance made him sigh. If it weren't for that winding scar, the woman before him would be considered a top-tier beauty. Therefore, his attitude towards Qiao Niang softened.
"Where do you live? Your brother will take you home."
As he spoke, he reached out to help Yao Niang up.
How could Qiaoniang allow him to encounter Yaoniang? Seeing this, she swiftly stepped between Lu Jing'an and Yaoniang, watching him warily. She politely said, "Thank you, young master, but there's no need."
Lu Jing'an, feeling humiliated after being repeatedly humiliated, also turned cold and said, "I'm giving you face, don't take it for granted!"
He then gestured to his men to separate Qiao Niang, and reached out to pull Yao Niang.
The young men who came with Lu Jing'an couldn't help but jeer at the sight. Only one of them, a young man with a beauty mark under his eye, looked reluctant and hesitated to speak. He opened and closed his lips several times, but ultimately did not say anything.
Qiaoniang was filled with shock and anger, but she was powerless and separated from Yaoniang by the Lu family servants, so she could no longer get close to her. Helpless, she could only call out to Yaoniang loudly, hoping to wake her up and make her more careful.
Just then, a cold male voice came from the side: "Stop!"
The Lu family servants stopped abruptly upon hearing this and looked at the newcomer. But Lu Jing'an paid no heed, continuing his work. Qiao Niang reached out to stop him, but he pushed her aside, saying, "On my Lu family's territory, who dares to interfere with me? Get out of my way!"
Qiaoniang grew increasingly anxious. She looked in the direction from which the voice had come, hoping that the person who had spoken could protect Yaoniang. But she recognized the person—Lu Zhaoan, the young master of the Lu family.
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