Tang Yi's face was gloomy, while Hu Ying's face was all smiles.
"Madam, who is this man?"
Qiu Dafu was at a loss. He never expected to run into the county magistrate. Wasn't this just causing a misunderstanding?
Jiang Liu glanced coldly at Hu Ying, "You mere concubine, who gave you the audacity to speak to me like that?"
Today is truly a day of bad luck; there's always a nightingale in her way.
Hu Ying glanced at Tang Yi with a pitiful look, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes, before retreating behind him and putting on a pitiful act.
"Who is he?" Tang Yi demanded loudly.
Qiu Dafu stepped forward, about to explain, when Tang Yi shouted, "I didn't ask you, so don't say anything more!"
Qiu Dafu's expression was rather unpleasant.
"These are my newly recruited guards. After all, Baiyang County is not safe. If you're not careful, robbers might come and try to rob you at knifepoint!"
Jiang Liu's words made Hu Ying feel uneasy.
After finishing her dry explanation, Jiang Liu wanted to get away from the two people in front of her as soon as possible.
But after taking two steps on tiptoe, she suddenly felt a pain in her ankle and fell forward.
Qiu Dafu looked at Tang Yi. The magistrate had only taken half a step when he heard Hu Ying beside him cry out "Ouch!" and pretend to have been bumped by a passerby, falling into his arms.
Tang Yi then pulled Hu Ying into his arms.
On the other side, Qiu Dafu saw that Jiang Liu was only an inch away from the ground. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed Jiang Liu's waist with both hands, and pulled her down. He then quickly withdrew his hands.
"Madam, are you alright?"
Before Jiang Liu could regain her footing, Tang Yi stepped forward and shoved Qiu Dafu far away with a single palm strike. His eyes were already bloodshot. "You dare to covet my wife? You're tired of living!"
It is perfectly natural for a man to have multiple wives and concubines, but if a woman commits adultery, she is considered shameless and will be despised by everyone.
Qiu Dafu knew that he was now just a commoner, as insignificant as dust, and that the county magistrate could punish him with a single word.
However, he couldn't just stand by and watch Jiang Liu be misunderstood.
“Your Excellency, you may misunderstand me, but you shouldn’t misunderstand your own wife. Don’t you know what kind of woman she is?”
Jiang Liu had been wronged today and was already feeling incredibly aggrieved. "Da Fu, there's no need to explain to him!"
At this moment, Cuizhu arrived with the coachman and found that the lady and the master had a conflict. Not daring to ask any questions, she simply bowed weakly and helped the lady into the carriage.
Tang Yi's fists clenched so tightly they cracked. He looked at Qiu Dafu, about to explode in anger, when Jiang Liu called out urgently, "Dafu, keep up!"
"Okay." Qiu Dafu glanced back at Tang Yi indifferently and followed beside the carriage.
Tang Yi nearly ground his teeth to powder. "Jiang Liu, you... well done!"
...
Qiu Yan and Qiu Yumei were completely unaware of the changes that had occurred on Qiu Dafu's side.
Qiu Yan was going to Xingyue Tower, but Qiu Yumei, thinking about making summer clothes for her family, went to the fabric shop instead and did not follow.
In recent days, many hunters who came to Xingyue Tower to sell wild game have come. After Zhou Zifang inspected the goods, he settled accounts with each of them.
The restaurant doesn't sell breakfast, and some customers are starting to be served, but not many.
When Qiu Yan arrived, her first question was naturally about how business was going.
Now, Zhou Zifang suddenly became interested when business was mentioned.
Xingyuelou has been doing quite well these past few days, and the diners who enjoy the delicious food have naturally become repeat customers.
Next, we need to promote it properly.
First-time customers of Xingyuelou Restaurant enjoy a 50% discount on dishes. This is also clearly stated in large characters outside the restaurant.
In addition, the free tea at Xingyuelou has attracted many customers.
Zhou Zifang asked Qiu Yan, "What exactly are you busy with every day? We only see each other every two or three days."
Qiu Yan smiled and said, "You just came here yesterday, and you've already forgotten?"
Zhou Zifang pursed his lips, "You left right after delivering the wild game yesterday, without staying for even a moment."
When Zhou Zifang heard Qiu Yan say that she planned to sell breakfast with her aunt, he wasn't surprised at all. Qiu Yan was focused on making money; wasn't that normal?
It would be strange if she suddenly stopped making money one day.
While wiping the table, Qiu Dayu chatted with Qiu Yan, mainly asking her questions about Qiu Dafu.
However, the two brothers were not close; otherwise, Qiu Dayu would have gone to find his second brother long ago.
On the surface, Xingyuelou was doing well, but one thing was giving Zhou Zifang a real headache: "In the past two days, several regular customers have been trying to catch a glimpse of Song Jiao's face. Because of this, Lin Shu stopped doing anything before meals and focused solely on protecting her safety."
Zhou Zifang spoke softly, but Song Jiao, who was approaching from afar to greet Qiu Yan, heard him clearly.
Song Jiao was a little uneasy. "Miss, I'm so sorry." It's all her fault for having a disfigured face.
Qiu Yan originally intended to improve Xingyue Tower and find a way for Song Jiao to make a living, but she did not expect it to cause trouble for Song Jiao.
She turned to look at Song Jiao: "This isn't your fault. Song Jiao, would you still like to stay at Xingyue Tower and continue performing?"
If you don't want to, you can go sell breakfast with them.
Anyway, Xingyuelou's business is gradually improving, and she will need manpower to expand in the future.
Although Song Jiao's absence might reduce the number of diners, it won't be by much, given the chef's exceptional culinary skills.
After hearing this, Zhou Zifang shook his head and said, "Qiu Yan, you can't do this."
Regarding the scars on Song Jiao's face, she applies scar removal cream every day. Over time, although they won't fully recover, they will fade.
As a courtesan, she still wanted to earn money using her talents. "Miss, Manager Zhou, I want to stay here."
"All right."
Since Song Jiao wanted to stay, Qiu Yan went along with it.
Having devised a plan, Qiu Yan temporarily left Xingyue Tower.
The number of guests at Xingyuelou gradually increased.
Before Song Jiao even went upstairs with her pipa, several men approached her and started chatting her up.
Just as Zhou Zifang said, it was the same few familiar customers who were clamoring to see Song Jiao.
"I have long admired Miss Song and really wish to see your beautiful face."
"Miss Song's voice is truly melodious. I wonder if your appearance is as beautiful and captivating as your voice?"
If it weren't for Lin Shu, the bodyguard, intervening, Song Jiao really wouldn't have been able to handle it alone.
"Sir, this is a restaurant. If you want to see girls, go to a brothel!" Zhou Zifang was getting impatient and his words weren't very pleasant, but that didn't deter the group's interest at all.
Zhou Zifang really wanted to say, "You guys shouldn't come to our restaurant anymore. We don't need you as customers."
Now, all the diners turned their attention to Song Jiao, wanting to see what this pipa player looked like.
Song Jiao forced herself to remain calm, and politely greeted the group while holding her pipa, "Gentlemen, Song Jiao is going upstairs to perform."
She thought that the diners would get used to it.
One of the men stepped closer and said, “Miss Song’s pipa playing is like heavenly music. I wonder if Miss Song would like to perform at our music hall? Don’t worry, you’ll be well paid.”
Qiu Yan came again and happened to hear the last sentence.
This is blatant poaching.
She immediately went to Song Jiao, and despite Song Jiao and the other person's refusal, she pulled her step by step up to the private room on the second floor.
When Song Jiao reappeared, her veil was gone, and she was wearing a golden mask.
The lifelike butterfly perfectly veiled half of her profile, making her appear both noble and alluring.
The beautiful and melodious sound of the pipa then filled the air, and the diners listened with satisfaction to the lovely music, making the food seem even more delicious.
"Gentlemen, now that you have seen Miss Song Jiao's true appearance, are you satisfied?"
"Satisfied!" Qiu Dayu shouted, and the other diners joined in the commotion. The few people who had been talking loudly returned to their seats and stopped discussing what had just happened.
But some people couldn't help but mutter, "Isn't this still the same?" Except that the face had changed from the upper half to the side half.
Before Qiu Yan could even come down to the second floor, she saw a familiar face at Xingyue Tower.
Upon closer inspection, the face was none other than... Gu Qian?
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