Chapter 102 Today's humiliation, I, Lu Zhaoruo, will make you pay a hundredfold!
To the side, on the second floor of the teahouse, is a private room.
A lazy gaze casually swept across the window frame and landed on the street.
Meng Xi leaned against the window, a loose-fitting, cloud-gray robe draped over his body, a few strands of untied hair falling down his neck, his hair casually tied up with a dark ebony hairpin, adding to his unrestrained and carefree demeanor.
His slender fingers were lightly tapping on the rosewood window frame, making a soft, rhythmic sound.
He looked as listless as if he were watching a dull street performance.
The servant behind him spoke in a low voice: "Young master, look at this Lady Li. Back in the capital, she was arrogant and looked down on everyone. Relying on her aunt's influence, she even looked down on the second young master of the manor. Whenever she sees you, her eyes follow you. Her behavior and speech are pretentious and she is simply incomprehensible."
Meng Xi's gaze swept over Li Nian'er's face, which was distorted by arrogance, and a trace of disgust flashed in her phoenix eyes, which were always half-closed.
The attendant continued, "Now that she's back in this small county of Yong'an, she's taken her arrogance to the extreme. She rides recklessly through the streets, harming innocent people, showing absolutely no refinement or dignity befitting a lady of high birth. Instead of reflecting on her own faults when things go wrong, she throws a tantrum in the street, bullying others with her power. How is she any different from a shrew in the marketplace?"
"If it weren't for her aunt's personal plea to you, young master, and the fact that her presence could conceal your true itinerary, how could such a shallow and foolish person be worthy of riding in the same carriage with you? She would only be an eyesore for you."
Upon hearing this, Meng Xi's lips curled into a faint sneer: "This daughter of the Li family was already ridiculously stupid when she was in the capital, and now she seems even more unbearable to look at."
The attendant nodded in agreement, then changed the subject: "But that brother and sister are quite different."
Meng Xi's gaze shifted to the Lu siblings.
That languor gradually faded, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
"Tsk,"
He clicked his tongue slightly, "I never expected that two upright seedlings could actually grow in this filthy mud and murky water."
His gaze lingered on Lu Bohong's unyielding figure for a moment, and he said, "That brother is tough. Even if you break his bones, you won't hear him beg for mercy. He has quite a bit of guts."
Then, his gaze slowly settled on Lu Zhaoruo's face. Looking at her tearful yet upright posture, he said with a rare hint of admiration, "My sister is even more interesting... Tears are hanging in her eyes, but she hides a knife in them."
"It's a real pity that someone with such character and integrity is trapped in this small place of Jizhou, at the mercy of others."
For him, lending the horse to Li Nian'er was nothing more than a bit of whimsy when he was extremely bored, wanting to see what kind of absurd drama this fool could put on.
But to my utter surprise, I stumbled upon this scene...
On one side are the ugly antics of clowns, and on the other side are the unyielding spirit that remains steadfast even in adversity.
The usual weariness in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a faint hint of interest: "Heh, it's much more interesting than those endless banquets in the capital, the monotonous mutual flattery, and the hypocritical masks worn on everyone's faces."
"What are you dawdling for?"
Impatient, Li Yanei urged sharply, "If you don't crawl in now, I'll lock your good sister in jail right now and let her taste what prison is like!"
Lu Bohong's eyes were bloodshot, and veins bulged on his forehead. He was almost overwhelmed by a huge sense of humiliation.
He gritted his teeth, but his body was forced to slowly bend down due to his sister's threat...
"Brother! No! You can't crawl in!"
Lu Zhaoruo wept uncontrollably, struggling and crying desperately. Her tear-filled eyes were fixed on Li Yanei, filled with deep-seated hatred.
Young Master Li!
Today's humiliation will be repaid a hundredfold by me, Lu Zhaoruo!
Just as Lu Bohong's shoulder was about to hit the ground...
"call out!"
A teacup shot down from the second floor and struck Li Yanei squarely in the back of the knee!
"ah……"
Li Yanei screamed in agony, feeling a sharp pain in his knees. His legs buckled, and with a "thud," he knelt flat on the ground, facing Lu Bohong!
The scene fell into a deathly silence.
Lu Bohong hadn't even had a chance to fully bend down when he froze halfway, staring in astonishment at Li Yanei, who had suddenly knelt before him.
Lu Zhaoruo looked towards the second floor of the teahouse.
Two figures swooped down from the window and landed steadily in front of Li Yanei.
The leader was extremely handsome, with sword-like eyebrows that slanted upwards to his temples and a nose as straight as a hanging gall bladder. However, his phoenix eyes were half-closed, with the corners of his eyes drooping slightly, giving him a somewhat sleepy and tired look.
Meng Xi glanced casually at Li Yanei, who was still kneeling on the ground, a sneer on his lips: "I can't accept such a grand gesture from Young Master Li."
His tone was calm, but every word was barbed: "After all, even a fifth-rank general and the wealthy and powerful Master Gu, Li Langjun and your sister dare to disregard them. In Yong'an County, they are truly like local emperors."
Li Yanei abruptly raised his head. The excruciating pain in his knee and the shame of being publicly humiliated made him lose his temper. He cursed, "Where did this madman come from! State your name! How dare you ambush me! I think you're tired of living...you..."
"Brother Meng!"
Li Nian'er's surprised and delighted voice interrupted him.
Li Yanei suddenly turned his head to look at his sister, then stiffly turned back to look carefully at the young man in front of him who had an extraordinary demeanor, a lazy expression, yet an imposing presence...
Could he be the Meng Xi that my little sister was talking about?
The eldest son of the Meng family, whom the father personally wanted to entertain?
Upon hearing the address "Brother Meng," Meng Xi immediately frowned in disgust, not even bothering to look at him properly: "Madam Li, in this generation of the Meng family, I am the only legitimate son, while I have a younger brother born out of wedlock. I don't know when, but suddenly a sister surnamed Li has appeared out of nowhere?"
These words were spoken.
Li Nian'er's smile froze instantly, all color drained from her face, and she was so ashamed and angry that she wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground on the spot.
Upon seeing this, Li Yanei hurriedly tried to get up.
Meng Xi gave him a casual glance.
The attendant behind him immediately stepped forward, pressed his hand heavily on his back, and forced his knees, which had just lifted off the ground, back to the ground, saying, "Young Master Li, when did my master allow you to get up?"
After dealing with this matter, the attendant turned to Lu Bohong, who was still kneeling on the ground, and spoke in a much gentler tone, even with respect: "Inspector Lu, please get up."
Although Lu Bohong was somewhat bewildered, he immediately stood up and solemnly clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for helping me out, Young Master Meng."
Li, the young master, lowered his head, gritting his teeth in anger, but had no choice but to humble himself and explain: "Young Master Meng, please understand! It was truly this Inspector Lu who was incredibly audacious, using a torch to frighten your beloved horse, causing my sister to fall off in public. I only intended to give him a slight punishment, but not only did he not know his mistake, he also talked back! That's why I made him crawl between my legs, so that he would know to respect the Emperor..."
Meng Xi looked down at him and said, "I saw everything that just happened."
Li Ya felt a chill run down his spine, but still clung to a sliver of hope.
Father was hospitably entertaining this distinguished guest. He should at least give the magistrate some face. How could he really pursue the matter for the sake of two commoners?
"What a show!"
Meng Xi suddenly chuckled.
"I had heard that Yong'an County was a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery while I was in the capital. Today I realize that it is such a place of outstanding people. The children of a mere county magistrate can force people to crawl between their legs in the street, humiliate the imperial inspectors, and treat the law and justice as nothing."
With each word he spoke, Li Yanei's head drooped lower, and Li Nian'er's face paled even more.
Meng Xi clapped his hands lightly: "What a magnificent display of power and authority! Such demeanor and bearing are rare even in the capital. It's truly breathtaking."
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