"Bravo!..." Hongzhou clapped and cheered along with the audience, laughter filling the air. This was far more exciting than the song and dance performances in the Prince's mansion. Usually, he was strictly disciplined, spending his time either studying or practicing martial arts. Even when he did watch operas, they were bland and tasteless, and the stories he was tired of hearing were nothing compared to the fascinating tales of the common people in the countryside.
Hongli, however, did not forget his purpose. He looked around and listened to the idle chatter at the next table. Every now and then, he would crack open some melon seeds and tease Hongzhou. It was not as good as romantic evenings, drinking wine and composing poetry. In fact, it had a different kind of charm.
"Oh dear, be careful! You might burn our young master..." A shriek rang out. At a nearby table, a young servant was pulling at a tea server, while beside him stood a young master with black hair tied back with a silver ribbon, dressed in a dark-patterned purple silk robe. A long white tassel sash cinched his waist, adorned with a piece of mutton-fat jade. Looking closer, the young master had long, flowing eyebrows, slender eyes, a delicate nose, and fair skin—a truly handsome and noble young man. However, he was currently frowning and angry, his face flushed, clearly displeased.
"Young master, are you alright? Quickly, get him some burn ointment, hurry..." Another servant hurriedly checked the young master's burned arm and instructed the others.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I didn't see it, please don't be offended, young master!" The waiter said, putting down the long-spouted teapot and reaching out with a rag to wipe the tea stains that had accidentally spilled on the young master's arm. Unexpectedly, this action startled the two servants beside him, who slapped the waiter's hand away, protected their young master, and angrily scolded, "You lowly commoner, how dare you touch our young master? Aren't you afraid of getting our young master's clothes dirty?"
Hongli thought to himself: This must be a pampered young master from a powerful and influential family, someone I can't touch. Just as he finished thinking this, a man, who was watching, casually carried a teacup, squeezed to the table, sized up the three young masters, put one foot on the stool, and slammed his hand on the table so hard that the teacup shook.
"What, you lowly commoner? Since you're so noble, why come to our humble place to have fun?" The man's voice drowned out the opera singer's voice, and the audience below all turned to look. For a moment, the teahouse fell silent, all attention focused on this table. Even Hongzhou looked in the direction of the voice.
"How dare you! Do you know who we are?" The young master's attendant stood at the front, hands on his hips, ready to argue with the unruly man.
"Fourth Brother? Why does this young master look so familiar?" Hongzhou carefully examined the noble young man, scratching his head in thought.
Reminded by Hongzhou, Hongli took a closer look at the young nobleman's face and realized he resembled someone else! Whether by coincidence or not, the young nobleman noticed Hongzhou and Hongli looking over and actually flinched, as if he didn't want to be recognized!
"Who goes there? If you come to my teahouse, you have to follow my rules. If you want to listen to a play, then listen. If you want to cause trouble, I'll play along to the end..." The man was enraged. He smashed his teacup and shoved the servant aside. The young nobleman covered his face and screamed in fright.
"Stop!" Hongli couldn't bear to watch any longer, so he went over and shielded the young master behind him. The young master immediately looked at Hongli's back with teary eyes and a pitiful expression.
"Since we're all here to watch the show, why spoil everyone's fun over such a small matter? Well then, this young master did indeed speak inappropriately. I'll take him to apologize, and I'll cover everyone's expenses!" Although Hongli spoke in a conciliatory tone, his words were firm. The remaining spectators, realizing it was a good deal, all agreed. The man, seeing nothing to argue about, let the matter drop.
Some watched the play, others drank tea. Hongzhou circled the young nobleman, exclaiming with delight, "Xueying! It really is you!"
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