opposing
"Qi Guanlan, are you angry because you were rejected?"
Qi Guanlan had been at a disadvantage all day and completely gave up pretending. He first hooked with his right hand, then kicked at the vital point. The air was thick with tension as the two fought fiercely, and his men couldn't find an opening to pull them apart.
"I never expected that your true intentions weren't what they seemed. Why didn't you cherish it?" Zhao Heng said fiercely, throwing another punch.
"Get out! Say another word of this nonsense!" Qi Guanlan kicked him again. The new clothes he had worn for less than a day were already unwearable. "You two adulterers... you're in cahoots, I won't let you get away with this."
Wen Ruo: "......."
Even though he was as beautiful as the moon in the sky and had a mole on his heart, seeing the other party fighting over a woman, ending up bruised and battered and looking like a mess, especially since the woman wasn't even him, was unbearable.
Zhou Xuanyan clasped her hands in front of her, reverting to her gentle and dignified demeanor as a young lady. Her gaze towards Wen Ruo was clear and pure. She shook her head and sighed, "If only life could be like our first meeting, how fortunate we would be."
At first glance, Qi Guanlan stood tall and elegant, holding a paper umbrella, his brows furrowed in deep thought. He truly seemed like a celestial being who had stepped out of a painting. Unfortunately, the most common thing in the world is that things change and people are no longer the same.
"Thank you for your planning, sister. It's dangerous here, let me take you home." Zhou Xuanyan looked towards the city gate. Her maid and mother-in-law had already arrived. Even though she knew she had gone too far today, she was being unusually mischievous. With light steps, she gave a slight curtsy and, without caring whether they saw her or not, pulled Wen Ruo away without any hesitation.
The sedan chair was replaced by a horse-drawn carriage, which moved slowly along the road. The two wheels left two faint axle marks on the road. Inside the sandalwood carriage, Wen Ruo sat on a brocade cushion and could vaguely see the familiar sedan chair through the window.
They actually caught up.
Wen Ruo's expression changed drastically. What should she do? She was afraid she would have to pretend to be Xi You for a while longer, but Shi Liu Niang was still at home. If she couldn't wait for her, something bad might happen.
"Don't be afraid, sister. They certainly won't dare to be too presumptuous." Zhou Xuanyan thought she was scared, so she shook her sleeve and kindly comforted her. "If you need anything, you can come to me. Under the emperor's nose, they won't dare to do anything."
Wen Ruo nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. "What happened to the red marks on your neck?"
Zhou Xuanyan unconsciously touched her face and said casually, "I was just scaring my mother. I originally wanted to die rather than comply, but then I changed my mind. My mother agreed to let me go for a walk to clear my head. Even if she refuses afterward, it won't lead to a complete falling out."
"I see. People can always come up with a solution. You should never do such a thing unless you're in dire straits." Now that things have come to this, Miss Zhou's attitude is clear: whether the marriage is arranged or not makes no difference to her. If it is arranged, she will break it off. Miss Zhou is probably willing to pay the money.
"Can I still contact you if I need anything?" Zhou Xuanyan's cheeks flushed. Today, she offended two of the most notorious playboys in the capital for her sake. Anyone would be kind enough not to hold a grudge. For her to ask such a question was really a bit shameless.
Write to me.
Zhou Xuanyan's eyes softened. "Thank you, sister."
The incense in the carriage was almost burned out. Wen Ruo kept glancing outside. Qi Guanlan's sedan chair followed at a distance, not too close and not too far behind, for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. It seemed that the young master was determined to get what he wanted and would continue to annoy people. Wen Ruo turned to Zhou Xuanyan and said, "Let's take a detour!"
"Miss, we've arrived at East Street!"
After entering East Street, the carriage slowed down even more. The people on this street were all rich and noble, so it was also known as Shangjie (meaning "going up the street"). The coachman was on high alert, making sure not to offend any important people.
Wen Ruo glanced at the shops on both sides and saw a few familiar ones. As she approached the end of the alley, she called out, "Second Miss, please put me down."
"Are you sure you can manage on your own? Or should I stay with you?" Zhou Xuanyan racked her brains, not knowing how to get rid of that dreadful man. She gritted her teeth and whispered, "Or should I take you to the Dali Temple to get to know your face?"
Wen Ruo chuckled to herself, then shook her head, "I appreciate the kindness, but I know what I'm doing."
The carriage stopped at the intersection. Wen Ruo got up and got out of the carriage. After saying goodbye to Miss Zhou, she wandered around the street alone. As a merchant woman who had just entered the capital, how could she bear to sit around without a shop and live off her savings? The most important thing was to make money.
As expected of a wealthy street, the streets were filled not with people, but with sedan chairs and carriages. The young ladies and mistresses sat inside, and all they could see were the coachmen running around like their feet were on fire.
The servants dressed in different styles in front of and beside the carriages and sedan chairs hinted at their fame and glory. Even the maids were richer than ordinary women, with delicate skin, wearing silk and flowers, and walking with small but quick steps.
If she were to arrive at her neighborhood, the neighbor aunties would probably not dare to utter a word. Her usual sharp and sarcastic tone might offend the important person if she didn't think things through.
The sedan chair moved slowly, stopping and starting. Qi Guanlan braced himself on both sides and said, "Be careful!" Xiao Shunge followed closely beside him and reminded him, "Young master, there are too many people here. If the princess finds out that you are with a woman, she might get angry again."
"I haven't even shown my face, what can my mother do to me!" Qi Guanlan shifted back, closed his eyes leisurely, and said, "Keep following."
"Young master, you're just burying your head in the sand. The princess might have sent someone to keep an eye on you again," Xiao Shun muttered, not daring to speak too loudly, as he sensed someone following them.
Wen Ruo got tired of walking and randomly entered a shop. She observed that there was not a single customer in the shop even in broad daylight. As she walked in, she heard, "Sir, our shop is not open."
"Then why isn't there a sign?" Wen Ruo saw a eloquent broker walk in. It turned out he wanted to sell the shop. As soon as he met the owner, the broker ran up and down, smiling enthusiastically like a spring breeze in March.
The broker kept talking, and spoke so fast that Wen Ruo couldn't hear him very clearly. But wasn't this a perfect opportunity? She turned around with a look of surprise and delight: "Can I take a look? I've been looking for a shop lately, and my legs are getting sore."
"Well, you've come at the right time!"
"The owner's father-in-law is going to take up a post in another place, and his wife is insisting on going with him. She refuses to stay in the capital. He's henpecked, so he has no choice but to go with his father-in-law. The shop just came into my hands, it's still fresh in my mind. I can tell you're a straightforward person. Keep all the furniture, and there's even a backyard where people can live. It's a first-class house. As long as you do the business right, I guarantee you'll make a fortune."
"How much?" Wen Ruo was tempted.
"Let me show you around; all his belongings have been packed up." The broker deliberately kept her in suspense, saying a few words to the owner before taking off his keys and leading her around for a while.
The shop has two floors, which goes without saying. After that, we went to the backyard, where four rooms were kept very clean. One of them was the kitchen. Although the stove was empty, it was clear that people lived there.
"How about it?" the broker said confidently. "If you ask me, you won't find a shop this cheap. The shopkeeper was in a hurry and gave a low price. If word got out, it would probably cause a frenzy."
"How much?" Wen Ruo asked again.
The broker stretched out his hand, looked it up and down, and said, "No bargaining, one thousand taels!"
Wen Ruo clicked her tongue in amazement. This broker was talking big without fear of hurting himself. For a position like this, a thousand taels probably included all the future profits from the furniture. And he was giving it away for free? Who was he trying to fool?
"It's a bit expensive, I don't have that much on me," Wen Ruo helped her close her fingers. "Let me think about it." She wasn't a fool. The owner, seeing the two whispering, hadn't intended to speak, but seeing them about to leave, she immediately called out to her loudly:
Five hundred taels!
The broker's eyes widened. She plopped down in a chair, propped herself up on her arms, crossed her legs, and kept shaking the silk handkerchief in her hands. She muttered incessantly, her words conveying the same message: How can you do business like this and sabotage others? Don't you care about your reputation?
The landlord looked troubled. "I have no choice. I wanted to keep some money for myself, but my wife is urging us to leave. It's only five hundred taels. That's the price my wife asked for. I can't explain myself if it's less than that."
Wen Ruo laughed, looking at the honest-looking man, who turned out to be quite cunning.
"Deal!" Wen Ruo made the decision immediately.
"Wait, I'll offer five hundred and one taels!"
Qi Guanlan's voice arrived late, but he dared to set a price before even stepping inside or looking at the shop. He truly lived up to his reputation as a playboy.
The owner was overjoyed and hurriedly came out to greet him, his attitude shifting from arrogance to obsequiousness. "Isn't this Young Master Qi? You want some? Here you go, any extra is a generous reward from your bodhisattva heart."
Wen Ruo was furious, her face flushed red, and her pretty face turned cold: "You said you would sell it to me, why did you change your mind all of a sudden?"
"Because I offered the highest price." Qi Guanlan had finally won this time. At this moment, he was like a victorious rooster, his head held high, looking at her arrogantly. Did she ask for his opinion before she wanted to do business on the street?
Wen Ruo sneered, "Isn't it the young master who is bullying others by abusing his power!" The landlord turned around and said sternly, "The highest bidder wins. You'll understand after you learn more about this, Miss."
The newcomer doesn't know Young Master Qi. If she asks around, she'll find out who on this street dares to challenge him.
"you!"
Wen Ruo caught a glimpse of a figure and immediately stopped talking.
"Oh, if I also want it, what do you say, Master? How much should I offer?" Zhao Heng appeared behind him, first raising his hand to greet Wen Ruo, then turning to his master with a half-smile, "Why aren't you saying anything? Do you look down on me?"
"Zhao Heng, you still have money to fight me for? Aren't there enough women for you?" Qi Guanlan sneered.
The landlord's fawning smile froze on his face, a flicker of panic and fear flashing in his eyes. Even Young Master Zhao had come. He forced a smile, bowed, and nodded, saying:
"Young Master Zhao is too kind. I would never dare to presume. Your presence is an honor to my humble establishment. However..."
The two menacing figures turned to look at him simultaneously, their eyes saying: If you don't choose me, you're dead!
"However, I've already made a deal with this young lady, so the shop is now hers too. Why don't you ask her?" He changed the subject, pulling Wen Ruo into the conversation, and gave her a pleading look, implying, "The shop is yours!"
Don't drag me into this. He was blind. A hint of resentment flashed in the usually shrewd triangular eyes. Beauty is a curse. The two young masters' attitudes were very clear: one was going to hit him, and the other was going to protect him. What's wrong with taking it out on him?
Zhao Heng chuckled and quickly walked up to Wen Ruo, saying with a half-smile, "So the shop belongs to you, Miss. What a mistake! I'm telling you now, anyone who dares to make things difficult for you is my enemy."
Qi Guanlan sneered and put his arm around the boss's shoulder. "Tell me, who scared you? I'll help you get revenge."
When gods fight, mortals suffer!
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