Li Ying took a deep breath. She had intended to take this opportunity to check on the operations of her shops in the capital. However, she had only walked a few steps when she heard the rapid clatter of hooves behind her.
"Boss Li, we've finally found you!"
Li Ying stopped in her tracks and turned around. She saw a familiar servant dressed in the livery of the Hu family. Presumably, he was an attendant of Hu Qinzhu.
"Boss Li, Miss A Man has gotten into an argument with someone. Our young lady happened to pass by and intervened. The two sides are currently at a standstill in the restaurant. Our young lady sent me to find you. Please come with me quickly and take a look!"
Li Ying was startled by this news.
Although A Man was young, she had long shed her impetuous and restless nature. Considering her relationship with Li Ying, she rarely caused any trouble in the capital, fearing that it might bring trouble to Li Ying.
She followed the servant and kept asking questions along the way. Only then did she finally get a general understanding of what had happened.
It turned out that A Man had come to Li's Restaurant to entertain a few girls she knew from the music and dance troupe. During the meal, a guest recognized her as the famous dancer and musician in the capital. Delighted, the guest stepped forward to offer her a couple of drinks and then playfully invited A Man to dance a little, saying that they, ordinary people, wanted to see the Peacock Dance that even the Empress Dowager had praised at the birthday banquet. They were eager to know how stunning it was.
A Man didn't want to cause any more trouble at first. But with everyone staring at her in public, she really couldn't decline. Moreover, she thought that this was Li Ying's restaurant after all. She had also performed on stage here several times before. A dance today might attract more customers for Li Ying.
So A Man stopped refusing. She followed the shopkeeper to the back, reluctantly picked out a dance costume, changed into it, and then calmly took the stage.
Her dancing skills were outstanding, which naturally amazed everyone and made them praise her continuously.
After hearing all the compliments, A Man was about to leave when, unexpectedly, a lazy hand suddenly reached out from the side and grabbed her sleeve precisely.
Someone reminded her, and only then did A Man recognize that the person was the only son of Lord Yang, a censor in the Censorate. He was a well - known playboy in the capital, always indulging in debauchery.
He reeked of alcohol, obviously drunk. A Man didn't want to get entangled with him and tried to break free.
However, this Young Master Yang grinned lewdly and refused to let her go. He flirted with her and repeatedly said that he was a well - known figure in the capital. He had taken a fancy to A Man and wanted to marry her as his concubine.
When Li Ying arrived, the two sides were still tugging at each other and at a deadlock.
Hu Qinzhu had only brought a few maids with her. The man was surrounded by several big and strong servants. How could they be a match for them? Hu Qinzhu was so anxious that her face showed a look of distress.
From afar, she saw Li Ying finally arrive. Only then did she heave a sigh of relief and shouted, "Sister Li, over here!"
Now in the capital, everyone knew that although Li Ying was just a businesswoman, she was supported by two newly - promoted nobles, Su Buchi and Lu Xunguang.
Hearing Hu Qinzhu call her, the man finally restrained himself a bit. He whispered a curse under his breath, then reluctantly straightened his clothes and let go of A Man.
Although A Man was a girl from the Hu ethnic group with a bold and straightforward personality, she had never encountered such a situation before. She had just been pretending to be calm and holding on. Now seeing Li Ying finally come, she quickly ran over a few steps and hid behind her. With red eyes, she called out "Sister".
Li Ying saw her look like a frightened little rabbit and immediately felt extremely heartache.
She protected A Man behind her, then stepped forward two steps neither over - modest nor over - assertive, and looked up at the man.
"Sir, my younger sister is young. If she has offended you in any way, please be magnanimous and don't haggle with her. Please let us, ordinary people, off."
Hearing her words, the Young Master Yang seemed rather polite. A contemptuous smile slowly appeared on his face. He smacked his lips noisily, then looked down at them haughtily and slowly began to speak.
"Boss Li, you're a smart person. Today is just a private matter between me and Miss A Man. Although I'm not very talented, I'm still a well - known figure in the capital. If Miss A Man follows me, she'll enjoy endless blessings. As her elder sister, you'd better not ruin your younger sister's great marriage."
Li Ying frowned and looked at A Man. Before she could ask, A Man shouted first, "Bah! Who wants to marry you as your concubine? Everyone in the capital knows that you're a good - for - nothing lecher. I'd rather shave my hair and become a nun in a nunnery than follow you!"
With Li Ying present, A Man became a bit bolder.
However, as soon as she said this, the man's expression immediately became even uglier.
He took a step forward and was about to reach past Li Ying to pinch A Man's pointed chin.
Hu Qinzhu stamped her foot anxiously and quickly stepped forward to stop him.
"Master Yang, forced love never lasts. You're a handsome and talented man. You can get any girl you want. Why bother Miss A Man? Please, for the sake of Miss Li and me, go back!"
The man sneered and sized up Li Ying and Hu Qinzhu from head to toe. The arrogance on his face became even more prominent.
"Humph!"
"Don't be ungrateful! Miss Hu, your father and brother have already fallen from power. You're just a weak woman struggling to hold on. You're nothing but a dog under Li Ying's command. And she, Li Ying, is just a thing relying on men to survive. Who do you two think you are to talk to me about 'face'?"
"I'm in a good mood today, so I've wasted so much time talking to you. Miss A Man, you'd better follow me obediently. Otherwise, I'll ask my father to submit a memorial to the Emperor in the court. I'll accuse you, whether you're from the Hu or Lu family, of indulging your servants to act recklessly and unreasonably. It'll be enough to give you a hard time!"
His distorting of right and wrong made A Man extremely angry. Her face turned pale and then red. She stammered, "You... You... You!" but couldn't say anything more.
The on - looking common people also didn't dare to provoke this arrogant young master. Some of them kept silent, while others tried to persuade gently. Some even suggested that A Man should follow him to avoid further trouble.
Li Ying frowned tightly and protected A Man without giving an inch.
Seeing that the servant beside the Young Master Yang was about to come and pull them again, Li Ying gritted her teeth.
However, before she could react, she heard a clear and crisp scolding from the crowd.
"Lord Yang, the censor, has quite a lot of power! He's just a third - rank censor, but his son can swagger through the streets and try to abduct a civilian girl. It seems that he's even more imposing than the royal relatives."
A young girl, surrounded by a group of people, walked forward gracefully. With a faint smile on her face, she calmly stood in front of the overbearing Young Master Yang.
She was wearing a coral - colored soft satin dress embroidered with flying swallows and flowers. She had a moon - bright satin shoulder cape embroidered with slanting stitches on her shoulders. Under her coiled hair, there was a pair of small plum - blossom - shaped earrings. Around her slender waist, there was a long tasseled sash with warm jade. She was wearing a pair of soft boots embroidered with brocade and beads. As she walked gracefully, she exuded charm.
Although this girl was young, she had an aura that should not be underestimated.
Li Ying was still speculating about her identity when Hu Qinzhu exclaimed, "Her Royal Highness the Princess?"
The Princess?
The current emperor didn't have many heirs. The princess of a similar age to her...
Could it be the one who intended to marry Lu Xunguang?
Li Ying secretly raised her eyebrows.
This precious princess didn't stay in the palace obediently but brought people to appear in her restaurant. Li Ying didn't know whether she was a friend or an enemy.