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Chapter 129: Chapter 129 Lantern Festival
Zhan Beicang looked at his daughter kneeling on the ground, feeling utterly humiliated!
How could she disregard her own reputation to seek out Young Master Si Jun, bringing shame to the Zhan Family!
Zhan Xuerou cried while pleading, "Father, I truly love Young Master Si Jun, and in this life, I shall marry no one but him!"
Zhan Beicang shuddered with rage at her words.
How could he have such a daughter!
Qin Shuang saw Zhan Xuerou kneeling on the cold stone ground; she hurried over, helped her up, and comforted her, "Rou’er, get up quickly!"
"What matter can’t be discussed inside the house!" Qin Shuang angrily looked at Zhan Beicang.
Faced with the servants, Zhan Beicang didn’t give his daughter any face.
She was, after all, an unmarried girl; if this gets out, how would his Rou’er ever be able to face anyone!
Zhan Beicang found himself speechless against Qin Shuang’s retorts.
He watched as Qin Shuang led Zhan Xuerou into the house.
Zhan Beicang silently gazed at the retreating figures of the mother and daughter, lamenting to himself, "Overly indulgent mothers often lead their children to ruin!"
He then followed them inside, and before long, the house was filled with arguing, with the sound of porcelain being shattered.
Soon after, Zhan Beicang, fuming with anger, lifted the curtain and stepped out of the room, and said to Housekeeper Zeng, "From today onwards, confine the young mistress. Without my orders, no one is to let her out!"
Inside, there was the sound of Zhan Xuerou’s crying and Qin Shuang’s comforting voice.
Zhan Lan listened quietly from behind a banyan tree not far away, to the noises inside; Zhan Xuerou would definitely find a way to marry Si Jun.
Besides witnessing the plight of her adversary today, Zhan Lan had another matter to attend to; she searched around and finally spotted Zhan Hui practicing his swordsmanship in the garden.
Zhan Hui looked sullen, clearly not in good spirits.
Zhan Lan approached and applauded, "Elder brother’s swordsmanship is impressive!"
Hearing Zhan Lan’s voice, Zhan Hui turned to look at her, "Fourth sister, you rarely come to the front courtyard, is there something you need?"
Zhan Lan, looking at the scabbed wounds on Zhan Hui’s hands, asked, "What happened to your hands?"
Zhan Hui shook his head, "I got into a fight with someone who was displeasing to the eye."
Zhan Lan raised an eyebrow; it was rare for someone to provoke Zhan Hui enough to strike.
He was always calm and composed; it must have been someone who crossed the line too far.
She recalled Chu Yin mentioning that Zhan Hui had abruptly left her alone that day.
Zhan Lan tilted her head and inquired, "It wasn’t Zhang Cheng you beat up, was it?"
Zhan Hui placed down his sword and responded, "I did strike him; he deserved it!"
Zhan Lan played with a morning glory flower, nodding in agreement, "I think so too!"
Zhan Hui, looking puzzled, said to Zhan Lan, "How do you know about this?"
Zhan Lan smiled slightly, "Just a guess!"
"Big brother, could it be that you have taken a liking to Chu Yin?" Zhan Lan asked while chasing butterflies.
Zhan Hui hesitated and replied, "No... who likes her!"
Zhan Lan sighed, "That’s too bad. Tonight is the Lantern Festival, and I heard that Zhang Cheng is planning to meet with Chu Yin in secret. If you’re not going, I’ll go and give him another beating!"
Zhan Hui urgently grabbed Zhan Lan’s sleeve and asked, "Are you serious?"
"Absolutely true, at the hour of Xu, inside Zhaixing Building, I’m off!"
Zhan Lan released the butterfly in her hands and waved goodbye as she walked away.
Zhan Hui frowned; Zhang Cheng indeed remained the same, arranging a meeting with Chu Yin at Zhaixing Building.
It seemed, he hadn’t hit him hard enough last time.
Zhaixing Building was a place where the rich and powerful met secretly with their lovers or sought pleasure.
Despite its façade as a restaurant, it was actually a place to conceal one’s doings.
If Chu Yin foolishly goes there with Zhang Cheng,
who knows what might happen.
With this thought, Zhan Hui tightly grasped his sword, ready to find Chu Yin.
Then, he paused his steps, deeply pondering, wanting to see if Chu Yin genuinely cared about Zhang Cheng.
If Chu Yin did fancy him, then that would be a different matter.
As dusk fell, Zhan Lan, dressed as a man, stood by the railing of Zhaixing Building, watching Zhan Hui enter alone.
She curved her lips into a smile, Zhan Hui still harbored affection for the adorable Chu Yin!
Inside Zhaixing Building, it had been several days since Zhang Cheng had last fraternized with the courtesans, and he itched for company.
His wounds healed, he now returned to Zhaixing Building for amusement.
Calling over two courtesans from the opposite brothel, he embraced them from both sides, kissing them, his hands roving over their bodies with little restraint.
The purple-clad courtesan Di Cui poured Zhang Cheng a glass of wine, cooing, "My lord, there’s no hurry, have a drink first..."
"Mr. Zhang, such an exquisite scholar, why not compose a poem for us two sisters?" the blue-clad courtesan Little Xian said playfully.
"Yes, sir!"
Being ostensibly well-versed in literature, Zhang Cheng was swayed by the girls’ coquetry, and spontaneously began to recite.
"Ornaments sway on cloud-like hair, as if attire follows flute and strings. Dance skirts flicker like deep fire, while song-blackened eyes almost seem to smoke."
Zhang Cheng was a regular patron to the two courtesans, who both had some knowledge of poetry and literature, winning his fondness.
"The young master is truly Nanjin’s foremost talent!" They each pecked a few kisses on Zhang Cheng’s cheeks.
Compliments from women were Zhang Cheng’s delight.
He loved this kind of life – to die beneath flowering trees, to be a romantic even in the afterlife.
"Come on, my beauties, let’s quickly see to my needs!"
With those words, he drew both women to the bed and drew the bed curtains closed.
The sounds from inside the room immediately became indecent.
The three of them, engulfed in fervent activity, were completely unaware that someone had entered their room and taken some items.
...
Zhan Hui entered Zhaixing Building, and the Shopkeeper, noting Zhan Hui’s distinguished appearance, immediately greeted him.
"Dear guest, are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"
Zhan Hui was concerned that Chu Yin might be at a disadvantage and had come for that reason; he certainly couldn’t just beat up Zhang Cheng upon sight, as before.
After all, some officials frequenting the place might recognize him.
Getting into a scuffle would not bode well for the Zhan Family.
Hence, he inquired, "A guest by the name of Zhang Cheng has reserved a spot here; I am a friend of his!"
Upon hearing that the visitor was a friend of Zhang Cheng, and seeing that the guest was strikingly handsome and martial, the Shopkeeper remembered Zhang Cheng’s friends having come here before to enjoy themselves until daybreak.
The Shopkeeper then misinterpreted Zhan Hui’s intentions and whispered, "Mr. Zhang Cheng is already upstairs, in the innermost room on the second floor."
Zhan Hui nodded and said, "Thank you!"
After the Shopkeeper left, Zhan Hui’s expression immediately cooled.
Zhang Cheng had actually reserved a room on the second floor.
And, he was there with Chu Yin!
He trudged up the stairs with a heavy heart.
Upon reaching the top and seeing the innermost room closed tight and hearing odd noises emanating from within,
His legs began to tremble.
In that instant, a surge of jealousy and rage flooded over him.
If Zhang Cheng dared to touch Chu Yin, he would surely slaughter him!
Yet he believed, steadfastly, that Chu Yin was not a frivolous woman.
