Chapter 150 - Come on Take You to the Show!
The streets of the capital were exceptionally broad, allowing four carriages to travel side by side without any issue. However, today, due to the large number of carriages heading to the Imperial Palace, the wide road had become congested.
Zuo Shaoyan had plenty of time to depart, but it was precisely because of this that he coincided with the majority of students entering the palace. Consequently, he found himself stuck just a few steps into his journey.
Zhu Chenggui had no other option but to take a detour, choosing a less crowded route. Although it was a longer path, after calculating the time, he estimated that they would still arrive no later than the others.
“This is problematic!” When Zhu Chenggui spotted an approaching horse-drawn carriage, he swiftly reined in their horse, attempting to avoid the collision. Simultaneously, he called out to the carriage, “Master, please stay seated securely!”
There were only two carriages that could barely squeeze through the narrow alley, and it was clear that the other party had deliberately rushed into the area. Avoiding them seemed impossible.
The two carriages swayed a few times before finally coming to a stop. Without waiting for Zhu Chenggui to react, four or five young individuals leaped off the carriages and delivered a swift kick to one of Zuo's Mansion's horse's legs.
“Where did this wretched beast come from?!” How dare it obstruct my path! ” What's with this ruffian, complaining first? This is preposterous!
“How dare you!” Zhu Chenggui, who had faithfully served Zuo Shaoyan for many years, had the demeanor of a steward about him. “Who are you people? “Daring to charge at my master like this?”
“Hah, who does your master think he is?” Do you think you can offend our young master? “
It was only now that Zhu Chenggui noticed the luxurious carriage. Four attendants encircled a young man dressed in the manner of a young master, glaring at him with indignation.
Zhu Chenggui's heart skipped a beat; he couldn't accurately determine the other's identity. Compared to Youuxi Town, this capital city was a place where the families of high-ranking imperial officials resided. Even if they weren't, they could have connections to such families.
Regardless of the specifics, Zuo's Mansion was not an entity one could afford to provoke.
“What's the matter?” Zuo Shaoyan alighted from the carriage, his brows slightly furrowed.
Zhu Chenggui quietly explained the situation, emphasizing that they were on their way for the palace entrance examination. Zuo Wuji hadn't brought many servants with him since they had been traveling light. They hadn't expected to encounter a group of unreasonable individuals.
Zuo Shaoyan inspected the instigator of the incident. He observed a spark in the young man's eyes and a lack of restraint in his demeanor. It was unlikely that he hailed from a prominent family. However, he didn't rule out the possibility of him being connected to an influential noble family.
After all, even the attire of the attendants was fashioned from fine silk, while the young man who appeared to be a young master was adorned in gold and silver.
Recognizing the significance of the Hall Competition, Zuo Shaoyan didn't wish to create any trouble. He relaxed his expression and requested, “I apologize for the inconvenience, but I'm running late for the palace examination. Would you kindly extend your cooperation?”
Zuo Shaoyan had assumed that revealing his status as a High Scholar would make the others more cautious. Unexpectedly, one of the attendants spat on the ground and cursed, “Damn, where did this impoverished scholar come from? Don't you know who my master is? You think you can bump into someone and then just leave?”
“So, what are your demands?” Zhu Cheng asked, frustration smoldering within him.
“Naturally, it's for you to kneel down and apologize to my master right away!”
Upon hearing these words, even Zuo Shaoyan's expression grew dark. “Such impudence! The Son of Heaven employs such unreasonable individuals under his command. May I inquire about your lineage and name?”
Zuo Shaoyan had possessed a cold demeanor since his youth, and as the eldest son of the Zuo Mansion, he carried a certain degree of dignity. His actions indeed frightened off the offender.
However, the allure of gold and silver was too strong for the five ruffians to resist. One of them, with a shifty expression, retorted to the attendant, “I doubt you'll believe this, but my Young Master is none other than the scion of Jiang's Mansion. He pays no heed to the likes of you!”
“Jiang's Mansion?”
“Indeed, Minister Jiang, do you know him?” “He's a high-ranking official overseeing the entire country's bureaucracy. Offending our Shang Shu would be a severe mistake, even for a top scholar!”
Zuo Shaoyan's brows relaxed momentarily. “I didn't expect one of our own. Considering the ties between the Zuo Family and our kin, can you show some mercy and allow us to pass?”
The few hooligans exchanged sly glances.
They had been promised a substantial sum of silver coins, and the person who enlisted their help had even mentioned that it was merely the Jiang's Mansion. Young Madame held a grudge against her future concubine's family and wanted to humiliate them.
Such occurrences were far too common for these ruffians; they had engaged in such activities frequently. Therefore, upon hearing Zuo Shaoyan's words, they remained composed.
What was there to fuss over a concubine's family? Regardless of how deep a grievance ran, it had to be endured. After all, it was his fate to be a concubine's child.
“Tch, one should be cautious when dealing with relatives. My Young Madame has vowed that if that shameless woman dares to step through the door, my Young Madame will make sure she pays dearly!”
Consequently, Zuo Shaoqing craftily aimed to establish a connection between the Jiang's Mansion and Zuo Shuhui, who had yet to marry out of the family.
It was at this point that Zuo Shaoyan finally grasped the motive behind these individuals' visit. Jiang Che's lawful wife hailed from a prestigious family, and it was only natural for her to look down upon the Zuo Family.
In the end, a family without power was always an easier target than a powerful one!
In light of this, these people evidently had no intention of letting him pass. Zuo Shaoyan exchanged a glance with Zhu Cheng Gui, and the two of them suddenly struck the horse's rear. Startled, the horse promptly veered around and galloped in the opposite direction.
The narrow alley already made the horse nervous, causing it to bolt uncontrollably. In an instant, it collided with the attendant and others who were on the opposite side, forcing them to seek shelter beneath the carriage.
Luo Xiaoliu, who had been enjoying the spectacle, was taken aback. He grabbed Yinyi's sleeve and inquired, “What should we do now? We can still reach the Imperial Palace at this hour, can't we?”
“Don't fret; I've already devised a contingency plan,” Yinyi assured as he tousled Zuo Shaoyan's hair, lifting him and using his Qing Gong to chase after Zuo Shaoyan.
Being carried away by him wasn't a new experience for Luo Xiaoliu, but he never enjoyed feeling like a pet in Yinyi's grasp. Therefore, he wrapped his arms around Yinyi tightly, asking, “When did you arrange all this? Why didn't I know about it?”
Yinyi thought to himself, “There are many things you remain unaware of.” He responded, “It's always good to be prepared. Since I've agreed to assist you, I naturally intend to give it my all.”
Luo Xiaoliu was ecstatic. He excitedly patted Yinyi's chest and commended, “Yinyi, I didn't expect you to be so resourceful. Rest assured, Xiao Liu will definitely repay your kindness handsomely!”
Yinyi's heart raced, nearly causing him to lose his footing on the rooftop. Nonetheless, he managed to maintain his composure and replied with a strained “yes.”
Upon leaving the alley, Luo Xiaoliu observed Zhu Chenggui hailing a carriage. After a brief exchange with the coachman, they were allowed inside.
The exam-taking students felt a touch of pride but, given the situation, hardly anyone declined, knowing that it might bring them good karma with a high-ranking student.
Luo Xiaoliu held onto Yinyi's chest and inquired, “What's the next move? This time, he's not alone.”
“Come on, let me show you a great spectacle!” Yinyi carried him and, with a few nimble leaps, they cleared the horse carriage and arrived at a restaurant.
Luo Xiaoliu found himself in the private room he had previously reserved. After a while, Yinyi confidently entered.
Curiosity got the better of Luo Xiaoliu, but he refrained from asking Yinyi about their next steps and calmly sipped his tea.
It was evident that this restaurant catered to a high-class clientele. Normally, he would only visit with San Ye, so he seldom had the opportunity to enjoy such leisurely moments.
Yinyi guided him to a window seat, directly overlooking the bustling main street with carriages and sedan chairs. Shortly after, Luo Xiaoliu spotted Zuo Shaoyan's carriage approaching.
Just as the carriage came into view, a woman suddenly emerged from below, cradling a small child. She quickly located Zuo Shaoyan's position.
The street's din made it challenging for Luo Xiaoliu to hear clearly, but he could faintly discern the woman's cries as she addressed the carriage's occupant: “Master, Master… How can you abandon us, a mother and child, so heartlessly? Master Zuo, please come out and meet us, the unfortunate mother and child…”
“Pfft!” Startled, Luo Xiaoliu turned to Yinyi and pointed at the weeping woman, asking, “Did you arrange this?”
Yinyi seized the unguarded moment to draw Luo Xiaoliu closer, his arm around his shoulder, and whispered in his ear, “Impressed, aren't you?”
Luo Xiaoliu's eyebrows twitched as he silently cursed, “This Yinyi is truly devious!” He vowed to expose Yinyi's cunning in front of others in the future, lest he end up wearing the metaphorical “little shoes.”
“Haha…” Luo Xiaoliu couldn't help but laugh and kept his attention on the scene below.
Several passersby halted in their tracks, and upon hearing a few words, some began to mock, “It's probably some scholar abandoning us again. Happens a few times every year in the capital.”
“Exactly, these students act like they have bright futures and discard the garbage. It's truly…” “Such a disgrace!”
The carriage came to an abrupt stop, and the occupants inside stared in surprise at the woman holding the child. The carriage owner, furious and taken aback, gritted his teeth and said, “My friend, how could you…” “This way… It's best for you to disembark!”
Initially, he had thought Zuo Shaoyan was a good-looking, quick-witted, and kind-hearted individual, but he never expected this side of him.
Zuo Shaoyan's face turned dark as ink, shrouded in frustration. He ground his teeth and stated, “I don't know her!”
Hearing this, the woman cried even harder, “Mister, it's alright if you don't recognize me, but…” “But this child is also your own flesh and blood. He's still so young; how could you be so heartless?”
The driver, observing that Zuo Shaoyan was almost twenty while the child appeared to be three or four years old, became even more certain. He huffed indignantly, saying, “This is your brother's fault. Regardless, the child is innocent. Please!”
Zuo Shaoyan realized he couldn't argue any further and lacked the audacity to insist on remaining in the carriage. He kept getting interrupted, as if the other party deliberately intended to prevent him from entering the palace!
“Master…” “What should we do?” Zhu Chenggui grew increasingly anxious. It seemed that time was running out, and he wouldn't make it if further delays occurred.
“Take them into the restaurant. Keep an eye on them. Wait for me when I return!” Zuo Shaoyan headed toward the palace with a stern expression.
Zuo Shaoyan had confidence in Zhu Chenggui's capabilities; he believed it wasn't beyond him to look after a woman and child properly. Yet, a faint unease nagged at him, suggesting this journey wouldn't be smooth.
Nevertheless, he had to forge ahead no matter what.
Upstairs, Luo Xiaoliu noticed he was about to depart and quickly tugged at Yinyi.
Yinyi reassured him with a smile and whistled. A few dark silhouettes appeared to flicker before Luo Xiaoliu's eyes. In an instant, it seemed as if he hadn't seen anything at all.
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