Chapter 2166: Rescue the Beauty

You Huan has been busy with official duties lately, no time to go to the teahouse, and it's been several days since I last saw her.

She wore a red butterfly inner robe today, with a light apricot gauze outer jacket, and three red jade coral hairpins in a row in her hair, making her look graceful and lively, with a healthy complexion.

The other two women were also dressed as married women, and Mei Wuniang chatted with them as they went upstairs.

The private room facing one side of the main hall also had bamboo blinds, so Mei Wuniang naturally couldn't see the You brothers.

You Su didn't notice her either, and kept talking nonstop. You Huan, however, paid attention to the movements outside the private room, and soon heard a series of light footsteps, probably four or five people passing by, heading deeper into the corridor.

Most of Mei Wuniang's attendants stayed downstairs in the main hall, only one or two personal servants followed her up.

The second floor of Huanxiang Lou consists entirely of private rooms, with excellent privacy.

You Huan didn't take it to heart either, and continued drinking with his younger brother.

After another half hour, the teahouse's main door suddenly opened and someone walked in.

Hmm? You Huan's chopsticks paused in his hand—wasn't that Zhai Qiu Shan?

There are dozens of large teahouses in Mou Du, yet on this rainy night, both Zhai Qiu Shan and Mei Wuniang happened to walk into Huanxiang Lou?

How come I feel something's off?

And after Zhai Qiu Shan walked in, he didn't look left or right; the waiter was just about to come over to greet him when someone stepped forward and bowed to him, then led him upstairs.

You Huan raised his eyebrows, because the person leading the way was precisely the young servant who had stayed with the three women in the main hall earlier!

Whose servant is this, and why is he leading Zhai Qiu Shan?

"Big brother, did you hear what I said?" You Su noticed he was zoning out.

"I heard you, keep going." You Huan's attention, however, remained focused outside the private room.

Sure enough, a few people quickly passed by outside his room, heading deeper into the corridor.

After a few breaths, You Huan finally stood up: "I'm going to change clothes."

Two guards stood outside the door.

These two were assigned to him by the Wang Ting, both with military backgrounds, both cultivators.

Each palace official has two personally bestowed guards; the Mou Emperor needs to protect his strategists well.

You Huan timed his departure carefully—Zhai Qiu Shan and the others had already gone far.

He asked the guards: "Half an hour ago, a few female guests came up, one wearing a red silk skirt, beautiful as a flower. Which private room did they go into?"

The guards stationed here are supposed to observe all directions, and besides, Mei Wuniang's appearance is hard not to notice.

Upon hearing this, the guard pointed at Zhai Qiu Shan's back: "That's the room he went into."

Zhai Qiu Shan had already pushed the door open and entered; several attendants remained outside, left and right, keeping watch, as if guarding him.

You Huan didn't rush in either, only asking: "Is there anything unusual about that room?"

"Earlier, a servant was guarding outside, but for some reason left." The guard glanced that way, "Oh, those two women also came out."

The two women who had followed Mei Wuniang into the private room earlier have now come out. They hurried past You Huan's side, heads down, eyes flickering.

Only after they went down the stairs toward the back door did You Huan ask: "And the most beautiful one?"

"She hasn't come out yet."

"Good." You Huan didn't turn back, "You go subdue those attendants at her door, but make no noise."

"Yes." The two guards accepted the order and strode boldly toward that row of private rooms.

This second floor has guests coming and going, their expressions and movements are very natural, so Zhai Qiu Shan's attendants didn't notice, thinking they were just passersby.

But before they even reached them, these two suddenly attacked.

Zhai Qiu Shan's attendants are all ordinary people, only one is somewhat strong in build—how could they stand against palace experts?

In two or three moves, all four were knocked down.

The two guards gently laid them on the ground, indeed making no noise; Lord You's order was carried out perfectly.

You Huan first set up a soundproof barrier, then kicked open the wooden door of the private room!

Bang—with a loud crash.

Inside could be heard, but outside the corridor remained quiet, at most someone might feel a slight vibration.

As soon as the door opened, someone inside jumped up.

The moment the door opened, You Huan saw Mei Wuniang lying on her back on the round table in the private room, her silk skirt half undone, her inner jacket pulled to one side, revealing skin like snow.

You Huan kicked open the door, she still lay there motionless, while it was Zhai Qiu Shan who jumped up.

Zhai Qiu Shan staggered back two steps, and upon seeing who had come, he was utterly shocked:

"You, You... Lord You."

In his panic, his tongue wouldn't straighten.

"Zhai Qiu Shan, what are you doing?"

"I, I..." Given the situation, anyone could see Zhai Qiu Shan wanted to play a two-person game, but the woman didn't consent, so he used some means to lower the difficulty.

Facts speak louder than eloquence; moreover, his mind went blank, he couldn't argue even if he tried.

You Huan shouted sternly: "I had an appointment with Mei Wuniang, yet you came to ambush her?"

Zhai Qiu Shan's face turned ashen, he thought to himself, it's over—this is the woman Lord You, the palace official, has taken a liking to!

You Huan walked up to Mei Wuniang, saw her eyes open, watery and gazing at him, though her face was expressionless, her eyes clearly showed both shame and anger.

He only asked Zhai Qiu Shan two words: "Antidote!"

"No, no." Zhai Qiu Shan lowered his head, "The effect will wear off on its own after an hour."

He had long harbored designs on Mei Wuniang, but she never gave him a pleasant look; he invited her several times, she always refused. So Zhai Qiu Shan specially found a potent drug to humiliate her, wanting her unable to move the whole time, yet remain conscious.

You Huan couldn't be bothered to say more, pointing at the door: "Get out."

Zhai Qiu Shan, as if pardoned, fled in a hurry, bursting out the door.

The guards thoughtfully closed the door behind him.

Inside the room, only You Huan and Mei Wuniang remained, their eyes locked.

The beauty lay drunk, her robe half undone, her allure stirring—even You Huan, a seasoned hand among flower beds, felt a strong visual impact.

He could easily replace Zhai Qiushan and finish what remained undone. With his power and influence, Mei Wuniang would have nothing to say afterward and no recourse.

But You Huan still drew a deep breath to steady his mind, took out a pill to clear the heart and dispel nightmares from his bosom, and fed it to Mei Wuniang.

The spirit pill took effect quickly; before long, Mei Wuniang could move again.

She struggled to rise from the table, carefully fastened her clothes, then softly said to You Huan:

"Thank you, Lord You, for your righteous aid; otherwise today I would have, would have lost my person to that petty man."

"Zhai Qiushan is not a clever man—how could you fall into his trap?" You Huan's tone held two parts disappointment.

"I had arranged to meet Lady Lu and Lady Wang here to discuss a matter, never expecting they would actually collude with Zhai Qiushan..." Mei Wuniang bit her lip, the corners of her eyes slightly red, "It was my carelessness—I failed to investigate beforehand."

On her lovely face were three parts shame, three parts sorrow, and four parts anger.

You Huan knew she had only just arrived in Moudu, unfamiliar with people and places; to expect her to uncover these overt and covert connections was unreasonable.