Chapter 82: A Man, Save Me!

(I was really busy on the weekend, barely managed to squeeze out time, no time to revise, just read it as is; I'll polish it later when I'm free, the plot won't change, it'll just read a bit smoother.)

Xiao Liangchen saw Du Ruo's expression and immediately guessed what she was thinking; his face flushed red with embarrassment, and he hurriedly explained, "Don't misunderstand, I'm not——"

Before he could finish speaking, a jade arm wrapped around his arm.

The coquettish woman blew orchid-scented breath into his ear, saying, "This young lord looks unfamiliar; is this your first time here?"

Xiao Liangchen felt as if his body were on fire; he hastily shoved her away, then stepped back several paces and gave the woman a proper bow.

"Miss, please conduct yourself properly; I'm only here to escape pursuers, with no other intention," he said solemnly.

"Oh, look, he's still shy!" the girl giggled, covering her mouth, her gaze fixed on Xiao Liangchen as if he were a curiosity; not satisfied with just looking, she waved and called over a few more companions.

Three or four scantily clad pleasure-house women surrounded the scholar, teasing and joking, occasionally reaching out to grope him.

Xiao Liangchen turned pale with fright; he dodged his face but couldn't escape his chest, as seven or eight soft, fragrant hands poked him all over, leaving him no chance to flee.

At that moment, Xiao Liangchen regretted it.

I only knew the outside was a tigress; who knew the inside was even worse—full of spider spirits.

Seeing himself about to be dragged upstairs by the spider spirits, he could only shout in embarrassment, "A Man, save me!"

Du Ruo twitched the corner of her mouth.

She had no intention of meddling, but thinking of Xiao Liangchen's temperament, if he were defiled by the brothel women today, he'd likely be too ashamed to bear it, and in serious cases might even withdraw completely.

Furthermore, I'd heard that scholars in ancient times were forbidden to visit brothels; if reported by someone with ill intent, he would very likely lose his chance to take the imperial examinations.

Forget it; after all, he's the Original Owner's love interest—I imagine the Original Owner wouldn't want her beloved to end up like that either……

Du Ruo turned to the madam, who was watching the show with a smile, and said sincerely, "Madam Ying, could you, for my sake, let him go?"

The madam had long noticed the flirtation between the two and had been waiting for these words.

"Oh, Madam Du, you probably don't know that any normal man who enters my Qunfang Pavilion never leaves with his virtue intact—especially a greenhorn like this young lord; it's absolutely impossible to let him go untouched. Only because you spoke up would I, Madam Nine, bear to part with him."

Saying this, she waved at the girls, "Alright, alright, go back now."

The girls weren't having it; it wasn't about the money, but such a handsome and fresh-faced client was simply too rare.

If they could take this young lord's virginity, they'd be willing even to pay for the privilege.

Seeing several girls eyeing Xiao Liangchen like wolves, reluctant to leave, the madam couldn't help scolding them with a laugh: "Enough, have your fill and get lost, you lot—no ambition, you can't move your legs when you see a good-looking guy. Do you really think you can have him? Stop daydreaming; he already has a beloved!"

As for who his beloved is, the madam, having seen countless men, could tell at a glance.

But the person himself seems unaware of it.

She was actually quite curious: with a look like Madam Du's, how could every handsome man take a liking to her? Jiang Bu Tou, at least, is Madam Du's husband—it's natural for a husband to love his wife—but what's the deal with this young lord before us?

The girls all left, flicking their handkerchiefs, and Xiao Liangchen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He straightened his collar, walked up to Du Ruo, lowered his head to look at her, and said, "Thank you."

Du Ruo smiled, "Young Master Xiao, were you chased here by a dog? Otherwise, why would you end up here?"

Xiao Liangchen's handsome face flushed, "No, that's not it; actually……"

He wanted to speak but hesitated, then blurted out, "It's the young lady of the Jiang family."

"Jiang Youyi," Du Ruo exclaimed, suddenly understanding.

No wonder, then—Jiang Youyi is always overbearing and loves extremes; if Xiao Liangchen is really as he said, relying on his own talent to take the exams and pursue an official career while refusing to marry into the Jiang family, then Jiang Youyi flying into a rage and forcing him into a brothel is quite plausible.

She peeked through the crack in the door and indeed saw Jiang Youyi looking anxious, pacing back and forth at the entrance of Qunfang Pavilion with her maid.

After all, she's a lady from a prominent family; one would think Jiang Youyi wouldn't risk her reputation, so no matter how anxious she got, she wouldn't dare set foot in a place like this brothel.

"So what are you going to do? You can't hide forever," Du Ruo asked him, turning around.

Xiao Liangchen was deeply troubled, "I've already made my position clear to the Jiang family; they haven't given me trouble, but I never expected that Miss Jiang would be impossible to reason with……"

Jiang Youyi not only frequently ran to his house every three days, sending many valuable gifts that pleased his parents, but also often showed up at the academy claiming to be his fiancée, causing everyone there to think he had climbed the social ladder and look at him strangely.

Thinking of these things, Xiao Liangchen felt a stifling resentment.

One can't just run up to every person and explain oneself over and over; besides, they might not believe it anyway.

Du Ruo nodded; dealing with someone who can't manage their emotions is quite annoying.

"Madam Ying, do you have a back door?" she asked the madam.

"Of course there is."

The madam led the way, with Du Ruo and Xiao Liangchen following behind; after a few turns left and right, they arrived at a woodshed, where she pulled aside the firewood stacked against the wall—sure enough, a small door was hidden inside. "Going out here, you can pass through the alley to reach the main street."

Xiao Liangchen thanked her and walked out, bending low.

Du Ruo thought for a moment, then followed him out.

Unrelated to Xiao Liangchen, she simply didn't want to clash with Jiang Youyi at the brothel's entrance, wasting time and breath for no purpose.

The madam quickly covered the small door again.

Returning to the front hall, the madam went up to the second floor, opened the window, and had a large plate of rice and vegetables brought to her—the vegetables were a dish Du Ruo had just personally prepared, a one-pot stew.

It was really delicious.

She ate while happily watching the master and servant downstairs.

At the entrance of Qunfang Pavilion, those two had been pacing back and forth for a long time, yet still hadn't seen Xiao Liangchen come out.

The maid couldn't hold back, "Miss, do you think Young Master Xiao might really be in there with them……"

"Impossible!" Jiang Youyi snapped, cutting her off, "Young Master Xiao isn't like that; his character is upright, his mind filled only with the exams and an official career—how could he indulge in women?"

Though that's what she said, recalling what Xiao Liangchen had said before entering, Jiang Youyi dug her nail-polished fingernails deep into her flesh.

At the time, she had finally managed to catch up to Xiao Liangchen on the street, but he remained cool and aloof, politely addressing her as Miss Jiang.

"Miss Jiang……" she scoffed, "does Xiao Liangchen not realize he wants to become Mrs. Xiao?"

Yet he stubbornly refuses to give her that chance!

Suppressing her ladylike temper, she leaned in and asked him, "Young Master Xiao, what exactly don't you like about me? For you, I can change anything."

Xiao Liangchen, however, remained silent.

Look, he simply can't say what's wrong with himself; he just plainly dislikes her.

This realization is truly awful, making one feel helpless from the bottom of one's heart.

But asking her to let go is absolutely impossible!

So she followed behind Xiao Liangchen, clinging to him, pestering him, promising all the benefits of marriage, saying that with the Jiang family's wealth, it would be enough to help him rise rapidly and become a person above others.

Hearing these words, Xiao Liangchen suddenly flew into a rage.

"Miss Jiang, having money is good, but using money to buy people's hearts yields nothing but false sincerity."

He put on his best-looking face and spoke the most heart-wrenching words: "You say you like my pure and clean nature; well, to completely sever our karmic ties, I will today destroy this purity!"

Having said that, he entered Qunfang Pavilion.

He hasn't come out yet even until now.

Thinking that Xiao Liangchen might be right now entwining with those dirty courtesans, Jiang Youyi's heart felt as if being gnawed by ten thousand ants, both itchy and painful.

No, she couldn't care less about anything else; she had to go in and see!

Jiang Youyi lifted her foot to rush inside, but the maid hurriedly grabbed her, shaking her head desperately, "No, miss! If the master finds out, he'll beat the servant to death!"

Failure to protect the master results in death by beating.

This is the Jiang family's rule.

Jiang Youyi forcibly stopped her steps; in her eyes, a servant's lowly life was no different from a dog's, and she felt no pity.

But she couldn't anger her father, who hated courtesans the most; if he learned she had privately entered Qunfang Pavilion, not only would the maid be beaten to death, but her leg would also not be spared……

Seeing Jiang Youyi indeed stop, the maid thought she was doing it for her own sake and grew a bit bolder.

"Miss, let me say this: that Xiao Liangchen is far too ungrateful! You are of noble stature, while he is merely a farmer's son, yet he dares to trample on you—does he rely solely on your affection for him?"

The maid furtively glanced at Jiang Youyi's complexion, then continued, "Seeing you humble yourself like this to curry favor with their family, I truly feel indignant for you; if the master and mistress heard, who knows how distressed they'd become! Moreover, I see Xiao Liangchen's attitude—he doesn't even regard you—so why must you cling to this one tree? As the saying goes, 'A forced melon isn't sweet'……"

Yes, a forced melon isn't sweet.

Jiang Youyi recalled these past days; for Xiao Liangchen, she strove to suppress her temper and greeted everyone with a smile.

For Xiao Liangchen, she endured her dislike, fawned over his greedy parents, and sent them all sorts of good things.

For Xiao Liangchen, she waited day after day at the academy gate, just to catch a glimpse of him……

But what did Xiao Liangchen do?

He merely kept his distance, avoiding her, wishing he had never known her.

He would rather go to that filthy Qunfang Pavilion than give her another glance!

Fine, Xiao Liangchen; today's humiliation, I, Jiang Youyi, have noted it down.

I will repay it double in the future.

If I can't have it, I'll destroy it!

Jiang Youyi lifted her gaze to Qunfang Pavilion and happened to meet the eyes of a woman by the second-floor window; the woman smiled at her.

Jiang Youyi withdrew her gaze, turned resolutely, and said, "Let's go!"

Xiao Liangchen still didn't realize he had earned someone's hatred.

The alley was narrow; occasionally a few rats scurried past his feet. He glanced back at Du Ruo following behind and reminded her to be careful.

They walked on in silence for a while, then Xiao Liangchen suddenly asked, "How is he treating you?"

Du Ruo took a moment to realize who the "he" in Xiao Liangchen's words referred to, then unconsciously smiled and said, "Pretty good."

Xiao Liangchen fell silent again.

Only when they were about to leave the alley did he add, "Jiang Mo Nian's son is sure to be fine,"

Du Ruo burst out laughing.

Xiao Liangchen looked at her, puzzled.

"It's nothing, nothing." Du Ruo hurriedly waved her hand, stifling her laughter, "I just thought of my mother; she once said the same thing to you."

Xiao Liangchen let out an "oh," "Your mother wasn't wrong; although I haven't met… him, Jiang Zhan is excellent—teachers hold him in high regard, classmates like him, and in this county exam he will surely have a place."

Du Ruo believed this.

Jiang Zhan is a likable child.

She had wanted to ask Xiao Liangchen how his county exam preparations were going, but she swallowed the words, thinking, "Never mind, it's none of my business."

Leaving the alley led to the main street, bustling with people coming and going.

The air felt much fresher.

Du Ruo cheerfully waved goodbye to Xiao Liangchen and turned onto South Main Street.

She now had more than ten taels of silver on her, qualifying as a little rich lady, so she spent generously—besides the customary festival gifts and some vegetables, meat, and eggs, she bought several bolts of brightly colored fine linen, intending to make new clothes for Jiang Wan and Chunhua.

These two girls have recently shot up in height; their old clothes barely fit anymore.

After finishing her purchases, Du Ruo lifted her arms full of bundles and boarded the ox cart.

The women on the ox cart also weren't empty-handed; a row of bamboo baskets sat on the cart bed, mostly holding festival gifts.

Seeing Du Ruo, everyone wore strange expressions.

Aunt Lin spoke first with a sarcastic tone, "Earlier I said someone was fooling around with a man at Ling'an Temple, giving her husband a green hat, and you all didn't believe me. Now what? Have you seen it with your own eyes? Haven't I been right about her?"

Du Ruo raised her eyebrows, wondering if she was the one being referred to.

Anyway, since no names were mentioned, she certainly wouldn't rush to admit it.

Seeing Du Ruo's lack of reaction, Aunt Lin raised her voice: "Oh, you're thick-skinned enough—flirting with the Buddha isn't enough, you even dash to a side alley off the street seeking excitement; just how unable to bear loneliness are you?"

Hmm, Du Ruo now realized it was indeed about her.

It seems that when she and Xiao Liangchen had just come out, villagers saw them and misunderstood.

She was pondering whether to explain when the woman seated beside her nudged her and asked, "The Jiang Li family's—just now the good-looking young man who was with you, who is he? Is he a relative of yours?"

This is an ally, deliberately giving her a chance to clarify, eh.

Du Ruo gave her an appreciative smile, then said: "That's just a fellow villager from my natal home; I happened to run into him on the road, so I thought I'd have him bring some silver to my mother. You all know the principle of not flashing wealth—I can't just pull out silver in the middle of the street. I had no choice, so I slipped into the alley to hand it to him secretly."

It turns out that's the case, and the women's faces all relaxed.

Someone laughed and said, "I told you, how could the Jiang Li family be that sort of person? It's clearly just a misunderstanding."

"The Jiang Li family did the right thing," I told you, the last time my husband bought a meat bun on the street, and before I knew it my money pouch was stolen! There are plenty of thieves in this town!

Others also chimed in, and the atmosphere on the ox cart finally became lively again.

Aunt Lin snorted with laughter, but then didn't say another word.

What natal village fellow villager, it's clearly the Nü Gan husband ***, the Du Clan this promiscuous ***, must have seen Jiang Li not returning from the Ya Men for a long time, unable to endure loneliness, so she found a wild man.

It doesn't matter; anyway, the Du Clan won't have many good days left, so let her be arrogant for a while.

Aunt Lin rubbed the small paper packet in her sleeve, and a spiteful gleam flashed in her eyes.