Chapter 508: The son‑in‑law looks handsome and gentle!

Duan Rongshi heard the voice and furrowed his brows tightly: "You ladies gathering together dare to recklessly discuss this matter?"

"If any rumor leaks again from your Flower Pavilion Tavern, or if some of the ladies hear it…"

"No matter whether they intentionally speak of it when they return home, it will surely be noted again by someone with ulterior motives."

"If it's merely sending this leverage to your tavern's rival, that would still be considered a minor matter."

"But if it is sent to the imperial family…"

"Luo'er, this matter could be big or small. You must be careful and cautious."

Li Qingluo's expression tightened and turned solemn.

She knew from past conversations at the tavern which master favored his concubine over his wife, which old lady doted on her youngest son, which concubine's son outshone the legitimate heir, and which daughter suffered endless grievances at the hands of her stepmother…

These are merely trifles that would cause no great scandal even if spread about.

After all, if not discussed in the tavern, these little secrets of each household would also drift through the streets and into everyone's ears like the wind.

It's merely difficult to tell truth from falsehood.

But now the Flower Pavilion Tavern dares to discuss the emperor's private affairs.

Moreover, this emperor is still a decadent, tyrannical ruler.

If something really happens, even if the Flower Pavilion Tavern remains popular with these ladies, it likely won't be able to survive.

The entire Nan Gong Fu will inevitably be implicated as well.

Li Qingluo immediately rose, took Duan Rongshi's hand, and said, "Come, let's go to the study."

Duan Rongshi: "What are you planning to write?"

Li Qingluo: "Those who know me, it's you, A Shi."

"I will issue a prohibitive token: forbid discussion of any court affairs! Violators, please leave the tavern!"

Seeing her determination, Duan Rongshi shook his head and chuckled lightly: "Luo'er, aren't you afraid of offending these ladies?"

Li Qingluo: "If I don't do this, the tavern's closure will be imminent."

"At that point, is it more important to offend these insignificant people, or to protect the lives and fortunes of us all?"

"A Shi, if we are to carve a bloody path in Great Chu, we must act cautiously and cannot afford any misstep."

"Now I understand."

Duan Rongshi gently held her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.

"My Luo'er has always been wise and sensible."

"With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?"

The two stood beneath the corridor, gazing at each other's affectionate scene—ordinary enough, yet noticed by someone with ulterior motives.

The maid Tang Chun hurried back to the room, her face flushed, and sat by the bed, unable to compose herself for a long time.

Bao Xia, being young, lay in the innermost spot to sleep.

Xi Qiu, whenever she had free time, began doing needlework under the lamp.

Dong Er kept her fingers folded, muttering under her breath as she counted something, never stopping.

Xi Qiu looked at Tang Chun and noticed his abnormality: "What's wrong with you?"

They were all retained to work in the main residence.

They also came from the same matchmaker, so they are quite familiar with each other.

Coincidentally, their names correspond to spring, summer, autumn, and winter, which is why the young lady kept them on duty today.

The rules in this household are very strange.

The son‑in‑law lives in the wife's family home.

Therefore, the mistress of the household is still addressed as "young lady" by everyone.

Moreover, the head of the household has gone far away.

Although there are a few elderly servants in the house, the only young maid is Que'er.

It is said she is a first‑class senior maid attending the young lady.

However, they have never actually seen her.

Today everyone was assigned their tasks, and also listened to Zheng Mama's lecture on rules and strict orders.

But just half an hour ago, that grandmother suddenly came out to announce that, henceforth, while the son‑in‑law is at home, no one may go to the Tangdi Residence.

Even their lodgings were arranged in the servants' quarters of the neighboring courtyard.

So they all felt that the rules of Nan Gong Fu were somewhat strange.

Even though the master doesn't like having servants in his presence, he doesn't go so far as to refuse to see them altogether.

Does that mean we don't have to serve him?

But everyone is indifferent, which means they'll have far less to do in Nan Gong Fu.

Moreover, there are few masters in this household, so perhaps everyone will live quite easily.

Apart from Tang Chun feeling a bit down, the other three are indifferent.

But just now Tang Chun came running back, face flushed and eyes excited; the quick‑witted Xi Qiu couldn't help but wonder and asked.

Tang Chun leaned in mysteriously and whispered, "I just saw the son‑in‑law."

Xi Qiu, somewhat curious, asked, "Does he look like a difficult master to serve?"

Tang Chun shook her head vigorously.

"No."

"The son‑in‑law looks like a very gentle person."

Tang Chun couldn't help clasping her hands, face full of anticipation: "Moreover, he is extremely handsome."

"I have never seen such a handsome young man."

Tang Chun looks like this—how could Xi Qiu still not understand?

She couldn't help but purse her lips: "Being good-looking, what does it matter? The son-in-law is a husband who married into the family—do you really think the miss would take you as a concubine?"

Tang Chun paused.

"We few are the best-looking—why can't we?"

"Even if the son-in-law is a husband who married into the family, isn't he still a man?"

"I heard the miss is always out there putting herself on display doing business, and the previous teahouse was forced to close because she refused to uphold a woman's reputation, suffering great impact."

"Although they are now as close as glue and lacquer, not allowing outsiders, but the miss will surely have a child one day, right?"

"When that time comes, as a wife, shouldn't she personally plan for her husband?"

"I'm just thinking about my own future; it won't interfere with their affairs at all."

"Besides, which husband doesn't take a concubine? Isn't this quite ordinary?"

"I heard that Miss Que'er is already engaged, so the miss bought us back—perhaps that was her original plan?"

Bao Xia, lying on the bed, burst out laughing with a "puchi" sound.

"Shameless."

Obviously she hadn't slept at all, and had heard Tang Chun's words completely.

Tang Chun's face showed shock: "What did you say?"

Immediately anger appeared on her face, she rolled up her sleeves and moved forward: "You vile wretch, say that again!"

Bao Xia wasn't afraid of her.

With a "gulu" she flipped over, staring at Tang Chun with a mocking half-smile: "I'm saying you're daydreaming!"

"How many maidservants are in this mansion? You should open your eyes and look first!"

"We're all newcomers, which shows the master of this mansion never liked having servants attend to him."

Besides, if the miss wanted a concubine, she could have chosen a respectable woman or kept a trusted confidante by her side—why would she want someone like you, a slut who came out of nowhere?

I warn you: if because of you I get dragged into disaster, or if I'm sold again out of the Nan Gong Fu, I'll beat you to death first!