Chapter 140: Then Let's Propose Again

After the attendant left, Qiao Qingyun took a sip of the fragrant tea, paying no mind to the changing expressions of the two men beside her.

Instead, she looked at Jianli with a beaming smile. "There's no need to speak in such a harsh tone. I'm quite fine now, so why hit someone?"

Jianli was momentarily stunned, suddenly remembering that he had lost his composure just moments before. He immediately forced a flattering smile for Qiao Qingyun, terrified that she might harbor a distaste for him. "Such a thing must never happen a second time. And it's not just for the Princess's sake, but also to ensure the safety of future guests visiting the House of Zither."

Qiao Qingyun nodded knowingly yet vaguely, turning her head to glance at Hongying. "Why aren't you drinking your tea?"

From the moment she stepped through the door, Hongying's guard toward Jianli had never dropped.

From their very first encounter, she had sensed that he was not someone to be trifled with.

And now, that suspicion was only confirmed further.

Inside the antique-style private room, everyone was raising their cups and drinking heartily, save for Jianli, whose ten fingers fluttered gracefully, continuously plucking the strings to play a series of exceptionally melodious tunes.

"My Lady... this subordinate feels that something is amiss with this person."

Hongying gazed at Jianli, who had his eyes closed, and whispered as she leaned toward Bai Yuxin's side.

Zhong Shi and Yuan Zaichun stood motionless like statues, making Liufu appear much more easygoing by comparison.

"Hmm?" Qiao Qingyun slightly arched an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"I don't know... it's just an intuition. If My Lady has had enough fun, shall we return to the palace first?" Hongying urged Qiao Qingyun with a hint of anxiety, eager to get her out of here.

The woman waved her hand dismissively. "No need. Master Jianli's zither playing is so lovely, how could I bear to leave?"

Zhong Shi: ...

Yuan Zaichun: ...

There were simply too many men lingering around Qiao Qingyun. Fortunately, Feng Ke was no longer a threat, and it had been quite a while since he last showed up.

Yuan Zaichun was secretly calculating his next move, but little did he know, speak of the devil and he shall appear.

The door to the private room was suddenly pushed open, and Feng Ke sauntered in with a cheeky grin. Upon seeing the crowd inside, his pupils constricted slightly, and he quickly walked over. "Qingyun! You're here too?!"

Feng Ke eagerly reached out to grab Qiao Qingyun, desperate to alleviate the agony of his lovesickness, but Hongying was quick on her feet and directly blocked his path. "Hands off! The Princess hasn't fully recovered from her injuries yet, and if you reopen them, you'll be in for it."

"Ah... I almost forgot."

Hearing Feng Ke's voice, Jianli stopped playing, his fingers halting on the strings. He looked at Feng Ke with a trace of confusion. "Why are you here?"

Feng Ke stood on no ceremony, immediately sitting down next to Yuan Zaichun. Turning his head, he caught the piercingly cold glare from Zhong Shi and smiled awkwardly. "Well... I was looking for you downstairs just now, couldn't find you, and followed the sound of the zither up here."

With that, he hurriedly picked up a cup of tea to calm his nerves.

Yuan Zaichun sneered, "I didn't expect Young Master Feng to have such sharp ears."

"Right, much better than certain people's eyes, mistaking a dead log for a pearl, only to lose it and now unable to find it back, aren't they?"

"Hmph... I'm afraid Young Master Feng will still be disappointed. Qingyun said that if anyone can win back his heart, she will request another imperial decree for marriage."

Yuan Zaichun cast a sidelong glance at Feng Ke, observing his every move.

Sure enough, as soon as those words fell, Feng Ke's expression darkened visibly to the naked eye. "Qingyun! Have you lost your mind?!"

"Oh, alright, why are there always so many complications whenever I go out to have fun? If you keep rambling on like this, I'm heading back."

Qiao Qingyun turned her head away with a pout, her slender fingers toying with her long, dark hair, as she leaned in to talk to Hongying about Jianli.

Her voice was so low that neither Jianli nor anyone else could hear.

"Why is Young Master Feng not properly managing his restaurant, yet so fond of coming to zither rooms?"

Zhong Shi joined forces with Yuan Zaichun in a pincer movement. Since there were only two options left, they absolutely could not let Feng Ke have an opening.

At this, Feng Ke burst into laughter, pointing in Qiao Qingyun's direction. "You should ask the Princess instead! She refused to show herself, and while the Hundred Flowers Courtyard is in my hands now, generating plenty of revenue, it is truly exhausting. Surely I'm allowed to listen to some music?"

His explanation sounded perfectly reasonable, yet the demeanor he had displayed upon entering the private room clearly showed that he and Jianli were already old acquaintances.

It was truly baffling.

"Alright, since Feng Ke is here, Young Master Feng can chat with Master Jianli for a bit. I'd like to walk around."

Supported by Hongying, Qiao Qingyun stood up and brushed the dust from her clothes.

Jianli hastily rose in a mild panic. "Is the Princess leaving because of some idle interlopers?"

With that, Jianli's gaze fell upon Feng Ke, leaving the latter dumbfounded.

What? He was considered an idle interloper?!

"No, it's just that getting out of the palace isn't easy, and there are still many places I haven't seen today. I ought to go take a look."

Without paying heed to the others' advice and pleas to stay, Qiao Qingyun took her entourage and left the House of Zither.

As soon as they stepped outside, Qiao Qingyun quickened her pace, pulling Hongying along for a few steps before asking, "Did you say earlier that Jianli looked familiar to you?"

Indeed, the two had been discussing Jianli all along. Since they were on someone else's turf, if they were exposed, wouldn't they be beaten to death with clubs?

Hongying nodded solemnly. "Yes, exactly. Furthermore, this subordinate remembers that before My Lady bought me and my brother, this Master Jianli had his subordinates purchase quite a few people."

"Every time, he would spend hundreds or thousands of silver taels. Fortunately, this subordinate made herself look filthy back then and played the fool."

"Oh?" Now, this was getting interesting.

Qiao Qingyun stroked her smooth chin with one hand, glancing at the surrounding area of the House of Zither. It was quite remote; if someone wanted to raise a private force here, it was entirely possible.

"My Lady?"

Hongying called out again, snapping Qiao Qingyun back to reality. She nodded, her eyes turning serious. "If your people aren't busy during this period, do me a favor and keep an eye on this Master Jianli. Make sure you aren't discovered."

"Understood, rest assured, Princess."

"Rest assured about what?"

Yuan Zaichun and the others caught up. The tension and hostility between the men were palpable, leaving poor Liufu sandwiched right in the middle, nearly pressed flat like a cookie.

"Huh? Nothing, I just wanted Hongying to buy me some snacks."

"Ah, yes! This subordinate will go right now."

Changing the subject, Hongying scurried off to the side.

Qiao Qingyun found herself flanked by two exceptionally handsome men, with Liufu trailing closely behind—a remarkably striking procession.

Yet, being handsome came with its own troubles. Along the way, Qiao Qingyun lost count of how many murderous, jealous glares she received from young women, prompting her to quickly reach out and push the two men further away.

"Go away, go away."

"Princess..."

A flash of hurt crossed Zhong Shi's eyes. Was he eliminated?

The next moment, he turned his head and saw Yuan Zaichun being pushed away right alongside him.

His heart miraculously balanced out a bit.

Qiao Qingyun wiped the light sweat from her brow, her fair, rosy skin making it impossible for anyone to look away. "Both of you, stay away from me."