Chapter 39: A Hero Rescues the Beauty

“What’s this Shen Qingyun? Sounds like some rustic village woman. I’m not interested.”

“Brother Liang, you can’t say that. Though she was brought in from the countryside, her maternal grandfather is General Han.”

“That’s right, Brother Liang. Most importantly, her mother is Han Rou, who used to be a renowned beauty in the capital. I’ve heard that Shen Qingyun is even more beautiful than her mother!”

“Well, then I’d like to take a look.”

“Too bad she’s a country girl. Still, she’d make a decent concubine for Brother Liang.”

...

The soundproofing of the Ruyi Pavilion was mediocre. In the room next door on the left, several men were clearly engaged in vulgar, increasingly obscene conversation.

Pearl’s face turned red with anger, but for safety’s sake, she kept her voice low, saying, “Miss, let’s go. We mustn’t run into these scoundrels!”

Shen Qingyun’s expression was dark. These men dared to slander even her mother!

She blew her whistle, and in the blink of an eye, Han Yu appeared before her. She asked him quietly, “How many people are in the room next door? Can you find out who they are?”

Han Yu nodded. “I’ll look into it. Miss, it seems the eldest young lady has entered another room beside us.”

Shen Qingyun was taken aback. She unconsciously held her breath and looked toward the wall on the right.

But the voices from the left were too loud, making it impossible to discern any movement from the right.

“Miss Shen Qingyun, here are your pastries and tea.” Just then, the waiter walked in carrying a tray, repeating, “Are you Miss Shen Qingyun?”

Shen Qingyun’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The voices next door suddenly fell silent; evidently, they’d heard the waiter as well.

The waiter, however, appeared unperturbed, smiling as he said, “The young lady just now insisted I not deliver this to the wrong person. Please enjoy, Miss Shen.”

He set down the refreshments and left.

Shen Sisi!

This must be her doing. The people in the adjacent room were surely unsavory. Now that they’d discovered the woman they were discussing was nearby, they might very well act offensively toward her.

Han Yu stepped out from behind the curtains. “Miss, what should we do now?”

Shen Qingyun took a deep breath. “Go see about the men in the next room. Are you confident you can handle them?”

Han Yu nodded, slipped out through the window, and returned shortly to report, “A few worthless types, nothing to be concerned about.”

Pearl was still worried. “Miss, let’s leave quickly!”

Shen Qingyun shook her head. “I don’t know Shen Sisi’s intention, but the main hall downstairs is crowded, full of gossip. If we open the door now, the men next door will surely hear and come out to confront us. If there’s a scuffle in public, it would be disastrous.”

Her reputation had been tarnished these past few days by those with ulterior motives. Now, before the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, she had to be extra cautious.

If those men dared to barge into her room, she’d simply have Han Yu deal with them.

So Shen Qingyun sat down, confirmed the tea and pastries were safe, and leisurely began to eat and drink.

In the room next door, Shen Sisi was dumbfounded.

What was going on? Why was Shen Qingyun so calm, not even a hint of panic?

According to her plan, Shen Qingyun should have fled in fright, only to be humiliated in front of the crowd.

“Brother Lin, what should we do?” Shen Sisi asked anxiously.

Sitting beside her was Jiang Lin.

He sipped his Jade Guanyin tea, unhurried and calm. “She’s probably scared stiff. Just wait, Wang Sheng will persuade Liang Yongcai to go over.”

His feelings were complicated. If not for Sisi’s tearful pleas, saying she was willing to sacrifice herself for the long-term interests of the Marquis’s residence, he wouldn’t have come to scheme against Shen Qingyun. He had no fondness for this woman who had repeatedly spoken coldly to him.

But marrying Shen Qingyun would bring wealth and influence to the Marquis’s residence, and it would help his future.

Jiang Lin sighed inwardly. Even if he married Shen Qingyun, his heart would belong only to Sisi.

Meanwhile, in the left room, the man named Wang Sheng was speaking lewdly to the leader, while another man exchanged a knowing smile.

A few glances were exchanged, and they prepared to go out and see what Shen Qingyun was like.

Han Yu, listening closely to the noises next door, let a hint of killing intent flash across his eyes. “Miss, it seems they’re coming.”

Shen Qingyun nodded, put on her veil, and signaled Han Yu to hide.

In that brief moment, there was a knock at the door. “Is Second Miss Shen inside?”

Before Shen Qingyun could respond, someone pushed the door open.

Everyone was stunned for a moment.

They had expected Shen Qingyun to be rustic and timid, but the woman before them radiated a calm, noble aura. Though her face was partly concealed by a veil, her elegant nose and gentle features were unmistakable. Her eyes, exposed, resembled a tranquil lake—clear yet deep. Judging by her attire, she was still quite young.

“Well, Miss Shen, why are you alone here? You must be lonely. How about we keep you company and share what’s on your mind?”

One man, struck by Shen Qingyun’s beauty, couldn’t wait to flirt with her.

With someone taking the lead, another immediately chimed in, “Indeed! Meeting here is fate, isn’t it?”

Wang Sheng, who had urged Liang Yongcai earlier, tried to pull away Shen Qingyun’s veil, but Pearl blocked his way.

“You shameless scoundrel, how dare you—” Pearl’s face flushed red, embarrassed to say “flirt,” fearing her voice would attract attention.

Wang Sheng burst out laughing. Seizing Pearl’s moment of hesitation, he slipped past her and yanked off Shen Qingyun’s veil.

In an instant, a face as flawless as jade and as lovely as a lotus appeared before them.

Wang Sheng was stunned.

The commotion reached Jiang Lin’s ears; he clenched his fists, stood up, his face full of rage, and was about to rush into the next room.

Shen Sisi hurriedly grabbed him. “Brother Lin, it’s still too early. Wait a bit longer.”

Once that wretch was humiliated and lost her innocence, let’s see if she has any dignity left to be picky!

Jiang Lin forced himself to restrain his fury, ears tuned to the sounds from the neighboring room.

Shen Qingyun remained seated, unperturbed. She didn’t believe these men could harm her. This was a teahouse; outside, patrols from the capital passed by constantly. If she raised her voice, with so many eyes watching, no matter how outrageous these men were, they wouldn’t dare ruin her reputation on the spot.

Moreover, judging by their attire, they weren’t complete ruffians. The leader, especially, was dressed in fine brocade, with a jade ornament at his waist—clearly someone of a respectable family, likely an official’s son.

Their eyes met, and Liang Yongcai took a deep breath, momentarily forgetting to speak.

Wang Sheng snapped out of his daze, recalled his master’s instructions, and feigned a rakish air, reaching for the light shawl on Shen Qingyun’s shoulder.

Just as his hand was about to touch her garment, his leg suddenly went numb and aching, and he dropped to his knees before Shen Qingyun. Humiliated in front of everyone, he roared in fury, “Who the hell just ambushed me?”