Pei Nianfang was furious with Jiang Yihuan as well.
She ran to complain to her older brother.
“Brother! One of Wei Zhao’s people hit me! Aren’t you going to stand up for me? Go bite Wei Zhao to death!”
She had once thought well of Wei Zhao, but after he publicly scolded her in the street yesterday, she had come to hate him.
Pei Jingchen replied sternly, “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m an Assistant Minister of Justice, not a wolf!”
Wei Zhao was ruthless and wielded military authority over seven provinces. Even the Emperor wasn’t spared from his arrogance. How could Pei Jingchen possibly confront him head-on?
Besides, countless people in the capital hated Wei Zhao. Sooner or later, he would fall from power. They only had to wait patiently.
Jiang Yihuan cried for several days over what had happened to her brother.
She shut herself inside her room, grieving in silence until her already thin face became even more gaunt.
After wiping away her tears, she wandered into the side room where Wei Zhao was staying.
“Wei Zhao, sleep with me. My bed is big enough for several people. I’ll sleep in the middle, and you and Zhu Xian can sleep on either side.”
Zhu Xian: “…”
No, no… please don’t drag me into this.
Wei Zhao slammed his brush onto the table.
“In your dreams! But you’ve reminded me of something—we’re switching rooms back!”
A prisoner had occupied his master bedroom while he himself had been squeezed into a tiny side chamber.
It was utterly absurd.
He ordered Zhu Xian to move all of Jiang Yihuan’s belongings into the side room and reclaimed his own quarters.
Then he said with a stern face,
“Behave yourself and stay in the courtyard. I have business outside.”
Jiang Yihuan looked at him with watery eyes.
“Wei Zhao, don’t be so fierce. Where are you going?”
“Don’t ask where I’m going. It’s none of your business! You’re just a prisoner.”
Only after he left did Wei Zhiru dare sneak in.
“Yihuan, I’ll take you out to have some fun. We won’t invite Zhilan, so she can’t bully you.”
Jiang Yihuan had a decent impression of her.
“Sure! Will you treat me to a meal? I’ll ask Wei Zhao for money later and pay you back.”
Wei Zhiru smiled warmly.
“No need. It’s my treat. Let’s go.”
Zhu Xian didn’t stop them.
She was already buried in debt and had even had her salary docked. Since things couldn’t get much worse, she simply let Jiang Yihuan do as she pleased.
Wei Zhiru took them to Wangjiang Pavilion, the largest restaurant in the capital, famous for its authentic Jiangnan cuisine.
After they entered, they happened to run into Wei Zhiru’s friend, Fu Xirong, who had also come to dine.
Fu Xirong greeted them pleasantly.
“What a coincidence, Zhiru! Since we’ve met, why don’t we eat together?”
Not wanting to embarrass her friend, Wei Zhiru agreed.
Inside the private room, she had intended to let Jiang Yihuan order.
Before she could speak, however, Fu Xirong rattled off the names of over a dozen expensive dishes.
Slightly displeased, Wei Zhiru turned to Jiang Yihuan.
“Yihuan, what would you like to eat?”
Jiang Yihuan wasn’t picky.
“I like everything she ordered. Waiter, please place the order.”
But Fu Xirong stopped him.
“Wait. Bring us two more pots of Pear Blossom Snow wine.”
Wei Zhiru looked surprised.
“Rongrong, you drink?”
Pear Blossom Snow was incredibly expensive.
One pot cost as much as several dishes combined.
Fu Xirong smiled mysteriously.
“There are more people.”
She walked to the window, opened it, and waved downstairs.
“Brother! Sisters! I’m up here! Miss Wei is treating today. Come join us!”
Turning back, she added,
“Zhiru, my brother and two younger sisters are here too. The more, the merrier.”
Wei Zhiru panicked.
“That won’t do! Men and women shouldn’t dine together.”
Fu Xirong laughed.
“Oh, right, I nearly forgot. Then I’ll have my brother sit in the next room.”
Her two younger sisters entered anyway, smiling.
“Thank you for your generosity, Miss Wei.”
Wei Zhiru rolled her eyes.
I’ve heard of freeloaders, but bringing your whole family?
When the dishes arrived, Jiang Yihuan sniffed happily.
“It smells wonderful! This is authentic Jiangnan cooking!”
She filled a bowl with food and handed it to Zhu Xian.
“Big Sister, here.”
Zhu Xian was touched.
“Thank you, Miss.”
Fu Xirong frowned.
“Miss Jiang, you shouldn’t spoil your servant. If she eats too, Zhiru will have to spend even more.”
Without even looking up, Jiang Yihuan replied,
“You’re right. People who take advantage of others too much might get struck by lightning. I don’t mind. Do you?”
Fu Xirong forced an awkward smile.
“Miss Jiang certainly has a sense of humor.”
After the meal, Fu Xirong leisurely wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and waited for Wei Zhiru to settle the bill.
The waiter handed over the receipt.
“Thank you for dining with us. Your total comes to eighty taels.”
Wei Zhiru cried out in shock.
“Eighty taels? That much?”
Jiang Yihuan was equally stunned.
“So expensive! Back in Wuzhou, even several grown men would only spend a few taels.”
The waiter explained,
“Your room’s meal cost twenty taels. The gentlemen next door spent sixty taels, mostly because of the Pear Blossom Snow wine. They said your party would be paying.”
Fu Xirong smiled.
“That’s right, Zhiru. That’s the total.”
Wei Zhiru was furious.
“What? Besides treating your three sisters, I’m expected to pay for your brother too?”
Jiang Yihuan slammed the table and stood up.
“Zhiru! Our room spent twenty taels. You only need to pay half—that’s ten taels. The food and wine in the other room have nothing to do with you.”
Keeping a cold face, Wei Zhiru ordered her maid to pay ten taels before grabbing Jiang Yihuan’s hand.
“We’re leaving.”
As she walked out, Jiang Yihuan called to the waiter,
“We’ve paid our share. The rest belongs to them. If they refuse to pay, report them to the authorities. I’ll testify for you!”
Fu Xirong immediately became anxious.
“Zhiru, don’t listen to her! She’s just a fool!”
Wei Zhiru snorted.
“She’s not the fool. I’d be the fool if I treated your whole family to dinner.”
When they reached the carriage, Fu Xirong hurried after them.
“Zhiru, wait! I was wrong. I apologize.”
Jiang Yihuan turned around and saw Fu Xirong standing beside a man built like an iron tower.
She covered her mouth.
Her brother is so tall! Even taller than Wei Zhao! He’s like the giant Kuafu from the storytellers’ tales who chased the sun.
The giant spoke in a simple, booming voice.
“Who bullied my sister? Step forward!”
“It was her!” Fu Xirong pointed at Jiang Yihuan.
“She drove a wedge between me and Zhiru!”
Zhu Xian’s heart sank.
The Fu family’s eldest brother was incredibly powerful.
Although she was skilled in martial arts, raw strength like his was overwhelming.
A huge shadow loomed over her.
He shoved her violently, nearly knocking her off her feet.
Then he pushed Jiang Yihuan.
She crashed heavily onto the ground, landing hard on her backside.
Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.
“Zhu Xian!”
Enraged, Zhu Xian lashed out with a flying kick.
But the man’s strength was simply too great.
Her attack barely affected him.
Jiang Yihuan had only just struggled back to her feet when Fu Xirong shoved her again.
She fell backward, striking the back of her head hard against the ground.
Her cheek was scraped raw.
Meanwhile, the giant toyed with Zhu Xian as though a cat were playing with a mouse.
Wei Zhiru turned pale.
“Rongrong! Tell your brother to stop!”
Fu Xirong answered lazily,
“He has a terrible temper. No one can control him.”
“Tell him to stop! I’ll pay for all your food and wine!”
She stuffed her money pouch into Fu Xirong’s hands.
“Zhu Xian can’t hold on much longer! Make him stop!”
The giant kicked Zhu Xian.
Unable to keep her footing, she staggered before collapsing to the ground.
Jiang Yihuan’s cheek throbbed painfully with swelling.
She climbed to her feet, glaring tearfully at Fu Xirong.
“You’re bullying us!”
Fu Xirong snorted.
“That’s what you get for meddling in other people’s business! The capital isn’t your little countryside. Consider today a lesson.”
Jiang Yihuan’s eyes darkened.
She suddenly lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Fu Xirong’s neck.
“I’ve had enough!”
She yanked the hairpin from her hair and pressed its sharp tip hard against Fu Xirong’s throat.
“You big idiot! Back off! Or I’ll stab your sister to death!”
Everyone froze.
No one had expected her to resort to such a desperate move.
The giant stared blankly.
“Huh?”
After a long pause, he shouted,
“Let her go! Or I’ll smash you to death!”
Jiang Yihuan glared at him fiercely.
“Before you can kill me, I’ll kill her first.”
She pressed the hairpin even deeper into Fu Xirong’s neck.