Chapter Sixteen: The Center of Attention

“Young Master Tang, where are you going?”

As Cao Ruixuan’s rowdy companions scattered, the slowest one was blocked by Qin Song.

This fellow was none other than Young Master Tang Chenyang of the Tang family.

Seeing Qin Song’s sinister expression, Tang Chenyang was frightened and kept retreating.

“Qin Song, I’m now under Young Master Cao’s protection. Your Qin family…”

“Bang!”

Before Tang Chenyang could finish, Qin Song landed a heavy punch on his head.

“What ‘your Qin family’? Damn it! The Cao family’s heir isn’t easy to deal with, and neither are we!”

“Do you think that by clinging to the Cao family, your Tang family will rise to glory?”

“Let me tell you this!”

“As long as the Qin family exists in Yuezhou, your Tang family will only be trampled under our feet!”

Qin Song didn’t go all out, but after knocking Tang Chenyang to the ground, he straddled him and delivered several punches to his head, quickly turning him into a proper mess.

Looking up and seeing Zhang Pengyuan still furiously beating Cao Ruixuan, Qin Song, feeling it was about time, hurriedly pulled him back.

“If you don’t pull me up, I’ll beat this bastard to death!”

Just as Qin Song helped Zhang Pengyuan up, the latter suddenly spoke to him in a way that left Qin Song momentarily stunned.

This guy looked so rigid, yet his temperament was surprisingly fierce.

“Is the bastard alright?”

Qin Song glanced down at Cao Ruixuan, who was bruised and bloodied, and couldn’t help but ask.

No matter how much Qin Song wanted Cao Ruixuan dead, he was still the eldest grandson of the Cao family.

Given Qin Song’s current status, killing the Cao heir might even endanger his own uncle.

“Don’t worry, I know my limits. It’s mostly superficial wounds!”

Zhang Pengyuan, now calmer, shared the same thoughts as Qin Song.

Besides, if his sister had truly been harmed by that scoundrel, killing him today would be too easy on him.

“Is that so?”

Hearing this, Qin Song took a few fierce kicks, feeling a bit better.

No sooner had Qin Song finished than Yang Xiu suddenly appeared from somewhere, landing two solid kicks on Cao Ruixuan’s fleshy parts.

“Beast!”

He cursed while kicking.

“What’s wrong?”

Yang Xiu looked annoyed and glanced at Qin Song and Zhang Pengyuan’s strange expressions. Instinctively, he said, “You two have beaten him up, and if I don’t kick him a couple of times, won’t I be out of place?”

“No, I’m asking about your face!”

Qin Song pointed at Yang Xiu’s bruised and battered face with a mix of amusement and disbelief.

“You two have some nerve to say that. If I hadn’t held back those guards, would you have been so comfortable?”

“Ouch…”

Yang Xiu’s voice was a bit strained as he accidentally touched a wound on his face, wincing in pain.

“No big deal. Compared to my father’s beatings, this is only about fifty percent of his strength!”

“What do we do now?”

Having vented their anger and dealt their blows, Zhang Pengyuan was at a loss about the next steps.

“What else? We wait for the authorities to arrive!”

“Aren’t you afraid?”

Noticing Yang Xiu’s casual attitude, Qin Song teased him.

“Afraid of what? For a bastard like him, if it weren’t for the fact that he’s the grandson of the Right Prime Minister, teaching him a lesson would be the mildest punishment!”

“After going home, I might just get a beating from my father and be locked up for a while!”

Hearing this, Qin Song smiled slightly and patted Yang Xiu’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry, you only beat a few of his guards.”

“And I only roughed up the Tang family’s son.”

“As for this guy, my brother-in-law saw him visiting a brothel and couldn’t help but give him a beating.”

“Even if that bastard Lin You or the old freak from the Cao family blames us, this is at most a family matter!”

With a few words, Qin Song neatly settled the issue.

“Yes, I’m the one who beat him, and it has nothing to do with you two!”

Zhang Pengyuan said as he glanced down at the fallen Cao Ruixuan.

He had resolved to investigate thoroughly once back. If his sister was indeed tortured to death by Cao Ruixuan, he would make sure the debt of blood was repaid in full.

“Since you’re here, come in!”

At some point, the crowd of onlookers had disappeared from the entrance, leaving only a young constable peeking around.

“Young Master Qin, Young Master Yang!”

Caught sneaking a look, the young constable stepped out stiffly and greeted them respectfully.

Looking down at the guards sprawled on the ground—especially the bruised and battered Tang Chenyang and Cao Ruixuan—the young constable’s face showed despair.

“Do you know them?”

Qin Song asked.

The constable gave a bitter smile.

“Of course. One is Young Master Tang from the Tang family. The other, I don’t know personally, but I heard he’s from the capital. Even the prefect treats him with utmost respect!”

The young constable had already brought backup, but upon learning the identities of those fighting, he sent messengers to the prefect’s office at full speed and cleared all unrelated persons.

Looking at the three standing before him—one from the Qin family, another the son of the Yuezhou defender, and the third, though unknown, clad in armor, clearly of high rank—he felt hopeless.

“What’s your name?”

Qin Song, appreciating the constable’s tact, asked.

“Li Wusi, at your service!”

“Don’t worry. This matter has nothing to do with you.”

“If that bastard Lin You tries to pin this on you, come find me.”

“If worst comes to worst, shed this uniform and come work with me!”

“Thank you, Young Master Qin!”

Li Wusi was overjoyed, bowing deeply.

“Let’s go to the prefecture!”

Qin Song led the way, with Yang Xiu and Zhang Pengyuan close behind.

Seeing this, Li Wusi quickly called his men to lift Cao Ruixuan and Tang Chenyang, while the other guards still lying on the ground would have to wait a little longer.

Downstairs, Qin Song saw the building filled with townsfolk, with Li Wusi’s men maintaining order.

“Young Master Qin!”

Just as Qin Song was about to leave the Jade Pavilion, someone called out to him.

Turning around, he saw a tall, strikingly beautiful woman slowly approaching.

Behind her stood the other girls of the Jade Pavilion, including Xiao Yu.

“Lady Xianglan?”

The woman named Xianglan was not only the Jade Pavilion’s star courtesan but also renowned throughout Yuezhou.

The previous Qin Song had tried many times to court her but was always rejected.

“Young Master Qin, Lady Xianglan greets you!”

Xianglan bowed gracefully upon reaching Qin Song.

“Young Master Qin, this humble one greets you!”

The other girls at the Jade Pavilion also bowed in unison.

For a moment, Qin Song and his companions became the center of attention.

“Xianglan thanks Young Master Qin!”

As she spoke, Xianglan caught sight of Cao Ruixuan being carried out and couldn’t help but show a flicker of fear.

Since Cao Ruixuan’s arrival at the Jade Pavilion and his true nature became known, the girls had lived in constant dread, fearing they might be next.

Rumor had it that Cao Ruixuan had set his sights on Xianglan and would soon force her to serve him.

“Beast!”

“Scum!”

The girls behind Xianglan shouted insults at Cao Ruixuan, while Xiao Yu, leaning on another girl, broke into tears.

“From today onward, the doors of the Siyue Pavilion will always be open to you, Young Master Qin!”

“Lady Xianglan, you’re too kind!”

Faced with Xianglan’s alluring gaze and tender look, Qin Song found himself momentarily overwhelmed and hastened to leave the Jade Pavilion, followed by the soft laughter of the girls behind him.