"Miss, what is your business with my younger brother?" Xuan Yi asked.
Leng Luo sized up the tall and robust Xuan Yi, unable to suppress her inner sigh at the marvels of genetics.
Despite being brothers, they appeared to be polar opposites.
Xuan Yi was all too familiar with Leng Luo's expression, knowing she was taken aback by his appearance and physique. He frowned, not harboring the slightest positive feeling towards the woman before him.
Leng Luo also realized her rudeness. She clasped her hands towards Xuan Yi and said,
"I am a rough person. If I have offended you in any way, I hope the young master will forgive me."
At this moment, Xing Yun gently tugged at Xuan Yi's sleeve and explained,
"Brother, you've misunderstood. I almost fell just now, and this lady caught me."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yi returned the courtesy to Leng Luo,
"Thank you, Miss, for your assistance. My third brother and I have matters to attend to, so we shall take our leave."
With that, he pulled Xing Yun and prepared to depart.
"Wait! Hold on!"
Leng Luo once again blocked their path.
The repeated obstructions made Xuan Yi begin to feel guarded.
He scrutinized her closely, only to notice that her gaze kept drifting towards his third brother.
"Does the young lady have any other matters?"
Leng Luo hesitated for a moment, her mouth feeling a little dry as she asked,
"May I know the names and residences of you two young masters?"
"A man's name is not easily revealed to outsiders..."
Before Xuan Yi could finish speaking, a familiar and clear female voice echoed from a distance,
"So you are here. You've made me search so hard..."
Seeing the two of them safe and sound, Nian Jiaojiao's worried heart finally settled.
As she approached them, she noticed a woman with wheat-colored skin and a wild beauty beside them, looking at her with a complex expression.
"And who is this?" Nian Jiaojiao asked them hesitantly.
Neither Xuan Yi nor Xing Yun knew the woman's name and didn't know how to respond.
Leng Luo took the initiative and said,
"I am Leng Luo. May I ask if you are the wife of this young master?"
"I am their wife," Nian Jiaojiao replied with a nod.
Leng Luo keenly noticed her use of "their," and raised an eyebrow.
These two brothers had such different styles...
Out of professional habit, Leng Luo observed their interactions.
Clearly, the beautiful woman and the robust man before her seemed more like an affectionate couple.
It wasn't that the woman didn't treat her beloved well, but rather her demeanor, in every gesture, was more akin to how one would treat a younger brother.
Thus, for the first time in her life, she acted on impulse and said,
"Miss, I have something to ask of you."
Nian Jiaojiao: ???
This was quite sudden...
At this moment, Xuan Yi and Xing Yun each took one of Nian Jiaojiao's arms, looking at Leng Luo warily.
Leng Luo continued,
"I feel I met this young master too late. Although he is already married, I don't mind. If you can give him to me, I will surely treat him well!
Of course, tell me your requirements, as long as I, Leng Luo, can fulfill them!"
Upon hearing Leng Luo's words, Xing Yun stared intensely at Nian Jiaojiao, his face pale, and his entire body began to tremble.
In Da Yue, especially among the powerful and wealthy, exchanging men, or even husbands, was not an uncommon practice.
Nian Jiaojiao felt the trembling beside her, like a sieve, and her heart ached.
She clasped Xing Yun's small hand in return, gently patting his hand to comfort him, and then said coldly to Leng Luo,
"My husband is not an item to be given away. Furthermore, your words have frightened my husband. If you continue to speak like this, I will consider it a provocation!"
Feeling the hostility from the three before her, Leng Luo could only smile bitterly.
As the top constable of Qing Prefecture, although she was not a "scholar," many officials and dignitaries sought her out.
Moreover, her own aunt was the Prefect, leading to countless people trying to curry favor with her.
Among them were many who offered all sorts of "handsome men."
Some of these men were chosen by the patron as top courtesans, others were their relatives, or even their sons or husbands...
Yet, not a single one had ever stirred her heart.
But to her surprise, her direct proposal was met with an unceremonious refusal.
Nian Jiaojiao, regardless of what Leng Luo thought, no longer looked at her and left with Xuan Yi and Xing Yun.
She dared to guarantee that if the other party dared to block her again, she would beat her so badly her own parents wouldn't recognize her!
The three arrived at the entrance of the restaurant. Xing Yun's complexion was still somewhat pale, but he looked much better than before.
Nian Jiaojiao stopped and faced Xing Yun, placing her hands on his shoulders.
"Xing Yun, look at me," Nian Jiaojiao said with a serious tone.
Xing Yun slowly raised his head, his gaze somewhat evasive.
Nian Jiaojiao took a deep breath and continued,
"Xing Yun, how could I ever give you away? Unless one day you tell me yourself, no, even if you wanted to leave, I wouldn't allow it. Do you understand?"
Xing Yun pouted his lips and nodded with a wronged expression.
As Nian Jiaojiao was about to say something more, he suddenly threw himself into her arms, burying his small head in her embrace.
He rubbed his face against her soft chest and muffled,
"Wife, you're so good."
...
Restaurant.
In the private room.
A waiter came upstairs to deliver the menu.
After taking the menu, Nian Jiaojiao smiled at Xing Yun and said,
"My little darling was startled today, so you decide what we all eat."
With that, she looked towards Tong Fu and Tong Ziyao.
The siblings nodded indifferently.
They had no dietary restrictions.
Upon hearing that he could order, Xing Yun immediately revived.
Nian Jiaojiao read from the menu,
"Hmm, let me see, what are the specialties here... Ah, they have vinegared red crabs, drunken crabs, spring fish, steamed croaker with wine, mixed raw fish, milk cakes, plum blossom cakes, salt-baked duck, braised pork in red and white sauce..."
As Nian Jiaojiao recited the string of dish names, Xing Yun's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Half an hour later,
A table full of dishes was served.
"This is fruit wine; it's hard to get drunk, so everyone can try it."
Nian Jiaojiao beckoned.
Considering that most of the people present were men, Nian Jiaojiao had ordered an extra bottle of plum wine.
Except for Tong Ziyao, the four men drank for the first time. They lowered their heads and cautiously took a small sip.
Nian Jiaojiao observed their expressions.
Clearly, they were very satisfied with the drink.
Tong Fu was the first to stand up and said,
"Ahem, I would like to congratulate my Jiaojiao first on becoming the top scholar in the provincial exam. I hope you continue this and become the top scholar in the imperial examination in the future! And the top scholar in the metropolitan examination!"
Nian Jiaojiao curled her lips, stood up, and toasted back,
"Then I'll take Fu'er's good wishes! Also, I want to wish our Qinglian Bookstore ever greater prosperity!"
They tilted their heads back and drank it all down.
Then, their eyes met, and they burst into hearty laughter.
The atmosphere in the private room gradually escalated.
At this moment, Yu Chuan picked up his wine glass and stood up, saying to Nian Jiaojiao,
"I wish my wife good health and all her endeavors to be smooth."
As soon as Yu Chuan finished speaking, the other three brothers also stood up and raised their glasses, offering their blessings.
Nian Jiaojiao, her face flushed with joy, stood up and replied,
"You are four people, so I will drink four cups!"