"Young master, no!"
Just as Xu Gaotian finished speaking, Miss Qie’s expression changed dramatically, and she immediately spoke out to stop him.
In truth, it wasn’t just her; Wu Zizhang and the others’ expressions also changed.
Because Xu Gaotian’s words were extremely malicious, if Zhuo Benzheng truly did as he demanded, it would mean his future would be utterly ruined, and he would have no chance of progressing academically.
All this was because of one thing: integrity!
They were all scholars entering the path through literature, aspiring to inspire the Wen Gong to bee great scholars, but they first needed to maintain their integrity.
Only in this way would their literary lineage have the potential to flourish.
And now, Xu Gaotian’s request was clearly aimed at destroying Zhuo Benzheng’s integrity, severing his literary lineage, with an undeniably malicious intent.
Whoosh!
Though the women present were all courtesans, they understood this principle and looked towards Zhuo Benzheng with worry written all over their faces.
Zhuo Benzheng’s expression was indecisive, and he was quite hesitant.
Seeing this, Miss Qie was filled with anxiety, opening her mouth to speak.
Xu Gaotian sneered coldly, "What? Earlier, you were so eager to play the hero rescuing a beauty, and now you’ve chickened out so soon? Or perhaps...."
"Were your actions just an attempt to garner fame and praise?"
Xu Gaotian’s words angered Zhuo Benzheng, but no matter how enraged he was, he remained clear-headed, knowing that erupting now would be useless, and might even worsen the situation, so he forcibly suppressed his anger and said,
"Mr. Xu, will you let these ladies go if I kneel?"
"That’s right!"
"Alright, then I will kneel!"
With that, Zhuo Benzheng took a step forward, bending his waist and knees to kneel.
Seeing this, many of the women present turned their heads, unable to bear watching, and some even started to sob quietly.
Xu Gaotian’s face showed a look of pride and arrogance.
He loved this feeling the most.
Making respected women cry in sorrow, making heroes bow their heads.
This gave him a perverse pleasure, as if everything in the world was within his grasp, to mold as he pleased.
But just as Zhuo Benzheng was about to kneel, a black letter suddenly appeared before Xu Gaotian.
After reading its contents, Xu Gaotian’s expression changed drastically, and he stood up with a start, turning to flee through the window without hesitation.
The entire process took only a few seconds, and then the domineering Xu Gaotian vanished without a trace.
Everyone stared at the broken window in a daze.
Because no one knew what had happened to Xu Gaotian or why he left so suddenly.
But after a brief silence, a look of relief spread across everyone’s faces.
Immediately, someone stepped forward to help the still-stunned Zhuo Benzheng.
"Young master, you have been wronged!"
"Indeed, young master, thank you so much just now!"
The women gathered around, chattering their thanks to Zhuo Benzheng.
Zhuo Benzheng was still in a bit of a daze, returning their gratitude with a wooden smile.
At this moment, Miss Qie stepped forward.
Seeing her approach, the women immediately parted to create a path.
Miss Qie walked directly to Zhuo Benzheng, looking at him with deep eyes.
Zhuo Benzheng felt somewhat unnerved by her gaze, unsure whether to move or not.
But just then, as if sensing his disfort, Miss Qie giggled.
The laughter was like blossoms in full bloom, enchanting and captivating, and Zhuo Benzheng found himself momentarily entranced.
Then Miss Qie gracefully bowed, "I am Qie Weilan; thank you, young master, for your righteous words and help just now!"
Only then did Zhuo Benzheng snap out of his daze, standing awkwardly.
"La... Lady, you are too kind; lending aid when witnessing injustice is simply our scholars’ duty!"
Qie Weilan shook her head solemnly, "Young master, you’re mistaken. Although this is nominally a scholar’s duty, when faced with authority, how many scholars can truly do it? So, young master is very brave."
With that, Qie Weilan bowed again.
The surrounding women followed suit, praising in unison, "Well said, the young master is courageous!"
Zhuo Benzheng blushed, unsure where to place his hands and feet.
"I am unworthy, unworthy!"
Seeing him in such a flustered state, Qie Weilan couldn’t help but smile slightly and then said, "Zhuo Mr. Zhuo and you three have worked hard, I have ordered some light wine to be prepared, and I hope the four of you can join us!"
"This...." Zhuo Benzheng hesitated.
Wu Zizhang, standing behind him, gave him a gentle push, and only then did Zhuo Benzheng nod in agreement.
Soon, a sumptuous feast was laid before them.
"Mr. Zhuo, everyone, please take a seat!" Qie Weilan said earnestly.
Seeing her seriousness, Zhuo Benzheng and the others did not decline further and took their seats.
Qie Weilan and the women acpanied them.
However, this banquet felt different from the one downstairs earlier.
At least this time, the once bold and uninhibited Miss Qie now appeared gentle and well-behaved, her demeanor truly like that of a lady from a distinguished family, frequently toasting Zhuo Benzheng and the others at the table.
Once the meal was mostly finished, several young maids hurried over, each carrying a large bundle.
Qie Weilan solemnly took the bundles and placed them before Zhuo Benzheng and the others.
"Inside are tokens of appreciation from the ladies of Wan Hua Lou; I hope you gentlemen won’t disdain them, accept them, and quickly leave here!" Qie Weilan said softly.
Zhuo Benzheng was taken aback, he never expected that Qie Weilan would actually ask them to leave!
"Miss Qie... what do you mean by this?" Zhuo Benzheng asked with difficulty.
Qie Weilan turned her head to look out the window, gently saying, "It means nothing, just a gesture of thanks for your righteous help!"
"Then why are you asking us to leave?"
After asking this, Zhuo Benzheng realized his foolishness.
"Are you worried that Xu Gaotian will e back for trouble?" he asked in a low tone.
"It’s not a fear, it’s a certainty! You don’t know Xu Gaotian; he’s a vengeful person, and today’s incident, in his eyes, means that you disgraced him, so he will definitely e back for revenge. The best course of action now is for you to leave quickly to avoid this trouble!"
"But what about you if we leave?" Zhuo Benzheng inquired further.
Qie Weilan smiled slightly, "Wan Hua Lou has been established for so long in Ling’an City, indicating that we’re not pushovers. If Xu Gaotian really wants to act against us, he’ll need to reconsider, so you needn’t worry about us!"
"But...." Zhuo Benzheng wanted to ask further.
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