Watching the government officers apprehend people, the playhouse manager stood by, drenched in sweat. He hadnât participated in the fight and wasnât among those being seized. Regarding the capture of the playhouse thugs, he dared not utter a word, praying silently in his heart for these nobles to swiftly take their leave.
Dong Yuanxuan gave the playhouse manager a glance, his heart filled with annoyance that his sister and Yanâs sister had been beaten in the playhouse. However, considering that his family also shared in the playhouseâs profits, he hesitated for a moment before saying to Xiao Yeyang, âLittle Prince, both⦠both brothers are injured; letâs leave for now.â
Xiao Yeyangâs expression became restrained as he nodded, then turned to look at Daohua and Dong Yuanyao, who stood motionless, and said without a hint of emotion, âWhat are you waiting for? Hurry up and follow!â
Hearing these words, clearly still tinged with anger, Daohua and Dong Yuanyao showed bitter smiles and, with dejected heads, walked over, looking like children who had done something wrong.
Just as everyone was about to depart, Wang Manman stepped forward, tugging at Yan Wenkai and pointing at the playhouse manager, âThe gentlemanâs purse is still with him.â
The silver note could be given, but the purse was hand-embroidered by the young lady herself; it had to be retrieved.
At this remark, Xiao Yeyang immediately halted in his steps and turned around, his gaze shooting towards the playhouse manager like a blade.
The playhouse manager shuddered, hastily pulling the purse that Daohua had given him from his sleeve and offering it to Wang Manman.
Wang Manman retrieved the purse, intending to return it to her young lady, but at that moment Xiao Yeyang spoke up, âBring it here.â
Looking at the embroidery on the purse, Xiao Yeyang recognized at once that it was the handiwork of Daohua.
A purse personally embroidered by Daohua, and this worthless manager dared to take it and then hide it in his sleeve!
Xiao Yeyangâs gaze suddenly became dangerous as he looked at the playhouse manager, his eyes coldly conveying, âWhichever hand touched it, cripple it yourself!â
Upon hearing this, the playhouse managerâs legs gave out, and he fell sitting onto the ground.
Dong Yuanxuan and the others also looked on in shock, observing Xiao Yeyangâs stern face and thinking to themselves that the Little Prince was truly angered this time.
Although the Little Prince usually got along well with them, no one dared to provoke him now, and even the straightforward Yan Wenkai wisely kept quiet.
Meanwhile, Daohuaâs eyes widened in shock as she stared at Xiao Yeyang.
The fully imposing Xiao Yeyang made her feel somewhat unfamiliar; at this moment, she suddenly realized that the usually playful and easygoing Xiao Yeyang was a royal whose hands had the power over life and death.
Daohua swallowed hard and intervened, âThat⦠we broke the playhouseâs tables and chairs, so itâs only right to compensate with silver.â The playhouse manager hadnât done anything to them; crippling the manâs arm was too severe a punishment.
Noticing the fear in Daohuaâs eyes, Xiao Yeyang pressed his lips together and said, âIf you run a playhouse, then you must ensure the safety of the patrons. You were beaten inside; what good is such a playhouse to remain open?â
Upon hearing these words, the playhouse manager trembled, terrified that Xiao Yeyang might order the playhouse shut down, immediately gritting his teeth and saying, âI have neglected the two young masters; I am willing to lose an arm to atone. Please, Little Prince, have mercy.â
With that, he picked up a broken door shard nearby and raised it to smash against his arm.
âWait!â
Daohua promptly called out, stopping him, and tugged at Xiao Yeyangâs sleeve, her tone carrying a hint of plea, âXiao Yeyang~â
Looking at the anxious Daohua, something softened in Xiao Yeyangâs heart, and with a cold snort, he walked away.
Daohua snatched the wooden chunk from the playhouse managerâs hand and tossed it aside, then hurried after Xiao Yeyang.
Wang Manman and Guyu immediately followed suit.
It was only then that Dong Yuanyao came to her senses, leading her maids in the chase as well.
Observing the playhouse manager collapsed on the ground and still in a state of shock, Dong Yuanxuan coughed lightly.
The Baixi Building butler snapped back to attention and respectfully looked at Dong Yuanxuan, âMaster Dong.â
Dong Yuanxuan snorted coldly, âThis isnât the first or second time disturbances have happened in this opera house. You canât even suppress such a minor issue, what an utterly incompetent butler you are.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The butler inwardly chuckled wryly, for he did want to make everyone happy.
Although Du Jitong was detestable, Consultant Du was still a fourth-rank official, and the butler couldnât afford to offend him too severely.
Dong Yuanxuan glanced at the butler, âYouâd better watch yourself. If thereâs a next time, donât bother keeping this opera house open.â With that, he left with a flick of his sleeve.
Yan Wenkai stood on the side, thoroughly entertained by the scene. Seeing that Dong Yuanxuan was done, he promptly approached, âBig Brother Dong, I didnât expect you to have such a trick up your sleeve. I should really learn from you.â
Listening to Yan Wenkaiâs loud voice, Dong Yuanxuan was speechless, âYou learn? Better not bother.â
Yan Wenkaiâs expression soured, âWhat, you look down on me?â
Dong Yuanxuan, head aching, didnât want to talk with this carefree fellow. Seeing him insist, he conceded, âI think youâre better off speaking with your fists.â
Upon hearing this, Yan Wenkaiâs expression finally improved. He pondered seriously for a moment, then nodded, âThat makes sense, threats and intimidation really arenât my style. Dragging someone into a corner and beating them up solves everything.â
Hearing this, the butler couldnât help but shiver again. If he were to be beaten up with his old bones, he feared he wouldnât be able to leave his bed.â
Wentao saw Wenkai rambling on and on, so he grabbed his arm and went after Daohua and the others.
As the group departed, a sigh of relief echoed through the now silent street.
The cloth shop owner opposite wiped the sweat off his forehead, feeling fortunate that he hadnât offended the two young masters earlier.
The Li brothers, Chenyi, Chenliang, and Chenzhi followed behind Wenkai. As they passed the Baixi Buildingâs entrance, they saw Feng Liangji and his two companions exiting.
Seeing Feng Liangji, Li Chenzhi showed surprise, âBrother Feng, what are you doing here?â
Li Chenyi and Li Chenliang had somewhat unpleasant expressions. With their fiancées determined in just a few days, and yet this man loitered on Joy Street.
Feng Liangji, too, hadnât expected to encounter them and quickly came forward with a smile to greet them. After introducing Feng Hao, since they already knew Sun Yongyi, he left it at that.
After the greetings, Feng Liangji thought it over and explained, âMy uncle is new to Ningmen Prefecture, and I brought him especially to listen to the opera today.â
Feng Hao also gave Feng Liangji face this time, offering a light smile, âI enjoy opera, thus I invited Liangji to accompany me.â
Li Chenyi nodded and said with a smile, âThe plays at Baixi Building are indeed good. We three brothers have other matters today, but weâll invite you to listen to a play another day.â
Sun Yongyi couldnât hold back and asked, âBrother Chenyi, are you with the Little Prince and his company?â
Li Chenyi gave him a look and vaguely replied, âWe are out accompanying our cousin.â Finishing, he smiled apologetically, âPlease excuse us.â
Watching the Li brothers hurry away, Feng Hao narrowed his eyes and turned to Feng Liangji, âThe cousin mentioned by Li Chenyi is the son of the new Magistrate of Ningmen Prefecture, right?â
Feng Liangji nodded.
Feng Haoâs eyes flickered, âThe Dong Family, the Yan Family, I think I know who those two⦠young masters are.â He looked at Feng Liangji with a smile, âSeems like they arenât very confident about giving their daughter to you, are they?â
Feng Liangji chuckled bitterly. He had a rough idea of who had been following him by now, and he also understood why the two young women were in the opera house.