Chen Liang's casual words sent Yan Mingli leaping up in fright, even knocking his chair to the ground.
Yan Mingli had forgotten what Shen Haiyan had told him: to proceed step by step, to prioritize Xu Yutang's reputation, and to first figure out why the Xu family had arranged this marriage...
Right now, all Yan Mingli could think was, It's over! Someone is ruining my reputation!
He pointed at Chen Liang, and his usually cheerful voice turned shrill. "Nonsense! Who's a regular at the Nanfeng Pavilion?
"I went there to collect rent! I own the whole street. I just dropped by to collect the rent!"
Yan Mingli almost shouted the last sentence.
Chen Liang was startled by Yan Mingli, but when he heard what Yan Mingli said, he put on an obsequious expression. "The whole street belongs to the boss? You're really amazing!"
Yan Mingli was almost furious. He knew that Miao Chun and Baozhu were extremely close. In fact, Miao Chun had told him more than once that Baozhu had saved her and Ruxia and was the most important person in her life.
Now that Chen Liang was spouting nonsense in front of Shen Baozhu, and Shen Baozhu had a good memory. What if she went back and told Chen Miaochun... Just thinking about this possibility made Yan Mingli go crazy.
More importantly, Baozhu was only five years old, an age when she understood nothing but loved to talk. Even if Yan Mingli explained it clearly to her, she might still share this with the people around her.
No, Yan Mingli couldn't explain it to Shen Baozhu. How could he explain to a five - year - old child that he liked women?
Lin Yu: [So Mingli was just going to collect rent and was misunderstood by Chen Liang.]
Lin Yu: [Chen Liang really judges others by himself. Since he likes men, when he saw Mingli at the Nanfeng Pavilion, he thought Mingli liked men too.]
Dragon King: [Yan Mingli jumped so high just now. Hahaha.]
Immortal Qingyun: [Baozhu, stay with Xu Yutang.]
While everyone's attention was on Yan Mingli and Chen Liang, only Immortal Qingyun noticed that Xu Yutang beside them had turned pale, probably having heard what Chen Liang said.
Seeing this caption, Shen Baozhu immediately ran to Xu Yutang's side.
Xu Yutang's face was as white as a sheet, and she was on the verge of collapsing. Just as she could hardly stand, her finger was suddenly wrapped in a warm palm.
Shen Baozhu clenched her fist tightly and said angrily, "Sister Yutang, don't worry. I'll protect you!"
With Shen Baozhu's support, Xu Yutang managed to stand more steadily.
Seeing this, Yuan Qingxi also reached out to help, but Xu Yutang took a step back to avoid him. A subtle atmosphere spread.
Xu Yutang said coldly, "Young Master Yuan, we should keep some distance from each other."
At this moment, the main hall was quite lively. The commotion between Yan Mingli and Chen Liang just now had attracted many people and reached the private rooms on the third floor.
In the private room were Prime Minister Sima and his friend.
Prime Minister Sima had first gone to the Princess Jingning's Mansion to ask for Xu Yutang's opinion. But since Xu Yutang had already gone out, he had then turned to find his friend, and the two had come to the Zuiyin Tower to drink tea together.
"Hey, why did Brother Xu give birth to such a brute? He might as well have strangled him. Now it's even dragging me down," Prime Minister Sima drained the tea in his cup.
He patted his friend on the shoulder. "I'm going to register Xu Yutang under your family. Xu and Xu sound similar, and it'll also reduce the gossips."
Prime Minister Sima's friend's surname was Xu. He was a famous painter in Dayong, well - known for his landscape paintings. When he was young, he had traveled all over the country. Now he was living in the capital to enjoy his old age and accompany his old friend.
Master Xu comforted his friend as usual. "Well, he gave birth to a brute who has caused you trouble. He's already been punished. Think it over... What granddaughter? She's Brother Xu's great - granddaughter. It's absurd for you to stuff her to me as my granddaughter. This will mess up the seniority!"
"You, you, you. Hurry up and change your mind!"
Prime Minister Sima pushed Master Xu's hand away. "Change what? Do you know what Xu Yutang represents? Do you know who's protecting her and who's backing her up? Giving her to you as your granddaughter, don't be ungrateful!"
After a heated argument between the two, they suddenly heard shouts from downstairs.
Master Xu vaguely felt that the voice was familiar. "Why do I find this voice so familiar? It sounds a bit like that innocent but rich young man."
"Could it be that the young man is in trouble? No, I have to go and check."
Prime Minister Sima wanted to stop him, but Master Xu grabbed him and dragged him downstairs together. "It's good that you're here. Come down with me to support my young friend."
Master Xu dragged his friend to the second floor. Not knowing what was going on, his friend walked so fast that it was actually Master Xu who was being dragged.
As soon as his feet touched the ground on the first - floor main hall, Master Xu saw his friend bypass him and rush forward. "Baozhu!"
Hearing someone calling her, Shen Baozhu poked her head out and was also very surprised. "Prime Minister Sima!"
Seeing Prime Minister Sima, Shen Baozhu gained more confidence. She told Prime Minister Sima what had happened and waited for him to help.
Looking at the mess in front of him, Prime Minister Sima made a prompt decision. "Everyone, go to the private room on the third floor."
Chen Liang rolled his eyes and voluntarily followed. The private room on the third floor cost a lot of silver. It would be good for him to secretly follow and enjoy the free food and drinks. Anyway, he was Xu Yutang's fiancé, and no one could do anything to him.
But his plan was shattered as soon as he entered the private room.
He had his hands seized and was pressed to the ground, unable to move.
Prime Minister Sima pulled Shen Baozhu to sit on the table and smiled. "I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence today. I even ran into Baozhu."
Then his gaze swept across Xu Yutang, Yan Mingli, Yuan Qingxi, and finally landed on Xu Yutang.
To match Shen Baozhu's clothes, Xu Yutang was wearing a light - yellow ruqun and had a simple young girl's hairstyle with a few pearl hairpins. At this blooming age, she was like a vibrant little flower.
Prime Minister Sima was extremely satisfied with this granddaughter he had "stolen". His tone became even more kind. "Yutang, your grandfather was confused and betrothed you to this scoundrel. How about I find you a new grandfather? And by the way, a new set of parents."
Dragon King: [The cute girl asked him to help solve the marriage issue, and he's solving the whole Xu family?]
"Your new grandfather is good at calligraphy and painting. He can teach you how to paint. If you don't like it, he can also invite other famous teachers to tutor you. The family has a little property, and he can leave you..."
"Not too much. Just two mansions, ten shops, two thousand taels of silver, a set of red agate headdress, and a pair of jadeite jade pendants." Master Xu voluntarily reported part of his private property.
Master Xu and Prime Minister Sima had been friends for many years, and their aesthetics were almost the same. Since Prime Minister Sima was very satisfied with Xu Yutang, so was Master Xu. He completely forgot what he had refused at first.
Xu Yutang was kneading her handkerchief. Now that she had seen Chen Liang's true nature, she didn't want to marry him. But in the Xu family, it was all up to her grandfather. Whether she could marry or not was not up to her... Changing her grandfather and parents sounded absurd, but when she heard about the mansions, Xu Yutang couldn't help but feel tempted.
She had lived in the attic since she was a child and didn't have much affection for her parents. If she had a mansion, she could take Xiaotao and live in it.
Xu Yutang lowered her eyes and asked in a low voice. "I can't get married for the time being. Can I still get it?"
Dragon King: [Change! Change! With the Xu family's behavior, it's good to be able to change parents.]
Master Xu didn't understand. "What?"
Xu Yutang held Shen Baozhu's little hand and summoned up her courage. "I want a mansion. Can you give it to me now? I won't be able to get married in the short term, but I want a mansion. I..."
"Sure! After we change the household registration, I'll immediately transfer the two mansions to your name." Master Xu readily agreed. He also asked considerately. "Do you like the mansions? Do you want me to buy a few more for you?"
Xu Yutang waved her hand nervously. "No, no need. I just want a small mansion to live with Xiaotao. One mansion is enough."
"Wait, what about Chen Liang?" The situation was developing too fast. Yan Mingli was a bit dazed. He still remembered that Chen Liang had wronged him.
The more Prime Minister Sima looked at Xu Yutang, the more satisfied he was. She was obedient, well - behaved, and didn't have high demands. Most importantly, she had a good relationship with the little immortal boy. He casually said, "Send him back to the Xu family and let Xu Zeyuan deal with him himself."