Zhou Jinrong, having lived half a lifetime, quickly realised that Tang Xiaobei was deliberately provoking Zhou Wenyan.
“What a ruthless heart!”
His own heart tightened. Fearing his son would fall into the trap, he was about to change the subject when he saw Zhou Wenyan clasp his hands and bow deeply to Tang Xiaobei.
“Miss Tang, in the past this young man was ignorant and foolish, his heart blinded by lard, and he offended you.”
Zhou Wenyan said, “I offer my humble apology here. I hope Miss will be magnanimous and not stoop to my level!”
Tang Xiaobei did not reply, but her brows furrowed slightly.
She truly had not expected Zhou Wenyan to go this far.
Short of kneeling, this was the highest form of courtesy in the Great Kang dynasty.
Normally, unless it was a blood feud, both sides would step back a little.
But Tang Xiaobei did not want to step back.
From her days in the brothel, through blood and tears, she had learned one thing.
Towards those who had once bullied her, she must never show softness. If she forgave them lightly, they would think the cost of wrongdoing was low, just an apology afterwards, and they would bully her again in future.
“Young Master Zhou, I think you have misunderstood something.”
Tang Xiaobei gave a cold laugh. “If it were only because you once kidnapped me, would you be here apologising today?”
The Zhou family had promised not to obstruct the Jinchuan Chamber of Commerce from entering the capital and had agreed to a series of conditions from the Qing family, which meant the kidnapping matter was closed.
Afterwards, the Jinchuan Chamber of Commerce flourished in the capital, and the Zhou family truly did not interfere, so they had kept their word.
If it were only about the kidnapping, Zhou Wenyan would never have come to apologise.
If they met on the street, he might even sneer a few times.
This apology was entirely because he had slandered Jin Feng and Tang Xiaobei had struck back.
Yet some things could be done but not said. Slandering a noble carried far graver consequences than kidnapping Tang Xiaobei; it would disgust the entire nobility.
Under normal circumstances, everyone understood this tacitly and would not truly tear off all pretence of cordiality.
But under Jin Feng’s influence, Tang Xiaobei’s style had always been tough, and she lacked the cunning and tolerance of those old foxes.
This time she was genuinely furious and cared nothing for unspoken rules.
Moreover, she was a woman. Even if other nobles learned of the matter, they would at most laugh it off. Anyone who took it seriously would instead be mocked for quarrelling with a woman.
“Miss Tang, children speak without thinking. Please be generous and overlook it.”
Zhou Jinrong hurriedly laughed to smooth things over. “Steward, bring the gifts in…”
“Hold it!” Tang Xiaobei raised a hand. “Until matters are made clear, I dare not accept your gifts.”
Neither side lacked money. The value of the gifts was unimportant; the gesture was what mattered.
Just as when Tang Xiaobei once sent a gift to the Prefect of Guangyuan, even a box of hemp thread would have delighted him.
If Tang Xiaobei refused the gifts, it meant she had not forgiven Zhou Wenyan.
Zhou Wenyan was still bowing, eyes fixed on the floor, almost shooting flames.
Yet the words from his mouth were extremely sincere. “This time I was wrong. I know my mistake. I beg Miss Tang to be merciful and spare me. For the rest of my life I will be grateful for your great kindness!”
Tang Xiaobei was unmoved. She waved a hand. “This humble girl has thin fortune and cannot bear Young Master’s gratitude. Just tell me plainly what you did wrong.”
Hearing this, Zhou Wenyan knew Tang Xiaobei would not let him off easily today.
Gritting his teeth, he dropped to his knees and touched his forehead to the ground. “This lowly one was blinded by lard and spoke without restraint, harming the gentleman’s good name. I beg Miss’s forgiveness!”
Tang Xiaobei had thought Zhou Wenyan would haggle a while longer before admitting fault. That he did so readily left her momentarily stunned.
“Miss Tang, are you satisfied now?”
The smile vanished from Zhou Jinrong’s face.
His son had been forced to kneel before a woman. As the father, he did not look good either.
Zhou Jinrong still controlled many Zhou family resources in Jiangnan. He was not truly afraid of Jin Feng and Tang Xiaobei; he simply wished to avoid further trouble.
Killing only requires the head to fall. Zhou Wenyan had already knelt and admitted fault. Tang Xiaobei knew pressing further would achieve nothing.
Otherwise even the Qing family might not continue supporting her.
She waved a hand. “Since Young Master recognises his error, let the matter end here. I will not keep you both for dinner!”
“We have disturbed you!”
Zhou Jinrong pulled his son up. They were about to leave when Tang Xiaobei’s voice came from behind.
“I hear there is a girl named Qing’er at the Linglong Pavilion whose dancing is enchanting. I had thought to visit and learn from her, but now it seems I will not have the chance. What a pity.”
To outsiders, this was merely Tang Xiaobei speaking to herself, but the Zhou father and son knew it was a threat.
Perhaps because Tang Xiaobei herself came from a brothel, after escaping death in Guangyuan, Zhou Wenyan had become somewhat twisted. Whenever he visited brothels, he abused the girls who served him.
In the capital he had exercised some restraint, mostly beating and berating them, but in Jiangnan he became uncontrollable.
At the Linglong Pavilion he frequented, every girl trembled with fear the moment they heard Zhou Wenyan had arrived. They obeyed his every whim, terrified of angering him.
Yet something still happened.
A girl named Qing’er was strangled to death while serving Zhou Wenyan.
The Linglong Pavilion claimed to the outside world that Qing’er had died suddenly of an acute illness, but many girls and the guests staying that night knew what really happened.
Brothel girls had low status, but it was still a human life. If pursued seriously, it would give Zhou Wenyan a massive headache.
Especially after witnessing Tang Xiaobei’s propaganda war.
Zhou Wenyan’s reputation was already ruined. If this matter were revealed by storytellers, he would be nailed to the pillar of shame for life.
“Miss Tang, the Zhou family still has some foundations in Jiangnan. If you ever need any assistance, please speak freely. Whatever I can help with, this old man will certainly do.”
Zhou Jinrong turned back with a smile.
“There is nothing in particular I need help with. I would be grateful if certain people simply stopped causing trouble behind my back.”
Tang Xiaobei smiled. “Chuanshu has suffered disaster and needs grain.”
“Mr Jin and Miss are truly kind-hearted people. You will surely be blessed.”
Zhou Jinrong said, “Rest assured, Miss Tang. I cannot speak for others, but the Zhou family will fully support you.”
“Then many thanks to Master Zhou!”
Tang Xiaobei gave a slight nod.
She did not ask for Zhou help; she only needed them not to interfere.
Of course, if the Zhou family caused more trouble, Tang Xiaobei was not afraid.
She had already prepared big-character posters and flyers.
If the Zhou family made another move, Tang Xiaobei would no longer target Zhou Wenyan alone.
“It is only right!”
Zhou Jinrong cupped his hands towards Tang Xiaobei and led Zhou Wenyan away.
In the courtyard remained box after box of gifts.
They were nothing more than pastries and fabrics. Tang Xiaobei could not be bothered to look and waved for them to be taken to the storeroom.
“I never thought this Young Master Zhou could bend and stretch so well.”
Yuan Caiwei stood behind Tang Xiaobei and spoke softly.
“That is exactly what makes such an enemy frightening!”
Tang Xiaobei gazed at the doorway and said in a low voice, “Tell the Zhong Ming team to assign a group from now on to watch the Zhou father and son exclusively for me!”
