Early the next morning, Qin Guan headed to Marquis Anyang Manor.
After paying respects to the Grand Princess and Jiang Shi, Yue Ning pulled Qin Guan out of the manor to buy paintings.
"That painting house Wei Qizhi mentioned last time—I wonder if the proprietor is in today. Wei Qizhi said he’d take me next time when the proprietor is present, but that’s rather inconvenient. Let’s go take a look today."
Qin Guan asked, "Is it the one owned by Master Ning?"
Yue Ning nodded, "Exactly. Last time, I only bought a few hanging paintings but didn’t get to see the genuine pieces. By the way, are you skilled in calligraphy and painting?"
Qin Guan thought for a moment, "I’m not particularly skilled. Although I’ve met Master Ning once, I’m not very familiar with him. How about we go to the Meng residence and ask Meng Yao to join us?"
"Who is Meng Yao?" Yue Ning hadn’t heard of her before.
After Qin Guan briefly explained Meng Yao’s family background, Yue Ning understood. The two left the manor and went straight to the Meng residence. When they arrived at the gate, the gatekeeper hurried inside to announce the arrival of the two young noblewomen.
Meng Yao, accompanied by Meng Zichen, hurried out to greet them.
Since returning from the spring hunt, Qin Guan hadn’t seen Meng Yao. This visit was both a social call and a genuine request for help. Meng Yao was accomplished in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and was also an expert in art appraisal. Moreover, Ning Buyi had previously painted for the Meng family and had personally delivered the artworks. Bringing Meng Yao along to the painting house was ideal.
Meng Yao didn’t recognize Yue Ning at first, but once she learned Yue Ning’s identity, she understood the close relationship between Yue Ning and Qin Guan. She initially intended to invite them to stay for a while, but Qin Guan smilingly explained their purpose and added, "You might not know, but Young Master Wei was staying at Marquis Anyang Manor when he was in Jinzhou. Last time, it was Young Master Wei who took the young mistress to the painting house, but the proprietor wasn’t in. So, we wanted to go again to see a few famous paintings. Since you know Master Ning, it would be perfect if you could take us. I haven’t seen you in a long time either—it’s a good chance for the three of us to go out and have some fun…"
Meng Yao promptly replied, "So the young mistress is also acquainted with Young Master Wei! Speaking of which, my father hasn’t been well lately, so I’ve been staying home without going out. Your visit is perfect—I could use some distraction."
She invited them to sit while she went to change her clothes.
Qin Guan explained with a smile, "Young Master Wei was originally a student of Lord Meng, so he and Meng Yao are acquainted as well."
Yue Ning nodded, "The capital really is small."
Though not excessively large, the capital wasn’t tiny either. Qin Guan remarked, "It’s fate, I suppose."
After Meng Yao changed her clothes and Qin Guan exchanged a few words with Meng Zichen, the three set out for the Ink-Stained Painting House. It was already early summer, and by noon, a hint of summer heat had emerged. Pedestrians on the streets had switched to summer attire, and the thoroughfares were bustling with crowds. Their carriage soon arrived at the painting house.
As soon as the carriage stopped, an attendant came out to greet them. Yue Ning had visited before, and Meng Yao was a regular customer. The attendant perceptively escorted the three inside. Meng Yao asked, "Is Proprietor Ning here?"
"Yes, he is, but Master Ning is currently entertaining guests. Would you three young ladies please wait in the private room upstairs?"
The attendant respectfully led them upstairs and served tea and snacks. As it was a painting house, the private room was adorned with several artworks, all famous pieces—though naturally, those hung in the reception area were replicas.Yue Ning glanced around and couldn't help but praise, "This Master Ning is truly remarkable."
Meng Yao also smiled, "I've heard that Master Ning comes from a wealthy family but has no interest in officialdom. In his early years, he sought out various painting masters to study under, eventually achieving his current accomplishments. He no longer needs to rely on painting for a living—these replicas alone are convincing enough to pass as originals. Yet even when his reputation in the capital was still growing, he moved among official households. Now, he doesn't put on airs; if anyone invites him, he still goes to paint. He's truly the best sort of person."
Hearing this, Yue Ning nodded in agreement and was about to speak when a loud thud echoed, as if something heavy had fallen.
The sound seemed to come from a nearby private room, startling all three of them. Yue Ning opened the door and stepped into the corridor, lifting her gaze to see that the noise originated from the third room ahead.
Not only that, but the room soon echoed with the clatter of scattered objects. Yue Ning's eyebrows shot up, and she hurried forward. Qin Guan, fearing something might happen to Yue Ning, quickly followed. Meng Yao, supported by her maid, also rushed ahead.
As they reached the outside of the private room, they heard low, furious growls from within!
"Please show some respect, heir apparent! If you seek amusement, go to the Phoenix Perch Tower. This is no place for such insolence!"
The voice was hushed but filled with rage and humiliation. Upon hearing it, Yue Ning could almost picture the speaker's flushed, furious face.
No sooner had these words faded than another voice erupted, "Ning Buyi! How dare you refuse my generosity?! What's with this act of innocence?! Huh?! Do you believe I won't tear this painting studio of yours apart?!"
"Please release me, heir apparent. I am an honorable man. If you force me, I have no choice but to die to prove my integrity! Let go! Let go—"
"Oh, look at you, putting on such a show! An honorable man?! If you're truly honorable, why do you wear makeup?! Don't think I don't know—you have private dealings with many nobles in the capital. Private dealings? More like illicit affairs! Since I happen to fancy your looks, why not give me a taste?!"
"Heir apparent! I am but a merchant. If you use your power to oppress me, I have no means to resist. In that case, my only option is death..."
The shocking exchange left Meng Yao pale and wide-eyed, while Yue Ning frowned deeply. As for Qin Guan, her eyes turned icy—though Meng Yao and Yue Ning didn't recognize the bully inside, she knew who it was from the voice alone!
Qin Guan quickly whispered into Yue Ning's ear.
Yue Ning's eyebrows shot up high, and she stepped forward, kicking the door open.
The moment the door swung open, they saw overturned tables and chairs inside, with a shattered porcelain vase by the entrance. By the window, Feng Zhang, the heir apparent of the Loyal Duke, had pinned Ning Buyi against the windowsill. One hand gripped Ning Buyi's wrist, while the other was disgustingly caressing his face. Ning Buyi was leaning halfway out the window, on the verge of falling.
Caught in the act, Feng Zhang had never expected anyone to barge in. Enraged, he snarled, "Who's there?! Get out!"
His roar met not with retreat but with approaching footsteps. Fury blazing in his eyes, Feng Zhang turned and started to curse, "I said get out—"Before the word "go" could even be fully uttered, Yue Ning's fist had already landed squarely on Feng Zhang's right eye!
Feng Zhang cried out in pain, stumbling sideways as he fell. Ning Buyi didn't recognize Yue Ning, but she knew Qin Guan and Meng Yao. Her face flushed crimson as she hastily straightened her robes. When Feng Zhang regained his senses, he touched his bruised eye and glared furiously at Yue Ning and the others. Though he didn't recognize Yue Ning, the moment he spotted Qin Guan, his eyes widened in shock.
"You... What are you doing here?!"
Qin Guan stepped forward with a cold laugh. "I was about to ask you the same thing, Heir Apparent! This is an art gallery—a place of refinement. Yet you've brought the thuggish behavior of the Loyal Duke's estate here. Have you forgotten the last time you were thoroughly beaten?"
Mention of the thrashing by Yan Chi immediately ignited Feng Zhang's rage.
Ever since that beating by Yan Chi, the physical wounds were minor compared to the Emperor's complete cold-shouldering. Even the Noble Consort dared not frequently summon him to the palace. Over the past few months, he had been largely confined by the Loyal Duke. His visit to the art gallery came only days after being allowed out—a result of his unbearable restlessness and agitation. To make matters worse, the Loyal Duke had warned all the brothels and pleasure houses, leaving him with nowhere to go even if he tried. Thus, he had turned his attention to harassing Ning Buyi.
But why was Qin Guan here of all places? And who was this person who had struck him?!
Now that Qin Guan had been enfeoffed as Yongci County Princess, he could no longer treat her as he once had. Her status was undeniable. If he showed her disrespect again, he would earn the permanent disdain of both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
Qin Guan was untouchable, but what about this person who had hit him?!
Though Yue Ning was dressed in men's robes, Feng Zhang—a man well-versed in judging others—instantly recognized her as a woman. But so what if she was a woman? How dare a woman strike him! Who gave her the nerve!
Feng Zhang spat in contempt, pushed himself up from the ground, and without a word, launched himself at Yue Ning. Though his martial skills were far from exceptional, he had trained in horseback riding and archery since childhood. His sudden attack on Yue Ning horrified Qin Guan.
"Feng Zhang! Do you even know who she is?! How dare you!"
Feng Zhang sneered, "I don't care who she is!"
Just as Qin Guan was about to retort, Yue Ning shot her a glance—a clear signal to stop. Qin Guan swallowed her words, pulling Meng Yao a step back as she watched the exchange between Yue Ning and Feng Zhang with deep concern.
They exchanged blows back and forth, several rounds passing in the blink of an eye. Despite being a man, Feng Zhang gained no advantage. Frustrated, he grew increasingly vicious and underhanded. At one point, a cold glint flashed from his sleeve as he secretly drew a dagger, thrusting it directly toward Yue Ning!
Qin Guan gasped in terror, "Yue Ning! Watch out!"
Feng Zhang only caught the surname "Yue," failing for a moment to recall which noble family in the capital bore that name. Emboldened by this ignorance, he pressed on. A soft "shhh" sound followed as the gleaming dagger sliced past Yue Ning's sleeve. Though she dodged, Yue Ning still let out a faint gasp of pain—
"Yue Ning!" Qin Guan exclaimed, rushing forward. A stark red mark glared vividly across the back of Yue Ning's hand.Yue Ning raised her hand to stop Qin Guan, her brow furrowing as a sharp glint flashed in her eyes. She immediately launched another attack at Feng Zhang. Feng Zhang had only succeeded the first time due to a sudden ambush. Now that Yue Ning was prepared, she swiftly disarmed him of his dagger. Tossing the dagger aside, she began pummeling Feng Zhang with her fists, each blow landing squarely on his eyes and nose. Before long, Feng Zhang, howling in pain with a black eye and swollen nose, crawled out of the private room's door. "You'll pay for this! Especially you!"
After hurling this threat, Feng Zhang scrambled away. Qin Guan hurried to Yue Ning's side. Yue Ning had broken into a light sweat from the exertion, and the wound on her hand had split open further, a few drops of blood trickling down her knuckles. Ning Buyi stepped forward with an apologetic expression. "Your Highness, I'll fetch some medicine. Please wait in the adjacent room!"
Qin Guan nodded, and Ning Buyi hurried out. His clothes were disheveled from Feng Zhang's harassment, and he straightened them as he rushed away. Qin Guan took out a handkerchief to wrap Yue Ning's injured hand before supporting her out of the room.
Seeing Qin Guan's worried expression, Yue Ning sighed helplessly. "It's nothing serious, just a minor injury!"
Qin Guan retorted irritably, "I know you wanted to teach him a lesson, but that man is vile and ruthless—using such despicable tactics against a woman. Utterly shameless..."
Qin Guan wasn't skilled at cursing, but she wished she could hurl more venomous insults at Feng Zhang. Yue Ning found this amusing. "Enough. The heir apparent of Zhongguo Duke, is it?" She glanced at her injured hand. "Well, there's no hiding it now. Later, we'll enter the palace with this wound."
Clearly, Yue Ning intended for the Empress Dowager to learn of the incident. If this escalated, Feng Zhang would surely face consequences.
Meng Yao hadn't expected their outing to result in Yue Ning getting injured and felt deeply uneasy. Compounding her anxiety was the fact that the assailant was Feng Zhang. With her father demoted and the Meng family's influence diminished, she could offer no practical help.
Qin Guan squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It's alright, don't worry."
Meng Yao smiled bitterly. Just then, Ning Buyi returned with a servant carrying medical supplies. In that short time, he had changed clothes and tidied his ink-black hair. As soon as the medicine arrived, Qin Guan began dressing Yue Ning's wound.
Ning Buyi stood nearby and bowed to the three young women. "Thank you all. I'm ashamed to say this matter was too embarrassing to speak of, yet you witnessed it and saved me. I'm eternally grateful."
Qin Guan quickly replied, "It's not your fault, Ning-daren. Feng Zhang is the one who went too far. Please don't receive him here anymore."
Ning Buyi sighed ruefully. "Heir Apparent Feng is... well... I..."
The disparity in status and Feng Zhang's spoiled heir temperament meant refusing him would only provoke worse trouble. The three could only sympathize with Ning Buyi's predicament, unable to devise a real solution for him.
As Ning Buyi was apologizing, the sudden thunder of hooves echoed outside the gallery. Frowning, he went to the window and paled upon looking down. "Your Highness, Heir Apparent Feng has returned—and he's brought the Nine Gates Garrison with him!"
Qin Guan and Yue Ning exchanged frowns. Rising to her feet, Yue Ning declared, "We haven't even reached the palace, yet he delivers himself to us. Let's go down and see what he wants."Yue Ning led Qin Guan down the steps, with Ning Buyi and Meng Yao hastily following behind.
Outside the Ink-Stained Painting House, Feng Zhang was pointing furiously at its entrance, his face bruised and swollen from the beating. "The criminal is inside! Go in and arrest her for me!"
Feng Zhang’s pitiable state moved the commanding officer Qin Ye to step forward. "May I ask, heir apparent, what exactly does the criminal look like?"
Feng Zhang snorted coldly, his eyes shifting slyly. "She looks like a woman..."
Afraid the soldiers might go easy on her out of pity, he deliberately avoided clarifying.
Just as he finished speaking, Qin Guan and Yue Ning appeared at the doorway. Feng Zhang’s eyes lit up, and he pointed at Yue Ning, exclaiming, "That’s her! It’s her! Arrest her! She injured me—I want her severely punished!"
Qin Ye frowned deeply. He had met Yue Ning before, and besides, she was standing right beside his own sister.
Raising an eyebrow, Qin Ye asked, "Heir apparent, are you referring to... her?"
As Qin Ye sought confirmation, Feng Zhang nodded repeatedly. "Yes, her! Why aren’t you arresting her yet?"
With a resigned sigh, Qin Ye dismounted and strode toward Yue Ning. Thinking Qin Ye was about to apprehend her, Feng Zhang smirked viciously. So what if she could fight? With so many soldiers present, she wouldn’t stand a chance!
Just as Feng Zhang was gloating, he froze in disbelief, staring dumbfounded at the painting house entrance.
To his utter shock, Qin Ye not only refrained from arresting Yue Ning but instead knelt respectfully before her.
In a clear, resonant voice, Qin Ye declared, "I pay my respects to Yongning Junzhu—"
Feng Zhang’s heart skipped a beat. Yongning Junzhu? Who was Yongning Junzhu?!
His mind raced, and in an instant, a chill ran down his spine as he remembered. Yongning Junzhu, with the surname Yue! It could be none other than the young lady from the Anyang Marquis’s household!
Having been confined for many days, Feng Zhang had only vaguely heard about the Grand Princess’s return to the capital upon his release—he’d dismissed it without a second thought. How could he have imagined that, while avoiding Qin Guan, he’d picked a target of even higher status?!
His legs weakened, and he nearly collapsed. It’s over, it’s over... I’m finished!
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