After our homes were confiscated and we were exiled, the women in my clan and I raised a million sol

With the successful conclusion of the poetry gathering, the guests dispersed one after another, and Zhang Liang and others also walked out of Wenyuan Pavilion.

As night falls, the air is filled with the faint aroma of wine and the unique elegance of literati.

Just as everyone was preparing to go home, Yang Bao quickly walked up to Zhang Liang, put his arm around his shoulders, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Haha, today is such a relief!"

Yang Bao laughed and said, "Wen Zhuo, this is the first time I've seen that guy with that expression on his face. It's as ugly as if he'd eaten shit! Whenever I think of this scene, I can't help but laugh."

Zhang Liang smiled slightly upon hearing this, shook his head gently, and said calmly, "I won't offend anyone unless they provoke me. Since he provoked me first, he deserved this fate."

Hearing this, Yang Bao nodded in agreement, but then the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a serious look.

"You're right," he said, looking at Zhang Liang seriously, "but this time you've completely offended that person."

"Given his vengeful nature, I'm afraid he won't let you off easily. So you must be extra careful in the days ahead."

Zhang Liang narrowed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then replied firmly, "Don't worry, I'll be careful. If I really run into any trouble..."

Before Zhang Liang could finish, Yang Bao interrupted him: "If there is really a problem that cannot be solved, remember to come to me first. There is no need to be polite between us brothers."

After saying this, he patted Zhang Liang's shoulder heavily, as if giving him strength and support.

After Yang Bao finished speaking, he turned around and got on the carriage.

Looking at his leaving back, Zhang Liang narrowed his eyes, not knowing what he was thinking.

Just as he was about to leave with Qin Youlan and the others, a sudden noise came from the brightly lit brothel not far away, attracting his attention.

I saw the two young scholars I had just met at the door being dragged out of the brothel by several burly and ferocious-looking men, and then they were beaten and kicked mercilessly.

One of them, a woman who looked to be about forty years old, walked out slowly. Although she was old, she still had some charm. However, her face was now filled with disgust and anger.

It seems that she is the madam of this brothel.

"You don't even have a penny on you, and yet you dare to come here and ask for free food and drinks!"

She said coldly to the two young men lying on the ground, "Teach them a lesson and let them know the consequences!"

As the woman finished her words, the strong men, who had already been very aggressive, received her order and became more violent, with fists raining down on the two young men.

The two scholars suddenly hugged their heads, curled up slightly, and showed a lewd smile on their faces.

One of the scholars turned to the other and said, "Brother Zhang, did you have fun today?"

Hearing this, another scholar chuckled, his eyes gleaming cunningly, and replied in a low voice: "Of course it's interesting! Especially that... hehe, it's really unforgettable."

Having said that, he couldn't help licking his lips, as if he was still savoring a moment before.

However, their behavior angered the brothel owner.

Looking at the malicious smiles on the scholars' faces, the anger in his heart grew even stronger.

She said sternly, "You two came here to eat and drink for free, thinking you could get away with it that way? You're dreaming! From today on, you'll stay here and be pimps until you've paid off your debt!"

After hearing the madam's sudden proposal, the two scholars' eyes suddenly widened, as if their smiles were frozen by the sudden cold wind, and the joy on their faces disappeared without a trace in an instant.

Their brows were furrowed, their anxiety evident. Almost without hesitation, they shouted in unison, "No! Absolutely not! As respectable scholars, how can we possibly get involved in such behavior!"

Upon hearing this, a subtle flicker of disdain crossed the madam's face. A sneer curled up at the corner of her mouth as she retorted, "Humph, if that's the case, then why are you, self-proclaimed scholars, so shamelessly eating and drinking for free here? And even offering free sex! You truly have no sense of shame!"

Her words were sharp and hit the nail on the head, causing the air in the room to freeze.

After hearing this, one of the scholars shook his head slightly, as if he wanted to defend himself, but with a hint of resignation and persistence: "No, no! How can the affairs of scholars be simply summarized as 'free food'? This is an investment, how can it be compared with worldly views?"

However, the madam was clearly unmoved by their excuses. Instead, she sneered, "I don't care about your flowery theories! Either pay me back or work to pay it off! Looking at your state, I'm afraid you don't even have the money to pay back your debts."

After she finished speaking, she waved her hand impatiently, signaling the men beside her to take the two scholars away, her tone full of impatience.

Following the madam's gesture, the men stepped forward, lifted up the two scholars without further ado, and prepared to take them back to the brothel.

Qin Youlan and others noticed that Zhang Liang had been looking in the direction of the brothel, and a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.

They mistakenly thought that Zhang Liang was attracted by those charming women, and they couldn't help feeling worried.

Qin Youlan walked up to Zhang Liang first and asked softly, "Uncle, what are you looking at?"

Zhang Liang came to his senses immediately after hearing this. An awkward smile appeared on his face as he explained, "Oh, I was just thinking about something and my eyes happened to fall on the brothel over there."

After hearing this, Zhong Shu frowned slightly and continued, "Uncle is not young anymore, it's time for him to think about starting a family. However, that place..."

There was a hint in her words, as if reminding Zhang Liang to be careful about his words and actions.

At the same time, the two young girls, Zhong Xueqing and Wang Xueyi, stood directly in front of Zhang Liang, blocking his view of the brothel.

Although their actions seemed childish, they were full of protectiveness. It was obvious that they did not want Zhang Liang to continue to be "addicted" to that direction.

Seeing this, Zhang Liang was both moved and helpless. He quickly explained, "Everyone, you may have misunderstood. I had no intention of going there, nor was I interested in it. I just suddenly remembered something."

His words were full of sincerity, hoping to dispel everyone's doubts.

After hearing Zhang Liang's explanation, the women finally breathed a sigh of relief, but still looked at him with half belief and half doubt.

After Zhang Liang finished explaining, he smiled and said to Qin Youlan and the others, "Sisters-in-law and sisters, it's getting late now. Let's go back."

Hearing his words, Qin Youlan and others nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, everyone boarded their respective carriages. Zhang Liang and Liu Yu boarded another carriage, preparing to return to the mansion.

Not long after, the convoy slowly drove into the gate of Zhang's mansion.

When everyone got out of the car, Zhang Liang turned around and said to Liu Yu, "Mr. Liu, please tell Zhong Tian and the others to come to my study later. There are some things we need to discuss."

Liu Yu was stunned for a moment when he heard this, as if he had not expected such an arrangement, but he quickly realized what was going on and nodded respectfully, saying, "Yes, Master. I'll do it right away."

After saying this, he hurriedly left the scene to call for help.

Looking at Liu Yu's departing back, Zhang Liang showed a satisfied smile on his face.

Not long after, Zhong Tian and others followed Old Liu's footsteps and arrived at the door of Zhang Liang's study.

Following a gentle knock on the door, after receiving permission, the group entered the room one by one.

As soon as he stepped into the study, Zhong Tian couldn't help but jokingly said, "My Lord, I heard that you shined at the poetry gathering today!"

Faced with such praise, Zhang Liang smiled slightly and waved his hand to signal everyone to sit down first.

After everyone was seated, Zhang Liang slowly spoke, "Actually, I didn't call you all here today to discuss these trivial matters. Instead, I have something very important to discuss with you."