Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

The gatekeeper, unwilling to surrender, shook off the old woman's hand and shouted, "Young mistress, it was the master who ordered that no one be allowed to wander around the streets. What business is it of mine..."

Fengxian ignored him and ordered the old women to seize him. Xiuluan chimed in, but the gatekeeper was strong and the old women were still timid. Several women swarmed forward, grabbing and scratching frantically. Seeing that he couldn't hold them off, the gatekeeper resorted to shamelessness, tearing off his handkerchief and letting his trousers fall to his feet. Xiuluan screamed and ran away, and several maids also screamed and covered their faces. Cui Cui pulled Liulian away, and the old women, though they didn't run, turned their heads away from him. Fengxian was furious, his face turning pale. Although he turned his head away angrily, he refused to leave. Seeing that the old women wouldn't leave, the man pulled up his trousers and walked towards a nearby old woman, grabbing her hand and shoving it towards her private parts. The old woman screamed and ran away as if she had stepped on a snake. The man laughed and walked towards another old woman, and the remaining old women also fled. The man laughed triumphantly.

"Take him down!" A loud shout rang out; it was Young Master Liang. Xiu Luan's eyes were already crinkled with delight as she watched the imposing Young Master Liang approach from afar. Hearing this shout, her heart swelled with joy, and her gaze remained fixed on Young Master Liang, unable to tear itself away.

Young Master Liang's guards swiftly and deftly subdued the gatekeeper. One guard pinned his arms behind his back, while another bent down to help him put on his trousers, laughing, "Buddy! You're really something! I've learned my lesson! And let me tell you, your ass is really white!"

Young Master Liang bowed respectfully, "Young Madam, you've been frightened! I've apprehended the madman. Please dispose of him as you see fit. I'll take my leave now, Young Madam, as I won't keep you from handling your household affairs any longer. Farewell!" Fengxian bowed deeply, "Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Liang. May I borrow your two esteemed guards for a moment?"

"No problem, they're just being mischievous anyway. Young Madam, just give them orders, no need to be polite. My carriage is at home, they can both drive! Shou'er, hitch up the carriage!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Young Master Liang!"

Fengxian glanced at everyone and asked, "Cuicui, do you know where the midwife lives?"

"Yes, I know them, Young Master's wet nurse. The closest ones to us are Granny Wei to the west and Granny Feng to the north. Granny Ma to the southwest is said to have the best cooking skills. I know them all!"

Which one is the most recent?

"The west side is closer; Granny Wei's house and Granny Ma's house are not far apart. The north side is about the same as the west side, but they are not on the same route."

"Alright, go west and fetch two old women, both of them! Huang Ma, you go with Cuicui!" He nodded to the guard who had just returned from harnessing the carriage, his face beaming, and said, "Brother, would you mind protecting these two? The streets aren't safe!"

The guards clasped their hands in a deep bow, saying, "At your service, young mistress!" With that, the three of them hurriedly left.

"Wang Ma, do you know Granny Feng's house up north?" Fengxian asked a woman who often went out to buy things for the old lady.

"know!"

"Yanyan, you go with Granny Wang! Brother, please take care of them." As he spoke, he took out a hundred coins from his sleeve and handed them to Granny Wang. "Hire a carriage on the way, and have the midwife come by herself. You go to the east and invite Second Master. Everyone has worked so hard. If a grandson is born, you will all be rewarded! Go quickly!" The three of them hurriedly left.

"Aunt Qiao, why don't you go help out at Hongxing'er's place? It's not convenient for me to go. You've given birth before, you should know what to do, right?"

“Reporting to the young mistress, when my brother’s wife gave birth, I was the one who assisted the midwife, you know!” A middle-aged woman who looked the cleanest and most efficient answered respectfully.

"Go!"

"Yulan, go fetch the whip!"

Fengxian glanced at the remaining people, dismissed the maids, and said to the old women who did the rough work, "You few guard the door. Don't let outsiders in or out. The master instructed that the streets are not safe. Gag this boy and give him a hundred lashes. If there's no blood, you can take the lashes for him!" As she spoke, she rubbed her back, closed her eyes to calm herself, and said, "When the midwife arrives, lead her to my courtyard. If there's anything, come find me there. My stomach isn't feeling well, so I'll go back and rest." The old women all agreed and earnestly urged Fengxian to go and rest.

Xiu Luan was overjoyed to have encountered Young Master Liang. She forced herself to remain calm, saying, "Thank you for your help, Young Master Liang." Her heart pounded, and her voice trembled involuntarily.

“Miss Liu, you’re too kind. It was just a small favor, nothing to mention! Go back now. Your sister-in-law is going to punish the servants, and it’s not convenient for you to be there.” With that, the two walked side by side.

“Brother Liang, what should I say when my father asks? My sister-in-law will definitely not let that bastard off easily, and my second sister-in-law will definitely not want her people to lose face. Which one should I help?” Xiu Luan’s beautiful eyes were filled with tears as she looked at Young Master Liang.

"Are you usually closer to your second sister-in-law?" Young Master Liang asked with a smile.

"Yes, my second sister-in-law often takes me to her shop to pick out things, silk flowers and velvet flowers. She'll give me a couple whenever she feels like it. But my eldest sister-in-law's sister is my best friend. Besides, what happened today really isn't my eldest sister-in-law's fault. I don't want to offend anyone!" Xiu Luan said, lowering her head sheepishly.

Young Master Liang chuckled a few times, “If you can’t have it both ways, then so be it! Just think about the consequences of offending your eldest sister-in-law, the consequences of offending your second sister-in-law, and the consequences of lying and offending your father.”

"Oh!" Xiu Luan suddenly realized, "Lying would offend both Father and Sister-in-law! So I'll just have to tell the truth! Brother Liang, you don't know, although my sister-in-law is a bit old-fashioned, she's a true gentleman! I really can't bear to break up with Liu Ye'er. As for that big-footed girl, her parents are gone, and she lives with my sister-in-law. I'm her only best friend! Second sister-in-law..."

“Miss Xiuluan, what does the gatekeeper’s mistake have to do with your second sister-in-law? Which servant doesn’t have a master behind him? If no one is punished for doing something wrong just because they have a master behind them, wouldn’t the family be in chaos? Besides, even if your second sister-in-law is angry, you’ll only lose a few silk flowers. Can’t you afford to buy them yourself? If all else fails, I’ll buy you a few boxes of the best ones from the capital.”

“Brother Liang, you’re joking! I know what to do! I’ll just tell the truth and not help anyone! This can’t be hidden from us, right?” Xiu Luan asked smugly.

"Miss Xiu Luan is so clever!" Having reached their parting point, the two exchanged a few more reluctant words before separating. Xiu Luan watched Young Master Liang depart before dashing into the house, throwing herself onto the bed, and giggling while covering her face.

Young Master Liang walked away alone. He knew that the silly girl was watching him, so he walked with his head held high and his steps were even more light and elegant. His heart was filled with Xiu Luan's smug smile as she questioned him. He sighed inwardly, "She's really beautiful. How did she end up in a merchant family?"