GBP Chapter 140 Standing aside and watching
Chapter 140 Standing aside and watching
Luo'er skipped back from a stall selling wampee, only to find her young mistress looking rather sullen. Although Luo'er had only served Sang Qiqi for four years, she had learned quite a bit about her.
However, as a mere twelve-year-old maid, she had no say in the Sang household. Therefore, even if she wanted to help, she couldn't.
"Miss, are you tired? Why don't we go back first and come back tomorrow? Anyway, Young Master Wei said that if you want to go out, you just need to say so." Luo'er chattered on and on, looking at Sang Qiqi with a puzzled expression. They hadn't even been out for half an hour.
Sang Qiqi was pulled back from her thoughts by Luo'er and said somewhat embarrassedly, "It's nothing, I just thought of something. Let's continue shopping. I've always heard my mother talk about how lively and unique my grandfather's hometown is. We've finally come all this way, so we should definitely explore it to our hearts' content."
Luo'er still didn't believe it. She handed a handful of yellow-skinned fruit to a maid in the Wei household, then lifted Sang Qiqi's veil and carefully examined her face. Only after seeing that Sang Qiqi's face was indeed normal did she nod in satisfaction and say, "Alright, then let's continue our stroll."
Unbeknownst to Luo'er, the moment she lifted Sang Qiqi's veil, they were being watched. The ones watching them were none other than the accomplices of the three men who had kidnapped Li Xiaonuan and been arrested.
They desperately wanted to escape, but they were short of cash. They'd lost too much money gambling in the back alleys. So, they decided to go all in and pull off one last big heist: kidnap a rich young lady, and if they couldn't get a ransom, they'd sell her.
Just as Sang Qiqi and her friends turned the corner and headed into the alley, those people quietly followed them.
The alleyways were essentially lanes where storytelling, theatrical performances, theaters, and various other forms of entertainment were gathered, providing a way for people to pass the time. Of course, there were also people who would bring their daughters or granddaughters to sing for a living.
Sang Qiqi and her companions arrived at a teahouse and overheard a storyteller talking about the royal ships' upcoming voyage. So, she went inside, found a corner seat, and listened.
To be honest, Sang Qiqi was quite interested in the sea. Wei Yu had told her many things about it. She had also read some books about overseas countries; these books were commissioned by the founding emperor.
She had thought that if one day she truly couldn't bear the oppression any longer, she would seek out the country described in the story.
After Sang Qiqi sat down, the men also sat at a table not far from them. When the waiter brought tea to Sang Qiqi and the others, one of the men pretended to be stepped on by the waiter. While the waiter was arguing with the man, another man added something to the tea.
"Alright, third brother, what are you yelling about? It's just a little step. I don't think the second brother really stepped on it, so don't make things difficult for him. He's just busy, can't you understand?" The speaker was a square-faced man with thick eyebrows.
“Brother, I’ll listen to you.” The persistent, weasel-faced man said to the other man. He then turned to the waiter and said, “Alright, be careful when you walk next time. Bring us a pot of good tea later, Pu’er will do.”
The waiter glanced gratefully at the square-faced, thick-browed man before serving the tea to Sang Qiqi. Sang Qiqi, having witnessed the earlier commotion, felt uneasy. After Luo'er poured her the tea, Sang Qiqi hesitated to drink it for a long time.
Luo'er, however, didn't care about any of that. She had talked a lot today, so she was a little thirsty. Therefore, she quickly poured herself a bowl and drank it while blowing on it.
Just then, the storyteller on stage began to explain the purpose of the ship's voyage. Sang Qiqi was so engrossed in listening that she didn't stop Luo'er from drinking tea. By the time Sang Qiqi realized that much of the storyteller's tale was fabricated, Luo'er had already drunk two large bowls of tea.
Seeing that Luo'er was still acting as if nothing was wrong, chattering about where she was going and what she was going to do, Sang Qiqi chuckled, secretly blaming herself for being suspicious. She picked up her teacup, blew on it, and began to sip her tea.
The square-faced man, who had been watching everything closely, finally relaxed his tightly furrowed brows. Although Sang Qiqi had lowered her guard, she still didn't drink much tea. Mainly because the tea didn't suit her taste.
Sang Qiqi couldn't bear to listen to the storyteller's tale anymore, and she refused to drink any more tea. Seeing that Luo'er and the others had rested enough, Sang Qiqi got up and left with her entourage. The clever servant from the Wei household went to pay for the tea.
As soon as Sang Qiqi and her companions left, the men naturally followed. This scene was witnessed by Qi Ji, who had come out to relieve his boredom. He glanced at Sang Qiqi and, seeing that she was followed by people from the Wei family, paid her no further attention.
After leaving the alley, Luo'er led everyone straight to the Water Street. There was a large market there, with all sorts of local snacks and food. As a former resident of Yongzhou Prefecture, Luo'er naturally wouldn't miss such a place.
To get to the Water Street, you have to go through a long alley and then walk along the riverbank. That long alley is usually not very crowded. This is because the Water Street mainly caters to fishermen and merchant boats traveling on the Yong River.
The alley was long, with a section uphill. At the top of the slope, there were smaller alleys on either side for nearby residents to use. The men split into two groups and waited there. They had overheard Luo'er saying she was going to the water street when they left the teahouse.
Coincidentally, Qi Ji was also with two纨绔子弟 (playboys), planning to go to the water street to hunt for women. However, they were some distance away from Sang Qiqi and her companions. One of the纨绔子弟 even pointed at Sang Qiqi and made some comments.
"Look at that girl, so slender and graceful, her walk so elegant and serene. I wonder what kind of captivating face lies beneath that veil. Why don't we take the opportunity to go up and have a look?"
Qi Ji tapped the man's head with his folding fan, giving him a headache, and warned, "Don't even think about it. Didn't you see that the person following that girl is a servant from the Wei family? Are you trying to go against Wei Yu?"
Upon hearing Qi Ji's words, the纨绔 (playboy) patted his chest with a look of lingering fear and said, "Oh dear, thank goodness Brother Qi reminded me early. Otherwise, if I had offended that troublemaker, I would have been in real trouble."
As the man spoke, he bowed to Qi Ji and thanked him in a formal, scholarly manner. Qi Ji, thoroughly annoyed, walked past him and quickened his pace. It was precisely at this moment that Sang Qiqi and the others were attacked.
Fortunately, the servants of the Wei family were capable and managed to get Sang Qiqi to run over amidst the chaos. Faced with this sudden turn of events, Qi Ji and the others were at a loss for how to react.
After running only a few steps, Sang Qiqi felt extremely dizzy. She couldn't help but look back and saw that Luo'er was unconscious, being carried by a man into the alley on the left. Behind her, two men were about to grab her.
Sang Qiqi bit her tongue, trying to pull herself together. She ran with all her might towards Qi Ji and the others. Just as she was about to reach Qi Ji, he instinctively dodged to the side.
As luck would have it, Sang Qiqi tripped at that moment. She endured the pain in her hands, glared at Qi Ji, and tried to get up and continue running. Qi Ji, as if possessed, reached out and grabbed Sang Qiqi, picking up her veil and preparing to put it on her.
Because Sang Qiqi's face was simply too beautiful.
Just as Sang Qiqi was waving her hand to break free from Qi Ji's grip, the two men behind her finally caught up. They grabbed Sang Qiqi and threatened, "I advise you not to meddle in other people's business, otherwise..." The man gestured with his hand across his neck.
Qi Ji quickly let go of Sang Qiqi's hand, raised his hands and said, "We don't care, really. Please do as you please."
Upon hearing this, Sang Qiqi was not only disappointed but also quite angry. If Qi Ji hadn't interfered and pulled her back, she might have run out into the street to ask for help right now.