stingy landlady

Chapter 236 Gui Hong's Troubles (3)

Du Teng chuckled and agreed:

"That's right! Our young master is a pure and upright gentleman in the prefectural city, a man of impeccable character! How could a woman from this small county town be worthy of him!"

Besides, she's just a girl who grew up in the village and doesn't know anything! Hehehe!

Young Master Du's face darkened, and he glanced sideways at Du Teng, saying:

"Hmph! Even having food can't shut you up! Have you taken a fancy to those two girls? Using my money to curry favor with beauties?"

"Two girls, and they want to eat or buy whatever they want! Humph!"

"Heaven and earth bear witness! Wherever you go, young master, I will go! This is all so that I can ask them for favors and make things easier for you!"

"My lord! That's why I'm in your service today! If those two maids hadn't cooperated, we wouldn't have even been able to get into the Beauty Pavilion. Let alone have any beauties to dine with!"

Upon hearing Du Teng's explanation, Young Master Du then said:

"You're a smart kid!"

When Madam Zhou heard her servants report that a young man had indeed come out of the Lirenfang (beauty brothel), she angrily began to scold:

"A woman from a humble family, unable to walk past a man! My sister-in-law has misled me! Such a woman is not worthy of my son, yet she dares to flirt with other men!"

"Go and fetch the second young master immediately! I want to see what Wang Guihong has to say this time!"

Upon hearing from Madam Zhou that Guihong had been alone with a strange man, Zhou Shaoyu had his doubts, but still defended Guihong:

“Mother! Guihong is a businesswoman, it’s normal for her to meet strangers! Mother, don’t belittle yourself! Now that we’ve chosen Guihong, there’s no need for us to be suspicious!”

Madam Zhou looked at Zhou Shaoyu and said angrily:

"I don't know what kind of spell Wang Guihong has cast on you. She comes from a humble family, doesn't know the rules, and refuses to be taught by the nanny. So, I'll listen to you and bear with it for now."

Even now, you don't believe what Granny Zhou and the servants saw with their own eyes! Once that hat is put on you, I think it will be too late for you to regret it!

That kind of woman doesn't understand manners at all, and she lives alone. Her parents must be clueless too; she should at least have an elder with her!

A single, unmarried woman living alone is the kind of woman every man would want! Flies don't land on eggs without cracks, especially not on a man of bad character!

"My son! Listen to your mother! I would never harm you, but Wang Guihong is absolutely unacceptable!"

Zhou Shaoyu tried his best to gain Mrs. Zhou's understanding:

“Mother! I’ll go ask Guihong! We need to get an explanation from her! We can’t be so stubborn! Mother! What if Guihong can explain it clearly?”

"Fine, fine! Shaoyu! You're such a stubborn mule! You won't shed a tear until you see the coffin! Then go and listen to Wang Guihong's explanation!"

"Hmph! I also want to know what makes her so good at toying with my son! What makes my son so devoted to her!"

The mother and son parted on bad terms.

Zhou Shaoyu calmed himself down and the next day, he pretended to be nonchalant and asked his sister to invite Guihong out.

Gui Hong had gone to the theater with the Zhou siblings last time and attracted the attention of Young Master Du. She was secretly displeased; what was so fun about him if he didn't focus on his business?

Gui Hong figured it wasn't like she couldn't see Zhou Shaoyu; if she really missed him, she could see him anytime at the bookstore. Therefore, she refused to let the Zhou siblings go out to play!

Zhou Shaoyu was anxious, but Gui Hong refused to come out. Having received a good upbringing since childhood, he couldn't very well force her to go to her door and ask her questions.

Gui Hong wasn't stupid. Seeing Miss Zhou's repeated invitations, she guessed that Zhou Shaoyu wanted to see her. That's why, after the Lirenfang bookstore closed that day, she dressed up and went to the bookstore with two maids.

Who would have thought that he would run into a rogue at the entrance of the bookstore? It was none other than the county magistrate's brother-in-law, who had been drinking a little! A few days ago, he was beaten up by Young Master Du for harassing a respectable woman.

He'd finally recovered from his injuries and went out for a stroll. He'd just had a few drinks, and the alcohol was really taking effect when he saw Gui Hong, all dressed up! You'd think that little tyrant would have learned his lesson.

But Gui Hong's timing is also wrong! During this time, brothels and prostitutes also start putting on makeup and going to work.

Gui Hong didn't understand these things. Her main purpose in coming today was to ask Zhou Shaoyu what important matter he had that made him repeatedly ask Miss Zhou to make an appointment with her.

As fate would have it, they ran into this drunken little tyrant.

Zhou Shaoyu heard Gui Hong's angry shouts from the doorway of the bookstore. Still somewhat angry with Gui Hong, he said to the servant:

“This Gui Hong! I’ve spoken up for her in front of my mother time and time again, just wanting to ask her out to find out what really happened, but she keeps making excuses and refuses to come.”

Listen to this! She's brought the trouble she caused at the Lirenfang bookstore to my shop! She only remembered her fiancé when she ran into trouble!

"Hmph! What do you take me for!"

Gui Hong mistakenly believed that Zhou Shaoyu was not at the bookstore, so she kept dealing with Xiao Bawang.

"Young master! The owner of this bookstore is Zhou Shaoyu, the second young master! Unfortunately, I am the betrothed of the second young master Zhou!"

Please forgive me, young master! I am already engaged and cannot go with you. I hope that, for the sake of the Zhou family, I can go into the bookstore to speak with Young Master Zhou.

Little Tyrant laughed heartily:

"Such a beautiful young lady! Whose wife do you think you are? Don't you even know the time of day before coming to meet your lover!"

Haha! Your lover is probably laughing at you from inside the house!

Gui Hong disagreed with what the little tyrant said and shouted:

"Young Master Zhou is no coward! Do not insult Young Master Zhou!"

Zhou Shaoyu was somewhat tempted by these words and was about to open the door to protect Gui Hong. Unexpectedly, the shopkeeper stopped him at this moment:

"Second Young Master, you mustn't! Do you know that the man outside is the county magistrate's brother-in-law!"

As the saying goes, "The common people can't fight with officials, Second Young Master! We are still merchants, and the Eldest Young Master is at a crucial time preparing for the imperial examinations. We mustn't cause him any trouble!"

Zhou Shaoyu hesitated for a moment, and the servant came up and hugged Zhou Shaoyu, saying:

"Second Young Master! Miss Wang's arrival at this hour is suspicious! Second Young Master! The shopkeeper is right; we mustn't let a small matter cause us to lose a bigger one!"

The two grabbed Zhou Shaoyu, who couldn't break free, so he had no choice but to listen to Gui Hong and the Little Tyrant's maneuvering.

"Hey! I say, little beauty, it seems that Young Master Zhou's fiancée is going to be my concubine!"

"Could it be you, my beauty? Then I'll have to go find your parents! Since you'd already promised yourself to me, why are you also betrothed to the Zhou family? A woman betrothed to two husbands? This deserves a beating!"

Gui Hong's face turned red with anger, and she said:

“Young master! My daughter has not been betrothed to anyone as a concubine! Please be careful with your words! My daughter’s engagement to Young Master Zhou was arranged by matchmakers and our parents!”

Young Master Du and Du Teng were on their way to Gui Hong's place for a free meal when they heard Gui Hong's loud scolding voice. They were puzzled, but then heard Gui Hong continue:

"Young master, please have some self-respect! I'm going to the bookstore, please let me pass!"