Chapter 99: Miss Shangguan, Please Maintain Your Composure! (Second Update)

When Fang Xu arrived at the inn where Qiu Chuji was staying, accompanied by Old Wu and Gu Bei, Qiu Chuji, having heard the news of Fang Xu’s return, hurriedly came downstairs. Upon seeing Fang Xu safe and sound, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Approaching Fang Xu, he couldn’t help but reproach him.

Now, Qiu Chuji was fully aware of everything. Even before Fang Xu and his companions arrived, the inn’s guests had been incessantly discussing matters concerning Fang Xu. Hearing this twisted Qiu Chuji’s heart with worry to the point that he wanted to set out and find Fang Xu himself. But naturally, the guards would never allow Qiu Chuji to leave, though they too were anxious inside. Still, with Old Wu by Fang Xu’s side, surely nothing would happen, right?

As Fang Xu and the others appeared inside the inn, the guests who were still whispering fell utterly silent. After all, who dared to speak ill in Fang Xu’s presence? It was well known that Fang Xu was a madman whom even the county magistrate would not hesitate to execute—no one dared provoke him.

Fang Xu paid no heed to the guests’ expressions, only casting an apologetic glance at Qiu Chuji. Indeed, he had taken a great risk this time. What would Qiu Chuji do if something had befallen him? Without someone to guide Qiu Chuji to meet Qin Suwen, the invention of gunpowder would have been impossible.

Behind Fang Xu, Old Wu and Gu Bei couldn’t help but smile faintly as they looked at Qiu Chuji and Fang Xu, marveling at their young master’s charm. He was simply irresistible to both men and women—there was no helping it.

Fang Xu then informed Qiu Chuji of the evening banquet they were to attend. Naturally, he made no mention of offending Murong Fu. Though Qiu Chuji felt uneasy, he understood that this was something Fang Xu had to do on his own.

For some reason, Qiu Chuji found himself wondering why he felt this way. Could it be that he was developing feelings for Fang Xu? That was absolutely impossible; even Qiu Chuji himself believed so. Yet, why was he so reluctant to let Fang Xu take such risks?

Lost in such thoughts, Fang Xu and Old Wu stood outside the inn’s door. Since Zhuge Jun had said he would come to welcome him, Fang Xu figured there was no need for further preparations.

Fang Xu had no intention of bringing many people along. The rest were assigned to protect Gu Bei and Qiu Chuji, while he entrusted his own safety to Old Wu. The Old Wu standing here now was a far cry from the lazy man of before. His eyes were sharp, and his entire presence exuded a fierce aura.

Old Wu fully understood that Fang Xu had entrusted his life to him. How could he remain the same as before? Moreover, Old Wu was well aware of the danger that awaited Fang Xu’s destination.

“Brother Fang, I truly apologize for keeping you waiting!” After a brief wait, a series of luxurious carriages pulled up before Fang Xu. Zhuge Jun stepped out of one of them. Fang Xu could not help but admire the Zhuge family’s wealth and resources. Just the sight of these carriages was enough to rival Qin Suwen’s dragon carriage.

“Brother Fang? Brother Fang? Aren’t you coming up?” Zhuge Jun waved at Fang Xu, who smiled wryly and nodded.

Before Fang Xu could respond, his arm was enveloped by something soft. Sensing the softness and a faint fragrance, Fang Xu could almost guess who it was.

As he tried to pull away, the grip tightened.

“Miss Shangguan, please restrain yourself,” Fang Xu said with a mixture of amusement and exasperation to Shangguan Lian, who seemed oblivious to his words.

“Brother Jun, let’s have Young Master Fang and Lian’er go together!” Without waiting for Fang Xu or Zhuge Jun to reply, Shangguan Lian tugged Fang Xu toward her carriage.

Unlike Zhuge Jun’s carriage, which radiated an overwhelming aura of dominance, Shangguan Lian’s carriage was filled with the spirit of a little girl.

The entire carriage was decorated in pink from end to end, even the two horses at the front were not spared. Their tails and heads were adorned with large and small butterfly bows, creating a look that was both comical and indescribable.

“Miss Shangguan! Please behave yourself! Please!” Fang Xu shouted, but Shangguan Lian was utterly unmoved.

This was the first time Fang Xu realized that a girl could possess such strength. Shangguan Lian’s delicate appearance was that of a refined young lady, yet who would have imagined such power?

“Call me Lian’er~” Shangguan Lian said coquettishly as she continued to pull Fang Xu along.

For some unknown reason, she reminded Fang Xu of a rough-and-tumble action figure from a past life—a tough tomboy.

“Lian… Lian’er, please behave! So many people are watching! It’s not good for a young lady’s reputation!” Fang Xu gestured toward the gathering villagers who were whispering among themselves.

“What are you looking at?! Never seen this before? Get lost!” To everyone’s surprise, Shangguan Lian suddenly snarled. Fang Xu was taken aback as she dragged him into the carriage.

The onlookers were equally stunned. Who would have thought such a gentle young lady could curse so fiercely?

“Heh, Brother Wu, please forgive my sister… Lian’er has always been this way,” Zhuge Jun said awkwardly to Old Wu, who merely twitched the corner of his mouth but did not comment.

Old Wu then boarded the carriage behind Zhuge Jun’s, which was closest to Fang Xu. This ensured that if anything untoward happened, he could act immediately. But in Old Wu’s eyes, who would dare lay a finger on Shangguan Lian? Only a fool would.

The convoy of carriages set off in grandeur, leaving the village behind. Fang Xu and Old Wu both remained vigilant, uncertain what surprises awaited them.

For now, all they could do was wait quietly.