Chapter 108: The Young Master Grows Up (Part 43)

Chapter 108: The Young Master Grows Up (Part 43)

Xu Zeping's pace faltered, but he did not turn back. He said calmly, "My cousin lost because he was not as skilled as Young Master Jian."

With that, Xu Zeping walked straight toward the inn.

Gao Yan and the other knew that Xu Zeping did not want to provoke trouble, so they followed him.

Seeing that Xu Zeping did not get angry, Jian Zixin couldn't help but curse, "A spineless wimp!"

Huang Qi, knowing who Young Master Jian was cursing, immediately raised his voice, sounding very smug. "Young Master Xu, your cousin made a bet with Young Master Jian, and the loser has to withdraw from this year's imperial examinations, oh~"

Xu Zeping clenched his fists. This Xu Zebo really dared to make any bet! At his age, if he didn't use his brain, it might as well be fed to the dogs.

"Xu Zebo, you've had enough of living!"

Xu Zeping stormed up to the fourth floor, pushed open the door, and startled Xu Zebo, nearly making him stick a willow branch down his throat.

Hearing Xu Zeping call out his name without regard for seniority, Xu Zebo grew furious and was about to retort when he saw Xu Zeping's livid face. Instantly, he felt a pang of fear. Could it be that he had offended his younger cousin?

Feeling panicked, Xu Zebo showed a hint of cowardice. "Younger cousin, why are you so angry early in the morning?"

"Why am I so angry?" Xu Zeping's eyes were sharp. "Shouldn't you ask yourself what you did yesterday?"

Xu Zebo, seeing his cousin bring up yesterday's events, felt a sense of dread, his voice growing more timid. "No, no, I didn't do anything."

"Didn't do anything? Even now, you still want to lie to me?" Xu Zeping became even angrier. "Before we left, didn't Ah'Yan tell us to focus on the exams and avoid trouble? And yet, you went to the red-light district to make bets with others? Are you trying to get us all killed?"

Hearing this, Xu Zebo realized the situation was exposed and his gaze wavered. "I... I didn't mean to harm you. If it weren't for Jian Zixin insulting you and Li first, we wouldn't have challenged them to a couplet contest. Besides, even if I lost tonight, only I would have to withdraw from the preliminary exams, not you."

"You fool!" Xu Zeping was livid. "Let them insult us; it's not like it would hurt us physically. What matters is getting onto the preliminary exam list! Do you realize this is Jian Zixin's territory? If you lose and can't participate in the exams, where will we find someone to vouch for us?"

Xu Zeping's words made Xu Zebo pale. Only then did he realize the gravity of the situation.

Gao Yan and the other feared the brothers might fight, so they hurried after Xu Zeping. However, due to Xu Zeping's anger, they arrived a few steps behind.

Upon entering the room, they saw Xu Zebo crouching on the ground, holding his head, looking like a scolded child despite being a grown man.

He looked pitiful.

They wanted to console him but were silenced by Xu Zeping's fierce gaze.

This was the first time they had seen Xu Zeping lose his temper!

Indeed, Prefecture City was Jian Zixin's territory. If he targeted them, eighty percent of the people would distance themselves to please Judge Jian.

Without anyone to vouch for them, their fate would be sealed—just a trip to Prefecture City, wasting time, energy, and money for Jiangdong and the others.

Thinking about this, Xu Zebo felt even more guilty. Why had he been so impulsive?

If only he had listened to his cousin and stayed in the inn.

"Jixiang, go invite Young Master Jiang and the others upstairs."

Jixiang, seeing the seriousness, quickly complied and closed the door behind him upon leaving.

The situation was grave, and Jixiang did not dare delay. In no time, he brought Jiangdong and Liu Wenran to the room where Xu Zeping and Xu Zebo were staying.

Everyone was present. At Xu Zeping's gesture, Jixiang served hot tea to the five and then respectfully left.

This was the first time Jixiang felt the same pressure from Young Master Ping as he did from Young Master Li.

Xu Zeping put down his teacup and tried to keep his tone calm. "Brother Jiang, neither Ah'Yan nor I went to the red-light district yesterday. Can you tell us what happened before you encountered Jian Zixin?"

Hearing Xu Zeping's words, Jiangdong and the others understood that yesterday's events were already known.

They felt awkward for a moment, wanting to see Xu Zebo's reaction, but he kept his head down, silent.

Jiangdong cleared his throat and said, "Yesterday, it was partly my fault..."

Jiangdong was a typical rich heir, spoiled and carefree, with no pressure as an only son.

Though married young, his wife came from the magistrate's family in Heluo County, and her strict upbringing made her manage him tightly.

Jiangdong was unhappy, but his parents approved of his wife's methods, forcing him to curb his philandering ways at home.

Now in Prefecture City, he felt like a bird set free.

Eager for freedom, he persuaded them to visit the red-light district, saying every scholar should experience the company of courtesans.

The courtesans in Prefecture City were renowned for their talents!

Gao Yan, short on funds, refused no matter how much Jiangdong urged him.

But Xu Zebo and Liu Wenran had some spare cash and couldn't resist Jiangdong's persuasion, so they went along.

Since they decided to visit the red-light district, they naturally chose the most famous place in Prefecture City—the Qianqing Pavilion!

It was said that one could not sleep with the courtesan of Qianqing Pavilion even for a hundred taels of silver.

However, if one could impress her with talent, she would come willingly without payment.

Every scholar coming here for the exams was confident in their abilities.

Thus, scholars flocked to the Qianqing Pavilion in waves.

When Xu Zebo and his two companions arrived at Qianqing Pavilion, it was hosting its annual couplet competition!

Ten people formed a group, each group competing against one another...

The final winner would be able to spend the night with the courtesan of Qianqing Pavilion.

Although Xu Zebo had been dragged here to see the world, he still remembered that he was married, so he refused to pay the registration fee and participate in the competition.

"Come on, Brother Xu, just pay the fee?" Jiangdong nudged Xu Zebo. "With so many people, you might not even win. Why not give it a try?"

Just as Jiangdong was persuading him, a mocking voice floated over: "They say that the Xu family of Qingshui Town in Huahu Prefecture has produced a scholar of great virtue and maintains excellent family morals. But I see it's all just talk. At least this coward before me disgraces the Xu name. He can't even muster the courage to join a simple couplet competition; truly shameful!"