Chapter 92

Chapter 92

A moment later, the dishes ordered by Meng Shuping’s table arrived, and he finally shifted his attention away from Fan Jianhui. Fan Jianhui let out a sigh of relief, grateful to be spared that irritating voice. Any longer, and he truly might have resorted to violence.

Jiang Cihe chuckled to himself, musing how Meng Shuping had managed to survive into adulthood without getting himself killed.

Completely oblivious to his narrow escape from a beating, Meng Shuping had barely taken a few bites when he noticed the performance downstairs had begun. He settled in to watch with keen interest.

This particular performance depicted a story about an incredibly arrogant general’s son. Believing his estate to be too small, he forcibly evicted the common residents living there.

"What? You have nowhere to live? What does that have to do with our young master? Didn't our young master pay you? Just go find another place to live!"

The actors playing commoners, facing the belligerent servants, seethed with unspoken anger. They could only lament, "But the meager sum you gave us isn't nearly enough!"

The servants' expressions immediately turned menacing. "What? Trying to extort our young master? You should be grateful for those few taels of silver! If you keep pestering us, don't blame us for reporting you!"

Most people, fearing the family's power and influence, reluctantly departed. Those who stubbornly refused were beaten severely and forcibly removed.

Watching this, the audience, though angered, managed to restrain themselves. After all, such incidents were common, though usually not this extreme. One simply endured.

However, as the plot unfolded, some audience members began slamming their tables in outrage. "Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"

The general’s son had committed more than just that one wicked deed. In another instance, he coveted a girl from a certain family and wished to take her as a concubine. When her family refused, he fabricated charges against them, forcing them to hand the girl over.

Yet, even after she was delivered, he showed her no affection. Instead, he delighted in whipping and tormenting her during their intimate moments. The girl’s younger brother, unable to bear his sister’s suffering, resolved to rescue her at any cost. However, just as he infiltrated the estate to free her, the young master discovered him. The young master then had the brother arrested on charges of breaking and entering.

They had hoped the official would come to their aid, but the girl’s brother had indeed violated the law by intruding into someone’s home with a weapon. Even if the official wished to help, he was bound to uphold the law.

At this point, the audience could no longer contain their fury. "Bah! A corrupt official aiding a tyrant!"

"Hold on, you can't say that. He was merely following the law; there's no fault to be found there."

"Even so, couldn't he have thoroughly investigated the entire situation before passing judgment?"

"The son of a powerful general—this official probably couldn't afford to offend him. Besides, even if he investigated thoroughly, the girl's brother still trespassed. Alas, there's nothing to be done."

"Hmph! This Hong fellow is too much! He deserves to be cut down!"

"What good would cutting him down do? Making him suffer the same torment would be far more satisfying!"

Since the story wasn't over, the audience, after their outburst, continued watching. The subsequent plot, however, brought immense satisfaction. Enraged by her brother's fate, the girl, in a fit of fury, stabbed the young master to death.

After the young master died and descended into the underworld, he endured further torment for the sins he committed in life.

The audience cheered enthusiastically. "Excellent! That's exactly what he deserved!"

"This Hong fellow got what was coming to him! He deserves to suffer even in the underworld!"

Unexpectedly, a young man suddenly slammed his fist on the table and rose to his feet. "Who wrote this nonsensical story?"

He instructed a waiter, "Get your manager out here. I want to ask him—who authorized such a play to be performed here?"

Meng Shuping leaned over to peer downstairs. [What’s his problem? What’s wrong with the plot?]

Seeing the commotion, the restaurant owner quickly appeared. He cautiously asked, "Young master, is there something about this play that displeases you?"

The young man snorted. "The person who wrote this play has ulterior motives! Never perform this here again!"

The others were astonished and began to rebuke him. "I think you're being overly domineering! If you don't want to watch, just leave. No one's forcing you. We, for one, enjoy it!"

"Exactly! Is this restaurant yours? Do you think you can just dictate everything? "

Seeing that someone dared to criticize him, the young man glared at them fiercely. "When I speak, who gave you the right to interrupt? If you don't want your tongues, I'll have them cut off!"

Immediately, several servants beside him stepped forward menacingly. The others quickly fell silent. This young man was so arrogant that he likely had powerful connections. They couldn’t afford to provoke him.

However, a few bolder men were unafraid. "Do you think we're easily intimidated? If you don't like it, get lost! Don't ruin it for everyone else!"

Meng Shuping echoed in his heart, [Exactly! How brutal! Threatening to cut out people’s tongues at the slightest provocation. Why doesn't he just deafen himself? Then he wouldn't have to hear things he doesn't like!]

[Wait, could he be identifying with that tyrannical young master? No wonder he's so furious. His domineering attitude is exactly the same!]

Hong Yucheng angrily looked up. Who was speaking so annoyingly?

But after scanning the room, he couldn't identify the speaker. Fuming, he signaled to his servants with a fiery glare. The servants immediately charged over aggressively. "Looks like you’re tired of living…"

Before he could finish, the big man swung an arm, sending the servant stumbling. Infuriated, the servant immediately charged back, engaging the big man in a brawl.

However, the big man clearly had the upper hand. Before long, the servant was beaten into a frantic retreat. Seeing his servant defeated, Hong Yucheng took a step back and blustered with a show of bravado, "If you have the guts, don’t leave!"

The big man showed no fear. "I’ll be right here waiting!"

Hong Yucheng flung his sleeve and stormed out.

Meng Shuping glanced downstairs. [Did he just leave without paying? Did he run off to avoid the bill?]

Hong Yucheng stiffened. Who was avoiding the bill? How offensive! Hmph! Once he called for backup, none of those who mocked him would escape!

Watching Hong Yucheng leave, Meng Shuping was full of anticipation. [I wonder who he’ll bring back. But with the Emperor here, no one can save him, right?]

Fan Jianhui’s eyes lit up. Hadn’t he just been fretting about how to gain the Emperor’s favor? Here was the perfect opportunity. As long as he stepped in to stop Hong Yucheng when he returned to cause trouble, the contrast would surely leave a deep impression on the Emperor.

A while later, the main door of the restaurant was violently flung open. Hong Yucheng swaggered in with a large group of people, radiating arrogance. He sneered and looked at the big man. "Well, well! You’ve got nerve, actually staying put! Men, seize him!"

Just when he thought nothing could go wrong this time, someone from upstairs shouted, "Hold it!"

Hong Yucheng glared furiously toward the second floor. Who else was so blind as to interfere at a time like this?

The people who had accompanied Fan Jianhui to the restaurant watched in surprise as he stood up and headed downstairs. They hurried after him. What was Master Fan planning? This Hong Yucheng was not someone to be trifled with.

Meng Shuping was also astonished. [Huh? What’s he doing? Going down to fight? But there are so many on the other side—he probably can’t win.]

[Maybe he plans to use reason? But he can’t even out-argue Meng Shuyang. Will he end up crying after being scolded?]

Fan Jianhui clenched his fist. Who would cry? Just watch him reduce Hong Yucheng to tears!

As Fan Jianhui approached him with an angry expression, Hong Yucheng sneered. "Well, if it isn’t Master Fan. What, are you here to meddle in others’ business?"

Fan Jianhui didn’t mince words either. "I say, Hong Yucheng, this restaurant isn’t yours. Why do you think you can do whatever you want? If you love ordering people around so much, why not open your own restaurant?"

Meng Shuping cheered inwardly. [Exactly! Even if he wants to watch chest-crushing stunts in his own restaurant, no one would care. Why is he causing a scene here?]

[Go on, Master Fan! Channel the spirit you use when picking on me and take him on! Fight! Fight!]