After Transmigrating, My Younger Brother Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 21
Song Heng had just closed his umbrella and was about to step inside when he caught a glimpse of a figure darting through the alleyway in his peripheral vision.
Without betraying any reaction, he withdrew his foot and, under the nearly stopped rain, turned to follow the direction the figure had fled.
Meanwhile, in the main hall of the Sun and Moon Inn, a sudden commotion erupted.
The cacophony of voices arguing back and forth gave Zhu Zhenzhen a splitting headache.
Ever since she took over managing the accounts, she had become one of the three proprietors of the Sun and Moon Inn, effectively a minor owner.
Under her management, conflicts and disputes within the inn had steadily decreased. By the previous month, disturbances had become rare, occurring only once every two months.
Yet this month alone had already seen six such incidents.
The figure who had been leisurely ascending the stairs to rest had no choice but to turn back. She stomped down the wooden steps with a hint of anger, as if trying to break them.
Honestly, can’t a person get a moment’s peace?
Downstairs, the crowd had split into three factions two opposing sides locked in heated argument, and a third group of onlookers watching the spectacle. The noise escalated, reaching the point where fists were pounding on tables.
The sandalwood table trembled slightly, threatening to collapse, and Zhu Zhenzhen’s heart clenched in response.
Her face hardened with a fierce expression as she rolled up her sleeves and forcefully wedged herself between the two men, separating them nose-to-nose.
The commotion subsided slightly at her arrival.
With a voice that could shatter glass, she bellowed, What’s all this racket? This isn’t a marketplace! If you’re here to haggle over vegetables, take it outside! Can’t a person run a business in peace?
Third Proprietress, you be the judge! He started it by insulting us! A stubble-faced man immediately pointed at his opponent and shouted.
Zhu Zhenzhen frowned and followed his gesture to a Purple-Robed Man. He and his entourage of profligate young masters had ordered a lavish spread of wine and delicacies.
The purple-robed man clapped his fan against his palm, a hint of disdain in his eyes. What insults? Tell me what I said.
The stubble-faced man stammered, his face flushing crimson. He stiffened his neck and repeated, Apologize to us first!
Apologize? For what? I merely spoke the truth.
His entourage erupted in unrestrained laughter.
The stubble-faced man, his anger boiling over, struggled to articulate his words, nearly stuttering. You’re bullying us because we’re Hu People! Accusing us of coming here to steal secrets! Saying we’re no different from born villains!
Right, the Purple-Robed Man said casually, crossing his legs. Isn’t that the truth? The Son of Heaven, the ruler of Great Sheng, has been so bewitched by you foreigners that he’s lost his way. How dare you claim you’re not here to steal our secrets?
Laughter erupted once more.
Everyone knew the Son of Heaven had recently taken countless foreign beauties into his harem—royal princesses, concubines, and even lowly dancers. His only requirement was that they be foreign-born.
But that was no excuse to humiliate foreigners. The Purple-Robed Man was clearly engaging in blatant discrimination.
The Sun and Moon Inn was filled with guests from all corners of the empire. If Zhu Zhenzhen didn’t handle this properly, she risked alienating her patrons. Besides, she couldn’t tolerate such troublemakers causing a scene in her establishment.
After quickly assessing the situation, Zhu Zhenzhen regained her composure. This was easily resolved.
She turned to the Purple-Robed Man and said, Apologize.
The man’s small eyes narrowed as he sized her up, a mocking smirk on his face. Oh, look, he sneered. The Sun and Moon Inn has its own foreign beauty. No wonder she became the proprietress.
The onlookers who sensed danger fell silent.
To dare mock even the Third Proprietress—this man must have a death wish!
His sleeve was tugged three times. Behind him, several young dandies shook their heads, signaling him to stop talking.
The Purple-Robed Man yanked his sleeve and bellowed, What’s there to hide? Isn’t it obvious she’s using her looks to…
The onlookers gasped.
Question Why have troublemakers at the Sun and Moon Inn dwindled since she took over? Because…
She really knows how to throw a punch.
Zhu Zhenzhen crouched slightly and unleashed a swift, powerful punch to his jaw. The single blow sent him staggering backward, dazed and disoriented. He stumbled several steps before steadying himself by grabbing onto a table and chairs.
She barely needed to exert any effort to deal with this weakling.
The Purple-Robed Man felt a sharp impact on his jaw. After a moment of stunned silence, he felt a cold trickle down his face. Two streams of bl00d gushed from his nostrils, and his gums throbbed with pain.
For the past three years, Zhu Zhenzhen had invested heavily in martial arts manuals for that ridiculous martial arts tournament. Though most were filled with scams and useless tricks, she diligently practiced the fundamentals day and night.
She hadn’t mastered many techniques, but she could manage a few basic moves.
Wiping the bl00d from his nose, the Purple-Robed Man lunged forward to teach her a lesson, only to be easily intercepted by Zhu Zhenzhen.
She crouched low, extended her long leg, and swept his ankle with a swift, brutal kick. Tripped, the Purple-Robed Man crashed to the ground, his head slamming against the floor. He clutched his head, silent for a moment.
The group of pampered young masters had initially moved to help the fallen man, but they timidly withdrew their hands when Zhu Zhenzhen approached.
Zhu Zhenzhen kicked him again in the abdomen, and the man at her feet immediately turned ashen. Great Sheng is a land of propriety, embracing all rivers. Even the Holy Emperor treats foreigners with respect. By what right do you presume to criticize others?
She stepped forward, her gold-threaded slippers barely touching his hand, and threatened, Apologize.
As Zhu Zhenzhen increased the pressure with her foot, the Purple-Robed Man gritted his teeth, enduring for only a quarter of an hour before finally succumbing to the pain. A reluctant apology spilled from his lips.
The surrounding crowd erupted in cheers.
Zhu Zhenzhen withdrew her leg and waved Lu Yin over. Clear the bills for these startled guests. She shifted her gaze, her words drifting lightly over the group of young masters. And these expenses… shall be covered by you gentlemen, shall they?
Her eyes held a smile, posing the question as if it were a genuine inquiry, yet there was no room for negotiation. At the Sun and Moon Inn, fairness is our guiding principle.
Lu Yin stepped forward with the ledger, seemingly oblivious as he accidentally stepped on the man on the ground. After a two-second wail, he feigned surprise, apologized, and moved his foot.
He meticulously checked the food on the table, maliciously adding a few extra taels to their bill.
They dared not refuse, settling the bill with faces as sour as if they’d swallowed fly droppings.
Song Heng didn’t return until the third watch of the night.
The streets were deserted as he slowly entered the Sun and Moon Inn, carrying his now-dry umbrella.
The lobby was empty, a sight that didn’t surprise him. He climbed the stairs, preparing to retire for the night.
As he removed his robes, his mind remained preoccupied with the news he’d received that evening. His thoughts were so deeply entrenched that he didn’t even notice the knock on his door.
Who would be looking for me at this hour? Song Heng slowly fastened the thin, misty-gray lotus-patterned sash he’d just removed.
Only after smoothing the last wrinkle from his lapels did he leisurely open the door.
The moment he opened it, Song Heng concealed his impatience deep within his eyes, maintaining his usual facade of a jade-like complexion and the graceful bearing of a refined young gentleman.
Yet he couldn’t be bothered to force a smile. His tone was as flat as still water, and without even glancing at the person before him, he said, The night grows late. Unless you have urgent news…
Song Heng’s words carried a thinly veiled implication Get lost.
But when he heard the person before him speak, the underlying concern in her words made his back unconsciously straighten a little.
Song Heng, it’s nothing urgent. I just… you didn’t come home all night, and I happened to be awake. When I heard you return, I brought you some pastries.
Zhu Zhenzhen held a porcelain plate in both hands, its surface laden with melt-in-your-mouth Golden Floss Pastry. Seeing him look at her, she extended the plate slightly.
These porcelain dishes, designed specifically for pastries, were more ornamental than practical, surprisingly heavy to hold.
After all the time he’d spent tidying up inside, he’d left her standing outside in the cold wind, holding this heavy plate.
Song Heng’s lips tightened slightly. He stepped aside, creating space for Zhu Zhenzhen to enter the room.
The corridor outside was pitch-black, with only a single lamp flickering dimly in the distance. Cobwebs clung to the lampstand, and the red candle, long unreplenished, flickered erratically, threatening to extinguish at any moment.
Zhu Zhenzhen set the pastries on the table and was about to sit down when she noticed he was still standing by the open door, unmoving. Assuming he wanted to rest, she hesitated no longer, lifted her skirt, and turned to leave.
As she reached the door, it creaked shut, denying her exit.
Zhu Zhenzhen didn’t immediately understand his meaning but sat back down anyway.
What did you do today? Why are you back so late? she asked.
I met up with some brothers and got delayed on the way back, he replied.
Zhu Zhenzhen didn’t suspect anything. Song Heng had been frequently going out lately, often disappearing for half the day.
She nodded. That’s good.
Picking up a pastry from the porcelain plate, she popped it into her mouth and said slowly, This Golden Floss Pastry is a new dish from the kitchen today. I thought it was quite good and knew you’d like it, so I saved some for you.
Over the years they’d spent together, Zhu Zhenzhen had noticed Song Heng’s fondness for sweets, though he never explicitly mentioned it. Whenever desserts were served, he couldn’t help but reach for one piece after another.
As expected, after just one bite, Song Heng’s eyes lit up with delight.
If you like it, have more, Zhu Zhenzhen said. We’re leaving in a couple of days. If they don’t sell this in the Capital, you won’t get to eat it again. She added, It’s a good thing we’re leaving soon. Lately, the inn has been attracting troublemakers, and I’m really tired of dealing with them.
Song Heng’s hand paused slightly. More troublemakers today? he asked.
Exactly! I don’t know where all these young masters from noble families are coming from. They all carry their noses in the air and barely deign to look at commoners.
Though small, a sparrow has all its vital organs. Bian City was much the same, but ever since the upheaval at Song Manor, the once-friendly noble families had relocated to other towns, and some had even moved to the Capital, fearing implication in the Song Manor’s downfall.
The number of noble young masters in Bian City should have been dwindling.
As Song Heng pondered this, Zhu Zhenzhen continued, But you’re different. Born into the prestigious Yuxiu family, you remain humble and kind. Your talents are reserved and understated. Even after such a major upheaval, you’ve retained your gentle, virtuous, and frugal nature.
Song Heng’s fingers twitched slightly. Are these qualities she’s describing really me? he wondered inwardly.
Humble and kind? Gentle, virtuous, and frugal? Reserved and understated? Which of these traits truly applied to him?
In his previous life, he had been recklessly extravagant, abusing his family’s influence to boss others around. It was only after the Song Manor’s downfall that the once arrogant young master had begun to change.
Zhu Zhenzhen’s eyes, brimming with trust, made it difficult for him to meet her gaze.