The commotion grew louder and louder.
Looking at this group of fierce-looking brutes, the talented men and beautiful women shrank back timidly.
Quite a few people looked toward the Prime Minister's Son, urging him with their eyes.
Weren't you usually so chivalrous? Why are you keeping silent now?
Han Lin pretended not to see anything and quietly remained seated.
Status was useful sometimes, but at other times, it was actually no use at all.
For example... when a scholar encountered soldiers and had no way to reason with them.
You could try to explain your background and reason with them, but they only wanted to slap you across the face.
Why stick your head out, then? Did you think your face was particularly tough?
Seeing that the Prime Minister's Son was useless, some clever people hurried toward the inner courtyard.
By this point, the situation had completely exceeded their expectations.
The most important thing now was to quickly invite someone who could handle this matter!
At this grand gathering, the Eldest Miss of the Chen Family had always been in charge of hosting.
She was the only one who could resolve their current predicament, right?
Su Qing was in no hurry. His sharp gaze swept over everyone one by one.
He was waiting for someone, and also checking whether there were any unruly people.
If there were, he would be delighted to give them a little lesson.
Unfortunately, having learned from what happened before, these talented men kept their mouths shut.
Wherever his gaze reached, no one dared meet his eyes.
Clearly, they all understood the principle that a wise man did not fight when the odds were against him.
Just as he was beginning to feel bored, a wave of commotion came from afar and gradually drew closer.
The talented men and beautiful women raised their heads one after another, their faces lighting up as if they had found their backbone.
At that moment, their spines seemed to straighten considerably as well.
Su Qing paid no attention to them. His gaze studied the figure walking over from a distance.
She was a classical beauty with a gentle, refined air.
Her skin was fair, even somewhat pale, as though she had not seen sunlight in a long time.
Her features were exquisite, with slender willow brows and pale-pink lips. Overall, she looked delicate and frail.
Her petite figure was wrapped in a proper, pale-blue long dress, and she walked with an unhurried, graceful pace.
This bookish young woman was the Chen Family's pearl—the number one talented woman in the capital.
Although she might not have been older than everyone present, no one failed to respect her.
It was not only her talent that earned their respect. Her delicate, willow-like bearing also inspired considerable sympathy.
The moment Chen Chu Ci appeared, she was instantly met with the attention of countless stars gathered around the moon.
The talented men who had still been shrinking back moments ago now straightened their backs as if they had been injected with stimulants.
They looked united against a common enemy, and seemed only one step away from charging forward to take a few slaps for her sake.
Clearly, the appearance of this popular talented woman had directly bolstered everyone's morale.
They seemed to have found their backbone and were now fearless.
Qin Lan Shan looked at her best friend, lowering her eyes slightly as she felt somewhat inferior.
Before anything had happened to the Tang State Residence, the two of them had gotten along quite happily.
Afterward, she had no time to meet her again.
Yet this former best friend remained as dazzling as ever.
But what about herself?
She was now merely the Daughter of a Convicted Official. Their statuses were worlds apart.
"What, is being my slave something to be ashamed of? Hold your head high!"
Su Qing seemed to have noticed something and quietly reprimanded the Shopkeeper beside him.
There was indeed a thick barrier between the two of you now.
The only difference was that you were inside it while she was outside. Don't get that mixed up.
Qin Lan Shan's wandering mind was called back, and she instinctively raised her head.
She felt inferior not because she had become her master's slave, but because of what had happened to her family.
Her master had brought her out with him. She could not possibly make him lose face!
Chu Ci... Hmm?
The Shopkeeper watched her best friend walking toward them and slightly furrowed her brows.
Why did it feel as though something was wrong with Chu Ci?
Her face was cold, and there was none of her usual gentle smile.
Was it because they had disturbed her?
But why did the way she looked at her seem to be filled with unfamiliarity?
The eyes that had once shone with brilliance had now become extremely hollow.
It was almost as if... someone were controlling her.
At that thought, Qin Lan Shan was startled. She instinctively looked at the youth beside her.
"What does Young Master Su mean by this? Does the Realm Protectorate really intend to run rampant in the capital?"
"Or has the Realm Protectorate already decided to go to war with the Chen Family?"
Chen Chu Ci completely ignored her former best friend and questioned him in an icy voice.
"I'm merely acting impartially. I suspect that you are harboring remnants of the Heavenly Principles Sect here."
"Talented Woman of Chen Family, you don't mind if I conduct a thorough search, do you?"
Su Qing had no intention of exchanging pleasantries and got straight to the point.
"What if I say no? You intend to search the Chen Family—"
Before Chen Chu Ci could finish speaking, she was cleanly interrupted.
"If you refuse, that means you have a guilty conscience. Then I have even more reason to search."
"The first person I'll detain and search is you. Talented Woman of Chen Family, prepare yourself."
Su Qing had no interest in listening to such empty formalities. He smiled as he spoke.
His voice was not loud, but it carried an overbearing force that allowed no refusal.
It could even be said to be... completely unreasonable!
He had no evidence at all, yet he had come to search someone else's residence—and would not even give them a chance to argue back!
Not only that, he even said he was going to detain her.
Such reckless behavior instantly caused an uproar.
The talented men who had still been shrinking back moments ago stepped forward, intending to argue their case.
Unfortunately, before they could say anything, the brutes in front of them pressed them directly to the ground.
Those shouting loudly had their mouths forcibly covered, and every face was filled with towering rage.
In front of their goddess, they had all transformed into generous, righteous champions, wishing only that they could relieve her burden.
"Talented Woman of Chen Family, that's settled. If you have any objections, tell me later."
"Preferably tell me privately. Otherwise, I'm afraid I might forget."
As Su Qing spoke, he placed his hand on the talented woman's somewhat slender shoulder.
He did not actually do anything, merely helping straighten her slightly disheveled collar.
"Ah!!"
"Shameless thief, let her go!"
"If you have a problem, come at me! What kind of skill is it to bully a weak woman?!"
The talented men who could still speak glared until their eyes nearly split and shouted furiously.
They wanted to rush forward and rescue her, but were pressed down effortlessly.
At that moment, they could only watch helplessly as their flawless goddess was defiled by someone else.
Their mouths were swiftly stuffed with rags, leaving them able to make only muffled sounds.
Some had tears welling in their eyes because the people restraining them were too rough.
Su Qing looked around at the scene of utter misery, feeling rather strange.
Were they thinking something like, I'm really useless. I can't protect anything?
Yes, the sight before him could practically be called a grand gathering of cuckolded victims.
After this, he had truly become the great villain.
And at that very moment, a sudden change occurred.
Before you continue