MCUS Chapter 104

“It’s not your fault,” Huangfu Yuchen patted his head. “It was within my expectations that other countries would take action against bicycles. I had made arrangements in advance, so rest assured.”

Wei Hao asked who among these martial artists was the leader. Fortunately, that person was still alive. He left only the leader behind and ordered his men to closely guard him while he received medical treatment. He would find time to interrogate him in detail after, and then kill the others. Finally, he instructed his subordinates to dig graves on the spot for the fallen soldiers before walking over to Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen.

“Thank you, young heroes, for lending a hand. May I inquire about your esteemed names?” Wei Hao asked.

Huangfu Yuchen revealed the name he had casually taken before. “I am Luo Fang, and this is my wife, Zhang Yang.”

“So, you are Young Hero Luo and Madam Luo. I am General Wei Hao, commander of the cavalry,” Wei Hao introduced himself. “Thanks to your assistance, we have averted a disaster for Great Han. I am deeply grateful. We still have important matters to attend to, so we shall depart first.”

Huangfu Yuchen noticed that Wei Hao was cautious when it came to him and Yan Ge, and he admired Wei Hao’s prudence. He nodded and said, “General Wei, please go ahead.”

Wei Hao mounted his horse, saluted the two, and led his horsemen to swiftly ride away.

“They will be safe once they reach Pengzhou,” Huangfu Yuchen said to Yan Ge. “Let’s start our journey as well.”

The three of them mounted their horses and rode for a mile before Yan Ge suddenly remembered something. He turned his head to Yan Ge and said, “Papa, we forgot to punish Father.”

Huangfu Yuchen’s ears twitched, and he urged his horse to run faster.

Yan Ge quickly chased after him and said, “Zirui, don’t run away. You lost the competition, and we have to punish you!”

“Catch up to me first, then we’ll talk!” Huangfu Yuchen laughed heartily.

When they arrived in Fancheng, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen dismounted and led their horses into the city.

As they traveled further south, the weather became warmer, and the scenery grew more vibrant and enchanting. With willows wafting in the breeze, emerald curtains swaying, clouds circling sandy riverbanks, and countless houses scattered around, Fancheng in March resembled a painted paradise. Pedestrians weaved through the streets, dressed brightly. Some youth played with birdcages to entertain, while children threw sandbags in play. Young masters waved fans and recited elegant poems, while women wore veils to seek exquisite garments. Gambling houses and wine shops were filled with bustling noise, and red and blue pavilions echoed with tender whispers. If the imperial capital was likened to a noble son, then Fancheng was a playboy exuding a distinct charm, prosperous yet extravagant.

Yan Ge, who had stayed in the imperial capital for a long time, found it refreshing. He said to Huangfu Yuchen, “As you said, when we come to Fancheng, we don’t need to worry about anything and can simply enjoy ourselves.”

Huangfu Yuchen nodded with a smile, “Indeed.”

Yan Jin sat excitedly on his horse and pointed to a roadside stall not far away. “Father, Papa, I want that sugar figure.”

“Go buy it yourself,” Huangfu Yuchen lifted him off the horse.

Yan Jin grinned and reached out his hand, saying, “Father, give me money.”

“Have you already spent all your pocket money?” Huangfu Yuchen took out five copper coins from his purse and gave them to Yan Jin. “Children shouldn’t spend money recklessly.”

Yan Jin looked at the five copper coins in his hand pitifully. Now he was also cheated by his father. He was just a six-year-old child and couldn’t ask adults for too much money in front of so many people.

Huangfu Yuchen was in a very good mood. He had finally taken revenge.

Yan Ge laughed on the side.

Yan Jin, feeling dejected, went to buy the sugar figure. It cost two coins each, so he bought four and was left with two coins.

“Are you hungry?” Huangfu Yuchen asked Yan Ge. “There’s Liuxian Pavilion nearby. We can have a meal there.”

“That’s great!” Yan Ge smiled and said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a meal at Liuxian Pavilion. I miss it.”

Yan Jin sucked on the sugar figure as he followed behind.

Not far away, a shifty-eyed young man was staring at Yan Jin. He followed at a distance, using his skills to mimic stopping at the roadside stall to pretend to choose vegetables or rouge powder before continuing to follow.

On the second floor of a restaurant, a graceful young woman dressed as a wandering martial artist drank wine while shaking her head. “What kind of father is he? He only cares about himself and doesn’t even notice when his child is being targeted by kidnappers.”

The second-floor seats were all occupied, and almost every male guest stared at the woman. She was too beautiful, like a person in a painting. Her eyebrows were like ink, her eyes like stars, her face as smooth as cream, and her red lips as vibrant as flower petals. Every blink of her eyes, every parting of her lips exuded a deadly charm. Even her voice was pleasant, like the sound of springwater tinkling.

Yet no man dared to approach her and flirt because she had placed her feet on the backs of two young men. The two young men had swollen faces, lying on the ground without daring to make a sound.

“Excuse me, sir. Can I ask how to get to Liuxian Pavilion?” Yan Ge stopped a passerby.

“Go straight, and when you see a fork in the road, turn right. Keep going for a while, and you’ll see the sign.”

“Thank you.”

Yan Jin spotted a colorful clay doll on a small stall that looked like a little prince. He hurried over.

The kidnapper who had been following him found an opportunity to approach quietly. He stood a few steps away and waved a silver ingot worth five taels at him.

Yan Jin tilted his head and walked over with a smile.

“Come with me,” the kidnapper whispered. He was delighted. The child was well-dressed and had good skin. He could tell that he came from a wealthy family. Moreover, the child was adorable and would surely fetch a good price.

“Give me the money first,” Yan Jin said, taking another suck on his candy figure.

The kidnapper realized that the two fathers hadn’t even noticed that the child had walked away. Seeing that no one around was paying attention, he put the money in Yan Ge’s hand. “Come with me quickly. I have a lot more money where that came from.”

“No need, I only want this one,” Yan Jin said, satisfied as he held the money and turned to leave.

The kidnapper snorted softly and reached out to cover Yan Jin’s mouth.

The woman on the second floor was about to jump down when she saw the little boy flip in the air, land on the ground, and turn. He lifted his right foot and kicked the man in a sensitive area before turning and disappearing into the crowd.

The woman couldn’t help but laugh.

“Little Jin,” Yan Ge turned around at the entrance of Liuxian Pavilion and wanted to say something to Yan Jin, but he was shocked to see him clutching something in his arms. “Where did that come from?”

“I didn’t steal it, and I didn’t snatch it,” Yan Jin said seriously.

Huangfu Yuchen said leisurely, “He’s lying. Just now, a kidnapper tried to abduct him.” Yan Ge’s safety was related to Yan Jin, so he always paid attention.

“Oh, I feel sorry for him. Let’s go, let’s have a meal,” Yan Ge said.

In order to strengthen the brand effect of Liuxian Pavilion, the Liuxian Pavilion in Fancheng was exactly the same as the one in the imperial capital. Huangfu Yuchen and Yan Ge sat in the lobby, feeling as if they had returned to the imperial capital.

“What would the two young masters and the little young master like to eat?” The waiter handed them two menus and asked politely.

Yan Jun reached out. “What about me? Do you think I can’t read?”

The waiter was not offended at all. He took out a menu from the stack in his hand and handed it to Yan Ge with a smile. “I underestimated the little master. Please accept my apologies.”

Yan Ge was very satisfied with his performance.

The guests at nearby tables couldn’t help but laugh.

Yan Jin glanced at the menu and skillfully placed an order. “Imperial Concubine Chicken, Crab Meat Lion’s Head, Crispy Duck, and Plum Spicy Fish.”

The waiter widened his eyes and chuckled again. He really could read. “The little master is smart and lovely. The two young masters are truly fortunate.”

Huangfu Yuchen nodded with a smile. “Braised Fish and Sweet and Sour Fish, two portions each. And bring a pot of tea.”

The waiter thought to himself that these two could really eat, then turned he turned look at Yan Ge.

Yan Ge: “Add a Crystal Egg Custard and two seasonal vegetables.”

At this moment, the sound of someone playing the zither and a young man singing could be heard coming from upstairs. The cacophony made people uncomfortable.

Yan Ge frowned, and asked the waiter, “This Liuxian Pavilion seems like an elegant place. Why would they arrange for someone to play the zither?”

The waiter shook his head and sighed, apologizing, “Young Master, it wasn’t arranged by Liuxian Pavilion. The person upstairs is the son of the magistrate. Every time he comes to dine, he brings the people from the ‘Louzi’ with him. We can’t do anything about it. I hope the young masters understand.”

“A Second-generation official, huh?” Yan Ge chuckled lightly.

“Papa, what does ‘second-generation official’ mean?” Yan Jin asked.

Yan Ge explained, “It means his father is an official.”

Yan Jin blinked and said, “Then I’ll be… second-generation businessman.” He changed ‘official’ to ‘businessman.’

Yan Ge pondered for a moment and said, “Well, technically speaking, you should be a businessman of several generations. Zirui, are you the third or fourth generation?” He referred to the Fang family’s lineage.

Huangfu Yuchen replied, “Fifth generation.”

“In that case, I’m more impressive than the magistrate’s son!” Yan Jin playfully boasted.

The surrounding guests burst into laughter.

After the dishes were served, the three of them enjoyed their meal heartily.

“I still prefer the food at Liuxian Pavilion. It suits my taste better,” Yan Ge sighed.

Yan Jin communicated with him through voice transmission, “Next time you upgrade, the backpack will be able to keep the food warm and fresh.”

Yan Jin felt regretful because the upgrade would have to wait until they returned to the palace.

While they were eating, heavy footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs. The magistrate’s son, Mei Chuxi, stumbled down the stairs with a flushed face. He held a young teenager of fifteen or sixteen years old in his arms and shamelessly groped the teenager’s body without regard for the occasion.

Behind Mei Chuxi were two companions, both stumbling drunkenly. One of them held a woman in his arms, and the other held another man.

Several customers on the first floor shook their heads but didn’t dare to say much. Those who were dining with their children quickly covered their children’s eyes.

Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen’s table happened to be by the small corridor. When Mei Chuxi passed by, his eyes inadvertently glanced at Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen’s faces. His eyes showed astonishment, and he stopped in his tracks. He rudely pushed the young teenager in his arms away.

“Where did these two beauties come from? Will you accompany me for a drink?” he said.

Yan Ge continued eating calmly, showing no reaction. Calling him and Huangfu Yuchen beauties was like calling a tiger for help—it was courting death.

Huangfu Yuchen asked calmly, “I heard you’re the son of the magistrate?”

“Indeed,” Mei Chuxi replied arrogantly. “Join me for a drink, and no matter what trouble you encounter in Fancheng, I can solve it for you.”

“You indulge in debauchery every day, and the magistrate doesn’t care?” Huangfu Yuchen asked again.

Mei Chuxi crouched down to sit, saying, “He doesn’t care.”

“In that case, this young master will take care of it for him.” Huangfu Yuchen hooked his foot around the chair leg and pulled.

Mei Chuxi fell flat on his backside, tumbling to the ground.

Everyone burst into laughter.

“Are you from out of town? Daring to oppose the magistrate’s son, I think you’re seeking death!” one of Mei Chuxi’s friends pointed at Huangfu Yuchen.

Having been humiliated in public, Mei Chuxi got up in a fit of anger and shouted, “Fight me!”