Chapter 42: Beat Up the Enemy Upon Meeting Them

Yang Luo stood before the Dengyun Tower, gazing intently at the large characters inscribed upon it.

"Yesterday, while chatting with the servants of another household outside the academy, I heard them say that Dengyun Tower is the finest restaurant," Mo Zheng said from behind her, looking up at the magnificent pavilion. "It certainly looks... expensive."

Yang Luo murmured, "I have heard its name many times before, but I have never once been here."

In that previous life, Yang Hui had said, "We have invited the Princess to Dengyun Tower," and her cousin, Yang Shanshu, had brought back pastries after a banquet, saying, "The pastries from Dengyun Tower are the most famous in the capital."

Zhu Yunxiao...

"I was just on my way to a banquet at Dengyun Tower; what a coincidence to run into you, Miss, on the road."

Yang Luo lowered her gaze and let out a soft sigh.

Listening to the young lady's words and observing her expression, Mo Zheng knew she must have had another one of her precognitions, and that this one was likely unpleasant.

"Then we can experience it this time," he said. "You don't need to save money today, Miss. To be born human is to experience the world to the fullest."

*To be born human is to experience the world to the fullest?* Her last life had been lived in a muddle with little to experience; this time, the hatred of death and the impending end weighed heavily on her heart. Yang Luo’s expression turned somewhat melancholy as she looked up at the brilliant restaurant before her...

Today had nothing to do with the past or the future; she was here to celebrate, so she might as well enjoy it. She took the first step forward into the establishment.

The shop assistants greeted them with smiles and calls: "Miss, Young Master, would you prefer a private room or a table in the main hall?"

Because they were there to celebrate, both were dressed in finely crafted clothing today. Mo Zheng was no longer dressed in the green attire of a servant, but wore a pale blue robe cinched with a jade-colored belt, with a small pouch hanging from it. Though his complexion was somewhat sallow, he looked like a handsome young gentleman at first glance.

"Brother, you're treating today," Yang Luo said to Mo Zheng.

Mo Zheng nodded with a smile and signaled to the assistant: "Just the two of us, a table in the main hall will be fine."

Realizing they were siblings, the assistant smilingly led them to a seat in the hall.

At that moment, guests entered from the door. They appeared to be regulars, as another assistant went to greet them.

"Young Master Ji Shan has arrived."

"Has Yunxiao arrived?"

"Ah, Heir Zhu has already arrived; he is in the Huansha Pavilion."

As the conversation reached their ears, Mo Zheng, who was just about to sit down, paused slightly and looked at Yang Luo.

*That name...*

Sure enough, he saw Yang Luo's expression change instantly.

"Let us think about what we want before we order," Mo Zheng said immediately to the assistant.

The assistant complied and stepped back.

Yang Luo’s gaze remained fixed on the entrance of the hall, watching as the guest who had been speaking to the assistant headed straight upstairs.

Mo Zheng asked in a low voice, "Someone you knew from your visions?"

He had almost forgotten that this young guard still believed she possessed precognition. Yang Luo decided to tell him the truth—well, a little bit of the truth.

"The Heir Zhu he just mentioned," she said softly. "He is the Heir of the Count of Yongwu, Zhu Yunxiao."

Mo Zheng gave an "oh" of realization. "A Count's son, then. His family status isn't as high as your maternal family's."

He even began to critique, prompting Yang Luo to laugh despite herself. "He has already been granted a military post by imperial decree, whereas my eldest cousin has nothing at all."

In terms of the prospects for the next generation, the House of Yongwu fared slightly better than the House of Ding'an.

However, the House of Yongwu had rather poor luck.

The Count of Yongwu had been ordered to suppress bandits, but not only did he fail, he was also wounded in the arm, which was quite humiliating. It had enraged the Emperor, who had even cursed him, saying a "glutton and a wastrel" was unworthy of a marquessate.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile at Mo Zheng.

And that bandit was A-Sheng.

Yang Luo straightened her posture.

"A-Sheng," she said softly. "In the future, he will kill you and me."

*Oh?* Mo Zheng froze, instinctively looking toward the upper floor.

The Count of Yongwu, leading troops... She rotated her teacup with her finger. *Hmm, it is indeed possible.*

*So, has my identity been exposed?*

*Does this young lady know my true identity?*

Mo Zheng looked at Yang Luo, his expression one of surprise. "Why kill me?" He lowered his voice further. "Because of the matter regarding stealing Miss Liu's invitation?"

This youth did not know that, according to the original trajectory, she and he had no intersection, so he could only guess based on current events. Yang Luo thought to herself that this was for the best; the absolute truth must never be told to him, lest he be frightened away or hold her hostage to interrogate her for more.

Speaking in half-truths—both alluring and safe—was the only way to keep this youth by her side to be used for her purposes.

Yang Luo shook her head, looking somewhat apologetic. "I can only divine the outcome; I cannot divine the specific details." She added, "And it isn't that I can divine all the time; I don't know when a trigger will occur."

*I see. This lady doesn't know my true identity, nor does she want to tell me what she knows,* Mo Zheng thought. However, he could be certain that her future death was linked to the House of Yongwu.

"That is already quite impressive. At least we know this kid is a threat to us. In that case..." Mo Zheng said, looking toward the stairs with flickering eyes.

Yang Luo cut him off. "Then let's find a way to give him a beating."

Mo Zheng raised an eyebrow. "Just a beating? Shouldn't it be... killing him?"

*As expected of someone who will become a bandit leader in the future, he speaks of killing so casually,* Yang Luo thought. *This is fine; it will save me the trouble of persuading him when the time comes for him to kill Zhu Yunxiao.*

But not yet.

"In broad daylight, in public, under the very feet of the Emperor—killing is not that easy. Moreover, we are currently hiding our identities. Killing him would invite trouble, and we wouldn't survive it ourselves. It wouldn't be worth the cost."

She looked at Mo Zheng.

"So, let's just give him a beating to vent our frustration first."

...

...

The hem of a deep blue robe fluttered as gold-embroidered boots descended the stairs lightly.

"Yunxiao, Yunxiao!"

The calls came from behind.

Standing in the main hall, Zhu Yunxiao turned his head to see two companions chasing after him.

"Yunxiao, why are you leaving so soon?" one companion said discontentedly, stepping forward to grab his arm. "You've finally returned from the military camp; you should stay until we're all drunk!"

Zhu Yunxiao smiled faintly. "I have some matters to attend to today."

"What matter could be more important than our brothers gathering together?" the previous companion shouted.

Another companion thought of something and let out a laugh. "I know! Yunxiao is going to see Miss Jiang, isn't he?"

Zhu Yunxiao nodded with a smile. "Miss Jiang was selected yesterday as a lady-in-waiting to the Princess and will be studying at the Imperial Academy. I am going to offer my congratulations."

The first companion immediately stopped pestering him, patting him on the shoulder. "I see, I see. You must go, then."

The other companion looked on with envy. "Miss Jiang is truly talented and beautiful. You two are a match made in heaven, a pair of celestial lovers."

The first companion clicked his tongue. "Miss Jiang has certainly brought honor to her house, though her family background cannot compare to the Marquis of Yichun's..."

There had been rumors that the Marquis of Yichun intended to form a marriage alliance with the Heir of the Count of Yongwu.

Before he could finish, his companion nudged his arm. "What are you saying? The bond between Miss Jiang and Yunxiao is one of childhood sweethearts. No family background can compare to that."

Zhu Yunxiao smiled but said nothing. After bidding them farewell once more, his two companions personally escorted him to the door.

Zhu Yunxiao's attendant brought the horse forward. Zhu Yunxiao took the reins and turned to his companions, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Next time—"

Just as he spoke, the sound of chaotic footsteps and cursing drifted in from the street.

"Stop! Don't run—!"

"He stole my things—!"

Zhu Yunxiao instinctively looked over and saw two young beggars sprinting toward them, with a larger beggar chasing them, brandishing a bamboo pole.

The two young beggars seemed to be running blindly, or perhaps in an attempt to evade their pursuer, they rushed directly in front of Zhu Yunxiao.

"Get out of the way—!" Zhu Yunxiao's guard moved to drive them away, but he was a step too late. The larger beggar caught up, swinging the bamboo pole violently toward the two young beggars.

It all happened in the blink of an eye. Zhu Yunxiao heard a dull thud, followed immediately by a sharp, agonizing pain in his lower leg.

He let out a muffled groan, his body swaying unsteadily, but his martial instincts kicked in, and he reached out to grab the saber hanging from his saddle at the same time.

With a heavy thud, he fell to his knees.

His vision blurred, filled with shouting, cursing, and screaming. Before he could even draw his blade, three figures ran past him.

"Stop—!"

"You stole my things, don't run—!"

Simultaneously, his guards, his companions, and the restaurant staff swarmed around him.

"Heir!"

"Yunxiao!"

Zhu Yunxiao propped his saber against the ground, his handsome face contorting as he felt the pain radiating from deep within his bone.

(End of Chapter)