Chapter 8: Second Master

8. Second Master

"Second Master." Liu Zhan stepped forward and bowed to the seated man.

"Mm." The face that had been staring out the window turned around.

It was a face as white, round, and lustrous as a leavened steamed bun; because the flesh on his chin was so thick, he appeared to have no neck... Looking further down, his protruding belly was as round as a woman in her seventh or eighth month of pregnancy!

"What did you find out?" the stout man, dressed in fine silks and precious ornaments, asked in a heavy, coarse voice.

"Reporting to Second Master, the convoy that passed downstairs half an hour ago turned at the end of Ping'an Street and headed straight for Yongci Ward in the northwest, eventually entering the Duan residence," Liu Zhan said. "I inquired and learned that the daughter of the Third Master Duan's household has divorced a young master from the household of a Juren surnamed Ren in this city. The chests loaded on those carriages are the dowry being returned to her family."

When other families divorce, they usually do so quietly, wishing no one would ever find out. For the Duan family, as the woman's side, to parade through the streets so high-profilely was truly surprising! However, doing so made it appear as though the Ren family was the one in the wrong in this divorce!

The man raised his sword-shaped eyebrows, which caused the fat on his face to quiver upward.

The man possessed a pair of beautiful, thick, dark sword-shaped eyebrows, but unfortunately, they lost their luster when paired with eyes that appeared even smaller due to being squeezed by his cheek fat.

"Duan Yuhang's sister has divorced?" The man seemed quite surprised by this news! "Are you certain it is the daughter of the third branch of the House of the Count of Loyal Valor?"

"Reporting to Second Master, I saw clearly. The young master riding the jujube-red horse at the front of the convoy was indeed the Sixth Master of the House of the Count of Loyal Valor," Liu Zhan said with certainty.

The man rubbed his thick chin and let out a hearty laugh, his entire body of excess fat shaking wildly along with it.

"A sister divorcing and parading through the streets with her returned dowry... that is truly something that brat Duan Liu'er is capable of doing!"

Liu Zhan lowered his head, the corner of his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly, "Second Master, regarding the matter of visiting Third Master Duan and Sixth Master Duan..."

Their reason for coming to Pingcheng this time was specifically to seek out the Duan father and son; they hadn't expected to encounter such an awkward situation as the daughter's divorce.

The man thought for a moment and said, "Go to the Duan residence tomorrow to leave a calling card. If it is convenient for them, seek an audience!"

Liu Zhan was slightly surprised. Before he could speak, Wei Dong, a man behind him dressed in the same attire, frowned and said, "Second Master, aren't you giving Duan Chunyu and Duan Yuhang too much credit by doing this?"

What was the status of the Duan father and son? Even if they were entering the House of the Count of Loyal Valor in the capital, their Master wouldn't need to leave a calling card!

"Sigh!" The man waved his hand with a smile. "We are traveling incognito in Pingcheng; it is best not to be too ostentatious."

"..." Liu Zhan and Wei Dong simultaneously lowered their eyes, maintaining expressionless faces.

Good heavens, Your Highness! Look at your wealthy attire, then look at that dazzlingly luxurious carriage in the restaurant's backyard, and then look at those ten guards downstairs dressed in plain clothes, radiating murderous intent with weapons hanging at their waists! This has absolutely nothing to do with "incognito," alright! If Wei Dong hadn't secretly shown the jade token of the Prince's Mansion, the manager and workers of the Spring-Seeking Pavilion would have likely fallen into a state of panic long ago!

**

Last night, Duan Yuran slept soundly and was awakened by the crisp chirping of birds in the morning.

When the maid Yunzhu lifted the bed curtains, Duan Yuran discovered through the window that the sky was already bright! She had actually overslept!

"Last night, Madam sent Mother An over to instruct me to let Miss rest well and not to rush to pay respects this morning," Yunzhu said with a smile, relaying Madam Duan's thoughtfulness toward her daughter upon seeing the embarrassed expression on her mistress's face.

Duan Yuran felt moved in her heart upon hearing this and quickly rose, letting the maid assist her with washing and dressing.

I feel like I've written the male lead's obesity well, but I don't want him to be so fat that he's stupid... Please ignore the miserable state of the early stages; let him play the role of a supporting character for now.

(Bang! A bird is kicked away by a certain fat leg, waving a handkerchief and shouting: I'll be back!)