Chapter 77: Luo Jin’an Concedes, A Dispute Arises at the Teahouse

Luo Jin’an watched Xu Nian bickering like a child and smiled even more gently as he handed her a teacup.

“Nian Nian, don’t be mad. I admit I lost this round.”

“See? I won!”

Xu Ling huffed in dissatisfaction and shot Luo Jin’an a displeased glance. She felt that her Brother Changsheng had no backbone—how could he give up so easily?

Luo Jin’an lowered his head and sipped his tea, pretending not to notice Xu Ling’s gaze. For the sake of his future happiness, he had no choice but to let Little Ling’er be upset for now.

Standing behind him, Liu Yun and Liu Qin exchanged glances, their lips curling into subtle smiles. They had misunderstood before—His Highness was never concerned about whether he was skilled at chess; he only cared about who he was playing with.

As the argument between Xu Nian and Xu Ling subsided, a commotion erupted downstairs.

“My lady always sits in the best private room whenever she comes here. The shopkeeper saves it for her every time! Why is it suddenly unavailable today?”

The shopkeeper felt bitter inside. He had noticed that the gentleman upstairs had an extraordinary status and dared not refuse him. Besides, Miss Han hadn’t visited for several days.

“Miss Han, the East Pavilion is indeed occupied today. The Fortune Pavilion next door is also quite nice. Perhaps you could make do just this once?”

Han Xiyin glanced upstairs without responding. If she had come alone today, she wouldn’t have minded giving in. However, she was accompanied by several other noble ladies. If she backed down now, how could she maintain her authority in front of them in the future?

“I’m curious—just who is this esteemed guest upstairs that the shopkeeper is willing to offend me for?”

From the upper floor, Xu Nian caught sight of Han Xiyin and her entourage below. At the same time, Xu Ling saw them too and huffed angrily. “It’s that arrogant and overbearing daughter of the magistrate again!”

Xiuer also turned to look upon hearing the noise and chimed in, “And that insolent maid of hers!”

Luo Jin’an cast a casual glance downstairs and lazily asked, “Have you had a prior dispute?”

Xiuer, momentarily forgetting her fear, promptly recounted the incident from the other day.

“Nian Nian, are you still upset about it?”

Xu Nian rolled her eyes at Luo Jin’an.

“It was just a few words exchanged. What else do you expect me to do?”

Luo Jin’an absentmindedly rubbed his fingers, momentarily distracted by the way Xu Nian had just pouted at him. His voice was soft as he replied, “As long as Nian Nian doesn’t mind, that’s all that matters.”

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper downstairs, left with no other choice, mustered his courage and ascended to the second floor, hoping to persuade the esteemed guests inside to make some accommodations.

However, before he could even step into the private room, the guards at the door unsheathed their blades, barring his path without even sparing him a glance.

Dejected, the shopkeeper had no choice but to return downstairs and continue trying to reason with Han Xiyin.

Just then, standing behind Han Xiyin, Shen Yan happened to glimpse Xu Nian’s profile through a gap in the curtain. A faint smirk appeared on her lips as she remarked, “What a coincidence. An old acquaintance.”

“Miss Han, the one inside is Miss Xu.”

“Miss Xu?”

Han Xiyin had completely forgotten about their previous quarrel. She barely remembered who Xu Nian was.

“She’s the daughter of the county magistrate,” Shen Yan clarified.

Han Xiyin finally remembered and grew even more indignant at the thought that the daughter of a mere county magistrate could be so arrogant. Determined to teach her a lesson, she stormed upstairs in a huff.

Shen Yan watched Han Xiyin march up with a bright smile. Turning to the worried shopkeeper beside him, he reassured, “Don’t worry, Shopkeeper. The people upstairs are our acquaintances.”

With that, he too ascended the stairs.

The shopkeeper found himself in a dilemma, unsure whether to follow them. But then he recalled the cold expression of the guard and the blade of his sheathed sword, ultimately deciding to wait and see.

When Han Xiyin reached the door of the East Pavilion, she found several armed guards standing outside. She hesitated momentarily and turned to Shen Yan for confirmation. “Are you sure you didn’t mistake her identity? The one inside is really just that county magistrate’s daughter?”

Shen Yan was certain, but seeing the guards, he also hesitated for a moment. Could there be another esteemed guest inside? However, remembering that Han Xiyin was leading the charge, he reaffirmed in a low voice, “It’s definitely Miss Xu. I wouldn’t mistake her.”

“Hmph, who would have thought that the daughter of a mere county magistrate could put on such airs.”

Han Xiyin stepped forward, ignoring the guards’ outstretched swords, and called into the room, “Miss Xu, what a grand display you’ve put on. I wonder if we may enter?”

Inside, Xu Nian had naturally heard the commotion. Seeing Luo Jin’an’s face darken, she worried that the situation might escalate, so she decided to step out with Xiuer to handle it.

Luo Jin’an gently held onto Xu Nian’s sleeve and murmured, “There’s no need to trouble yourself. I can have them thrown out.”

Xu Nian chuckled. “She’s just a spoiled little girl. There’s no need for you to step in. I’ll be right back.”

Only then did Luo Jin’an let go, but as he watched her walk away, his heart ached slightly. She was only thirteen years old, yet she had never allowed herself to act spoiled or willful.

As Xu Nian emerged, the guards immediately withdrew their swords and stepped aside.

“I wonder what business Miss Han has with me?”

Han Xiyin didn’t bother with pretense.

“I’m accustomed to sitting in the East Pavilion when I come here. Surely, Miss Xu wouldn’t mind giving up this private room?”

“Of course, I mind.”

“What?” Han Xiyin couldn’t believe her ears.

“I said I mind. If there’s nothing else, I won’t be keeping you any longer. Have a pleasant day, Miss Han.”

Han Xiyin had been spoiled her entire life, always getting whatever she wanted. No one had ever dared to defy her. This was the first time someone had refused her so outright, and she was so furious that she blurted out without thinking:

“You’re just the daughter of a lowly county magistrate, yet you dare to compete with me? Miss Xu, you should know better than to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.”

Xu Nian smiled faintly and said in a calm tone, “It seems Miss Han is mistaken about something. I reserved the East Pavilion first today, so how is this a competition?

Furthermore, as the daughter of a prefect, you must be well-educated. You should know that since you hold no official rank, addressing a county official in such a manner could be seen as showing contempt for an officer of the court.”

“You—you—” Han Xiyin was at a loss for words. Just then, Shen Yan stepped forward and gently intervened.

“Miss Xu, please don’t be upset. Miss Han only misspoke in a moment of frustration.

Miss Han, even the Princess Consort has praised Miss Xu for her humility and courtesy. Surely, this must all be a misunderstanding.”

Perhaps Han Xiyin, still fuming, didn’t catch the subtle undertone in Shen Yan’s words, but Xu Nian was no naïve girl.

She cast a deep, scrutinizing look at Shen Yan, causing him to avert his gaze uneasily before she finally spoke. “In the future, Miss Shen, when we meet again, it would be best if you address me as Miss Xu. After all, my family could never produce a sister as cunning as you.”

“What do you mean by that?!” a girl in a green dress demanded angrily. “Shen Yan was just trying to speak up for you, and you say she’s in the wrong?”

Shen Yan’s eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling. “Miss Xu… have I done something to offend you? If I’ve done anything wrong, please tell me, and I will correct it.”

“Yanyan, you’re too soft-hearted,” the green-clad girl scoffed. “So what if her father is your father’s superior? With Miss Han here, does she dare mistreat you?”