Chapter 934: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 934: Big Trouble (3)
Master Cui immediately sent people to the magistrate's office upon learning of his nephew’s disappearance, hoping for their assistance in the search. Although his official rank was only third-class, no one in the capital dared to underestimate him. Upon receiving the news, the Capital Magistrate swiftly dispatched officers to search everywhere, especially at the city gates, where Cui family servants, familiar with Cui Ping’an’s appearance, were stationed under official supervision.
Cui Qingrou was deeply worried about her nephew's safety. Unable to sit idly at home and wait for news, she took her maids and continued searching. At every restaurant, inn, or teahouse they encountered, she would go in to ask if her nephew had been there to eat or stay.
When they reached the fifth restaurant, just as she was about to enter and inquire, she ran into a group of drunken men at the entrance. Supporting each other in a drunken haze, they stumbled about, barely recognizing the road. By chance, the night breeze lifted the veil of Cui Qingrou’s hat, revealing her true face.
Cui Qingrou had delicate features. Though no longer in her teenage years, she carried a gentle and refined grace that naturally drew attention.
The drunkards were far from decent men. Seeing her face, their lust was immediately ignited. One of them, his greasy hand reaching out, attempted to touch her cheek while leering, “Little beauty, you’re so lovely. How about having some fun with us?”
Before her marriage, Cui Qingrou had been raised in the sheltered luxury of her family home. After marrying, she lived a secluded life within her husband’s household. Rarely had she ever encountered such blatant harassment. Now, confronted with these vulgar men, she was both ashamed and furious, her face flushing crimson.
“How dare you insult my lady! Are you tired of living?” Her two maids were fiercely loyal. Seeing their mistress being harassed, they immediately stepped in front of her, refusing to let the drunkards get any closer.
But the men, blinded by lust, ignored the maids’ warnings and continued advancing toward Cui Qingrou. “Come on, beauty, don’t be shy. Keep us company. We’ve got plenty of silver, hehe!”
The two maids struggled to hold them back, but drunk or not, the men were far stronger than them. Just as one of the men was about to grab Cui Qingrou’s arm, a slender, fair hand suddenly appeared from the side, firmly gripping the incoming wrist.
A calm and gentle voice followed, carrying an unmistakable chill: “Unless you wish to spend the night in the magistrate’s office receiving a flogging, I suggest you leave at once.”
The voice was soft and devoid of aggression, yet it sent a shiver down the drunkards’ spines, sobering them up a little. Looking up, they saw a dignified young man with a solemn expression. His aura was so commanding that their courage instantly withered.
A closer glance at Cui Qingrou’s attire also made them realize she was no ordinary woman. Cold sweat broke out on their backs, and they dared not cause further trouble. Scrambling to their feet, they fled in a panic, terrified of actually getting arrested and punished.
Seeing Cui Qingrou still visibly shaken, Mo Qingze couldn’t help but reassure her, “It’s over now. In the future, if you must go out at night, it’s best to bring a few guards with you.”
Cui Qingrou snapped out of her daze. When she looked up to thank him, she was momentarily stunned by his strikingly handsome features. A faint blush rose to her cheeks as she bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, young master, for your intervention.”
Mo Qingze couldn’t see her full face under the veil, but her voice was gentle and melodious. He ignored the fleeting sense of familiarity in his heart and responded warmly, “It was nothing, madam. There’s no need to be so formal.”
Hearing his modesty and sincerity, Cui Qingrou’s impression of him improved even further. “If not for you, I would have suffered humiliation at the hands of those scoundrels. May I ask where your residence is? I will send a servant to properly express my gratitude another day.”
Mo Qingze shook his head, politely declining. “It was a trivial matter, not worth remembering, madam. There’s no need for further thanks.”
Seeing his firm refusal, Cui Qingrou did not insist. She simply bowed once more to express her appreciation.
(End of Chapter)
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