The visitor was a middle aged man with short whiskers and a sallow complexion. He was none other than Cui You, the steward of Jian Yuan Zhai who had tracked the Miao Qing Tang group back in the ancient tomb wilderness.
Yu Qing took one look at him but found the face unfamiliar. He had no impression of the man and did not recognise him. Yet the other party had immediately identified him by name. Combined with what was said next, this made him surprised and suspicious. He turned to look at Sun Ping with a questioning expression.
Sun Ping saw the newcomer and her face changed colour. After hearing the following words she immediately said in a deep voice, Cui You, what do you want?
Cui You replied, Sun Ping, I am inviting my own guest. Why are you getting anxious?
Yu Qing immediately asked Sun Ping, Who is this person?
Before Sun Ping could answer, Cui You spoke up himself. I am Cui You, steward of Jian Yuan Zhai. Our chief manager is waiting upstairs to meet the top scholar.
Jian Yuan Zhai. As soon as Yu Qing heard this name he remembered. Was this not the group that had been tracking them in the ancient tomb wilderness? He was not entirely clear on what grudges existed between these people and Miao Qing Tang. However any matter involving Tie Miao Qing was most likely related to affairs between men and women.
After seeing Tie Miao Qings real appearance he became even more certain. What he had wanted to tell Nan Zhu and Mu Ao Tie earlier was precisely this matter. He wanted to warn the two fellows to be careful because their romantic rival might not be simple.
He had not yet had the chance to remind them when Jian Yuan Zhai had already come looking for him.
Yu Qing raised his eyebrows slightly and said, I do not seem to know you people.
Cui You replied, Indeed we do not know each other yet. But one meeting leads to familiarity. If we sit down and chat we will become acquainted.
Yu Qing still remembered the situation in the ancient tomb wilderness clearly. He knew this group had considerable power and he did not want to offend them lightly. He spoke politely, Perhaps another day. I have matters to attend to now. I will personally visit your chief manager another day. He cupped his hands and prepared to leave.
Cui You stretched out a hand to block him. Top scholar, I am afraid that will not do. Our chief manager has already prepared wine and dishes and is waiting with sincere intentions. If you simply walk away like this where does that leave our chief managers face?
Sun Ping immediately rebuked him. Cui You, does your Jian Yuan Zhai intend to kidnap someone in the middle of You Jiao Bu?
That is an exaggeration. No one in the world would dare act recklessly in You Jiao Bu. Cui You brushed it aside with one sentence then cupped his hands towards Yu Qing again. Top scholar, our chief manager genuinely wishes to befriend you. He also knows what you intend to do and has specially come to stop you for a moment. There is no need for us to become enemies. What do you think?
There was an implicit threat in his words.
Sun Ping gritted her teeth and said, Lets go. Ignore him. They would not dare cause trouble here.
Yu Qing looked at her then at Cui You. He raised a hand to stroke his small moustache and said to Sun Ping, How about you go ahead and take a look first while I go upstairs to say hello?
Sun Ping was both shocked and angry. Top scholar, you must not let them deceive you. You can rest assured in You Jiao Bu. There is no need to fear anyone. With that she grabbed Yu Qings arm and tried to drag him away by force.
Yu Qing waved his hand and shook her off. He was somewhat annoyed. What is the point of going now? They have made it very clear. They know exactly what we are going to do and have deliberately blocked us here. I find it strange. We were just discussing matters inside the inner residence of Miao Qing Tang. We had not even stepped out the door yet. How did others already know about it?
Where did that attendant of yours go? Is there still any need to guess? I am puzzled. Why is your Miao Qing Tang like a ship leaking everywhere with holes all over? Last time it was Cheng Shan Ping and now this again. What are you people doing?
He spoke very bluntly. With your ship leaking everywhere like this how can I get on board and sink together with you?
Cui You heard this and smiled. We already saw the top scholars abilities back in the ancient tomb wilderness. You really are a clever man.
Has Qiu Mao Feng defected as well? Sun Ping was somewhat stunned. Or rather she had been jolted awake by Yu Qings words. Seeing the smile on Cui Yous face her eyes immediately turned red. She grabbed Yu Qings arm and said, If Qiu Mao Feng has other intentions then it only means we misjudged him. It has nothing to do with this transaction and will not affect us going directly to You Ya.
Her tone was almost pleading. For her this was almost the last chance to save Miao Qing Tang.
The situation was obvious. If Qiu Mao Feng was a traitor then the people from Jian Yuan Zhai had come to cut off this final opportunity for Miao Qing Tang.
Cui You suddenly seized her wrist and said in a deep voice, Sun Ping, how dare you lay hands on a guest in the middle of the street in You Jiao Bu? Are you trying to force a sale? Do you think the rules of You Jiao Bu cannot deal with you? I advise you to behave yourself. He pushed her with a wave of his hand causing her to stagger back. Then he turned to Yu Qing with a smile and extended his hand. Pay no attention to this desperate mad woman. Please.
Yu Qing indeed ignored her and followed him into the restaurant.
Sun Ping stood on the street looking lost and distraught. It seemed hard for her to believe. They had trusted this top scholar in good faith and thought such a great talent would not go back on his word. Afraid that he might overthink things they had not signed a formal contract. Yet he had taken advantage of that gap.
She was no longer young and had always been quite strong. At this moment she suddenly felt extremely wronged. Tears appeared in her eyes. She looked at the passers by who were curiously glancing over, raised her sleeve to wipe away the tears, then hurriedly ran back to Miao Qing Tang to report the news.
Inside the restaurant in a private room the wine and dishes were already laid out on the table. A man in luxurious brocade clothing stood with his hands behind his back at the window. He wore a jade crown, had a decent appearance and an imposing air. His slightly gloomy gaze was lowered as he stared at Sun Ping who was wiping her tears and leaving on the street.
Cui You led Yu Qing inside and announced, Chief manager, the top scholar has arrived.
The man at the window turned around. Upon seeing Yu Qing a smile appeared on his face. He came forward with cupped hands to greet him. I have long admired the top scholars great name. Meeting you today is enough to comfort my life. I am Qin Jue, one of the managers of Jian Yuan Zhai.
Yu Qing also smiled and cupped his hands. A pleasure to meet you.
His gaze glanced towards the corner on one side. There stood a familiar person. It was none other than Qiu Mao Feng, the attendant from Miao Qing Tang.
Seeing this fellow he understood clearly in his heart. Sure enough, Miao Qing Tang was riddled with holes in its operations.
Qiu Mao Feng clearly felt somewhat awkward. He had been called over to identify the person since no one else here had seen what the top scholar looked like.
Now it was no longer needed. Cui You waved his hand to indicate and Qiu Mao Feng immediately turned to withdraw.
Yu Qing however did not let him go. He suddenly reached out to stop him and asked, This person looks a bit familiar. Have we met somewhere before?
Embarrassment lingered on Qiu Mao Fengs face. He did not know how to answer and looked towards Cui You and Qin Jue.
Knowing that he was asking despite already knowing the answer, Qin Jue gave a faint smile. He was previously an attendant at Miao Qing Tang. Not long ago he switched allegiance to our Jian Yuan Zhai. He is now one of our people.
Yu Qing gave an oh and as he lowered his raised hand he patted Qiu Mao Feng on the chest. So it was you who sold me out.
He actually had not wanted to come here and did not want Miao Qing Tang to think he had broken his promise. But he had no choice. He knew nothing at all about the situation with this Jian Yuan Zhai and sensed their strength was considerable. He had no need to inexplicably make a powerful enemy.
That Sun Ping was right. With You Ya overseeing You Jiao Bu, Jian Yuan Zhai would not dare act recklessly. But he could not hide in You Jiao Bu for the rest of his life. He still had two disciples from Ling Long Guan with him. What would happen once they left You Jiao Bu?
Just the mess that Miao Qing Tang had created had already entangled him in trouble. What could he do? Since he could not avoid it he had to come over first to clarify the situation.
Qiu Mao Fengs lips moved but in the end he made no sound.
Qin Jue spoke again. Everyone serves their own master. It cannot be called betrayal. He tilted his head to indicate that Qiu Mao Feng should withdraw first.
However as soon as Qiu Mao Feng took a step Yu Qing reached out and pressed on his chest again. No rush. I want to ask you why you betrayed Miao Qing Tang.
Qin Jue answered on his behalf again. There is no betrayal. It is simply that a good bird chooses the right tree to perch on.
Yu Qing stared at Qiu Mao Feng and said, Whether you are a good bird or a beast, your betrayal of Miao Qing Tang has nothing to do with me. But do not drag me into it. Miao Qing Tang previously had someone called Cheng Shan Ping. Have you heard of him? He targeted me so I killed him.
Qiu Mao Fengs lips instantly tightened.
The corner of Qin Jues mouth twitched slightly as well. He discovered that this top scholar was indeed a bit eccentric and really did not seem like a scholar. He warned lightly, Top scholar, he is merely carrying out orders. There is no need to make things difficult for him.
Yu Qing finally faced him properly and said, I was sold out and I am not very happy about it. Is it not allowed for me to show a little temper?
Qin Jue laughed heartily and extended his hand to invite him to the seats. Top scholar, please.
Yu Qing no longer paid attention to Qiu Mao Feng and sat down at the table with Qin Jue. It was clearly a small table that had been temporarily replaced to avoid the two parties sitting too far apart during conversation.
Qiu Mao Feng left as if relieved of a heavy burden.
Qin Jue extended his hand and invited him to eat. Try the local craftsmanship of You Jiao Bu and see how it is.
Yu Qing showed no intention of picking up chopsticks and said calmly, If I remember correctly, Tie Miao Qings husband was poisoned.
Qin Jue did not deny it. He deserved to die. The top scholar is a clever man and would not be treated in such a way.
Yu Qing said, I am actually not familiar with Miao Qing Tang and am unclear about many things. I am a bit curious. Why must you oppose Miao Qing Tang? Is it because of that great beauty Tie Miao Qing?
Qin Jue smiled faintly. She is my masters daughter and can be considered my junior sister. Before my master passed away he said in front of both of us that he would betroth her to me. Later I left the mountain to gain experience. Once Miao Qing came to You Jiao Bu for a visit, met Yan Xu and could not resist his sweet words. They had known each other for less than a month before she gave herself to Yan Xu and settled here in You Jiao Bu. In other words they were afraid of me and hid in You Jiao Bu not daring to go out.
So I established Jian Yuan Zhai in You Jiao Bu. Is there anything wrong with me taking back what I lost?
So that was how it was. Yu Qing thought for a moment and said, Your personal grudges do not need to drag me into them, right?
Qin Jue replied, Do you think I want to? I did not want to involve you either. It is the top scholar who chose to intervene in this matter. Last time in the ancient tomb wilderness Miao Qing was already under my control. But you inserted yourself, ruined my plans, and even crippled that pawn Cheng Shan Ping.
As long as Miao Qing hides in You Jiao Bu I cannot do anything to her. Seeing that Miao Qing Tang was about to perish and that I was about to regain what is mine, why did you suddenly come running over again? You could go anywhere else, so why come here? And then you created some fire cricket or whatever, forcing me to take emergency action. As soon as you arrived you also crippled my planted agent Qiu Mao Feng.
Why is it you again? I am afraid of you, alright?
So top scholar, let us talk properly. Become friends or become enemies. You choose for yourself.