Volume 1, Chapter 61: She Must Be Exhausted, Right?

Those who had originally been stationed along the street suddenly surged forward, their excitement palpable. The animated chatter, even from a great distance, was clearly audible to Fan Xiu.

“Is that really Su Ying’er sitting inside the sedan chair?”

“Of course it is! The kind of entourage the Drunken Immortal Residence brings out only appears for major events or when an important person is traveling!”

“The Drunken Immortal Residence people coming here to the Flavor Pavilion must mean it’s Su Ying’er!”

“Heavens! Could it be that I’m actually going to see Miss Ying’er?”

A large crowd gathered, yet they respectfully stood to the sides, none daring to block the path of the Drunken Immortal Residence procession.

In Zhi Yuan County, no one usually dared to provoke the Drunken Immortal Residence. Even if someone did dare, with so many people waiting eagerly to catch a glimpse of Su Ying’er stepping down from the sedan, any attempt to obstruct would surely be met with swift and angry backlash.

Fan Xiu watched this scene and couldn’t help but smile.

Under normal circumstances, not just anyone could meet Su Ying’er.

Liu Wenyuan, a successful candidate in the county’s imperial examination, had spent days trying to secure an audience with Su Ying’er and had failed.

Now, given this rare chance to see her, these people naturally flocked eagerly.

Downstairs, Zhao Defu, initially anxious and unsettled, worried whether Su Ying’er would appear, relaxed instantly upon seeing the Drunken Immortal Residence’s entourage approaching.

“Hurry, hurry! Su Ying’er is here, everyone, get energized and greet her!” Zhao Defu called out briskly.

He immediately instructed his men to begin beating drums and gongs at the entrance, the clamor adding to the festive atmosphere.

Inside, Zhao Yufei’s heart began to flutter nervously at the thought of Su Ying’er’s imminent arrival.

Is Su Ying’er beautiful?

Would Fan Xiu prefer her over me?

How should I interact with her?

Meanwhile, many outside had begun pushing forward to secure good vantage points inside, knowing that although those outside might glimpse Su Ying’er first, once she entered, the crowd would surge inside as well, making it difficult to find a good spot.

“Fan Tie!” Zhao Defu called out urgently, “Go upstairs and tell Fan Xiu to come down!”

“Got it!” Fan Tie responded promptly, busy attending to guests but immediately running upstairs.

In the resting room, Fan Tie burst in, a robust and lively figure, hands propped on the table, excitement evident as he said, “Brother Xiu! The Drunken Immortal Residence people have arrived, and Su Ying’er is with them. It’s lively outside now!”

Fan Xiu nodded. “I saw.”

“You’re truly incredible, Brother Xiu!” Fan Tie grinned, giving a thumbs-up. “You actually invited Su Ying’er here! Everyone outside is praising you, calling you a talented gentleman merchant!”

Fan Xiu smiled. “Talented gentleman merchant? That’s a good title.”

At that moment, Zhao Defu, clutching his garment, came running upstairs, out of breath but unable to conceal his excitement. “Fan Xiu, come down quickly! The first floor is almost packed, I can’t entertain everyone properly.”

“All right,” Fan Xiu replied.

When Fan Xiu and Zhao Defu arrived at the main hall, Su Ying’er was just entering, surrounded by her maid and guards, walking with composed grace.

At this moment, Su Ying’er’s hair was elegantly styled high, adorned with pearl and jade hairpins. She wore a light, plain-colored gauze dress embroidered with subtle cloud and water patterns on the hem. Draped over was a pale, sheer shawl, her flowing sleeves revealing a delicate, ethereal demeanor.

Her face was veiled by a semi-transparent pale blue gauze, covering down to just below her nose, faintly revealing her refined features.

Her eyes beneath the veil shimmered like autumn water, bearing a cool, distant aura. Though her full visage was hidden, her every gesture exuded an air of aloof elegance. When her gaze swept over the crowd, it caused onlookers to hold their breath in awe.

Exclamations erupted all around.

“Finally, we see Madam Su!”

“Madam Su is truly breathtaking!”

“Madam Su, look at me! I am Sun Zheng of the Sun family in Zhi Yuan County!”

“Give me a break! You think Madam Su would look at you? Are you even worthy?”

“This is such a rare honor, to be able to see Madam Su in person!”

Among these voices, Fan Xiu’s heart, upon observing Su Ying’er, was filled with pity.

On closer inspection, he could discern a deep exhaustion lurking within her eyes.

Her steps, though seemingly composed, were somewhat slow and unsteady.

Having just endured a great ordeal at his hands, her body had yet to recover. Standing there under countless gazes, she was undoubtedly weary, forcing herself to maintain composure.

If he possessed enough strength and status, would he have let Su Ying’er be so humiliated?

“Greetings, Shopkeeper Zhao, greetings, Scholar Fan,” Su Ying’er said gracefully as she approached, bowing with the poise befitting her noble standing.

However, when her eyes briefly met Fan Xiu’s, a flicker of hesitation passed through them before she quickly averted her gaze.

Fan Xiu and Zhao Defu returned the gesture. “Greetings, Madam Su.”

Zhao Defu smiled warmly and extended his hand. “Please, Madam Su, take a seat. I have already prepared your favorite dishes and the cold noodles you like.”

“Thank you, Shopkeeper Zhao,” Su Ying’er nodded slightly.

Her maid, Xiao He, gently supported Su Ying’er’s arm as they ascended the stairs.

From arrival to departure, Su Ying’er only glanced once at Fan Xiu during her bow and never looked his way again.

Fan Xiu felt a twinge of disappointment.

Yet he understood.

All of this was Su Ying’er’s doing out of necessity; she was protecting him.

Soon, Su Ying’er and her attendants reached the second floor.

Zhao Defu hurriedly said to Fan Xiu, “Fan Xiu, come with me to attend to Madam Su.”

After speaking, he took Fan Xiu’s arm to lead him upstairs.

Just then, Zhao Yufei appeared before Fan Xiu, her face tense as her hands nervously twisted the hem of her garment, hesitating to speak.

Zhao Defu frowned. “Yufei, what are you up to now?”

But Zhao Yufei ignored him, nervously looking at Fan Xiu. Clenching her right fist and pounding it lightly on her left hand, she whispered, “Brother Fan Xiu, Su… Su Ying’er is so beautiful and elegant. Will you… will you only like her and not me anymore?”

Zhao Defu was momentarily stunned.

So it turned out Zhao Yufei had been worrying about this all along.

No wonder she had been distracted.

Hadn’t she just been encouraging Fan Xiu to win over Su Ying’er?

Now that Su Ying’er had appeared, she was getting jealous?

So all her earlier generosity was just an act to please Fan Xiu?

Fan Xiu sighed helplessly, shaking his head as he ruffled Zhao Yufei’s hair. “What are you thinking about, silly girl?”

At that moment, a cold shout rang out from outside.

“Move your damn selves!”

“Are you blind? This is Young Master Xie of the Xie family from Peng City! Step aside quickly!”

Immediately, the crowd parted to make way, and Xie Tangfeng and Liu Wenyuan entered with displeased expressions.