Chapter 284: Anger

 Chapter 284: Anger

As the officers began arresting people, the Steward of the theater stood by, sweating profusely. He hadn’t participated in the fight and wasn’t being arrested. He dared not speak up about the theater’s enforcers being taken away and silently prayed for these nobles to leave quickly.

Dong Yuanxuan glanced at the theater Steward. Though he was angry that his sister and sister Yan's had been beaten at the theater, he remembered that his family had a share in the profits of the theater. After a moment's hesitation, he said to Xiao Yeyang, "Your Highness, my two younger brothers are injured. Let us leave first."

Xiao Yeyang’s expression softened slightly as he nodded. He then turned to Daohua and Dong Yuanyao, who were standing still, and coldly said, "Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and follow us."

Hearing the anger in his voice, Daohua and Dong Yuanyao exchanged wry smiles, walking toward him with their heads down, looking like they had done something wrong.

Just as everyone was about to leave, Wang Man’er stepped forward, tugging at Yan Wenkai’s sleeve and pointing at the theater Steward. "The young master’s purse is still with him."

The silver note could be given, but the purse was embroidered by the young lady herself and needed to be returned.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yeyang immediately stopped and turned around, his gaze like a sharp blade as it fixed on the theater Steward.

The Steward of the theater trembled and quickly pulled out the purse Daohua had given him earlier, handing it over to Wang Man’er.

Wang Man’er took the purse and intended to return it to her lady, but Xiao Yeyang spoke up, "Give it to me."

Looking at the embroidery on the purse, Xiao Yeyang immediately recognized that it had been made by Daohua.

Daohua had personally embroidered this purse, and yet this wretched Steward dared to take it, hiding it in his sleeve!

Xiao Yeyang's eyes turned dangerously cold, and he looked at the theater Steward with an icy stare. He spoke without any warmth, "Which hand touched this? Cut it off yourself!"

Upon hearing this, the Steward’s legs buckled, and he fell directly to the ground.

Dong Yuanxuan and the others were also stunned, watching Xiao Yeyang's stern expression. In their hearts, they couldn’t help but think that the Young Prince was really angry this time.

Although Xiao Yeyang usually got along well with them, no one dared to provoke him at such a moment. Even Yan Wenkai, who was usually bold, wisely said nothing.

As for Daohua, her eyes widened in shock as she stared at Xiao Yeyang.

Xiao Yeyang, exuding an overwhelming presence, seemed unfamiliar to her at that moment. She suddenly realized that the usually cheerful and easygoing Xiao Yeyang was a royal who held the power to determine life and death.

Daohua swallowed and stopped him, saying, "That… We broke their tables and chairs. It’s only right to pay for the damages." The theater Steward hadn’t done anything to them, and this punishment of having his arm cut off seemed too harsh.

Seeing the fear in Daohua's eyes, Xiao Yeyang’s lips tightened, and he spoke coldly, "A theater must ensure the safety of its patrons. You were beaten inside. What’s the point of keeping such a theater open?"

Upon hearing this, the Steward of the theater trembled even more, fearing that Xiao Yeyang might order the theater to be shut down. He immediately gritted his teeth and said, "It was my neglect towards the two young ladies. I am willing to sever my arm. Please, Your Highness, forgive me."

Saying this, he picked up a broken piece of door and was about to smash it against his arm.

"Wait!" Daohua quickly called out, tugging at Xiao Yeyang’s sleeve. "Xiao Yeyang~" Her tone held a note of pleading.

Seeing Daohua’s uneasy expression, Xiao Yeyang softened slightly, gave a cold snort, and walked away.

Daohua quickly snatched the wooden piece from the theater Steward’s hand and tossed it aside before hurriedly chasing after Xiao Yeyang.

Wang Man’er and Gu Yu immediately followed.

At this moment, Dong Yuanyao finally snapped out of it and quickly followed them with her two maids.

Looking at the Steward of the theater, who was still sitting on the ground, visibly shaken, Dong Yuanxuan coughed and said, "Steward."

The Steward snapped to attention and respectfully looked at Dong Yuanxuan. "Young Master Dong."

Dong Yuanxuan coldly snorted, "This theater has caused trouble more than once. You can’t even handle such a small matter. You’re really useless as the Steward."

The Steward bitterly smiled in his heart. He had wanted to protect everyone, but Du Jitong, though despicable, was a fourth-rank official, and he couldn’t afford to offend him too much.

Dong Yuanxuan gave the Steward a sidelong glance. "Take care of yourself. If this happens again, don’t bother keeping the theater open." He said this and then waved his sleeve and left.

Yan Wenkai, who had been watching with interest, immediately walked up to Dong Yuanxuan once he was done. "Brother Dong, I didn’t expect you to have such a way with words. I’ll have to learn from you."

Hearing Yan Wenkai’s loud voice, Dong Yuanxuan looked at him helplessly. "You want to learn? Better forget it."

Yan Wenkai’s face darkened. "What, you look down on me?"

Dong Yuanxuan, feeling a headache, didn’t want to argue with this carefree guy. But seeing that he wouldn’t let it go, he sighed and said, "I think you’re better off solving things with your fists."

Hearing this, Yan Wenkai’s expression brightened, and he thought for a moment. Then he nodded. "You’re right. Threatening people doesn’t really suit my style. I’d rather drag them into a corner and beat them up. That would solve everything."

Hearing this, the theater Steward shuddered again. He thought, if that guy laid a hand on him, his old limbs would probably never get up from bed.

Yan Wentao, seeing that Yan Wenkai was still chattering away, grabbed his arm and pulled him off to catch up with Daohua and the others.

After the group left, the street, which had been tense, suddenly fell silent, with people letting out a sigh of relief.

The owner of the fabric shop across the street wiped the sweat from his forehead and silently thanked himself for not offending those two young ladies.

Li Chenyi and his two brothers, who had been with Yan Wenkai, were walking at the back. As they passed the theater entrance, they happened to see Fang Liangji and his companions coming out from inside.

Seeing Fang Liangji, Li Chenzhi was surprised. "Brother Fang, what are you doing here?"

Li Chenyi and Li Chenli looked somewhat displeased. Their engagement was coming up in a few days, yet this person was still hanging around Anle Street.

Fang Liangji hadn’t expected to run into them. He immediately smiled and stepped forward to greet them, introducing Fang Hao, who was familiar with Sun Yongyi, and not saying much else.

After the greetings, Fang Liangji explained, "My uncle just arrived in the capital, and we came to the theater together to watch a play."

Fang Hao, showing consideration for Fang Liangji, smiled faintly and said, "I enjoy watching plays, so I invited Liangji to accompany me."

Li Chenyi nodded and smiled, "The plays at the Hundred-Opera House are indeed good. The three of us have something to attend to today, but we’ll invite you again to watch a play soon."

Sun Yongyi couldn’t help but ask, "Chenyi, are you with the Young Prince?"

Li Chenyi glanced at him, vaguely replying, "We’re just accompanying our cousin." He then smiled apologetically, "Goodbye."

Looking at the three brothers from the Li family hurrying away, Fang Hao squinted his eyes and looked at Fang Liangji. "The cousin Li Chenyi mentioned is the son of the new Prefect of Ningmen, Master Yan, right?"

Fang Liangji nodded.

Fang Hao’s eyes gleamed. "The Dong family, the Yan family... I should know who those two young masters are." He chuckled and looked at Fang Liangji. "Seems like they’re not too keen on marrying their daughter to you."

Fang Liangji gave a wry smile. He now roughly guessed the identity of the people following him and understood why the two young ladies had appeared at the theater.

(End of Chapter)