Chapter 7: Taking the Plan into Account

Ansheng stood in front of the entrance of Zuisheng Building for a while, feeling somewhat reluctant in her heart. Just then, a few wealthy young men with slicked-back hair and powdered faces happened to be in front of her, politely chatting and laughing as they entered the building. The flirtatious girls immediately flocked around them, trying to charm them with their coquettish gestures.

Ansheng saw an opportunity and, gritting her teeth, lowered her head and followed them into the building.

One of the girls stopped Ansheng, looking puzzled.

Ansheng pointed ahead and lied without batting an eyelid, "I'm a personal maid."

The girl who stopped Ansheng looked at her suspiciously, clearly not believing her.

"My master has a volatile temper and could erupt at any moment. If anything goes wrong, can this Zuisheng Building handle it?" Ansheng spoke confidently and arrogantly, leaving the girl bewildered. Fortunately, a well-fed guest swaggered in behind her, diverting the girl's attention. Ansheng quickly avoided the situation and grabbed a tea tray to use as a cover, sneakily looking around. The lewd and noisy atmosphere made her feel flustered and disoriented. She didn't know where Meng Jinglun was.

Feeling at a loss and almost wanting to flee, the door of an elegant room on the second floor suddenly opened. A handsome man in a silver shirt rushed out in a fluster, bowing to the people inside, "Thank you, gentlemen, for your hospitality today. I, Meng, am unable to enjoy it. Please excuse me."

Ansheng was overjoyed. Meng Jinglun? Could it be that she had found Meng Jinglun without much effort?

After exchanging pleasantries, the man hurriedly retreated, as if avoiding a flood or a ferocious beast.

Behind him, two girls were leaning against the railing, and as he stumbled back, he accidentally bumped into them.

The man in the silver shirt was startled and apologetically bowed, "I'm sorry, ladies."

The two girls, upon seeing the handsome man, coquettishly and flirtatiously said, "You're too polite, sir. It's fate for us to meet in such a beautiful place. It's our lucky encounter."

The man blushed and continued to bow, "Ladies, please behave. We are just passing acquaintances."

The girls were not willing to let him go easily. Seeing his awkwardness, they eagerly approached him.

Unable to withstand the favor of the beauties, the man in the silver shirt was taken aback and stepped back, as if avoiding a snake or a scorpion. Not far behind him was the staircase, and with a misstep, he tumbled down the stairs.

The crowd gasped, and people rushed out of the elegant room, exclaiming, "Brother Jinglun!"

After the shock, Ansheng was sure that he was indeed Meng Jinglun. Without hesitation, she rushed out and threw herself in front of Meng Jinglun, anxiously calling out, "Young Master!"

Meng Jinglun, feeling dizzy and in pain, finally took a deep breath and opened his eyes.

"Young Master, are you okay?" Ansheng asked cautiously.

Meng Jinglun, feeling confused, looked at Ansheng in her maid attire and seemed puzzled.

Without giving him a chance to speak, Ansheng quickly said, "Young Master, you must not be feeling well. Do you not recognize me? I am the maid serving by Madam's side. She sent me to find you and bring you back home."

Meng Jinglun, not a fool, would have been suspicious under normal circumstances. However, at that moment, he was in too much pain and confusion to think clearly.

He nodded dazedly, "It's really painful!"

Ansheng, seeing that he could move his arms and legs freely, pressed his hand and said, "Young Master, please don't move recklessly. If you injure yourself, it will be troublesome."

Meng Jinglun, a bookish man, stopped struggling immediately.

Several wealthy young men rushed out of the elegant room, joking about Meng Jinglun's misfortune. Ansheng couldn't help but sneer inwardly. She was angry at Meng Jinglun's association with such a group of friends.

Although Meng Jinglun had not yet entered officialdom, if news of this incident spread, it would tarnish his reputation and ruin his future. These people not only wanted to drag Meng Jinglun into trouble but also intended to publicly expose his identity. Ansheng was furious at their malicious intentions.

Initially, Ansheng was indeed angry at Meng Jinglun for frequenting such places, but seeing his panic and polite behavior, she believed he was not one to associate with such dissolute friends. Now, seeing him being taken advantage of by this group, she couldn't help but feel protective of him!

Today I have a major matter to attend to, so how can I afford to have any complications? I can only swallow my anger and vent it out on Meng Jinglun, scolding and berating him.

"Lady, when I heard that Young Master Lu brought you to this filthy and vile place, I knew that trouble was inevitable. I immediately sent servants to find you. You have always been proper and virtuous, how could you end up in such a treacherous place? You might be in danger. Hurry and come back to the mansion for treatment, don't delay your injuries."

This was probably the first time Meng Jinglun had been rebuked by a servant in his life. For a moment, he forgot about the pain and looked bewildered and speechless.

Ansheng turned to those so-called "classmates" without any politeness and scolded, "Why aren't you coming over to help? You all coaxed and persuaded my young master to come here, so you should be responsible for sending him back. Now my young master is seriously injured, and you're just standing by and doing nothing?"

The sharp-tongued maid's words left the usually eloquent scholars speechless.

They wanted to reprimand her, but seeing Meng Jinglun lying motionless on the ground, they were afraid that something might happen to him. In a panic, they called for a carriage and clumsily lifted Meng Jinglun, leaving the Drunken Life Tower and heading straight for the carriage waiting outside.

Ansheng was not willing to miss this opportunity. Regardless of everything, she quickly got on the carriage and loudly exclaimed, "My young master's leg must not be touched, it might be a bone injury, be careful."

She secretly pinched Meng Jinglun, eliciting a painful cry.

Those so-called friends were busy shirking responsibility and complaining about the inconvenience, then they hurried back to the Drunken Life Tower, ignoring his well-being.

The coachman cracked the whip and headed straight for the Meng mansion. Ansheng reminded the driver to be careful and slow, then she retreated into the carriage, leaving only her and Meng Jinglun inside.

Ansheng muttered irritably, "He's about to have a wife tomorrow, yet he came to this absurd place. He deserves this suffering."

Meng Jinglun's mind was finally clearing up a bit, and he looked at Ansheng with confusion, asking, "Who are you exactly? I don't remember having such a bold maid in the mansion. How dare you lay hands on me, the young master?"

Ansheng didn't hide it at this point and sighed, "Meng Big Brother, I am Ansheng, Xia Ansheng."