Tang Jiefei scoffed, "I just can't stand your bullying. Is it wrong to step in and defend the weak?"
"Defending the weak, my foot!" Meng Shuping, who had observed everything clearly from the sidelines, interjected. "Don't flatter yourself! It's obvious he has a beef with that Tao fellow, yet he has the nerve to lecture others under the guise of justice? Some people really have no shame!"
Tao Zifan, still fuming from the earlier remarks, couldn't help but inwardly cheer upon hearing Tang Jiefei also getting a tongue-lashing: More! Give him more!
Tang Jiefei frowned, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. Who dared to run their mouth so brazenly in front of him?
Before he could pinpoint the speaker, the voice continued, "The vendor was only out a few coins, but thanks to his meddling, not only is the vendor's business completely ruined, but he also has to worry about retaliation. Talk about rotten luck!"
"In terms of being a scoundrel, that Tao guy isn't even in his league! To harm someone so badly for his own selfish reasons—what a worthless piece of trash!"
Hearing this, Tang Jiefei's anger flared. He cast a dark look around but heard no further remarks. Frustrated, he snapped, "Which coward is hiding behind others? If you have the guts, show yourself and speak!"
The crowd, which had been murmuring, immediately fell silent and backed away swiftly at his outburst.
Meng Shuping, hidden behind Jiang Cihe, also retreated a couple of steps. "What's the big deal? He can do it, but we can't talk about it? It's not like he's the only one with a mouth."
Tao Zifan, on the other hand, was thoroughly amused. While the speaker's words about him were infuriating, hearing them directed at someone else was immensely satisfying.
He picked at his ear and cast a sidelong glance at Tang Jiefei. "Me, bullying people? Which eye of yours saw me bullying anyone?" He then turned casually to the vendor. "Did I bully you?"
The vendor waved his hands frantically. "No, no! That sachet was a gift to this gentleman. If he likes it, he's welcome to take it!" He then looked pleadingly at Tang Jiefei. "Sir, I truly gave it to him willingly. Please, could you stop making a fuss?"
As he spoke, he even kowtowed. "I'm just trying to make an honest living. Please, both of you, just let me be!"
Tao Zifan smirked triumphantly. "See? He didn't say I bullied him. Why are you meddling?"
Watching the vendor's fearful expression, Meng Shuping felt a wave of anger. "Tsk, tsk, what a scumbag! It makes me want to hit him! You say he's bad, but he only took something worth pennies. But if you say he's not bad, how could he even take something so cheap without paying?"
"Hey, Tang, don't just talk the talk. He's provoking you like this—can you really just take it? Hmph, if you don't have the guts to stand up for others, don't pretend to be a hero. Now you're just making a fool of yourself!"
Tang Jiefei's face turned bright red. Though no one in the crowd openly agreed with the voice, he felt as if everyone was looking at him mockingly, as if laughing at his weakness and incompetence compared to Tao Zifan.
Originally, he had intended to immediately find the speaker, but now Tang Jiefei was too enraged to care about anything else. He had no guts? He had no guts? Today, he would make sure Tao Zifan paid up!
Suppressing his temper, he gave Tao Zifan a forced smile. "Hmph, anyone with eyes can see who's throwing their weight around. Tsk, tsk, who would've thought? The family of the esteemed Noble Consort Tao has fallen so low they can't even afford a few coins. If you're broke, just say so. We've known each other for so long—wouldn't I lend you the money?"
Meng Shuping nodded in agreement. "Exactly! Some people look all high and mighty but can't even afford a sachet. Hey, when you think about it, he's actually quite ridiculous!"
"But he still shouldn't steal! Just imagine tomorrow, when everyone in the capital gossips about how the nephew of Noble Consort Tao was caught red-handed stealing something worth a few coins—I'll die laughing!"
"Hahaha, I thought abusing power meant oppressing the people and exploiting the locals. Who knew it meant swiping a sachet? Give me a break! At least have some class!"
"Hahahaha!" Tang Jiefei burst into wild laughter. He no longer found the speaker hateful—in fact, he thought the person was incredibly articulate. Yes, Tao Zifan was utterly laughable! Keep it coming!
Jiang Cihe also shook, trying to suppress his laughter. Why were Meng Shuping's thoughts so amusing?
Tao Zifan's face darkened. Who said he stole the sachet? With his status, did he need to steal? He had taken it openly!
Fuming, he turned around, determined to find the speaker. After listening for so long, though he hadn't identified the voice, he had a rough idea of the direction it came from.
Seeing Tao Zifan about to leave, Meng Shuping blurted out. "Is he trying to make a run for it now that he's been exposed for having no money?"
Tang Jiefei quickly looked up and, seeing Tao Zifan indeed trying to leave, rushed forward and grabbed him. "Stop! Where do you think you're going? Trying to run away now that I've exposed you for being broke? Aren't you ashamed?"
Tao Zifan angrily shook him off. "Who's running? I'll say it again—I have plenty of money!"
Meng Shuping didn't believe him. "If he has money, why hasn't he paid? Probably just putting on a show. There are plenty of broke people who put on airs. Not to criticize, but if he's broke, why pretend to be rich?"
Tang Jiefei grabbed him again. "Exactly! If you have money, why not pay? I think you're just trying to escape!"
Meng Shuping scoffed disdainfully. "Tsk, and he calls himself Noble Consort Tao's nephew. Does the Emperor know his concubine's family is so shameless? Running away because he can't pay—how embarrassing!"
Tao Zifan, annoyed by the entanglement and infuriated by Meng Shuping's endless chatter, felt his veins bulging. He reached for his purse. "It's just money, right? I have plenty—"
But his hand found nothing. Tao Zifan looked down and realized his purse was gone.
He was stunned. "Where's my purse?"
Meng Shuping stood on tiptoe to peek. "Keep pretending! Next, you're going to say it was stolen, right? Not having money is bad enough, but now you're lying to avoid paying? How shameless can you be?"
Tao Zifan snapped, "My purse really was stolen!"
But Tang Jiefei didn't believe him either. He looked at Tao Zifan disdainfully. "I'd respect you more if you just admitted you wouldn't pay. Why bother lying?"
Hearing this, the crowd also eyed Tao Zifan suspiciously, murmuring among themselves, "Maybe he really took it because he had no money?"
"I've heard that some rich young masters, though they don't lack food or clothing, don't have much spending money."
"Who would've thought Noble Consort Tao's family was like this too?"
Tao Zifan's face turned crimson. He'd rather be accused of oppressing people than of stealing a sachet!
So he snatched the jade pendant from his waist and said through gritted teeth, "I'll give him this instead, alright?"
The vendor hastily refused. "No, no, really, it's not necessary!"
Meng Shuping curled his lip. "Acting generous now, but he'll definitely ask for it back later. Even if he dares to give it, the vendor wouldn't dare take it! He'll probably seek revenge later!"
Tang Jiefei gloated, "Yeah, I think you're just trying to play us. You'll take the pendant back later when everyone's gone. Who'd know what you did then?"
Tao Zifan fumed, "I told you my purse was stolen! What more do you want? Fine, I'll have someone go back and get money!"
Just then, his servant spoke up, "Young Master, I just remembered—your purse is with me. It's all my fault. I forgot to pay earlier and didn't remind you."
With that, he quickly took out coins from his own purse and tossed them onto the vendor's stall.
Tao Zifan immediately relaxed. Thank goodness his servant was quick-thinking. He pretended to be angry. "You useless servant! How could you forget to pay? You've caused me so much trouble!"
The servant promptly slapped his own face. "Yes, yes, it's all my fault."
Meng Shuping watched in amazement. "Oho! As expected, the servant takes the blame. What could Young Master Tao possibly have done wrong? Even if he did, it's the servant's fault!"
Ignoring Meng Shuping's sarcasm, Tao Zifan felt he had saved face. He looked smugly at Tang Jiefei. "Now let go?"
Tang Jiefei snorted and released him. "Don't think this is over. I'll be watching you. If you try to take the money back or seek revenge, don't blame me for spreading the word!"
Tao Zifan seethed but replied darkly, "Don't worry, you won't get the chance!"
Next, he would focus on settling the score with the person who had been talking earlier.
However, just as he was about to go find Meng Shuping, he spotted troops charging rapidly from that direction, quickly surrounding him and Tang Jiefei. The onlookers, seeing this, immediately scattered frantically, afraid of getting caught up in the trouble.
Meng Shuping and Jiang Cihe also quickly ducked out of the way. It was then that Meng Shuping noticed Ling Feng had just returned. Curious, he whispered under his breath to Jiang Cihe, "Did you send someone to get them?"
Jiang Cihe glanced at him, "What does it look like?"
Meng Shuping let out an "oh," finally understanding why he hadn't seen Ling Feng earlier.
Seeing himself surrounded, Tao Zifan grew flustered, "What do you think you're doing? I am Noble Consort Tao's nephew!"
Tang Jiefei, never one to miss an opportunity to argue with Tao Zifan, retorted, "And I am Esteemed Consort Zhao's nephew!"
Meng Shuping exclaimed in realization, "Ah! I remember now! Wasn't it said that Noble Consort Tao's nephew and Esteemed Consort Zhao's nephew got into a fight over a cross-dressing guy? Hahaha! So it was these two idiots!"
Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei angrily turned to look in Meng Shuping's direction, but their view was completely blocked. Before they could get another look, several soldiers grabbed and restrained them.
Struggling, Tao Zifan shouted angrily, "What gives you the right to arrest me? Let me go!"
The lead soldier responded expressionlessly and coldly, "Anyone causing trouble on the streets, regardless of who they are, will be taken away!"
After Tao Zifan and Tang Jiefei were taken away, Jiang Cihe turned to Meng Shuping, "Let's go, we should find a place to eat."
Meng Shuping quickly declined, "Maybe another time? There's food waiting for me at home!"
"Damn it! Who wants to eat with him anyway? Isn't it awkward enough eating by myself? I don't want to end up sitting there with nothing to say, making forced small talk."
"Maybe I should just pretend I'm not feeling well!"
But just as he furrowed his brow, he heard Jiang Cihe ask with concern, "Are you still not feeling well? Should I take you home first?"