Gu Mingsheng, hands on hips, fearless, spat, “Bah, you who rise on the coattails of others, I’m not afraid of you! I called for Hongniang first, so she’s mine today, even if your cousin, the magistrate, came himself, I wouldn’t back down!”
Normally, he wouldn’t dare to challenge the magistrate’s relative, but with several jars of wine in him, his courage was up, and with his friends cheering him on and a favorite courtesan by his side, he cared little for the magistrate or even the emperor.
Zhou Cai, upon hearing the insult, was so furious he almost choked. He was not a close relative of the magistrate, just a distant cousin, and such comments about his relationship with the magistrate were what he hated most.
Hearing Gu Mingsheng’s words, he retorted angrily, “You’re the dog, your whole family are dogs!”
Gu Mingsheng, known as Yun City’s number one wastrel, was usually avoided by all, with people only daring to curse him behind his back. Being insulted to his face was new, and his anger surged to his head, ready to throw a punch at Zhou Cai.
Just then, Chang Kang, with his men, pushed through the crowd, called out to the young master, and with a wave of his hand, ordered, “Tie him up.”
Gu Mingsheng, about to throw a punch: “…”
Zhou Cai and the onlookers, watching Gu Mingsheng being carried away like a bound zongzi: “…”
After everyone had left, Zhou Cai finally realized he hadn’t accomplished what his cousin had asked.
“Chang Kang, you bastard, put me down! How dare you bind me in public? I’ll have your skin!”
Gu Mingsheng, carried through the streets, shouted insults. Chang Kang, his neck shrinking, braced himself, “Young Master, it was Master’s order to bind you. Please don’t blame me.”
“Bullshit, my father loves me so much, he’d never have you bind me! You must be using his name. Put me down, or I’ll beat you black and blue!”
Such threats only ensured that Chang Kang wouldn’t release him. He urged the others, “Hurry up, let’s go.”
