NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 9 - You Freeloader!
Chapter 9 You Freeloader!
Watching Zhao Pan’er whispering with Gao You, looking every bit the bashful young maiden, Ouyang Xu felt his anger about to explode. But he couldn’t afford to lose control.
When Gao Hui found out that Gao You was Liu Yun Jushi and had painted Zhao Pan’er as a celestial maiden, she wanted him to paint her portrait as well. However, since she had just forced Zhao Pan’er into marriage, she knew that Zhao Pan’er now resented her.
If she went to ask Gao You for a portrait of herself, she might be ridiculed. So, she pretended to be upset, subtly hinting at Ouyang Xu to request a painting on her behalf.
As the future son-in-law of the Gao family, Ouyang Xu couldn’t just ignore her wishes. That was why he had stopped them.
“Brother Gao!”
Ouyang Xu gritted his teeth, trying to control his temper.
“I am, after all, your matchmaker!”
Matchmaker?
Gao You looked at Ouyang Xu as if he were disgusting.
“Let’s go home.”
Ignoring Ouyang Xu, Gao You took Zhao Pan’er’s hand and left. Ouyang Xu clenched his fists, his rage burning so fiercely it was about to erupt.
“Young Master!”
Uncle De frowned.
“Why must we ask for a painting from that fool?”
“He’s just a simpleton!”
“Shut up!”
Ouyang Xu snapped, gripping the inkstone in his hand tightly as he prepared to leave. Just then, a filthy beggar came walking towards them. That figure—Ouyang Xu immediately recognized her. It was Xiao Lingdang, the maid Zhao Pan’er had taken in long ago.
Recalling the past, Ouyang Xu felt a surge of frustration. So many perfect moments with Zhao Pan’er had been ruined by this girl. Because of her constant interference, even after he passed the imperial exam, he hadn’t even managed to steal Zhao Pan’er’s first kiss.
“Xiao Lingdang!”
Suppressing his irritation, Ouyang Xu forced a smile and stepped forward.
“Young Master Ouyang?”
Xiao Lingdang looked at him in surprise.
“Weren’t you supposed to be in the capital taking the exam?”
“Why are you back?”
“Did you fail again?”
Uncle De scowled at her words.
“My young master is this year’s Tanhua (third-place scholar)!”
“Tanhua?”
Xiao Lingdang’s eyes widened in disbelief. She truly hadn’t expected that this man, who had lived off Zhao Pan’er like a freeloader, had actually passed the exam.
“Well, aren’t you looking down on him now?”
Uncle De huffed proudly.
Back when they relied on Zhao Pan’er, Xiao Lingdang had mocked them constantly. Now that his master had finally succeeded, he was eager to return the insult.
“Uncle De!”
Ouyang Xu shot him a warning glance. Uncle De shut his mouth but still looked resentful.
“Did you come back to marry Sister Pan’er?”
Xiao Lingdang questioned Ouyang Xu directly. He instantly felt embarrassed.
Uncle De quickly responded, “My young master is a Tanhua, a noble scholar!”
“How could a lowly woman from a courtesan background be worthy of him?”
“My young master is about to marry the niece of the Imperial Consort—Miss Gao Hui, the legitimate daughter of Imperial Inspector Gao!”
Uncle De spoke with great pride.
Xiao Lingdang’s face darkened in fury. She pulled out the short staff hidden on her back.
“Xiao Lingdang!”
Ouyang Xu quickly tried to calm her.
“Don’t get violent!”
“Things aren’t as Uncle De says!”
Xiao Lingdang hesitated, but still held her staff tightly.
“Then tell me how things really are.”
“You betrayed Sister Pan’er—there’s no denying that!”
Ouyang Xu’s face filled with sorrow. He nodded.
“Yes, I am a traitor.”
“But I had no choice!”
“After I placed third in the exams, the Imperial Consort arranged my marriage immediately!”
“As a newly appointed scholar with no background, how could I possibly defy a powerful family like the Gao clan?”
“I had no choice but to accept the engagement.”
“But I swear—my feelings for Pan’er have never changed!”
As he spoke, Ouyang Xu raised his right hand solemnly.
“I, Ouyang Xu, swear to the heavens!”
“If I ever stop loving Zhao Pan’er, may I be struck by five bolts of lightning!”
In this era, people held a deep reverence for the gods. Since Ouyang Xu dared to make such a vow, Xiao Lingdang wavered.
Seeing her hesitation, Ouyang Xu quickly poured out his sorrow, explaining how much he regretted everything, how much he missed Zhao Pan’er.
“So, what do you want?”
Xiao Lingdang eyed him suspiciously. Ouyang Xu beckoned her closer.
She leaned in, and he whispered, “I want you to watch over Pan’er for me.”
“Once I rise to power, I will take her back!”
Xiao Lingdang frowned.
“Watch over her how?”
Ouyang Xu shrugged.
“Do I really need to teach you?”
“You used to interfere plenty back then!”
“Now, you just need to keep that fool Gao You from getting too close to Pan’er.”
Xiao Lingdang hesitated.
Ouyang Xu stepped back and bowed deeply.
“Please, I’m begging you!”
Xiao Lingdang had never been bowed to before—especially not by a newly appointed official.
“Alright, fine. I’ll do my best!”
With that, she slung her bundle over her shoulder and quickly disappeared. Watching her leave, Ouyang Xu finally felt some of his anger dissipate.
_______
When Zhao Pan’er and Gao You arrived home, they found an elderly couple waiting for them.
“Young Master!”
The couple greeted Gao You excitedly. He smiled.
“Uncle Fu, Aunt Fu!”
“Gao Lang?”
Zhao Pan’er looked at him, confused. Just as Gao You was about to explain, Uncle Fu beat him to it.
“This must be the young mistress!”
“She is truly a rare beauty!”
“I am the house steward, and this is my wife—she does the cooking and housework!”
So they were Gao You’s family servants. Zhao Pan’er had heard that he had some household staff, but they hadn’t been present during the wedding.