Leap Forward Comics: Watch How I Become a Villainess

Chapter 101 Commander of the Inner Guard

Nie Qing returned to the inn and let Liu Xiao, Bai Yu, Chun Yao, and Chun Yue know that she was safe.

They were extremely worried these past two days. They pulled strings and spent a lot of money trying to find out about Lu He's whereabouts in the palace, but they couldn't get any information.

Bai Yu and Liu Xiao were extremely anxious, almost letting Bai Yu sneak into the palace to gather information using his martial arts skills. In the end, Chun Yue and Chun Yao calmed down and went to the Prime Minister's residence to find Chao Huaiyuan, who went straight to the palace without saying a word.

Lu He broke out in a cold sweat after hearing what they said. Fortunately, they still had their senses and did not do anything that would make them look like assassins or traitors.

“In the next couple of days, someone may come to see you or test your skills, so be careful,” Lu He said to Bai Yu. “The other party is probably someone from the Crown Prince or the Eldest Princess. Just remember, no matter who asks you, you must say that you are my sworn brother, understand?”

Liu Xiao, who was listening from the side, realized that this was a way to get Bai Yu a position close to a prince or princess. He hurriedly squeezed forward and said, "What about me, sir? What about me?"

"Don't worry, you stay with Chao Huaiyuan for now. I have other plans." Lu He reassured Liu Xiao, admitting she had indeed forgotten about him. She had initially thought of giving him a minor official position through Chao Huaiyuan, mainly because Liu Xiao, besides being obedient, had no real skills. Even if she wanted to find him a job in the palace, she was afraid he would get himself killed. "You'll be very useful in the future. Now you need to learn diligently from the General of the Central Army, understand?" Lu He thought that perhaps if Chao Huaiyuan personally trained him, he could take over the position of General of the Central Army.

After Lu He finished explaining the situation to everyone, he asked Chun Yue to go to Minister Nie's residence and invite Miss Nie Qing to meet up the next day.

The next day.

Lu He and Nie Qing met in a private room on the second floor of Tianming Pavilion, the best teahouse in the capital.

Lu He thoroughly enjoyed the style and atmosphere of the teahouse. There was an artist playing the guqin on a small stage downstairs, and the antique tables, chairs, and teacups all exuded a very elegant feel.

If this kind of store were in modern times, it would become a popular spot for internet celebrities to take photos. Moreover, it wouldn't have such a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. It would definitely be a crowded and noisy place where people would be waiting in line outside to have their numbers called.

Lu He's thoughts drifted far away.

Suddenly, a commotion downstairs pulled Lu He's wandering thoughts back to reality.

"What's going on outside?" Nie Qing asked softly to the maid standing at the door.

Before the maid could answer, Lu He, who loved watching the excitement, immediately popped out of the private room, leaned on the railing, and looked down.

A soldier was standing on the round platform of the waterside pavilion, pulling at the girl who had just been playing the zither.

"It seems a soldier has had too much to drink..." The maid at the door reported the situation when she saw Lu He come out.

"What?" Lu He looked incredulous. This was a teahouse, not a tavern. How could there be drunkards here?

“This soldier barged in from outside; he’s not a customer of the teahouse,” Bai Yu explained. “He’s probably a customer of the tavern across the street.”

Lu He frowned in disgust, watching the burly drunkard downstairs grabbing the young girl's sleeve and refusing to let go. The girl must have been terrified, as she was crying uncontrollably.

"Should we do something about it?" Bai Yu asked, noticing Lu He's resentful expression.

As they were talking, two waiters downstairs went to pull the soldier away, but were violently kicked aside. The teahouse guards surrounded them with sticks, and the soldier snorted coldly, while the two soldiers behind him drew their sabers.

Upon seeing the words "Inner Guard" engraved on the military knife, the guards immediately dared not approach.

"It looks like a soldier from the Imperial Guard." Nie Qing had also come out at some point and was leaning against the railing with Lu He, watching the farce below.

"So, should we still intervene?" Bai Yu asked Lu He again, his fist clenched, indicating that he was somewhat inclined to intervene.

"Wait a minute," Nie Qing raised his hand to stop Bai Yu: "Those who can open shops in this capital are not ordinary people, let alone Tianming Pavilion, which is one of the top teahouses. It must be backed by high-ranking officials and nobles. It's not our place to interfere."

Sure enough, the shopkeeper rushed over and bowed to the officer: "May I ask who this officer is?"

"Who do you think you are to ask me such a question?" the soldier said arrogantly.

"Sir, you may not know this, but this teahouse is run by the nephew of Lin Zhanlin, the Imperial Censor." The manager indeed invoked the high-ranking official's influence. The Imperial Censor is a fifth-rank civil official.

Upon hearing this, the soldier sobered up considerably: "Imperial Censor Lin? Lord Lin's teahouse?"

"No, he's Lord Lin's nephew..." the shopkeeper quickly explained.

"A mere nephew of mine dares to act so arrogantly in front of me! Doesn't he even know who Han Biao, the commander of the Thousand Bull Guard, is?" The soldier kicked the shopkeeper over: "If you're so capable, let Lin Zhan come here himself!" After cursing, he grabbed the little girl's hand even tighter: "Stop crying, come and have some tea with me!"

The Inner Guard, the Thousand Ox Guard, was the outermost unit of the Inner Guard responsible for maintaining security on the outskirts of the Imperial City. The commander of the Thousand Ox Guard held the rank of seventh grade.

After scanning the identity information, Lu He exclaimed, "Martial arts practitioners are really fierce. This seventh-rank official actually dares to challenge a fifth-rank official."

“That’s not it,” Nie Qing knew that Lu He had oversimplified things. “Han Biao is a cousin of Han Ji, the Imperial City Envoy of the Imperial City Guard. Naturally, he is not afraid of a fifth-rank official.”

Suddenly, a sharp "slap" rang out from below. The girl was probably terrified and, in a moment of panic, slapped Han Biao hard across the face. For a moment, everyone downstairs was stunned.

"You son of a bitch!" Han Biao raised his thick arm, about to slap the frail little girl across the face.

"Stop!" Lu He and Nie Qing shouted in unison.