The three men were somewhat intimidated by the treasure sword in Ming Mo’s hand, and looking at Ming Yan, he was also dressed remarkably.

Carrying a sword around means the person must be someone significant, so they didn’t dare to be impertinent towards Ming Yan in their words.

And then there was the carriage. Although it bore no family crest, it was quite luxurious. Earlier, he had seen the curtain move, indicating that there was definitely someone inside the carriage.

Seeing that Ming Yan didn’t seem intent on intervening, they urged the young girl to leave with them.

"My good brother, I apologize for any offense." One of them stepped forward, preparing to pull the young girl away.

"Hey? I say, you really lack compassion; how could you not lend a hand to such a pitiful girl? It’s truly a sign of the declining times and hardened hearts! And you, you bullies, dare to snatch a young woman in broad daylight?"

Hmm? Gu Chengyu had already put down the curtain, intending to tell Ming Yan to give some Silver and leave. Because he was wearing an official uniform, if he really ignored it, and people found out later, he would be criticized.

If there was truly no one in the alley, it would be one thing! But there were one or two passersby.

Unexpectedly, before Gu Chengyu could speak, one or two small cats jumped out. They seemed very dissatisfied with them and started accusing Ming Yan.

Gu Chengyu lifted the corner of the carriage curtain and took a glance at the speaker, seeing someone around the age of twenty, wearing a sky-blue cotton cloak and a wooden hairpin, holding a hand warmer. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Beside them stood another person dressed similarly, who seemed to be their companion.

Behind them was an Attendant Student, whom Gu Chengyu also examined briefly. The Attendant Student was young, around twelve or thirteen years old.

After a careful look and seeing nothing special about the Attendant Student, Gu Chengyu shifted his gaze.

These two seemed to be scholars, but why they appeared here was unknown.

However, the righteous demeanor of the other party made Gu Chengyu find it amusing. Was this an attempt to play the hero, or was it a scholar’s impulsive act of folly?

"You don’t seem poorly dressed, yet why are you so lacking in compassion?"

The scholar glanced at Ming Yan’s attire, then at the young woman’s tear-streaked face, and his face immediately showed indignation.

"And who are you? If you want to save her, spend your own Silver, why drag me into it?"

Ming Yan rolled his eyes; the master was always generous to them, and they wore only the best.

Both his and Ming Mo’s clothes were custom-made in the mansion’s sewing room, not inferior to the master’s.

Unexpectedly, this person was arguing based on his attire. True! He earned a decent salary each month, and the master’s tips were plentiful.

But just because he had Silver, should he save this young woman? Who knew if she had ulterior motives for approaching their carriage? It was utterly ridiculous!

For unrelated matters, especially those that might have hidden motives, Ming Yan had no intention of intervening. The master often taught them that the officialdom was rife with deceit; meddling in unrelated matters could lead to falling into traps set by others.

Unless the master intended to protect this woman, Ming Yan would not meddle.

"Hmph! And who are you to meddle in our brotherhood’s business? Do you know whom we serve? You seem to be scholars, so let me advise you: don’t meddle unnecessarily, or you’ll invite trouble upon yourself."

One of them scrutinized the two scholars, then warned them aloud.

Hearing this, Gu Chengyu was somewhat surprised. This person was different from the typical hoodlums. Their speech was somewhat refined, and they were perceptive.

Earlier, he hadn’t spoken rudely to Ming Yan, showing his sharpness.

"You..." The scholar, seeing the three men glaring at him menacingly, couldn’t help but retreat a step.

His eyes shifted, and he saw the beauty at the carriage wheel looking at him with tearful eyes, prompting him to straighten his back.

"When encountering injustice on the road, it’s only natural for a scholar like me to intervene. Leave at once, or I will report you to the authorities."

The scholar’s bluster drew laughter from the three burly men, "Report? Go ahead! Want us brothers to escort you there?"

Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but laugh. Brother, before playing the hero, shouldn’t you gauge your own capabilities?

To recklessly stand up for a beauty without assurance—should one say this person is naïve, or has beauty clouded his judgment?

The other scholar, sensing things going awry, concluded that the master behind these three men must have some background. As mere scholars, how could they afford to provoke such people?

He tugged on the other scholar’s sleeve, whispering, "Brother Fang, let’s leave it. These people are obviously not to be trifled with; why should we get caught up in this mess?"

Fang Yiming turned and glared at his peer, "Are we to let them take this woman away in broad daylight and force her into prostitution? I refuse to believe there’s no law under heaven. Under the Emperor’s watchful eyes and in this vast world, there must be a place for justice."

"Hmph! Then let’s talk justice. It’s a rightful debt; they can’t repay it, so we’re taking her as compensation. We’re just fulfilling our duties for our master, trying to earn a living. Don’t make it hard for us."

Seeing more people gathering, the man’s face turned sour. Unwilling to waste more words, he took a couple of quick steps and grabbed the woman’s arm.

The woman screamed loudly, as if frightfully shocked, and clung tightly to the carriage wheel.

Ming Yan was immediately troubled. Today’s delay had cost them much time; he glanced into the carriage.

Gu Chengyu shook his head; clearly, the carriage wasn’t leaving anytime soon. It seemed this matter, like it or not, had to be addressed today.

Because he could hear several sets of footsteps coming from the alley, it seemed the commotion had drawn others’ attention.

The woman’s pitiful and panicked face caught the scholar’s eye, and he took a step forward, shoving the man, "Let her go!"

The man had lost patience; if it weren’t for the carriage owner seeming to have some background, he wouldn’t have held back.

Seeing these two scholars without any rank or wealth, dressed far more humbly than the carriage coachman, the man wouldn’t be so polite.

Just as the man retracted his hand, ready to teach the scholar surnamed Fang a lesson, a melodious voice emerged from inside the carriage.

"Wait!"

Those two words stopped the man’s actions. The clear voice of a young man, like a mountain spring striking rocks, drew everyone’s attention to the carriage interior.

"You said earlier that her uncle owed you money. Then you should seek her uncle."

Gu Chengyu sighed. Since they were now involved, he thought they might as well get clarity on the matter.

The man composed himself; although the voice from inside the carriage sounded young, he dared not underestimate it.