Zhao Family, backyard.
“Zhao Yinxi! Are you only satisfied if I bear the name of ingratitude and get expelled from Xingyun Pavilion?”
Zhao Yanyun clenched her fists, staring intently at Zhao Yinxi, who was tied to a wooden stake, and cried out indignantly.
After her mother, Chen Qinglian, reminded her, she quickly came to check if Zhou Qingyu had escaped.
As it turned out, her mother’s guess was correct.
Zhao Yinxi never truly intended to marry; she only wanted to save Zhou Qingyu.
But with Zhou Qingyu gone, Zhao Yanyun would still be branded with the reputation of breaking off the engagement, which would affect her entry into Xingyun Pavilion.
“Young Miss, I just don’t want you all to harm innocent people,” Zhao Yinxi said bitterly.
“Shut up! Don’t call me Young Miss!”
Zhao Yanyun snapped, “You can’t even marry a good-for-nothing in my place; what right do you have to call yourself my elder sister?”
“If you truly consider me your Young Miss, then tell me Zhou Qingyu’s whereabouts!”
“You all continue to interrogate her; inform me immediately if there’s any news!”
She picked up her skirt and walked away, her face full of anger.
Left behind was a broad-shouldered servant, who, holding a leather whip, grinned maliciously as he eyed Zhao Yinxi’s graceful figure.
“Eldest Young Miss, although you are ugly, your figure is first-rate!”
“Your skin is so delicate; it would be unbearable for me to whip you.”
Fear flashed in Zhao Yinxi’s eyes.
This servant, named Wang Hu, had bullied her before and had been severely punished by Zhao Ruyuan, so he had always held a grudge against her.
Now that he had found an opportunity for revenge, how could he let it go?
But thinking that Zhou Qingyu might not have run far, if she were to reveal his whereabouts now, Zhou Qingyu would likely be caught and then secretly executed.
So, with a slight grit of her teeth, she closed her eyes, choosing to endure the coming torture.
A sharp glint flashed in Wang Hu’s eyes, and he sneered, “Since that’s the case, don’t blame me for being impolite!”
How honorable it was to be able to discipline the Eldest Young Miss of the Zhao family!
He could brag about it for a lifetime!
With a flick of his wrist, the long whip cracked, letting out a sharp, whistling sound as it cut through the air.
Just as it was about to strike Zhao Yinxi, a cold snort, like muffled thunder, exploded in his ears.
“Touch her, and you die!”
Wang Hu was also a man who had seen the world, but upon hearing the voice, he shivered violently and involuntarily withdrew his strength.
The leather whip landed precisely in front of Zhao Yinxi’s feet, leaving a shallow white mark on the ground.
Zhao Yinxi and Wang Hu both turned their heads simultaneously.
“Zhou Gongzi? Why have you returned?” Zhao Yinxi was stunned, then immediately stomped her foot in annoyance.
She had finally managed to let Zhou Qingyu escape; why did he foolishly run back!
Zhou Qingyu walked over in quick strides, untied her restraints, and poked her forehead disapprovingly: “Didn’t I tell you I was going to marry you?”
“If you had just told the Zhao family the truth, wouldn’t everything have been fine?”
If Zhao Yinxi had told them that Zhou Qingyu had only gone to Wanbao Pavilion to buy something, why would she have suffered this hardship?
Zhao Yinxi looked astonished: “You… you really want to marry me?”
Didn't Zhou Qingyu just make an excuse to slip away?
“I always keep my word.”
Zhou Qingyu shoved the newly acquired ointment into her arms: “Take this; it’s for your face.”
Zhao Yinxi held the medicine bottle blankly, her mind in a jumble.
This man had truly gone to get medicine for her face.
Regardless of whether the medicine was effective or not, at least he genuinely cared about her.
A warm current surged from her heart, turning into a misty film in her eyes; she looked at the man’s back before her, feeling a long-lost sense of security.
“However, before that…”
Zhou Qingyu’s words were cut short as he suddenly turned around, slapping Wang Hu across the face, his eyes glinting coldly:
“You dare to lay a hand on my fiancée? Who gave you the guts?”
Wang Hu was caught off guard and took the slap squarely.
With a crisp crack, his cheek visibly swelled up.
Wang Hu was stunned for a moment, then became enraged and roared, “I am the Young Lord’s personal guard! What the hell are you, daring to lay a hand on me?!”
In everyone’s eyes, Zhou Qingyu was nothing more than a good-for-nothing who tried to cling to the Zhao family!
He was even inferior to a servant; why did he dare to slap him?
He leaped up, lifting his foot and kicking fiercely towards Zhou Qingyu.
This kick was powerful and heavy; if it connected, it would severely injure bones and tendons, or at least cause bruising.
However, he was not facing some weakling with no strength.
But rather, an existence that once intimidated overlords across myriad realms.
Even if he had abandoned his cultivation and started anew, his past combat experience remained.
Zhou Qingyu didn’t even frown; he simply slid his shoulder slightly to evade the kick, then clenched his five fingers and delivered a punch to Wang Hu’s waist.
This spot, though not fatal, was very vulnerable.
With just one punch, Wang Hu cried out in pain, staggering and unable to stand steadily.
Zhou Qingyu gave him no time to breathe, sweeping his leg in a wide arc, attacking his lower body, and knocking him to the ground.
Finally, an aerial elbow strike landed squarely on his face.
“Ah! My teeth… my teeth!!”
Wang Hu instantly had two front teeth knocked out, roaring with a bloodied face.
Zhou Qingyu glanced at the trace of blood on his sleeve, then disgustedly raised his foot and kicked him in the forehead.
Wang Hu’s roars ceased abruptly, and he rolled his eyes back, passing out.
Zhao Yinxi was stunned.
Wang Hu was particularly good at fighting among the guards; unless someone had cultivation, he could fight three people of the same build.
Zhou Qingyu looked so thin and weak, yet he managed to take him down in a few quick moves?
“What are you staring at? Go back to your room and apply the compress.”
Zhou Qingyu walked over, putting his arm around her neck casually.
Zhao Yinxi, like a docile fawn, blushed and obediently let him embrace her as they returned to her boudoir.
Though called a boudoir, it was actually just a woodshed.
However, she had kept it meticulously tidy and very clean.
Zhou Qingyu sighed inwardly; a dignified Eldest Young Miss lived even worse than a servant.
“Come, your husband will apply the compress for you. Once your face gets better, I wonder if the Zhao family will still bear to keep you in the woodshed.”
He carefully applied the prepared Supreme Purity Beautifying Cream to her face.
The cool sensation made Zhao Yinxi feel incredibly comfortable; she squinted her eyes and enjoyed it, saying, “It doesn’t hurt at all.”
Previous medicines not only caused pain when applied to her face but also had no effect whatsoever.
This time was completely different.
Zhou Qingyu then found a veil and wrapped her medicated face tightly.
“You can take it off in three days.”
Zhao Yinxi nodded, but there was no great anticipation in her eyes.
Many divine doctors invited by Zhao Ruyuan years ago couldn't cure her, so she had long given up hope.
Watching Zhou Qingyu’s busy figure, her joy faded, replaced by worry: “You shouldn’t have hit Wang Hu just now.”
“He is my elder brother Zhao Qingyang’s guard and is highly trusted by my elder brother.”
“And my elder brother is not very magnanimous; he will probably cause you trouble.”
“How about… you still leave.”
Recalling Zhao Qingyang, she couldn’t help but show fear.
Zhao Qingyang was the one who bullied her the most in the Zhao family.
The most severe time, he kicked her so hard she sustained internal injuries; if Zhao Ruyuan hadn’t spent a fortune to invite a famous doctor, she would have died long ago.
Seeing her expression, Zhou Qingyu guessed that this Zhao Qingyang must be the son of a stepmother.
Moreover, he had hurt her deeply.
“What is his cultivation level?” Zhou Qingyu asked expressionlessly.
Zhao Yinxi sighed slightly, her brows furrowing even deeper: “Although not as good as Young Miss Zhao Yanyun, he is also a somewhat famous Genius in Qingdi City, currently at the third level of Qi Condensation.”
Zhou Qingyu nodded gently: “A Genius at the third level of Qi Condensation?”
“Give me two days.”
?
Zhao Yinxi tilted her neck.
“I’m going to make him cry.”
Zhao Yinxi: ???!