Qi Yubai’s injury suddenly turned what was originally a simple matter into chaos and difficulty. Zhusheng cried out in shock, “Master!”
He looked at the man in green robes, his half-lidded eyes and tightly furrowed brows revealing his weakness as he leaned against the woman in yellow. That half of her shoulder was already soaked in blood, the thick scent of iron filling the air. At that moment, Zhusheng’s eyes turned red.
“Xiao… Ye!”
He turned his head, face dark as he called the name, enunciating each syllable with force.
Zhusheng was usually rather mischievous. Although he was the same age as Tianqing, he was far from possessing his elder brother’s steadiness. The Qi family had few heirs, and Old Madam Qi had a soft heart, never treating them as mere servants. Zhusheng, with his naturally sweet tongue, was especially favored by the old madam, which only encouraged his playful nature. Carefree and always wearing a smile, the only time he had truly suffered a setback was at Tu Yici’s hands—nothing else had ever truly unsettled him.
But now, there wasn’t a single trace of a smile left on his face. Like an asura returning from hell, his eyes were dark and menacing. He didn’t spare a thought for the difference in strength between himself and Xiao Ye, nor did he consider whether he would be hurt. Only one thought burned in his mind—
Kill Xiao Ye.
Gripping his longsword, he lunged at Xiao Ye.
Tianqing’s expression changed at the sight. Alarmed, he shouted, “Zhusheng!”
Fearing for his safety, he drew his sword and rushed forward as well.
Yet, inexplicably, Xiao Ye remained dazed even in the face of imminent danger. It wasn’t until the longsword pierced his left shoulder that the searing pain jolted him awake. As he saw Zhusheng’s relentless charge, blade flashing again, his eyelids twitched—but still, he did not counterattack. Instead, he merely furrowed his brows slightly and raised his sword to block.
But Zhusheng was aiming for his life. If one strike wasn’t enough, then two. His attacks were reckless, with no regard for his own safety. If Xiao Ye had retaliated, he could have suppressed Zhusheng, but knowing his own guilt, he chose only to defend. Inevitably, wounds began to accumulate on his body.
“Stop! Stop this at once!”
Madam Xiao had finally recovered from her initial shock. Seeing both of Xiao Ye’s arms wounded, blood trickling steadily down and pooling into a crimson stain on the moonlit ground, she could no longer maintain the noble composure she had upheld for years. Face pale, she stumbled toward Xiao Ye, her voice frantic:
“Stop this at once!”
But by now, Zhusheng had lost all reason. How could he heed her words?
Even if he were still clear-headed, with Qi Yubai injured before his eyes, he would never let Xiao Ye go. His sword struck out once more.
Xiao Ye, his arms both wounded, trembled slightly as he held his sword. He could no longer parry Zhusheng’s strikes as he had before. When he saw Zhusheng’s blade aiming for his chest, his eyelids fluttered, but he could do nothing but step back—he had no way to stop it.
Zhusheng was too fast.
The sharp sword hilt was mere inches from piercing his chest. As Xiao Ye frowned and Madam Xiao and Gu Qing screamed, Tianqing lifted his sword and blocked Zhusheng’s attack.
“What are you doing?!”
Zhusheng’s face twisted in fury as he saw his killing blow thwarted.
Tianqing looked at him with furrowed brows, snapping, “Do you really want his life?” He, too, hated Xiao Ye for their master’s injury, but Xiao Ye was a noble by birth. If he were truly killed, not only would Zhusheng be doomed, but even their master would be dragged into the mess.
Glancing at the wounded Xiao Ye behind him, Tianqing noted that none of his injuries were fatal. Relieved, he stepped forward, grabbing Zhusheng’s arm and lowering his voice.
“Have you thought about what it would mean for Master if he dies?”
Seeing Zhusheng’s expression waver slightly, he pressed on sternly, “Leave. Don’t cause trouble for Master.”
Zhusheng had no choice but to relent. Though unwilling, he clenched his jaw and withdrew his sword.
He turned to leave—but Madam Xiao would not allow it.
Her son had suffered multiple wounds, and at the hands of a mere lowly guard, no less. How could she endure such an insult? Supporting Xiao Ye’s arm, she seethed with resentment. Seeing Zhusheng about to leave, she snapped sharply:
“Stop right there! Who do you think you are, daring to wound the heir of the Earl Manor?!”
“Seize him!”
Madam Xiao ordered the accompanying servants.
However, she had come in a hurry this time. Aside from Jinglan, she had only brought four house servants and the carriage driver. These servants had only learned some basic combat skills, and seeing Zhusheng’s aggressive stance, sword in hand, none of them dared to step forward.
Madam Xiao saw their hesitation and snapped even more harshly, “Why are you not moving?”
Her authority had been long established, and fearing punishment upon return, the four servants gritted their teeth and charged forward all at once.
Xiao Ye frowned at the sight and was about to speak, but his arm was gently grasped by Gu Qing.
“Ah Ye, are you alright?”
The delicate and beautiful woman was full of tears and distress. She looked at the wounds covering Xiao Ye’s body, her eyes brimming with sorrow. Even her slender fingers trembled slightly. She wanted to use her handkerchief to wipe the blood from his wounds, but before she could extend her hand, Xiao Ye turned slightly to avoid her.
“What are you doing here?!”
Xiao Ye stared at the suddenly appearing Gu Qing, his brows deeply furrowed. He hadn’t expected her to come.
He thought he had made himself clear enough before, and Gu Qing should have understood his intentions. Yet, she had still followed him. The thought of the promise he had made to Lanyin earlier made his heart pound wildly. His injuries had not made him flinch, but Gu Qing’s appearance sent waves of unease through him. His heartbeat pounded so hard it made his ears buzz.
“Who let you come?!” he snapped in anger.
He knew it was too late to argue about this now. His pale face was taut, afraid that Lanyin would see this. Pressing his lips into a thin line, he immediately turned and instructed Jinglan in a low voice, “Take her away.”
Jinglan, afraid that his anger would aggravate his wounds, quickly obeyed, pulling Gu Qing aside.
Gu Qing was stunned. She hadn’t expected Xiao Ye to treat her like this. She stared at him blankly, still dazed even as Jinglan led her away.
Because of this interruption, Xiao Ye didn’t manage to call out his initial order to stop. He watched as the four servants closed in on the black-clad guard who had wounded him. He also saw the frowning twin brothers in the distance. Just as he was about to speak, a clear and cold female voice rang out.
“Stop.”
Recognizing Gu Lanyin’s voice, Xiao Ye froze. The words at his throat stalled instantly.
Hearing Gu Lanyin’s command, Zhusheng and Tianqing dared not act recklessly and remained still. This allowed the four servants to seize Zhusheng without resistance.
As they suddenly grabbed his arms, Zhusheng immediately clenched his fists, his face dark. He had a thousand ways to make these four men disappear, but Gu Lanyin was someone his master valued. He had long regarded her as their future mistress. If she gave an order, he dared not disobey.
“Song Yue, support the lord.”
Lanyin called for Song Yue. When he responded and came forward, she glanced at Qi Yubai.
Qi Yubai was also looking at her.
His eyes were still as dark as lacquer, just as they had always been, but his face was slightly pale from blood loss. Lanyin gazed at him, suppressing the anger in her heart, and smiled gently. When she spoke, her voice was as soft as ever.
“It’s alright. Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”
With that, she stood up. But as she turned away, the warmth in her expression vanished entirely.
The guards and servants blocking the path instinctively stepped aside as she approached. Lanyin walked forward with a cold expression. She wore a long, goose-yellow robe embroidered with orchids—a gentle color and pattern. Yet, as she moved under the silver moon and stars, she looked as cold and untouchable as frost and snow.
“Miss Gu.”
Tianqing greeted her immediately upon seeing her approach.
When Lanyin saw him, her expression softened slightly. She gave a faint hum in acknowledgment, but as her gaze fell upon Zhusheng—now pinned down by the four servants, his hands bound with hemp rope—her willow brows furrowed once more.
“Let go.”
Lanyin spoke.
Though she had already left the Xiao family, the authority she once held still lingered. The servants exchanged hesitant glances, their expressions wavering. However, as soon as Madam Xiao heard those words, it was as if she had been ignited like a firecracker. She had finally found an outlet for her frustration and immediately lashed out at Lanyin.
“Let go? Do you even know what this lowly slave has done? He dared to hurt Ye’er! I want him to be cut into a thousand pieces!”
“Mother…”
Xiao Ye frowned, displeased with her tone toward Lanyin.
“It was my mistake first. This has nothing to do with anyone else.”
He had lost too much blood. His vision swam with dizziness, and even his voice had become hoarse. Yet the moment Lanyin appeared, his gaze stubbornly sought her out.
“You must be insane!”
Madam Xiao was so enraged her face turned pale. How could she not realize that her son had become this unhinged because of this woman? In the past, he had never behaved this outrageously for Gu Qing. But now, for the sake of this mere Gu Lanyin, he had lowered himself to such a pathetic state—where was the dignity of the heir of the Earl Manor?!
Her fury burned hotter. Before today, though she had harbored resentment toward Lanyin, she had also known her own faults in the matter. She had hoped for a clean break rather than an all-out battle. At times, when she recalled Lanyin’s past devotion to the manor, she had even felt a trace of gratitude.
But now…
Now, she truly hated her.
It was because of this woman that her son had become like this—neither fully human nor fully ghost!
She glared at Gu Lanyin with seething hatred.
For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, suddenly, her lips curved into a cold smile. Ignoring Lanyin entirely, she arched her delicate brows and ordered the four servants,
“Bring him here. For every wound he inflicted on Ye’er, I want him to suffer tenfold—no, a hundredfold—”
Before she could finish her sentence, the seemingly delicate woman in front of her suddenly raised a sword and pressed it against Xiao Ye’s throat.