Hong Fu wrapped the red silk ribbon around the throat of the man in black, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "Then tell me, who hired you?"
"It was Young Master Ming of the Ming Manor, Ming Xiajing! He gave me a thousand taels to take the life of the young master of the Qin Manor!" the man in black trembled, fearing that one wrong move would spell his end.
"You're quite honest. Let's go!" Hong Fu removed the silk ribbon.
Upon regaining his freedom, the man in black turned and fled.
Qingshan and Hong Fu exchanged a look, their eyes glinting with bloodlust.
Qingshan raised his hand, and a hidden dart flew from his sleeve, striking the man in black directly in the throat.
The man in black fell, killed with a single blow.
With the matter settled, Hong Fu and Qingshan vanished as quickly as they had appeared, as if they had never been there.
Ouyang Siqing, who had intended to thank them, found them gone before he could even speak.
Ouyang Siqing turned to his attendant and said, "Clear the bodies from the scene, and do not utter a word of tonight's events."
"Yes, young master!"
Ouyang Siqing entered the carriage, lifted the curtain, and saw Qin Yun sleeping soundly. He then let down the curtain.
Picking up the horse whip, he took the reins and drove the carriage away.
Upon arriving at the Qin Manor,
Ouyang Siqing lifted the curtain and approached Qin Yun.
He gently nudged Qin Yun and whispered, "Yun'er, Yun'er, wake up. We're home!" Ouyang Siqing's voice was very soft, as if he feared startling Qin Yun.
Qin Yun slowly opened her eyes, her brow furrowed. Her head ached terribly.
"Siqing, I feel so unwell," Qin Yun said, holding her forehead. Her head and stomach both felt awful.
"You're here. I'll help you inside."
Qin Yun nodded.
With that, Ouyang Siqing helped Qin Yun out of the carriage and to the entrance of the Qin Manor. Just as he raised his hand to knock, the Qin Manor's main gate swung open.
The one who opened the door was Xiao Ju.
"Young Master? Why are you drunk?" Xiao Ju, seeing it was late, had been about to go out to look for Qin Yun, but unexpectedly, Qin Yun had returned at this hour.
However... seeing their young master being held by a man like this seemed improper.
Xiao Ju quickly took Qin Yun and began to care for her with great caution.
"Young Master, I'll take our young master inside first. You should go back early as well!"
Ouyang Siqing wanted to step forward and help, but with the maidservant's words, he couldn't linger. He politely nodded and then turned to leave.
Xiao Ju carefully supported Qin Yun. As they neared the small courtyard, they encountered Qin Yu, who was coming towards them.
Seeing Qin Yun alive and well before her, a flash of malice crossed Qin Yu's eyes.
"Xiao Ju, what happened to second brother?"
Upon seeing Qin Yu, Xiao Ju's heart fluttered. This third young lady had been too strange lately, as if she had completely forgotten what had happened in the woodshed.
Though she knew clearly that she and Auntie Tian had harmed her, she acted as if nothing had happened!
Was this the calm before the storm? Was this third young lady brewing some grand plan?
She had time now; she needed to remind the young master!
"Third Young Lady, the young master is drunk. This servant is taking the young master back to his room!" Just as she tried to bypass Qin Yu, Qin Yu blocked her path.
"You little maidservant, you're so small. What if you fall and hurt my second brother? Let me do it!"
Xiao Ju took two steps back. "Third Young Lady, no need. This servant is strong and can help the young master back to his room!"
Qin Yu sneered and took a step forward, delivering a sharp slap to Xiao Ju.
"You impudent little maidservant, daring to speak to this young lady like that! Are you tired of living?"
Qin Yu walked closer, stopping in front of Xiao Ju. She looked down at her, then bent down and whispered into Xiao Ju's ear, "Don't think I don't know what you've been doing. Walls have ears. Be careful from now on!"
"This servant doesn't know what Third Young Lady is talking about." Even if Qin Yu knew, she would never admit it.
"Still playing the hard-mouttened one, eh? Did my second brother ask you to do this?" Qin Yu looked up at Qin Yun, who was swaying dizzily.
Her heart hardening, she kicked Xiao Ju in the stomach!
"Ah!" Xiao Ju lost her balance and fell backward. Qin Yun, who was on Xiao Ju's back, also fell backward, both landing on the ground. Xiao Ju was relatively unharmed, though the kick to her stomach was painful.
Qin Yun, however, was injured. As she fell, her head struck something, and her back and elbows were scraped.
Hidden in the shadows, Hong Fu wanted to step forward but was stopped by Qingshan.
Qingshan's eyes warned Hong Fu that they couldn't reveal their identities.
Hong Fu gritted her teeth, forcing herself to endure.
At this moment!
Overwhelmed by the pain, Qin Yun slowly regained consciousness.
"Young Master, are you injured?" Xiao Ju asked with concern, then looked at Qin Yu. "Third Young Lady, how could you be so vicious!"
To her surprise, Qin Yu said with feigned concern, "Oh dear, second brother, are you alright? What kind of incompetent maidservant are you? I told you she wasn't capable, but you didn't believe me. Now look, you've fallen and hurt my second brother!" Qin Yu stepped forward again, intending to slap Xiao Ju.
Her wrist had barely lifted when it was grabbed.
Xiao Ju, thinking she was about to be hit again, cowered, closed her eyes, and waited for the pain.
One second!
Two seconds!
Three seconds!
The pain didn't come, and Xiao Ju slowly opened her eyes.
She saw Qin Yun tightly gripping Qin Yu's wrist and then, without a second thought, retaliating with two swift slaps to Qin Yu.
"Daring to hit my person, you need to know your place! A mere concubine-to-be, acting so brazenly before me, are you asking for death?"
Qin Yun turned to Xiao Ju and said, "What? Stunned? Help this young master up!"
"Yes, young master!" Xiao Ju's heart was filled with joy. She hadn't expected her young master to avenge her.
But then she looked. Her young master seemed to be seriously injured.
Instantly, Xiao Ju's mood plummeted.
"Hahaha, Qin Yun, you've finally dropped your pretense. Admit it... everything that has happened to me today, all of it, was your design!" Qin Yu laughed sinisterly, a trace of blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.
Qin Yun leaned on Xiao Ju. Although her body ached and her head throbbed, her demeanor remained unbroken.
"Blame yourself for your stupidity. You couldn't overcome a single fear and immediately sought out a man for comfort. That's the behavior of a harlot; you can never escape a man's solace!"
"You admit it? In terms of schemes... I never thought I, Qin Yu, would one day be defeated by you! I will have my revenge!"
Qin Yun smiled. "I was afraid the fish wouldn't bite. Luckily, you foolish harlot, you serve as good practice for me!"
Qin Yu shouted angrily, "I am not a harlot! Watch your mouth!"
Qin Yun chuckled playfully. "Aren't you? You were fooling around with someone before you were even married, and now you're no longer pure. What else can you be but a harlot? Or perhaps... a prostitute?"
"It's better to call you a harlot than a prostitute, don't you think?"
"Qin Yun, I'll kill you!" Qin Yu, unable to contain herself, moved forward to confront Qin Yun.