Laughter spread from all around, seemingly initiated by someone.
Su Yuxi clenched her fists. She had never suffered any injustice, let alone been ridiculed, since she was a child.
But now, these people, disregarding her status, were all laughing at what had just happened due to the recent accident.
Initially intending to mock Gu Qianying, she had now become the joke. Su Yuxi placed her hands behind her back, preparing to draw the long whip at her waist.
This was the imperial palace, and Duan Xifeng's attention was entirely on her. Before her hand could even reach its destination, she was dragged into a nearby room.
"What do you want to do?" Su Yuxi finally shouted as she entered the room.
There were many resting rooms near the dining area. Duan Xifeng had dragged her quite far, so her voice would naturally not be heard outside.
"I'm telling you, I passed through several corridors. There's no one here. Even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come to save you."
Duan Xifeng threatened Su Yuxi inside the room, telling her to shut up. His words were indeed true, as Gu Qianying had already stopped the other two young ladies from the Su family who were preparing to pursue her.
"I advise you to restrain yourselves. My people will not do anything to Miss Su, but if you dare to shout or move around, I cannot guarantee what will happen to the two of you."
As she spoke, she drew the soft sword at her waist and placed it before the two of them.
Most people outside had witnessed Gu Qianying's demeanor in front of the Emperor yesterday. They had only come to confirm it and did not wish to leave their lives here.
Upon seeing her sword appear on the table, everyone quickly left the courtyard.
Now, only Gu Qianying and the two Su sisters remained in the outer hall, and the room instantly fell silent.
In the inner room, Duan Xifeng's words had indeed intimidated Su Yuxi. Even with her whip, she was still a woman, and the confined space of the room limited her abilities. For now, she could only stand in the corner.
Thinking of her arrogant behavior these past few times, Duan Xifeng stepped onto a chair, striking a ruffian pose.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, look how well-behaved you are now. Your previous wild appearance was too unsightly. However, I happen to like shrewish women. If you continue to be arrogant, I can't guarantee I can control myself."
His words startled Su Yuxi, and her voice began to tremble.
"You, you wouldn't?" What could happen between a man and a woman alone in a room? Although the man in front of her was quite handsome, he was still a man, and of such a lowly status. If she suffered any harm here, she would have no face to live in this world.
Regardless of what she was thinking, this woman was truly detestable. Duan Xifeng swayed his shoulders, looking smug.
"Wuwu, you wait, I will definitely expose your identity to the Emperor, you pervert who cross-dresses."
Su Yuxi finished speaking with a crying tone and then ran towards the door.
"Stop right there." How could Duan Xifeng let her cause such a scene? But in his haste, he lost his composure. Of course, he couldn't kill someone in the palace, nor could he tie her up and capture her.
With this thought, Duan Xifeng pulled Su Yuxi into his arms, gradually lowering his body. His lips touched Su Yuxi again.
Startled by his actions, Su Yuxi froze in place.
Seeing the helpless look on the person in his arms, Duan Xifeng's brows relaxed.
"If you dare to run out and complain, I will hold you and not let go. Not only will I touch you here, but I will continue to kiss you in front of others."
His words were quite explicit, but seeing her small body tightly held by this man, Su Yuxi knew that this shameless person would surely do as he said.
She pursed her lips and turned her head away, a strange feeling rising in her heart.
After a long while, she spoke.
"Alright, I won't say anything. You, you let me go."
Seeing that she had softened, Duan Xifeng cautiously loosened his grip. Seeing that she truly stopped running or shouting, he finally let her go with peace of mind.
The room suddenly became silent, and the two stood far apart.
In his haste earlier, Duan Xifeng hadn't realized anything. But now that Miss Su was quiet, he felt a little regretful.
Had he been too rash?
"That..."
"You don't..."
They both spoke at the same time, but swallowed their words when they bumped into each other.
"You go first." Duan Xifeng, with a gentlemanly attitude, let Miss Su speak first.
After the recent emotional turmoil, Su Yuxi surprisingly became gentle.
"I want to say, don't mention today's events to anyone, and also, don't let what happened outside earlier spread."
She knew this person was a man, and if it were revealed, her reputation would be damaged.
Duan Xifeng was not foolish. Why would he say such things out of the blue?
However, this person was rational and would not change his stance just because Su Yuxi's attitude had changed.
"I can keep silent, but on two conditions. First, you cannot expose the fact that Xiao Yihhao and I are men. Second, you must stop bullying my sister casually."
Knowing who he was referring to, Su Yuxi was somewhat surprised.
"So, she is your sister?"
Her question was rather sudden. Duan Xifeng paused for a moment, not answering, and took it as an affirmation.
The people outside waited for a long time and finally saw the two emerge. However, what was strange was that Duan Xifeng, in his female attire, showed no significant change in expression, but Miss Su's face was flushed red.
The other two young ladies from the Su family walked over.
"Eldest Sister, what's wrong? Did he bully you?" The implication in this question was clear. Su Yuxi narrowed her eyes and glanced at the gossipy Su Xiuer.
"What nonsense are you talking about? How could I be bullied by him? Let's just forget about today's events, we're leaving."
Su Yuxi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She must have been muddled by the experience inside, but she could only do this today. If she caused further trouble, who knew what that man might do.
Seeing her eldest sister leave, the other two turned back and glared at Duan Xifeng. Without saying anything further, they left.
Gu Qianying was not interested in gossiping about what had happened inside. However, judging by the Su family's behavior, it seemed her brother had managed to handle Miss Su.
Skipping the morning's interlude, after breakfast, everyone prepared to head to the imperial medical hall, partly to familiarize themselves with the environment and partly to prepare materials for the first competition tomorrow.
As night fell, Gu Qianying was drying the medicinal herbs she had selected by the doorway. Just as she was about to get up, she suddenly heard a rustling sound of footsteps.
This was not the sound of ordinary walking, but more like footsteps treading on fallen leaves.
Gu Qianying looked around. The ground here was meticulously cleaned by the palace servants. The fallen leaves could only be on the walls.
Suddenly, a sword light flashed, and Gu Qianying narrowed her eyes.
It seemed someone did not want her to participate in this competition.