Chapter 74: Have You Cooled Off?

Chapter 74: Have You Cooled Off?

Xiao Yuchen had long been aware of Zhang Wugongzi's fondness for Wu Jingyun. They were about the same age and had been classmates at the academy. Initially, their relationship was neither good nor bad.

But ever since he became engaged to Wu Jingyun, Zhang Wugongzi had looked at him with disdain. During a verbal spat, Zhang Wugongzi inadvertently mentioned Wu Jingyun, sparking Xiao Yuchen's suspicions. After some inquiries, he confirmed that Zhang Wugongzi was smitten with Wu Jingyun.

He wasn't bothered; he had learned that it was Zhang Wugongzi who cherished Wu Jingyun, while she showed no interest in him. In truth, as long as Wu Jingyun could manage the household and remain respectful and virtuous in the future, even if she harbored feelings for another man, he wouldn't mind. After all, didn't he harbor thoughts of another woman himself?

But the irony is that some people can set fires as officials but forbid ordinary people from lighting lamps. It's acceptable for Zhang Wugongzi to be betrothed to another woman while harboring feelings for someone else. Yet, when he makes a mistake, it's as if he's committed a heinous crime, subjected to public denunciation and attacks, with Wu Jingyun even desiring to destroy the entire marquisate.

Where's the logic in that?

Hearing Xiao Yuchen's words, Zhang Wugongzi felt both embarrassed and angry. His deep-seated pain was laid bare, as if he had been stripped naked in public. Clenching his fists and stiffening his neck, he wanted to defend himself, but then the elderly Madame Zhang spoke:

"Madame Hou, it's my fault for not raising the child properly. This time, our Zhang family has indeed wronged you." Madame Zhang was worn out, having been strong all her life, only to find herself apologizing repeatedly in her old age.

Xiao Yuchen's words had also filled her with shame. Regardless of the internal dynamics, a lady of their stature should conduct herself with dignity. To call for violence against her betrothed merely because he harbored feelings for another was indeed unbecoming and suggested a lack of upbringing. Moreover, Xiao Yuchen had drawn a comparison using their own Zhang Wugongzi.

"Elder Madame, we must resolve the issue at its root. One of my purposes here today is to allow Miss Wu Jingyun to vent her anger." Tang Shuyi then turned to Wu Jingyun and said, "Miss Wu, please proceed. Once you've vented, you too will find release."

Wu Jingyun's hand tightly gripped the dagger as she peered through misty eyes at Xiao Yuchen's blurred figure. Memories of her past life flashed through her mind, and all her hatred erupted in that moment. She raised her hand holding the dagger and thrust it toward Xiao Yuchen's shoulder.

With a muffled sound, blood sprayed out accompanied by Xiao Yuchen's groan, drenching his clothes and staining her hands.

Tang Shuyi's heart skipped a beat, twisting with anxiety. Although she was prepared for Xiao Yuchen to be injured today, the sight of so much blood flowing from his body still filled her with worry and heartache.

Even though she wasn't his birth mother, having spent so much time together, how could she not have developed feelings for him? Yet, she restrained herself from helping Xiao Yuchen, having agreed beforehand that as long as Xiao Yuchen didn't die, she wouldn't intervene, no matter how many times he was stabbed.

At that moment, Elder Madame Zhang cried out loudly, "Quick, call the doctor!"

Wu Guoliang strode forward and delivered a slap to Wu Jingyun's face, exclaiming, "Did you just stab him because you were told to?"

When Xiao Yuchen was criticized for lacking integrity, the promotion he had painstakingly maneuvered for vanished, and he was confined at home to reflect for two months. After those two months, it was uncertain if his colleagues would marginalize him. His entire official career could very well be ruined by this.

Now that Xiao Yuchen has been stabbed, who knows what the Duke of Tang might do.

Biting his teeth in pain, Xiao Yuchen said, "Miss Wu, have you vented your anger? If not, stab me again."

"Oh no, why the stabbing," Wu Guoliang's heart almost leaped out of his chest as he helped Xiao Yuchen, saying, "Young Master Xiao, please sit down, and let the doctor bandage you soon."

However, Xiao Yuchen pushed him away, his eyes icy as he gazed at Wu Jingyun, repeating, "Miss Wu, have you vented your anger yet?"

Although he didn’t understand why, his mother insisted on letting Miss Wu vent her anger on him. Now, the sharp pain made him clearly realize he was indeed wrong about the matter involving Liu Biqin. He should have sent her away after saving her, instead of kindly keeping her around, knowing full well the risks involved.

Look at the present situation; because of that incident, he almost faced charges, and the Marquis's mansion nearly fell into crisis. And Miss Wu still wouldn't let it go, disturbing the peace of the entire mansion.

On her end, Wu Jingyun, after hearing his question and looking at the profusely bleeding wound on his shoulder, took a deep breath and said, "From now on, all grievances between us are null and void."

However, hearing her words, Xiao Yuchen scoffed, "Miss Wu, our debts may be settled, but what about your schemes against me? Are we just going to forget about those?"

Although it's said that a true man shouldn't stoop to arguing with a woman, Xiao Yuchen had always felt he had done nothing wrong by Wu Jingyun. Now, having been stabbed by her—even if it was his mother's suggestion—he couldn’t help feeling aggrieved.

"What do you want?" Wu Jingyun's emotions hadn't settled, and her bloodstained hand trembled incessantly.

"Nothing much," Xiao Yuchen said. "It just so happens that your father, grandmother, and cousin are here. It's time they also learn about what you've been up to."

Hearing his words, panic flashed across Wu Jingyun's face. Just then, voices from outside announced the arrival of the doctor, and in came a physician carrying a medicine box. Seeing Xiao Yuchen's blood-stained clothing, even the doctor was startled.

"Let's go behind the screen for bandaging," suggested Madam Zhang, pointing at the screen.

Tang Shuyi walked over and supported Xiao Yuchen. As he looked at her with eyes full of grievance, Tang Shuyi pretended not to notice and helped him walk behind the screen. The doctor and Wu Guoliang also went around to join them.

The doctor began bandaging Xiao Yuchen, while Wu Guoliang asked Tang Shuyi in a low voice, "Madam Marquis, do your words still hold true?"

He was referring to Tang Shuyi's earlier statement that as long as Wu Jingyun didn’t kill Xiao Yuchen, she wouldn’t pursue the matter.

"Of course they do," replied Tang Shuyi.

Looking at Wu Guoliang, who was now trying to ingratiate himself with a flattering smile, Tang Shuyi suddenly understood why Wu Jingyun had such an extreme temperament.

Having lost her biological mother at a young age and with a stepmother who was only sweet on the surface, she had suffered untold grievances since childhood. Wu Guoliang was not a man who clearly distinguished between gratitude and grudge; as long as issues could be smoothed over and appear calm on the surface, that was sufficient for him.

Growing up in such an environment, Wu Jingyun inevitably lacked love. Starved for affection, she clung to Xiao Yuchen after falling for him, hoping to monopolize his heart. However, Xiao Yuchen's indifference towards her led to a tragic love.

Meanwhile, having endured Mrs. Wu's oppression for a long time and unable to voice her suffering, Wu Jingyun must have contemplated various methods of resistance and retaliation, seizing any chance to fight back. But whether her methods were right or effective, no one was there to analyze with her.

Although Old Lady Zhang did guide her, it's apparent that she doted on her more. Moreover, they didn't spend every day together, probably lacking the intimacy to share everything. Many of Wu Jingyun's plans likely remained unspoken to Old Lady Zhang.

She is a pitiable figure, but now Wu Jingyun's extremism has turned towards Xiao Yuchen and their Marquis mansion. Even with sympathy, further concessions cannot be afforded.

If nothing more is done about her, Wu Jingyun might truly start seeing them as paper tigers.