Chapter 706 What decent person acts so frivolously!

Chapter 706: Who Acts This Shamelessly!

Zou Pingping, however, remained completely oblivious.

Her cheeks turned red as she bashfully asked Yu Chongjie, "Though Young Master doesn’t blame me, I still feel terribly guilty... How about this—let me make a perfume pouch for you as an apology?"

Her words were undeniably bold.

Given their lack of familial ties and their age, the implication behind gifting a perfume pouch was almost a blatant confession.

Yu Chongjie frowned and refused outright: "No need."

Zou Pingping grew anxious, her cheeks tinged with pink, her eyes misty with urgency. "Do you dislike my embroidery?"

Yu Chongjie fell silent.

Just now, with her flushed face and misty gaze, Zou Pingping’s bashful, infatuated look had momentarily reminded him of Mao Fuqu’s shyness when she first married him.

Back then, Mao Fuqu had also blushed and timidly asked him what color he preferred—she wanted to make him a perfume pouch.

But how had he responded at the time?

He couldn’t quite recall his exact words.

Yet he vaguely remembered that he had hurriedly left their courtyard that day because Yu Mingzhu’s maid had come to report that Miss Yu had scraped her knee and was crying for Young Master...

A pang of sorrow struck Yu Chongjie’s heart.

Almost reflexively, he murmured, "Hazy blue. I like hazy blue."

Zou Pingping brightened instantly, her eyes sparkling with joy. She nodded eagerly, her voice shy. "I’ll go back right away and make a hazy blue perfume pouch for Young Master."

After the words left his mouth, Yu Chongjie felt a flicker of regret.

But seeing Zou Pingping’s delight, he ultimately said nothing more and had Zou Wan Shi and her daughter seen out.

Yu Chongjie lingered in the courtyard for a long while before slowly making his way to Yu Mingzhu’s residence.

When he arrived, Yu Mingzhu was just adding the final mark on her Nine-Nine Winter Countdown calendar.

She wore everyday robes, her hair hastily pinned up without any adornments.

Yu Mingzhu had always been strikingly beautiful, and even without makeup, her natural beauty stood out all the more.

Hearing of Yu Chongjie’s arrival, her joy seemed unfeigned. "Brother, what brings you here today?"

Yu Chongjie hesitated before asking, "...Why did you give that hairpin I gifted you for your birthday to Miss Zou?"

Her face darkened. She lowered her head slightly. "...If Miss Zou is to be believed, Brother must be quite fond of her, no?" She lifted her gaze, pasting on a smile. "That hairpin was from you, and Miss Zou liked it. So I thought, since she’s the one you love, I might as well give it to her—returning it where it belongs..."

Yu Chongjie’s expression darkened. "When have I ever been fond of her?"

He sighed deeply at Yu Mingzhu’s bowed head, sounding almost weary. "...Don’t assume things."

Tears welled in Yu Mingzhu’s eyes. "...I just don’t want someone you love to be upset with me again. Otherwise, Mingzhu would be at a loss..."

She was referring to how Yu Chongjie’s doting toward her had driven Mao Fuqu to resentment, ultimately leading to their divorce.

For a moment, Yu Chongjie’s heart twisted with guilt.

“This... isn’t really your fault,” Yu Chongjie said with difficulty. “It was all my fault—I lost control. It was me. I know it in my heart. That’s why I drowned myself in drink to escape...”

But despite his words, Yu Chongjie no longer treated Yu Mingzhu with even a fraction of their former closeness.

Yu Mingzhu’s eyes welled up.

She wanted to say something, but Yu Chongjie seemed disinterested and said, “I have other matters to attend to,” before hastily leaving.

He had no interest in baring his heart to her now.

Once Yu Chongjie’s figure disappeared from the room, Yu Mingzhu’s expression turned cold.

She gazed out the window, her face, once sorrowful, was now cold and detached.

Qi Huang murmured a report at her side: “...I heard that Zou girl said she would make a sachet for the Young Master, and he agreed. He even told her his favorite color is misty blue.”

Yu Mingzhu’s expression grew even colder.

She sneered, “...That delusional bitch!”

The murderous intent in her eyes intensified.

Fortunately, that wretch wouldn’t be around for much longer.

Making a sachet for her elder brother?

If she lives that long!

...

Zou Wan Shi had received a handful of gold nuggets from Yu Mingzhu, along with the pearl hairpin Yu Mingzhu had given to Zou Pingping. Suddenly flush with cash, she became much more generous. Seeing Zou Minglei constantly hooking up with Yan Shou in his room, her heart ached—for her son, of course. Zou Wan Shi gave Zou Minglei a handful of gold nuggets and told him to go out and find some entertainment.

Having tasted pleasure with Yan Shou, Zou Minglei craved more and couldn't stop thinking about Xingxing, whom he had glimpsed briefly. His heart burned with restless desire.

Now that Zou Wan Shi had given him a handful of gold nuggets—worth a tidy sum—Zou Minglei’s mind started racing again. He wondered if he might run into Xingxing on the streets.

Zou Wan Shi didn't allow Zou Minglei to go out alone. She didn't trust others, but Yan Shou's deed of sale was in her hands. So, she made Yan Shou shadow Zou Minglei’s every move.

Zou Minglei didn't mind. He wandered the streets with Yan Shou but didn't spot Xingxing. After walking for a while, he glanced at Yan Shou's slender profile and felt his lust stir again. He dragged her to a nearby inn, got a room, and went at her like an animal.

By the time Zou Minglei was done, half an hour had slipped by.

Impatient, he snapped at Yan Shou, “Quit stalling! I’ve got places to be!”

Bruised and sore, Yan Shou bit back the pain and dressed.

As Zou Minglei headed downstairs, however, he caught sight of a face that looked just like Xingxing’s, sitting in the main hall, resting and drinking tea.

Thrilled, Zou Minglei bolted downstairs and charged straight for her.

Xingxing really was there, sipping tea and watching the street.

But she had recognized the waiter as her fourth brother, Yu Yonggui, in disguise—clearly on some kind of stakeout.

Xingxing had been tired from walking and had entered the inn to rest and drink tea. If she’d turned tail and fled, it would’ve looked suspicious.

So, she coolly picked a corner table, ordered a pot of tea and a plate of snacks, and casually watched the busy street as she relaxed.

Zou Minglei rushed down the stairs, charging straight toward Xingxing, and Yu Yonggui almost dumped the tea he was carrying right on Zou’s head!

He took a deep breath, reminding himself this was a covert mission and couldn’t draw too much attention. Still, under the cover of his sleeve, he gripped a plum blossom dart in his hand.

If this bastard dared to lay a finger on Xingxing, he’d send him straight to hell!

Zhao Ying, however, stepped in front of Xingxing, eyeing Zou Minglei warily.

Zou coughed, his gaze burning with creepy intensity as he stared at Xingxing. "Miss! Fancy seeing you here!"

Zhao Ying was livid. Who did this guy think he was?!

Xingxing’s expression was colder than usual.

But Zou Minglei was head over heels for her icy, untouchable beauty.

He hurriedly added, "Miss, don’t you remember? That night in the courtyard—remember?"

Zou laid it on thick, his tone dripping with implication.

Nearby, Yu Yonggui, disguised as a waiter pouring tea, clenched his fists again!

Keep it together!

Just keep it together!

Xingxing responded with a cold "Oh." "You mean the night you were locked in the cellar by kidnappers, limped out bawling for your mommy and daddy?"

Her blunt words drew snickers from eavesdropping customers nearby.

Zou Minglei’s face burned with humiliation and rage.

"You—!"

Xingxing regarded him coolly.

Zhao Ying marveled inwardly.

Their lady was normally the picture of patience—even when dealing with someone as detestable as Yu Mingzhu, she’d simply ignore them. But this kind of frosty contempt? This guy was the first to earn it.

Guess the guy had a real "knack" for it after all.

Yu Yonggui, however, didn’t see it that way. He was just internally raging—just look at this slimeball! He must have infuriated Xingxing beyond measure for her to react so coldly!

The guy was begging for a grave!!!

Zou Minglei took a deep breath, gazing at Xingxing with what he thought was soulful devotion. "...Miss, I adore you. Where do you live? I’ll send my mother over to propose tomorrow."

*Crack!*

It was Yu Yonggui, disguised as the waiter, accidentally breaking a floor tile underfoot.

But no one paid attention to the minor mishap, too busy gawking at this idiot’s public marriage proposal in broad daylight.

Zhao Ying was shaking with rage!

Why didn’t this shameless creep go piss on a mirror?!

What a piece of garbage!

How dare he propose to their princess?!

Even saying it aloud felt like an insult to their princess!

Zhao Ying was about to curse, but Xingxing, anticipating it, pressed her hand down.

Zhao Ying, ever mindful of her princess’s dignity, pressed her lips tightly together.

Xingxing shot Zou Minglei a cold look before dismissing him. She tossed a piece of silver onto the table and turned to leave.

But Zou Minglei panicked.

The woman he’d been obsessing over was right there—no way he’d let her walk away!

Zou Minglei hurriedly reached out to stop Xingxing: "Wait! I haven’t slept in days thinking about you... Don’t worry, my family is very wealthy. Here, take these gold nuggets—they’re all yours..."

As he spoke, Zou Minglei tried to shove the handful of golden melon seeds into Xingxing’s hand.

Yu Yonggui had had enough!

He was ready to bash Zou Minglei’s head in with the kettle when a figure suddenly rushed out from the side and unceremoniously kicked Zou Minglei flying.

Xingxing slipped the dagger she’d been clutching back into her sleeve—she’d been ready to slice off his hand if he laid a finger on her.

"What a scumbag!"

The figure who had kicked Zou Minglei away was dressed in a martial artist’s tunic, her face icy cold, with an ancient broadsword hanging at her waist—none other than Qing Shuang.

Over the New Year, Qing Shuang had recuperated at the Yu family’s home. She’d left Daxisipo a banknote for two thousand taels before disappearing.

Daxisipo spent weeks cursing her.

Even now, she’d occasionally mutter about that ‘ungrateful brat.’

The moment Xingxing saw Qing Shuang, she immediately forgot everything else and grabbed her arm: "Where have you been? Grandma Da Xi’s been worried sick about you!"

Qing Shuang, still seething from kicking Zou Minglei, she itched to draw her blade. But when Xingxing suddenly grabbed her arm, she tensed up.

Qing Shuang said stiffly, "...Let go."

Xingxing paid no heed.

Having spent enough time together, Xingxing knew Qing Shuang was all bark and no bite.

"Grandma Da Xi curses you every day, calling you an ungrateful wretch. She says you burned through her herbs, and two thousand taels doesn’t even begin to cover it," Xingxing said. "You promised to work for her as labor for the rest of your life to repay her."

Qing Shuang’s lips moved slightly, a flicker of guilt in her eyes.

Yu Yonggui backed away quietly, still holding the teapot.

Though Qing Shuang had once attacked him, he knew she was a woman of principle—she’d die before letting Xingxing—who’d helped her—come to harm.

Zou Minglei groaned in pain.

Yan Shou tried to help him up from the ground, but Zou Minglei, humiliated in front of his beloved, roughly shoved her away: "Get lost!"

Yan Shou, caught off guard, fell to the ground.

Qing Shuang’s glare turned icy.

"That little bastard, what a jerk!"

Zou Minglei completely ignored Yan Shou, stubbornly staring at Xingxing and shouting, "I really mean it when I say I love you! I’m willing to marry you as my official wife—isn't that enough—"

Before he could finish, Qing Shuang couldn’t hold back and kicked him again!

This kick was brutal—Zou Minglei’s nose started bleeding, his face a horrifying mess.

Yan Shou let out a frightened scream.

The commotion drew the attention of constables patrolling the street, and two of them rushed in. "Who dares to cause trouble under the imperial city’s watch?!"

Zou Minglei, humiliated and in pain from the kick, struggled to his feet, his face covered in blood. Furious, he pointed at Qing Shuang. "It was this crazy woman—"

Xingxing glanced at Zhao Ying, who stepped forward. "Let me tell you what happened, officers. This man was extremely rude—he harassed our princess and spouted disgusting nonsense! This young lady acted out of righteous indignation, stepping in to stop him from harassing Her Highness. She had every right to do that."

"Princess…?" The constables gasped.

Zhao Ying straightened her posture. "Indeed. Our princess is none other than Her Majesty’s personally appointed Princess Fusui."

Xingxing produced a jade token to verify her identity.

The constables immediately bowed. "Our apologies, Your Highness. We'll haul this disrespectful punk away for questioning at once!"

Zou Minglei was utterly stunned. Only when the constables seized him by the arms and began dragging him away did he snap back to reality, thrashing about wildly. "I didn’t know! I—I didn’t know!"

Zhao Ying spat contemptuously. "Whether you knew or not, what kind of creep harasses women in public? Serves you right! Rot in jail and think about what you've done!"