Chapter 063: The Beauty Trap

Chapter 063: The Beauty Trap

On the way back, Qian Yunxi had already woken up. She refused to let Ruan Qinghuan untie her. Ruan Qinghuan understood that Qian Yunxi wanted her parents to see her in this miserable and desperate state.

Realizing the situation, Lady Qian burst into tears, wailing, "What kind of sin have we committed?"

Qian Qitai clutched his chest, clearly furious.

Upon learning the truth, the former Minister of Revenue, now referred to as Minister Qian, turned ashen-faced. His helpless gaze was filled with anger and resentment.

Seeing him like this, Chu Li couldn't bring herself to say the words of reproach that were on the tip of her tongue. Her heart felt heavy with discomfort, and with a flick of her sleeve, she went outside.

Qian Yunxi's eyes were swollen from crying, but it still couldn't wash away the shame and anger in her heart. She suddenly grabbed a teacup from the table, threw it to the ground, and picked up a shard to hold against her neck.

Her voice, hoarse from the earlier emotional outburst, trembled, "Father, Mother, are you trying to drive me to death? If you really want me to marry into the Wu family, I'd rather die."

Seeing this, Lady Qian was terrified and shook her hands, "Xier, don't scare your mother. Let's talk things through. You mustn't do anything foolish."

Qian Qitai panicked as well. His daughter's stubbornness was just like his. He sighed, "Put down the porcelain shard first. I'll think of a solution. I'll go to the Wu family to call off the engagement."

"It's useless," Ruan Qinghuan's words made the Qian family turn their heads towards her. Lady Qian, anxious and angry, wondered why the Prime Minister's wife would add fuel to the fire at such a time.

Qian Qitai was somewhat displeased, effectively dismissing her, "Heiress Ruan, this is my family matter. Let us handle it ourselves."

Ruan Qinghuan remained calm, slightly smiling, and slowly walked up to Qian Yunxi. In their eye contact, Qian Yunxi saw a glimmer of hope in Ruan Qinghuan's eyes. Her voice, though soft, had a soothing power, "I'll ask you once. Do you want to marry Wu Quan?"

Qian Yunxi shook her head, "Even if I die, I won't marry that beast."

"If this puts you in danger, are you still willing?"

Qian Yunxi gave a bitter smile, "I'm not afraid of death, so what else should I fear?"

Her previous fear of the Wu family had now turned into hatred. She wished she could dismember the Wu brothers and perish together with them.

Understanding Qian Yunxi's resolve, Ruan Qinghuan glanced at the sky, "Minister Qian, go to the Wu family now. Say that the marriage is set, but it will only happen after the disaster relief and when the Prime Minister leaves Lu City."

Pausing for a moment, she added, "Ensure everyone knows that Wu's second son mistreated Yunxi."

Lady Qian was unwilling, "If we spread such rumors about something that didn't happen, won't it ruin my daughter's name?"

Qian Yunxi's expression was resolute, "If I can't keep myself pure, what's the harm in being ruined? I don't care."

Ruan Qinghuan took the porcelain shard from her, "From today, you'll live on Mount Wangyue and assist the women in caring for the disaster victims."

Qian Yunxi was puzzled. She understood cooking porridge, but she didn't quite grasp Ruan Qinghuan's intentions.

Ruan Qinghuan continued, "As for the flour, ensure the Wu family supplies it."

Qian Yunxi pondered and soon realized. Heiress Ruan wanted to deplete the Wu family's food stores. A thought sparked, and she turned to her father, "Father, return all these betrothal gifts. I'll write a reply to Wu Quan myself."

Smart people make things easier. This was not only a beauty trap and a cover-up. Ruan Qinghuan believed that with Qian Yunxi's intelligence, she had already figured out her intentions.

A major incident occurred in the Wu family, and all the doctors in the city were called to the Wu residence. Wu Quan returned home with a grim expression, and the servants, seeing the injury on his face, were completely stunned.

Who would dare to harm the eldest son?

**

Wu Quan knew that his younger brother had set him up this time, and he was truly angry, even entertaining the thought of teaching him a lesson. The kid could mess with anyone, but he crossed the line by touching Qian Yunxi. To make matters worse, he dared to kidnap her right in front of him, trying to get ahead of him.

Before he could arrange for someone to be found after struggling out of the sack, a servant reported that his younger brother had suffered serious injuries.

At first, Wu Quan thought his brother had been beaten by someone for his usual behavior of terrorizing men and women. But when he saw Wu Cheng's pale face, his heart sank. It was a life-threatening injury, not just a simple wound. He was only exhaling, not inhaling.

The doctors standing nearby had never seen such a horrifying injury. The area looked almost scorched, and despite using various internal and external medications and acupuncture, the situation remained dire.

"Where is he injured? Why is it so severe?" Wu Cheng was covered with a thin blanket, and Wu Quan couldn't see his injury.

Seeing the hesitation of the people present, Wu Quan coldly said, "Are you all mute?"

An older doctor sighed and said, "Young Master Wu, Second Young Master's injuries this time are extremely severe. Whether he can survive depends on his fate. Additionally… he will never be able to have children again."

Upon hearing this, Wu Quan yanked off the blanket. Seeing the bloodstains around the crotch area, he clenched the blanket tightly, the veins in his wrist bulging.

The anger that had accumulated because of the Tong family incident dissipated at this moment. After all, they were blood brothers, and seeing him like this made Wu Quan feel genuinely uncomfortable.

After a long breath, he dismissed the doctors and called for the steward. "Prepare for his funeral."

The steward was shocked upon hearing this. Looking at the bed, he could see the slight movement of the thin blanket, indicating that the person was still alive.

But he didn't dare to ask. Wu Quan was the true head of the household, and whatever he ordered, the servants had to follow.

After the steward left, Wu Quan called for the personal attendant who was close to his younger brother.

The attendant knew he couldn't hide the truth and had to confess, "Second Young Master privately had feelings for Miss Qian. He wanted to… Later, when they arrived at the estate, Second Young Master ordered that no one should disturb them. We could only faintly hear Miss Qian's struggling sounds and the sound of a vase shattering. It seemed like… it was done."

"Did you investigate thoroughly? Was there anything suspicious?"

"Yes, we checked. Apart from Miss Qian and Second Young Master, there were no other footprints found near the walls or the courtyard house."

Upon hearing this, Wu Quan shifted his gaze to the attendant, his eyes filled with demonic ruthlessness. "Second Young Master behaved disgracefully, and as his attendant, you did not advise him but instead fanned the flames. You deserve death."

As soon as he said this, the door opened, and a swift man came in, covering the attendant's mouth before slitting his throat.

Wu Quan stood up and glanced at the bed. "Make sure he passes quickly, without suffering."

It was better for him to have a quick end than to live in such pain and brokenness.

**

Back in the hall, Wu Quan’s expression was calm, but his mind was far from at ease. On the surface, Lu City seemed unchanged, but it no longer felt as peaceful as before.

Or perhaps, it was only the Wu family that had become unsettled?

"Young Master, Master Qian is here," a servant reported.

Wu Quan's expression didn't change, but his gaze seemed to drift. His mind was filled with the image of Qian Yunxi's delicate, fearful, and helpless appearance. Damn it, he still couldn't let her go.

"Please, invite him in."

Qian Qitai was supported by someone as he entered. His old face was pale and haggard, his eyes red as if he had been crying. He held a letter in his trembling hand.

After sitting down, Master Qian, seemingly out of control, slammed his hand on the small table beside him and said angrily, "Young Master Wu, you must seek justice for my daughter!"

Wu Quan hid the storm in his heart and pretended as if he knew nothing. "Master Qian, what are you talking about? What happened to Yunxi?"

"Yunxi… she… she… Sigh…" Qian Qitai shook his head, unable to utter the words. He handed the letter over with trembling hands.

Wu Quan took the letter and dismissed the others.

Only then did Qian Qitai sorrowfully say, "My daughter has lost her innocence. The engagement is off. The betrothal gifts have been returned. Farewell."