Chapter 086: How to Marry in the Future

Chapter 086: How to Marry in the Future

"Everyone, step back, let him go," Ruan Qingzhou shouted in desperation.

"No, he has kidnapped the Prime Minister's cousin sister, we can't let him go, we must kill him to save her," Liu Yueru's face was ghostly, with bruises and even a slightly crooked nose bridge.

All of this was thanks to Qu Yuancheng. If he didn't die, it might be her who perished.

"Who dares?" Ruan Qingzhou shouted loudly, and Qu Yuancheng's mind became slightly clearer, his grip loosening slightly. He knew this woman was his last chance to escape, so she couldn't die.

The officers from Jingzhao Mansion recognized Ruan Qingzhou; he was the Prime Minister's brother-in-law. Once mistakenly arrested as an adulterer and taken to Jingzhao Mansion, the magistrate had gone through great trouble to release this important figure.

When he spoke, those present dared not act rashly.

Wei Mingxi was crying uncontrollably: "Qingzhou Ruan, save me, I don't want to die, I haven't married yet, I haven't become a mother, oh... oh... help me."

Ruan Qingzhou closed his eyes.

It wasn't hard to subdue Qu Yuancheng, but the difficulty lay in the knife he held. Any slight misstep could result in Wei Mingxi's throat being slit, and even a deity might not be able to save her then.

The rain was getting heavier. Qu Yuancheng slowly moved towards the alley's exit. As he reached a cluster of bamboo poles, Ruan Qingzhou subtly used his inner strength to push one forward, blocking Qu Yuancheng and forcing him to move it aside.

Taking advantage of the moment Qu Yuancheng was distracted by the bamboo, Ruan Qingzhou threw a pre-prepared stone, hitting Qu Yuancheng's wrist holding the knife. The dagger fell to the ground, and Wei Mingxi felt the pressure on her neck release as she was pulled to Ruan Qingzhou's side.

Ruan Qingzhou pulled her behind him, exerting force, causing Qu Yuancheng to kneel in pain, his arm hanging limply as if boneless, whether broken or dislocated was unclear.

Seeing the hostage was safe, the officers rushed forward, restraining both Qu Yuancheng and Liu Yueru.

A man who seemed to be the head officer approached to thank Ruan Qingzhou but was bumped aside. Looking up, he saw the woman who had just been held hostage tightly hugging Ruan Qingzhou's neck, sobbing uncontrollably.

Ruan Qingzhou, caught off guard, quickly raised his hands, explaining, "You saw it, I didn't initiate the hug."

The head officer coughed awkwardly, clasped his hands, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Ruan, for your assistance. Farewell."

Who would dare to interfere in the Prime Minister's family matters?

So, he couldn't serve as a witness.

Seeing everyone leave, Ruan Qingzhou urgently said, "Hey, hey... shouldn't I come with you for questioning... hey, I'm a witness... and the victim, have you forgotten?"

"We will visit the Prime Minister's residence to take Miss Wei's statement."

Ruan Qingzhou: "..."

**

Inside the shop, Wei Mingxi was still sobbing, unlike her usual tantrums, this time it was the fear after a narrow escape, her mind filled with the image of Ruan Qingzhou rushing to save her without regard for his own safety.

Even she didn't realize the subtle changes happening in her heart.

Ruan Qingzhou brought out one of his long robes: "There's nothing else here, you can change into this for now."

After speaking, he couldn't suppress a yawn, looking down at his soaked self. Who had he offended to end up in such a mess?

He just hoped that after today, this young lady would leave him alone.

"Are... are you okay?" Wei Mingxi asked with concern.

"As long as you don't cause me any more trouble, I'll be fine," he said, then turned and went to the side room.

Wei Mingxi wasn't much better, soaked from head to toe, with a few strands of hair sticking to her face from the earlier incident, looking quite disheveled.

While changing clothes, there was a sudden urgent knocking at the door. Qingzhou Ruan also heard it, frowning in irritation. Even on a rainy day, there's no peace. Could it be the officers coming to question him?

He opened the courtyard gate, holding an umbrella, only to find Mr. He, his wife, and Wei Mingxi's maid at the door.

The maid's eyes were red from crying, clearly in a state of panic: "Young Master Ruan, why did it take you so long to open the door? I was beside myself with worry!"

She had gone to buy an umbrella and returned to find her young miss missing, so she had to come looking for her. But no matter how much she knocked, there was no answer, forcing her to return to the Prime Minister's residence to fetch the master and mistress.

"There was a bit of an incident earlier, and no one was in the courtyard."

He stepped aside: "It's raining, Uncle and Aunt, please come in and talk."

Meng Suqiu: "Nephew, is Mingxi here with you?"

As she asked this, Meng Suqiu felt a pang of uncertainty. Mingxi had caused quite a bit of trouble since coming to the capital, and she was feeling exhausted, just wanting to send her home as soon as possible. But now, something had happened again.

Twice now, she had been found alone with a man. If this got out, what would people think?

Qingzhou Ruan led them to the room where Wei Mingxi was: "She's changing clothes. Madam, perhaps you should go in yourself."

Meng Suqiu and He Qizhang almost spoke in unison: "Changing clothes?"

"No, we all got caught in the rain earlier, so..." Before Qingzhou Ruan could finish, Meng Suqiu, furious, pushed the door open and went in, followed closely by the maid.

He Qizhang, looking troubled, followed Qingzhou Ruan to the side room: "What exactly happened earlier?"

Qingzhou Ruan had no choice but to explain the whole story. He Qizhang frowned upon hearing it, angrily saying, "How audacious! To dare such a thing in broad daylight?"

Fortunately, no one was hurt, which was a blessing: "Today, we owe it all to you, nephew. Mingxi has been spoiled since childhood and often acts without thinking. Please bear with her. Once the weather clears, we'll send her home."

"Uncle, you're too kind. We're family, so there's no need for such formalities."

**

The rain continued until evening. When Ruan Qinghuan and He An returned to the Prime Minister's residence, they passed by the parlor and saw their mother sitting at the head of the room with a grim expression. Wei Mingxi, whom they hadn't seen in a long time, was sitting there with tears streaming down her face, looking utterly miserable.

"I'm not leaving. Auntie, you love me the most. If I go back like this, my mother might never let me come again," Wei Mingxi said, growing more and more upset. She finally buried her head in her arms on the table.

"Mingxi, you're not a child anymore. You need to think about the consequences of your actions. You're a young lady, staying in an inn for a month just to find Qingzhou. What would people think if this got out?"

"But I..."

"No buts!" Meng Suqiu cut her off: "I've told you many times, the last time I threw you into the vat was to save you. Let's drop this matter and never mention it again, understand?"

"Fine, I won't mention it, but I'm still not leaving."

Meng Suqiu sighed. She truly cared for her niece. Despite her anger, she spoke earnestly: "Mingxi, your cousin is already married. You've spent a lot of time together since childhood, so you should know his temperament. He has no feelings for you. Even if you stay here for the rest of your life, it will only bring you more pain."

"Who said I'm staying for my cousin?"

Meng Suqiu glanced at He Qizhang, who looked equally confused: "Then why? If you've really thought it through, why not go home?"

"I..." Wei Mingxi bit her lip, not daring to say it.

Meng Suqiu assumed she was just being evasive: "Alright, I understand your feelings. It's not that I don't care for you anymore. Just listen to me, and when you meet the right person in the future, you'll naturally move on."

"It's not about my cousin, and I'll never meet the right person again," Wei Mingxi said, standing up in frustration, tears streaming down her face.

Meng Suqiu lost her patience: "Child, how old are you? How can you know what the future holds?"

"I... I..." Wei Mingxi stomped her foot in desperation, finally blurting out: "Qingzhou Ruan kissed me! How can I marry anyone else now?"