Chapter 091: Still Want to Kill Me?

Chapter 091: Still Want to Kill Me?

As night fell, the sky was devoid of stars. Distant flashes of lightning streaked across the horizon, followed by the rumble of thunder moments later.

Liu Yueru sat in front of her dressing table, gazing at her pale reflection in the mirror. The wound at the corner of her lips had healed somewhat, the scab had fallen off, leaving a faint red mark.

To her, the thunder was like celebratory fireworks. She had finally rid herself of that demon, Qu Yuancheng.

During the interrogation that day, she had even revealed the Ruan family's earlier involvement in smuggling opium. With this, even if he didn't die, it would be impossible for him to get out anytime soon.

Liu Yueru's smile spread like a ghostly apparition in the dimly lit room, sending shivers down the spines of the nearby maidservants. "Madam, it's getting late. You should rest now."

Liu Yueru glanced at the hourglass and nodded. "You can sleep in the side room of the west courtyard tonight. Don't come unless I call for you."

The maid understood immediately. When the madam gave such instructions, it meant that someone would be visiting tonight.

As the door closed, Liu Yueru stood up and changed into simple clothes. The collar was half-open, exuding a seductive charm.

Not long after, the door opened, and a man entered quietly, unnoticed by the servants. It was clear he had slipped in through the shadows. A widow's household had to be discreet.

Far from being afraid, Liu Yueru stood up and approached him. "Young Master Pei, you're getting married tomorrow. I thought you wouldn't come."

"Precisely because of that, I should come to see you," Pei Chong replied. He had taken leave and, out of boredom, had wandered around the camp. As for Liu Yueru, he had to visit her today to discuss tomorrow's plans in detail.

Liu Yueru reached out and tugged at his belt, loosening it with a slight pull. His robe fell open, revealing his muscular chest.

Pei Chong had little interest in women like Liu Yueru, but her hatred for He An and the Ruan family made her somewhat useful.

The room was dimly lit, almost pitch black. The long night stretched ahead, and there was no rush to talk. Pei Chong, enticed by her, felt his desire grow. Soon, they were entangled on the bed.

Liu Yueru no longer cared about others' opinions. Her coquettish moans mingled with the thunder, fueling Pei Chong's thrill of illicit pleasure. A flash of lightning illuminated their entwined shadows.

After a while, the room fell silent, save for their rapid breathing.

Pei Chong took out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve. "Tomorrow, just find a way to pour this into He An and his wife's wine. Your revenge will be complete."

The lightning illuminated Liu Yueru's eyes, filled with hatred. She clutched the bottle tightly, her voice soft and tender. "Once this is done, don't forget your promise to take me into your household."

As a weak woman, she needed some support to establish herself in the capital.

**

After Pei Chong left, Liu Yueru, exhausted, got up to bathe. Just as she lit the fire starter, several dark figures slipped in, startling her into a scream.

There was no thunder at that moment, making her scream particularly piercing. Even the maids in the east courtyard heard it.

This wasn't the first time such a situation had occurred. Whenever that man visited, the madam would sometimes scream like this. The maids were used to it and simply turned over to continue sleeping.

Liu Yueru, clad only in her undergarments, was clearly visible to the intruders in the flashes of lightning. Their eyes gleamed with malice. Someone muttered, "Brother Qu, you're quite lucky to have such a fairy-like wife."

"Hmph, a fairy-like wife? She's a venomous snake. Hurry up, be quick about it."

Qu Yuancheng spat out these words viciously and turned to leave, but Liu Yueru grabbed his sleeve. "Yuancheng, you can't do this to me. I'm your wife."

Qu Yuancheng had somehow escaped, and knowing it was his doing, Liu Yueru didn't have time to think. She had to calm him down first.

Qu Yuancheng laughed as if he had heard the biggest joke. He flung her to the ground. "You're just a woman anyone can have, and you still want to kill me? How about that? Didn't expect me to escape, did you?"

**

The rain that had been falling all night showed no signs of stopping. As dawn approached, the Ruan family had no choice but to prepare for the wedding in the rain. The banquet, originally planned for the courtyard, had to be moved indoors. The invited opera troupe was delayed on the road, likely missing the auspicious hour.

In the second branch of the family, Zheng Qiaohui stomped her feet in frustration. "Heavens, why must it rain now? Please, have mercy and clear up soon."

Ruan Xiaoyue was dressed in a grand red embroidered bridal gown, her makeup exquisitely done, yet her expression showed no joy.

She had been eagerly anticipating this day, counting the days until her wedding, finally about to marry, only to be met with such dreadful weather. No matter how beautiful the bridal gown or how stunning the makeup, stepping outside would likely spoil it all.

With weather like this, there probably wouldn't be any onlookers in the streets. She had hoped to show the neighbors that she was marrying into an aristocratic family, and that the proposal had come from them.

Yes, even if the Pei family wasn't as illustrious as in the past, they were still a family of officials for generations.

All her beautiful dreams were dashed by the weather.

Despite this, many guests from the Ruan family had shown up. Some who lived far away had come two or three days early, and now they were gathered in the hall, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

He An and Ruan Qinghuan had returned last night and had sent some helpers from the Prime Minister's mansion to assist.

Many elders of the Ruan family were seated in the hall. Seeing He An and Qing Huan sitting together, someone remarked, "It's been almost half a year since Qing Huan got married, hasn't it?"

Qing Huan nodded, "More than half a year."

The Ruan family patriarch, seated at the head of the table, observed them for a while and said, "When Qing Huan got married, we were all on edge. But now it seems the young couple is getting along well and treating each other with respect."

"The patriarch has a good eye. Qing Huan and her husband have a good relationship," Zhou Yunzhi said with genuine happiness. She remembered how her daughter's marriage had been delayed for years, and they had almost given up hope until He An suddenly proposed.

Fortunately, their relationship had developed well after marriage, and Zhou Yunzhi was very pleased.

As they chatted, someone mentioned, "There's an old saying that the weather on the wedding day foretells the temperament of the newlyweds. With today's weather, will Xiaoyue and her future husband be at loggerheads, neither willing to give in?"

It was meant as a joke, but someone else added, "There is such a saying, but it's just a folk custom, no need to take it too seriously."

Those who frequently interacted with the Ruan family knew the situation well. Seeing the old lady's displeased expression, they guessed that this marriage wasn't to her liking.

However, no one wanted to bring bad luck on such a day, so they shifted the topic to the main branch of the family, praising Zhou Yunzhi for her good upbringing of the children and her good fortune.

Some young gentlemen admired He An greatly, and a few bold ones took the opportunity to chat with him. He An responded patiently to each.

Ruan Qinghuan whispered, "Why don't you go to the backyard to rest?"

"No need. It's rare to gather with relatives and friends today. There's no reason to hide away," He An's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but everyone around heard it. Even those who had been a bit wary of him changed their attitudes.

The rain grew heavier, and many elaborate rituals had to be simplified. When Pei Chong came to fetch the bride, his eyes scanned the crowd, but he didn't see Liu Yueru. He couldn't help but wonder.

They had agreed last night to take the opportunity to eliminate He An... Could it be that she had gotten cold feet and changed her mind?

As he pondered, he heard hurried footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw officers from Jingzhao Mansion. Knowing the Ruan family was holding a wedding, the officer in charge entered alone and whispered something into He An's ear.

The voice was very soft, but Ruan Qinghuan, standing nearby, caught some of it. It seemed to mention Liu Yueru.