Chapter 54: Frenzy

Chapter 54: Madness

The moment the name "Han Zicheng" was uttered, both Zhao Xiping and Zhou Yundun stiffened.

They hadn't heard that name in a long time. As if recalling something unpleasant, Zhou Yundun's expression turned grim, his sharp brows knitted tightly. "What does this have to do with Han Zicheng? How does Second Sister Qiu know him?"

Qiu Shuiyi recounted, with some embellishment, how she had found Han Zicheng and how he had repaid her kindness with betrayal.

She omitted the system, only saying that she had accidentally overheard Han Zicheng conversing with a subordinate.

"He said that with a decoy like me as cover, he could later switch into Lian Ying's clothes, disfigure my face, and throw me off a cliff. No one would know whether the one who died was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yun'an's household or a nameless orphan girl from the countryside."

At this point, Qiu Shuiyi's face turned deathly pale, appearing utterly terrified.

Biting her lower lip, she continued, "I was too frightened at the time. I originally planned to escape when he wasn't paying attention, but who knew Han Zicheng was so alert? He caught me, tied me up, and left me on the cliff."

Tears streamed down Qiu Shuiyi's face. "I thought I was surely going to die. But something must have happened with my sister because Han Zicheng abandoned me there, ordering his female subordinate named Fu Ling to push me off the cliff."

"Fortunately, a carriage came speeding by, injuring Fu Ling, and I was rescued by His Highness the Prince. When I woke up, I was already at the Marquis's estate."

"Later, my parents acknowledged me, and what happened after that, you all know."

"Han—Zi—Cheng!"

Zhou Yundun gritted his teeth, wishing he could tear the man's flesh and drink his blood. "It must be him who took Lian Ying!"

Zhao Xiping's face darkened, a storm brewing on his features.

He strode over, grabbing Qiu Shuiyi by the side of her neck. His gaze was as cold and venomous as a snake hidden in the depths of night, ready to leap out and sink its fangs into the smooth neck of a passerby at any moment.

"Lian Ying has been missing for so long. Why haven't you sent any word outside? Instead, you've spread ambiguous false news? Did you incite the Marquis and his wife, deliberately preventing them from searching for Lian Ying?"

No way, brother. I said you were sick, and you really are sick, huh?

Qiu Shuiyi nearly laughed in anger.

"Has Assistant Minister Zhao heard the rumors circulating in the capital about me?"

Zhao Xiping didn't understand the purpose of her question and said coldly, "What if I have?"

Qiu Shuiyi lifted her eyelashes, her voice soft but her words sharp as a blade.

"Then Assistant Minister Zhao must not know that my mother, because of those rumors, has been so worried that she needs calming incense every night to sleep. In just a few days, she has become haggard."

"If she is like this for me, how much more so for the sister she raised for sixteen years?"

She curled her lips slightly, speaking softly, "This world is ultimately unfair to women. When there are no major incidents, people naturally show women a bit more tolerance. But once something happens, they can't wait to hurl the most vicious insults at them."

"My sister is a young lady from a noble family. Once she goes missing, what filthy words those disgusting, lowly men will spew, what lewd smiles they will wear, what scenes they will fantasize about—as men, you understand this better than I do."

"With my sister missing, my mother is already worried and anxious. If word gets out and others find out, rumors will surge toward the Marquis's estate like a tidal wave. How could she bear it?"

Qiu Shuiyi looked directly at Zhao Xiping, her clear gaze holding a hint of mockery.

"Assistant Minister Zhao's words imply that my father and mother abandoned my sister. Do you know how many tears my mother shed in secret after the incident? My father sent countless people to search for her, and he hasn't given up even now."

"Our entire family holds onto the hope that my sister is safe and sound. We only wish that when she returns, rumors and gossip won't disturb her, and she will remain the elegant and noble young lady of the Marquis's estate. Outsiders will only know that my sister is dutifully serving our grandmother; no one will know about her disappearance."

"But you, you insist on exposing the matter."

Qiu Shuiyi's final words were extremely soft, yet they struck Zhao Xiping's chest like a sharp sword, causing his face to instantly turn pale.

Qiu Shuiyi didn't want to let him off. She continued, "My parents' heartfelt efforts have ultimately been betrayed."

"Oh."

She suddenly tugged at the corner of her mouth and apologized, "I heard that Assistant Minister Zhao has never been valued by the Duke. Presumably... you cannot empathize with the deep, protective love of parents, can you?"

The young girl's lips curved into a smile, as pure and graceful as a lotus flower, carrying an overt mockery of him.

"What a pity indeed."

Red veins surfaced in Zhao Xiping's pupils, the tendons on his slender neck bulging, his restraint pushed to the limit.

His thumb pressed against the knife wound on Qiu Shuiyi's neck, applying force. A string of blood beads fell to the ground like pearls.

It hurt.

But seeing Zhao Xiping's furious, helpless appearance was also deeply satisfying.

Dark currents churned in Qiu Shuiyi's eyes as her hands, tied to the chair, moved slightly.

"Zhao Xiping! Unhand her, I command you!"

Zhou Yundun was furious, trying to pry Zhao Xiping's hand away as he roared, "Second Sister Qiu is innocent! Do you really intend to strangle her to death?"

"Crash—"

Amid Zhou Yundun's angry shouts, the door of the dilapidated temple was violently kicked open.

The black-clad man guarding the entrance was sent flying backward by a kick, landing at Zhao Xiping's feet. Clutching his chest, he struggled to get up.

"Master."

He gasped for breath, kneeling on the ground without rising. "This subordinate is no match for him."

Everyone was startled by the sudden turn of events, all turning to look at the doorway.

Zhao Xiping withdrew his hand and said coldly, "Who are you?"

A figure stood at the entrance.

He almost blended into the night. The light was dim, making it hard to see clearly, but one could vaguely discern a tall, slender man.

The temple door swung wide open. The night wind swept through, causing the newcomer's robes to billow in the air.

He stepped into the dilapidated temple, his voice as smooth as the wind. "You dare to ask who I am after harming someone under my protection?"

That voice...

Qiu Shuiyi's eyes widened abruptly.

Inside the temple, the remaining candle stub burned tirelessly, bringing a sliver of light to the pitch-black night.

In the hazy glow, she saw the newcomer's exquisitely carved features.

The usual gentle ripples in his deep, peach-blossom eyes were gone, replaced by an eerie, cold light, like a drawn sword, lending him an air of sharp coldness—aloof and unapproachable.

Qiu Shuiyi was momentarily stunned.

Was that figure she saw earlier truly Shen Yuchao?

She immediately adopted a meek and easily-bullied expression, the tears in her eyes suddenly spilling over as she whimpered, "Your Highness."

"They were trying to hurt me."

Shen Yuchao smiled, his attitude toward Zhao Xiping almost amiable.

"What's this, Assistant Minister Zhao? You see your prince and don't know to bow?"

Zhao Xiping clenched his fists, his face expressionless as he bowed in greeting. "This humble official pays his respects to Your Highness."

Shen Yuchao didn't tell him to rise, so he remained bent over, frozen in place.

Zhou Yundun glanced at one, then the other.

Though he disliked Shen Yuchao, that dislike had waned since his engagement to Qiu Shuiyi.

Now that Shen Yuchao had appeared here, he couldn't help but feel relieved, wanting only to end this farce quickly so he could go find his Lian Ying.

Zhou Yundun stepped forward. "You've come just in time. Hurry and take Second Sister Qiu back. She's injured and needs to find..."

The remaining words stuck in his throat.

He saw Shen Yuchao mouth two words.

*Useless.*

Zhou Yundun stopped dead.

Shen Yuchao brushed past him. The night wind was cold, yet a faint, lingering scent of blood hung in the air.

Zhou Yundun pressed his lips together tightly, turned around, and watched as Shen Yuchao walked toward Zhao Xiping.

"You address me as Your Highness, yet you claim not to know she is this prince's consort?"

Shen Yuchao stopped before Zhao Xiping and said meaningfully, "You have quite the nerve."

Zhao Xiping's face was taut, his emotions barely restrained. "Your Highness, please forgive this offense. This official was merely... overly concerned and thus acted rashly."

"What a fine 'overly concerned and thus acted rashly.'"

Shen Yuchao nodded, his laughter gentle. "Then, as this prince's consort was bound, this prince was also 'overly concerned and thus acted rashly.' I hope Assistant Minister Zhao will understand."

On the last word, he suddenly lifted his leg and, to everyone's astonishment, kicked Zhao Xiping squarely in the knee.

The latter grunted in pain, his legs buckling uncontrollably. With a *thud*, his knees hit the ground solidly.

His upper body fell forward, prostrating himself in a humiliating posture at Shen Yuchao's feet.

His hands clawed desperately at the straw on the ground, his grip so fierce it seemed he wanted to crush it.

"Master!"

The man on the ground called out to Zhao Xiping with concern, but Zhao Xiping seemed not to hear. He endured the humiliation, his face strained as he tried to rise, a red tinge seeping into his pupils.

"I was in the wrong from the start. Your Highness may beat or punish me as you see fit. I, Zhao, accept it. But why must you humiliate me like this?"

"Humiliate?"

As if hearing a joke, Shen Yuchao raised an eyebrow, a trace of amusement in his voice.

Before Zhao Xiping could reply, Shen Yuchao grabbed him by the collar and yanked him forward with one hand, his manner casual and contemptuous, as if hauling a dead dog.

Reaching a thick pillar in the center of the temple, Shen Yuchao gripped the back of Zhao Xiping's neck and slammed his head hard against the wooden column.

His tone was indifferent. "*This* is called humiliation."

From that single impact, a huge bump instantly rose on Zhao Xiping's pale forehead, purplish-black mixed with streaks of blood, making him look utterly wretched.

Dizzy and disoriented, before he could even speak, Shen Yuchao had already grabbed him by the neck and slammed him against the pillar again.

"Prince Duansu!"

Zhao Xiping let out two low growls from his throat. "I am a court-appointed official! If you kill me, His Majesty will certainly not let you off lightly!"

"Oh?"

Shen Yuchao raised an eyebrow. "You are welcome to try. See if His Majesty will have this prince's head for your sake."

He lifted his hand and slammed Zhao Xiping against the pillar once more.

Flesh struck wood with a loud, heavy thud.

Zhao Xiping's head was thoroughly broken open, blood covering his head and streaming down his cheeks in rivulets.

He tried to part his lips, only a hoarse, guttural sound escaping his throat, his gaze already unfocused.

"Shen Yuchao!"

Zhou Yundun was stunned, his face gradually losing color from extreme shock.

"Do you truly intend to kill him?"

Shen Yuchao curved his lips, his jade-like face suffused with a smile, yet a fierce brutality shone in his eyes. "Why not?"

When people spoke of Prince Duansu, who did not praise him as bright as the sun and moon, noble and elegant as orchids and jade trees?

Though Zhou Yundun had little regard for him, apart from his engagement to Qiu Lianying, he held no personal grievance against the man himself. When had he ever seen him like this?

Where was the clear, upright gentleman the world praised?

This was clearly a malevolent fiend.

A chill crept up Zhou Yundun's spine. A flicker of fear passed through his eyes, and he involuntarily took a step back.

"Master!"

The black-clad man on the ground, seeing Shen Yuchao intended to continue, lunged forward with eyes wide in fury.

Before he could even touch the hem of Shen Yuchao's robe, a figure suddenly flashed into view, blocking the black-clad man's path.

Shang Ze snorted. "You'd better just stay right there."

Zuo Yi, arriving belatedly, strode in. Seeing Shen Yuchao unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Remembering the kidnapped Qiu Shuiyi, he hurriedly said, "Second Young Lady, this subordinate will untie you for..."

His words cut off. Zuo Yi's pupils widened in surprise.

A few steps away, the wooden chair was empty. A rope as thick as a finger had been casually discarded, draped over the back of the chair.

In the dim, hazy light, the young maiden stood gracefully, completely unbound.