Chapter 22 Pounce Hands clenched, then opened.

Chapter 22: A Clenched Fist

Zhong Yao's little action held different meanings in the eyes of different people.

In Xie Chi's eyes, it was a petty sulk, but the harm and insult it caused were almost negligible. Making an issue of it would seem childish, yet ignoring it left a bad taste in his mouth.

In Fei Anxuan's eyes, Zhong Yao was rudely taking her anger out on a bystander.

Chen Luoling's expression shifted slightly; from this small gesture, she discerned that Zhong Yao's relationship with Xie Chi was unusual.

Several days ago, at the Yong'an Marquis Estate's banquet to welcome the adopted daughter, everyone said the reason Xue Fang, the Marquis Estate's adopted daughter, was close to Zhong Yao was because they had shared hardships. Chen Luoling had her suspicions even then, as Old Madame Xie's attitude towards Zhong Yao seemed unnecessarily severe—even if Zhong Yao had a poor reputation, that wasn't the way to treat a granddaughter's good friend.

Now her suspicion was confirmed.

Chen Luoling reacted the fastest, immediately bowing to Xie Chi.

As the words "Heir Xie" left her lips, Fei Anxuan also realized Xie Chi's identity. After a moment of great shock, he swiftly bowed in greeting.

Xie Chi gave a slight nod and said to Xue Fang, "Return the dog."

Xue Fang refused, hugging the puppy and nuzzling its face. "It's so small, not fierce at all. How could it hurt anyone?"

Xie Chi replied impassively, "Don't you know I'm afraid of dogs?"

"..." Xue Fang glanced at her elder brother, then at the aggrieved-looking Zhong Yao beside him, snorted, and handed the dog towards Zhong Yao's maid.

The maid hurriedly took it, said a word to Zhong Yao, and carried the whimpering puppy elsewhere.

Only then did Xie Chi turn to Fei Anxuan. "Since it's a dog, it should be kept from barking when taken outside. Don't you agree, Young Master Fei?"

The words seemed to refer to the dog, yet also to a person. Fei Anxuan couldn't be sure. After hesitating, he nodded vaguely and ventured, "Does Heir Xie recognize this humble one?"

"Of course." Xie Chi nodded amiably.

Fei Anxuan hoped for a government career, but had been observing a three-year mourning period for an elder in his family, missing the imperial examinations and thus far failing to attain any official rank.

Having long heard of Xie Chi's reputation, he was somewhat excited to learn he had somehow caught the other's attention.

"Might I ask when this humble one had the fortune to encounter the Heir?"

Xie Chi, as approachable as the rumors said, answered, "My younger sister is close with Zhong Yao. Naturally, I had to look into her character a bit, to see if she had any grudges or conflicts with others."

Zhong Yao had become the talk of the town over the past month. Everyone knew she was jealous and spoiled, and before even marrying, had tried to sow discord between her future husband and his mother.

Since this matter was spread by the Fei family, the investigation naturally led to his household.

The smile on Fei Anxuan's face stiffened slightly.

Xie Chi, as if not noticing, continued, "One must always guard against those petty individuals who distort the truth and gossip behind people's backs, mustn't one?"

There was no room for doubt now. Fei Anxuan's face turned beet-red, much like Zhong Yao's had been from fright earlier. Embarrassment and anger choked his throat; he could only gasp for breath, unable to speak.

The disparity in status rendered Fei Anxuan powerless to retort. In this regard, Xie Chi found him rather lacking in composure, far inferior to Zhong Yao.

Even after learning his identity, Zhong Yao had never been this weak in front of him.

Most of the time, while her body was weak and crying, her little mouth would unexpectedly spit out infuriating nonsense.

Xie Chi glanced at Zhong Yao, seeing her looking utterly miserable, incessantly wiping her eyes, the picture of grievance.

The grievance was real, but once the outsiders left, she'd likely start sniveling and tormenting him again.

Quite detestable.

Xie Chi suddenly turned to Chen Luoling. "I understand Young Master Fei's connection is through Xue Fang. But how did Second Young Lady come to know him?"

Chen Luoling's expression tightened slightly. After a brief silence, she said slowly, "While in Jiangzhou, I often heard my younger brother speak of Censor Zhong as upright, incorruptible, and erudite. I presumed the Zhong family must have strict and proper conduct. Therefore, after returning to the capital and hearing about Miss Zhong's... affairs, I felt there might be some misunderstanding. I had someone make a few inquiries, and that's how I learned of Young Master Fei."

Xie Chi nodded. "And what did you find out?"

"I learned that the Zhong family has three siblings. The eldest young master is steady and exceptionally talented in literature. The second young master practices martial arts, is chivalrous and free-spirited. The Third Miss has a good temperament, enjoys joking and chatting with people, and is definitely not the type to stir up conflict between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law or among sisters-in-law..."

Here, she paused slightly, her gaze towards Zhong Yao friendly yet tinged with apology and a barely perceptible awkwardness. She then continued, "Those rumors about the Third Miss are mean-spirited and frivolous. They were likely spread deliberately by someone wishing to sever ties or boost their own family's reputation. Even if those words held some truth, to publicly spread private matters that could damage a young lady's reputation... such a person is truly despicable and contemptible."

Chen Luoling's words struck Fei Anxuan's sore spot. His face alternated between green and purple. However, both individuals before him were of higher status; he couldn't afford to offend either.

He could have jabbed at Zhong Yao a few times, but targeting her now would be nothing short of inviting humiliation.

Yet remaining silent felt unbearable. Finally, gritting his teeth, he declared, "It was Zhong Yao who said the Zhong family had provoked serious trouble! I severed ties to protect myself. What's wrong with that? A man in this world should prioritize his great ambitions!"

His words landed with force, yet no one paid him any heed.

"So Second Young Lady also looks down upon such conduct. Today's events were such a coincidence, I initially thought..." Xie Chi stopped mid-sentence, offering an apologetic smile. "I was overthinking."

Chen Luoling's expression became somewhat strained. She smiled constrainedly. "The Heir jests."

After saying this, she covered her mouth with a light cough. The matron accompanying her immediately expressed concern, "Young Lady, you've been suffering from chills and then fell into the water recently. You're still frail. It seems the wind is picking up now. Young Lady should return to the estate before you get worse. This servant would have a hard time explaining to Madam."

Chen Luoling looked troubled.

Xie Chi tactfully stepped aside, gesturing for her to proceed as she wished.

Chen Luoling then approached Zhong Yao with a face full of apology to bid her farewell.

Zhong Yao's thoughts had long been derailed by the "vicious dog" and Fei Anxuan. How could she remember which step of the earlier probing they were at? Suppressing her emotions, she said goodbye.

That done, Chen Luoling also thanked Xue Fang for saving her from the water last time.

Having attended to every aspect, she finally left with her entourage.

After her party departed, Xie Chi walked up to Zhong Yao, bent down to bring his eyes level with hers, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Will Miss Zhong continue playing, or return to the estate?"

Zhong Yao felt Xie Chi was mocking her.

He hadn't bent down when speaking to Chen Luoling earlier.

"Miss Zhong?" Xie Chi pressed, his tone light and trailing.

Zhong Yao peeked at him twice and whispered, "I want to rest in the pavilion for a while."

Xie Chi nodded and stepped aside to make way for Xue Fang.

Pouting, Xue Fang stepped forward, tugged on Zhong Yao's sleeve, and led her towards the pavilion ahead. Xie Chi followed a few steps behind them.

They left too, leaving only Fei Anxuan, who felt utterly ignored and deeply insulted. Gnashing his teeth audibly, he watched their retreating figures from his spot, then angrily flung his sleeve and stormed off.

The servants worked quickly. By the time Zhong Yao and the others reached the pavilion, tea, pastries, and fruits were already laid out.

The small pavilion was surrounded by lush flowering trees. For wind protection, gauze curtains hung, half-drawn and half-falling, swaying in the breeze. Reflecting the scenery outside, it created a uniquely elegant ambiance.

To avoid further disturbances, the servants were stationed at a distance, leaving only Zhong Yao, Xie Chi, and Xue Fang in the pavilion.

Xue Fang, indifferent to everything, sat down and began enjoying the tea and pastries. Xie Chi did not touch the refreshments; he merely sighed in confusion, saying, "I can understand being afraid of dogs, but a puppy that doesn't even have its teeth yet? You're afraid of that too?"

Hearing this, Zhong Yao's fear surged back. Her lips quivered as she argued, "People who are afraid of big snakes are still scared of little snakes. Why can't someone afraid of big dogs be afraid of puppies?"

Xie Chi retorted, "Now that the bad guy is gone, you've suddenly become eloquent?"

"I was afraid that talking too much would disrupt your train of thought!"

"My train of thought isn't like your tears—it doesn't get interrupted by disturbances."

With no outsiders around, Xie Chi's tone turned sharp again, irritating Zhong Yao.

She turned sideways, facing away from him. As soon as she settled, she saw Xue Fang reaching for the pastries in front of her. In a huff, she grabbed the plate and moved it to the farthest corner from him.

Xue Fang gave her a puzzled look, then simply switched to another plate of pastries and continued eating.

Still upset, Zhong Yao rubbed her eyes and reached for the teacup in front of her.

Just as she picked it up, a hand suddenly snatched the cup, dumped the tea out, and swiftly returned the empty cup to her grasp.

Zhong Yao stared blankly at the cup, then glanced at Xue Fang, who had resumed devouring his snacks after the mischief, before turning to Xie Chi for justice.

Having witnessed it all, Xie Chi let out a cold, mocking laugh.

His laughter only deepened Zhong Yao's misery. Her lips drooped, and she threw the teacup onto the stone table, bursting into sorrowful tears. "Everyone's bullying me!" she wailed.

Her crying rekindled the emotions from earlier when she had been mistreated. The sound was mournful and drawn-out—if it were nighttime, it might easily be mistaken for a vengeful spirit emerging from a graveyard.

At first, Xie Chi tolerated it out of sympathy for her distress. But after a quarter of an hour, the weeping continued like drifting willow catkins, threatening to weave into a dense net that would suffocate him. He could bear it no longer.

Frowning, he commanded, "Stop crying."

Zhong Yao had never obeyed his orders before, and she certainly wouldn't now. She even turned to face him directly, crying right in his direction.

Xie Chi's eye twitched violently. In a low, stern voice, he said, "If you don't want me to leave right now, hold it in."

The irritating sobs ceased instantly.

Annoyed by her tear-streaked face, Xie Chi tapped the table with his knuckles and ordered, "Wipe your tears clean."

This time, Zhong Yao obeyed. She grabbed the sleeve in front of her—which was Xie Chi's—to wipe her face, but before it could touch her cheek, someone yanked it away.

Xie Chi's expression darkened. "Use your own sleeve!"

"But my clothes are so pretty..." Zhong Yao's voice was hoarse, choked with sobs. "This is my favorite outfit. I don't want to dirty it..."

She wouldn't dirty her own clothes, so she'd use someone else's instead?

Xie Chi reflected on whether he had been too lenient with Zhong Yao, allowing her to become so brazen in his presence.

Zhong Yao, however, didn't think she was being brazen—she only felt pitiful.

Ultimately unwilling to stain her beautiful dress, she turned her attention to Xue Fang. But as her guilty hand reached out, a flash of silver caught her eye. Xue Fang had produced a gleaming dagger from somewhere.

Holding a pastry in one hand and twirling the dagger in the other, he said to Zhong Yao, "Go ahead, try it."

She glanced at Xie Chi, who remained frowning and impatient, showing no intention of helping her.

Zhong Yao thought sorrowfully that she should have seen it long ago—everyone in Yong'an Marquis Manor was heartless and ungrateful!

"Fine, you win," she sniffled.

Xue Fang abruptly shifted the dagger and, with a swift motion, sliced off a piece of his own sleeve. He generously handed it to Zhong Yao, saying, "Use this. If it's not enough, ask for more."

Zhong Yao took it, folded it, and began gently dabbing her face.

Her movements were slow and delicate, as if handling a precious treasure, which drew Xie Chi's gaze for a moment.

Only then did he notice how exquisitely Zhong Yao was dressed today. Her upper garment was a simple snow-white piece embroidered with pale pink petals, while her lower attire was a crimson gauze skirt layered with sheer fabric. The vibrant crimson was eye-catching, yet it did not overshadow its wearer. Instead, it made Zhong Yao resemble a pearl nestled in a jewelry box lined with red silk—radiant and captivating.

She hadn't dressed like this even when visiting the Marquis Manor.

"Did you dress up specially because you guessed you'd run into Fei Anxuan today?"

Zhong Yao, focused on tidying her appearance, looked up at Xie Chi's question. With a resentful tone, she replied, "I have so many things to worry about. How could I spare a thought for him?"

Compared to the troubles in her own household, the distress caused by Fei Anxuan was insignificant.

Still feeling aggrieved by the day's events, Zhong Yao added, "I wanted to dress beautifully today so that, even if my cunning couldn't match Chen Luoling's, I could at least outshine her in presence with my attire. Who knew I'd run into that wretched Fei, and he just happened to bring a puppy along..."

She wouldn't have been afraid of Fei Anxuan alone—it was the dog that defeated her.

But thinking about it, what were the odds of running into Fei Anxuan like this?

Suddenly recalling the conversation between Xie Chi and Chen Luoling, Zhong Yao paused her tear-wiping, looked up sharply, and asked in alarm, "Are you saying that running into Fei Anxuan today was part of Chen Luoling's scheme?"

Xie Chi met her clear, dark eyes and replied coolly, "What else could it be?"

Zhong Yao pondered for a moment, then had a sudden realization. "No wonder she invited me so proactively..."

She had long suspected that Chen Luoling had another plan, but she had been thrown off by the secrets revealed, thinking Chen Luoling was genuinely opening up to her. She never expected Fei Anxuan to be the backup plan.

Zhong Yao hurriedly repeated Chen Luoling's words to Xie Chi, asking urgently, "So everything she told me was a lie?"

Xie Chi replied, "How would I know?"

He had rarely returned to the capital in recent years, and even when he did, he had no contact with young ladies from noble families. How could he possibly know how much affection Miss Chen held for the Crown Prince?

His answer only deepened Zhong Yao's confusion. "I originally thought Chen Luoling was jealous of her sister and wanted to harm her, but my elder brother stumbled upon it, so she had him kidnapped along with her. Then, after believing her words, I thought Miss Chen had eloped with my elder brother... Now you're saying she was lying? What really happened? Where is my elder brother?"

Clutching the makeshift handkerchief made from Xue Fang's sleeve, Zhong Yao looked at Xie Chi with tear-filled eyes and said, "Heir Xie, I feel like crying again."

Xie Chi replied sternly, "...Hold it in!"

This was the second time Zhong Yao had fallen into Chen Luoling's trap, though this instance was accidental—Chen Luoling hadn't known about Zhong Yao's fear of dogs. Her original intention was likely to disrupt Zhong Yao's thoughts with Fei Anxuan's presence, preventing her from pressing further.

This incident shared a commonality with the previous one where Chen Luoling fell into the water: although Chen Luoling had targeted Zhong Yao, her methods were not excessively harsh. Otherwise, she could have easily framed Zhong Yao for the drowning incident or fanned the flames today.

This peculiar restraint was indeed strange.

"I can't hold it in..."

Xie Chi's contemplation was interrupted. He glanced at Zhong Yao's pitiful, rain-soaked lotus-like appearance, took a sip from his teacup, and said, "Go back and wait."

Zhong Yao paused, then asked suspiciously, "Heir Xie, are you planning to personally help me deal with Chen Luoling?"

"I have an idea. It's worth a try."

Zhong Yao's face lit up with delight, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Xie Chi, brimming with anticipation.

Xie Chi scorned her silly antics, crying one minute and laughing the next. With a "thud," he set down his teacup and said, "To prevent you from giving me another scare someday, tell me everyone your family has offended and all the grudges you've incurred."

That was only fair.

Zhong Yao suppressed her sorrow, carefully thought for a moment, then leaned closer to Xie Chi, cautiously tugging at his sleeve as she said, "You know, my mother offended your horrid grandmother..."

"..." Xie Chi snapped, "Others!"

Zhong Yao let out an "oh" and drawled, "My parents got along with everyone. Apart from your horrid grandmother, they haven't offended anyone else. The families we're close to aren't the petty type either. Aside from the Fei family, if there's anyone who might give me trouble, perhaps there's also Lord Du..."

This Lord Du took the imperial exams in the same year as Zhong Huaizhi, and their relationship had remained good over the years. He was the one who had arranged Zhong Yao's marriage.

Initially, he was merely paving the way for his nephew Fei Anxuan, introducing him to the similarly aged eldest and second sons of the Zhong family. While Zhong Yao's eldest brother had a lukewarm relationship with him, her second brother became his "dog friend." Over time, Fei Anxuan gradually met Zhong Yao a few times.

Zhong Yao, who often played with her second brother, was also exceptionally beautiful. After seeing her a few times, Lady Fei took a liking to her and asked Lord Du to help arrange a match.

The Zhong couple had some trust in Lord Du. Coupled with his repeated assurances that Fei Anxuan was diligent, ambitious, and valued his reputation, the couple had been somewhat swayed.

During their hesitation, at a banquet, Zhong Huaizhi said something he shouldn't have while drunk, but Lord Du took it as an agreement and promptly informed the Fei family.

Upon learning of this, Zhong Yao's eldest brother flew into a rage, and the couple also felt some regret, coming to ask Zhong Yao what she thought.

At that time, Zhong Yao's close friend was about to get married, and she too had her own ideas about marriage.

As for Fei Anxuan, she couldn't say she liked or disliked him, but at that time, she didn't dislike him. Not wanting to put her parents in a difficult position, the matter was tentatively settled.

Who could have known that just three months after the engagement was finalized, her family would meet with such a catastrophe.

The members of the Zhong family never expected Fei Anxuan to be so ambitious, placing his career and reputation above all else. For the sake of these, he even went so far as to spread rumors about Zhong Yao, completely severing ties with the Zhong family.

"Lord Du was dispatched from the capital a month ago and probably doesn't know about the broken engagement yet," Zhong Yao said. "But you should still watch out, Heir Xie. If he sides with the Fei family, he'll surely blame my household."

After listening to her ramble on for a long time about this messy marriage affair, Xie Chi rubbed his forehead and asked, "Is there anyone else?"

Zhong Yao hesitated for a moment and said, "There's one more, but I'm not sure if it counts..."

"Speak!"

His tone was too severe, so Zhong Yao had no choice but to tell the truth: "Earlier, I thought my family was about to face disaster. Worried about dragging my friend down, I told her..."

With Fei Anxuan as a cautionary tale, Xie Chi had zero faith in Zhong Yao's loose tongue.

His gaze sharpened, fixed intently on Zhong Yao as he asked in a deep voice, "What did you say?"

"I said..." Zhong Yao felt guilty under his gaze, shrinking her neck and whispering, "...that I had taken a fancy to her husband, who had only been married for three months..."

Xie Chi: "..."

All the words he wanted to say turned into silence, but Xue Fang did not hold back. Pointing at Zhong Yao, he burst into loud laughter: "Fool!"

The mocked Zhong Yao looked utterly miserable, tears welling up in her eyes again.

Suppressing his irritation, Xie Chi asked, "Did she explicitly say she would seek revenge on you?"

"No..." Zhong Yao said pitifully, "In her shock, she turned against me, said we would no longer associate, and then took her husband to hide at her maternal grandparents' home. She's not in the capital right now..."

Since meeting her, no matter how absurd the situation, Xie Chi's tolerance and acceptance had greatly increased.

After clarifying the identity of this friend of Zhong Yao's, he asked again, "Are there any other enemies?"

Zhong Yao answered honestly, "No."

"Really none?"

"None!"

During this back-and-forth, Xue Fang, who had been watching the spectacle, chimed in again, grinning as he said, "Who says there's none? There's me! Because of you, Big Brother forced me to dress as a girl. I hate you, and I'm going to get back at you too."

Zhong Yao considered him one of her own, but Xue Fang met her with cold mockery and mischief. Feeling somewhat angry, Zhong Yao retorted irritably, "Then I won't give you that puppy anymore!"

Xue Fang's smile vanished instantly. "I even cut my sleeve for it!"

"Here, take it back." As she spoke, Zhong Yao threw the crumpled "handkerchief" in her hand toward Xue Fang.

Xue Fang was furious. "You faithless villain!"

Zhong Yao said in a soft voice, "I'm a girl; I'm not a gentleman to begin with."

"What a coincidence," Xue Fang sneered. "I'm not a gentleman either; I'm a child!"

With that, he slapped the table and stood up, about to lay hands on Zhong Yao, but was stopped by Xie Chi's sharp command: "No mischief!"

Xue Fang sat back down resentfully, propping his chin on his hands as he glared angrily outside the pavilion.

Having successfully bullied someone, Zhong Yao felt much better. She leaned her body sideways toward Xie Chi. Though her eyes were still red, her face now wore an entirely ingratiating expression as she said in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Heir Xie, you..."

"Just because I didn't scold him doesn't mean I won't scold you?"

Zhong Yao's eyes drooped at the corners, and she sat back down dejectedly.

The pavilion fell quiet. Xie Chi enjoyed the peace and, enjoying the breeze, began planning his next steps in his mind. However, the tranquility didn't last long before Zhong Yao's voice reached his ears again.

"She's my friend. Even if she's angry, she wouldn't seek revenge on me. Heir Xie, when you see her in the future, please don't speak so harshly, okay?"

Xie Chi was deep in thought and ignored her.

"Since I met her when I was thirteen, she's been my best friend. I didn't want to fall out with her, but I couldn't implicate her either... Actually, before deciding to deceive her, I was afraid she wouldn't believe me, so I even embroidered a handkerchief with her husband's name on it. Who would have thought she'd believe me as soon as I said it..."

After the falling out with her friend, to avoid worrying her parents, Zhong Yao hadn't confided her troubles to them. Now, she was pouring her heart out to Xie Chi.

"I'm a bit sad," Zhong Yao said sorrowfully. "She didn't even stop to think—how could I possibly take a fancy to her husband? Before she got married, I told her privately that the man was terribly dull. Others might say ten sentences, and he might only reply with one or two words. How boring married life with him would be! Only she likes him..."

At this point, Zhong Yao suddenly paused and explained, "Heir Xie, I'm not alluding to you; please don't be angry. Although you often ignore people too, you're not dull—you're just plain annoying..."

Xie Chi closed his eyes, thinking that to prevent himself from repaying kindness with enmity, it was time to return to his residence.

He silently let out a sigh and was about to stand up when suddenly, a fierce and savage dog bark erupted beside him—

"Grr-woof!"

Accompanied by this terrifying sound, Zhong Yao, who had been chattering away, let out a horrified shriek. Then, a soft body flung itself onto Xie Chi.

He instinctively caught it, only to feel a faint feminine fragrance assail his senses, boldly invading his breath. Someone had wrapped their arms around his neck, and his hand unconsciously came to rest on the person's body.

The sensation under his palm was soft and smooth. Even through the clothing, he could perceive the warmth of the skin and the gentle curve of the body.

It was a woman's waist.

So slender and soft, it made him want to grab it and squeeze hard.

The veins on Xie Chi’s hand bulged; his fingers gave a tight, convulsive squeeze before splaying open again.

He opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the dark crown of the person in his arms. He noticed a few small, exquisite red beads adorning her hair, their color matching her dress—adorable and eye-catching.

"Woof! Woof! Woof!—"

Savage barking rang out again, sounding just like the ferocious hound from the cave that day. It had lunged right in front of Xie Chi and was at Zhong Yao’s heels, close enough to nip at her head.

Xie Chi looked up and saw Xue Fang, his eyes full of nothing but spite, barking madly right at the back of Zhong Yao’s head.

"..."

Xie Chi felt a headache coming on.