Chapter 49: Witnessing with One’s Own Eyes

Chapter 49: Seeing It with His Own Eyes

Liu Qingci stepped forward, looking down at Young Master Lin, who was holding his face and screaming in pain. A few splatters of blood from Young Master Lin’s face stained his pristine white sleeves, but it only made him look even more intimidating.

“My father, Liu Wenyuan, devoted his whole life to serving the country and its people, toiling day and night—Heaven and Earth as my witness! There has never been anyone else in my father's house except my mother! How dare you use such filthy words to sully my father’s reputation and destroy my mother’s honor?!”

The more Liu Qingci spoke, the angrier he grew, his voice rising involuntarily, filled with long-suppressed bitterness and grief.

“My father was wrongfully imprisoned due to the plots of evil men and the negligence of the court! This grievance, this hatred—I will carry this grievance and hatred to my dying day! One day, I will clear my father’s name and prove his innocence!”

He pointed at Young Master Lin, his fingers trembling. “And you—you’re nothing but a petty rumormonger! How dare you speak my father’s name? How dare you meddle in the affairs of the Liu family?!”

This furious tirade rang out like thunder, leaving the entire Listening Bamboo Courtyard in dead silence.

Even Young Master Zhao, who had been crying in fright, stood frozen, staring at Liu Qingci as if he had become a different person.

Yun Feng, however, was so moved tears welled in his eyes, and he stood up straight, brimming with pride.

This was his master! Underneath that cold exterior was an unyielding spirit!

Young Master Lin, face flushed with shame, pain, and fear, pointed at Liu Qingci and screeched in a shrill voice:

“You… you brazen little brat! You’re just the son of a disgraced official, a stray dog! Who do you think you are, pretending to be a loyal minister's son? Your father is a total hypocrite! If he were truly so virtuous, why would his estate have been confiscated…”

“Silence!”

Liu Qingci cut him off sharply, unable to take any more.

Without another word, he lunged and landed a vicious kick to Young Master Lin’s stomach.

The kick was merciless.

It landed just as Xiao Yan appeared at the courtyard entrance, catching his eye.

“Ugh—ah!”

Young Master Lin, caught off guard, let out an even shriller scream than before.

The kick sent him sprawling to the ground. As his head turned, he caught a glimpse of Xiao Yan from his angle.

“Your Highness! Save me, Your Highness! Liu Qingci is trying to kill me!!!”

Seizing this lifeline, Young Master Lin ignored the searing pain in his stomach and the blood and grime on his face. He scrambled on all fours toward the courtyard gate, tears and snot running down his face.

“Your Highness, you must avenge me! Liu Qingci… he’s gone mad! I only came out of kindness to visit him, and he attacked me for no reason!”

Young Master Lin’s actions made everyone in the yard finally notice Xiao Yan approaching from the entrance.

The moment Liu Qingci saw Xiao Yan, his pupils constricted sharply.

His heart sank.

Liu Qingci did not miss the undisguised shock in Xiao Yan’s eyes—he had clearly witnessed the beating.

And the victim was none other than Xiao Yan’s favorite.

Liu Qingci was not someone prone to losing his temper, and he had almost never resorted to physical violence himself. But this time, it had hit a nerve he couldn't ignore.

He did not regret that kick. Insulting his parents was a crime beyond redemption, unforgivable even in death.

But now, with his anger cooling, he had a clearer understanding of his predicament.

Young Master Lin was right—he was currently dependent on Prince Yu’s goodwill.

Judging by Young Master Lin and Young Master Zhao, it seemed Prince Yu favored delicate, pretty, and endearing young men.

Looks were the key to winning favor.

And he had just disfigured the man who was His Highness’s beloved.

Xiao Yan had already reached him.

“What’s going on?” he asked, his eyes fixed on Liu Qingci.

But Young Master Zhao hurried forward, kneeling at Xiao Yan’s feet and sobbing as he added:

“Your Highness, Young Master Liu… he’s terrifying! Brother Lin only spoke a few truths, and he lashed out so brutally…”

Young Master Lin also crawled over.

He wailed even more pitifully, deliberately displaying his blood-streaked face and disheveled clothes to Xiao Yan.

“Your Highness, Your Highness… it hurts so much…”

His voice was soft and weak, tears streaming down his cheeks.

But inwardly, he was gloating: Your Highness had arrived at the perfect moment! He had seen Liu Qingci’s violence with his own eyes!

Whenever he was slightly upset in the past, His Highness would always comfort him and shower him with gifts.

Today, this would surely make His Highness see Liu Qingci’s true colors and severely punish him in revenge!

His heart was filled with confidence, and a hint of smug satisfaction rose within him.

Yun Feng watched anxiously from the side. Seeing the two twisting the facts, he could no longer hold back. He dropped to his knees with a thud and said urgently:

“Your Highness, please see the truth! They barged in first and subjected my master to all kinds of humiliation with vile words! My master only acted because he could no longer bear it…”

“Yun Feng.” Liu Qingci interrupted him gently.

Yun Feng immediately fell silent, but his eyes were filled with worry.

This was also the first time he had seen his master lose his temper so thoroughly, and now His Highness had personally witnessed him beating the prince's favorite.

Under such circumstances, any explanation would be futile—after all, his master had struck first, and it had been a severe one.

Liu Qingci, however, showed little expression on his face. The emotions that had spiraled out of control earlier had now calmed down.

He sneaked a look at Xiao Yan’s expression, only to see Xiao Yan looking back at him.

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

It seemed he was waiting for an answer.

Liu Qingci had not seen Xiao Yan for several days, and now they had to meet under such circumstances.

He couldn't help remembering how Xiao Yan had gone back on his word earlier.

Back then, he had managed to calm down this capricious Prince Yu, only to get confined here all this time!

Thinking of this, Liu Qingci felt a vague sense of being wronged.

Glancing again at the two people lying on the ground, he felt even more unsettled.

"Your Highness, his words insulted my parents and dishonored the Liu family. As a son, if I could tolerate this, I would not be worthy of being called a man."

Liu Qingci spoke, his eyes lowered, but his voice was not as calm and composed as usual.

After saying this, he pressed his lips tightly together and turned his gaze to the side, neither looking at Xiao Yan's face nor at the two on the ground.

But the slight furrow of his brows and the subtly tensed jawline revealed that he was not as composed as he appeared on the surface.

As if he couldn't help himself, he added, "Since I struck Your Highness's beloved, if Your Highness wishes to punish me, then punish me."

The phrase "Your Highness's beloved" was enunciated with unusual clarity, yet carried a faint hint of mockery.

Xiao Yan felt mocked.

What "beloved"?!

How was he in the wrong? He had never even seen this person!

Who was spreading rumors about him?

But Young Master Lin saw Liu Qingci's resigned demeanor in a completely different light.

He thought that since Liu Qingci had admitted guilt, the matter was settled.

Young Master Zhao, standing nearby, also breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Across the whole Tingzhu Courtyard, only Young Master Lin's carefully suppressed sobs and the moaning of the cold wind through the withered bamboo remained.

Everyone's gaze was fixed on Xiao Yan.

All were waiting to see how he would deal with this brazen servant who had dared to harm his beloved.