Chapter 46: Is the Young Master Protecting Me?

Chapter 46: Was the Eldest Young Master Protecting Me?

Sang Yu's expression was extremely grim.

Desperate to survive.

Li Zhiming did some mental preparation and went to comfort Sang Yu instead: "Don't be angry. I was just scared. It's all his fault—that foul mouth of his, talking nonsense. I got carried away in the heat of the moment..."

Sang Yu's voice held a trace of uncertainty: "Was the Eldest Young Master protecting me?"

"Yes!"

Li Zhiming nodded, as firmly as he could, and said seriously: "You're someone I brought back. In this household, only I get to scold you. As long as you're fine, that's all that matters. It doesn't matter what happens to me."

See? I treat you well, right?

I'm baring my heart to you—when you lose your temper next time, could you please not drag me into it, not take it out on me?

Li Zhiming felt like crying but couldn't, lying with a guilty conscience.

Yet Sang Yu believed it all.

He was in a great mood.

Of course, it didn't last long, because Li Zhixing seemed not to be dead after all. He made a desperate attempt to launch a sneak attack, only for Sang Yu to plunge a blade into his throat, killing him on the spot.

This time, he was dead for good.

Li Zhiming was panicking inside. Though he'd been through so many terrifying scenes and had built up a strong tolerance, this was the first time he'd been directly involved in a killing.

He was dragged into his father's study and forced to kneel. The Prime Minister's face was as black as peat.

"You've been too reckless! Injuring someone is a serious crime. A little squabble between brothers is no big deal, yet you dared to take his life—this is absolutely inexcusable!"

Li Zhiming hung his head: "I know I've made a mistake. Please punish me, Father."

"Punish?"

The Prime Minister was shaking with anger: "Even if I punish you, will that bring him back? You've always done whatever you pleased, and today you've made a huge mistake. This is ridiculous! If this gets out, what will people say about me?"

Li Zhiming remained silent.

The Prime Minister's fury only grew. He lowered his voice to a growl: "They'll say I raised my sons poorly, that brothers killed each other. You spend all your time with Sang Yu, and now this—people will laugh at me."

"Guards! Drag him away and throw him in the water prison!"

"Father."

Li Zhiming raised his head and said solemnly: "This isn't Sang Yu's fault. I didn't go looking for a fight with Zhixing. He sneaked into Sang Yu's room in the middle of the night to kill him. I just happened to be there. Zhixing tried to kill me too. I only fought back to defend myself..."

"Shut up!"

To vent his rage, the Prime Minister ordered Li Zhiming to be dragged out and given a severe beating first.

Li Zhiming was dragged into the courtyard. Just as the heavy club was about to come down, a frantic voice burst in.

"Lord Prime Minister, stop!"

The newcomer rushed up to stop the punishment, pulled the dazed Li Zhiming to his feet, and stood in front of him.

"Prime Minister, the Eldest Young Master was protecting my life! You can't punish him!"

Li Zhiming stared at Sang Yu, shocked. He hadn't expected him to suddenly rush out and protect him, nor had he expected this usually calm and indifferent man to be so frantic and desperate.

He quickly pulled at his sleeve and whispered: "Why are you here? This has nothing to do with you. You're practically a prisoner yourself—barely able to protect your own skin. Go, hurry."

Sang Yu paid him no mind, fixing the Prime Minister with a fiery stare.

He spoke in a deep voice: "Prime Minister, if you beat the Eldest Young Master until he's crippled, are you trying to cut off your own bloodline?"

"You..."

The Old Prime Minister was briefly stunned.

"What a sin."

A wailing cry came from outside the door, along with gut-wrenching sobs. The Second Madam burst in, crying and sniffling, followed by the First Madam.

The Second Madam wept as if she might faint, gasping for breath, and fell to her knees with a thud.

"Prime Minister, my son is my very life! He was our child, and now he's been killed. You must avenge my son and satisfy this hatred, or else how can he rest in peace in the underworld?"

The First Madam knelt down too, crying out in appeal.

"My lord, Zhixing trained in martial arts from a young age and was highly skilled. But Ming'er is weak and defenseless—how could he possibly have harmed him? There must be some injustice here. Please investigate, my lord."

"You're just protecting your son! He admitted it himself, and you're still making excuses. If you don't give me a proper answer today, I won't let this rest!"

"If you dare touch my Ming'er, I'll make you pay!"

"Then—"

"All of you, be quiet!" The Prime Minister irritably put an end to the standoff between the two women.

He turned to Sang Yu: "I want to ask Young Master Yu—what exactly happened that night? Please tell the truth."

Sang Yu calmly explained what happened.

It was almost exactly the same as Li Zhiming's story, with only one difference at the end.

Li Zhiming had said he accidentally struck out in self-defense. Sang Yu also claimed he acted in self-defense by accident, saying Li Zhiming had only wounded the man, and that he himself had dealt the final blow.

The moment he finished, the Second Madam collapsed to the ground, wailing and crying out to the heavens.

"Oh, my son! My poor son! Killed by these beasts! My son, ohh, my son—how can you rest in peace in the underworld?"

"Zhi'er, my Zhi'er! It's all Mother's fault. I should never have given birth to you! Heavens, oh Heavens!"

"What are you doing up there, God?! These murderers and beasts—why don't they die?! Let them all die, all of them..."

Bang.

The Prime Minister slammed his hand on the table, shutting her up. The wailing came to an abrupt halt.

"What are you crying about? You're no saint yourself. You know exactly what kind of person the son you raised was. If he'd had a good heart, this disaster would never have happened to him."

"You... You bastard, Li Sheng! You wanted my son dead, didn't you?"

"He got what he deserved."

"You, you—you only ever favor that worthless playboy! My son earned his fame long ago and has a bright future ahead—how can he stack up against some useless bum who can't write or fight?"

"Who are you talking about?" The First Madam glared at her with displeasure. "You've got no right to lecture my son."

"The murderer you raised killed my boy—I'll tear you apart!"

She wailed, growing more and more unhinged, even lunging at the First Madam, hands like claws, putting all her strength into trying to choke her.

The two women went at it, grappling wildly.

It was pure pandemonium.

The Prime Minister pressed his forehead, waved his hand, and summoned the servants. "Take both of them away. Without my orders, they are not to leave their rooms for even a step."

"Yes."

Both were dragged away, yet the piercing cries and curses still drifted in intermittently.

Until, at last, they faded completely.

Silence was restored.

The Prime Minister seemed to have aged in an instant, slumping back in his chair with vacant eyes. He didn't scold Li Zhiming anymore, and he didn't even bother asking Sang Yu anything.