Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Young Man of the Wang Family

Xue Fanzhi recalled Xiao Yi’s warning and dismissed any thought of chasing after Lady Kong.

She noticed the young woman beside her still peering outside, so she reached into the flowerbed and found a stick used for propping up blooms.

The young woman, unaware that anyone remained behind, stood up and muttered, “What’s all this, being so secretive!” Then, turning back and seeing Xue Fanzhi crouched there, she looked down at her and ordered, “Stand up! Hand over your clothes, then slap yourself ten times. That’ll settle things between us. Otherwise…”

Are you an idiot? Xue Fanzhi thought, saying aloud what she’d only meant to think.

Her face darkened as she asked, “Who exactly are you? I’ve never wronged you, so why are you picking a fight with me?”

The young woman sneered. “Never wronged me? If it weren’t for that whore of a mother of yours meddling, how would my aunt have been sent back home in disgrace? Not that my aunt cared to serve your wretched family. With her around, what are you but a fake heiress of the Xue family—a lowborn usurper, a cuckoo in another’s nest!”

So that’s it!

She was the niece of Madam He, and now that Xue Fanzhi looked closely, her features did somewhat resemble Madam Xue, Xue Xueying. She’d felt a vague sense of familiarity earlier, but had forgotten after so long without seeing Xue Xueying.

Xue Fanzhi asked, “You’re from the Zhang family of Shanyin?”

“At least your mongrel eyes still recognize something!” Zhang Jiuniang snapped. “Now that you know who I am, aren’t you going to kneel and beg for my forgiveness?”

What did Xue Yang’s sins have to do with her? And what debt could the Xue owe the Zhang? Xue Fanzhi glanced toward the nearby washroom, a smile on her lips. “Well, since there’s history between us, this isn’t unjust, then!”

“So you admit you’re a bastard!” Zhang Jiuniang said.

At that, Xue Fanzhi leapt up, stick in hand, and struck Zhang Jiuniang on the shoulder.

Completely unprepared, Zhang Jiuniang yelped and fell to her knees, then looked up in shock at Xue Fanzhi, as if to say—how dare you!?

Without a word, Xue Fanzhi struck again, knocking her unconscious.

Even after two blows, Xue Fanzhi’s anger was hardly assuaged. Glancing around and seeing no one, she dragged Zhang Jiuniang into the washroom.

The Xie family’s washroom was better appointed than most people’s homes, with cabinets and couches and everything one could want.

Xue Fanzhi tore down the curtains to bind Zhang Jiuniang, stuffed her mouth, and shoved her into a cabinet. When she finished, she snorted coldly at the cabinet. If it had been her caught by these women, she’d have suffered far worse. As for Zhang Jiuniang—if someone found her quickly, she was lucky. If not, she’d have only herself to blame.

Having dealt with Zhang Jiuniang, Xue Fanzhi unfolded the clothes Xiao Yi had given her and laid them over the screen to block the view from outside. She was just about to undo the fastenings of her own clothes when she heard the faint creak of the door.

Moments later, she caught the sound of stealthy footsteps.

There was no need to guess—this was a women’s washroom. Who could be sneaking in so furtively?

Fearing that Wen Xian and the others had come after her, Xue Fanzhi hurried to hide behind the screen. She watched as a youth in red led a man in black inside.

Xue Fanzhi dared not reveal herself. Whoever these men were, anyone consorting with such a black-clad figure was surely up to no good.

Behind the screen, the cabinet where she’d hidden Zhang Jiuniang offered further cover. She squeezed into the empty space.

Soon, the two entered fully. Through the cracks in the cabinet and the screen, Xue Fanzhi saw the youth in red glance around, seeming relieved when he found nothing amiss.

He said to the man in black, “No one’s followed us. Let’s relax a bit.”

The man in black pulled off his face covering.

Xue Fanzhi saw them settle in and cursed her luck. She recognized the youth immediately—not just anyone, but Wang Yun-zhi, the youngest legitimate son of the Wang family. Not Wang Jiuniang’s family, but the Wang clan that could rival the Xies.

In her past life, when her family decided to punish her by sending her home, it was this very boy who waylaid her carriage, acting like a bandit king. In the end, Xiao Yi had rescued her, but left to Wang Yun-zhi’s wildness, he might have abducted her or even killed her—she would’ve been doomed.

As for the man in black, his skin was pale as snow, his nose high and prominent, and his eyes yellow—clearly not a Han, but a foreigner.

The pampered young master of the Wang family consorting with a barbarian, and now she’d seen it. If they discovered her, knowing Wang Yun-zhi’s lawless nature, he’d surely silence her for good.

She dared not look, but Wang Yun-zhi wouldn’t stop talking.

He complained, “How were you discovered so quickly? Doesn’t that ruin our plan?”

The foreigner answered in clumsy Chinese, “There were too many guards—I couldn’t get close…”

“Fine, we’ll find another way. I need to take a leak first!”

“This seems to be the ladies’ quarters.”

“So what? There’s no one here, is there?”

Then came the sounds of clothing being loosened, followed by the unmistakable rush and splash of urine—clearly, his kidneys were in excellent health.

Xue Fanzhi closed her eyes and smacked her forehead. What on earth was she thinking?

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. “You check that way—I’ll look here. With so many nobles about, don’t let that barbarian escape…”

They were searching for the foreigner. Xue Fanzhi silently prayed that Wang Yun-zhi and the barbarian would leave quickly.

But then, suddenly, darkness fell before her—a tall figure stood in front of her. Xue Fanzhi looked up. It was the barbarian.

He was clearly startled to see her as well, and sounded a warning behind him.

Wang Yun-zhi, meant to wait outside to deal with pursuers, heard the noise and came over, only to find Xue Fanzhi.

“Who are you?” Wang Yun-zhi demanded, his face grim. The barbarian mirrored his expression. Xue Fanzhi quickly shut her eyes and raised her hands. “I didn’t see anything!”

That didn’t look convincing at all.

The barbarian glanced at Wang Yun-zhi, and their eyes met in silent agreement—there could be no witnesses. Wang Yun-zhi drew a dagger from his coat. Looking at Xue Fanzhi’s pale, delicate face, he thought it a pity. He said, “Blame your luck, then—”

Bang! The cabinet door burst open.

In the quiet room, the noise was thunderous. Everyone looked toward the cabinet. Xue Fanzhi instinctively opened her eyes to see Wang Jiuniang, eyes wide, twisting inside as she pushed open the door with her toe—she had awakened.

Naturally, Wang Yun-zhi and the barbarian saw Wang Jiuniang too. When Wang Yun-zhi looked back at Xue Fanzhi, his gaze had grown calculating.

Xue Fanzhi hurried to stand in front of Wang Jiuniang and shut the door. “It’s nothing—she can’t hear you, I stuffed her ears. She shouldn’t have heard anything you said!”

One less witness meant less risk. Although she disliked Wang Jiuniang, the girl didn’t deserve to die.

The barbarian signaled to Wang Yun-zhi, but Wang Yun-zhi sheathed his dagger, giving a crooked smile. “So you’re the one who tied her up? Didn’t expect it—you’re pretty ruthless for someone so young.”

If she were truly ruthless, why would she explain that Wang Jiuniang hadn’t heard them?

Suddenly, a shout came from outside: “Search inside!” The pursuers were nearly at the door. Wang Yun-zhi told the barbarian to hide in the cabinet. As Xue Fanzhi worried about how Wang Yun-zhi would deal with her, he suddenly seized her with strong hands—his clothes in disarray—and dragged her out.