Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Unlucky One

Wang Yunzhi held Xue Fanzhi in his arms and set her down on the divan. Xue Fanzhi had been married before; with their bodies so close, she naturally understood what he meant to do.

She struggled, but Wang Yunzhi pressed a dagger beneath her arm. “Don’t move!”

At that moment, the pursuers had already pushed open the door. Wang Yunzhi whispered, “Call out!”

If Xiao Yi were to know, what scene would unfold?

Thinking of Xiao Yi, Xue Fanzhi refused to cooperate. “I won’t!”

Wang Yunzhi was taken aback, then laughed. “Then just laugh!”

Xue Fanzhi was about to protest, but Wang Yunzhi began to tickle her underarm.

She was sensitive, and laughter seized her breath.

Wang Yunzhi knew the pursuers had entered and were now watching his back. Holding Xue Fanzhi, he laughed loudly. “You seem so proper in front of others, but who would have guessed how wanton you are behind closed doors! Come, give your lord a kiss, or he will not spare you!”

Xue Fanzhi cursed Wang Yunzhi’s ancestors to eighteen generations.

Yet Wang Yunzhi acted as if oblivious to her anger. His thin, seductive lips descended, pressing directly onto hers.

Though Xue Fanzhi had wed before, in two lifetimes she had only ever known Xiao Yi as a man. She had given him everything. How could she let another force a kiss upon her? It felt as though the dirtiest thing in the world sullied her lips, and tears fell uncontrollably.

Wang Yunzhi was stunned. He had merely meant to play a part, but seeing Xue Fanzhi’s cherry-red lips, he was possessed by impulse. As the rightful son of the Wang family, he could have any woman he desired; why force a girl? It was an accident, he told himself.

Suddenly irritable, Wang Yunzhi noted the pursuers had seen enough. He turned, shielding Xue Fanzhi’s face, as though only then noticing them. He snapped, “Who are you? Get out!”

The leader, dressed as a guard, glimpsed the gold-trimmed shoes beneath Wang Yunzhi’s robes and knew this was not someone to offend. Seeing a plump figure beneath the young lord, he understood they had caught wild lovers in the act.

He quickly smiled apologetically. “I deserve punishment, I was blind, I’ll take my leave now!”

Amused and mocking, the group soon departed.

When the room fell quiet, Wang Yunzhi finally raised his head, but he did not release her. He fixed Xue Fanzhi with a warning gaze. “Do you wish to die?”

Xue Fanzhi, full of complaints a moment before, now felt only fear. She swallowed, forcing herself to maintain a calm exterior. “Anyone could find out I am the eighth daughter of the Xue family. My family is impoverished, powerless against the Wang clan. I would never speak of this. Rather than kill me, let me live. I’ll light a longevity lamp for you in the temple!”

Wang Yunzhi saw the girl speak each word deliberately, clearly after careful thought. At her age, such composure was rare.

A flicker of pity stirred—though his tone remained harsh. “You know who I am?”

Xue Fanzhi regretted it instantly. Wasn’t that all the more reason for him to kill her?

——

Seeing that Xue Fanzhi had fallen silent, Wang Yunzhi watched her for a long time. Her heart raced, but she kept her gaze honest and harmless.

Yet Wang Yunzhi still showed no intention of letting her go.

Just then, the Hu woman stepped forward, pointing at the cabinet. “She’s not a good person—she kidnaps people!”

She meant Xue Fanzhi.

Wang Yunzhi, however, felt relief and pulled Xue Fanzhi to her feet, curling his lips into a smile. “All the better—good people frighten me most! You’re surnamed Xue, aren’t you? Very well. If you dare talk, your kidnapping will be known to all. Then, as a lady in Jiankang, let’s see how you hold your head high!”

Xue Fanzhi realized she had escaped disaster only because he now held leverage over her.

No matter what, she could only thank the heavens!

About to leave, she remembered the clothes on the screen and reached to take them down. Wang Yunzhi’s eyes brightened and he called out, “Wait!”

He beckoned to the Hu woman. “Jade Slave, put them on!”

Xue Fanzhi: “…”

“Actually, I—”

“You’re still here?” Wang Yunzhi’s brows sharpened, his ferocity unveiled.

Xue Fanzhi thought her life mattered more than clothes and ran out of the washroom.

By then, night had fallen. Luckily, the Xie household’s lanterns glowed, bright as day.

Far off, music and dancing continued—the women’s quarters rang with laughter and cheers, likely as the talent show reached its climax.

Xue Fanzhi straightened her attire and hurried back.

At that moment, Xue Jiaoyue was performing a dance. Though she lacked learning, her dance had been taught by Xue Yingxue. Her waist was supple, her body light, and with her sweet looks, she moved as gracefully as a blossom.

Yet Xue Fanzhi noticed the ladies’ glances were unfriendly, none seeming impressed.

It was natural—everyone was of similar age, and jealousy ran high.

She sat down. Sixth Sister, visibly relieved, asked in a low voice, “Why are you only just back? What were you doing?”

“Changing—” But she hadn’t changed.

“I went to the restroom!”

——

Sixth Sister nodded, then whispered, “Seventh Sister kept asking about you. Later, I saw her grow calmer and feared something had happened to you, so I sent a maid to inform Grand Aunt. Now that you’re safe, it seems I’ve meddled. Will Grand Aunt be upset with me?”

Why was Xue Jiaoyue calm while Sixth Sister grew worried? Clearly, Sixth Sister knew she and Xue Jiaoyue had a poor relationship.

In her previous life, Sixth Sister had cared for her, even making her insoles, but though they were kin, she never spoke ill of Xue Jiaoyue, nor did she befriend her.

Her concern was genuine.

Xue Fanzhi, too, feared the old lady might be alarmed, and hurriedly asked the Xie family’s maid to go reassure her. Soon, the maid returned—the previous one hadn’t yet. They intercepted the news.

Xue Fanzhi and Sixth Sister laughed and relaxed.

Xue Jiaoyue’s performance ended, and the ladies applauded. Xue Fanzhi, always supportive of her sisters in public, clapped along, when a hand struck her back.

She turned; it was Wen Xian, her intent clear. Xue Fanzhi feigned innocence, narrowing her eyes. “Madam Wen, what are you doing?”

Wen Xian spoke coldly. “Zhang Ninth Lady went with you—now you’re back, where is she?”

Xue Fanzhi replied, “I saw her in the restroom, but after that, I don’t know.”

Wen Xian was skeptical, but Xue Fanzhi’s innocent gaze made her suspect Zhang Ninth Lady had wandered off alone.

She knew Xue Fanzhi well—she wasn’t one to lie.

Seeing Xue Fanzhi’s clothes unchanged, Wen Xian was more certain Zhang Ninth Lady had left with the garments; Xue Fanzhi probably didn’t even realize they were missing.

With that thought, she relaxed a little and asked with a smile, “Which restroom did you use?”

Xue Fanzhi pointed to the nearest one.

Wen Xian had already sent someone to look—there was no one.

With no other option, Wen Xian dispatched another maid.

Once Wen Xian was dealt with, Xue Fanzhi’s lips curled in a cold smile as she turned—her eyes narrowed sharply. Where had Xue Jiaoyue gone?