Chapter 15: Perplexity

Liu Changning usually disliked taking action personally, but unfortunately, the couple before her had angered her with their behavior of distorting the truth.

The red whip lashed out with full force.

As the whip fell upon Liu Wangcai’s body, she grimaced and made a gesture as if to resist. But her hand was tightly grasped by Liu Shi. The two exchanged glances, and Liu Shi shook his head at her, muttering something inaudibly in her ear.

The ferocity on Liu Wangcai’s fleshy face vanished in an instant. She raised her eyes to look at the surrounding clansmen, her peripheral vision inconspicuously sweeping over the pool of bright red blood on the bluestone road ahead. Clutching her head, she no longer resisted.

Liu Shi was an insightful person and speculated that the man their mistress had offended was likely pregnant. Today, the husband and wife-master had publicly slandered someone without any evidence.

Moreover, the man showed signs of a potential miscarriage. If this matter were truly brought to the authorities, not only would their mistress fail to gain an advantage, but she would also be burdened with a homicide case. The family property would likely be lost entirely.

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt a sense of desolation. Despite his clever mind, he was defeated by a troublemaking mistress.

The searing pain on his body was compounded by the need to forcibly suppress the plump hand of the person beside him, enduring the fierce beating from the peasant woman in front.

Liu Changning had always been clear about gratitude and grudges. The cheap husband had received a slap, so ten lashes as compensation for the couple would suffice.

After the beating, the two were already battered and bruised, rolling on the stone-paved road, wailing incessantly. About half of the onlookers were their clansmen, who now surrounded them to examine their injuries, yet no one stepped forward to intervene.

Liu Changning took a few steps back, turned her head, and extended her left hand. Glancing at the wound on his abdomen, she asked in a calm voice, “Can you walk? I’ll support you to the doctor’s clinic.”

Pei Yuanshao was slightly stunned, his gaze focused on the callused hand before his eyes.

Her palm was not large, but her fingers were extremely slender, with rounded fingertips and neatly trimmed, clean nails.

Perhaps it was due to the fleeting moment when she wielded the whip earlier, leaving an unusual impression in his mind that had not yet dissipated. Or perhaps it was because of the injury to his abdomen today, making him feel a rare vulnerability.

The teardrop mole at the corner of Pei Yuanshao’s eye trembled. He averted his gaze and, as if driven by a strange force, grasped the hand she offered.

Their fingers intertwined, and a thin layer of sweat formed on their palms.

“No need to go to the clinic. I… Let’s return to the village.” His voice lacked its usual arrogance, the tone deep and heavy. Although his words were a bit unpleasant, mixed with a nasal tone, there was an inexplicable softness to it.

Liu Changning did not respond, her tea-colored eyes gazing steadily at him.

Pei Yuanshao couldn’t help but feel uneasy and averted his eyes. The image of her stepping forward to punish those people on his behalf flashed through his mind. As if compelled by a strange force, he opened his mouth, intending to explain, “I…”

However, unexpectedly, the person in front of him merely glanced at him, lifted his arm, and placed it over her shoulder, showing no intention of questioning further. She supported him as they slowly walked out of the crowd.

Pei Yuanshao pursed his lips, staring at the top of her head, which was right before his eyes. He swallowed the unfinished words back into his throat.

The two were extremely close, and as they walked, her scorching heat was transmitted through the thin summer clothing.

In this life and the previous one, Pei Yuanshao had never been in such close proximity to a woman. His body tensed, and his breathing became heavier, his palms covered in sweat.

He parted his lips, feeling his mouth go dry. He suddenly felt that the weather was distressingly hot.

He pressed hard on his abdomen, and a hint of confusion flashed in his ink-like eyes.

Today’s deliberate setup to allow the assassin sent by Pei Yunzhi to succeed was probably nothing more than an attempt to attract Chen Nianci’s attention.

Chen Nianci had always been highly suspicious, and his people had been closely monitoring him for over a month.

Today, he was wounded by the assassin in black. With such a major incident, given Chen Nianci’s temperament, he would certainly investigate personally.

When he learned that the master of the assassin in black was the Second Prince of the Golden Phoenix Dynasty, even if he discovered that he was the exiled Emperor’s favored official, a promiscuous and useless person, it would no longer pique his interest.

On the contrary, the enemy of an enemy is a friend.