Chapter 2
This person was someone Song Jiyun didn’t recognize.
However, due to her father’s funeral, many people had been coming and going in the house these past few days, and there were many she didn’t recognize.
Song Jiyun lowered her head.
She hid her face beneath the mourning veil.
The unfamiliar man and Zheng Quan resumed their fight, moving with rabbit-like agility.
The flower trellis swayed precariously, wisteria blossoms scattered everywhere, and the flowers and plants were trampled into a chaotic mess.
Although there was no loud noise, if the fight continued, it would attract attention.
Zheng Quan grew anxious.
He struck with heavy punches, even disregarding the wide-open vulnerabilities in his front and back defenses.
The unfamiliar man immediately seized the opportunity, landing a decisive elbow strike on Zheng Quan’s chest without hesitation.
Unable to dodge in time, Zheng Quan clutched his chest and staggered back several steps before barely steadying himself.
The unfamiliar man did not press his advantage but instead stood leisurely in place, remarking with a tone of surprise, “Not bad skills!”
Zheng Quan clenched his fists tightly.
The unfamiliar man brushed the dust off his sleeve with a casual air, appearing ready to walk away as if nothing had happened.
Watching this, Zheng Quan let out a loud shout and charged at the man with the ferocity of a tiger descending a mountain.
Alarmed, Song Jiyun instinctively took a few steps forward.
She could see Zheng Quan was no match for the unfamiliar man, yet he still intended to go all out.
She feared it would only lead to unnecessary trouble.
Sure enough.
The unfamiliar man advanced at lightning speed and delivered a swift knife-hand strike to Zheng Quan’s neck.
This time, Zheng Quan was defenseless and collapsed to the ground with a muffled groan.
As the unfamiliar man raised his foot to stomp on Zheng Quan’s chest,
Song Jiyun, unable to hold back in her panic, rushed forward and cried out, “Young master, please show mercy!”
The unfamiliar man turned to look at her.
The afternoon sunlight shone directly on his face, but the coldness in his gaze radiated unmistakably.
A chill ran down Song Jiyun’s spine, but she still said,
“This is all a misunderstanding! My servant is honest and loyal but lacks adaptability. Seeing someone unfamiliar in the study, he assumed ill intent. His actions were out of a desire to protect me. I ask the young master to be magnanimous and not take offense.”
The unfamiliar man did not respond but let out a mocking laugh.
Though his tone was full of sarcasm, he refrained from attacking Zheng Quan further.
Song Jiyun sighed in relief.
To her, Zheng Quan was like an elder brother.
He had carried her on his back to visit markets and watch lanterns when they were young.
Every time he returned from Mount Longhu, whether with bamboo dragonflies or malt candies, he always brought her gifts.
As they grew older, he mixed clay for her, drove carriages, and carried ledgers.
He had always obeyed her every word without ever uttering “no.”
She couldn’t let anything happen to him.
But she dared not show the slightest emotion in front of this man. Instead, she maintained a calm demeanor and politely asked,
“May I know how to address you, young master? What brings you here? This study houses some valuable items and account books, so people rarely visit.”
The unfamiliar man replied indifferently, “I got lost!”
…
And that was all.
Song Jiyun perked up her ears, hoping to glean more from his words.
Alarm bells rang in her heart.
This man was just as she suspected—not someone easy to deal with.
The simplest words were often the most powerful and flawless responses.
Without revealing anything, she studied the unfamiliar man closely.
He wore no accessories, and the overlapping collars of his Taoist robe were fastened with fabric of the same color.
He wore plain navy-blue cloth round-toe shoes with layered soles.
His fingers were pale, slender, and smooth, resembling bamboo.
The fingertips were round, clean, and tinged with healthy pink.
He didn’t seem to come from a wealthy merchant family, yet he had never suffered hardship.
His family likely had modest means but was frugal with their money.
He seemed like a son of a scholarly family that upheld the traditions of farming and studying.
Song Jiyun’s mind raced, but her tone became even more polite.
“I apologize for the offense earlier! If the young master doesn’t mind, please come inside for some tea. I can also summon a steward to guide you.”
“There’s no need!” The unfamiliar man didn’t even spare her a glance and turned to leave.
Song Jiyun followed him, saying,
“Young master, let me find someone to guide you. This is, after all, the inner courtyard.
Judging by your Taoist robe, are you a Taoist priest?
Although, I must say, many scholars enjoy wearing Taoist robes too. Sometimes, when I see them walking on the streets, I can’t tell who’s a Taoist and who’s a scholar!”
The unfamiliar man suddenly stopped.
Caught off guard, Song Jiyun almost bumped into him.
It was then that she noticed a red mole on his left earlobe, about the size of a pinky fingertip, resembling a love bean.
Song Jiyun froze momentarily but quickly regained her composure.
“Do you have some business here? Or are you looking for a specific place? This area is quite complex. The main residence of the Song Old Madam is with the Second Branch, while the courtyards of the First and Third Branches are all clustered together…”
“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to!” The unfamiliar man shot her a sidelong glance, abruptly interrupting her.
Song Jiyun widened her eyes in feigned confusion.
“Young master, what do you mean? I don’t understand.”
“Heh!” The unfamiliar man scoffed, as though about to say something, when his face suddenly changed. Pointing at her, he exclaimed, “You—”
Song Jiyun, bewildered, called out, “Young master?”
The next moment, the unfamiliar man’s body swayed and fell to the ground with a thud.
The commotion startled a few butterflies from the nearby flower bushes.
Zheng Quan stood frozen in shock.
From the bushes emerged a round-headed young girl, about eight or nine years old, with a round face and bright eyes.
Dressed in a green floral outfit, she looked like a traditional Wuxi clay figurine.
“Big Miss.” She held a blowpipe in her hand, her face beaming with excitement.
“I did as you said. Anyone other than Brother Quan who came in, I knocked out with the drug!”
“Well done!” Song Jiyun showered her little maid Xiang Zan with praise.
“When we get back, I’ll have Nanny Zheng make osmanthus rice cakes for you!”
Her face lit up with joy as she carefully avoided the unconscious man and ran to Song Jiyun’s side.
But then, with a hint of concern, she asked, “Big Miss, will he be okay?”
This was the first time Song Jiyun had done something like this.
The path was paved entirely with blue stone bricks.
Falling directly like this could result in serious injury.
Still, her main concern was Zheng Quan.
“Are you badly hurt?” Song Jiyun asked. “We need to get a doctor immediately!”
Zheng Quan, still dazed, stammered, “I’m fine! When sparring with my master and senior brothers, I often get injured. I know a bit about treating bruises and sprains. I’ll just apply some red flower oil, and I’ll be fine.”
Song Jiyun still thought he should see a doctor.
But Zheng Quan pointed to the unfamiliar man and said,
“I should check on him first! His nose is scraped and red. If he’s broken his nose bridge, that wouldn’t be good.”
Song Jiyun was indifferent.
It wasn’t like he had broken his back.
Zheng Quan nevertheless examined the unfamiliar man’s bones and confirmed there was no major injury.
He then turned to Song Jiyun and asked, “What should we do next?”
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment