In the distance, a middle - aged man with a furious face was striding over, followed by Ruochen in red.
Yu Zixi's forehead was beaded with cold sweat. He bowed and said, "Master, I've been unwell these days. I planned to visit you as soon as I recovered. Please don't blame me, Master."
The middle - aged man snorted and glanced at Wei Dongling. He asked in a deep voice, "Who is she?"
Yu Zixi took a half - step to block Wei Dongling behind him and replied bravely, "She's my betrothed wife."
"Betrothed wife?" The middle - aged man sneered. He roared angrily, "Yu Zixi! Do you know who she is?"
Wei Dongling stood there, stunned.
Yu Zixi lowered his head. "I do."
The middle - aged man kicked Yu Zixi hard, sending him flying far away. He roared, "You knew it but still did this! I've taught you for so many years in vain!"
The sudden change left Wei Dongling too shocked to make a sound. Was Yu Zixi's master the sworn enemy of her father? That's why he looked at her with so much hatred.
Yu Zixi struggled to get up and stood in front of Wei Dongling. "Master! It has nothing to do with her. You mustn't take your anger out on her!"
He was kicked again and landed hard. The wound on his abdomen throbbed with pain, and he couldn't get up for a long time.
Wei Dongling watched the man approaching step by step. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead.
Under the powerful pressure, she took a step back.
Ruochen, standing not far away, just watched quietly and didn't dare to come and help.
The middle - aged man stared at Wei Dongling sharply, sneered, and said to Yu Zixi, "If you're not willing to break it off, I'll do it for you." Then he drew out his long sword from his waist and pointed the tip directly at Wei Dongling's throat.
Wei Dongling felt a chill on her throat and couldn't help shivering.
"Master! Please don't hurt her!" Yu Zixi pleaded, covering his abdomen.
The middle - aged man ignored him and stabbed the sword forward forcefully.
A black shadow flew out and pushed Wei Dongling hard, narrowly avoiding the sword. The person then rushed in front of the middle - aged man and knelt down.
Wei Dongling looked up and was surprised to see it was Tian Qi!
The middle - aged man was furious. "Tian Qi! How dare you rebel against me!"
Tian Qi knelt upright and grabbed the middle - aged man's sleeve, pleading, "My lord! The young mistress once saved my life. Please spare her!"
Hearing Tian Qi's plea, Yu Zixi felt mixed emotions.
But these words seemed to pour oil on the fire. The middle - aged man kicked Tian Qi who was kneeling on the ground, one kick after another.
Ruochen, standing aside, sighed and stepped forward to persuade gently, "Master, Tian Qi is internally injured..." meaning that if he continued to beat Tian Qi, he might die.
The middle - aged man glared at Ruochen and then reluctantly stopped. He snorted at Yu Zixi. "If you insist on marrying her, she won't live. Think it over yourself!" Then he turned around and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Ruochen quickly followed and left with him.
Yu Zixi quickly got up and walked in front of Wei Dongling. He asked with a bitter face, "Are you hurt?"
Wei Dongling shook her head and asked him, "Why does your master hate me so much? Is it because of my father?"
Yu Zixi lowered his head and was silent for a long time. Finally, he nodded.
Wei Dongling's nose twitched. "But my father is a good man."
Yu Zixi didn't say a word. He took her hand and walked back.
After a long time, Yu Zixi's voice was heard. "Yes, Wei Jiang is a good man, and so is Prime Minister Su."
At night, Wei Dongling couldn't sleep, so she went to the martial arts hall and practiced punches for a long time.
In the Yunzhu Courtyard, Yu Zixi was playing chess with Shangguan Yun. By accident, his black pieces were completely captured by Shangguan Yun's white pieces.
Yu Zixi said gloomily, "I've been unwell recently. Please help me check on Xingshan."
Shangguan Yun looked strange. "Your master is back in the capital. Shouldn't we put the matter of the Zhao Mansion on hold?"
Yu Zixi was stunned for a moment. "It's precisely because he's back that I'm not convenient to act. That's why I'm asking you to do it."
Shangguan Yun remained calm. "Not interested."
Yu Zixi said again, "That girl mentioned to me today that she hopes to call off the engagement. Did you say something to her behind my back?"
A sneer appeared on Shangguan Yun's face. "Sure enough, you're willing to do anything for her. It's not appropriate to have such a woman by your side in the future."
Yu Zixi's face darkened. "I know exactly what I want. She's very suitable! Are you going to stop me like my master?"
Shangguan Yun's hand holding the chess piece paused for a moment. Finally, he put the piece back into the jar.
Pin Hao came to knock on the door and said that someone from the palace had delivered an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager, asking Shangguan Yun to enter the palace for an audience.
Shangguan Yun accepted the order and left.
Halfway on the carriage, it swayed slowly like a donkey and finally stopped completely. Then a bunch of women's chattering voices could be heard outside.
Shangguan Yun frowned unhappily and asked Pin Hao what was going on.
Pin Hao replied, "There are several women gathered together, blocking the road. My lord, should we take another route?"
Shangguan Yun concentrated and listened for a while.
He heard several women scolding, "Who told you, a shameless woman, to seduce Lord Yun! You're not going anywhere today!"
A group of people echoed, "You look decent but do such shameless things! The legitimate daughter of General Qi's mansion is so shameless!"
There was also a sarcastic voice, "Sisters, don't say that. Judging from her appearance, she might be crazy for men!"
A group of women burst into laughter.
Shangguan Yun said to Pin Hao, "It's so noisy. Take another route."
Pin Hao accepted the order and was about to turn around. Then a crying voice came from the crowd, "Please don't block the way! Our young housekeeper has been abducted in the street. We're in a hurry to save her. Please make way!"
Shangguan Yun was stunned. Was it Wei Dongling again?
Pin Hao also looked confused. Was she abducted again?
The mocking voices in the crowd grew louder. "It's so funny. You're probably in a hurry to elope!"
Shangguan Yun couldn't stand it anymore. He frowned and ordered, "Pin Hao, go and distract them."
Pin Hao accepted the order and went. He put his hands on his hips and shouted in the middle of the road, "Whose gold is this on the ground?"
A group of women looked over. "Where?"
Pin Hao picked up a shiny gold ingot on the ground and asked, "Whose is this?"
A group of women rushed over. Pin Hao turned around and ran. Qi Jinxuan and Lv Kou, who were trapped on the road, were finally able to break free.
Shangguan Yun grabbed Qi Jinxuan's arm and asked in a deep voice, "What happened to Wei Dongling again?"
Qi Jinxuan was greatly shocked. When she saw it was Shangguan Yun, her face instantly turned red, and she was too nervous to say a word.
Lv Kou took over with a sob, "Just now we accidentally bumped into Lord Zhao's sedan chair. Without saying a word, they tied up the young housekeeper and took her away."
Shangguan Yun asked anxiously, "Where did they go?"
Qi Jinxuan bit her lip and whispered, "I heard Lord Zhao tell the sedan - chair bearers to go to Baoqing Tower."
The restaurant where the Zhao family specifically entertained royal relatives and nobles.
Shangguan Yun said to Qi Jinxuan, "You go to the Yunzhu Courtyard and inform Yu Zixi." Then he led his horse, untied the reins, mounted the horse, and galloped straight to Baoqing Tower in the Zhao Mansion.