Unable to bear it any longer, Cui Huan plopped down on her knees in front of Yu Zixi and pleaded, "Master, Young Master has always done as you commanded! Please stop beating him..."
Yu Zixi got up shakily and knelt beside Cui Huan in front of their master.
The master glared at Cui Huan, slowly clenching his fists, his teeth grinding. He roared, "Don't think I don't know. You've been secretly helping him all along! Cui Huan, have you forgotten? Who raised you and taught you martial arts? Now, are you going to defy me too?"
Cui Huan looked up at the master, her eyes slightly red. She said softly, "I'll never forget Master's kind teaching, and I would never dare to defy you! But I beg you to be more understanding of Young Master. He's really had a hard time..."
Hearing this, the master's face turned green then red. He sneered sinisterly, "He's had a hard time? Are we any better off? Are all the disciples better off? Are all the soldiers who have followed us and shed their blood better off? Just for a woman! Are we going to let all our painstaking plans over the years go to waste?"
Cui Huan fell silent, tears streaming down her face.
Wei Dongling sighed inwardly, lifted the curtain, and limped out.
The master looked up and saw Wei Dongling. His face darkened completely.
Yu Zixi heard the noise behind him and looked back. He whispered, "Dongling, don't come out. Go back in!"
Hearing this, Cui Huan looked over with a worried expression.
Wei Dongling looked at Yu Zixi and Cui Huan kneeling on the ground and silently shook her head. She dragged her leg and shakily stepped in front of them.
Yu Zixi reached out to grab the corner of her clothes, but she shook him off.
Wei Dongling bowed to the master and said softly, "I don't know why you dislike me so much, Senior. But regarding your and Zixi's plans, I've always supported Zixi in my heart. I don't dare to ask you to let go of the grudges of the previous generation. I only beg you not to be too harsh on Zixi because of me. After all, they're innocent."
Hearing this, the master sneered sinisterly and pointed at Wei Dongling, saying to Yu Zixi, "Listen! Just as glib as her father!"
Wei Dongling was shocked and a bit angry. She said, "You're Zixi's master, and I respect you a great deal. But please don't speak rudely and insult my father!"
Yu Zixi stood up and pulled Wei Dongling into his arms.
Wei Dongling staggered into his chest and heard Yu Zixi say coldly, "Master, she doesn't know anything. Those who don't know are innocent! Don't make things difficult for her!"
Wei Dongling was extremely anxious, clutching Yu Zixi's broad and firm chest. She looked up at him and asked in surprise, "What don't I know?"
Yu Zixi hugged her tightly but didn't answer.
The master pointed at Yu Zixi and sneered, "Do you think she'll still stand by your side without hesitation after she knows the truth? Do you think she can break off the blood - related relationship just like that? Yu Zixi, don't be so naive! She'll surely go against you one day. How can you keep her?"
Blood - related relationship? Inheritance? What was he talking about?
Wei Dongling was terrified. She grabbed Yu Zixi's hand and asked tremblingly, "What's your master talking about? What's wrong with my father?"
Yu Zixi hugged Wei Dongling tightly, pressing her head into his chest. He said to the master seriously, "It has nothing to do with her. You can't hurt her!"
The master roared, "Yu Zixi, are you crazy? You know exactly what the consequences will be, but you still want to protect her?"
Seeing the master's increasingly dark face, Yu Zixi gently pushed Wei Dongling and whispered, "Go first. I'll explain it to you later." Then he kicked Cui Huan, who was kneeling beside him, to signal her to take Wei Dongling away.
Cui Huan bowed deeply to the master, got up, put her arm around Wei Dongling's waist, and turned to leave.
Seeing this, the master roared, "Cui Huan! Are you rebelling?"
Yu Zixi stepped in front of them and said softly, "Master, I believe she won't!"
His master sneered repeatedly, "You believe? Just because of your belief, you've protected her again and again! Do you want me to bet everyone's lives just because you believe?"
Yu Zixi remained silent.
Seeing this, Cui Huan whispered, "Forgive me!" She picked up the dazed Wei Dongling and ran away.
The master glanced at Cui Huan, who was about to leave. He was so angry that he laughed instead. "Fine, you two. Your wings are getting hard, aren't you?" As he spoke, he snatched the horse - driving whip from Tian Qi's hand and got up to chase them.
Yu Zixi stepped sideways in front of the master and pleaded, "Master, she's innocent. Please spare her!"
The master looked up and saw Cui Huan carrying Wei Dongling getting farther and farther away. Without saying a word, he whipped Yu Zixi hard.
Yu Zixi was hit hard on the chest. He let out a muffled groan but showed no sign of retreat. Instead, he stepped forward.
The master roared, "How dare you, you brat!" He whipped again.
Yu Zixi quickly grabbed the whip that was almost hitting his face. His long fingers pulled hard, and the tips of his fingers turned slightly white. His eyes were blood - red. He growled, "Master, please! Just as a return for Prime Minister Su's kindness of burying my father that year!"
His master sneered repeatedly, "If Prime Minister Su hadn't been so pedantic and concerned about the common people that year, would your father have died so miserably? Do you still want me to remember his kindness? Yu Zixi! You're being too soft - hearted!"
Yu Zixi remained silent, his eyes full of grief.
Seeing that Yu Zixi wouldn't let go, the master shouted, "Ruochen! Stop that bitch! Kill that woman!"
In the distance, Ruochen in red clothes took the order and rushed over.
Tian Qi beside them quietly stepped back to try to stop Ruochen, but the master noticed. He kicked Tian Qi to the ground. Tian Qi quickly got up and knelt aside, not daring to move.
Wei Dongling looked up at Cui Huan, who was struggling to carry her, and asked urgently, "What do they mean? What don't I know?"
Cui Huan had no time to answer her. She anxiously looked back at the red - dressed figure following them and said tremblingly, "I'll try my best to hold her off. You run! Go to the Lake - Heart Pavilion and find Prince Yun!"
Cui Huan carrying Wei Dongling couldn't outrun Ruochen after all. In a short while, they were caught up.
Ruochen leaped forward to block their way. Her red silk dress accentuated her beautiful curves. She was extremely charming. She looked at Cui Huan and smiled sweetly. She parted her red lips and said, "Junior sister, you're no match for me. To avoid hurting you, don't resist. Leave her and go!"
Cui Huan trembled and put down Wei Dongling. She stepped forward, raised her head, and forced a calm smile. "I haven't sparred with senior sister for a long time. It'll be good for us sisters to have a match and see if I've improved recently." As she spoke, she put her hand behind her back to signal Wei Dongling to run.