When Song Jinxiu looked at Lu Zhinian opposite him, it was as if he saw his former self.
Clearly, there was an opportunity to make amends at first. Clearly, Tang Ning hadn't come back to ruthlessly eliminate everything. Clearly, at that time, she had already told him so clearly that all she wanted was a heartfelt apology.
Yet he was always so self-righteous, thinking that the little girl was just joking and being petty, believing that she was easy to coax. He never considered how much Tang Ning had suffered. Instead, he thought that a casual "sorry" would open her heart to forgiveness.
He protected Song Shulan, protecting his own pride, believing that as an elder brother, Tang Ning should unconditionally forgive him for anything, thinking that no matter what, she would never truly become estranged from him. In the end, he exhausted the last remnants of their affection, sending both himself and the Song family into a dead end.
Song Jinxiu curled his lips into a sarcastic smile, releasing Song Shulan's delicate neck and leaning against the prison door, falling silent.
However, Lu Zhinian only found his laughter grating: “What are you laughing at?” There was no response from the opposite side.
Feeling anxious inside, Lu Zhinian seemed to see the sarcasm on Song Jinxiu's face through the prison door: “I asked you what you’re laughing at, Song Jinxiu, speak up…”
“What are you shouting for? Do you want to die?!” Suddenly, someone entered from outside, whipping the prison door with a lash. Lu Zhinian couldn’t dodge in time and was hit on the side of his face, causing him to cry out in pain and stagger backward, falling to the ground.
The newcomer glanced at Song Jinxiu and the others, then raised his hand to coil the whip around his wrist.
“Captain Wu, how can you hit someone like this…”
“There’s too much noise in the imperial prison. I’ve been merciful not to cut out your tongue. If you have objections, let your master come to discuss it with my superior!” The servant from the Lu family looked extremely ugly, but he could only endure in front of the fierce-looking black-armored guard. He feared that after finally managing to enter and bring the Third Young Master out, he would provoke trouble from the Privy Council.
The speaker was Wu Kui, the one who had brought Lu Zhinian back that day. Seeing that the Lu family servant didn’t speak, he coldly snorted and struck the prison door with the whip.
“Lu Zhinian, you can go out now.” Lu Zhinian suddenly looked up, forgetting the pain in his face, and showed a joyful expression: “I can go out?!”
“Third Young Master…” When Lu Zhinian saw the familiar figure standing against the light at the prison door, his eyes instantly moistened: “Uncle Rong.” Lu Rong quickly turned his head: “Captain, this prison door…”
“Open it.” The jailer, who was standing by, received the order and hurriedly stepped forward to unlock the chains hanging on the prison door. When the door creaked open, Lu Rong rushed inside: “Third Young Master, are you alright? Are you okay?”
Lu Zhinian's eyes turned red, filled with both the joy of surviving a calamity and the grievances of being locked in this prison for many days: “Uncle Rong, where are Father and Grandfather?” Lu Rong paused, recalling the events in the mansion that day, and only spoke softly: “The master is waiting for you outside…”
“And Grandfather…”
“Enough talk; we can reminisce later!” Wu Kui, seeing the two inside chatting endlessly, impatiently knocked on the prison door and scolded.
Hearing this, Lu Zhinian wanted to get angry, but Lu Rong grabbed his wrist.
“Third Young Master, let’s go first.” After Lu Rong supported the injured Lu Zhinian out of the prison, before Lu Zhinian could turn back to say a few words to Song Jinxiu, he was impatiently urged by Wu Kui in armor: “Hurry up, don’t delay things.”
“You…”
“What? Lu Sanlang hasn't had enough and wants to stay a few more days?” Lu Zhinian had never been treated so dismissively. Hearing this, he wanted to get angry, but Lu Rong continued to hold him back, only saying in a low voice: “Captain Wu, we’re leaving now.”
Seeing Lu Rong, who used to stand beside his father and never bow to anyone, repeatedly endure, even bowing before a mere captain of the black-armored guards, Lu Zhinian vaguely sensed something was off. His previous anger dissipated, replaced by an uneasy feeling in his heart. He no longer spoke, only letting Lu Rong support him as they walked out.
Behind them, Wu Kui secretly cursed “coward” under his breath. He had hoped that Lu Zhinian would dare to retort so he could take the chance to lash him a few more times, releasing his pent-up frustration for the lady from the governor’s family. However, he did not expect this noble young master to endure such humiliation so easily.
The light in the imperial prison was dim, and Wu Kui regrettably retracted his arrogant demeanor, following behind the Lu family's master and servant as they walked outside. When they reached the end of the corridor, a sudden “clang” echoed from behind, as if something had collided with the prison door.
Instinctively, he glanced back and saw Song Jinxiu in prisoner garb leaning against the prison door, looking towards them. He seemed to be holding something, vaguely resembling a woman’s figure.
Wu Kui paused for a moment, scoffed, and continued walking outside.
Inside the cell where Song Jinxiu was, Song Shulan was tightly pressed against the gap in the prison door, her neck gripped by Song Jinxiu.
It was only after Lu Zhinian’s figure disappeared that Song Jinxiu coldly looked at Song Shulan, whose neck he was holding, her head pressed against the wooden bars of the prison, blood oozing out.
“Lu Zhinian is not someone you can reach. Your little tricks won’t fool the Lu family. If you don’t want to die in a horrible way, behave yourself; otherwise, if you attract the attention of the Lu family, you’ll end up as nothing but bones. Do you understand?”
Song Shulan felt as if her throat was being crushed. The icy voice by her ear sent chills down her spine.
Suffocating, she struggled to breathe, gasping for air with her mouth wide open, but could only tightly grip Song Jinxiu's wrist.
“Brother… I… I understand, Brother… I… I won’t dare…” Despite her grip drawing blood from his hand, he remained unyielding as a vise.
Watching her pale face turning increasingly purple, as if she would suffocate at any moment, he recalled the once illustrious Duke's Mansion, remembered Song Hong locked in a harsh prison, and thought of Song Tangning, with whom he had severed ties.
As Song Jinxiu tightened his grip, a moment of murderous intent filled his eyes. He knew that with a little more strength, he could snap Song Shulan’s neck. However, after a moment, he still released his hand.
“Cough, cough, cough—” Song Shulan stumbled and fell to the ground, doubling over in a violent cough. She clutched her neck in terror, retreating into a corner, her face as white as paper. Song Jinxiu wiped his hand on the ground and softly said, “Be good, don’t cause trouble again. Brother cares for you.”
Song Shulan hugged her arms and trembled.
Song Jinxiu has gone mad…
They have all gone mad!!
Clearly, it wasn’t like this before; they clearly had never wanted to treat her this way…
Madmen!!!
All of them are madmen!!!
==============
Read ahead to chapter 234 (100+ extra chapters) here
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