Xiao Yan felt a restless frustration bubbling within him; he wanted to throw Fu Laiqing out but held back, as Fu had indeed helped his little sister. Still, the exchange between the two grated on him—Fu’s lighthearted demeanor particularly irked him. Interrupting their conversation, he turned to Qian Qiyue and asked, “Lady Qian, are you badly hurt?”
Qian Qiyue gave a cold laugh. “Oh, very much so!”
The Lu family’s men had nearly injured her face, and she’d make sure they paid dearly for it. Ever since her father had become Minister of Revenue, she hadn’t suffered even the slightest indignity. Now, seeing no reason to hold back, she looked to Xiao Yan and said, “Director Xiao, could you spare someone to send a message to my father at the Qian residence? Tell him that I was nearly killed by the Lu family.”
The Marquis of Wenxin coughed awkwardly. “…”
But before Xiao Yan could respond, Qian Qiyue changed her mind. “No, wait. If I send someone, my father will probably rush over first, and the Lu family would just find an excuse to evade responsibility. It’ll be better if I go myself—only then will he believe it.” She turned to Song Tangning. “Tangning, I’ll go home first to speak with my father. I’ll see you and Ah-Ru tomorrow.”
“Ah-Yue…” Tangning began, but Qian Qiyue was already striding purposefully toward the exit.
Tangning turned to Xiao Yan, suddenly anxious. “Brother…”
Xiao Yan had intended to send someone to escort Qian Qiyue, but seeing the ever-annoying Fu Laiqing lingering nearby, he had an idea and spoke up. “Young Master Fu, thank you for stepping in to help Tangning and Lady Qian. I have matters to tend to here, but the Lu family’s actions today require a witness to make a solid case. Could I trouble you to accompany Lady Qian and recount today’s events to Minister Qian?”
Given this future “brother-in-law’s” request, Fu Laiqing didn’t dare refuse. “Of course! I’ll recount every detail to Minister Qian exactly as it happened!”
“Thank you.”
“It’s no trouble at all. Miss Song, I’ll take my leave.”
Tangning replied gently, “Thank you, Young Master Fu.”
Fu Laiqing opened his mouth to respond, but Xiao Yan cut in icily, “Young Master Fu, Lady Qian has already left.”
At that, Fu Laiqing quickly forgot any other words and bolted toward the door to catch up.
Xiao Yan turned to Hua Wu, “Hua Wu, see to your mistress.”
“Brother…” Tangning looked up at him, her eyes still red.
Xiao Yan had wanted to avoid showing too much affection with others around, but seeing her pale face, he reached out, gently brushing a smear of blood from her cheek.
“I’ll be out for a while. I’ll return later.”
As he glanced down at the blood on his fingertips, his eyes darkened, and he turned away, his expression already frosty. “Assemble the Black Armored Guard. We’re going to the Lu estate.”
Watching Xiao Yan stride out of the manor radiating a deadly aura, the Marquis of Wenxin’s face went ashen.
This is going to be big.
After leaving the Song residence, Qian Qiyue paused in surprise upon seeing Fu Laiqing catching up to her. When he explained that Xiao Yan had instructed him to “bear witness” to the events, she immediately agreed. The Song family prepared a carriage to take them to the Qian residence, and upon arrival at her family’s gate, she stopped Fu Laiqing from stepping out.
He blinked, puzzled. “Miss Qian, is something wrong?”
With a quick, decisive movement, she reached up to remove her hairpin and began tugging at her sleeves.
Fu Laiqing recoiled in shock, pressing himself against the edge of the carriage. “What are you doing?!”
Seeing his alarmed look, she rolled her eyes. “What kind of nonsense are you imagining?”
Fu Laiqing let out an awkward chuckle. “Then… what are you doing?”
“Lu’s family needs to be taken down a notch, and I need to look the part.” She tore her sleeve to expose her scratched arm, smeared a bit of blood on her face, and mussed her hair until she looked perfectly disheveled. Then she turned to Fu Laiqing.
“They dared lay a hand on me and Tangning. If I don’t make them pay, I’m not worthy of my last name. When we go inside, exaggerate if you have to. If you can’t, just nod along and don’t ruin my plan.”
Fu Laiqing’s jaw dropped. “But… don’t you think…”
Isn’t this a bit overboard?
Qian Qiyue’s beautiful, lotus-like face hardened as she raised her chin. “Think what? Do you have a problem?”
A dangerous glint in her almond-shaped eyes made it clear she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Swallowing, Fu Laiqing quickly stammered, “No, no problem at all.”
With a satisfied hum, Qian Qiyue quickly rubbed her eyes until they reddened. Tilting her head slightly, she let tears glisten in her eyes before leaping out of the carriage and stumbling dramatically toward the Qian family’s gate, wailing.
Fu Laiqing could only stare, stunned.
This Qian family girl will be the death of the Lu family.
“Fourth Miss?” The Qian family servants were aghast at her appearance. “What happened? Who dared harm you?”
“Me… sob… I was nearly beaten to death! If it weren’t for Young Master Fu saving me, I would’ve…”
Normally, Qian Qiyue never cried, even in the face of serious trouble. But now, disheveled, battered, and crying openly, the sight of her bloodied arm was enough to make the gatekeepers panic, as though the sky itself were falling.
They quickly ushered her inside, one group soothing her while another went to summon her parents and Minister Qian. Following them, Fu Laiqing could only march forward in a daze, watching as the “pathetic” Qian Qiyue was surrounded by a crowd of servants.
Minister Qian and his wife arrived quickly, with her three older brothers right behind them. At the sight of Qian Qiyue’s appearance, they all stopped dead, their hearts sinking in unison.
Hearing Qian Qiyue sob out that she’d been bullied by the Lu family, the Qian family members immediately exploded with fury.
“Was it Lu Zhinian who bullied you?” her eldest brother demanded, his voice cold and fierce.
Through her sniffles, Qian Qiyue replied, “No… it wasn’t exactly that. He rushed at me and Tangning, grabbing us both, touching and tugging at us, and we couldn’t break free. The little girl from the Song family tried to help and got hurt, but it was Lu’s servant who attacked us after seeing Lu Zhinian injured…”
“A fine display by that scoundrel Lu Zhinian!” her second brother spat, his face turning an angry shade of iron.
Her third brother’s breathing grew quick and heavy, his eyes blazing with rage. “What does he think he’s doing, grabbing you like that? The Lu family already lost the engagement with the Rong family, and now they’re trying to strong-arm us into marrying you off to that shameless wretch to save their pride? And he dared to put his hands on you?!”
Though Qian Baokun shared his sons’ anger, something still struck him as odd. Frowning, he looked at Qian Qiyue and asked sternly, “Did Lu Zhinian truly lay hands on you?”
Qian Qiyue burst into renewed sobs. “Why would I lie about something like this? If you don’t believe me, ask Young Master Fu. He saw it all with his own eyes!”
All eyes turned sharply to Fu Laiqing, who suddenly felt the pressure mounting. He opened his mouth to speak but froze when he noticed Qian Qiyue’s glare from behind her family’s backs—a warning look that promised consequences if he slipped up. Gulping, he kept it vague.
“It’s true that Lu Zhinian harassed Lady Qian, and the Lu family’s servants did lay hands on her. Even one of Director Xiao’s guards had to intervene and taught the Lu servants a lesson.”
Though his words skirted the details, he figured he wasn’t exactly lying. After all, Lu Zhinian had indeed “touched” Qian Qiyue, and they’d been in a scuffle. It wasn’t his fault if the Qian family inferred more than what had actually happened.
Covering her face with her hands, Qian Qiyue broke into fresh sobs. “Father, you must stand up for me! Otherwise, how can I ever show my face again?” If Lu Zhinian wasn’t thoroughly ruined by this, how would she ever face her Little Begonia (Tangning)?
With anger now fully ablaze, Qian Baokun ground out, “Very well! How very bold of the Lu family!”
The Lu family had dared to lay hands on his daughter—did they think his lack of open disputes over the years meant he was a pushover?
“Ah-Yue, stay here with your mother. You three”—he turned to his sons—“round up the household servants and come with me. We’re going to pay the Lu family a visit!”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 234 here
Omg Qian Qiyue - I love her! Also, I vote that Fu Laiqing switches to her, I think they will do well…
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