Chi You, having entered the court since childhood and witnessed countless schemes and betrayals, was not oblivious to their intentions.
"You won't beat me, and then you'll let me go? Ridiculous. You haven't even figured out how to badmouth me to him yet. I might as well admit guilt and give you the chance."
As she spoke, she moved past them. Qin Yunshang immediately dodged, but her martial arts were no match for Chi You. Before she could even land a blow, she was firmly pinned to the ground.
She glared at Chi You, hatred flickering in her eyes.
Chi You leisurely lowered her eyelids, looking down at Qin Yunshang. She pressed a foot onto her, and the wooden stick in her hand was brutally ground against Qin Yunshang's hand.
"Ah—"
Qin Yunshang screamed in agony, her cries heart-wrenching.
Chi You smirked, watching her. "I hear people from the Central Plains love to return the favor, paying back in kind. You stepped on me, so I'll step back on you."
"Sister Yunshang—"
Liu Yanyan, emerging from the pool, was shocked and enraged. She lunged forward.
Chi You showed no mercy, kicking back at her.
"You—you just wait."
An angry curse followed from behind. Chi You ignored it, tossed the stick, and left with a flourish.
However, after only a few steps, a maid who had been secretly trailing her called for Madam Liu.
Madam Liu arrived, her gaze falling upon the tragic scene on the ground. Seeing her daughter drenched like a drowned rat and her future daughter-in-law crying out in pain, her face darkened. She looked towards Chi You, who remained silent.
"Did you do this?"
Chi You glanced at the newcomer, her brow furrowed. She rarely left the main courtyard and did not recognize the people in the mansion.
"Mother."
Liu Yanyan, seeing her mother, felt her grievances surge. She immediately ran over to complain.
Listening to her exaggerated account, Madam Liu's expression grew colder. She ordered someone to help Qin Yunshang up and personally walked over.
"Yunshang, are you alright?"
Qin Yunshang was seething inside but managed a soft shake of her head.
"I'm fine."
"Fine where? Your hand is practically ruined!" Liu Yanyan exclaimed, "Mother, I want to kill her."
Although Madam Liu was angry, she knew her daughter had been spoiled since childhood and was prone to causing trouble.
"Did you bring people here to cause trouble?"
Liu Yanyan was speechless.
"That woman started it first," she retorted unhappily.
"Enough."
Madam Liu rebuked her sternly, "This is unacceptable."
She then looked at Chi You standing not far away, appraising her. Recalling the rumors in the mansion, she felt a pang of irritation.
"You go back first."
Chi You glanced at the guards who had retreated and turned to leave.
Liu Yanyan stared at her retreating back, gnashing her teeth. But with Madam Liu present, she dared not speak further, wiping away her tears in frustration.
Madam Liu roared, "Shut up, what are you crying for? You have no grace of a lady."
"Someone, take the young lady back."
Liu Yanyan was led away.
Madam Liu looked at Qin Yunshang's bleeding hand and took her to the Orchid Garden, summoning a physician.
After the bandaging was done, Madam Liu looked at Qin Yunshang, who was sitting on a stool, and clasped her hand with a smile.
"I'm sorry you were wronged."
Qin Yunshang replied, "Madam, please don't say that. It was I who offended that young lady."
Madam Liu smiled, poured a cup of tea, and offered it to her.
"Men, having three wives and four concubines is quite normal. But the principal wife is the principal wife. She wouldn't stoop to petty squabbles over favors, would she?"
A chill ran down Qin Yunshang's spine, and the hand holding the teacup trembled.
"Yanyan, she's foolish and stubborn, and she listens to you. But this girl, she really knows how to cause trouble."
This was a subtle warning.
Qin Yunshang's lowered gaze flickered with displeasure. "Madam speaks wisely."
Upon hearing this, Madam Liu praised her with a smile. "Don't worry, our Liu family only recognizes you as our daughter-in-law."
When Liu Rongruo returned, he was called to the Orchid Garden by Madam Liu's steward. As he entered, he saw Madam Liu and Qin Yunshang having dinner.
"Senior Brother."
Qin Yunshang's eyes lit up upon seeing him. She hadn't seen her senior brother in a long time.
Liu Rongruo walked over and took a seat. A maid and a governess serving him immediately added a pair of chopsticks and bowls.
"Are there so many matters in the palace? You should spend more time with Yunshang on ordinary days."
Hearing Madam Liu's words, Liu Rongruo responded calmly.
"Your wedding date is approaching. You should pay more attention to Yunshang. Look, you didn't even notice Yunshang's injured hand when you came in."
Qin Yunshang quickly said, "It's nothing, just a minor injury."
"How did you get hurt?"
The governess behind Madam Liu immediately recounted the day's events at the corridor.
Liu Rongruo paused, then expressed his concern.
"After dinner, take Yunshang back to her residence."
"Mhm."
Chi You returned to the main courtyard, washed up, and went to bed.
In the middle of the night, she felt a weight on her and slowly woke up.
"Is the Prime Minister not sleeping in the middle of the night to steal my affections?"
Liu Rongruo roughly tore off her undergarment, pulling the quilt over himself.
"What did you do today?"
Chi You, assuming he was referring to her confrontation with his fiancée, responded sarcastically.
"Are you here to question me?"
In the dim tent, his breath filled her nostrils. Chi You trembled all over, her legs kicking out to push him away.
"Why did you go to the pavilion?"
He grabbed her kicking legs with both hands, wrapping them around her waist, his questioning tone startling her.
Chi You said directly, "You took my bracelet, and you're asking me why I did things."
Liu Rongruo pinched her face, sneering.
"You want your bracelet that badly?"
"Why else?"
He looked at her, and suddenly—
Chi You trembled, her hands gripping the bedsheet, her eyes slightly reddening.
"Then I definitely won't give it to you."
He said this and lowered his head, covering her lips.
Outside, the cold wind howled, and inside, candlelight flickered.
Chi You lay limp on the bed, her fingers feeling weak.
Seeing him emerge from the washroom, she pushed herself up with her hands and got off the bed.
"What are you doing?"
Chi You ignored him, shot him a glare, and directly instructed the guards outside to go and make a contraceptive decoction. She had raised gu since childhood, making it difficult for her to conceive, but she couldn't afford any accidents. She feared she might kill his offspring if she couldn't resist.
Liu Rongruo lay on the bed, quietly watching her drink the medicine.
After finishing, Chi You, her body weary, went to the washroom in the back to clean up.
"It's late, hurry up."
Hearing the voice from outside, Chi You rolled her eyes.
"You sleep first."
Liu Rongruo leaned against the bed and read for a while. When she came out, he scooped her up and drew the curtains.
The night was deep, the candlelight faint.
Held by him, Chi You felt an uncomfortable heat throughout her body. Once he fell asleep, she quietly opened her eyes, disdainfully pushed his hand away, and slowly got up.
On the floor lay a pile of discarded clothes. She knelt to pick up his robe, searching it thoroughly, but could not find her bracelet. This beast, where had he put it?
She dropped the clothes in dejection, lifted the curtain, and got back onto the bed. He lay on the bed wearing his inner garment, sleeping soundly. Did he keep it on him?
Chi You thought about it, tiptoed over, removed his hand, and reached into his chest. Suddenly, her hand froze. Looking at his face, she recalled past events, and hatred surged within her. *Kill him.* *Kill him to avenge my people.*
A sharp pain suddenly shot through her chest. She closed her eyes, suppressed it, and took out a knife.