“Brother Yu, put down the sword.” Yan Shiyao’s eyelashes were wet with tears.  

Xuan Yanyu pressed his lips into a thin line, sheathed his sword, and wiped away the still-fresh blood staining the blade. His expression dark, he turned and left.  

Yan Shiyao forced a faint smile, glanced at Luo Xuan kneeling on the ground, then turned and entered the chamber.  

Yan Yuning’s eyes flickered before she hurried over to Luo Xuan, seizing the initiative. “Didn’t you say the plan was foolproof? What happened?!”  

Fafa: [Master, I have to say, you’re quite clever—speaking before Luo Xuan could, making her think this has nothing to do with you.]

Yan Yuning: […]

“Xuan Yanyu.” Luo Xuan’s eyes were faintly red. She wiped the blood from her neck with delicate fingers and suddenly laughed.  

Yan Yuning pressed her lips together.  

“Give him the medicine I gave you tonight. Make sure Xuan Yanyu takes it.” Luo Xuan braced herself against the ground and stood up.  

Yan Yuning adjusted the hairpin in her bun, frowning slightly. “Not tonight. He left in a terrible mood just now, probably angry at my sister. If I go to him now, he’ll just throw me out again.”  

Luo Xuan giggled, plucking a flower petal and rubbing it between her fingers. “He won’t.”  

“?” Yan Yuning was speechless.  

How would she know he wouldn’t? She’d already been kicked out of his room twice! Besides, that packet of medicine Luo Xuan had given her? She’d tossed it into the trash.  

“Second Miss Yan, don’t you think it’s such a coincidence? Just today, I told you the plan, and just today, Xuan Yanyu brought Yan Shiyao out with him.” Luo Xuan licked her lips, smiling sweetly at her.  

Yan Yuning swallowed hard. Huh? Why is she suddenly bringing this up?!

“Second Miss Yan, isn’t it just too coincidental?” Luo Xuan lifted her chin, her smile widening.  

Yan Yuning gave a stiff laugh and pushed her hand away.  

Half an hour later.  

Yan Yuning shook the firmly locked door, cursing under her breath. [Fafa! Luo Xuan is insane!]

Fafa: [It could be worse, Master. At least she didn’t kill you.] 

Yan Yuning kicked the door in frustration. [Should I thank her, then???]

Fafa: [Well, no need for that, Master. Why would you thank her?]

Yan Yuning suppressed the urge to cough up blood.  

Fafa: [Master, how do we get out?]

Yan Yuning rubbed her nose. […Let me think.]  

…

“Clan Leader, Xuan Yanyu’s strike was too vicious.” Nuonuo carefully applied medicine to the wound on Luo Xuan’s neck.  

Against her fair skin, the still-seeping blood stood out starkly, red against white. Nuonuo’s eyes reddened as she looked at it, her heart aching so much she nearly cried.  

Luo Xuan gritted her teeth, her fingertips trembling slightly from the pain. She smirked coldly. “I’ll just get back at Yan Yuning later.”  

Nuonuo sniffled, confused. “Clan Leader, why take it out on Yan Yuning? Shouldn’t it be Yan Shiyao?”  

Luo Xuan tilted her head, her lips curving. “Did you see how badly Yan Shiyao’s hands were injured today? Did Xuan Yanyu even care?”  

Nuonuo carefully packed away the antiseptic and bandages. “He didn’t seem too concerned. But how do you know he cares about Yan Yuning?”  

Luo Xuan smiled eerily.  

“Clan Leader, are you going to the dining hall, or should I have the food brought here?” Nuonuo changed the subject.  

“The dining hall.” Luo Xuan pressed her tongue against the back of her teeth.  

Only Xuan Yanyu and Yan Shiyao were in the dining hall. Luo Xuan smiled faintly and took a seat beside Yan Shiyao.  

None of the three spoke, the atmosphere quiet yet strangely tense.  

Yan Shiyao’s injuries throbbed faintly, leaving her with little appetite. She glanced toward the dining hall entrance and murmured, “Usually, Ningning’s the most enthusiastic about meals. Why isn’t she here today?”

Xuan Yanyu’s fingers, which had been idly turning his jade ring, suddenly stilled. His cold gaze fixed on Luo Xuan.  

Luo Xuan met his eyes, her red lips curving slightly. “Young Master Xuan, why are you looking at me? Could it be you think I locked Second Miss Yan away?”  

The man’s voice was icy, devoid of warmth. “Clan Leader Luo, it had better have nothing to do with you.”  

Luo Xuan tilted her head, her smile taunting. “Those who don’t obey should be punished—don’t you agree, Young Master Xuan?”  

The implication was clear. Yan Shiyao had been rescued far too quickly—Yan Yuning must have told Xuan Yanyu.  

Yan Shiyao watched them in confusion, her face blank.  

Xuan Yanyu slowly licked his lips, then drew the dagger at his waist and pressed it against Luo Xuan’s chest. “Where is she?”  

Luo Xuan let out a muffled gasp, then chuckled weakly. “What do you mean? Who are you talking about?”  

“Brother Yu, let her go!” Yan Shiyao’s voice trembled with fear.  

A flash of killing intent passed through Xuan Yanyu’s eyes as he twisted the dagger slightly.  

Luo Xuan bit her lower lip hard, cold sweat beading on her forehead.  

This madman!

“Brother Yu, please—release her!” Yan Shiyao pleaded again, panic in her voice.  

“Oh? Still won’t talk?” Xuan Yanyu’s voice was low, his lips curling into a cruel smile.  

“Young… Master Xuan…” Blood quickly soaked through Luo Xuan’s robes, her face contorted in pain.  

“Brother Yu, you can’t hurt her!” Yan Shiyao reached out, trying to grab the dagger from his hand.  

Xuan Yanyu glanced at her. “Do you want to lose those hands too?”  

Yan Shiyao froze, staring down at her heavily bandaged hands. She understood—he was warning her not to interfere, lest she injure herself further.  

Luo Xuan frowned slightly, baffled. Xuan Yanyu was clearly anxious about Yan Yuning—so why did he still care about Yan Shiyao?  

…

“Brother Qi, when are we leaving Taoyuan Manor?” Yan Yuning fiddled with the ribbon on her sleeve, swinging it idly.  

Strangely enough, just moments ago, she had been desperately trying to escape—but then a maid suddenly opened the door for her. She had dashed out and coincidentally run into Qi Qingchen, so the two had come to the dining hall together.  

At least with Qi Qingchen around, Luo Xuan wouldn’t dare do anything to her.  

“We leave tomorrow at noon,” Qi Qingchen replied with a smile.  

Hearing his voice, Luo Xuan’s eyes welled with tears. She trembled slightly, suddenly looking fragile and helpless.  

Before Yan Yuning could even feel relieved, she saw the dagger embedded in Luo Xuan’s chest, Xuan Yanyu leisurely wiping his hands with a handkerchief beside her, and Yan Shiyao frozen in shock.  

[Huh? What happened this time?!]

Fafa: [Master, the book didn’t mention this.] 

Yan Yuning: […]  

“Brother Qingchen…” Luo Xuan’s tears spilled over, trailing down her cheeks.  

“Ah Xuan, who hurt you?” Qi Qingchen’s gaze turned cold.  

Yan Yuning raised an eyebrow. Isn’t the culprit right there, calmly cleaning his hands?

Luo Xuan weakly clutched Qi Qingchen’s sleeve, leaning against him as if she had no strength left. “Brother Qingchen… it hurts…”  

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you to a physician.” Qi Qingchen’s voice was gentle. Without another word, he lifted Luo Xuan into his arms and hurried out.  

Nestled in his embrace, Luo Xuan tilted her head slightly, casting a faint, mocking smile at Yan Shiyao.  

Yan Shiyao clenched her fists, fighting back tears.  

Yan Yuning chewed on her finger, her mind struggling to keep up.  

[Fafa, did Luo Xuan do this on purpose? She knows the wedding with Qi Qingchen won’t happen anymore, so she let Xuan Yanyu injure her to make Qi Qingchen feel guilty.]

Fafa: [??? Master, why would Qi Qingchen feel guilty just because Xuan Yanyu hurt Luo Xuan?]

[You dummy! Xuan Yanyu was brought to Taoyuan Manor by Qi Qingchen. If Luo Xuan was hurt because of him, any decent person would feel guilty! What I’m curious about is—what did Luo Xuan say to provoke Xuan Yanyu? Or did she do something to my sister?]  

Fafa: [I don’t know, Master. Before your sister was taken into the secret chamber, she was almost assaulted. Maybe Xuan Yanyu mistakenly thought Luo Xuan arranged it? But no—in the book, it was just an accident!]

[What?! She was almost assaulted?!] Yan Yuning shot a complicated glance at Yan Shiyao.  

Fafa: [Yeah!] 

Yan Yuning’s heart skipped a beat.  

[Oh no, oh no. Luo Xuan is definitely going to blow this out of proportion. At this rate, she might milk this injury for the rest of her life—just to keep Qi Qingchen taking care of her.]