Chapter 14: Liu Xi, I need him!

Words : 1088 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Liu Xi, I need him! Mu Residence. A man clad in black bowed to Mu Yan, who was engrossed in a military treatise, and reported what he had observed. "Liu Xi, the daughter of County Magistrate Liu, killed Li Kang." Mu Yan caressed the ink jade ring on his hand, without even lifting his eyelids. The man in black continued to report: "Zhan Lan personally killed Madam Ji." Upon hearing this, Mu Yan set down the book in his hand. He lifted his eyes and smirked coldly, "Madam Ji was ruthless, and as for Zhan Lan, ruthless and fierce in action." Indeed, Zhan Lan was no innocent young lady; first, she crafted a scheme that robbed Zhan Qingqing of her chastity and then used an illicit affair to murder Madam Ji. All without raising any suspicion, she accomplished a double retaliation. Furthermore, Zhan Lan made Liu Xi personally deal with Li Kang, binding them together in complicity; neither could betray the other. Brilliant! Mu Yan suppressed his nearly imperceptible smile, slightly furrowed his brow, and pondered: However, is her target only to harm Ji Yue's family, or the entire Zhan Family? And why act in such a manner?@@@@ He looked at the man in black and said, "Vermilion Bird, it's time for Liu Xi to meet with her father. Liu Xi, I have a use for her." "Yes, Master." The man in black vanished from the Mu Residence. ... The next morning at the General Mansion, a heart-wrenching cry echoed throughout. "Mother!" Upon waking and learning that her mother had been drowned in a pig cage, Zhan Qingqing wept bitterly. Her eyes swollen like walnuts, she sobbed, and Liu Xi patted her back. "Miss Zhan Qingqing, restrain your grief. Your late mother's spirit in heaven surely would not want to see you like this." Zhan Qingqing ground her teeth and said, "It must have been Zhan Lan; she caused my mother's death, harmed me... I will kill her!" "Miss Zhan Qingqing, be cautious; walls have ears," Liu Xi reminded her. Zhan Qingqing retorted angrily, "I am Miss Zhan Qingqing of the General Mansion; I fear no adopted daughter!" She secretly made up her mind; as soon as the period of mourning for her mother was over, she would find an assassin to kill Zhan Lan. "Sister, are you alright?" A crisp voice rang out. Fearing that Zhan Xuerou would see her in a weakened state, Zhan Qingqing immediately wiped away her tears. Liu Xi helped her stand up while Zhan Xuerou approached and took Zhan Qingqing's hand. "Sister, you must have been frightened yesterday. I looked for you for a long time, only to find you've moved to the side room. How are your wounds?" Zhan Xuerou looked Zhan Qingqing over, her face full of concern. Zhan Qingqing managed a bitter smile, "Why has Sister Xuerou come?" She was not worthy! "Zhan Qingqing, kneel down!" Old General Zhan's face turned even colder than before. "Grandfather, why should your granddaughter also..." Zhan Qingqing was utterly confused. "Do you need us to spell out the good deeds you've done?" Old Madam hit her cane with a bang. "Zhan Qingqing, you were intimate with your betrothed before marriage. If word of this spreads, where would you have us put the face of General Mansion!" Hearing Old Madam's words, Zhan Qingqing was so scared that she almost lost her soul; grandfather also knew. She secretly thought it must have been Zhan Lan who told on her, but she failed to notice the slight smile playing around Zhan Xuerou's lips. Old General Zhan's face turned ashen, wishing he could put this girl who disgraced his family name to death with a single shot! But she was his granddaughter! He could not bring himself to do it! Just last night, Madam Wang had told him all about Madam Ji's affairs. With Madam Ji and Zhan Qingqing both causing scandals for General Mansion, Old General Zhan felt that he had neglected his parental duties on ordinary days, feeling sorry for his son Zhan Beicang fighting on the front lines. Zhan Qingqing, trembling all over like a sieve, kneeled and inch by inch moved to the front of the incense table and knocked her forehead on the ground several times. "Forefathers, your granddaughter is also a victim, it was Zhu Touyuan who bullied me!" As Zhan Qingqing spoke, a dull thud resounded through the hall. Thud! It landed squarely on Zhan Qingqing's head from the ancestral tablet of the Old Zhan Family Ancestor in the middle. "Ah!" Zhan Qingqing cried out in pain, clutching her bloodied head. Old General Zhan quickly stood up, his brow furrowed, he picked up the ancestral tablet and Old Madam handed him a brocade handkerchief. He carefully wiped the nanmu tablet again and again. After placing the tablet down, Old General Zhan grabbed Zhan Qingqing; looking at her bruised face and the lump on her head, he spoke feebly, "Look at the trouble you've caused, even the ancestor couldn't stand to watch it!" "The Zhu Family has already sent us a letter; they will take you at the end of the month!" Old General Zhan announced the decision. "No, I won't marry!" Zhan Qingqing stumbled several steps backwards. Old General Zhan trembled with rage, and with calloused hands, he pointed at Zhan Qingqing's nose. "Shut up! The Zhu Family has laid all bare, do you want me to spell out your misdeeds? You, you are the architect of your own misfortune!" The Zhu Family had already sent someone to General Mansion to apologize early in the morning. They feared offending General Mansion and spilled all of Zhan Qingqing's exploits. Old General Zhan looked at Zhan Lan with distressed eyes, wondering how such a young girl could have borne such grievances and said nothing. It seems that she must have suffered quite a bit at the hands of Madam Ji and her daughter on ordinary days. Of course, Zhan Lan didn't complain, knowing that there are no walls in the world that don't leak. Old General Zhan would certainly find out about this matter. Better to wait calmly for someone with intention to speak up than to actively complain and leave a bad impression. Of course, she didn't do nothing, silently bearing it, waiting to be beaten passively. She also prepared a little 'gift' for Zhan Qingqing.

Chapter 14: Liu Xi, I need him!

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