Chapter 381: Chapter 381: It Was Him

At the entrance to the side courtyard, the blazing sun beat down, but not a single person stood guard.

The servants in the main house’s courtyard had been warned by the housekeeper, Uncle Pang, not to come here unless absolutely necessary.

Seeing the empty courtyard, Mr. Li looked puzzled and was about to step inside.

"Mr. Li," Second Master Xie called out, stopping him.

"Whether or not there are other plague patients in the Xie Mansion, the ground you are treading on, Mr. Li, is the Xie family residence."

"Barging in uninvited like this is hardly the act of a gentleman. My older brother would be most displeased."

A young servant was about to push Second Master Xie’s wheelchair to the entrance to block it.

But unexpectedly, Second Master Xie waved his hand, and his tall, elegant figure rose to its feet.

Leaning on a cane, he took one slow step at a time. He moved with an air of nobility, yet his killing intent was palpable.

Finally, he stood alone at the entrance to the side courtyard.

But his gaze was different from before.

It was filled with a murderous chill.

Mr. Li’s brow tightened.

Second Master Xie was, after all, still Second Master Xie. The second son of the Xie family, who had once dominated the battlefields, was never an easy man to deal with.

’I almost underestimated him just because he’s always in a wheelchair.’

Mr. Li finally adopted a serious expression, his words taking on a self-righteous tone.

"Second Master Xie, the plague is a serious epidemic. It cannot be taken lightly."

"If your household truly cannot control the situation, you should report it to the Imperial Department instead of hiding it."

Second Master Xie’s expression remained unchanged as he replied curtly, "The Xie family has its own considerations. There’s no need for Mr. Li to concern himself."

With that, he looked at Xie Yuanjiu, who was standing behind Mr. Li.

"Yuan Jiu, see our guests out."

This was an order of expulsion, making it clear that the Li family father and daughter were no longer welcome in the Xie Mansion.

Xie Yuanjiu secretly clenched her fists, unwilling to give up.

Li Yuyi expressed her regret in a naive tone.

"Uncle Xie, please don’t be angry. Yuan Jiu and I are such good friends, I would never spread rumors about this outside."

"My father only wants to go in to see if there’s any way he can help."

Mr. Li narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp and cunning. He remained noncommittal.

’In truth, as long as I can get some leverage on the Xie family, I’ll be able to use Xie Suzhi’s influence in the Imperial Court to ensure my own meteoric rise.’

However, facing Li Yuyi, Second Master Xie said just as coldly, "Not needed."

Li Yuyi’s smile froze.

Just then, a small figure emerged from the room.

She was struggling to carry a basin of bloody water, concentrating on her steps. The water sloshed precariously, nearly spilling several times.

Li Yuyi’s eyes widened instantly. She pointed and shouted, "It’s Princess Funing! Ah, why is she carrying a basin of bloody water? So the bloody clothes really were thrown out from the side courtyard?"

Hearing the shout, Shen Ningning looked up with her big, puzzled eyes.

Li Yuyi was not about to let such a perfect opportunity slip by.

She immediately charged through the doorway. Second Master Xie’s brow furrowed angrily, and he was about to make a move, but he had a rule: he would not strike women, children, or the elderly!

He couldn’t bring himself to strike a child with his cane.

That single moment of hesitation allowed Li Yuyi to rush inside.

Xie Yuanjiu quickly said, "I’ll go in and stop Yuyi."

The two of them stood together in front of Shen Ningning, blocking her path.

The little one’s round face was filled with vigilance.

"What are you doing here?"

"Hmph! We found bloody clothes in the pond outside. They must have been thrown from this courtyard. How dare you still deny how serious the plague is."

Li Yuyi saw the bloody water in the basin and covered her nose and mouth. "Tomorrow at the National Academy, I’m going to tell everyone about your disgusting behavior!"

"You’ve clearly been in close contact with someone who has the plague, and you still dare to argue? Now I’ve seen it with my own eyes, haven’t I?"

Xie Yuanjiu also feigned concern. "Ningning, no matter what, you shouldn’t be personally taking care of someone with the plague."

"They’re so filthy. We don’t even know where they caught it. What if you get it too, or pass it on to First Uncle or my father? What would we do then?"

The two had just finished their back-and-forth when suddenly, SPLASH!

Shen Ningning had actually thrown the basin of bloody water right in their faces.

"AH—!" Li Yuyi shrieked.

At the courtyard entrance, Mr. Li saw what was happening and his expression changed drastically.

"Insolence! How dare you throw filthy, bloody water on someone! You’re completely lawless!" Mr. Li rolled up his sleeves, looking like he was about to enter the courtyard to teach Shen Ningning a lesson.

However, he had barely taken half a step inside when Second Master Xie struck him over the head with his cane.

A dull THUD. Mr. Li saw stars, a clear sign that Second Master Xie had not held back.

A cane made of pearwood certainly hurt when it hit you.

"Second Master Xie, you... you dare to strike me? I am a high official of the court! Hitting me is a capital offense!"

Second Master Xie looked at him coldly. "I told you, my older brother would be displeased if you trespassed in this courtyard. If my brother is unhappy, I am unhappy. And of course, I’m going to hit you."

’Not hitting the child didn’t mean he couldn’t hit her father!’

With that, his cane fell once more.

He struck at the pressure points on Mr. Li’s body, the cane whistling through the air with fierce momentum.

Mr. Li cried out in pain repeatedly.

Li Yuyi was crying so hard she paid no mind to her father being beaten at the entrance.

She shrieked hysterically, her voice hoarse, "Shen Ningning, you dare to douse me with that stuff!"

Shen Ningning’s round face was fair, with a faint pinkish hue.

Now, the little girl puffed out her rosy cheeks, her expression defiant.

"Who told you to come looking for trouble? Can’t you see I’m busy? If you dare to come, I dare to splash. What’s there to be afraid of?"

Li Yuyi was furious and lunged forward, trying to grab and scratch at Shen Ningning’s hair.

Unexpectedly, the little girl suddenly lifted the bronze basin and slammed it into her stomach.

Li Yuyi immediately fell down in pain, collapsing to the ground, unable to get up.

Shen Ningning snorted coldly. "Annoying."

Her large, watery, dark eyes turned to Xie Yuanjiu, who was standing to the side.

’The little one knew that this Xie Yuanjiu was the worst of all!’

’She must have been the one who brought people here to cause trouble.’

Xie Yuanjiu was now completely distraught. She looked down at the bloody water covering her and trembled uncontrollably.

"It’s blood coughed up by someone with the plague! I’m done for! I’m going to die!"

Her venomous gaze instantly shot toward Shen Ningning.

The little one warily took half a step back.

Xie Yuanjiu suddenly lunged, stretching out her blood-soaked hand to try and smear it on Shen Ningning’s face.

Suddenly!

The door next to the little girl was kicked open from the inside, a black boot shooting out first.

"Ah!" Xie Yuanjiu screamed as her body was sent flying, crashing into a pillar on the veranda.

Commander Lu, head of the Imperial Guards, walked out with his hands behind his back.

His tall figure was like a mountain, casting a cold shadow over Xie Yuanjiu.

Li Yuyi and Xie Yuanjiu, grimacing in pain, were both stunned when they looked up and saw Commander Lu.

’Why is the head of the Imperial Guards here?’

"Commandery Princess, are you injured?" Commander Lu asked calmly, turning his head.

Shen Ningning shook her head. "No."

Commander Lu nodded. "Then please go inside, Commandery Princess. The Emperor is awake. Leave this to your humble subordinate."

"Okay," the little girl said. She picked up the bronze basin and hurried inside.

But Commander Lu’s words made both Xie Yuanjiu and Li Yuyi’s eyes go wide, the color draining from their faces in an instant.

’The Emperor?’

’The person with the plague wasn’t some unknown brat.’

’It was the Emperor?!’

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.