Chapter Fifty-Eight: Throwing Punches

In truth, Wang Yunzhi had not killed Zhang Jiuniang; he had hidden her away at his manor and would not permit her to return for at least a year or so, not until the scandal had passed. But he certainly would not divulge this to the little girl before him; he intended to frighten her, to let her believe he was capable of murder without a second thought—heh!

Wang Yunzhi watched as Xue Fanzhi’s eyes darted about, and he laughed, asking, “Why have you fallen silent? Weren’t you just talking endlessly a moment ago?”

Talk about what?!

Xue Fanzhi shook her head and replied, “I am not skilled with words, least of all with someone I am unfamiliar with. If you need directions, I can be of some assistance. Otherwise, I shall take my leave.”

But Wang Yunzhi would not let her go; he pursed his lips and said, “You claim you’re not skilled with words, yet you’ve spoken so much. If you were, you’d be a chatterbox. And you dare pretend not to know me!”

Indeed, Xue Fanzhi was not adept at conversation, and faced with Wang Yunzhi’s shamelessness, she was even more at a loss.

She turned to leave, but Wang Yunzhi intercepted her once more, saying, “Why are you angry? I simply can’t stand how you obviously know me yet pretend not to!”

Xue Fanzhi frowned, “Why must you make me acknowledge you? Do you wish to silence me as well?”

He was hardly a virtuous man; he had even attempted to assassinate a prince and been seen by her. Why must she admit to knowing him? Would it be good for her to shout it out?

Xue Fanzhi had hoped that her mention of being silenced would remind Wang Yunzhi to restrain himself—he was an assassin, after all!

But Wang Yunzhi merely sneered, “You won’t say anything, nor would you dare! If you do, I’ll claim you harbored and aided me, that you’re my accomplice. My family will see that nothing happens to me, and you’ll be pushed forward as the scapegoat!”

Xue Fanzhi: “……”

She had thought him a fool, but clearly the fool was herself—he had already planned everything.

Hongxiao, standing nearby, was utterly puzzled. What sort of person had her mistress gotten involved with?

Wang Yunzhi went on, “Besides, you definitely won’t tell anyone. Don’t forget, I’ve kissed you. If you speak, I’ll spread that story as well!”

Hongxiao’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. What? Mistress was kissed by someone? When did this happen? She hadn’t mentioned it at all.

Xue Fanzhi reacted as though her tail had been stepped on; she looked at Wang Yunzhi in terror, her face flushing with both embarrassment and anger. “How can you say such things?”

“It’s true. Am I lying? If not, shall we call someone over to judge? Why shouldn’t I speak of things I’ve done?” Wang Yunzhi lifted his head, about to call out, and Xue Fanzhi, desperate, summoned her courage and slapped her hand firmly over his mouth.

Hongxiao: “!!”

Wang Yunzhi’s eyes curled with laughter as he gently placed his hand on Xue Fanzhi’s wrist, chuckling, “How can you believe everything? Do you think I’d shout about such a thing? Are you a fool?!”

His words were muffled by her hand, but he made himself perfectly clear—he was simply teasing her.

Even Xue Fanzhi, as naïve as she might be, understood now: he was flirting with her.

Never mind that she had been quite mature in her previous life and should not have been teased by a brat, but Wang Yunzhi’s character—did he see himself as some romantic rogue, toying with women for amusement? Vulgar.

Xue Fanzhi did not retreat; catching him off guard, she swung her fist and punched Wang Yunzhi squarely on the nose.

Wang Yunzhi had not expected this little wretch to strike so fiercely, and he seemed to be bleeding. Clutching his nose, he demanded in a low voice, “How dare you!”

In her past life, she certainly wouldn’t have dared. But this time, why shouldn’t she? Besides, did he even know whose household this was?

Xue Fanzhi grabbed Hongxiao’s arm. “Run!”

And off she sprinted!

She headed straight for the second gate; if she made it inside, she would be out of sight. Wang Yunzhi was both angry and reluctant, chasing after her, “Stop! I haven’t finished speaking!”

Only a fool would stop—Xue Fanzhi thought to herself, she wasn’t so naïve. Wang Yunzhi might not kill her, but who could say if he wouldn’t beat her, and he was so reckless he might do anything shocking. She could not risk it.

Xue Fanzhi ran for her life, finally reaching the second gate. As she slowed, her stomach churned and her throat burned—she had been so intent on fleeing, she hadn’t dared look back.

“Mistress!” Hongxiao called from behind, still able to speak—Xue Fanzhi thought, this girl truly had stamina.

She turned and saw no red figure in pursuit. She leaned against the gate wall, breathing rapidly to regain her composure.

“Yes, I’m here…” she answered Hongxiao.

Hongxiao took a while before asking, “Mistress, who was that man? What were you talking about?”

Xue Fanzhi was troubled as well; why couldn’t Wang Yunzhi be more discreet? He was an assassin, for heaven’s sake, attempting to kill a prince as casually as drinking water, and dared discuss it with her!

Xue Fanzhi said to Hongxiao, “Did you hear me mention being afraid he’d silence me?”

Hongxiao nodded, “Yes! That’s why I’m so worried!”

Xue Fanzhi nodded too, “That’s why we mustn’t speak of it. There are things you don’t know, and that’s safer for you!” The fewer who knew, the better.

Hongxiao was clever enough to realize her mistress was protecting her, but the relationship between her mistress and that young lord was exceedingly strange—they had even kissed. What was their connection? She longed to know.

Hongxiao couldn’t resist asking, “Mistress, may I at least know whose son he is?”

“No, you may not!” Xue Fanzhi shook her head. Her acquaintance with Wang Yunzhi was from her previous life; in this one, they had not exchanged names: “No—I do not know whose family he belongs to.”

Hongxiao was deeply suspicious; how could someone not know his family yet know so many of his secrets? It seemed rather unlikely.

Wang Yunzhi ultimately did not catch up with Xue Fanzhi—not that he truly tried. He only chased her for a few steps before stopping. He wanted to tell her he was a good person, to leave a favorable impression, and to prove he was not a lecher.

But as he gave chase, he realized it only made him seem all the more like a lecher—so he stopped.

Yet, after stopping, he noticed something peculiar: the girl was not unfamiliar with him, nor was she terribly afraid of him, even though she had seen him attempt to assassinate Prince Shou. She avoided him, but it was the avoidance of someone wary of trouble, not one consumed by fear.

Was this how any normal girl should react?

No—that was not right. It seemed she knew him, understood him. How odd!

……

After resting, Xue Fanzhi and Hongxiao hurried back to their rooms, uncertain when Wang Yunzhi might leave. Xue Fanzhi decided not to go out again, not even to her own courtyard.

Once inside, they drank a cup of tea, and Honglian returned.

Honglian, who hated injustice, lifted the curtain with her lips pursed in disdain: “Mistress, I’ve found out why Lady Qi was summoned by the master! We have guests—two young lords from noble families!”

Xue Fanzhi and Hongxiao exchanged glances, suspecting they were the very two they had encountered earlier.