Chapter 13: Brawl
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Seeing himself about to innocently lose his life, Ban Jian struggled in despair, shouting, “Why do you have the right to kill me? Are you being reasonable or unreasonable?”
“A person like him was born with noble status, when has he ever cared about reason?” Mingzhu was pushed back by Yuwen You and almost fell to the ground, but was luckily supported by Su Lan. Seeing that Yuwen You was determined to kill Ban Jian, and knowing his strong martial arts skills, she didn’t step forward to stop him, but stood aside coldly and sarcastically remarked, “Poor Ban Jian. Meeting me, he can’t afford to provoke me or the Fu family, so Ban Jian can only be used as a scapegoat. Only by killing you can he feel that his face can be upheld, and that he is a great man. So he is indeed a pitiful and laughable person.”
Yuwen You’s sword had pierced into Ban Jian’ flesh, but upon hearing these words, he couldn’t bring himself to strike any further, as if killing Ban Jian would truly make him the laughable and pitiful person in Mingzhu’s eyes. He knew his own weakness very well. He was indeed a person with no one to rely on, despised by the Great Empress Dowager and the Fu family, and had to rely on Mingzhu’s favor and the marriage to barely survive. The higher his pride, the more he cared about others’ opinions. At the moment of stabbing Ban Jian, what he felt in his heart was not relief, but self-disgust and unwillingness.
Mingzhu watched with clarity, her smile becoming even more cutting: “Ban Jian, rest assured, I’ll make you a grand tomb. On top, it will say that you died gloriously in relieving the anger of Linan Wang. If the opportunity arises, I might even ask the emperor to grant you a title. Let me see, what would be suitable…”
Before she could finish her sentence, Yuwen You had already sheathed his sword and coldly addressed her, “You don’t need to plan for him. He’s not worth tarnishing my sword. I ask you, who is he?”
Ignoring Yuwen You, Mingzhu bent down to help Ban Jian up, personally straightening his clothes and using a handkerchief to cover his wounds. She instructed Su Lan, “Help him down and find a good doctor to treat his injuries.”
Ban Jian was the type to show off, but once the danger passed, he started groaning in pain, leaning on Su Lan with a look of distress, as if he were in unbearable pain.
Yuwen You sneered, “Did I say let him go?” As he spoke, his men approached and stopped Ban Jian.
Mingzhu lifted her chin, casting a cold glance at the guards from the Fu residence, “If he dies here, none of you will be able to mess around anymore.”
The head guard, Jiang Duo, carefully selected by her father, Fu Cong, was a meticulous and steady person. Naturally, he couldn’t allow the people from the Fu Mansion and Linan Wang’s Mansion to engage in real fights. He immediately signaled his subordinates to step forward and guard Mingzhu firmly. Then he consulted with Yuwen You, “Your Highness is a noble person, why bother with such a common young man?”
In Yuwen You’s eyes, all the servants of the Fu Mansion were obsequious and sycophantic lackeys, not worthy of speaking to him. He ignored Jiang Duo’s words and looked at Mingzhu aggressively, his voice cold and hard, “You won’t speak? Fine. Listen carefully, as long as I live, he won’t have a good day, and you won’t have a peaceful life with him either.”
Mingzhu couldn’t help but sneer, not even bothering to explain. Even if she didn’t want him anymore, she wouldn’t stoop so low as to casually discuss marriage with Ban Jian, whom she had only known for a short time. She valued herself very much, knowing that her parents raised her to cherish herself, not to degrade herself.
Her impatience to explain didn’t mean that Ban Jian wasn’t anxious. Growing up in the Jade Emperor Temple, he hadn’t experienced much, and he was not very brave. He had already been frightened by Yuwen You, and upon hearing that Yuwen You had no intention of letting him go, he quickly declared, “Don’t talk nonsense! Miss Fu and I are clean and clear. We just exchange skills. Don’t ruin her reputation and ruin my life forever.”
Upon hearing this, Yuwen You suddenly relaxed his tense shoulders. He turned back to Mingzhu with a sneer, full of disdain and mockery. The meaning was clear: Fu Mingzhu was indeed a source of worry. He despised her, and even if it were a lowly youth instead of Ban Jian, he still wouldn’t like her. Even if she risked her life to shield Ban Jian, he still didn’t feel the slightest gratitude. He was eager to disassociate himself from her. To behave like this, no, to be a woman like this, was truly a failure.
Mingzhu also laughed, pointing at Ban Jian, “Yes, hurry up and clarify to him. You are my servant, not anyone else. As the saying goes, a dog’s actions reflect its owner. If others slap your face, it’s the same as slapping mine. I swear I won’t let it go with him.”
Ban Jian wasn’t as articulate as her. He knew he had been insulted, but all he could do was blush and stutter, “I’m not someone’s servant.”
“If you’re unwilling, I naturally can’t force you.” Mingzhu said leisurely, elongating her tone, “Go and fetch the temple master. I have an account to settle with him. Once it’s settled, I’ll let you go, and from then on, we have nothing to do with each other.”
The situation is stronger than the individual. Even if the temple master has money to compensate for the drawings, he still has to be hacked to death by this man who resembles the King of H*ll.” Ban Jian immediately saluted Mingzhu: “The little one has seen the young lady.”
Mingzhu glanced sideways at Yuwen You. Seeing his face as dark as ink, her mood naturally improved slightly. She generously said, “Get up, you’re injured, no need for excessive courtesy. Remember, once you enter the Fu family, I’ll protect you. Whoever dares to hurt you even a little bit is picking a fight with me. Go rest, I’ll talk to you later.”
Someone immediately helped Ban Jian up and escorted him away. Mingzhu arrogantly raised her chin and looked at Yuwen You, “Move aside, let me through.”
Yuwen You gave her a deep look, waved his hand, and the people from Linan Wang’s Mansion retreated, allowing the servants from the Fu Mansion to assist Ban Jian and leave. Mingzhu was also more cautious, refusing to leave first but staying behind to be the last to leave. Only after everyone else had left did she leave gracefully. Just as she took a few steps, her wrist was firmly grasped by Yuwen You. When his skin touched hers, it felt as uncomfortable as being burnt by fire. She struggled to pull away, glaring angrily, “What are you doing? Let go!”
Yuwen You’s feet were like nails on the ground, unmoved by her struggles. He remained calm as he spoke, “Stop making a scene. Come back with me and get married. I won’t blame you for the past.”
Mingzhu struggled to break free, watching as the people from the Mansion came and went, only daring to look at her and Yuwen You, but not daring to come up and save her. She knew that everyone didn’t believe she truly didn’t want to marry Yuwen You. They just thought she was throwing a tantrum out of impulse, afraid of angering Yuwen You and inviting his blame later on. Thinking back to how she used to chase after Yuwen You like a spineless fool in the past, she felt extremely embarrassed. Furious, she bit down on Yuwen You’s arm and whimpered, “Dream on. I’ll never marry you, even if I die!”
The taste of blood in her mouth stirred up the resentment and hatred hidden deep in her bones. Once she sank her teeth in, she didn’t want to let go, just biting down harder. Tears streamed down her face, her heart twisted in agony, feeling unbearable pain.
(Author Side note: This is not a story of abuse; it’s a story of the female lead abusing others.)
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