"Who... who are you?"
Nian Zhenzhen struggled to support herself, recovering after some time. She looked up to see a dark figure slowly approaching her, silhouetted against the moonlight.
The shadow offered no answer.
As the figure drew closer, Nian Zhenzhen felt an urgent sense of impending doom, as if facing a demon.
"What... what do you want from me?"
She swallowed and stammered.
Nian Jiaojiao drew Xuan Yi's dagger from her embrace and, standing before Nian Zhenzhen, struck swiftly.
Nian Zhenzhen didn't have time to react.
"Ah—"
With a scream, a pair of eyeballs were gouged out, rolling onto the thick carpet of fallen leaves before sinking into them.
Watching Nian Zhenzhen writhe in pain, her eyes bleeding tears, and wail incessantly on the ground, Nian Jiaojiao felt no pity.
She returned to Tong Ziyao's side and lifted him into her arms.
...
The Nian Family.
Tong Fu stood at the main gate, her gaze fixed on the dark alleyway, unblinking.
"Miss Tong, have some water."
Yu Chuan emerged and offered her a teacup.
Though Tong Fu was not in the mood, she did not refuse his kindness.
She licked her slightly dry lips, took the teacup, and drank it down in one gulp.
Nearly an hour had passed since Nian Jiaojiao had left, and Tong Fu's heart grew heavier with each passing moment.
Just then, a figure emerged from the darkness.
As the person stepped out of the shadows, revealing a familiar face, Tong Fu's joy knew no bounds.
"Jiaojiao!"
Tong Fu stumbled forward, but her smile faltered when she saw the pale-faced Tong Ziyao cradled in the other's arms.
"Third Brother... Third Brother, what happened to you?"
Tong Ziyao turned his head, burying his face in Nian Jiaojiao's embrace, and did not answer Tong Fu's question.
Tong Ziyao's reaction, coupled with his disheveled appearance, sent a wave of sorrow through Tong Fu.
"Third Brother, you..."
"Alright, we can discuss this when we get back," Nian Jiaojiao interrupted Tong Fu, looking down at the man in her arms. "Your Third Brother is tired. Let's get him back to his room to rest."
Tong Fu opened her mouth but said nothing more, merely following behind Nian Jiaojiao.
As they walked into the courtyard, Yu Chuan, Xuan Yi, Nan Qing, and Xing Yun were all present. Sensing the somber atmosphere, they dared not ask any questions.
As Nian Jiaojiao passed the four men, she paused and said, "I'll need your help to fetch a bucket of hot water."
"Okay."
"Okay."
Xing Yun and Xuan Yi were the first to respond.
...
In Tong Ziyao's room.
Nian Jiaojiao gently placed him onto the bed, but the man's hand, which had been around her waist, did not release its grip.
Nian Jiaojiao found herself in an awkward, bent-over position, unable to move.
Tong Fu, who had followed behind, saw the closeness between her brother and Nian Jiaojiao and thought to herself: Outside, Third Brother only had her as family; she was his sole reliance. Third Brother must be blaming her...
Her nose stung at the thought, and tears welled up.
She walked to the bedside, bowed her head, and said, "Third Brother, I'm sorry. It's all my fault! I failed to protect you!"
Tong Ziyao remained unresponsive. Tong Fu, assuming he refused to forgive her, began to slap herself repeatedly.
*Slap—*
*Slap—*
*Slap—*
"Xiao Fu!"
"Fu'er!"
Nian Jiaojiao called out to stop her, and at that moment, Tong Ziyao released his grip and lunged towards Tong Fu.
"Fu'er!"
Tong Ziyao reached for Tong Fu, but lost his balance and nearly fell. Fortunately, Nian Jiaojiao reacted quickly, grabbing his arm.
However, as Tong Ziyao knelt on the bed, he aggravated an injury sustained during their earlier fall in the dense forest, letting out a sharp intake of breath.
"Hiss—"
"Third Brother, are you alright? Where are you hurt?"
Tong Fu quickly sat on the bed, attempting to check Tong Ziyao's injuries.
At this point, Nian Jiaojiao spoke, "Perhaps he bumped into something. I'll have Yu Chuan bring some medicine to take a look."
Although Tong Fu was Tong Ziyao's sister, she was a woman, and examining him would be less convenient.
"Oh, okay."
Tong Ziyao then looked up and said, "Fu'er, don't blame yourself. Third Brother doesn't blame you."
After giving instructions to Yu Chuan, who was waiting in the side courtyard, Nian Jiaojiao returned to the room and said, "That's right, you can't be blamed for something like this. No matter how vigilant one is, it's hard to guard against villains. The blame lies with the one who did the deed."
Tong Fu couldn't help but ask, "Who was it? Who wanted to harm you, Third Brother?"
Tong Ziyao replied, "I don't know them either."
He omitted the fact that he had been kidnapped because of Young Master Huang, fearing that Tong Fu would once again take the blame upon herself.
Nian Jiaojiao then interjected, "I know that person. Her name is Nian Zhenzhen. She also studies at Baichuan Academy, and she is..."
Nian Jiaojiao hesitated at this point. Although she had severed ties with the Nian family, this body shared an undeniable blood connection with Nian Zhenzhen. Moreover, she now suspected that Nian Zhenzhen had discovered her identity and, in a fit of rage, had captured Tong Ziyao. But if she truly wanted revenge, why would she capture Tong Ziyao?
"She is what?" Tong Fu pressed.
Tong Ziyao was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected Jiaojiao to know that disgusting woman.
Nian Jiaojiao spoke with a look of shame, "Actually, that person is related to me by blood. Gongzi Tong, Xiao Fu, I suspect this matter is related to me."
Tong Ziyao was stunned. Seeing the person before him delving further into self-recrimination, he became anxious.
"I really won't be able to face you all anymore."
"No, it's not... it's not because of you."
Tong Ziyao grabbed Nian Jiaojiao's hand. He had a premonition that she truly wouldn't see him again, and a sense of panic washed over him.
Nian Jiaojiao merely thought he was trying to comfort her. "It's because of me, it's definitely because of me."
"It's not you, it's not you!"
"It's me, it's me."
Tong Ziyao, out of helplessness, blurted out, "It's really not because of you. She did it because she couldn't have Huang Gongzi."
The two women present were stunned by this revelation.
Nian Jiaojiao's mind raced, *Damn it! How could I forget this!* *The male supporting character was stolen by Tong Fu.*
At this moment, before Tong Fu could say anything, Xing Yun entered the room and announced, "Wife, the hot water is ready."
Nian Jiaojiao and Tong Fu excused themselves, and Xuan Yi entered with the wooden bucket.
...
The two walked into the courtyard. Tong Fu murmured, "Huang Gongzi? Why is Huang Gongzi involved again?"
Nian Jiaojiao sighed and gently patted her shoulder. "Don't overthink it. She has nothing to do with Huang Gongzi, and besides, she has already received her due punishment."
Tong Fu softly repeated in confusion, "Punishment?"
Nian Jiaojiao nodded. "That's right. She kidnapped someone she shouldn't have, so I beat her severely. She saw someone she shouldn't have, so I gouged out her eyes."
Hearing that Nian Jiaojiao had gouged out the other's eyes, Tong Fu said in disbelief, "Isn't she your sister?" She couldn't fathom that the other woman would go to such lengths for her Third Brother.
Nian Jiaojiao sneered inwardly. *Let alone the fact that the original body had no sisterly affection for her. Even if she did, anyone who harmed someone close to me deserves to be punished.*