Zi Yu still harbored a delusion, believing that the Meixin girl, for whom she had risked her life, was formidable. Otherwise, how could a sheltered young lady have such a powerful backing? She indeed harbored the intention to use her influence to escape this mire. She had even planned to pretend to agree to serve the madam and then flee as soon as the peddler arrived. Her thoughts raced, but Su Xiaoqi saw through them instantly, shattering her delusions without hesitation.
“Let’s not even talk about you not escaping now. Even if you managed to warn the peddler, you wouldn’t be able to escape. Of course, even if you did manage to escape, do you think you’d still be alive? Others kept you around only because you were part of the Shen family. Once your identity was exposed, you’d have no more value to them. Fleeing with him would only lead to your death.”
Su Xiaoqi spoke the truth, but Zi Yu didn’t quite believe it. She was terrified of the authorities and also knew well that her current master would not let her go if she betrayed him. Staying here any longer meant no way out, so she had to escape!
Zhang Yu took Zi Yu away and returned, complaining to Su Xiaoqi, “It seems she still wants to escape.”
“It’s alright. When afternoon comes, if she wants to run, let her run.”
Zhang Yu was startled and said repeatedly, “Madam, she is too scheming. If you truly let her run, wouldn’t that fulfill her wishes?”
Su Xiaoqi chuckled lightly, “Don’t worry, she won’t be able to run.” Her words of persuasion to Zi Yu were not empty threats. She understood the methods of Meixin’s so-called organization.
In the evening, a hawking sound echoed in the alley behind the Zhuangyuan Mansion: “Tanghulu, Tanghulu.” Hearing the commotion, Zi Yu, who had been confined all afternoon, was released. Zhang Yu took her to the back gate, lecturing her repeatedly, with both threats and reason. Zi Yu claimed to have listened, but in reality, she was still harboring wicked intentions. She glanced behind her, seeing only Zhang Yu. She felt a bit relieved, having seen Ruan Liu’s skills, she was sure a grown man like him could defeat Zhang Yu. With him creating a diversion, she could escape.
The back door opened, and the peddler Ruan Liu carried two specially made baskets, covered with bamboo lids with holes, on which were stuck dozens of bright red Tanghulu. Seeing Ruan Liu’s figure, Zi Yu became instantly excited, suddenly shaking off Zhang Yu’s grip on her arm and rushing towards him. As she grabbed Ruan Liu’s arm, she suddenly shouted, “Brother Ruan Liu, run quickly, someone is trying to catch you!”
Upon hearing Zi Yu’s words, Ruan Liu looked behind her and indeed saw a slender, tall figure appear. He had been startled by Zi Yu’s cry, thinking a formidable figure had been sent to capture him. But it turned out to be just a woman. He was no longer afraid, stabilized himself, and patted Zi Yu’s arm, “Step back, I’ll deal with her.”
Zi Yu quickly retreated and glanced around. Seeing that no one else was around, she intended to run. Her warning to Ruan Liu was not out of kindness, but to use him as a shield against Zhang Yu behind her and to create an opportunity for her escape. Now was the perfect time. Without a second thought, Zi Yu bolted. As for where she was running, she had no idea. Her intuition told her that if she stayed here, she would either be handed over to the authorities or be killed. She felt a surge of nervousness, her legs felt weak as she ran, and she almost fell several times. But she kept running resolutely.
Zhang Yu glanced at Zi Yu’s escape route, and then, caught off guard, was knocked to the ground by Ruan Liu. “Hmph, what trash, trying to block your Grandpa Ruan’s way.” Ruan Liu said, hoisting his baskets and chasing after Zi Yu. According to the orders from above, since her identity was exposed, she had no more value and thus no reason to live. Ruan Liu was fast and easily caught up with Zi Yu, even with his baskets.
“Miss Zi Yu, where are you running to?” Ruan Liu leaped forward, blocking her path.
“Ah, Ruan Liu, Brother Liu, you’re so fast, you’ve already defeated Zhang Yu.” Zi Yu, breathless, leaned against the wall, gasping for air.
Ruan Liu scoffed dismissively, “Just a woman, not a match for your Brother Liu.” He then narrowed his eyes at Zi Yu, her chest heaving from running too fast, making it appear full. He swallowed hard. For the past few days, he had been exchanging information with her. Zi Yu was beautiful, and he had long coveted her. However, their organization had rules against harming their own members, which was why he had restrained himself. But now, she was no longer one of them. And he would soon send her on her way. Leaving her like this would be a waste, so he might as well make full use of her.
Thinking this, Ruan Liu dropped his baskets and charged towards Zi Yu. “You, what are you doing?” Zi Yu, seeing Ruan Liu’s sudden change in demeanor, became frightened.
“Nothing much, I like you and want to have some tender moments with you,” Ruan Liu chuckled, his mouth open, saliva dripping down. He walked closer to Zi Yu, blocked her path, and wiped some of his saliva onto her face. Zi Yu screamed in terror. Ruan Liu, without a word, slapped her, making her eyes spin. She was utterly terrified. Looking at Ruan Liu, who had suddenly transformed into someone else, she was full of disbelief.
“You, you…”
“You what, you serve me well, or you’ll have nowhere to go.” Ruan Liu, wanting to have a pleasant time, was still trying to trick Zi Yu at this point. Zi Yu hesitated for a moment, and Ruan Liu directly crossed her line in the alley. Zi Yu burst into tears, “I, woo woo… no!” She realized that her most precious possession was now gone forever. From now on, she wouldn’t even qualify to be the Zhuangyuan’s concubine. Tears streamed down her face, but to Ruan Liu, it meant nothing. After satisfying himself, he slowly tidied his clothes and calmly took out a three-foot long broadsword from his baskets. Zi Yu was stunned, staring at him blankly, having forgotten to run.
“You served me well. If your identity hadn’t been exposed, and if you weren’t going to be a burden to Miss Mei, I truly wouldn’t want to kill you.”
“You, you want to kill me, no, no, you promised, if I served you, you would spare me,” Zi Yu cried in terror. Never before had she felt the threat of death so acutely. Even when the madam had exposed her betrayal and theft to her face, she hadn’t felt threatened by death. But at this moment, she felt it so profoundly.
“You tasted good, I’ll miss you!” Ruan Liu chuckled coldly. While speaking the most affectionate words, he was doing the most ruthless thing with his hands. However, Zhang Yu, who had been watching all along, couldn’t let him have his way. She flipped over, jumped down from the nearby courtyard wall, and kicked Ruan Liu down.
“Hmph, another one coming to die.” Ruan Liu had already fought with Zhang Yu before. He felt she was no match for him, so he didn’t take her seriously at all.
“The one looking for death is you.” As Zhang Yu’s words fell, her fists rained down on Ruan Liu like a storm. He had no ability to resist. He was quickly beaten into a pulp and knocked unconscious. Zhang Yu grabbed his collar and dragged him away.
“Sister Zhang Yu… save me, save me.” Zi Yu called out pitifully from behind. Zhang Yu looked at her coldly, “You betrayed your master, and it’s already showing you respect that your master didn’t kill you. And you still want me to save you? Besides, with this dog here, aren’t you afraid he’ll bother you again when he wakes up?”
Hearing this, Zi Yu came to her senses. At this moment, not only was she being hunted by Ruan Liu, but she also owed Su Xiaoqi a debt. The fact that they hadn’t sent people to capture her and send her to the authorities was already a kindness. She was indeed thick-skinned to dare to ask for rescue. She quickly regained her composure, watching Zhang Yu drag the Ruan Liu, who looked like a dead dog, away. She gritted her teeth, tidied up her injuries, and silently left.