Zhu Chenxing, however, searched everywhere but found no one who had seen him.
As dusk approached, Liu Pengyuan had no choice but to flick his horsewhip in frustration and head back.
Upon returning, he went to his father's study. As soon as he saw his father, he immediately knelt down and wailed, "Father, this time you must get justice for my sister. My aunt, on her deathbed, held my hand and asked me to protect my sister. Now I have failed her. The Zhu family is too overbearing; first, they poisoned her, and then they outright killed her."
The Grand Tutor sighed regretfully, "She is your sister, and she is also my daughter. How could I not grieve? Rest assured, the Zhu family will not be let off the hook. You've had a long day, go back now. We still need to search for Zhu Chenxing tomorrow."
Seeing that his father didn't wish to say more, Liu Pengyuan hesitated before leaving reluctantly. Watching his son's retreating figure, the Grand Tutor's expression grew complex. Little did he know how much he regretted his past decisions.
There were many ways to repay kindness: offering money, arranging official positions for the Zhu family. Why had he been so obsessed back then, insisting on marrying his daughter into the Zhu family? It was too late for regrets now.
"Young Master, I heard someone came to the village today, seemingly looking for you," a servant approached Zhu Xingchen and reported the day's findings.
"What did you say? They've tracked me here? It seems this place is no longer safe. I must leave quickly." Zhu Chenxing had initially thought the village was remote enough that they wouldn't find him. He hadn't expected them to be so fast. They might have already reported him to the authorities, and soon the officials would be here. If he fell into their hands, would he even survive?
He quickly packed his belongings, mounted his horse, and prepared to leave under the cover of night.
As soon as he opened the door, he was stunned and froze in place.
"Aren't you going to invite me in for a sit-down?" Wu Caiwei looked at him with ill intent.
"It's not appropriate for elder sister-in-law to visit so late at night. Men and women should maintain distance." For some reason, the moment he saw her, Zhu Chenxing felt a sense of panic and wanted to get rid of her quickly.
"If I, a woman, don't care, why should you? Besides, we spent so many days together before, this short while won't matter." Wu Caiwei had brought her trusted confidantes today, so she wasn't afraid of them spreading rumors. Moreover, it wouldn't matter even if the news reached Zhu Yuxuan's ears.
Seeing that she had come this far, Zhu Chenxing had no choice but to reluctantly open the door.
"This courtyard is quite nice, and comfortable to live in. Is second brother dressed like this because he intends to leave?"
Even though he knew she had ulterior motives, she had brought many people who guarded the entrance. He was trapped and had no choice but to calm himself and answer her question, "Isn't it because I'm afraid of implicating you all?"
"If you were truly afraid of implicating us, you should have returned to surrender and apologize to the Grand Tutor yourself. By running away, you've caused us immense suffering. If you can't be found, will we have a good life?" Wu Caiwei immediately put on a stern expression.
At this moment, Zhu Chenxing understood completely. She was here to corner him. He looked at her with a placating gaze, "Sister-in-law, tell me, what will it take for you to let me go? Ask for whatever you want."
"My request is simple: you will come back with me obediently."
"Do you know that if I go back, my life will be forfeit? What good does my death do for you? We are of the same root, why must you harm me so?"
Zhu Chenxing panicked upon hearing this. Wasn't she sending him to his death? He regretted speaking immediately. Could this country woman, his sister-in-law, understand?
His worries were unfounded. Wu Caiwei couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. "This should be directed at you. If our positions were reversed today, I doubt you would be any more gentle than I. Also, I have another question for you: why did Liu Zhiyi and Liu Pengyuan conspire against me? Our only intersection was when I saved you at the foot of the mountain. Did my life-saving grace earn me your treachery?"
"So you knew everything? You've been playing me all these days, haven't you?" Zhu Chenxing couldn't help but take a few steps back, using interrogation to mask his guilt.
"Yes. Seeing you completely flustered by me was quite satisfying. Killing you would be too easy, and it would drag me into legal trouble, which is not worth it. This way is much better. You'll never be able to rise again in this life, your reputation ruined, perhaps even executed publicly." Wu Caiwei looked at him triumphantly.
Zhu Chenxing clenched his fists, glaring at her with hatred. Unbeknownst to them, he had secretly grasped a dagger. When no one was paying attention, he swiftly lunged towards her.
He thought he would succeed this time, as she was a frail woman. If he could capture her and hold the knife to her throat, he believed she would let him go. However, reality was the opposite of his imagination.
He didn't even see how Wu Caiwei moved. He only felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. When he came to his senses, he was already sprawled on the ground, his face contorted in pain.
"If I'm not mistaken, the reason they treated me that way was because you gave them false information, leading them to believe I was Li Wenwen. What you're suffering today is well-deserved."
"It was you, wasn't it? You saved Li Wenwen and brought her into the Zhu family. Everything was orchestrated by you."
Hearing her words, Zhu Chenxing suddenly realized. She was the mastermind.
"No, no, no, you're slightly mistaken. I only saved Li Wenwen, seeing her pitiful state, and brought her into the Zhu family. As for her seeking revenge on you, that was beyond my control." Seeing that he still wouldn't tell the truth, Wu Caiwei stepped on his hand holding the dagger and slowly increased the pressure.
Zhu Chenxing then realized how strong a woman's grip could be. His hand would be ruined if he didn't speak soon. He could only endure the pain and cry out, "I'll talk, I'll talk, alright?"
"Wouldn't it have been easier to say that earlier?" Wu Caiwei finally lifted her foot.
"When I lived in the small town, I had some conflicts with a few people. I had already moved to the capital, but they specifically went to Liu Zhiyi and said some ambiguous things, which led her to confront me."
As he spoke, he recalled the scene. He remembered that under his mother's arrangement, he had encountered Liu Zhiyi several times. He clearly felt that Liu Zhiyi had developed feelings for him. He thought he was quite charming, able to make an official's daughter easily fall for him. Thinking that he was about to become the son-in-law of the Grand Tutor's family, with endless wealth and glory, he couldn't have been happier.
At that moment, Liu Zhiyi approached him furiously and asked solemnly, "I heard from people in your hometown that you have a childhood sweetheart back home, and you are deeply in love. I am the extra one, isn't that right?" Su Dan Novel Network
Zhu Chenxing was startled. He didn't know who had so maliciously told her. He quickly tried to appease her, "Don't believe what others say. They have ulterior motives and want to break our relationship. I have no engagement in the countryside, and there is no such woman."