Chapter Twenty-Six: Zhao Qingxue Arrives to Kill

As soon as the door swung open, a group of sturdy men dressed in matching gray tunics appeared before Feng Yuan. They stood in two lines, flanking the entrance on either side. In the center stood a young maiden, her hands resting on her hips. She wore a gown of pale yellow silk, her figure graceful and alluring, her features delicate and charming. Between her brows, there was a hint of sharpness and competence.

Feng Yuan’s heart sank at the sight. Wasn’t this the very same Zhao Qingxue who, disguised as a man yesterday, had been caught up in his impulsive mischief? Good heavens, she had come with reinforcements at dawn—clearly seeking vengeance.

He remembered the fate of the last man who had tried to assault her; that fellow still couldn’t walk unaided. Yesterday, he had truly touched this girl’s chest—it had felt rather pleasant, but now was hardly the time to dwell on such things.

“How odd... I don’t know any of you, yet you’ve come to my home. I’m not the least bit welcoming. Goodbye!” Feng Yuan said, and hastily tried to shut the door.

“Seize him!” Zhao Qingxue commanded, waving her hand. Two burly men sprang forward, each grabbing one of Feng Yuan’s arms and twisting them behind his back, rendering him completely immobile. He cried out in pain.

“Ah... easy, you’ll break my arms!” Feng Yuan shouted.

“Hmph! If they break, you deserve it. Who told you to use those filthy hands to touch me... that... that...” Zhao Qingxue started to speak but faltered, unable to finish her sentence. She couldn’t possibly say that Feng Yuan had touched her chest—her reputation would be ruined, and no one would dare marry her. In this era, chastity was sacred; once a woman was touched by a man, she had to either spend her life with him or remain a widow forever.

“What are you doing? Why are you seizing my young master? Stop right now!” Hu Xiao anxiously rushed forward, tugging at the men’s arms, but her feeble strength was no match for theirs.

“Xiao Xiao, I’m fine. Step aside,” Feng Yuan told her, not wanting her to get hurt.

He then turned to Zhao Qingxue with a mischievous smile. “Miss, I have never met you before. Why do you bring people to seize me? What is the reason?”

“Hmph! Pretend all you like. You scoundrel! Have you forgotten what happened last evening?” Zhao Qingxue glared at him fiercely.

Feng Yuan feigned confusion. “Last evening? What happened then? I don’t recall. Perhaps you could elaborate, so I might remember?”

“Hmph! Playing dumb, are you? Fine, I’ll tell you—last evening you attacked me...” Zhao Qingxue began, but stopped abruptly, realizing the gravity of her words. She quickly covered her small mouth, unable to utter the truth. If it got out, her reputation would be destroyed.

“Why won’t you say, Miss? What did I attack you for?” Feng Yuan pressed.

“You... you...” Zhao Qingxue stared at him, momentarily lost for words.

Feng Yuan watched her, a wicked smile playing on his lips. Then, with a look of sudden enlightenment, he said, “Oh, I remember now! Yesterday, you came looking for me, and then I assaulted your...”

“Shut up! Don’t say it!” Zhao Qingxue’s face flushed deep crimson. She hurriedly reached out to cover Feng Yuan’s mouth, threatening, “Don’t you dare speak. If you do, I’ll kill you.”

Feng Yuan nodded with a smile. Zhao Qingxue finally moved her hand away, glancing at his lips, then at her own hand, her cheeks reddening even more. She quickly hid her hand behind her back, embarrassed.

“Hehe, Miss Zhao, perhaps you could let me go now. Otherwise, I might let slip what happened,” Feng Yuan said with a sly grin.

“You... you dare threaten me!”

“Not at all. I am known for being honest and upright, never one for shameless deeds. But you must give me a reason for seizing me like this. If not, it’s inappropriate. Perhaps I should just say it aloud, so you can confirm whether that’s the reason you’ve come for me. Then I’ll feel at ease. What do you say, Miss?”

“No!” Zhao Qingxue said urgently, waving at the two men who held Feng Yuan. They quickly released him.

Feng Yuan immediately loosened his arms, flexing them to relieve the pain.

“You two, leave and close the door behind you!” Zhao Qingxue directed the men, who nodded and swiftly departed.

Now, only Feng Yuan, Hu Xiao, and Zhao Qingxue remained in the courtyard. Hu Xiao clung to Feng Yuan’s hand, watching Zhao Qingxue warily.

“Send your maid away. I want to speak to you alone,” Zhao Qingxue said, gesturing at Hu Xiao.

“Go, Xiao Xiao. Brew a pot of tea for our guest,” Feng Yuan said. Hu Xiao glanced at Zhao Qingxue, reluctantly leaving.

Once she was gone, Zhao Qingxue’s anger flared anew. “Shameless scoundrel! How do you intend to compensate me for what happened yesterday?”

“Compensate? It wasn’t my fault. You said you were a man—among men, slapping each other’s chests is normal. If you wish, I can let you slap mine in return, or even touch it, as a gesture of reciprocity. Would that suffice?”

Feng Yuan thrust out his chest, looking at Zhao Qingxue.

Her face reddened again, her eyes burning with shame and anger. “You... you rascal!”

“Miss Zhao, you mustn’t make wild accusations. I admit I touched your chest, but I didn’t know at the time. Now I know, and I admit my mistake. To make amends, I offer to let you touch mine in return. Isn’t that fair? Am I wrong?”

Feng Yuan looked at her, genuinely puzzled.

Zhao Qingxue was utterly bewildered. It did seem reasonable... Wait, no—it wasn’t! She was a woman, he was a man. How could such a thing be reasonable? It was entirely improper.

“You... you speak nonsense! Are you truly a scholar, so vulgar and shameless, twisting logic and morals? You... you infuriate me!” Zhao Qingxue pointed at him, trembling with rage, stamping her foot fiercely.

Feng Yuan remained calm. “Then what do you propose? Shall we report to the authorities? Go to court and tell the magistrate I touched your chest?”

“Enough! You are forbidden to speak of this!” Zhao Qingxue snapped, “You will forget this ever happened. If word gets out, even a whisper, I’ll have you killed!”

“Agreed, no problem. Then our business is settled,” Feng Yuan nodded with satisfaction.

“No! To make up for my loss, I have one demand.”

“What is your demand?”

“From now on, I must be the first to read any novel you write!”

“Fine, that’s a trivial matter. I happen to have one finished. Come with me!”

With that, Feng Yuan strode into the house. Zhao Qingxue’s face brightened with delight, hurrying after him. The anger on her face vanished as if the quarrel had never happened.