I looked around and suddenly realized I had no interest at all. I simply shook my head and said: “Forget it, I’m not in the mood. Let’s go back!”
Shui immediately became nervous, carefully asking: “Madam, are you okay? Did I say something wrong and make you angry?”
I shook my head and said: “I’m fine, don’t overthink it. I just feel a bit tired and want to go back and rest.”
Shui finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Why don’t I take you back to the mansion through a shortcut?”
“Mm!”
I nodded slightly, indicating for the girl to lead the way…
The so-called shortcut was a path that bypassed the Drunk Immortal Tavern, with a small alley behind it. The girl said it led directly to the back gate of the Prince’s Mansion. I hadn’t walked through such a small alley for a long time; it felt particularly quiet.
I bounced along the bluestone path, as if returning to my youthful days…
“Brother, look, two girls have delivered themselves to our door!”
Suddenly, a disgusting teasing voice broke the alley’s tranquility. From the intersection ahead, two thugs dressed in a rough manner emerged. One had a straw in his mouth, leaning against the wall, while the other rested his chin on his hand, lewdly eyeing me and Shui.
I immediately had a bad feeling, stopped walking, and frowned, asking: “Who are you?”
I immediately stepped back, spitting in his face disdainfully: “Stop disgusting me, who wants to play with you? Let me tell you, I’m the legitimate side consort of the Crown Prince. Anyone who touches me is doomed!”
Hearing this, the first hoodlum nervously pulled the hoodlum in front of me, saying: “Big bro, what should we do?
“Useless!”
The hoodlum in front of me immediately looked at him with contempt: “You believe everything she says? Even if what she’s saying is true, she’s just a concubine. Do you think the Crown Prince would go through all this trouble to find us?”
Damn, I didn’t expect invoking Qi Chenxuan would scare them off. I quietly signaled to Shui’er to go get help. At the critical moment, that girl was finally smart once, understanding my hint. She immediately turned and ran back the way we came…
“Not good!”
The scolded hoodlum was the first to realize Shui’er’s move, pointing in her escape direction and shouting: “Big bro, the other girl ran away!”
The hoodlum in front of me immediately kicked him: “What are you standing around for? Go chase her!”
“Yes, yes, yes, I’ll go right away…”
The hoodlum who was kicked covered his sore bottom and repeatedly nodded: “Don’t be angry, big bro. I’ll definitely catch that dead girl and bring her back!”
“Don’t chase!”
I immediately stood between them, striking the most standard taekwondo pose: “Want to chase her? You’ll have to get past me first!”
A crisp slap rang out, and I felt a burning pain on my face. I saw the lead hoodlum with his hand half-raised, cursing, “You damn bitch, stop causing trouble! If you dare to shout again, I’ll ruin your face right now!”
I then noticed that the guy had somehow pulled out a knife in his other hand, which scared me into immediately shutting my mouth, not daring to make a sound. What could I do? I was already sorry-looking enough; if I got another cut on my face, how could I ever show myself in public again?
Although my mouth was closed, my eyes were far from idle. They darted around several times, then fixed directly towards the alley entrance, hoping for someone to appear. Unfortunately, besides the empty bluestone path, there wasn’t even a ghost in sight.
The lead hoodlum waved his knife, coldly warning, “Stop looking. No one’s coming to save you. Just be good and come with me to avoid getting hurt!”
…
What should I do? Could it be that I’m truly doomed today? I never imagined that my twenty-something years of chastity would be ruined by these men. Oh, I’m not accepting this!
The man’s hand reached out again, and I instinctively turned my face away. Suddenly, a cry of pain rang out, and a familiar smiling face appeared before me, looking triumphant: “Silly woman, I’ve saved you again!”
“Wei, Wei Chi?”
I blinked in disbelief, confirming I wasn’t mistaken, and couldn’t help but cry out joyfully, “How did you get here?”
Wei Chi shifted to the side and pointed in another direction of the alley.
I looked and could vaguely see Shui hurrying towards us. I never expected this usually absent-minded girl could actually be useful at a critical moment.
My previously tense heart finally relaxed, and I turned to Wei Chi: “Hey, I owe you another favor. Tell me, how much silver do you want this time?”
Wei Chi raised an eyebrow, speaking seriously, “What if I said I don’t want silver?”
“No silver?”
I was stunned for a moment, then immediately asked, “Then what do you want?”
Wei Chi’s mouth curved slightly, his black eyes sparkling, speaking without a hint of jest: “I want… your heart!”
The smile froze on my lips, my heart beating wildly. After a long moment, I recovered and looked away uncomfortably: “You, are you joking?”
He immediately laughed, “Haha, you saw through me!”
My nervous heart finally relaxed, and I glared at him: “You little brat, how dare you trick me!”
Wei Chi blinked his fan-like long eyelashes, a mischievous smile on his face: “What, you didn’t take me seriously, did you?”
I couldn’t help but blush, uncomfortably retorting: “Don’t talk nonsense, I, I didn’t!”
Seeing my reaction, his expression became even more triumphant: “If you didn’t, why are you blushing?”
…
“I, I… I’m not!”
I clearly lacked conviction, avoiding eye contact and looking at the ground, almost wanting to dig a hole and hide.
Sure! Here’s the edited article:
Fortunately, Shui’s voice chimed in: “Madam, are you alright?”
I looked up and smiled at her: “I’m fine! Let’s go back!”
Shui frowned, then pointed at the two men still groaning on the ground: “What about them?”
I glanced at them, seeing they were badly hurt. I waved my hand: “Never mind. We weren’t hurt, and they’ve learned their lesson. We’ll report this to the authorities when we get back.”
Shui seemed reluctant: “Just letting them off like this seems too easy.”
I quickly interrupted: “It’s fine. I’m okay. The authorities will handle it!”
Shui reluctantly closed her mouth and came to support me, but noticed I wasn’t moving. She asked in confusion, “Madam?”
I forced a smile: “I, I’m a bit weak-kneed. Can we wait a moment before leaving?”
Shui’s mouth dropped open in surprise. Wei Chi’s expression became strange, quickly turning away, but his shaking shoulders revealed he was trying not to laugh.
Damn it, I’ll learn martial arts before going out again next time.
After a long while, Wei Chi finally calmed down and turned around, seeing that I still couldn’t get up from the ground: “The ground is cold; sitting for too long can make you sick. I think I should send you back!”
I couldn’t help but look hesitant.
That guy laughed carelessly: “Don’t worry, I won’t charge you money!”
I bit my lip and muttered softly: “I wasn’t talking about that!”
……
My woman, I’ll take care of her.
I thought I had spoken very softly, but unexpectedly, he heard me. I saw him raise an eyebrow with an intrigued expression: “What’s not good? Don’t tell me you’re afraid of being seen and hearing unpleasant words?”
I was suddenly speechless. I had just lectured Shui’er about not caring about others’ opinions or what they might say. If I now admitted that I didn’t want to attract gossip, wouldn’t that be slapping my own face?
Wei Chi easily saw through my embarrassment and continued to press: “I what?”
Finally, I had to put on a serious face and righteously answer: “Of course not! I just feel we’re not very familiar, and it would be troublesome for you.”
