He had not pursued the previous matter, yet she still wanted to use force on him? He turned and swept a cold glance at the women rushing to surround him: “Who dares!”
Those women were momentarily stunned, but Qu Xiaojue was the true master. So they lowered their heads and said “Excuse us, master” and surrounded him together.
Angered to the point of speechlessness, Xu Wanzhi could only coldly laugh. The fierce energy within him was completely provoked, raising an eyebrow: “Very good.”
Saying this, he pulled his belt, cleanly and sharply throwing it out, precisely wrapping around the woman closest to him. The belt was even ostentatiously studded with a few pearls, just enough to give the soft belt some force, striking the person with considerable weight.
The women absolutely did not expect that he would know martial arts. They were stunned for a moment, exchanging looks. Having just been cautious due to his status and being a man, they now suppressed their hesitation and pounced together.
Xu Wanzhi does not know ancient martial arts, only knowing some external skills, and prioritizing self-preservation when trouble arises. At this moment, provoked by blood and spirit, he directly abandons his usual restraint and confronts them.
His movements are both broad and precise, using his waist belt to strike vulnerable body points with the sole purpose of attacking the enemy. Those women inevitably suffer losses.
He twists his body, facing several people, his waist belt moving with a hint of murderous intent in his movements. His face shows no fear, but instead an excitement she had never seen before.
Qu Xiaojue, shocked, gradually darkens his eyes, seeing his subordinates hesitate to act. Suddenly, he leaps forward and attacks from behind.
Xu Wanzhi, tense and listening carefully, is distracted by those in front. He attempts a backward strike, which is narrowly dodged, and finds a pressure point on his neck, causing his body to suddenly stiffen and collapse.
Qu Xiaojue reaches out to catch his body, seeing him glare hatefully. He holds him in his arms and slowly walks down the mountain, sighing, “A Wan.”
“Go back and think about it. I won’t let you go.”
Forced to be carried, the path seems infinitely longer than before. Xu Wanzhi is filled with shock and anger, closing his eyes when meeting Qu Xiaojue’s deep gaze. Qu Xiaojue sighs again.
Master Qu is placed under house arrest.
Guards are stationed at the door. When thrown into the room, he is furious and almost wants to overturn tables. However, seeing the delicate porcelain, he takes deep breaths, unable to break them. What would that accomplish?
He has been captured so easily.
He wants to laugh but cannot, wants to be angry but finds it pointless, wants to shout in frustration but feels he has already been embarrassing enough.
So, he remains silent in the room.
Yan Ziye attempts to visit several times but is blocked by Qu Drug’s sword. They fought quite a battle that day. Qu Xiaojue wants to drive her away; such a guest cannot be kept.
Normally, she would proudly walk away after such disrespect, but unable to leave Xu Wanzhi under confinement, she refuses to go, coldly stating, “Young Miss will stay. Do you think I have no way to do so?”
Qu Xiaojue has no intention of dealing with her, but Qu Drug, seeing her unwillingness to leave, now spends most of his time monitoring her.
Xu Wanzhi understands the taste of losing freedom but maintains his calm demeanor. He eats well, remains silent in the room, and sleeps.
While he sleeps soundly, Qu Xiaojue feels bitter these days. Multiple times approaching his door receives no response. Remembering his previous life-or-death confrontation, she feels helpless and disheartened.
However, busy with business, negotiations, and countless matters to handle, she cannot find an opportunity to speak with him properly.
On a day of continuous rain, returning in the evening, Qu Xiaojue pauses at the courtyard gate and approaches Xu Wanzhi’s door.
“Has the master retired?” she asks the female guard.
“Yes, the lights are out,” the guard responds.
“Has he been causing trouble or refusing to eat these days?” she inquires.
“No,” the guard answers.
“Good,” she nods, enters her room, feeling exhausted from touring branch stores, moving in the rain, and evening social obligations involving several drinks.
“You may leave,” she commands after washing up. When a servant is about to exit, she adds, “Tell those guarding the master to leave tomorrow. They need not come.”
The servant, surprised, bows and exits.
Feeling restless despite exhaustion, Qu Xiaojue suddenly throws off her blanket and walks to the adjacent room.
Knocking receives no response. The unlocked door opens easily, causing her to frown as she enters.
Xu Wanzhi, who enjoys listening to rain and sleeps later, had heard her previous conversation and scoffs inwardly. Sensing someone entering, he immediately sits up.
“What are you doing here?” he asks coldly.
“Husband, I’m feeling unwell,” she says, approaching quickly, her words carrying a hint of vulnerability.
“What does that have to do with me? Don’t you have money, power, and servants?” he responds coldly.
“I’m feeling unwell,” she repeats, ignoring his warning and collapsing onto his bed.
As he tries to push her away, he touches her forehead and realizes she is burning with fever.
She was helpless, unable to bring herself to kick her out of bed. Xu Wanzhi lifted the blanket and jumped down herself, looking at the person on the bed, she turned to leave, but as she turned, her collar was grabbed. Looking back, she saw Qu Xiaojue tightly holding her hand, vaguely calling out softly: “Husband.”
She flicked away her hand, but she persistently reached out to grasp his other hand. The unexpected hand warmth was so intense that he was momentarily stunned.
“Don’t go…”
He said helplessly: “I’ll go see if there’s a doctor available.”
Qu Xiaojue shook her head while rubbing her head. Xu Wanzhi forcefully shook off her hand and turned to leave. She jumped up from the bed in panic, biting her lip and staring at him determinedly.
“You really are—” She had already taken off her outer garment and came over without remembering to wear shoes, standing directly in front of the bed and staring at him.
Xu Wanzhi was utterly helpless, pinched himself twice, and walked back to her side, pointing at the bed: “Lie back down, I’m not leaving.”
She suspiciously looked at him for a moment, probably feeling comfortable on the bed, and retreated back while her eyes never left him.
Under that persistent gaze, Xu Wanzhi turned and lit a candle, the light softening the room slightly. With his back to her, he said: “Lie down obediently, I’ll get something.”
Qu Xiaojue moistened her lips, watching him disappear behind the bedside screen. Soon he came out carrying a wine jar and placed it heavily on the table.
The wine, placed near the wardrobe by some unknown person, was clearly aged even to an amateur like Xu Wanzhi. After breaking the seal, the fragrance was incredible. He folded three handkerchiefs intending to soak them, but then thought it would be a waste disrespectful to its original owner or brewer.
He picked up the jar and poured a full cup into a tea bowl, completely soaking the handkerchiefs until wet. Returning to the bed, he lifted the blanket – she had pressed down everything inside. Glancing at her, he pointed to the empty space before him from above: “Come here.”
Looking at him questioningly, Qu Xiaojue obediently moved and lay down. Xu Wanzhi leaned down to remove her clothes, and she shrank slightly but allowed his actions.
