“How ugly you look when you’re furious. My sister was only telling the truth—you and Liu Yulan are involved, and it’s disgusting. I heard Liu Yulan has close ties with both the father and son of the Liu family. Oh my… I hope there aren’t any contagious diseases involved!”
Li Shaoyu laughed gleefully, clearly deliberately trying to provoke.
“You’ve done so many evil deeds—be careful lest evil spirits come for you.”
He Huaisen shot a vicious glare at Li Qiao.
He already had his suspicions.
There was no use staying any longer, so He Huaisen left in anger.
Li Qiao followed him out and watched as he headed toward a certain estate.
She leisurely stroked her chin, deep in thought.
“Ninth Master… Ninth Master… help me!”
A young man rushed over, his face pale with fear.
He nearly stumbled on his way, and He Lichuan arrived with him. Only then did she learn that this terrified young man was also a junior member of the He family—He Lisheng.
“Take your time and explain,” Li Qiao said.
He Lisheng didn’t know Li Qiao, but anyone by the Ninth Master’s side had to be trustworthy. He quickly pulled He Lichuan forward and said, “Ninth Master, Lichuan has encountered a ghost!”
“Explain in detail,” He Jingnian said.
“I haven’t encountered any ghost! Lisheng is just making a fuss. I’m completely fine, Ninth Master,” He Lichuan denied from the side.
Unexpectedly, He Lisheng grew so anxious he began hopping in frustration.
“I’m telling the truth! Last night, I was with him. While he was asleep, he suddenly started convulsing and muttering, ‘My lady, my lady… my lord, my lord…’ One moment it was a man’s voice, the next a woman’s. Good heavens, it terrified me!”
He Lisheng’s voice trembled as he spoke.
Recalling the events of the previous night, he hugged his head in fear.
“He Lisheng, are you just trying to get back at me?”
“You fool! I’m not that bored. Ninth Master, I’m telling the truth. You have to believe me!”
He Lisheng was on the verge of tears.
All his hopes now rested on He Jingnian. Someone of the Ninth Master’s stature must know powerful masters.
Besides, He Lisheng was genuinely worried He Lichuan might kick the bucket—after all, the guy still owed him fifty thousand yuan!
“Ninth Master, I’m perfectly fine.”
“Ninth Master, he really did encounter a ghost!”
The two argued back and forth, each insisting on their own version.
Li Qiao suddenly spoke up, “If something like this happens again tonight, take a willow branch and whip him. Whip him hard, and remember to record it.”
He Lichuan: “…”
Are you doing this on purpose?
He Lisheng glanced at He Jingnian and, receiving a nod of confirmation, grew excited.
“Alright! I’ll make sure to get it done.”
He Lichuan: “…” Suddenly, the world felt very dark.
After they left, Li Qiao returned to the He family ancestral home with He Jingnian.
That evening, Li Qiao was meditating in the side hall when suddenly, she caught the scent of blood!
She opened her eyes and saw He Jingnian returning from outside. She rushed forward to pull open his clothes, but He Jingnian caught her wrist and gently shook his head. “It’s nothing, just a minor injury.”
A minor injury?
Li Qiao didn’t believe him. She freed her hand and, ignoring He Jingnian’s attempts to stop her—though, seeing how worried she was, He Jingnian relented and didn’t try further—allowed her to pull open his clothes.
Beneath his clothes, white bandages were wrapped around his left abdomen, already slowly stained red with blood. The vivid crimson stood out starkly against the white, looking almost eerily beautiful.
How had he gotten injured?
Without hesitation, Li Qiao gently guided He Jingnian to sit down.
He Jingnian watched as Li Qiao hurried back and forth, searching for something. He wanted to stop her, but there was no way she would listen to him now.
The wound was bleeding again and needed to be rebandaged.
