CH 21

Tao Tao’s mourning hall has been guarded for seven days. The grandfathers of the family were angry, saying that Father did not follow the rules of the ancestors. The third yitai‘s betrayal was enough to break his heart, and he had to be reprimanded by the elders for guarding the spirit of a wild child. It’s just that my father couldn’t afford to lose face so he didn’t send the third wife out.

Since I went abroad, I have not returned to the Ye Family estate to worship my ancestors. The elders heard that I had returned to the country and wanted to see me. According to the custom of the old family, the betrothed should also send greetings to the elders.

I had thought that Lu Xingjiu would reject it coldly because the Ye family estate was not a fun place to go and going there didn’t make one an emperor. It was completely feudal to greet the elders every day in the morning to pay respects. But, the Ye family was a big family in the Ye family estate. This ancestral rule is absolute and must be followed.

The next day, Lu Xingjiu asked the driver to drive over. He dressed up gracefully, making me anxious like an ant on a pot. Having to spend a week with him was more painful than going to jail. Mother said, “Don’t make a face like a dead person. Xingjiu is so good to you. You should cherish the blessing.”

I suddenly missed Qin Shiyue a lot. If he knows that I am going to the Ye family estate with Lu Xingjiu to greet the elders, will he be sad?

I sighed and leaned helplessly against the car. Lu Xingjiu went with the housekeeper to help carry food boxes. When did he get so easy-going, totally unlike that dangerous male animal?

“Bingqing…”

Qin Shiyue? I looked back around nervously. I thought I heard his voice. There was no mistaking it, it was definitely his voice. The leaves at the corner of the tree were vaguely stained with blood. He did not dare to come out into the open. Behind the bushes, Qin Shiyue’s shoulder was covered with blood. His face was a ghastly white color from the loss of blood.

“Qin Shiyue, how are you?” I was so scared that tears were about to fall.

“Someone is after me… quickly… hide me in the trunk of the car. The people who are after me might be coming–” 

Qin Shiyue’s veins were rippling from the pain. I made sure no one was around before hiding him in the trunk. I calmly wiped clean the blood that had flowed outside the car.

Lu Xingjiu’s family servant came out of the Ye house with food boxes and went straight to the trunk. I was so scared that my heart almost jumped out of my throat and I fiercely attacked him. “Hey, what are you doing?!”

“Second Miss, these are the food boxes that are bringing to the Ye family.”

“Take it away, take it away!” I blocked the front of the trunk door pretending to be angry. “Don’t think I do not know. These are all to be taken to the ancestors. They are for the dead to eat. These things should not be put in the same car where I and Lu Xingjiu would ride. How inauspicious? Just put it on the carriage and pull it over.”

Lu Xingjiu curved the corner of his mouth with sarcasm. “A lady who came back from overseas is still so superstitious. Interesting.”

This guy was very alert. I was afraid I couldn’t hide from his eyes for a long time so I pushed him to get into the car, winking and smiling. “I like it. Brother Xingjiu, you are so generous. Although you are broad-minded, take good care of your woman. Do not let her run outside to hook up with men!”

“I didn’t expect you to be quite self-aware.” Lu Xingjiu laughed.

“I’m talking about Jin Ruyi. She’s cuddling with my brother-in-law-to-be, how indecent is that?” I panicked to hide my anxiety. Qin Shiyue looked like he was bleeding so much. I was so distraught I couldn’t breathe. He must be okay.

Lu Xingjiu frowned for a long time before saying, “She’s not my woman, you are.”

“I’m not! Not in your dreams!” I yelled loudly. After yelling I regretted it. Was this for Lu Xingjiu, or for Qin Shiyue to hear?

I lowered my head and sighed helplessly. I could only hope that Qin Shiyue would be fine and that nothing would happen to him.

The driver had just left the gate of the Ye family. Through the window, a group of people wearing black masks with guns were running madly, while shooting and coming after the car. They must have discovered the blood by the place where we parked just now.

“Young master, someone is chasing us!” The driver said unhurriedly.

“Drive quickly and get rid of them!” As Lu Xingjiu said, a bullet grazed my ear and flew past. I was so scared that I screamed and was pinned to the seat by Lu Xingjiu.

“Damn, who are they?” Lu Xingjiu tightly shielded me.

“Young master, could it be the revolutionary party’s assassination group? They only have two legs, they can’t catch up with the car.”

“Revolutionary Party? Good, drive towards the Lu mansion. Let’s see how many of them have the guts to chase! There are guns waiting for them there!” Lu Xingjiu was pleased with himself. If we really drive to Lu mansion, then Qin Shiyue will be in danger. No, I won’t allow that to happen!

“Please, don’t turn around.” My whole body flang into the arms of Lu Xingjiu with teary eyes. “I’m afraid of bleeding… I’m afraid… Tao Tao is already dead. I’m afraid to see death… Xingjiu… I am afraid…”

Lu Xingjiu looked into my eyes, his eyes cold and harsh, like a snake quietly swimming into my heart to see which grass is fresh.

He was a powerful hunter. Any uneasy expression on the face couldn’t fool him.

Through my tears, I saw him smile like a ghost. At this moment, I stopped breathing because his hands were choking me.