TRWSB – Chapter 194 Ex-fiancée

Jiang Family.

Night had fully fallen, but the Jiang household was still brightly lit.

“Jiang He, do you think Qi Heng came here specifically for our Jiang family?”

Jiang Qinxin cut in, “Definitely. I’ve spoken with him several times, and each time, his tone carried a deep resentment toward our Jiang family. I think this time, he’s come with a purpose—he’s targeting us.”

Jiang Xingdong’s face turned red with anger. “Back then, he was kicked out for theft. It was his own disgraceful behavior that caused it—he has no one to blame but himself. It has nothing to do with our Jiang family.”

When Jiang Xingdong expelled Jiang Jin from the family years ago, he thought that would be the end of it. He never imagined that, years later, he’d hear of Jiang Jin again—and that his current status would now leave the entire Jiang family feeling uneasy.

The family patriarch, Jiang Dongming, looked at Jiang Xingdong with displeasure. “Enough. If he is Jiang Jin, he probably doesn’t see it the way you do.”

Jiang Xingdong gave a sheepish smile. “Qi Shaorong didn’t come with him. What can he stir up on his own?”

Jiang Qinxin frowned. “You can’t say that for sure. Even though Qi Shaorong didn’t come, it seems like Zuo Yunfei really likes him.”

Jiang Xingdong grumbled, “The young master of the Zuo family isn’t some fool. He wouldn’t be infatuated with that little ungrateful wretch. Qinxin, you must be mistaken.”

Jiang Qinxin took a deep breath. “I hope I am mistaken. But I fear Zuo Yunfei really has fallen for him.”

Jiang Xingdong looked at her with displeasure. “Qinxin, you’ve been out with Zuo Yunfei for quite a while now. You should at least have made yourself known to him. How could a little thief like Qi Heng sneak in and steal the spotlight?”

Jiang Qinxin blushed. “Left Young Master… he’s not someone I can get close to that easily.”

Jiang Xingdong muttered, “The family pulled so many strings just to get you into the guard selection. Niece, you really don’t know how to seize opportunities.”

“Enough!” Jiang Dongming interrupted. “Now’s not the time for that. Xingdong, what’s the real story with Jiang Jin? Why did he supposedly steal something?”

Jiang Xingdong looked at the patriarch and laughed awkwardly. “He was young and unruly, had sticky fingers. What other reason could there be? And now he has the nerve to come back? Shameless!”

Jiang Dongming narrowed his eyes. “You’d better be telling the truth.”

Jiang Sizhong frowned. “Patriarch, things are still unclear. I think this situation might not be as simple as we assumed. Let’s discuss it another time.”

Jiang Qinxin left the council room and headed to her own courtyard.

As soon as she stepped in, a maid came up to her and said, “Miss, you have a visitor.”

Jiang Qinxin was puzzled. “A guest? This late?”

“Yes. She came quietly, alone. It’s Miss Jun Lanyue,” the maid replied.

Jiang Qinxin nodded. “I see. You may go.”

Over the years, Jun Lanyue had relentlessly pursued Zuo Yunfei, creating quite a few scandals. Once the maid mentioned her name, Jiang Qinxin immediately understood—Jun Lanyue must have heard about Zuo Yunfei and Qi Heng and couldn’t sit still.

When Jiang Qinxin entered the room, she saw Jun Lanyue sitting in the hall, clearly irritated.

“You’re back?” Jun Lanyue said.

Jiang Qinxin nodded. “Yes. Miss Jun, you’re here to ask about Qi Heng and Young Master Zuo, aren’t you?”

Jun Lanyue shot her a cold glance. “That’s right. Since you know why I’m here, tell me everything you know.”

Her tone was sharp and unfriendly, which made Jiang Qinxin feel slightly offended. Though displeased, she didn’t show it and replied politely, “I don’t know much else. Just that when we found the red cherry blossoms, Young Master Zuo gave a bouquet of them to Qi Heng.”

Jun Lanyue shot to her feet. “What did you say? Is that true?”

Jiang Qinxin smiled faintly. “I thought it was unbelievable too. There are so many people in Jin who are infatuated with Zuo Yunfei, yet he treats Qi Heng differently.”

Jun Lanyue’s face alternated between red and pale. She clenched her fists and stormed out furiously.

Jiang Qinxin watched her leave, a trace of mockery in her eyes.

“Miss Jun seems very angry,” the maid commented.

Jiang Qinxin nodded. “She does.”

“She really overestimates herself. Young Master Zuo is a hero in his youth. As the saying goes, a fine horse doesn’t graze old pastures. With so many beautiful people lining up for him, why would he choose a woman who once humiliated him?”

Jiang Qinxin chuckled. “What’s most precious in this world is often what you once had and then lost. If Zuo Yunfei weren’t so outstanding, maybe it wouldn’t matter. But he’s just too exceptional. Who could easily let go of someone like that?”

“Miss, do you think Miss Jun will cause trouble for Qi Heng?” the maid asked.

Jiang Qinxin laughed softly. “Who knows?” But she thought to herself, With Jun Lanyue’s fiery temper, it’d be a miracle if she didn’t stir up trouble.

“This Jun woman is simply too arrogant,” the maid muttered angrily.

“Indeed,” Jiang Qinxin said, narrowing her eyes.

Back when Jun Lanyue tried to get a spot as one of the prince’s guards, Zuo Yunfei rejected the idea. The royal family crossed her name off the list. When she found out Jiang Qinxin had made the cut, she even came to warn her personally—telling her not to make any moves on Zuo Yunfei.

Morning.

Qi Heng walked into the living room and saw a servant setting the table.

“Where is Zuo Yunfei?”

“Young Master Zuo went out to inspect his properties. Before he left, he specifically told the kitchen to prepare a meal for you.”

Qi Heng nodded and said, “I see.”

“Young Master Qi, would you like to wait for Young Master Zuo to eat together?” the servant asked.

Qi Heng quickly waved his hand. “No need, no need. If I wait for him, I might lose my appetite.”

“What did you say, Young Master Qi?”

Qi Heng shook his head. “Nothing.”

He frowned. For some reason, learning that Zuo Yunfei wasn’t around gave him a sense of relief, but also left him feeling somewhat empty.

Qi Heng sat down at the table. Suddenly, a woman burst in furiously.

“Who are you? If you know what’s good for you, get out of here!” Jun Lanyue said coldly, glaring at Qi Heng.

“Miss Jun, this is Young Master Zuo’s guest. Please don’t act like this!” the servant said hastily.

Jun Lanyue shouted angrily, “Shut up! Don’t use Zuo Yunfei to pressure me!”

Qi Heng looked at her calmly and asked, “Who are you?”

Jun Lanyue, in a fit of shame and anger, slashed her sword at Qi Heng. The whistling blade split the table in two, sending food flying everywhere.

Qi Heng dodged her attack swiftly.

Jun Lanyue launched another relentless strike toward him.

The servant, trembling, stammered, “Young Master Heng, Miss Jun is Young Master Zuo’s fiancée…”

Qi Heng sneered. “So, Zuo Yunfei abandoned her because she’s too violent?”

Jun Lanyue glared at him hatefully. “How dare you say that!”

A glint of cold light flashed in Qi Heng’s eyes. “And what are you, thinking you can come bully me?”

Qi Heng pulled a golden silk whip from his waist. It coiled around Jun Lanyue’s neck like a snake. With a sharp tug, her face turned purple as she struggled to breathe.

With another yank, Qi Heng dragged her in front of him and kicked her hard in the stomach, sending her flying.

Jun Lanyue crashed into a pillar and vomited a mouthful of blood.

“You… vile man… how dare you…” she shouted, her eyes full of rage, her words broken and scattered.

Qi Heng swung the whip again, striking her with a deep, bloody welt.

He showed no mercy, lashing her again and again, leaving vicious red marks on her body.

The nearby servant, terrified, screamed.

“Young Master Heng, please show mercy!” Zuo Yunjing rushed in. She had rushed over as soon as she heard that Jun Lanyue went to confront Qi Heng, but she was still a step too late.

“Miss Jun, are you alright?” she asked, full of concern.

Qi Heng stood with his hands behind his back. Seeing the hatred on Jun Lanyue’s face, he sneered, “That Zuo Yunfei guy bullies me just because he’s stronger—I can tolerate that. But you? What the hell are you to come pick a fight with me?”

Zuo Yunjing felt her heart clench. When she first met Qi Heng, she thought he was quiet and calm. But now, she realized how wrong she had been.

Zuo Yunfei walked in. “What happened here?”

Zuo Yunjing looked at him and said, “There was a bit of a conflict.”

Jun Lanyue looked at Zuo Yunfei with a hopeful gaze.

Zuo Yunfei took one look at her pitiful state and turned to Qi Heng. “You hit her?”

Qi Heng stood there calmly, hands behind his back. “Yeah.”

Zuo Yunfei looked at Jun Lanyue and chuckled. “You hit her pretty hard.”

“You know what kind of person I am. I’m petty, vindictive, and ruthless.”

Zuo Yunfei turned to Zuo Yunjing. “Sister Jing, since you’re close to Miss Jun, take her back to the Jun family.”

Zuo Yunjing: “…” Jun Lanyue was beaten like this, and this was his reaction?

Jun Lanyue stared wide-eyed at Zuo Yunfei, completely unable to believe what she was hearing.

Zuo Yunfei stood there, arms crossed, face cold and indifferent.

Qi Heng wore a similar expression—both of them were equally cold-hearted.

Zuo Yunjing, seeing this, could only carry Jun Lanyue away.

“You really don’t know how to show any tenderness toward women,” Zuo Yunfei said to Qi Heng’s back.

Qi Heng turned around, looked at Zuo Yunfei, and smiled. “Don’t laugh at me from your high horse. When it comes to being ruthless, I can’t compare to you. If you had just gone over and hugged her, she might’ve been grateful that I beat her.”

Zuo Yunfei frowned in disgust. “She’s filthy. Why would I touch her?”

Qi Heng: “…”