TSWRLM -Chapter 230 I Have Indeed Admired the Young Mistress for a Long Time

Wei Lingze’s skills were no match for Xiao Yechen’s, and with the medicine in his system taking effect, he quickly fell behind. Xiao Yechen kicked him aside and snatched Xiao Qinghe.

After incapacitating several of the Wei family’s guards, Xiao Yechen leapt onto the wall with Xiao Qinghe in his arms, disappearing into the night.

Madam Yun immediately received the news and rushed over.

Seeing Wei Lingze drenched in sweat and pushed to his limit, she hurriedly had him carried back inside and given an antidote.

The medicine had a strong effect; even after taking the antidote, it would take some time for the effects to fully wear off.

Madam Yun also had cold water brought for Wei Lingze to soak in. She was both worried and angry: “What are the estate guards even doing? How could they let an assassin in—and they kidnapped He’er!”

Normally, it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but tonight He’er had been drugged. If something had happened with the assassin, where would the Wei family’s face be? How could they explain this to the Xiao family?

The key was that if they made a public scene now, everyone would know about it by tomorrow.

Even Madam Yun, who had weathered many storms, felt at a loss.

The shock of the cold water brought some clarity to Wei Lingze. Hoarse, he said to Madam Yun: “That assassin might be someone from the Xiao family. Mother, don’t make a scene. Let’s observe quietly for now.”

Madam Yun’s eyelid twitched. She hurriedly asked: “What do you mean the assassin is from the Xiao family? Could it be that they don’t trust us and have been watching?”

Her anger was mixed with guilt.

If the assassin really was from the Xiao family, He’er’s innocence would be protected—but the Xiao family would also know that she had drugged He’er, meaning He’er’s suffering at the Wei residence couldn’t remain hidden.

Wei Lingze had no energy to explain further. He said solemnly: “I’m only pointing out a possibility. Mother should focus on controlling the mouths of the servants in the estate.”

Having said this, he closed his eyes and didn’t speak further.

Madam Yun knew she had caused trouble with good intentions. She dared not say more and turned to block the news.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yechen strode into the Xiao residence with Xiao Qinghe in his arms.

The servant on duty saw Xiao Yechen covered in blood, his expression deadly, and realized something was wrong. They hurried to inform the main residence.

Xiao Yechen couldn’t enter the back courtyard and had to first take Xiao Qinghe to his room.

Xiao Qinghe, unable to resist the effects of the drug, writhed uncomfortably and groaned in pain, like a drowning person desperately clinging to Xiao Yechen.

Tears fell constantly from her eyes—she wasn’t acting willingly.

Xiao Yechen placed her on the bed and gave her a pill from his pocket. Only then did he notice she had bitten her lip at some point.

“Wei Lingze… you truly… disgust me!”

Xiao Qinghe spoke with difficulty and tried to bite her tongue. Xiao Yechen quickly placed his hand in her mouth to stop her.

She bit down with all her strength. His palm was cut, and drops of bright red blood overflowed from her lips. Xiao Yechen felt nothing, standing still with murderous intent in his eyes.

If not for the purpose of bringing the young mistress to safety, he would have killed Wei Lingze right then.

Madam Xiao and Father Xiao had just gone to bed. Hearing the servants’ report, they hurriedly dressed and rushed over. Upon entering, they saw the scene before them.

Madam Xiao’s eyelids twitched. She immediately ordered the news to be sealed. Father Xiao strode forward and asked gravely: “Chen’er, what happened?”

Xiao Yechen’s voice was cold: “The young mistress was drugged. I’ve given her the antidote. Once the effects wear off, I will apologize to you and Madam properly.”

Madam Xiao rushed to the bed. Seeing Xiao Qinghe’s flushed face and hot body, as if she had just been pulled from water, her eyes reddened. She hurriedly asked: “Who would do such a vicious thing to He’er?”

Xiao Yechen lowered his gaze, hiding the killing intent in his eyes, and said solemnly: “I don’t know who drugged her. I arrived just as Wei Lingze was about to force himself on her. I couldn’t bear to see her suffer, so I injured the guards and brought her home.”

Though brief, his words carried immense meaning. Madam Xiao didn’t dare ask further.

After about the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Qinghe finally fell asleep. Xiao Yechen withdrew his hand and said: “The medicine is strong. The young mistress may still have a fever in the later hours. Someone needs to stay with her to bring it down.”

Madam Xiao immediately brought Xiao Qinghe to the residence where she lived before marriage.

Once they left, Xiao Yechen knelt before Father Xiao: “Tonight I overstepped, offending the young mistress. You may punish me as you see fit!”

His head bowed, he didn’t dare look at Father Xiao. His hands, still dripping blood, hung at his sides.

Xiao Qinghe’s clothes had been torn, and the garment she wore earlier was Xiao Yechen’s outer robe.

Late at night, Xiao Yechen appeared at the Wei residence, injured the guards, and brought Xiao Qinghe back. Even if nothing improper happened, everyone could see his intentions.

If this got out, Xiao Qinghe’s reputation would be ruined.

Father Xiao’s gaze was grave. After a pause, he asked: “Did you appear at the Wei residence only tonight, or have you been watching every night?”

“Please judge clearly, Father. I would never spy on the young mistress’s life. Recently, she asked me to investigate Wei Lingze. I happened to uncover something concerning. Fearing she would be harmed, I went to warn her, never expecting this to happen.”

Xiao Yechen answered quickly, back straight, voice firm.

Father Xiao’s expression didn’t soften: “Do you harbor ill intentions toward He’er?”

Though phrased as a question, his tone was certain.

Xiao Yechen clenched his fists, breathing heavier, but answered honestly: “Yes. I have admired the young mistress in secret for a long time. But I know our statuses are unequal, so I never dared approach her privately, nor reveal my feelings. If tonight’s events harm her reputation, I am prepared to end my life now.”

He drew a dagger, intending to slit his throat, but Father Xiao stopped him: “Wait.”

Although Father Xiao intervened quickly, Xiao Yechen’s neck had a small cut, showing he truly was willing to die for Xiao Qinghe.

Father Xiao sighed quietly and asked: “You said the young mistress asked you to investigate Wei Lingze. How did you do it, and what did you find?”

Xiao Yechen didn’t lower the dagger, explaining all he had discovered recently. Finally, he said: “I am currently helping His Highness the Crown Prince run Wuyouge. Everyone there is the prince’s informant, so investigating Wei Lingze wasn’t difficult.”

Father Xiao: “……”

The backing behind Wuyouge is… the Crown Prince?