Chapter 17: The Threat (Part One)

The next day, Yan Xi slept until nearly noon before slowly waking.

When she opened her eyes, her first reaction was a bit dazed. After a moment, she came to her senses and naturally recalled what had happened the night before.

Indeed, things had unfolded exactly as in her nightmare—the worst possible outcome.

How could this be? She had tried so hard to avoid it, yet still couldn’t escape!

The more Yan Xi thought about it, the more wronged, angry, and helpless she felt. Gradually, the corners of her eyes reddened, and she began to sob quietly.

At the sound, Qing Lian and Tao Hong immediately heard the noise and rushed in together.

“Miss...”

The two approached the bedside, but at this point, what comfort could they offer?

There was little chance to say more, as sounds came from outside.

Soon, Xiao Liu timidly led someone in.

The newcomer carried a food box—a maid—who respectfully bowed to her.

“Miss Yan Xi... the heir instructed me to bring you bird’s nest porridge to nourish your body.”

She spoke with solemn respect and stepped forward to deliver it.

Qing Lian hesitated but took it, then looked at the Miss without asking if she would eat. Before she could respond, the food box was suddenly snatched away by Yan Xi.

Unexpectedly, with no time to react, Yan Xi’s tear-filled eyes flashed with anger as she smashed the food box onto the floor.

With a crash, the lid flew open, the bowl shattered, and the crystal-clear bird’s nest porridge spilled out...

Neither Qing Lian nor Tao Hong had ever seen Miss behave this way, nor had Xiao Liu or the delivering maid.

The two maids immediately lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word.

Qing Lian and Tao Hong quickly moved to Miss’s side.

Yan Xi showed no restraint; though her voice was soft, it was resolute: “Get out! Tell Lu Zhi to get lost!”

It was obvious who she was venting her anger on.

Xiao Liu lowered her head and stepped out nervously; the maid who had brought the porridge also slunk away.

Hearing Miss say “Lu Zhi” caused Qing Lian and Tao Hong’s hearts to race with fear and worry, but above all, they felt deep sorrow for her. Both bent down quietly to clean up the mess.

Miss was sixteen years old this year.

In all these sixteen years, even when she had been treasured like a jewel in the Shen household, she had never been spoiled, nor had she ever smashed anything.

This outburst was significant.

Fortunately, the North Courtyard was deep within the estate; although Tao Xiang Pavilion was not exactly secluded, it backed onto a garden, with an empty side yard where no one lived. Miss was still too fragile, her voice soft, so the shouting was not loud and likely unheard by others.

The day passed in a haze. Yan Xi did not leave her chambers all day.

Luckily, no visitors came, and neither the old madam nor the duchess summoned her.

This was the only small mercy in her misfortune.

At night, at the same time as the previous night,

a sudden wind rose in the quiet darkness, chilling and urgent, making every breath catch.

After a little while, sounds approached from outside.

The young girl lay quietly in bed, her long lashes fluttering, her almond-shaped eyes misted with tears.

Hearing the noise, her heart immediately tightened—this was no illusion.

She rose and looked out beyond the curtains.

Soon enough, the imposing figure appeared.

Yan Xi clenched her delicate hands tightly, tears welling in her eyes with anger.

Qing Lian and Tao Hong had already rushed over, standing protectively by her side, tense and alert.

In the blink of an eye, Lu Zhi lifted the beaded curtain and swaggered in.

Yan Xi spat out, “Get out!”

The man chuckled lightly, standing in the center of the room. He bent down to remove the finger ring from his hand, slowly wiping it with a handkerchief, his voice calm and casual.

“Have you made up your mind?”

Yan Xi retorted, “You’re a villain, you’re dreaming! I won’t go with you! Uncle Lu will be back soon—I will definitely, definitely tell him!”

She began to sob, her delicate body trembling.

Lu Zhi chuckled lowly, slipped the polished ring back onto his thumb, and leisurely stepped toward the bed.

Qing Lian and Tao Hong were shocked and immediately moved to shield Miss.

Lu Zhi seemed to ignore them, focusing his gaze on the young girl.

She looked frail yet stubborn, her skin soft and snowy white, her slender waist delicate, her black hair cascading down. Even from a distance, the scent she wore filled his nostrils. She appeared vulnerable but unwilling to submit.

Lu Zhi approached, hand slipping into his robe, fingers holding up a silver note, which he tossed before her lightly and casually said,

“You must be short of money...”

Before he finished speaking, the fragile girl on the bed suddenly snatched the silver note, and without even looking, tore it into halves, then quarters, balling it up and flinging it at Lu Zhi.

Qing Lian and Tao Hong clearly saw that the silver note was worth one thousand taels of silver.

They gasped—not only because of the amount, but because of Miss’s defiance.

The crumpled note struck Lu Zhi’s chin squarely before falling to the floor.

They were not the only ones shocked.

Lu Zhi seemed momentarily stunned.

But it was only for an instant.

The man looked down coldly, his dark eyes pausing briefly before he scoffed.

Yan Xi’s gaze locked fiercely onto his, “Don’t think you can make me submit, don’t think you can buy me off. Just wait—I will tell Uncle Lu! He’s going to recognize me as his daughter. I don’t believe he can tolerate you treating me like this! I—I will tell him!”

Lu Zhi lowered his eyes to look at her, a faint, ambiguous smile gradually spreading on his lips. He raised a hand to gently touch the jaw she had struck and said only two words:

“Is that so?”

With that, he laughed softly and turned to leave.

Yan Xi clenched her fists even tighter.

The two maids beside her were as tense as she was. The three of them stared intently at the man’s retreating back until he left the room.

Tao Hong immediately rose to bolt the door, then pressed herself against the window until she saw him exit through the moon gate, finally feeling at ease.

When she returned, she saw both Miss and Qing Lian looked paler than before.

Qing Lian was comforting her gently.

Yan Xi slowly began to relax, her hands unclenching from the quilt.

Tao Hong said softly, “Miss, don’t be afraid. He’s gone.”