CHAPTER 409: CHAPTER 255 BIG BROTHER, I WILL DEFINITELY PROTECT YOUR WOMAN UNTIL THE END!_2

Feng Ruoli instinctively sensed something was amiss. There seemed to be a problem in their conversation, yet she still nodded in agreement with Lu Ruoyun’s words. "Of course, I was coerced. Otherwise, why would I be imprisoned here?"

Lu Ruoyun nodded upon hearing this. "Good, I understand. Come with me, and remember, do not speak. Leave everything to me."

Although she wanted to keep her elder brother all to herself, she wished even more that he wouldn’t suffer any injustice. Since her elder brother now had a woman, Feng Ruoli could only be his woman from now on.

Feng Ruoli responded with a soft "Mhm" and gracefully stood up. Afterward, the two of them stepped out, one after the other.

Upon seeing Lu Ruoyun leading Feng Ruoli out, Xianger exclaimed in shock, "Young miss, what are you..." What on earth was this lady planning? The others also couldn’t help but stand up.

"What? You want to stop me?" Lu Ruoyun lifted her head, slightly puffing out her chest, her eyes showing displeasure.

"We wouldn’t dare. We just wanted to ask where the young miss is taking her," Xianger replied, a bitter smile on her face.

"To the Secluded Courtyard." This time, Lu Ruoyun didn’t hide her intentions and directly stated her destination.

Xianger was slightly stunned. The Secluded Courtyard? Isn’t that where Si Nanyan is? What scheme is the young miss playing at?

"Are you done asking?" Lu Ruoyun’s expression turned impatient.

"Young miss, please," Xianger said, having come to her senses and hurriedly stepping forward with a gesture. "It’s been a long time since your return. Allow me to lead the way for you."

Lu Ruoyun said nothing, merely nodding, and walked on with Feng Ruoli.

Feng Ruoli, however, did not say a word and silently followed behind. Before leaving, Xianger turned her head and gave a meaningful look to one of the guards. That person immediately nodded in understanding.

After Lu Ruoyun and the other two left, this designated person stepped forward and spoke in a low voice, "None of you may disclose that the young miss was here, or your lives will be forfeit. To prevent any information from leaking, all of you come with me." As their words fell, the others exchanged glances but obediently followed this person away.

Yes, they would pretend they had never been here. None of this had anything to do with them.

Meanwhile, Wen Zhixing quickly received the news, as all parties were conveying messages to him.

"Sir, Miss Ruoyun has taken Feng Ruoli away. I have already secured the information." This was the message sent by Xianger. Xianger was experienced, after all. Knowing that there might be complications, she had immediately ensured no information would leak.

"Sir, I have followed Lu Ruoyun to the Secluded Courtyard." This was the information Feng Ruoli sent through the slave imprint.

Even Lu Ruoyun communicated at the earliest opportunity.

"Brother, the plan was successful! I will protect your woman to the end."

Lu Ruoyun’s words were a bit odd. My woman? But Wen Zhixing had no intention of dwelling on it; it wasn’t important. In any case, everything was proceeding smoothly. Right, Qin Tian and Qin Hao are both currently within the Lu Mansion. A sudden flash of inspiration struck Wen Zhixing. Yes! If he was going to frame Shao Zhengze, why not do it thoroughly? He should let Qin Tian and Qin Hao personally witness Shao Zhengze’s departure. After all, Shao Zhengze was ostensibly their junior. If Shao Zhengze were to take Si Nanyan and Feng Ruoli away right before their eyes, Qin Tian and Qin Hao would likely suspect each other of orchestrating the event.

At this thought, Wen Zhixing’s eyes gradually brightened. He flipped his palm, and Shao Zhengze’s Message Jade Talisman appeared. He began sending messages to Qin Hao and Qin Tian.

The first message read: "Qin Hao, I have initiated action according to plan." Though addressed to Qin Hao, he sent it to Qin Tian.

The second message read: "Qin Tian, I have initiated action according to plan." He sent this one, addressed to Qin Tian, to Qin Hao.

It was simple: Wen Zhixing wanted them both to think Shao Zhengze had hastily mixed up their names. After sending the messages, Wen Zhixing gleefully put away the Message Jade Talisman.

Alright, now it was his time to make an appearance. What happened between Qin Tian and Qin Hao was no longer his concern.

At that moment, Qin Tian and Qin Hao were in the same room. The Purple Cloud Divine Sect had dispatched three people to offer congratulations for this occasion, the third being Qin Yang.

Qin Yang was seated in the center of the room, a teacup in hand, his gaze scrutinizing the two young men to his left and right. "Xiao Tian, Xiao Hao," he began, "it seems you two brothers haven’t seen each other for quite a while, have you?"

"Yes, Mr. Yang. Ever since Xiao Tian began cultivating with you, we’ve rarely seen each other," Qin Hao replied with a smile. He knew Qin Yang favored Qin Tian; it had been that way since they were young. His smile was sincere, but the look he cast at Qin Tian subtly betrayed his irritation. Qinglian Fairy’s words still echoed in his ears: where, exactly, did he fall short compared to his younger brother?

Qin Tian, on the other hand, maintained a sullen demeanor, merely glancing at his older brother without a word. His gaze was even fiercer than before.

Qin Yang was fully aware of the dissatisfaction Qin Hao felt towards both him and Qin Tian. He sighed lightly and explained, "Xiao Hao, Xiao Tian is just more impetuous, not like you who has been reserved from a young age. Your father isn’t here, and as your uncle, of course I must intervene more..."

"Mr. Yang, you don’t need to say these things. I understand," Qin Hao interjected maturely, appearing to be very understanding.

Hearing this, the usually silent Qin Tian suddenly uttered, "Affectation."

His remark abruptly stiffened Qin Hao’s smile.

"Xiao Tian!" Qin Yang’s brows furrowed immediately as he chided, "He’s your elder brother! Is this how I taught you to speak?" He had long known of the discord between the brothers. This meeting was an attempt to ease their relationship, yet it had come to this as soon as they met. The situation gave him a slight headache. In retrospect, it was his fault; he shouldn’t have taken only one of them away back then. If he had taken both to train together, perhaps things wouldn’t be like this.

Seeing Qin Yang’s complexion grow stern, Qin Tian promptly became more obedient and reluctantly said, "Big brother, I was wrong just now."

Qin Hao’s smile returned, and he waved his hand dismissively. "Hahaha, never mind, never mind. Xiao Tian wasn’t wrong; it’s just me, his elder brother, being a bit dramatic."

As Qin Yang was about to speak again, the Message Jade Talismans of both brothers suddenly lit up. Seeing the messages were from Shao Zhengze, they exchanged a knowing glance and each covertly checked theirs. A moment later, both stiffened, startled. Then, a flash of mutual astonishment crossed their faces as their eyes met.

Wen Zhixing’s faked message from Shao Zhengze led them both to the same conclusion.

Qin Hao’s fist tightened slightly, anger flashing in his eyes. Indeed, Qinglian Fairy was right. This kid is definitely up to something behind my back!

Qin Tian’s expression turned even more aggressive. Heh, he’d long suspected his elder brother might try to snatch his achievements. He hadn’t said anything before due to lack of evidence, but now he finally had something to hold against him!

For a moment, the atmosphere between the two became fraught with tension.

"What are you two doing!" Qin Yang, seeing the baffling scene unfold, slammed his hand on the table and stood up angrily to scold.

"Mr. Yang, I have something else to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now. I’ll come back next time to listen to your teachings." This time, even the usually obedient Qin Hao didn’t comply, making to leave as soon as he finished speaking. He was in a hurry. Although he didn’t know what Shao Zhengze was planning, it was precisely this uncertainty that made him anxious. He had to find out what was going on. However, he dared not reply to the message, fearing the sender would realize their mistake.

Seeing Qin Hao depart, Qin Tian also stood up. "Mr. Yang, I need to leave as well." He didn’t explain his reasons to Qin Yang either. Shao Zhengze’s sudden message instilled a sense of crisis in Qin Tian. Those around him might not be trustworthy—perhaps not even Mr. Yang. Who knew if Qin Yang was siding with Qin Hao? Since Shao Zhengze had already made his move, he couldn’t afford to just sit idly by.

Qin Yang looked around the now-empty room, his brow tightly furrowed. What on earth are those two up to?