CHAPTER 226: CHAPTER 226: IT’S IMPOLITE NOT TO RECIPROCATE

When did my sister become like this? Jiang Li’an wondered, shocked. She’s completely different from how she was in Capital City. That lively, cheerful, clever, and sensible girl... when did she turn into such a brainless, love-struck woman?

"You tell me!" Jiang Li’an’s anger flared. He suddenly grabbed Jiang Lile’s shoulders and yelled.

Jiang Lile was startled. She looked up at the already furious Jiang Li’an, panic in her eyes.

I’ve failed, she realized. It’s over. Now I have to bear my cousin’s anger. There goes my dream of marrying him in this lifetime.

Jiang Lile’s spirit crumbled.

"Brother, brother, WAHHH, I- I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you." Jiang Lile was terrified by Jiang Li’an’s ferocity and burst into loud wails.

Jiang Li’an knew he had scared his sister, but he couldn’t soften. He had to know what happened.

Jiang Lile sobbed as she recounted the morning’s events. "Brother, it’s really not my fault. If I didn’t do as they said, they would have killed you, Cousin, and our parents and grandfather in Capital City. WAHHH... Brother, I didn’t mean to, I was forced..."

Even now, Jiang Lile was still trying to shirk responsibility.

Such behavior made Jiang Li’an almost laugh in exasperation. Frustrated by her foolishness, he said, "Why didn’t you tell me or Cousin’s wife directly? How can you be so stupid? If they could actually kill people that easily, why would they need you? Cousin’s wife is fine, but if something had happened to her, ten of your lives wouldn’t be enough to compensate! That’s four lives you would have endangered! You believed those vicious thugs? They said they wouldn’t hurt anyone, and you believed them?"

Jiang Li’an pointed at Jiang Lile, scolding her relentlessly.

Xiao Yunjing held Gu Qingli, his face dark as he watched. If she weren’t my cousin, I’d have slapped her dead long ago, he thought grimly. What a waste of a brain.

"Brother, I was wrong," Jiang Lile finally said tearfully to Jiang Li’an after a long pause.

"What’s the use of admitting your mistake to me?" Jiang Li’an wished he could slap her senseless. All those years of their mother’s teachings had gone to the dogs.

If Grandfather found out about this, he’d die of anger. He, the dignified Libationer of the Imperial Academy, raised such a foolish and contemptible granddaughter. If word got out, he’d be a laughingstock. If he can’t even teach his own family properly, how can he teach others? Grandfather may have retired, but Eldest Uncle is still a Master at the Imperial Academy. He’d be criticized too.

Jiang Lile nodded, wiped her tears, and walked over to Gu Qingli. She knelt with a THUMP, looking at Gu Qingli pitifully. "Cousin-in-law, I’m so sorry. I must have been possessed. Please, Cousin, Cousin-in-law, forgive me."

Xiao Yunjing glanced at her coldly, the fury in his heart barely contained. His chilling voice rang out, "Is a simple ’sorry’ enough to settle this?"

"Then... then what do you want me to do?" Jiang Lile looked at Xiao Yunjing, bewildered. Staring at the man who only ever defended Gu Qingli, her heart clenched. Why does he only protect Gu Qingli? she lamented internally. I’m a victim too! I only did this out of desperation—to protect my brother, my family, and the cousin I’ve always adored! I’ve already admitted I was wrong. What more do they want? Besides, Gu Qingli is fine, isn’t she?

1

If Gu Qingli knew what Jiang Lile was thinking right then, she would have undoubtedly unleashed the cursed insect from her Space on her, to let her truly experience what "being fine" meant.

"Forget it. As long as Cousin Lile understands her mistake, that’s enough," Gu Qingli said, tugging Xiao Yunjing’s sleeve. Jiang Lile’s clueless demeanor had clearly infuriated him.

If this continued, Xiao Yunjing might actually kill her.

Jiang Lile deserves to die, but not at Xiao Yunjing’s hand. If he killed her, things would escalate significantly. She’s my mother-in-law’s niece, and we’re still at the border. This isn’t the time to stir up more trouble. Besides, Gu Qingli believed, if Jiang Lile’s mission failed—as her handlers will assume—they certainly won’t spare her. They’ll definitely try to kill her on the road back to the capital. They wouldn’t miss such a perfect opportunity to achieve two goals: silence her and sow discord between Xiao Yunjing and the Jiang Family.

Seeing Jiang Lile’s words, Jiang Li’an knew things were about to get worse. Just as he was about to reprimand her, Gu Qingli spoke, so he held back.

He watched to see how Xiao Yunjing would handle it.

Hearing Gu Qingli, Xiao Yunjing calmed himself. The murderous intent that had just surged within him... if it had been anyone else, they’d have died ten times over by now.

He took a deep breath and said coldly, "Since your cousin-in-law has spoken, I won’t make things difficult for you. However, you are to never appear before us again. Also, until the people sent to collect you arrive, stay quietly in your courtyard. Did you really think those people would let you off?"

With that, he waved a hand at Jiang Li’an, signaling him to take Jiang Lile away.

Jiang Li’an understood. He walked over to Xiao Yunjing and Gu Qingli, bowed deeply, and said, "Thank you, Cousin, Cousin-in-law. We will keep a close watch on Lile from now on."

After a final, deep look at the couple, he pulled Jiang Lile up from the floor and led her out of the room.

Jiang Lile’s mind reeled, Xiao Yunjing’s words echoing: "Never appear before us again."

Cousin hates me now. He never wants to see me again. I’ve lost him.

Like a puppet, she allowed Jiang Li’an to lead her away.

Gu Qingli rubbed her forehead.

That look Jiang Li’an gave us as he left... he clearly resented Xiao Yunjing’s words. What kind of mess is this? In the end, are we, the victims, not even considered human?

Xiao Yunjing’s eyes flickered. He helped Gu Qingli lie down, then leaned in and kissed her lips. "Li’er, you sleep first. Your husband will be back soon."

"Mm." Gu Qingli obediently closed her eyes. She knew what he was going to do without asking.

In a courtyard in Beijing County Town, several people paced anxiously.

"Secret Guard No.16, our mission failed. What do we do now?" a tall, burly black man asked a shorter individual.

Secret Guard No.16 gazed towards the County Government office. "Let’s wait a bit longer," he said. "The Master instructed that this mission must not fail. We’ll find another way."

I don’t believe Xiao Yunjing never lets his guard down, he thought.

Suddenly, ten figures leaped down from the rooftops, surrounding the small courtyard. Finally, one more person descended.

The newcomer observed the guards in the courtyard. He recognized them at a glance as Qingchen’s men. So that’s how it is, he mused. As if Xi Chenqing, with her paltry skills, could gather intelligence from the heavily guarded County Government. She’s simply not capable of it.

They provoke me time and again, Xiao Yunjing seethed internally. Do they really think I, Xiao Yunjing, am made of clay? It’s impolite not to reciprocate. Today, I’ll make an example of these few.ŸŸŸ

"Kill," Xiao Yunjing uttered softly, his voice laced with an endless, chilling intent.

At their master’s command, the ten figures immediately lunged at the six men.

After a chaotic flurry of flashing blades, the six men lay dead in pools of their own blood.

Yun No. 8 ordered the men to search the bodies. Afterward, the corpses were dragged to the center of the courtyard. He then took out a jade bottle and poured its contents over the bodies. Before long, the corpses dissolved into pools of blood. A moment later, the blood seeped into the snow-covered ground, leaving only a pungent, metallic stench in the air.