Сhарter 7: Brоkеn Аrm
Тhе guard closеst tо Chen Shujin wаs the first to bе соnfrоntеd. А flickеr оf surрrisе flashed in his еyes. “Takе аctiоn? Wе hаvе dоne nо suсh thing. Рleasе dо not sрeak nonsеnse, уoung master. Fаlselу aссusing others is nоt the behaviоr оf а gеntleman.”
“Nоnsеnsе?”
Нearing thеir chаnge in addrеss, Chen Shujin lеt out an аngry laugh. Hе shiftеd his bоdy slightlу, rеvealing Mаdam Li bеhind him, whо still hadn’t manаged to gеt up. “Му mоther hаs been sеriously injurеd bу уou. I don’t care whether it was intеntiоnal or not. Tаkе me to seе Оld Master Ji immediately. This matter will not be dropped!”
The guards exchanged glances, no longer wanting to waste words with Chen Shujin. Raising their staffs, they firmly blocked his path. “The master is currently unavailable. Please return, young master.”
“You… you…”
Chen Shujin had no desire to argue with these brutes. He strode forward, pushing out with his hand. “Who dares to stop me? If there is no proper explanation for today’s events, tomorrow’s wedding need not proceed!”
As luck would have it, several guests happened to be passing by. Chen Shujin’s voice was not soft, and his words were clearly audible.
Seeing the situation turning sour, the guards used the same method to drive Chen Shujin back into the courtyard. “Young master, please watch your words and actions. Do not disgrace the Ji family’s reputation, or else…”
“Bold and insolent servants! How dare you!”
Though thin, Chen Shujin was still a grown man, his strength incomparable to Madam Li’s.
The guards had indeed been ordered to guard the gate, but this was, after all, the future son-in-law. They dared not use excessive force, which left them somewhat constrained.
“Are you all dead? Can’t you see Young Master Chen is having a fit? Hurry up and throw him inside!” A woman’s voice, filled with anger, came from behind. Everyone turned to look.
The guards seemed to find their backbone. “Miss Xi Qiu.”
The newcomer was none other than Xi Qiu, one of Miss Ji Ruyue’s senior maids.
Xi Qiu was the daughter of the estate’s head guard. Having trained in martial arts since childhood, she held considerable authority among the guards.
She had been sent out on an errand and missed the Marriage Proclamation Stage. Now, she was burning with curiosity to see the man the princess had betrothed to her mistress, wondering what he was like to have provoked her mistress’s displeasure so!
Her mistress had given permission: if this poor scholar dared to make a scene, he was to be dealt with!
Xi Qiu raised her hand slightly. The young maid beside her immediately understood, first ushering away the onlookers. Xi Qiu herself then gave the guards a meaningful glance.
Only then did she approach Mulanyuan with a cold expression.
Having received Xi Qiu’s order, the guards acted swiftly. No matter how much Chen Shujin struggled, they twisted and threw him.
Thud!
Chen Shujin landed in a heap.
He felt as if his entire body had shattered, the pain so intense he could barely breathe.
Especially the arm that had hit the ground first.
“My arm…”
“Big brother!” The younger Chen siblings immediately rushed over, forgetting their mother for the moment. This fall was no light matter for their eldest brother. Judging by his appearance… was his arm broken?
Xi Qiu stood outside the courtyard gate, not entering. Her posture and demeanor were impeccable, but the words she spoke chilled the Chen family to the bone. “Young Master Chen, what impressive airs. Not even married into the family yet, and you dare to be so unruly. My young mistress originally intended to think highly of you, considering you are, after all, a scholar. But now, look at you in this state…”
Xi Qiu’s expression remained unchanged, but the disdain in her gaze as she looked at him fueled Chen Shujin’s rage, making him forget even the pain in his arm. “What state am I in? Who is truly the one without manners? You tell me yourselves! On what grounds has Ji Ruyue confined me here? And on what grounds did you lay hands on us?””We certainly have no such obligation. If Young Master Chen insists on asking why…” Xi Qiu curled her lips into a smile and took another step forward.
“Because you are the Ji family’s future son-in-law. Because your words and actions will affect the Ji family and drag down our young lady.”
Xi Qiu lifted her handkerchief and fanned it beneath her nose, her face full of disdain. “I returned too late, thinking the imperial-bestowed son-in-law must be something extraordinary. Now that I’ve seen you, it’s truly disappointing.”
“You!” Chen Shujin felt a sharp pain in his chest.
No, his hand hurt even more.
“Call a physician for me, quickly!”
Xi Qiu pretended not to hear, glancing at his arm instead. “Young Master Chen, please take good care of yourself. After all, you are a scholar—your hands are extremely important.”
“Otherwise… you’d truly be utterly useless.”
Chen Shujin was in such pain that cold sweat beaded on his forehead. His left hand supported his right, causing both hands to tremble together.
Xi Qiu waved her hand, and several guards immediately understood. With a loud “bang,” they closed the door again and even locked it.
The Chen family grew frantic. Madam Li crawled forward and pounded on the door. “You insolent servants! I’ll have you all sold off—no, I’ll send you to the authorities…”
Xi Qiu gave a few instructions to the guards, glanced at the tightly shut courtyard gate with a flash of disgust in her eyes, then turned and left.
“Ah~” Chen Shujin groaned in agony.
Whether from pain or anger, it was hard to tell!
His originally handsome features were contorted, looking somewhat ferocious. “Tomorrow is my wedding banquet with Ji Ruyue. How dare she treat me like this? When the princess arrives…” A malicious glint flashed in his eyes.
By doing this, he would effectively ruin the wedding banquet and send the Ji family to the executioner’s block.
Chen Shutong said angrily, “Brother speaks wisely. Tomorrow, Her Highness the Princess will be present in person. Since Brother enjoys the princess’s favor, you need only explain the situation to her briefly. Let’s see how the Ji family responds then!”
“Exactly so. Tomorrow, my son must recount this grievance in detail to Her Highness the Princess. The Ji family’s actions are a blatant contempt for imperial authority. My poor son…” Madam Li wept as she spoke, still wanting to send someone to cause a scene and call a physician no matter what.
But Chen Shujin stopped her. “Mother, there’s no need. My hand can wait until tomorrow for treatment. I want the princess to see clearly just how vicious the Ji family is.”
Madam Li burst into another fit of wailing, and then the trembling group helped Chen Shujin back to his room.
The five members of the Chen family were filled with grief and indignation.
Their thoughts and intentions could only be described as utterly malicious.