The guard closest to Chen Shujin was the first to be confronted. A flicker of astonishment passed through his eyes. "Take action? We have done no such thing. Please do not make baseless accusations, young master. Falsely accusing others is not the conduct of a gentleman."
"Baseless accusations?"
Hearing their change in address, Chen Shujin let out an angry laugh. He shifted his body slightly, revealing the still-prone Li-shi behind him. "My mother has been severely injured by you. Regardless of whether it was intentional or not, I demand to see Master Ji immediately. This matter will not be dropped!"
The guards exchanged glances, no longer wishing to engage in pointless argument with Chen Shujin. They raised their staffs, firmly blocking 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 against the obstruction. "Who dares to stop me? If there is no proper explanation for today's events, then 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 attempted to herd Chen Shujin back into the courtyard using the same method. "Young master, please watch your words and actions. Do not disgrace the Ji family's reputation, otherwise…"
"Audacious insolent servants! How dare you!"
Despite his thin frame, Chen Shujin was still a grown man, his strength incomparable to Li-shi's.
While the guards had indeed been ordered to guard the gate, 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, rang out. Everyone turned to look.
The guards seemed to find their backbone. "Miss Xiqiu."
The newcomer was none other than Xiqiu, one of Ji Ruyue's senior maids.
Xiqiu was the daughter of the estate's head guard. Trained in martial arts since childhood, she held considerable authority among the guards.
Her arrival now was entirely because she had been sent out on an errand and missed her young lady's Zhaoxin Tai. She was burning with curiosity to see the man chosen by the princess's decree, the one who had provoked her young lady's displeasure!
Her young lady had given permission: if this poor scholar dared to make a scene, he was to be dealt with!
Xiqiu raised her hand slightly. The junior maid beside her immediately understood, first ushering away the onlookers. Xiqiu herself then shot a meaningful glance at the guards.
Only then did she approach Mulan Yuan with a cold expression.
Having received Xiqiu's order, the guards acted swiftly. No matter how 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 taken the brunt of the fall.
"My arm…"
"Eldest Brother!" The younger Chen siblings immediately rushed over, forgetting their mother for the moment. This fall was serious. Looking at him… was his arm broken?
Xiqiu stood outside the courtyard gate, not entering. Her posture and demeanor were impeccable, but the words she uttered chilled the Chen family to the bone. "Young Master Chen, such impressive bluster. Not even married into the family yet, and you dare to be so unruly. My young lady initially intended to think highly of you, considering you are, after all, a scholar. But now, seeing you in this state…"
Xiqiu's expression remained unchanged, but the disdain in her gaze as she looked at him ignited Chen Shujin's fury, making him forget even the pain in his arm. "What state am I in? Who is truly the one without manners? You tell me! On what grounds does Ji Ruyue confine me here? And on what grounds do you lay hands on people?"
"We certainly have not. If Young Master Chen insists on asking why…" Xiqiu curled a smile at the corner of her lips 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."
Xiqiu 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 truly is disappointing."
"You!" Chen Shujin felt a pang in his heart.
No, his hand hurt even more.
"Call a physician for me, quickly!"
Xiqiu pretended not to hear, glancing at his arm instead. "Young Master Chen, please take good care of yourself. After all, you are a scholar, and your hands are extremely important."
"Otherwise… you truly would be utterly useless."
Chen Shujin was in such pain that cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Holding his right hand with his left, both hands trembled together.
Xiqiu waved her hand, and several guards immediately understood. With a "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…"
Xiqiu 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 twisted into a somewhat distorted, almost ferocious expression. "Tomorrow is my wedding banquet with Ji Ruyue. How dare she treat me like this? When the princess arrives…" A malicious glint flickered in his eyes.
By doing this, he would be ruining the wedding banquet and sending 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 you are favored by the princess, you need only explain the situation to her briefly. Let's see how the Ji family responds then!"
"Exactly so. Tomorrow, my son, you 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 child…" Madam Li wept as she spoke, still wanting to cause a scene and call for a physician no matter what.
But Chen Shujin stopped her. "Mother, there's no need. My hand can be treated tomorrow. 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 few of them tremblingly 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.