"Don't. Hold. It. In."Looking at the crowd standing frozen like wooden chickens, Shi Wuxie's cold voice rang out at just the right moment, breaking the silence in the room: "It seems the Eldest Young Master can wake up after all."The old imperial physician wiped the sweat from his forehead and said shamefacedly, "This old fool was prejudiced from the start—a leaf before my eyes blinded me to the mountain."The words were quite tactful, but anyone with a brain could hear it: this wasn't a matter of "a leaf blocking the view"—this was clearly a living man playing dead.The Countess finally came back to her senses. Looking at her son's pig-faced swelling, she was heartbroken and bewildered: "Yu'er… what happened to you…"She reached out to touch her son's cheek, but the moment she did, the Eldest Young Master's shoulders flinched and he let out a pained hiss: "Sss—! It hurts!"Shi Wuxie, naturally, was not as smooth as the old imperial physician. With sincere earnestness, he tore away the fig leaf: "Since the Eldest Young Master was faking it, then that earlier accusation of 'being pushed into the water and nearly dying' must also be false, yes?""If this is false accusation and slander, what should the punishment be?"The Jing’an Marquis was rather losing face. Suppressing his anger, he demanded of that pig-faced son: "Yu'er, what is the meaning of this?"The Eldest Young Master shrank under his father's piercing gaze, burrowing deeper into his mother's embrace. His eyes, squeezed into two narrow slits, blinked hard to squeeze out a few tears, and he mumbled indistinctly: "Your son… your son was afwaid Second Bwother would… twy to kill him again… so he… didn't dare wake up."Shi Wuxie watched the performance expressionlessly. If not for that bright red pig's face, it would have been a genuinely pitiable sight.Beside his ear, The Ghostly Shadow was already laughing so hard he was shaking.[Pfft—HAHAHAHA—! I want to cut his ears off and eat them with wine!]The young man kneeling on the ground stared fixedly at the Eldest Young Master without glancing aside, the fists hidden in his sleeves clenched tight.A figure silently appeared at his side, leaning close to his ear and lowering its voice: "Want to break the deadlock, kid?"The Second Young Master turned his head in confusion and met a pair of eyes glinting with sly amusement—it was that strange guard who had slapped the Eldest Young Master awake. The man was mouthing words at him: "Don't. Hold. It. In."Before the Second Young Master could react, a piercing pain shot up his arm, as if someone had seized his flesh and twisted it viciously, nearly tearing it off bone and tendon together.The Second Young Master's expression changed sharply."Ah—it hurts!" Caught off guard, the pain made his pupils contract sharply, and tears instantly spilled from his eyes.Chu Yunxi quickly feigned surprise and helped up his forearm, swiftly rolling back his sleeve: "Oh dear, does it hurt? Let me see, let me see—where is it?"Chu Yunxi immediately put on a look of concern and astonishment, lifting his forearm, speaking softly but loud enough for those nearby to hear: "Oh dear! What happened here? Let me see—where are you hurt?"As he spoke, Chu Yunxi had already swiftly rolled up the sleeve of the Second Young Master's left arm.As the fabric rolled back, it revealed a thin forearm crisscrossed with old and new scars—barely a patch of unmarked skin remained. It was a shocking sight. Even the fresh red mark Chu Yunxi had just made seemed utterly insignificant by comparison.The sight startled everyone present.Tears already streaked the Second Young Master's cheeks, and gradually, suppressed, stifled sobs began to escape from between his lips.This heartfelt, genuine wailing stood in stark contrast to the affected sniffles coming from the bed.Hearing it, the Countess's heart trembled violently.Her gaze fell upon the shocking scars on her son's forearm, and she nearly threw herself to her knees before him. Her trembling hands wanted to touch but dared not, only hovering over that scar-covered arm as her voice shook beyond recognition: "Qing'er… what… what happened?"Shi Wuxie hurried over and crouched beside the young man. After carefully examining one arm, he gently rolled up the sleeve of the other—it too was covered in wounds, some still fresh, clearly inflicted by recent torment.Shi Wuxie looked up and asked the Countess with puzzlement in his eyes: "May I ask, Countess—who exactly is your own flesh and blood?"The words struck like a thunderbolt. The Countess, as if dealt a heavy blow, collapsed limply to the floor.Shi Wuxie slowly rose, then pointed at the Second Young Master's wounds and looked toward the Jing’an Marquis, saying in a voice devoid of emotion: "My lord, as a noble of the realm, harming your own offspring and abusing your legitimate heir is also a grave crime."After his initial shock, the Jing’an Marquis flatly denied it: "Absurd! I have never once applied family discipline to him! Nor did I ever instruct anyone to treat him this way!" He glared around at the servants who stood with bowed heads in silence and shouted: "Speak! Who did this?! Who dared use private punishment within the Earl's residence?!"The servants buried their heads even lower, none daring to answer.The Countess was already weeping uncontrollably. With a trembling voice, she asked the young man, "Qing'er, tell your mother—who was so heartless as to hurt you like this…"The Second Young Master raised his tear-filled eyes toward his mother, hesitated a moment, then turned to glance at Chu Yunxi.Chu Yunxi met his gaze, blinked rapidly, then pressed his lips together into a mournful expression.The young man was stunned for a moment, then understood. When he looked at his mother again, his lips trembled, and the tears he had been holding back burst forth once more, rolling down in large drops across his pale cheeks.He stretched out his hand and pointed firmly at the person on the bed: "It was Eldest Brother—he ordered the steward and servants of his courtyard… every day in the ancestral hall… they beat me with rattan canes soaked in salt water… and only gave me spoiled cold rice and scraps…""In the dozen or so days Father made me kneel in the ancestral hall, they came every single day…" As he spoke, his body shrank back."You're lying! I didn't!" The pig-faced figure on the bed hastily denied it. "Mother! Don't believe him! He's framing me!"The Countess felt as if a knife were twisting in her heart. "Why didn't you tell your mother…"By now the Second Young Master's pain had faded, and his tears eased somewhat as he spoke. He wiped his cheeks and his voice steadied: "In the ancestral hall—"But the moment he opened his mouth, a sharp stab of pain shot through his calf, and his voice immediately went off-key: "Ah—in, in… in the ancestral hall, no one would pass a message for me…""Boo-hoo-hoo—" The tears that had just subsided burst forth again. He sniffled. "I… I was only let out today, and then this happened…""Besides… when I first returned to the residence a month ago, servants came to threaten me, telling me to get lost. When I told Father about it, not only did he not believe me, he scolded me for stirring up trouble.""After that, they tormented him even worse…" The Second Young Master's head drooped, his voice fading. "So I didn't dare bring it up again…"The Countess pulled Yan Mingqing tightly into her arms and wept aloud. "It's my fault, Mother neglected you… I've been useless!"Behind them, the eldest young master was still slurring his protests. "He's lying! Father! Mother! You believe—"Shi Wuxie glanced at a guard at the door, who then swiftly melted into the shadows beneath the corridor.Shi Wuxie turned back to the Jing’an Marquis. "This matter concerns the safety of the legitimate heir of a noble house and has violated national law. Since Your Lordship has failed to keep your household in order, the Court of Judicial Review shall take over."The Jing’an Marquis froze, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation. He hurried forward two steps, trying to smooth things over. "Lord Shi, you're taking this too far. It's merely a small misunderstanding. Once I find out which insolent servant dared such a thing, I'll deal with him and give my son an explanation."He clapped Shi Wuxie on the shoulder with practiced familiarity and smiled. "Since my son is unharmed, we won't be pressing any charges. A trifling family matter—how could we possibly trouble you and the court with it?"He even fished a heavy purse from his sleeve and moved to press it into Shi Wuxie's hand. "It's all a misunderstanding. Sorry to have made you come all this way for nothing."Shi Wuxie lowered his eyes, staring at the purse for a moment, then gently pushed it away with one hand. "No need."The Ghostly Shadow gave a cold snort. "That old fox thinks that once the case is dropped, you'll have no power over his affairs.""The moment the elder one fell into the water, he raised a whole fuss and demanded the younger be brought to justice—but when it's the younger being bullied, suddenly it's a 'family matter' to be brushed aside.""Hah, his favoritism has gone clear off the rails."Shi Wuxie's gaze shifted, landing on the boy kneeling on the ground.Chu Yunxi caught his look and glanced at the young master still weeping softly in his mother's arms, understanding at once. "Second Young Master."The Second Young Master gently pulled back from his mother's embrace, straightened his posture, and looked over.Though this man's method of helping him had been quite painful, it had worked immediately.He felt a few measures more trust toward Chu Yunxi, and his voice carried a hint of respect. "Please speak."Chu Yunxi looked at the boy and said leisurely, "In this world, aside from the schemes of household intrigue, there's also something called the law of the land."As he spoke, he flicked his eyes toward Shi Wuxie and patted the Second Young Master on the shoulder. "There, the magistrate is right over there. This opportunity won't come knocking twice."The boy followed his gaze and turned to look at Shi Wuxie.That man stood alone at the very edge of the crowd, his crimson official robes bathed in daylight, his tall, austere silhouette traced in sharp relief. The sunlight lit only one shoulder and half of his refined profile; the other half remained hidden in the room's shadow.An air of aloofness and authority, belonging to no place here, wreathed about him.He understood Chu Yunxi's meaning at once.The boy's gaze on Shi Wuxie grew ever more resolute. He rose, walked up to Shi Wuxie, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt on both knees, declaring with unflinching resolve: "My lord, I, Yan Mingqing, a commoner, wish today to accuse my elder brother Yan Mingyu of seizing what is not his and repeatedly attempting to harm me. I beg you, my lord, to redress this injustice!"The Jing’an Marquis's face changed drastically. "You wretched son! Are you mad? Accusing your own brother!"Shi Wuxie looked at the boy, his voice cool and clear. "Very well. Your petition—I accept it."The Jing’an Marquis raged: "Lord Shi!"Shi Wuxie raised his hand. "Guards."A response like thunder came from outside the door. Accompanied by the clanking of armor, the guard who had quietly withdrawn earlier now led a squad of Court of Judicial Review officers filing in, and a murderous air instantly filled the room.Behind the guard, several servants of the Earl's manor, hands bound behind their backs and faces ashen, were forced to kneel across the floor."My lord, these are all the servants who had contact with the Second Young Master."Shi Wuxie gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over the row of servants on the ground. "Escort everyone involved to the Court of Judicial Review prison to await trial.""Yan Mingyu is suspected of harming his own brother. Take him away for questioning."Just as he was about to lead his men away, a voice called out: "Wait."Shi Wuxie paused mid-step and turned to look toward the source of the voice. "The Court of Judicial Review is handling this case according to the law and apprehending suspects. My lord, are you attempting to obstruct justice?"The Jing’an Marquis glared coldly at his face for a long moment, then suddenly said icily, "This Earl wishes to observe the proceedings."A sly glint flashed through Shi Wuxie's eyes.Seeing his silence, the Jing’an Marquis raised his voice. "What? Don't you dare let this Earl attend?"Shi Wuxie nodded. "Of course not. Please do as you wish, my lord."The Jing’an Marquis nodded. "I'd like to see how you dare judge this case with this Earl present!" With that, he flung his sleeve and strode arrogantly out the door first.Watching the Jing’an Marquis's departing back, the corner of Shi Wuxie's lips curved up almost imperceptibly.The Ghostly Shadow whispered at his side, [Yu Nu, the fish has taken the bait.]Once in the carriage, Shi Wuxie had barely taken his seat when the curtain was lifted and a figure slipped inside.Chu Yunxi settled himself by the window, a knowing smile playing at the corner of his lips. "I'd guess this Eldest Young Master isn't some mistakenly swapped adopted son at all—more likely he's the Jing’an Marquis's illegitimate son, raised outside. Otherwise, why would he show such favoritism?"A bright gleam appeared in Shi Wuxie's eyes, and he asked in surprise, "How did you know?"Seeing Shi Wuxie's eager expression again, Chu Yunxi inexplicably felt his mood lift.Heh, it's just a formula.Carrying a show-off pride he himself hadn't noticed, he continued, "I also know that if you don't intervene, this Second Young Master will eventually be tormented to death.""And just before he dies, he'll say: 'If I could live my life over again, I would definitely…'"He feigned mystery, snapping his fingers with a sly gleam in his eyes. "Bingo! Triggering the Rebirth Code!"Shi Wuxie froze, tilting his head slightly. "Rebirth… Code?"A moment later, the eagerness in his eyes transformed into an excitement like that of discovering a new continent.He immediately took out paper and brush, eyes fixed intently on Chu Yunxi. "Did you also trigger this so-called 'Rebirth Code'? What exactly was it? Tell me quickly."Chu Yunxi: …"I'm not telling you.""Then what do you want? I can make a trade with you.""This is a secret of heaven. How could it be traded?"The light that had just sparked in Shi Wuxie's eyes dimmed. "Really… no trade possible?"Chu Yunxi suddenly found it amusing.This guy actually believed it?How could he be so dense.Just then, the wheels rolled over several stones and the carriage jolted violently.Chu Yunxi reacted swiftly, grabbing the window ledge to steady himself—only to see Shi Wuxie, carried by the carriage's momentum, barreling straight toward him.That cold, clear face suddenly magnified in his vision.The next instant.Cool, soft lips met, teeth clacking together, sending a distinct dull pain through them.Shi Wuxie froze completely.Chu Yunxi's lashes lowered as he gazed at the nose tip so close it nearly brushed against his own. Feeling the unfamiliar warmth between their lips, his pupils suddenly dilated.This was a world full of nothing but schemes!
Chapter 10
My Cold-Faced Wife Wants to Kill Me Again