The carriage rumbled toward the Jing’an Marquis residence, the interior dim.Shi Wuxie leaned against one side, an open leather-bound booklet resting in his palm, his gaze fixed on the faded ink characters on the first page: Jing’an Marquis, Yan Li.The Ghostly Shadow was beside him. [Yu Nu, are you confident?]Shi Wuxie's gaze remained fixed on the page, a rare trace of ruthlessness hidden in his eyes. He nodded. "The Shen family's debt will begin to be collected from this Jing’an Marquis."Before long, the carriage stopped at the gates of the Jing’an Marquis residence.Shi Wuxie lifted the carriage curtain. After stepping down, he made no pause and walked straight toward the main gate.However, just two steps out, his footsteps paused almost imperceptibly, and he suddenly turned to look at a guard trailing behind him.The officer held one hand on his sword hilt, head lowered, the brim of his large hat pressed down so low that his entire face was hidden in shadow.Since the man was slightly taller than him, Shi Wuxie tilted his head slightly and glimpsed from beneath the hat brim a handsome, well-defined jawline, and a pair of lips with a natural upward curve.Shi Wuxie looked blankly puzzled: "Why are you here?"The hat brim lifted, revealing Chu Yunxi's obsequiously smiling face.He waved his waist token in front of Shi Wuxie. "Reporting to my lord, I'm now an accompanying guard, here to protect your safety."Shi Wuxie tilted his head and sized him up: "These clothes and this token, they're…"He thought for a moment. "Stolen?"Chu Yunxi choked.His eyes darted around, and he simply admitted it: "That's right, stolen. The guy's been knocked out and locked in the woodshed. I'll let him out once I get back safely."The other guard nearby lowered his head at these words, not daring to make a sound. The young master had paid them ten taels of silver for the trade—half of that silver was still tucked in his chest right now.His buddy had probably already taken the money and gone off to drink at a pleasure house by now. How enviable.Then, before Shi Wuxie could say a word, Chu Yunxi suddenly turned his head toward the wide-open gates of the Jing’an Marquis residence and raised his voice: "Aiya, why is there such earth-shattering wailing coming from inside?" With that, he stepped forward to enter. "Let me take a look."In the blink of an eye, he was already through the gate first.Shi Wuxie followed, but as he stepped over the threshold, his toe caught on something and he instantly lost his balance, pitching forward.His pupils dilated—just as he was about to have an intimate encounter with the ground, the person in front of him spun around lightning-fast and caught his arm.Shi Wuxie's whole body was tilted forward, kept from falling only by the other's single supporting hand. He slowly raised his eyes and met Chu Yunxi's speechless expression."Can't even walk properly?"Shi Wuxie steadied himself, straightened up, brushed off his robe, and said with perfect composure: "Wasn't paying attention."Chu Yunxi: …"Let's go."Shi Wuxie swept past him with an air of utter nonchalance, following the guiding gatekeeper toward the inner courtyard.Chu Yunxi watched his retreating back, shook his head helplessly, and followed.The rear courtyard of the Jing’an Marquis residence.In the eldest young master's room, a young man in plain white inner garments lay motionless on the bed, eyes tightly shut, face pale.Two imperial physicians stood nearby, working with grave expressions.A woman sat close against the edge of the bed, face hidden behind a handkerchief, weeping uncontrollably.The Jing’an Marquis, Yan Li, stood beside the woman, his face livid, chest heaving as he bellowed: "This is all your fault! Insisting on bringing that jinx back into the household! And now look what's happened—it's cost Yu'er his life!"As he spoke, he pointed at a stiff figure kneeling on the cold floor tiles.Madam Bo wept all the more bitterly, gazing through tear-blurred eyes at the kneeling figure, her voice breaking: "But—but Qing'er is still my own flesh and blood!"The young man wore a half-worn blue robe, his frame thin, and a bright red handprint stood out starkly on his delicate face; a clear footprint still marked the fabric on his shoulder."Flesh and blood? A jackal who maims his own brother—does he deserve to be called blood of my Yan family?" Jing’an Marquis was furious, glaring at the kneeling youth. "A life for a life! Today I shall carry out justice on Heaven's behalf and purge this household!" With that, he actually turned and drew the long sword from its rack."Stop."A clear, penetrating voice rang out from the doorway. It was not loud, yet it brought instant silence to the room.Everyone turned to look, and saw Shi Wuxie, clad in a crimson official robe, entering with two guards from the Court of Judicial Review.When Jing’an Marquis saw who it was, he clung to him like a lifeline, hurrying forward, his voice still thick with unquenched rage: "Lord Shi! You've finally come! Quick—seize this wicked creature who harmed his own elder brother, whose heart is black as a serpent's! Avenge my Yu'er!"With that, he shot a glance at the steward standing nearby.The steward took the hint and obsequiously stepped forward, holding out an opened rosewood box. "A small token of our regard, unworthy as it is. We hope Lord Shi will take extra care with the matter."Inside the box lay an old painted scroll, a small portion of the image visible, showing just enough of a famous master's inscription and seal.Shi Wuxie gave it only a glance before reaching out a finger and gently pushing the box back—a small motion, but one that clearly conveyed refusal."Your kindness is appreciated, Baron," he said flatly, then bluntly added, "However, I'm afraid you've been deceived. That painting, 'Riding a Donkey Through the Cold Forest,' is likely a fake."At these words, the steward's face went pale.Shi Wuxie's gaze swept over the steward. "A genuine work would be on tribute silk specially produced by the previous dynasty's imperial workshops—dense in weave and deep in color. Though this piece's silk has been artificially aged, it is a common imitation. I suggest you find an expert in calligraphy and painting to appraise it again.""This…" Cold sweat beaded on the steward's forehead, and he could only smile obsequiously. "What a discerning eye you have, my lord. It must have been that crooked shopkeeper who cheated me—I'll settle accounts with him later!"Meanwhile, he muttered inwardly: How could a mere nobody from an obscure family have such knowledge? He hadn't been fooled at all.Jing’an Marquis rounded on the steward and snarled, "Useless fool! Get out of here and fetch something more presentable!"He then turned to Shi Wuxie. "My servants are incompetent. Forgive the poor showing, my lord.""No need." Shi Wuxie shrugged. "No merit, no reward."Then he lifted his eyes and glanced at the figure on the bed. "You said just now, Baron, that you wished to seek justice for your son. Has there been a death, then?"Jing’an Marquis shook his head. "No, nothing like that."Shi Wuxie gave an "oh." "If no one has died, then there's no justice to seek, is there?"Jing’an Marquis froze, momentarily at a loss for words. "But this…"A young girl in a pale yellow dress, who had been quietly sobbing into her handkerchief, immediately raised her head at this and pointed at the kneeling youth. "What kind of talk is that, my lord? I saw with my own eyes Second Brother push Eldest Brother off the bridge. Must we wait until he's breathed his last before Second Brother is guilty?""And besides… Eldest Brother is in such a state…" The girl's voice was choked with tears. "His breath was nearly gone just now—it took the imperial physician every effort to barely keep him alive… Isn't that enough?!""I didn't do it."The kneeling youth raised his head with neither servility nor arrogance, his gaze firm as he said, "I didn't push Eldest Brother into the water.""You still dare to argue!" the Jing’an Marquis roared. "Rui'er saw it with her own eyes—how could it be false?!"The young girl grew agitated as well, her voice shrill. "You're a murderer! Mother never should have softened and brought you back! You were jealous of Eldest Brother taking your place, you harbored resentment, and that's why you committed such a vicious act! Give my eldest brother back his life!"The room grew even more clamorous.Shi Wuxie's head ached from the noise.Behind him came Chu Yunxi's faint voice: "A biased father, a muddled mother, deranged siblings, and a broken him.""All the essential elements are there."Shi Wuxie glanced back at Chu Yunxi and met his gaze directly.Those fox-like eyes curved slightly, their light flicking ever so briefly toward the bed. A moment later, the other leaned in close and murmured at his ear, "No matter what I do in a bit, don't stop me."The warm breath brushed past his ear, tickling Shi Wuxie. He instinctively reached up a finger and rubbed his slightly warmed ear, then turned his eyes warily to the side. "What are you going to do? Don't do anything reckless."As his gaze swept over, he caught Chu Yunxi smiling with eyes curved into crescents, his amber pupils full of cunning light.Those eyes were brilliant as stars, and Shi Wuxie froze for a moment.Just then, the old imperial physician at the bedside, having finished his examination, suddenly knitted his brows and muttered softly, "Strange… how can this be?"The Jing’an Marquis tensed at once. "What's wrong?"The old physician shook his head and bowed. "Reporting to Your Lordship, the Eldest Young Master's pulse appears stable, with no signs of danger, and yet…" He paused, looking troubled. "My humble skills are limited—I truly cannot fathom it. But judging from this situation, I'm afraid the Eldest Young Master… may never wake up.""What did you say?!" the Jing’an Marquis cried out."Yu'er—!" Madam Earl let out a heart-rending wail and threw herself over the unconscious youth.In an instant, everyone's attention in the room fell upon the figure on the bed—wailing, weeping, and cursing rising and falling one after another.Just as the scene descended into chaos—Chu Yunxi, flexing his wrist joints, pushed through the crowd. "Come now, make way."The Jing’an Marquis blocked him warily, looking him up and down. "Who are you? What do you want?"Chu Yunxi curled his lips and gave the Earl a meaningful smile. "To help your Eldest Young Master wake up, of course."The Jing’an Marquis took in Chu Yunxi's official uniform of a Court of Judicial Review guard, then looked at Shi Wuxie and asked, "Lord Shi, this is…"The Ghostly Shadow spun anxiously around at Shi Wuxie's side. 【What is this kid up to? Don't let him ruin our business!】Shi Wuxie looked at Chu Yunxi's tall, handsome figure, recalling how the other had exposed that cook by playing a ghost that day, and how just yesterday he had cleanly and decisively countered the sorcerer at the marquis manor's gate, exposing the scam. He also remembered how, when Shi Wuxie had suddenly produced the peach pastry, the other had cooperated with both wit and tacit understanding.This person… always seemed to have a way of catching people off guard.Shi Wuxie's eyes brightened slightly, and his thin lips parted. "Let him try."The Jing’an Marquis eyed Chu Yunxi suspiciously. "Do you know medicine?"Chu Yunxi cleared his throat, his manner composed. "A little."He said this with a smile, pushing aside the hand Jing’an Marquis held up to block him. "Since the imperial physicians are out of options anyway, why not try my method?"Jing’an Marquis still hesitated, but the Madam at the bedside lifted her tear-filled eyes and choked out, "My lord, let him try. At this point…" She sniffled again. "It's our only hope."Only then did Jing’an Marquis, frowning, reluctantly step aside.Chu Yunxi stood at the bedside, looking down at the young man on the couch. After a moment, he bent down, leaned close to the boy's ear, and drawled, "Are you going to wake up on your own, or shall I help you wake up?"The Eldest Young Master's lashes trembled ever so slightly, but his eyes remained tightly shut.Chu Yunxi nodded. "Fine."The smile at the corner of his lips deepened. He grabbed the Eldest Young Master by the collar and hauled him up, his other hand raised high.Jing’an Marquis's eyes went wide at the sight. "What are you—""SLAP—!"A crisp, resounding smack rang through the room, cutting off Jing’an Marquis's unfinished words.A clear, vivid red handprint instantly bloomed on the Eldest Young Master's pale face.Jing’an Marquis's expression changed sharply.The old imperial physician looked utterly baffled.The Madam was so shocked she forgot to cry, even gasping aloud.The girl in yellow went rigid, the tears at the corners of her eyes freezing in place.Dead silence filled the room.Everyone was stunned.Only Shi Wuxie's eyes flickered slightly, the corners of his flat lips curving up in a barely perceptible smile.Seeing that the Eldest Young Master remained unmoved, Chu Yunxi tilted his head and sneered, "Pretty tough, huh. Let's see how long you can hold out."Immediately after: "Slap slap slap—!!"A rapid-fire barrage of slaps came down like lightning, so fast that the onlookers could only see afterimages, too stunned to react.It wasn't until the Eldest Young Master's cheeks had swollen up high, his eyes squeezed into mere slits, that Jing’an Marquis finally snapped out of it and roared, "Stop!!"Chu Yunxi acted as if he hadn't heard. With a flick of his wrist, another slap came whistling down, about to land once more.At the very last moment, the Eldest Young Master's eyelids finally, laboriously cracked open, tears springing forth in that instant.A vague, trembling whimper escaped his throat, as if begging for mercy: "Stop… stop hitting me…"Moments later, the whimper turned into sobs. His swollen, pig-like face slowly turned toward the Madam. "Mother… it hurts…"The Madam and the girl froze at the same time.Jing’an Marquis's hand, which had been reaching for his sword, paused in confusion.He's… awake?The old imperial physician's hand shook, nearly dropping his medicine chest.That actually worked?!Silence fell over the scene once more.Only the Eldest Young Master's intermittent sobs sounded especially jarring.Chu Yunxi dropped the boy, dusted off his hands, and turned to Jing’an Marquis. "No need to thank me." As he spoke, he glanced down and noticed that three inches of Jing’an Marquis's sword had already left its sheath. He pressed two fingers on the hilt and pushed it back in.Then he turned his head and winked smugly at Shi Wuxie.In his line of sight, Shi Wuxie stood quietly a short distance away, those thin lips slowly, visibly curving upward into an unmistakable smile.Chu Yunxi froze at the sight.That ice-block face… looks surprisingly good when he smiles.
Chapter 9
My Cold-Faced Wife Wants to Kill Me Again