Although he failed to capture her, Zongzheng Xiaoran saw Gu Qingyun's face.
She was indeed the Little Female Slave they were looking for. Finding her had required no effort at all.
A sinister smile appeared in Zongzheng Xiaoran's eyes. “The Imperial Preceptor may not know this, but she is a household slave who escaped from my residence. Thank you, Imperial Preceptor, for helping me find her.”
Gong Yunxu lowered his head and glanced at Gu Qingyun.
Gu Qingyun understood his look. He was watching her make a fool of herself; her identity had been exposed.
She frowned. It was one thing to seek out her enemy voluntarily, but it was another for the other party to discover her whereabouts first.
It was all this vile monster's fault. If not for him, how could she have encountered her enemy under such circumstances?
Gu Qingyun shot Gong Yunxu a glare, then raised her eyes to look directly at Zongzheng Xiaoran. A trace of confusion showed in her dark eyes. “Female slave? Young Master, have you mistaken me for someone else?”
She refused to admit it?
Zongzheng Xiaoran narrowed his eyes halfway. The girl before him wore a long pink dress and her hair in twin-ring buns. Her attire was simple, but her exquisite features and snow-white skin made her a rare beauty.
But wasn't this face precisely that of the female slave who had boldly abducted the Heir Apparent Duan?
“Do you think I won't recognize you just because you've changed your clothes?” Zongzheng Xiaoran's gaze turned cold. “Come back with me obediently. Perhaps I might spare your worthless life.”
He deliberately ignored Gong Yunxu's presence, and Gong Yunxu did not step in to help either. He simply watched quietly from the side as the two confronted each other.
This fellow was simply bent on throwing the world into chaos, deliberately intent on watching the show.
Gu Qingyun's heart chilled, and anger colored her face. “Young Master, aren't you being rather strange? Are you trying to forcibly seize an innocent woman?”
“An escaped slave dares claim to be a commoner?” The corner of Zongzheng Xiaoran's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a cold smile.
He turned his gaze toward Gong Yunxu. “Imperial Preceptor, could you hand this female slave over to me? She injured many people in the Beast Arena and also abducted the Heir Apparent Duan.”
He had assumed the other party would agree, but unexpectedly, Gong Yunxu lazily asked in return, “You say she is your female slave? What proof do you have?”
Zongzheng Xiaoran was stunned. Hadn't Gong Yunxu always refused to involve himself in women's affairs?
However, he believed the other man was merely asking symbolically, so he answered frankly, “She is wearing a Profound-Locking Ring around her ankle. If you don't believe me, have her lift her skirt hem, and you'll know at a glance.”
“Have her lift her skirt hem...” Gong Yunxu wore an ambiguous smile.
The fact that Zongzheng Xiaoran did not understand did not mean Gu Qingyun failed to understand.
She said coldly, “Eldest Young Master, don't bully people too much! Don't you know that men and women are different?”
Before Zongzheng Xiaoran could answer, she turned and glared at Gong Yunxu. “Are you happy watching your own woman get bullied? Don't sleep with me tonight. Go sleep in the study by yourself!”
Gong Jiu, who had been following far behind, stumbled when he heard this and nearly fell flat on his face.
Zongzheng Xiaoran and the subordinates behind him also stared wide-eyed in astonishment, their faces showing expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
She... What did she mean? Was she the Imperial Preceptor's woman? Had she and the Imperial Preceptor already shared a bed?
The only one who remained composed was Gong Yunxu, the person who had just been scolded.
A trace of surprise flashed rapidly through his radiant, limpid peach blossom eyes. Amid everyone's dumbfounded stares, Gong Yunxu replied mildly, “Of course I can't bear to see you bullied. Tonight, I will definitely wash up and wait for you in bed, wife. You may bully me however you like.”
Such an unabashed admission of weakness was nevertheless filled with suggestiveness, leaving the group, who had only just recovered their senses, speechless with shock once more.
After finally finding his voice, Zongzheng Xiaoran said, “Imperial Preceptor Gong, is she your Madam?”
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