She seemed to want to say something but hesitated.
Zhao E set down her water cup. “Help me change.”
The Second Young Master Xiyu referred to was named Zhao Peiyuan, Zhao E’s full-blooded younger brother, and A-Ning was the maidservant who attended to Zhao Peiyuan.
“Miss, shall I prepare the carriage?” Xiyu asked in a low voice.
She knew that the young miss was going to visit the Second Young Master, who was currently recuperating at the estate outside the city. The journey was long, and a sedan chair would be far too slow.
“Mm.” Zhao E gave a slight nod.
Xiyu called Xishi in to attend together. Both of them were a bit cautious—when the young miss was alone, her temperament was rather cold and aloof.
“Stop at Huixian Jiulou on the way.” Zhao E instructed as she boarded the carriage.
Huixian Jiulou was one of the finest taverns in Dijing Cheng, and its house-brewed Yanggao Jiu was renowned as a specialty of the capital.
Beneath the tall, brightly decorated festive archway, Zhao E stepped down from the carriage onto a small stool, aided by her maidservant’s hand.
“Zhao E!” Zhao Ruxiu wore a look of irritation. “Why do I run into you everywhere I go?”
Zhao E lifted her eyes and saw Zhou Yu standing expressionless, with Zhao Yuehua and Zhao Ruxiu, the two sisters, at his side.
She curved the corners of her lips. What a coincidence, indeed.
“Sister, don’t speak to the eldest sister like that.” Zhao Yuehua gently admonished Zhao Ruxiu, then bowed to Zhao E. “Eldest sister, Ruxiu is young and doesn’t know better. Please don’t take her to heart.”
Her features were lovely, her words gentle and soft, presenting the image of a proper and composed young lady.
Zhao E paid her no mind at all. Raising her water-chestnut eyes to look at Zhou Yu, she clutched her round silk fan and gave a coquettish smile. “Brother-in-law, you manage your time quite well.”
Before dawn, he had still been in her bed, and now he was already at another’s side, neatly dressed, looking every bit the noble lord.
Tsk. This was what they called a sanctimonious facade.
Zhou Yu gave her a brief, indifferent glance without a word.
Zhao Ruxiu let out a light snort. “Staring at the young prince like that won’t do you any good. The young prince has already come to our residence for the Nacai ceremony today—in a few days, his engagement to my sister will be settled.”
Nacai was the first step in betrothal negotiations.
“Is that so?” Zhao E’s water-chestnut eyes sparkled as she turned, smiling carelessly. “Then allow me to offer my congratulations here.”
“Sister, don’t speak like that.” Zhao Yuehua scolded Zhao Ruxiu, then turned to Zhao E with a smile. “Oh, by the way, eldest sister, have you eaten yet? Would you like to—”
“I’ve eaten.” Zhao E swept her gaze over Zhou Yu from head to toe, her eyes lingering on a certain spot of his body, her tone light yet laden with meaning.
Zhou Yu’s expression remained cool and aloof, but the tips of his ears had quietly turned red.
Zhao E let out a bold laugh, lingered no longer, and stepped toward the main hall of Huixian Jiulou. As she passed Zhou Yu’s side, she cast him a teasing glance.
“Zhao E, have you no shame at all—” Zhao Ruxiu couldn’t help but shout at her retreating back.
“Sister!” Zhao Yuehua grabbed hold of her, then looked at Zhou Yu with an apologetic and bashful expression. “My sister is young and doesn’t know better. Please forgive her, young prince.”
“It’s fine.” Zhou Yu’s tone was indifferent, utterly unruffled.
“Young prince, why don’t we—” Zhao Yuehua ventured, hoping to have Zhou Yu accompany her for a stroll through the market.
But before the words left her mouth, Zhao E had already emerged carrying a small jar of Yanggao Jiu. She cast Zhou Yu a knowing, half-smiling glance and teased, “Brother-in-law, this elder sister will be on her way now.”
“Wretch!”
Zhao Ruxiu couldn’t stand Zhao E’s frivolous manner. As Zhao E passed before her, she suddenly thrust out her hand and shoved Zhao E hard.
Three years ago, she was a little wretch who let them bully her as they pleased—who would believe she could turn the world upside down overnight!
Zhao E was caught off guard and shoved, stumbling. The jar of wine in her hands shattered with a “crack,” Yanggao Jiu spilling all over the ground, its rich aroma instantly wafting through the air.
Unable to resist the momentum, her left hand pressed onto the broken shards of the wine jar. A piercing pain struck instantly, blood gushing out, red and shocking.
“Miss!”
Xiyu and the others rushed forward to help her up, instinctively glancing at Zhou Yu.
Zhao Yuehua was also watching Zhou Yu, her tense nails almost digging into her palms.
Zhou Yu’s straight, long lashes lowered, making it impossible to see the expression in his eyes. He merely cast an indifferent glance at the somewhat bedraggled Zhao E, completely unmoved.
Seeing this, Zhao Yuehua secretly rejoiced. She had said it—who in their right mind would like a woman like Zhao E? She hadn’t misjudged Zhou Yu’s character after all.
Zhao E stood up, pushing away the maids surrounding her, and slowly walked toward Zhao Ruxiu.
She shed her usual indifferent demeanor. Her bright, apricot-shaped eyes now held a sharp light, her lips pressed tightly together. Her injured left hand dripped blood all the way, looking somewhat terrifying.
“Stare, what are you staring at? You think I’m afraid of you?” Zhao Ruxiu had never seen this side of her before. Somehow, she felt a bit scared, unconsciously swallowing. She put on a fierce front while quailing inside: “Here’s money for you to get treated.”
As she spoke, she fished out a silver ingot and threw it at Zhao E.
“Hold her down.” Zhao E let the silver ingot roll to the ground by her feet, her eyes fixed intently on Zhao Ruxiu.
Ling Feng immediately stepped forward. Before anyone could clearly see her movement, Zhao Ruxiu was pinned to the ground.
“Zhao E, how dare you!” Zhao Ruxiu panicked completely and quickly turned to Zhao Yuehua for help: “Sister, save me…”
“Elder Sister…” Zhao Yuehua wanted to step forward.
But all of Zhao E’s maids suddenly surrounded her, blocking her path.
Zhao E placed the shard of the wine jar on the ground and calmly ordered, “Put her hand on it.”
“No, ah… help!” Zhao Ruxiu screamed at the top of her lungs.
“So noisy.” Zhao E’s dark eyebrows furrowed slightly.
The next moment, Ling Feng gagged Zhao Ruxiu’s mouth.
Zhao E lifted her exquisite embroidered shoe and slowly stepped down on Zhao Ruxiu’s hand on the ground.
Zhao Ruxiu shook her head desperately, but could only emit muffled whimpers from her throat. Then a sharp pain shot through her hand, and tears streamed down her face.
The next moment, her other hand also seared with pain. She discovered in terror that Zhao E, this madwoman, had pierced both her hands!
“Little Prince, please…” Zhao Yuehua couldn’t squeeze in and couldn’t see Zhao Ruxiu’s condition, so she had no choice but to turn to Zhou Yu for help.
Zhou Yu stood with his hands behind his back, lips pressed together, saying nothing.
Zhao Yuehua didn’t dare plead further and could only pace about anxiously.
Fortunately, the maids didn’t surround her for long before dispersing.
Ling Feng very kindly lifted Zhao Ruxiu up from the ground.
But Zhao Ruxiu was in too much pain to stand, immediately crouching down again, clutching both hands. Only now could she cry aloud.
Zhao E took two silver ingots and tossed them onto her, returning the words to her: “Here’s money for you to get treated.”
Having said that, she turned and strode away, not caring that the blood from her left hand dripped the whole way.
“Little Sister…” Zhao Yuehua hurried to help Zhao Ruxiu.
“Your sister’s hand is injured. There’s no need to go to the polo field this afternoon.” Zhou Yu suddenly spoke indifferently.
Zhao Yuehua was stunned for a moment. So Zhou Yu had already planned to take them to play polo in the afternoon. She tried hard to calm her emotions and replied softly, “Little sister only has minor injuries, it’s no problem.”
A proper young lady from a respectable family naturally could not go out alone with a man; that would be called a private meeting.
Zhou Yu not calling her to go was out of consideration for her.
Yet the opportunity to spend time with Zhou Yu was rare—how could she let it slip by?
Zhou Yu lowered his eyes and looked at Zhao Ruxiu.
Zhao Yuehua quickly helped Zhao Ruxiu up and checked her injuries: “The injury is not serious, she only needs to go to the clinic to get it bandaged.”
“Let’s go.” Zhou Yu did not look sideways, heading straight for the carriage.