Chapter 844

He opened it and saw a message from Xiao Ning.

Xiao Ning 【Zhao Chi, it's already 10 o'clock, why haven't you come yet?】

The moment Zhao Chi saw Xiao Ning's name, his head started to throb.

Why is she getting impatient?

He's still not done being busy with his own woman—what's she rushing for?

But after all, finding her is proper business; no matter how unwilling, he still has to go.

Today he must go and numb her for another day.

Zhao Chi got up, feeling aches all over his body.

After resting with the Huanleyi Society for a while, he felt a bit better.

He'll catch up on sleep when he comes back later.

Creak—

The wooden door opened.

Gu Qing came over carrying breakfast.

Morning light fell on her long hair, turning it all golden.

Seeing Zhao Chi, Gu Qing smiled gently.

"My lord is awake, come eat quickly. My lord really worked hard yesterday."

Her face was radiant with spring light, her smile brimming over.

He hadn't felt it a moment ago, but now seeing the food he finally felt hungry.

"Those feathered cows have already started producing milk. I boiled some and tasted it—the flavor's not bad."

"Really? It's only been a few days."

"After all, those feathered cows only need twenty days from pregnancy to calving, so they start giving milk quickly too. From now on we'll have a milk supply every day."

"Not bad. Have you all had some?"

"We all drank. It was all boiled out of one big pot. I've already helped blow it cool for you—try it."

Zhao Chi took a sip.

The taste seemed a little different from what he remembered, but it was very rich, full of milky fragrance.

The protein content must be very high.

Beside it there were also some flour-based foods and meat dishes; Zhao Chi paired them together and quickly ate everything up.

"Eat slowly, what's the rush?"

Gu Qing used her thumb to wipe the milk stain from the corner of Zhao Chi's mouth clean.

"No time, I need to go to Xiao Ning's place—she's urging me."

Gu Qing pouted and hummed: "What a shameless woman. But it doesn't matter. My lord, go and come back quickly—the gift is already prepared."

"What gift is it today?"

"A silver bowl."

"A silver bowl?"

"Yes, this was actually seized from Zhao Ji's territory. Have you forgotten?"

After defeating Zhao Ji earlier, some luxury goods had been confiscated from him.

At the time, most of them were buried underground.

Later, once Penglai Village was established, all the supplies were transferred to Penglai Village.

Among them was this silver bowl.

Gu Qing handed it over: "Don't worry, my lord, I've inspected it completely. The carvings and patterns on it are all standard designs, not exclusive to nobles—it can be given with peace of mind."

This silver bowl wasn't large, only about 8 centimeters in diameter—considered a small bowl size.

Some exquisite patterns were engraved in openwork along the rim.

They were basically auspicious clouds and five-colored flower motifs—indeed a common design.

The bowl wall was also relatively thin; its value was probably around 2 gold coins.

"Not bad, then this one it is."

Zhao Chi stored it in the system space.

Gu Qing leaned close and helped him straighten his collar.

"My lord, be very careful when you go. Keep your temper in check and try to be patient. You don't need to stay too long there today either; meeting once more tomorrow should be about enough."

"Alright, then I'll head over now."

"Mm, I'll brew some soup to nourish you. Don't waste the rest of today either—the three of us are all waiting for you."

"How about... I stay with the Duodaiyi Society a bit longer at Xiao Ning's place."

Gu Qing covered her mouth and laughed: "Haha, what are you afraid of, my lord? If you're tired, we'll massage you for you. Whether to continue or stop, isn't it all up to you?"

Zhao Chi said: "Of course we continue. I was only joking. You three wash up clean and wait for me!"

"Okay~ then we'll be waiting for your heroic performance tonight~"

He arrived at the Great World.

Today there were especially many people on patrol.

The reason wasn't clear—perhaps extra caution was needed on the eve of war?

Today when he arrived at the Xiao family, he really wasn't stopped again.

It's just that those exotic-race soldiers gave Zhao Chi a strange look, then let him pass.

"Ah ya!!"

The moment he stepped into the courtyard, Zhao Chi heard a woman's agonized scream.

The voice was somewhat familiar.

Could it be Xiao Ning screaming?

No, it wasn't her.

"Fuck, you've got a tough mouth. If you don't talk, I'll gouge out your eyeballs!"

That was Xiao Ning's slightly hoarse voice.

Zhao Chi hesitated, then entered the room.

Inside the room, Xiao Ning sat on a large sofa, a dagger in her hand.

Yan Ping stood beside him, looking at the woman tied to the chair on the right.

A woman was bound to the chair on the right, her hands tied to the armrests on either side, her legs also bound to the chair legs, unable to move.

Her hair was loose, her face covered in wounds.

Her once smooth, dewy cheeks had been slashed to ribbons.

Blood mingled with tears dripping continuously; her trousers were already soaked, and a puddle had formed on the floor.

Although her face was now a bloody mess, Zhao Chi recognized her at a glance.

It was Su Qin.

No way?

Zhao Chi quickly looked her over carefully once more.

He wasn't mistaken — it was Su Qin.

What the hell is going on?

Zhao Chi's eyes went wide.

Rage surged up.

Although he wasn't close with Su Qin, her character was solid.

She knew how to repay kindness, and she had excellent sense of propriety.

Zhao Chi had no particular feelings toward her — at most, she was a friend he'd only recently gotten to know.

But after all, the two of them were from the same clan, and his impression of Su Qin was quite good.

Seeing her like this now, Zhao Chi's emotions churned violently of their own accord.

But he immediately forced his fury down and kept his expression under control.

"Xiao Ning… what's going on here?"

Zhao Chi's tone was mild, as if he couldn't care less about Su Qin.

Yan Ping grinned viciously: "Her mouth's tough — this is what happens when she dares not answer Lady Mu Chang's questions. You'll be the same."