Chapter 23

Ye Qingran's face darkened, and almost when the whip was a few inches from her, she grabbed it in one hand.

Ye Qingran's face was filled with a chill, as if soaked in frost and snow.

She gave a hard yank, and the whip fell into her hand.

(no name)

(sound)

Using their own methods to treat them!

One lash struck Mu Qingrou's face, flesh and blood flying, and Mu Qingrou let out a scream like a pig being slaughtered.

Everyone sucked in a breath of cold air, awed by Ye Qingran's decisive, iron-blooded aura.

The whip moved, landing on Mu Qingrou's neck, drawing several bloody lines.

"Either kneel or die!" At this moment, Ye Qingran, in spotless white robes, exuded a deep, icy chill, like a killing god from Jiu You.

Mu Qingrou finally realized fear, her whole body trembling.

(no name)

A stern shout rang out, like thunder exploding.

(no name)

He thought it likely that Ye Qingran's action had angered a big shot of Wuji Hall.

Ye Qingran

Ye Qingran looked straight ahead, her expression unchanged.

"Ye Qingran, this is Wuji Hall, not a place for you to run wild—release her at once!"

The newcomer had a square face and sturdy build; he was Mu Yuanzheng, the steward of Wuji Hall.

Seeing Mu Yuanzheng, Mu Qingrou rejoiced: "Father, that lowly Ye Qingran wants to kill me—hurry and help me kill her!"

Mu Yuanzheng lowered his gaze and saw Mu Qingrou's face split open, flesh torn, blood flowing; he instantly flared with rage.

Ye Qingran

At that moment, a private room on the left side of the entrance to the second floor of Wuji Hall.

Fu San

Fu San, Your Excellency, Miss Ye

Since last time he eavesdropped around the corner, he had a decent impression of this Ye family young lady. However, the previous attitude of Your Majesty left him unsure whether his actions might provoke him.

Fu Hanxiu naturally also noticed the commotion outside. Hearing Fu San's words, he lifted his eyelids, gave him a casual glance, and said, "Fu San, when did you become so meddlesome?"

Fu San started: "It was my subordinate who spoke too much."

Fu Hanxiu said nothing more, his deep eyes falling on the outside, a hint of a cold, mocking smile playing on his lips.

That woman, full of wicked schemes, hardly seems like someone who would suffer a loss.

In this setting, Ye Qingran spoke calmly, "I said, either kneel or die."

Mu Yuanzheng's brows sank, his face killing intent: "Ye Qingran, if you don't release her, I will kill you!"

Ye Qingran sneered, "Then let's see who's faster." As she spoke, the whip's barbs dug deeper into the flesh, the smell of blood growing stronger.

Ye Qingran, Steward Mu, the wager, Mu Qingrou

Ye Li

The meaning is that Mu Qingrou brought it on herself by not following the rules; being abused is what she deserves.

Ye Qingran glanced coolly at Ye Li, then quickly looked away, her eyes calm.

Mu Yuanzheng looked at Ye Li and recognized him as a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sword Sect.

However, he frowned: "So what? As a distinguished member of the Mu family, how could I kneel before a good-for-nothing?"

Steward Mu

A warm, moist voice came from within Wuji Hall, like a spring breeze brushing over everyone's hearts.

The crowd followed the sound and saw the window of a private room on the right side of the second floor by the entrance open, revealing a figure like jade spirit.

"It's the Ninth Prince!" someone exclaimed.

Ninth Prince, His Majesty the Emperor, the former emperor, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince

The Ninth Prince is congenitally frail, lives in seclusion, rarely appears, yet unexpectedly showed up at Wuji Hall's Azure Cloud gathering.

"Since they had a prior bet, the loser fulfilling it is only natural; otherwise, if this gets out, it will not only damage the Mu family's reputation but also that of Wuji Hall."

The Ninth Prince's voice was rich and magnetic, unhurried, making listeners feel as if basking in spring breeze.

In the neighboring private room, Fu San glanced at his lord, then curled his lip.

"Your Majesty, look—Miss Ye is indeed a popular lady; if you don't act, plenty of others will!"

"Fortunately, Miss Ye is not your beloved; otherwise, with your clueless, uncherishing ways, you'd spend your life as a bachelor!"

Many onlookers felt quite surprised, speculating whether Ye Qingran might have some connection with the Ninth Prince; otherwise, why would he step forward to speak for her?

Upon seeing the Ninth Prince, Mu Yuanzheng's face turned slightly grim; despite any inner reluctance, he dared not defy the Ninth Prince's will.

This lord enjoyed the former emperor's utmost favor; one cannot afford to offend him.

"What the Ninth Prince says is absolutely right." Mu Yuanzheng bowed to the Ninth Prince, then told Mu Qingrou, "Qingrou, hurry and apologize to Miss Ye."

"No, I won't!" Mu Qingrou gritted her teeth: "Why should I apologize to her when she ruined my appearance?"

"Mu Qingrou!" Mu Yuanzheng warned in a low voice.

"This rebellious girl dares to defy the Ninth Prince's wishes!"

Ye Qingran sneered, "If you hadn't humiliated me first, how would you have ended up like this? Mu Qingrou, all of this is your own doing. Don't blame others—blame only yourself… you fool!"

Although Ye Qingran's words were harsh, they were true.

Had it not been for Mu Qingrou humiliating Ye Qingran as trash and forbidding her from entering Wuji Hall, Ye Qingran would have challenged her to a duel?

Under Mu Yuanzheng's threats, Mu Qingrou was finally forced to compromise.

As for Seventh Prince Dongfang Xuan, he had already pissed himself when the Ninth Prince spoke.

He would never forget that scene he had once seen...

Mu Qingrou and Dongfang Xuan glanced at each other and said in unison: "Sorry..."

Ye Qingran, unmoved: "Kneel down, and I didn't hear that line!"

Mu Yuanzheng's eyes turned sinister: "Miss Ye, show mercy where you can!"

Ye Qingran found it funny: "If I lose today, would the Mu steward say that?"

Everyone was stunned.

If Ye Qingran loses today, given the temperaments of His Highness the Seventh Prince and Mu Qingrou, they will certainly not let it rest.

Ye Qingran will surely suffer utter humiliation.

Thinking this way, His Highness the Seventh Prince and Mu Qingrou are actually reaping what they sowed.

"Mu Qingrou, Dongfang Xuan, hurry up and kneel before grandfather!"

Ye Qingran let out a fierce shout, her aura so intimidating that people feared to look.

Dongfang Xuan and Mu Qingrou had never suffered such humiliation.

In broad daylight, with everyone watching, they nearly bit their silver teeth to pieces.

Yet, forced by pressure, they had no choice but to endure the humiliation and bear the burden.

"Ye Qingran's grandfather, we were blind to disrespect you—may you, an adult, not hold our petty faults against us!"

Everyone stared dumbfounded.

One is the Mu family maiden, of noble status; the other is an imperial clan descendant, extraordinarily noble.

At this very moment, the two of them actually knelt before Ye Qingran and uttered such humble words!

Indeed, the tides of fortune have turned.

"Are you satisfied now, Ye Qingran?" Mu Qingrou's eyes were as if poisoned, full of hatred.

Dongfang Xuan was the same.

"Ye Qingran, wait for us—the humiliation you inflicted today will be repaid a hundredfold!"

However, Ye Qingran is not afraid.

"Not bad, next time remember to soften your tone."

Everyone was speechless.

"Still want a next time?"

"But upon reflection, Ye Qingran has only been back a few days, and His Highness the Seventh Prince has already made her kneel twice—what could be impossible?"

Ye Qingran ordered Han Xing Leng Yue to look after Mo Xiaohu, then immediately walked into Wuji Hall under everyone's gaze.

"Wait!"

As she stepped through the door, Mu Yuanzheng stopped her.

"Miss Ye, wearing a veil, you are not allowed to enter Wuji Hall."

Mu Yuanzheng's words sounded righteous, but he harbored ill intent.

He had heard that Ye Qingran's appearance had been ruined in the past.

Then let everyone admire her noble bearing!