Chapter 48

First Volume, Chapter 48: The Violent Girl

The man was young, barely twenty, neither towering nor bulky but solidly built, his sharp eyes radiating an air of sternness beyond his years.

Li Rui spotted him at once—the Little Marquis of Anguo—and quickly shot Cheng Fa a glance.

Cheng Fa stepped forward with a grin: "The banquet's already started—why are you only arriving now, Little Marquis?"

Ning Hu glanced at Cheng Fa, unimpressed, and replied indifferently: "Got held up."

His sharp eyes swept over every person present, searching for his target.

Cheng Fa knew Ning Hu's temper—he avoided provoking him unless absolutely necessary—but right now, only Ning Hu could "tame" that menace Qin Feng, so he gritted his teeth and forced a smile to strike up conversation.

"Little Marquis, are you looking for Qin Feng?"

Ning Hu frowned, his face brimming with impatience: "Do you have something to say or not? If not, go cool off somewhere else! What are you doing here causing trouble?"

Long ago, Cheng Fa knelt before Shenglin Academy to beg for a master, then got swindled out of Ten Thousand Li Silver by Qin Feng—Ning Hu had heard all of it, and looked down on Cheng Fa from the bottom of his heart.

Cheng Fa's warm face met a cold backside; he could only force a weak smile and slink away in shame.

Li Rui, watching from afar, cursed Cheng Fa's incompetence inwardly and stepped forward himself: "Little Marquis, greetings."

Ning Hu had no great fondness for Li Rui either, but this fellow was the son of the Minister of Revenue—his status was higher—so Ning Hu endured, nodded curtly, and got straight to the point: "Have you seen Qin Feng?"

Since Ning Hu's intent was clear, Li Rui had no reason to play coy—he pointed to the Pian Yuan: "I saw him head that way earlier."

Then Li Rui suddenly shifted tone: "I heard Xie Yun'er is here too—could he be going after her?"

As Li Rui expected, the moment he spoke, Ning Hu's face twisted in fury, his eyes blazing with hatred—he said nothing, and strode straight toward the Pian Yuan.

Watching Ning Hu's menacing back, Li Rui sneered: "A scholar meets a soldier—reason falls flat. Qin Feng, you love playing dirty? Let's see how you handle this little tiger!"

Ning Hu's face was cold, truly like a tiger barely holding back its rage.

Who in all of Jingdu didn't know the Little Marquis was infatuated with Xie Yun'er? Even if she showed little interest, time would soften her heart—he was certain that with persistence, he'd eventually win her over. Because of this, all the wastrels had always kept their distance from Xie Yun'er.

One reason was fear of her; the other, fear of angering Ning Hu.

But Qin Feng, that blind fool, dared to spy on Xie Yun'er—even spreading details of her private matters.

If not for the recent troubles tying him down, Ning Hu would've long ago ambushed Qin Feng on the road and beaten him senseless.

Others avoided Qin Feng—but Ning Hu didn't care.

You like playing dirty? Go ahead! Play all you want—I'll just slap your face till you can't stand!

At this moment, Qin Feng leaned lazily in the Cool Pavilion, one leg crossed over the other, tossing peanut shells, enjoying the beautiful flowers. Warm sunlight bathed his face—utterly blissful. He even felt, absurdly, that this money-grubbing merchant of his had grown cultured. As the saying goes, when belly and warmth are satisfied, lust follows—he mentally plotted how to turn Liu Hongyan from sister into wife.

"Qin Feng?!"

As Qin Feng daydreamed of forbidden content, a lascivious grin on his face, a voice suddenly called from behind.

Qin Feng snapped back to reality, stood up—and his eyes lit up.

Behind the Cool Pavilion stood a stunning beauty.

Around eighteen or nineteen, dressed in a long red gown, her jet-black hair coiled into a high bun, willow-browed, almond-eyed, lips like cherry blossoms. Her delicate face carried a hint of confusion, curiosity, and an innate haughtiness.

Qin Feng was thrilled—today was truly auspicious: not only had he successfully sold White Sugar and made a fortune, but now a beauty had walked right into his lap. He instantly shed his usual ruffian demeanor, recalled Li Rui's hypocritical poise, and forced a half-baked image of a refined Young Master.

"I am Qin Feng—pleased to meet you. How did you come to know me?"

The red-clad girl let out a soft "Oh," her confusion vanished instantly, her face tightening: "Of course I know you—even if you turned to ash, I'd never forget you."

That didn't sound right. Qin Feng frowned inwardly, but the girl's looks were undeniably to his taste—he didn't dwell on it, smiling: "That's an exaggeration. Are you a female student of Shenglin Academy? Admiring my literary talent, secretly smitten?"

The girl laughed bitterly, stepping toward the Cool Pavilion, her tone oddly chilling: "Hehe, I've heard the Qin Family's heir is shameless—today I see it's true to the letter. But don't worry—I've dealt with men like you before."

Feeling the murderous intent in her gaze, Qin Feng's heart lurched—he reexamined her face, and fragments of the original body's memories surfaced—he finally recognized her.

"Xie Yun'er?!"

The moment he spoke her name, Qin Feng recoiled as if seeing a ghost, stumbling backward several steps.

Xie Yun'er, daughter of Duke Xie Bi of Ningguo—she was Jingdu's infamous Violent Girl. Aside from Imperial Relatives, no young noble dared escape her fists—and she struck brutally. They called her the Snake-and-Scorpion Beauty. What bad luck—why did he have to run into her? And alone, no bodyguards nearby—if anything happened now, he'd have no one to cry to.

Lately, rumors had swept Jingdu that Qin Feng spied on Xie Yun'er—even detailing every mole on her body. No doubt someone was deliberately slandering him, using him as a blade to kill.

Qin Feng retreated while forcing a smile: "O-oh, it's Miss Xie—I didn't recognize you just now. Why aren't you at the banquet? Why come here? This vast Pian Yuan—we're alone—word will spread and ruin your reputation!"

The moment he spoke, Xie Yun'er's face darkened, her almond eyes blazing with murderous intent: "Reputation? What reputation do I still have left? Everyone in Jingdu now knows I… I… have a mole there! Thanks to you, Xie Yun'er has become gossip for shameless lechers!"

"Since we've met today, I must properly thank you for your great… kindness…!"

Now or never—run!

Survival first! Qin Feng spun to flee—but after two steps, his right leg exploded in pain—he lost balance, crashed to the ground, clutching his leg and howling: "Murder! Help! Xie Yun'er's attacking!"