Cheng Yunsu steeled herself. 'No matter what, I cannot reveal Lu Chao's origins.'
'The Great Wu Empire's most promising Emperor Star Emperor General is already dead. The man who returned from the grave must be someone else.'
But Cheng Weishan clearly didn't believe it. "Gaizi said..."
"Perhaps he knows me, but I don't know him, nor do I want to," Cheng Yunsu cut in sharply.
The air outside her chambers grew cold at Cheng Yunsu's emotionless words.
Cheng Weishan actually laughed in anger. Gaizi had made it very clear that Cheng Yunsu was only pretending not to know the man back in the woodshed.
"Cheng Yunsu, Young Miss Wu Xin has decreed that the wedding must be held within five days. Otherwise, there will be hell to pay for our Cheng Family."
"If you don't find that country bumpkin for me..."
Before he could finish, Cheng Yunsu replied decisively, "Then punish me as you see fit."
GRIND...
Cheng Weishan ground his teeth so hard they audibly creaked. "Fine, fine, fine! Break both of her legs, then throw her into the City Lord's Mansion!"
As soon as the words fell, the color drained from Cheng Chuming's face...
Before he could plead on her behalf, Cheng Weishan lashed out, sending Cheng Chuming flying with a single blow.
Although the Cheng Family was one of the Four Great Families of Yangzhou City, they weren't powerful enough to track down the country bumpkin on such short notice. Therefore, they could only punish Cheng Yunsu.
This would serve as their explanation to Young Miss Wu Xin.
In the next instant, a sinister laugh escaped Cheng Chuyan's lips. "You little bitch, your aunt won't be holding back."
With that, she charged!
With her elder brother, Cheng Chuming, out of the way, Cheng Chuyan's path was clear.
But... WHOOSH!
Just as she reached Cheng Yunsu, she abruptly froze...
Her vision blurred, and suddenly, an upright figure was standing before Cheng Yunsu.
Before Cheng Chuyan could react... SLAP!
The upright figure swung a hand, and the crisp sound of a slap echoed off Cheng Chuyan's face. A piercing scream followed as her entire body was sent flying.
THUD! She crashed heavily to the ground.
Cheng Chuyan clutched her face, screeching, "What bastard dares to hit me?"
At the same time, Cheng Weishan froze. Cheng Chuming, who had been about to rush forward, froze. And far in the distance, Cheng Chugong stood dumbstruck.
Cheng Yunsu, who had closed her eyes to accept her punishment, snapped them open.
Through her blurry vision...
Her eyes widened at the sight of the upright back before her. She tried to see clearly, but the figure only grew more blurred. Yet, her heart trembled violently. Even without seeing his face, she knew who it was.
Lu Chao... he had appeared again.
The one standing before Cheng Yunsu was, of course, Lu Chao. He gazed at the four members of the Cheng Family and said coldly, "I said I would take Cheng Yunsu as my wife. I will not go back on my word, nor will I leave the Cheng Mansion."
Her heart trembling, Cheng Yunsu called out softly, "Lu... why are you still here?"
Lu Chao didn't turn around, simply replying softly, "Xiao Su'er, I never left. And you will never be a burden to me."
Beneath her cloak, Cheng Yunsu's jaw dropped. 'So he heard everything I was muttering to myself.'
'Lu Chao had never truly left at all!'
Suddenly, Cheng Weishan snapped back to his senses and charged forward, his aged face contorted with killing intent. "You country bumpkin."
Lu Chao looked up to face Cheng Weishan. He said nothing, simply standing his ground before Cheng Yunsu.
Just then, Cheng Chuyan scrambled up from the ground. "You country bumpkin, you dare to slap me? You broke my darling son's legs, and you wanted to kill him... I'll take your life!"
Having said her piece, Cheng Chuyan once again charged at Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu.
But this time, Cheng Weishan stopped her. He said slowly, "Chuyan, the wedding is in five days. He can't die yet."
Then, Cheng Weishan's gaze fixed back on Lu Chao.
"Qi Gathering Ninth Layer... Who exactly are you? What is your purpose in approaching my Cheng Mansion?"
At first, they had thought Lu Chao was just a country bumpkin greedy for wealth and status.
But now, that had been proven false.
Cheng Weishan could even discern Lu Chao's Martial Arts Realm. The Qi Gathering Ninth Layer was not weak in Yangzhou City. This was no ordinary person, and he likely didn't come from an ordinary background.
For such a young expert to want to marry a half-dead cripple... Cheng Weishan couldn't help but be suspicious.
Lu Chao met Cheng Weishan's gaze, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
"I'm just an ordinary man who has secretly admired Cheng Yunsu for many years. In the past, she was far beyond my reach. Now, I can finally marry her."
Behind him, Cheng Yunsu trembled again. 'But it was Lu Chao who used to be beyond reach.'
But that answer made Cheng Weishan's face darken. "Bullshit! I don't believe you."
An ordinary person at the Qi Gathering Ninth Layer? Only a fool would believe that.
He, Cheng Weishan, one of the Four Great Family Heads of Yangzhou City, was only at the Postnatal Eighth Layer himself.
Lu Chao didn't argue. He replied indifferently, "Believe what you will. Regardless, I am marrying Cheng Yunsu. And as long as the Cheng Mansion doesn't want to offend the City Lord's Mansion, you will... hold a grand wedding for us!"
With that, Lu Chao turned to Cheng Yunsu and asked her earnestly, "Will you marry me?"
Cheng Yunsu's blurry eyes were already brimming with tears, but she shook her head vehemently.
At least she no longer had the frantic energy from their first encounter.
Staring at Lu Chao's back, Cheng Weishan and the others exchanged uncertain glances.
Cheng Chuyan clutched her stinging face and cried, "Father, this country bumpkin is outrageously arrogant!"
Cheng Weishan acted as if he hadn't heard her. 'I'm truly on edge.'
'What if this man really does have a powerful background that he isn't revealing? What if he really did follow Cheng Yunsu to Yangzhou City out of some secret admiration? What should I do then?'
Just then, Cheng Chugong spoke up. "Father, why don't we give him a Destiny Bone test? Wouldn't that clear things up?"