Chapter 371: Rescue Method

When Ji Xiaoxi heard the man describe Zu'an in such a way, a surge of anger involuntarily rose within her. However, she knew it wasn't the time to act on impulse, so instead of scolding him, she said coldly, "If your Chu family is looking for a traitor, why have you come to our Ji family?"

Chu Tiesheng choked, momentarily speechless. The young girl's words were so reasonable that he found himself at a loss for a reply.

However, as someone who managed a vast business and dealt with all sorts of wily individuals daily, he quickly recovered. "Miss, you might not know, but the traitor from our Chu family is Zu'an. That heartless wretch drugged Lady Chu with the intent to assault her. Fortunately, he was discovered and fled in a panic, sustaining serious injuries."

"Since he's your classmate from the academy, we suspect he might have come here."

Zu'an listened, dumbfounded. He had been wondering what pretext these people would use to capture him, but he never expected such a vicious smear campaign. Sensational news like this spreads incredibly fast. Soon, the entire city would know, and rumors would distort the truth, potentially leading to even more repulsive gossip. In that scenario, even if Qin Wanru regained consciousness and identified them as the culprits, outsiders might suspect she was protecting her 'adulterous lover.' It was truly a venomous plan, killing two birds with one stone!

Ji Xiaoxi also admired Chu Tiesheng's ability to twist facts. They were the ones who had harmed Qin Wanru, yet he was blaming Zu'an. "He's not here. You should look elsewhere." With that, she moved to close the gate again.

Chu Tiesheng placed his hand on the gate, and Ji Xiaoxi's expression immediately turned cold. "What do you think you're doing?"

Chu Tiesheng hesitated. He suspected Zu'an was inside, but he didn't want to overly offend Ji Xiaoxi. Everyone in Brightmoon City knew Ji Xiaoxi was Ji Dengtu's Achilles' heel. No one in the martial world wanted to provoke a miracle doctor, as you never knew when you might need his help. Moreover, a rumor had circulated privately for years that Doctor Ji actually possessed profound and unfathomable cultivation.

As he wavered, Hong Zhong spoke up, "Miss Ji, it's been a while. Why hasn't your esteemed father come out to meet us?"

Ji Xiaoxi replied, "My father went for a walk outside the city, but he'll be back soon."

Hiding in her boudoir, Zu'an was listening intently to the commotion outside. Hearing her reply, he couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and frustration. *Can't this silly girl be less honest? She could have said her father was refining pills, drinking, or even looking at risqué picture books – anything but the truth!*

Sure enough, hearing that Ji Dengtu was out of the city, both Hong Zhong and Chu Tiesheng visibly relaxed. It was widely known that Ji Dengtu occasionally left the city to gather herbs and would often not return for ten days to half a month.

Chu Tiesheng chuckled. "Miss Ji, I know you're kind-hearted and have always been on good terms with Zu'an, but you mustn't be deceived by him. You have no idea how evil his other side is."

"Enough!" Ji Xiaoxi's small face turned pale. "I know best about the people around me; I don't need anyone to tell me."

Hearing her words, Chu Tiesheng became even more certain that Zu'an was hidden inside, so he signaled to the nearby guards. Understanding his intent, they all rushed inside. Ji Xiaoxi, with her slender build, couldn't possibly stop these wolf-like guards. Soon, a group of them streamed in.

Ji Xiaoxi was both angry and anxious. "What do you want? I was just sleeping and you woke me up, and now you're trespassing! When did Brightmoon City become so lawless? My father won't let you get away with this!"

Hearing her mention Ji Dengtu, the others immediately felt a chill. They knew Ji Dengtu was not only skilled in healing but also in using poison. Even Chu Tiesheng began to hesitate.

Hong Zhong secretly scoffed. *Chu Tiesheng is too hesitant; he's not cut out for big matters.* So, he spoke up, "Miss Ji is inexperienced and easily deceived by villains. You should know that today, Zu'an not only intended to assault Lady Chu but also killed many maids and guards, using extremely cruel methods. Now that Miss Ji is home alone, what if that fellow is lurking inside and suddenly comes out to harm you when no one is around? That would be dangerous."

"I'm sure Doctor Ji would agree with our search to ensure your safety after he learns of this."

Chu Tiesheng couldn't help but secretly admire him. This old fox's few words were both offensive and defensive. Even if Ji Dengtu found out later, he wouldn't be able to hold them accountable, and might even have to thank them.

Ji Xiaoxi immediately grew anxious. "I was just lying in bed. There was no suspicious person trying to harm me; only you!"

Hong Zhong smiled faintly. "Indeed, Miss Ji, you're not good at lying. Your clothes are perfectly neat, and your hair isn't messy at all. You don't look like someone who just got out of bed. However, what you said actually reminded me: perhaps someone is already hiding in your room. It's only natural for us to help Doctor Ji look after his daughter." With a wink, he signaled, and the surrounding guards rushed towards her boudoir.

As guards from a prominent family, they were quite familiar with courtyard layouts and could almost instantly distinguish the master's quarters from the young lady's. With a light step, Ji Xiaoxi leaped to the doorway, spreading her arms wide like a hen protecting its chick. "This is my room. You'll only enter over my dead body." As she spoke, she secretly calculated her available poisons, wondering which one to use against such a large group.

Just then, Hong Zhong flicked his finger, and a wisp of wind energy struck her. Ji Xiaoxi trembled and became completely unable to move. Only then did he say, "Miss Ji's reaction is unusual. It seems she's being coerced by the villain and can't speak the truth. We must help her even more." The others, now without reservations, moved directly to push open the door. Ji Xiaoxi was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes, but unfortunately, she was utterly helpless at that moment.

Inside the room, Zu'an was coiled like a leopard, ready to spring out and fight these people to the death. Suddenly, screams echoed from outside the door, and indistinctly, several figures were seen flying through the air.

A tall, graceful figure appeared at the doorway. Her hair was casually swept up into a bun with a single hairpin, revealing a fair, slender neck that enhanced her noble and elegant appearance. However, the most striking feature about her was her pair of long legs, clad in black stockings, beautiful, well-proportioned, and exuding an alluring sheen. Yet, few dared to glance too long, for though these legs were beautiful, they were also exceptionally deadly. The guards who had just been sent flying were easily dispatched by those very legs. It was well-known that the Chu family's guards were all elites, and those who had accompanied them this time were the cream of the crop, yet they showed no resistance whatsoever against those legs.

"Auntie!" Recognizing the woman, Ji Xiaoxi was immediately filled with surprise and delight.

Chu Tiesheng and Hong Zhong's faces instantly changed dramatically. "Headmaster Jiang..."

Jiang Luofu casually unsealed Ji Xiaoxi's pressure points, then glared coldly at the crowd. "Who gave you the audacity to bully my Xiaoxi!"

Chu Tiesheng hastily explained, "We came here pursuing Zu'an..." He then roughly repeated Hong Zhong's earlier narrative.

Jiang Luofu impatiently cut him off. "When did the affairs of the Ji family become your concern? I have no interest in your Chu family's matters, but don't you dare cause trouble in the Ji family! Get out!"

As soon as her words fell, an imposing aura of pressure spread out. The people in the courtyard retreated in a hurry; even Hong Zhong and Chu Tiesheng couldn't withstand it and hastily backed out of the courtyard.

Jiang Luofu gave a cold snort, and with a flick of her sleeve, the gate closed again. Then, without another glance outside, she pushed open the door and entered the room.

Zu'an cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Headmaster."

Jiang Luofu frowned slightly. "Why are you on Xiaoxi's bed? What impropriety! Get down quickly."

Zu'an gave an awkward smile and quickly jumped down. Beside them, Ji Xiaoxi's face was as red as an apple.

Jiang Luofu sat by the bed to examine Qin Wanru's injuries. Zu'an quickly relayed Ji Dengtu's diagnosis.

Jiang Luofu hesitated for a moment. "Actually, I do know a method."