Chapter 73: Out of Expectation

She believed this despicable scoundrel was truly capable of such a thing. The thought of such a terrifying outcome made her genuinely panic.

Just as she was about to speak, another wave of contractions hit her, turning all her words into painful groans.

"I wouldn't dare?" Zu'an scoffed, tearing off her outer garment. "Watch me!"

He had specifically searched her room earlier but found nothing except some fruits and snacks. After spending time with them, he had determined that the Chu couple and Chu Chuyan were likely not trying to kill him. This made Xue'er's mastermind highly suspicious. Being secretly targeted by an unknown enemy was extremely dangerous; he didn't even know who it was! Therefore, he had to find the mastermind today, or he would truly have no peace.

With her outer garment torn off, the young woman revealed two sections of snow-white, delicate arms. Zu'an had to admit that her name was quite fitting; her skin was truly as white as snow.

"I'm going to kill you! Ouch~"

Rage points from Qiao Xueying +998!

Zu'an frowned. "It's come to this, and you still won't speak? Don't blame me for not warning you; you don't have many clothes left on you. Wait, are you intentionally exposing yourself to tempt me?"

Tempt your sister!

Rage points from Qiao Xueying +1024!

Xue'er was almost insane at this point. She had to endure the inhuman pain from her lower abdomen while also being verbally tormented by him. *Once I recover, I'll tear that guy's mouth apart,* she thought.

"If you don't speak, I'll really tear it off," Zu'an said, reaching for her collar but not actually pulling. His intention wasn't to disrespect her, but to use this to force out the mastermind from her.

"You forced me!" Just then, a green light flashed in Xue'er's eyes, and her words turned cold and biting.

Zu'an's hairs instantly stood on end. Without thinking, he immediately summoned Gale and teleported dozens of yards backward.

Almost simultaneously, Xue'er's braided hair seemed to be unsealed, instantly growing long in the wind, like thorny vines striking at him like agile snakes.

"What the heck is going on!" Zu'an's soul nearly fled his body. Was this woman performing magic? Her originally delicate braids now resembled Medusa's head, emanating a terrifying aura. He watched as the wall, before her braids, seemed like paper and was instantly riddled with holes. Had he not just summoned Gale and used his teleportation skill, he would have been utterly annihilated by now.

Xue'er evidently hadn't expected him to retreat so quickly and hurriedly pursued him out.

"You Zu, I'll grind your bones to dust! Ouch~" Xue'er leaned against the doorframe. Just as she was about to rush out, she couldn't help but clutch her stomach.

Rage points from Qiao Xueying +996!

Zu'an swallowed. This woman's nerves were truly something else; how could she endure the agony of childbirth? If she attacked again, he would truly be in danger.

Just then, clamor came from not far away. Apparently, someone in the mansion had finally heard the commotion and was heading their way.

A flicker of struggle crossed Xue'er's face. Ultimately, she tipped her toes and ran out of the mansion. She suddenly stopped on the courtyard wall, turned to glare fiercely at Zu'an, and declared, "I will come back for you!" With that, her figure flickered, and she disappeared into the night.

Shortly after she left, a graceful figure flew over. Her white dress billowed, like a fairy descending—who else could it be but Chu Chuyan?

Seeing Zu'an covered in blood, she was startled. "What happened to you? What's going on?"

Seeing her, Zu'an finally breathed a complete sigh of relief. He gave her what he thought was a handsome smile, and the next second, he fainted into her arms. His injuries were already severe. Summoning Gale to evade Xue'er's fatal moves had completely depleted his last bit of vital energy. He had been holding on by sheer willpower, but now, seeing Chu Chuyan, he relaxed, and his body could no longer hold on, causing him to faint.

Seeing him fall directly into her arms, Chu Chuyan instinctively wanted to push him away, but seeing him covered in blood, she hesitated for a moment. In that instant, he was already in her arms. Recalling his previous antics, Chu Chuyan frowned delicately, thinking, *If he dares to deceive me this time...* However, a quick check with her elemental energy changed her expression dramatically. It turned out he was genuinely on the brink of death.

When Zu'an awoke, he found himself lying in bed. The room was already filled with many people: besides Chu Chuyan, the Chu Zhongtian couple were there, and even members of the second and third branches of the family had arrived. Many were examining the holes in the wall, poked by Xue'er's braids, each one expressing astonishment.

Zu'an thought, *Fortunately, I put the Lethal Dagger back into the keyboard space before I fainted. Otherwise, it would have been quite troublesome if these people had found it.* He was now covered in bandages from head to toe. He thought, *Since I came to this world, I seem to be constantly getting injured. How many times have I been bandaged like this?*

Suddenly, he felt a warm, damp cloth gently wiping sweat from his forehead. He looked closely and saw Chu Huanzhao sitting by the bed, her pretty little face filled with seriousness and concern. Zu'an felt both touched and inwardly critical. In contrast, Chu Chuyan stood not far away as if nothing had happened, as if the injured one wasn't her husband. His sister-in-law was truly more caring.

Seeing him open his eyes, Chu Huanzhao's eyes filled with pleasant surprise. "Father, Mother, Sister, he's awake."

Chu Zhongtian hurried over and asked, "How are you feeling?"

Zu'an's eyes shifted. "Painful~"

Chu Zhongtian hummed in acknowledgment. "Chuyan just now used her vital energy to protect your heart meridian. Then the mansion's doctor bandaged you and gave you medicine, and finally saved you."

Zu'an was startled. He looked at Chu Chuyan, who was not far away, seeing her still with an indifferent expression, showing no sign of having saved someone. He thought, *I really misunderstood her just now.*

Qin Wanruo also came to the bedside. "What exactly happened? How did you get such severe injuries?"

Zu'an replied directly, "Xue'er just tried to kill me." Unfortunately, he hadn't managed to force out who Xue'er's backer was. However, after spending time with them, he felt the likelihood of it being the Chu couple or Chu Chuyan was very low, so he wasn't afraid to say it. He observed everyone's reactions as he spoke, hoping to spot some tell. Unfortunately, he looked around but saw no one suspicious.

"Xue'er?" Everyone looked astonished and instinctively looked toward Chu Chuyan.

Chu Huanzhao became anxious. "Brother-in-law, how could Sister kill you?"

Zu'an rolled his eyes. "I said Xue'er, not your sister."

Chu Huanzhao muttered inwardly, *Xue'er is Sister's personal maid. If you say that, everyone will suspect her.*

Facing everyone's gaze, Chu Chuyan also frowned slightly. "Since just now, Xue'er has been nowhere to be seen."

Chu Zhongtian said gravely, "Someone, go find Xue'er and bring her here!" He couldn't convict Xue'er based on Zu'an's word alone. After all, she was his daughter's personal maid and needed to be brought for questioning.

However, a subordinate soon returned to report, "Xue'er is not in the mansion; she can't be found anywhere."

Chu Zhongtian's eyes narrowed. This situation looked very much like fleeing to avoid punishment.

"What exactly happened just now? Tell us in detail." Qin Wanruo sat by the bed. Her silk dress outlined her voluptuous and graceful waist-hip curve, drawing continuous glances from Chu Tiesheng, who was from the second branch of the family.

Zu'an then roughly described what had just happened, of course, concealing too many of his trump cards.

Qin Wanruo listened, frowning deeply. Chu Tiesheng, who was nearby, couldn't help but speak. "Nonsense. If that Xue'er truly tried to kill you as you say, you useless... hmph, how could you possibly resist?"

Zu'an glanced at him, thinking, *Could he be the mastermind? But if it were him, wouldn't it be too foolish to jump out and defend Xue'er like this?*

Chu Huanzhao defended him. "Brother-in-law is stronger than everyone thinks. Last time, he endured so many of my Weeping Whips without crying out, and today, he also made a big impression at the academy, making those with third and fifth-rank cultivation look terrible."

Her words did not convince everyone. After all, it was too unbelievable. Third-rank was one thing, but what was the concept of fifth-rank?

Chu Yuepo from the third branch also said with a chuckle, "Xiao Zhao, you're just too kind. What ability does he have to deal with a fifth-rank person? Will anyone believe it if you say that?"

Chu Tiesheng echoed, "Exactly. And why do I find you always defending Zu'an? There should be a proper distance between a sister-in-law and brother-in-law; it's easy to attract gossip. Especially since on your wedding night, the two of you were even in the same bed..."

Qin Wanruo, standing nearby, glared with her phoenix eyes. "Silence! Is that how an elder should speak? She's still so young, and she's simply protecting her family. It's not as sordid as you make it sound!"

Chu Tiesheng grumbled resentfully, "I'm just thinking about the Chu family's reputation."

Qin Wanruo frowned. Though she was displeased, she had to admit that Second Uncle had a point. Her second daughter's attitude toward that Zu'an fellow was a bit too close. *She wouldn't actually be falling for him, would she?* This thought was dismissed as soon as it arose. *How could that be? Is there anything about Zu'an that a woman would find appealing? And how could Huanzhao possibly fancy him?* She knew her daughter was mostly playful and hadn't had anyone to play with in the mansion for years. She had just finally found a playmate. Even though she knew it was impossible between them, she still considered finding a chance to talk to her daughter and tell them not to be so close.

"According to Zu'an's description, Xue'er should be a fifth-rank wood elemental awakened person," Chu Zhongtian said gravely as he examined the holes in the wall.

Wood elemental?

Zu'an recalled the sight of Xue'er's hair writhing wildly, thinking, *I thought she was Medusa reincarnated.*

"Fifth-rank?" The people in the room immediately started discussing amongst themselves. No one had expected that the seemingly gentle and quiet maid, who loved cracking melon seeds, was actually a fifth-rank expert.

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Thanks to fellow readers like Kexingzhi for their tips.