Ziteng wanted to rescue Qin Shuying, but Liang Jie approached and grabbed Ziteng’s throat with one hand. Ziteng’s face quickly turned purple as she couldn’t breathe, struggling helplessly with her bare hands.

However, the urgent matter wasn’t killing this maid, but dealing with Qin Shuying.

Liang Jie threw Ziteng to the ground, then went to help Liang Yuan.

With Liang Jie and Liang Yuan working together, Qin Shuying couldn’t break free no matter how hard she struggled.

During the struggle, Liang Yuan forcefully tore Qin Shuying’s skirt.

“Second Brother!”

Liang Jie voiced his disapproval to stop him. Today they only intended to frighten Qin Shuying and let the people who would come upon hearing the commotion see Qin Shuying being “bullied.”

Then they would quickly withdraw from the scene, discard their masks and black clothing. Who could know it was the brothers who did it?

Liang Zhe would certainly know it was them, but so what?

Anyway, now it was a matter of life or death for everyone. Liang Zhe had a violent temper – if this incident could enrage him, he would surely make mistakes.

As long as he made mistakes, the heir’s position would be further from his reach.

Currently, their father’s attitude toward Liang Zhe alternated between good and bad, greatly surprising Liang Jie and Liang Yuan. They had originally thought that after Liang Yunshan returned to the capital, he would surely detest Liang Zhe.

Liang Yunshan’s attitude and Emperor Delong’s regard for Liang Zhe gave the Liang Jie brothers a deep sense of crisis. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have conspired to use such a desperate measure today.

Moreover, such a matter was something Liang Zhe could never let a third party outside the situation know about – it would be bad for either Qin Shuying or Liang Zhe.

Liang Zhe could only swallow this bitter pill.

If Liang Zhe came to despise Qin Shuying, that would be perfect. Not only would it drive a wedge between their marital affections, but it would also give Luo Meixiang an opportunity to send beauties and concubines.

Anyway, it would only dirty their brothers’ two pairs of hands – everything else would be beneficial.

However, as elder brother’s wife, though they hadn’t truly gotten to taste her, the feeling was much more interesting than the top courtesans in pleasure quarters.

Liang Yuan couldn’t control himself and cast aside what they had previously agreed upon. Only when Liang Jie stopped him did he come to his senses and pause his actions.

Qin Shuying understood that these twins were determined to ruin her chastity.

After Ziteng set off the “sky rocket,” people would arrive quickly. Seeing this scene, what chastity and dignity would Qin Shuying have left?

She had originally married Liang Zhe with a mindset of repaying a debt of gratitude, planning to separate after accomplishing her goal. Even though her feelings toward Liang Zhe had undergone subtle changes during this time, she didn’t feel particularly sorry toward Liang Zhe at this moment.

She was only annoyed at being so careless today as to be caught by the Liang Jie brothers.

Would she truly be unable to escape today?

In just a moment, people would certainly come looking…

Qin Shuying was extremely vexed.

Just then, she suddenly heard a “bang.”

Liang Jie and Liang Yuan only paused their movements and paid no attention to the sound.

After a while, there was another “bang.” Liang Jie’s hand wavered and dropped down. He then fell sitting to the ground, asking in confusion: “What hit… me…”

He wanted to raise his right hand but found he couldn’t lift it no matter what.

Then he used his left hand to touch the painful spot on his right shoulder, and was horrified to discover his hand was covered in fresh blood.

Liang Yuan also saw the blood on his hand and was equally shocked: “What’s happening?”

Liang Jie struggled to utter three words: “Don’t know…”

Then his eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the ground.

Liang Yuan was greatly alarmed. Forgetting about Qin Shuying, he hurried to help Liang Jie.

In a flash, Qin Shuying understood what was happening. She rolled over and got up to check on Ziteng.

She saw Ziteng squinting her left eye, holding the gun that Qin Yongzhou had left behind, aiming at Liang Yuan who hadn’t yet realized what was happening, and fired another shot.

It hit Liang Yuan’s leg.

“Ah…”

Liang Yuan collapsed to his knees, finally understanding something was wrong, and looked toward Ziteng.

Ziteng had already tucked the gun back into her sleeve. Her previous fierce determination was hidden beneath a face full of panic. Meeting Liang Yuan’s gaze, she appeared terrified and retreated two steps.

Then Ziteng stood up, supported Qin Shuying, and they stumbled past the twins toward Songtao Residence.

Liang Yuan looked at Liang Jie lying unconscious on the ground, gritted his teeth, and tried to endure the pain while dragging his shot leg to give chase, but after two steps, he fell to the ground.

On the way, Qin Shuying and her servants encountered Bai Yun and Lu Ye rushing toward them. Without time for lengthy explanations, they had Bai Yun and Lu Ye return to help up Hui Yun, and the group of master and servants quickly retreated toward Songtao Residence.

After just a dozen steps, they heard the noisy voices of matrons.

Qin Shuying made a quick decision and instructed Bai Yun and Lu Ye: “Head toward the lake.”

At the lakeside, without waiting for the maids to react, Qin Shuying was the first to jump into the lake. She quickly pulled at her already disheveled hair, lowered her head and soaked most of her hair in the water, immediately drenching it.

When Ziteng and the others came to their senses, following Qin Shuying’s directions, they quickly dipped the lower half of Hui Yun’s body in the lake water and soaked most of Hui Yun’s hair as well.

Just as they finished and returned to shore, a large group of matrons and guards came searching.

Ziteng shouted loudly: “There were assassins! The assassins went that way! The Young Madam was frightened and fell into the lake. Quickly send some people to help escort the Young Madam back. Lu Ye, hurry back and have someone prepare ginger soup!”

The matrons and guards saw the drenched Qin Shuying through the circle formed by Ziteng, Lu Ye, and Bai Yun, as well as Hui Yun standing to one side, having just regained consciousness.

Both women had disheveled hair and clothing, completely soaked – it appeared the Young Madam had fallen into the lake and Hui Yun had rescued her.

Two matrons eager to curry favor came forward, offering to escort the Young Madam back to Songtao Residence.

Lu Ye ran off swiftly, and Qin Shuying was escorted back to Songtao Residence under everyone’s watchful eyes.

After all the commotion, Qin Shuying was settled in bed and drank a bowl of hot ginger soup.

Lu Ye entered and reported: “Young Madam, the assassins wounded Second Young Master and Third Young Master before escaping. Third Young Master has fainted, and Second Young Master is also injured. The Marquis’s wife has called physicians to treat them. It seems Third Young Master’s injuries are severe, but we don’t know more details.”

Qin Shuying nodded.

After Lu Ye withdrew, Ziteng sat at the bedside and said in a low voice: “Young Madam, the gun has been returned to its original place.”

Her face showed some worry.

Qin Shuying knew what she was concerned about and patted her hand: “Rest assured, no one saw you use it. As long as you firmly deny it, that’s enough. For other matters, once the Master returns, there’s nothing to fear.”

“This servant understands.”

Ziteng’s face still showed lingering shock and uncertainty. She hadn’t expected the gun’s power to be so terrifyingly formidable.

During this period, Ziteng had often been secretly taken out by Liang Zhe and Qin Shuying to practice with this unique weapon in a secluded grove. Though they had only practiced three or four times, Ziteng showed remarkable talent. Today she fired three shots and hit with two – quite impressive.

Qin Shuying also carried the small crossbow hidden on her person, but unfortunately today she hadn’t had time to use it before being restrained.

If not for Ziteng’s quick thinking in using the gun, who knows what the consequences might have been.