Not to mention Xiang’er’s face immediately turning cold—even the usually composed Wuyan was angry, saying coldly: “Please conduct yourself properly.”

Pei Fengji smiled wickedly and didn’t let go, his eyes showing truly lewd intent. Suzhen was furious—how could she let him bully White Clothes? She grabbed the teapot and poured it on his arm. Pei Fengji had never seen anyone fight like this and was also startled, jumping back to avoid it. He reached out to grab Suzhen, who shouted: “Sister, you and Xiang’er run first!”

Wuyan was unwilling to abandon him, but Xiang’er pulled her and ran. Suzhen entangled Pei Fengji, whose eyes flashed with viciousness as he waved for several subordinates to catch Wuyan.

Those guards were also ruthless, immediately leaping over tables and chairs like tigers and wolves. Wuyan was shocked, Xiang’er’s face turned white with anxiety as she blocked in front of her mistress. Unexpectedly, a guard grabbed Xiang’er’s wrist and slammed her onto a nearby table, while two others reached for Wuyan.

Tables and chairs in the building were overturned in succession, creating chaos. The manager and waiters called for people to avoid the area while customers scattered.

Wuyan had nowhere to escape and gritted her teeth waiting to be caught. This incident would probably alarm Lian Yu.

A sleeve with gray-blue embroidered stripes swept down diagonally. Bang, bang—two punches, and without any effort, the two men were sent flying. They hadn’t even seen clearly who had come before this person had grabbed Xiang’er with one hand and embraced her with the other, rushing out of the tavern.

This person was extremely fast, and with such powerful heavy punches, no one dared pursue. Soon he led the two women to a large courtyard. This area was full of houses—residential quarters in the city. He walked into the passage between two courtyards, found a quiet spot, and released them both.

Xiang’er said dazedly: “Marquis Huo…”

“Were you following me and Huaisu?” Wuyan’s eyes held cold condensation. “I need to go back and find Huaisu.”

This person was indeed Huo Chang’an. He stared at Wuyan, something flickering in his eyes: “In broad daylight and public view, Pei Fengji wouldn’t dare harm him. Disasters last a thousand years—that boy is very clever. But you’re different. If this matter spreads, you’ll be in trouble. Following you? You flatter yourself. I had nothing to do and thought watching an imperial consort secretly meeting with a man would be entertaining.”

“Why didn’t you bring imperial guards?” he asked, his voice becoming slightly stern.

“I had them wait with the carriage at the street corner. Meeting and chatting with Huaisu didn’t require them following and spoiling the mood.” Wuyan showed no gratitude and said indifferently: “Has Marquis Huo finished questioning? If there’s nothing else, Wuyan will return first.”

She beckoned to Xiang’er and turned to leave.

His burning dark gaze made her uncomfortable. Even though she hadn’t looked directly at him once since earlier.

But he was watching her, closely.

Huo Chang’an suddenly moved close to her, his tall imposing figure making her appear delicate and small. His gaze darkened as he grasped her hand and lowered his head to examine it.

“Let go!”

Wuyan shouted quietly. Seeing trouble, Xiang’er was about to step forward and pull Huo Chang’an away, but he waved his sleeve, his fingers like lightning, pressing acupoints on her body. Instantly, she became like a clay figure, standing dazedly by the wall.

Wuyan was shocked and angry: “Huo Chang’an, what are you doing? Release my Xiang’er!”

Huo Chang’an sneered coldly and gripped both her hands tightly.

Looking, Wuyan saw he seemed to be inspecting them. She felt hatred and lifted her foot to kick him.

Huo Chang’an let her kick his leg hard. With his martial arts skills, it didn’t hurt much, and even if it did, he didn’t want to avoid it. Could any pain hurt more than these years? This pain reminded him how detestable this woman was.

Wuyan’s nature was to never do futile things. She gritted her teeth and sneered: “Wuyan is fine. Huaisu was very careful just now—that hot water didn’t hurt me at all. Marquis Huo can let go now.”

Seeing her hands were clean and unmarked, indeed showing no injury, Huo Chang’an’s gaze then focused on her thin face. He reached toward her face, saying mockingly: “Who cares if you’re injured or not? Wei Wuyan, you’ve grown thin. Palace life isn’t easy, is it? Does Lian Yu really treat you well?”

“When he brings down your father someday and no longer needs this nominal political marriage, when he executes your entire family, if you beg me, I might take you as a concubine.”

“Enough, Huo Chang’an! His Majesty does treat me truly well. I don’t believe you haven’t heard people say Consort Wei’s favor crowns the six palaces!”

That rough, burning palm covering her cheek made Wuyan feel as if her heart was also being grasped by this hand, aching slightly but filled more with hatred. She laughed lightly: “My face has grown thin, but my body has become fuller. You don’t know this, but His Majesty does. How could an imperial consort belong to another? Besides, Marquis Huo’s contributions to protecting the country are no less than the Murong family’s in the past. Those worthy of Marquis Huo are all daughters of prestigious families—beautiful virgins. How could Wei Wuyan, a wilted flower and fallen willow, dare?”

Huo Chang’an’s expression indeed changed. His previously playful and indifferent eyes now flashed with intense coldness. His chest rose and fell slightly as he suddenly reached toward her waist, wanting to pull her into his arms and crush her thoroughly.

But Wuyan laughed like swaying flowers: “Feel free to act improperly toward me. If people learn of this, since you’re the Empress Dowager’s nephew, you’ll certainly be fine. Wei Wuyan will just receive three feet of white silk for the crime of disturbing the palace.”

Hearing this, Huo Chang’an sneered and pushed her away: “No need for provocation. You, a woman of wilted flowers and fallen willows—touching you would indeed dirty this marquis’s hands.”

He coldly released Xiang’er’s acupoints.

Watching her leave with Xiang’er, he called from behind: “You’ll regret your past cheapness sooner or later.”

Wuyan didn’t turn back: “Marquis Huo, give Wei Wuyan’s regards to Princess Lianyue. I’m taking revenge on you, but I don’t regret marrying Sixth Young Master. I’ve fallen in love with him. You might not know—we people once studied together. I was already infatuated with him then. If not for Aluo… I withdrew and might not have been with you. Now I’ve fallen in love with him again.”

Huo Chang’an stood in place, watching the woman’s figure disappear. He punched the wall, blood flowing down his knuckles onto the jade ring—the ring she’d given him that year. Who had it bound?

Wei Wuyan, if I discover what you said is true, that Huo Chang’an was just a substitute… then… He removed it, channeled his inner force, and the jade ring was no more, ground to dust in his palm.

If Suzhen knew Huo Chang’an had called her “disasters last a thousand years” and abandoned her, she would definitely throw a wine bottle at him to death. She was currently in great danger. Her few amateur martial arts moves had exhausted her after being toyed with like a monkey by Pei Fengji and his men.

Pei Fengji enjoyed watching people being manipulated and tormented in his grasp. Seeing her gasping and standing beside a broken table, his eyes flashed with malicious intent as he had the guards close in and surround her. Suzhen had no doubt this man would kill her and fabricate another Mochou case. Who would save her?