newbobooks Chapter 71 So what if I threaten you?
Chapter 71 So what if I threaten you?
Gu Junze's face was calm and composed, his hands resting casually on his lap, only his slightly trembling fingertips betraying the anger he was trying so hard to suppress.
Chu Ruohan knew that Wei Qiming was deliberately making things difficult for Yingqing.
If Yingqing really kneels down today, she will have no dignity left in front of Wei Qiming and will never be able to hold her head up again.
Moreover, Yingqing's marriage to Chu Yueshu became a big joke in the capital.
Therefore, no matter what, Yingqing must never be made to kneel down.
Yingqing was only trying to help the Chu family, which is why Wei Qiming targeted her...
A murmur began to ripple through the crowd, with people whispering and discussing amongst themselves.
"This Prince Wei is going too far! Isn't he blatantly slapping Prince Gu in the face?" a young woman muttered under her breath.
The lady beside her quickly tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "Keep your voice down. This Young Master Wei is not someone to be trifled with. We mustn't get ourselves into trouble."
Chu Ruohan moved lightly, and after only two steps, her delicate hand was eagerly grasped by Gu Junze.
She turned around and gave Gu Junze a reassuring look, then calmly withdrew her hand and walked forward slowly.
Gu Junze's gaze remained fixed on her, filled with both worry and trust.
As a man, he actually made her frail body stand in front of him.
In an instant, he turned his head sharply, and his gaze toward Wei Qiming became as sharp as a hawk's, like a cold blade, the chill in his eyes seemingly able to freeze the air.
Why doesn't Wei Qiming learn his lesson...?
Chu Ruohan had a faint smile on her lips. She first gave Wei Qiming a slight curtsy and said softly, "Young Master Wei, Ying Qing was indeed reckless today. He should be punished for his mistake, but he is, after all, a retainer of Marquis Anyang."
"I'm on his behalf to apologize to you. Please be lenient and don't hold it against him."
The single word "servant" reveals to everyone that Yingqing is not a servant in the eyes of her and the Crown Prince.
In everyone's eyes, Chu Ruohan, as the wife of the heir apparent, was giving the Duke of Wei's mansion a great deal of face by personally apologizing.
If the Crown Prince of Wei agrees, the matter can be dropped, saving face for both families.
But Wei Qiming didn't think that way. He came here looking for trouble, so how could he let it go so easily?
Wei Qiming snorted coldly, a mocking smile curving his lips as he looked Chu Ruohan up and down with disdain.
"You think these two sentences will make me spare him?"
Chu Ruohan seemed oblivious to his disgusting gaze, still smiling, though the smile didn't reach her eyes.
"Alas, the young master and I are surrounded by wild and unruly people. We usually get along well, but I'm afraid that one night, when all is quiet, these reckless fellows who don't know the immensity of the world might accidentally break into some mansion."
"As Your Highness knows, there are many secrets hidden in the capital. Just last month, I heard that a villa in the suburbs of the capital suddenly caught fire and burned to the ground."
Chu Ruohan paused, turned her head slightly, and glanced at the gradually quieting crowd around her. Her voice remained soft yet clear, reaching everyone's ears.
"Your Highness is kind enough to show mercy. I will also properly restrain everyone in the manor and ensure that such a thing never happens again. Otherwise, if trouble really breaks out, I will not be at peace with myself."
Her eyes seemed innocent, yet they subtly carried a warning: "After all, the capital city isn't that big, but it's not small either. Once some things get out, the consequences can be unpredictable..."
Everyone else was confused, but Wei Qiming understood that she was threatening him.
Wasn't that house of his in the suburbs of Beijing burned down by Gu Junze?
Wei Qiming thought of the maid who knew kung fu beside Chu Ruohan, then turned to look at Ying Qing. He realized that the useless people around him were indeed no match for them.
The old man has been giving him constant instructions lately: You must not offend the heir of the Marquis of Anyang...
"Fine, you've got guts."
He flicked his sleeves, pushed through the crowd, and stormed off in a huff.
Seeing that the matter had finally calmed down, everyone dispersed.
As the family banquet ended and the group stepped into the courtyard of the Marquis of Anyang's residence, the Marquis of Anyang turned around with a face full of anger, and without saying a word, raised his hand.
A cold glint flashed in Chu Ruohan's eyes, and she instantly took two steps back, skillfully dodging the attack.
The raised hand missed its target, the wind it created ruffled the hair by her ear, but it did not harm her in the slightest.
Seeing this, Gu Junze, who was sitting in a wheelchair, gripped the armrests tightly with both hands, his eyes filled with anxiety and worry.
Without thinking twice, he pushed the wheelchair to Chu Ruohan's side and shielded her with his not-so-strong body.
At the same time, he shouted loudly, "Father, no!" His voice trembled slightly with urgency, but it was filled with an undeniable firmness.
Seeing his hand miss its target, Marquis Anyang's anger intensified. He stared intently at Chu Ruohan, his eyes seeming to want to devour her alive.
"This ignorant and arrogant woman dares to offend the Duke of Wei's mansion! Does she know how much trouble this will bring to our Marquis of Anyang's mansion?"
Gu Junze met his furious gaze without flinching, his voice steady, "It was Wei Qiming who provoked us first."
Marquis Anyang snorted coldly, "I know, it's just kneeling down to apologize, why can't Yingqing kneel? What kind of status does he have to compete with Wei Qiming for a woman? Is it worth offending the Duke of Wei's mansion for him?"
Gu Junze took a deep breath, straightened his back, and his frail figure in the wheelchair seemed to contain boundless power.
His gaze was fixed on Marquis Anyang, his eyes filled with determination. "Father, Han'er did nothing wrong."
“If Yingqing kneels down today, it will mean that I, the Marquis of Anyang, have knelt down before the Duke of Wei’s mansion. This matter concerns the face of the Gu family, and is not just about Yingqing alone.”
Upon hearing this, Marquis Anyang flew into a rage, like a powder keg being ignited. He thought, "What a character! He keeps contradicting me for the sake of a woman."
"Ever since this woman entered the household, my Anyang Marquis's mansion has been plagued by unrest! And you still protect her at every turn. Do you even have any regard for me as your father?" With that, he turned and roared, "Guards, bring the family discipline!"
The servants looked at each other, but dared not disobey the order. Soon they brought out a thick, long whip.
Marquis Anyang snatched the whip, as if he wanted to vent all his anger on him.
Seeing this, Chu Ruohan rushed forward to stop him, but Gu Junze gently shook his head at her, signaling her not to act impulsively.
His father gave him a beating, and that was the end of it. Later, when he met the Duke of Wei, he had something to say about it.
Gu Chengyan stood to the side, a barely perceptible sneer on his lips, feeling extremely pleased.
His elder brother has been frail and sickly since childhood; when has he ever suffered such injustice?
This time, it's time for him to taste the whip.
In the courtyard, in front of so many servants, it was undoubtedly to announce to the world the Marquis of Anyang's dissatisfaction with the heir apparent, causing Gu Junze to lose face.