C16 Have You Made up a Good Excuse?

With a swift motion, the car curtain was suddenly pulled open. The woman inside looked alert, her eyes sharp and clear, her voice cold and steady. "Are you talking about me?"

Chunniang and Zhang Da froze, their faces instantly filled with shock. Zhang Da's complexion turned ghostly pale, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Chunniang shot a questioning look at Zhang Da, whispering urgently, "Didn't you drug her? Why isn't she unconscious?"

Zhang Da looked equally bewildered and confused. He had no idea either.

Lan Qingjia's gaze was piercing as she regarded Zhang Da coldly. "Have you thought up a good excuse?"

Hearing this, Zhang Da felt even more awkward. After a moment of embarrassment, a ruthless glint appeared in his eyes. Ever since he accepted the money from the lady of the house, he was on her side. How could the young lady possibly win against her? Since she had already figured it out, he might as well go all the way!

At this point, there was no turning back!

His expression darkened. "Miss, don't blame me. Blame yourself for crossing the wrong person. Chunniang, where are your people? Get them in here!"

Chunniang let out a cold laugh and signaled to the people behind her. "Go!"

Lan Qingjia's heart skipped a beat. "How dare you!"

Chunniang gave a mocking smile. "Miss, I'm just doing my job. Don't hold it against me."

As she spoke, several burly men behind her moved forward together. Lan Qingjia was taken aback by their audacity in broad daylight. Although she had never learned martial arts in either of her lives, she was well-versed in human pressure points, knowing precisely where to strike to cause numbness or weakness.

She deftly wielded the hairpin in her hand, swiftly targeting the pressure points of the burly men.

"Ouch..."

One of the men clutched his hand in pain, his face turning pale.

With a thud, another man collapsed to the ground, his face contorted in agony.

Lan Qingjia held a cat in one arm while twirling the hairpin in the other, her gaze icy and composed, like a mysterious master from another world.

"Anyone else want to try?"

Her calm demeanor, coupled with the defeat of the first two men, left the others stunned. Zhang Da's expression changed dramatically; since when did their young lady possess such impressive skills?

Chunniang was furious. "Are you all useless? You can't even handle a single woman! Get her!"

Lan Qingjia knew she couldn't confront them directly, or she'd risk revealing her secret. She had to stall for time as much as possible.

As a few more men prepared to advance, she fixed them with a cold stare and warned sternly, "This time, I won't hold back. Anyone who doesn't value their life, step forward!"

Her sharp command indeed stopped everyone in their tracks. Faces filled with hesitation, no one dared to move, and both sides were at a standstill.

Lan Qingjia's palms were clammy with cold sweat, and her back was ramrod straight, not daring to show a hint of fear. Otherwise, she was done for.

Zhang Da's expression was grim. He had no way out. Offending the young lady now, if he didn't handle things well, he wouldn't find favor with the mistress either. He rolled up his sleeves, ready to charge forward himself.

Lan Qingjia's expression turned serious, her eyes suddenly darkening.

The cat in her arms woke up, lifting its head. It seemed the effects of the medicine hadn't worn off, as it let out a particularly soft "meow—"

Chunniang's gaze fell on the cat, her pupils contracted, and cold sweat immediately broke out on her back.

"Wait!"

Zhang Da was already a bit apprehensive. He had been about to rush at Lan Qingjia with all his might, but this sudden shout deflated his courage, and he stopped in his tracks.

Chunniang's eyes were fixed intently on the cat in her arms, her voice trembling as she spoke, "That, that... Snowball, how did it end up with you?"

Lan Qingjia keenly noticed the sudden change in Chunniang's expression. Her mind raced, and a suspicion quickly formed in her heart.

This cat, called Snowball, had an extraordinary background, and it might just become her lifesaver.

Lan Qingjia gently stroked the soft fur of the cat, a mysterious smile playing at her lips. "What do you think?"

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