C10 Vicious

The Great Young Madam is malicious? That's a real injustice.

Ayuv was furious. "You wretched old servant, still spewing nonsense? Watch me not beat you to death."

With that, Ayuv mimicked Yan Li's stance and aimed a fierce kick at Nanny Cheung's lower body. But since it was his first attempt, he missed and hit her stomach instead. Still, it was enough to leave Nanny Cheung in pain for quite a while.

"What? What are you doing? Let go of me. I don't need you to tie me up; I can walk on my own."

Mei'er wasn't faring much better. Her previously smug and arrogant expression vanished, leaving her at the mercy of others. At this point, struggling was futile.

Yan Li looked at the siblings approvingly. They did well, showing the kind of toughness needed to avoid being bullied.

"Calling me malicious? I fear the truly malicious ones are you. Disrespecting your superiors, tearing apart marriages—Nanny Cheung, do you realize breaking up a couple curses future generations? Have you considered what your descendants would think of having an ancestor like you? Their faces would burn with shame. Don't talk to me about being malicious; take a good look at your own actions."

If she weren't tough, Luo Tingye would really be at their mercy, and that's the last thing she wanted.

Once the irrelevant people left, the courtyard fell silent. The maids and servants huddled to the side, watching their Great Young Madam deal with people sharply.

This woman, who had just been tending to flowers and seemed so gentle, could in the next moment become a "tigress," one who could openly oppose the mistress. They would have to be extra cautious in their actions from now on.

Yan Li didn't have time to notice their expressions; she was anxiously by Luo Tingye's bedside. Luo Tingye couldn't afford to be harmed.

On the spacious bed lay a man of unparalleled beauty, his face pale and almost translucent, devoid of any vitality. Yan Li's heart sank; one might easily believe he was a lifeless figure.

"Doctor, how is he?"

Yan Li knew Luo Tingye's health was fragile. Back in the village, the talk was never about the Second Old Master's son, but always about the heir of the Old Master.

He was as beautiful as a flower, but sadly frail. People often gossiped about the latest remedies the Old Master procured or which renowned doctor visited the household. These were the most common topics among the villagers.

Though she had heard much, she had never seen for herself how delicate and sickly he truly was—until now.

Dr. Zhao, the household physician skilled in acupuncture, had inserted a multitude of silver needles into Luo Tingye's back, making him resemble a porcupine. Dr. Zhao's medical skills were commendable; after three days of acupuncture and administering ink-black medicine, Luo Tingye's breathing finally steadied.

Dr. Zhao prescribed several more doses of medicine, gave careful instructions, and then departed.

These past few days, Yan Li had never felt such tension. It was her first experience caring for an unconscious patient, and the anxiety was overwhelming.

Fortunately, Luo Tingye's strong will pulled him through once again.

Yan Li smiled softly, "What kind of illness do you have? It's more terrifying than anything in an emergency room. Is there really no cure in this world?"

She felt a wave of helplessness as she gazed at Luo Tingye's closed eyes. In modern times, a full hospital check-up would reveal everything. They could administer IVs or perform surgeries as needed, but here... they could only rely on pulse readings. It was truly frustrating.

"Great Young Madam, Mrs. Lau has arrived," Zuo quietly reported.

“Mrs. Lau, back again?” Yan Li chuckled helplessly. “What makes her so confident that she can just waltz in here? Has she forgotten about Luo Tingye’s status as the legitimate son?”

Zuo stood by, unsure how to respond.

Yan Li stood up. “Stay here and make sure no one comes in except Dr. Zhao. Even if the President himself shows up, keep him out.”

Is this a joke? When will it end?

Zuo nodded respectfully. “Yes, Great Young Madam.”

Yan Li took a long look at Luo Tingye, gently adjusting the blanket before leaving.

Unbeknownst to her, shortly after she left, Luo Tingye’s eyes slowly opened, a flicker of light passing through his deep, dark eyes... Yan Li?

“Master.”

The man in black, Mo Shang, appeared quietly.

Luo Tingye leaned back against the headboard, his voice slightly hoarse yet commanding. “How is it?”

His illness had come on suddenly, even he hadn’t anticipated the cold poison flaring up now. Fortunately, with recent treatments and the jasmine outside the courtyard helping him sleep well, he hadn’t suffered a relapse like before.

Mo Shang reported, “Master, we’ve obtained the medicine. However, Young Master Wen mentioned that one ingredient is still missing, so you’ll have to make do with what we have for now.”

With that, Mo Shang presented a brocade box.

Luo Tingye opened it to reveal several crystal-clear pills, exuding a pleasant aroma, clearly top-quality medicine. He took one without hesitation, using his inner strength to help it circulate. Soon, his previously pale complexion regained some color.

Mo Shang continued, “Master, we can’t wait any longer. The Luo Mansion isn’t conducive to recovery, and we have the means to find a better place.”

That woman, Mrs. Lau, does she really think the master won't dare to act against her? The only reason he hasn't is because he doesn't want to reveal his whereabouts. Otherwise, she would have been a ghost ten years ago when she first made a move. How could she still be so arrogant?

Luo Tingye waved his hand dismissively. "Enough of that. After all these years, what's another four? Besides, isn't that woman already out dealing with her? Her good days are numbered."

He wasn't in a hurry and never considered Mrs. Lau and her son a threat. To him, killing someone was as easy as squashing an ant. But he had his reasons for holding back.

Mo Shang scoffed, "Master, you trust her too much. She's just a simple farm girl with nothing to her name. How can she protect you? And she's a replacement bride. Why would she go out of her way to defend you? I don't believe anyone does anything without a motive. Her intentions are questionable."

While Mo Shang's other words could be ignored, his last point hit home. Yan Li was indeed a replacement bride, originally meant to marry Luo's cousin. Now, she could have lived quietly in the Luo Mansion. Why would she choose to confront Mrs. Lau and make things difficult for herself?

Luo Tingye's dark eyes deepened, and his perfect lips tightened slightly... Why indeed?