Mean

As the fleeting flash of golden light faded away, it felt as if something was trying to burst forth from Yang Ning’s brow. Yet, before it could emerge, Yang Ning collapsed into unconsciousness, wracked with pain.

It wasn’t just Yang Ning—Li Yan was on the verge of breaking down as well.

He kept pounding his chest relentlessly.

Tears welled up in his tiger-like eyes as he let out low, guttural roars, “It’s all my fault, I’m useless! Erlang, it’s your brother-in-law who’s useless! Your brother-in-law who has failed you! Ah! Wang Gou’er, Zheng Huaiyi! I will kill you! I will kill you all!!!”

Li Yan’s wounds had not yet healed, and with the violent pounding, he coughed up blood once again.

Seeing how intensely Li Yan and Yang Ning were reacting, the woman in white realized that the young man who had entrusted her with the money was deeply connected to them.

Her thoughts drifted to Yang An’s calm gaze when they parted.

With a flick of her fingers, the woman in white sealed the acupuncture points on Li Yan’s body from a distance, rendering him immobile.

Then, with a gentle sweep of her delicate hand, she summoned a soft breeze that carried the unconscious Yang Ning back to the bed, laying him down carefully.

Li Yan roared, “Let me go!”

A cold and solitary figure drifted forward like falling snow.

The woman in white said, “Letting you go so you can continue to self-destruct? To continue wasting the life of that young man who sacrificed himself to give you a future? If that’s what you want, then suit yourself.” With that, she waved her hand and lifted the seal from Li Yan’s body.

But Li Yan couldn’t bring himself to act.

He clutched his head in agony and screamed.

The woman in white gave him a sharp glance. “That man saved my maid; I owe him a debt.” She then sent several streaks of cold light flying through the air, piercing into Li Yan’s legs.

The cold light was extraordinary.

It traveled along the meridians in Li Yan’s legs, clearing the blocked channels and even reconnecting the severed meridians.

In just a short moment,

All the broken meridians in Li Yan’s legs were fully restored, no longer aching or swollen.

“In an hour, you’ll be able to stand again,” she said. Then, on the bedroom table, she left behind a small jade token, crafted entirely from flawless white jade.

In the center was a neat, simple character: “Jiang.”

She said, “My surname is Jiang. If you and your wife ever face difficulties you cannot overcome, come to the Imperial Academy with this token and find me.”

Keke, clutching her jade flute, stood nearby, choking back tears as she said, “Big Brother still wanted to give you the money in the end. You must be the most important people to him. Please don’t let him down—he wants you to live well.”

After Keke finished speaking,

Miss Jiang felt that this was enough to repay Yang An’s kindness.

She stayed no longer at the Yang residence.

Taking Keke with her, they stepped outside, and as the wind and snow blew, their figures vanished into the courtyard as if they had never been there at all.

……

Time ticked by.

By noon, the snowstorm in Yunzhou City showed no sign of letting up.

At this moment, within Yunzhou City,

The news that Wang Gou’er, Zheng Huaiyi, and a dozen ruffians had all died violently at the Wang family’s money house had already spread like wildfire.

Passersby, street vendors,

Even the storytellers in the teahouses were all buzzing about the incident.

Wang Gou’er had been a notorious troublemaker in Yunzhou City for years, using the money house as his shield.

Zheng Huaiyi was equally oppressive, bullying the market. Medicines that should cost a thousand taels of silver at other shops were marked up four or five times at his place.

The two had long since earned the hatred of the people.

Unfortunately, those two had powerful backing and had cultivated divine physiognomy, entering the ranks of elite warriors. Ordinary villagers were simply no match for them.

Now that both lay dead, the common folk couldn’t help but cheer with delight.

"Those two damn pests are finally gone! A cause for celebration across the land!"

"Heaven has shown mercy. I wonder which hero took them down, ridding Yunzhou of these two great evils!"

"Such a pity the hero didn’t leave a name. We don’t even know whom to thank."

The so-called heroes spoken of by the crowd were, at this moment, resting comfortably inside Princess Anle’s mansion.

“Princess, after using the finest medicine, Young Master Yang’s body has almost fully recovered, without a single scar left behind!”

The speaker was a woman in her fifties, clad in a simple gray-white robe, kneeling respectfully outside the main hall.

She was Grandma Qian, the best physician in Princess Anle’s household.

Inside the main hall was a warm chamber lined with soft, white beast-skin rugs. Qin Guo’er reclined against a plush chair.

Lan attended to her side, carefully peeling and removing the pits from lychees before bringing one to Qin Guo’er’s lips.

But Qin Guo’er didn’t eat it.

She pinched the lychee, tossing it aside to Manman, who was drooling greedily nearby. The sweetness made Manman’s big eyes squint with delight.

Wiping her small hands, Qin Guo’er asked, “Is that so?”

“I would never dare deceive the Princess!” Grandma Qian replied earnestly. “Not only that, I’ve discovered that Young Master Yang has an incredibly strong foundation and a rare constitution.”

“Recently, he was fortunate to consume the Earth Dragon Fruit, a miraculous spirit fruit known for strengthening the body!”

“I feared the medicinal properties might go to waste.”

“So I prepared a few precious medicines for Young Master Yang to take, helping him fully absorb the Earth Dragon Fruit’s power. As the medicine seeped through his body, this refining process, though he’s never practiced martial arts, has made his physique comparable to that of an ordinary ninth-rank warrior!”

Hearing this, Qin Guo’er finally glanced at the old woman. “You did well. Go back and claim your reward.”

Grandma Qian was moved and kowtowed in thanks.

Just as she was about to rise and take her leave, she suddenly hesitated, then spoke cautiously, “Princess, there is one more thing about Young Master Yang I’m unsure whether I should mention.”

“Speak plainly.”

Grandma Qian quoted from the classics: “It is said, ‘Great accomplishment appears incomplete; its use never fails. Great fullness seems empty; its use is inexhaustible. When the sun is at its zenith, it begins to decline; when the moon is full, it wanes...’”

Qin Guo’er frowned.

Lan, sensing the princess’s impatience, cut off the old woman’s lengthy speech coldly.

“Speak human language!”

Flustered, Grandma Qian lowered her head and wiped sweat from her brow. “Young Master Yang’s primordial yang energy remains unreleased, and his body is far too solid. As the saying goes, ‘extremes meet.’ If this energy isn’t properly vented for a long time, it may cause restlessness…”

Before she could finish speaking—

“Whoosh!”

A sharp whooshing sound filled the air as a gleaming jade cup flew through the room, smashing onto Grandma Qian’s head and sending her sprawling backward.

The tea inside the cup spilled all over her.

A gash opened on her forehead, blood flowing freely.

Qin Guo’er’s cheeks flushed slightly, her phoenix-like eyes filled with deadly intent. “You blabbermouth! Who asked you for this nonsense? Get out of my sight!”

“Yes, yes, Princess!”

Holding her head, Grandma Qian fled in a panic.

After she had walked far enough to disappear from sight, Qin Guo’er’s cheeks still held a faint blush. Irritated, she turned to Lan and said, “A while ago, didn’t we get some black soft cotton fabric in the storage?”

“I don’t like that color. It’s just going to get moth-eaten if it sits there,” Lan replied.

“Then have that made into clothes for that dog of a thing. Get two guards to help him change, then bring him over!”

The princess was clearly still fuming.

Lan didn’t say a word and immediately went to carry out the order.

The seamstresses in the princess’s residence were exceptionally skilled.

Plus, with cultivation enhancing their speed, the clothes were sewn in no time.

Before long, Yang An, now dressed in a soft black robe made from the cotton fabric, was tossed in front of Qin Guo’er, sprawled out awkwardly on a plush fur blanket.

Princess Anle glanced over.

There’s truth in the saying “clothes make the man.”

After changing into the exquisite attire, Yang An—already possessing a handsome face—looked even more extraordinary. Handsome, yes, but without a trace of effeminacy. Instead, he carried a carved, chiseled heroic aura.

Back on Yunling Mountain,

Qin Guo’er had thought Yang An looked quite good at first sight.

Now, seeing him in this outfit, she was even more pleased.

Hesitating for a moment,

a delicate foot slipped out from beneath her skirt, clad in pristine embroidered socks, and slowly reached toward Yang An, finally tapping his nose before stepping on it twice.

So, she didn’t dislike him after all.

Withdrawing her foot, Qin Guo’er calmly joked with her female attendants, “See? Clothes make the man, horses rely on their saddles. The old saying really holds true. After putting on these clothes, our little hunter looks truly respectable.”

“He’s lost that wild, rustic edge and gained a touch of nobility.”

“If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was some young master from a respectable family fallen on hard times.”

Qin Guo’er giggled softly.

The eight female attendants—Meilan, Zhujü, and the others—had grown up with her and were absolute confidantes, far beyond ordinary palace maids. They all laughed along.

Even Manman, who was busy munching on something, glanced curiously at Yang An. He was somewhat handsome, she thought, but not nearly as appealing as the pancake in her hand.

So she lost interest and happily went back to nibbling her snack.

While Qin Guo’er and her attendants were teasing and laughing, Lan received a message from a palace maid and stepped forward to report, “Princess, the information about this Young Master Yang has arrived. Shall we review it now?”

Anyone with eyes could tell Princess Anle had a special interest in Yang An.

Though she wasn’t particularly fond of him,

Lan was clever enough to address him respectfully as “Young Master.”

Qin Guo’er’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Read it,” she said with a smile.

Lan unrolled a long scroll and began, “Yang An is from Yunzhou, eighteen years old. Orphaned since childhood, he has depended on his older sister Yang Ning for support. Eight years ago, after Yang Ning married Li Yan, Yang An has been living with Li Yan ever since.”

“At the age of ten, he passed the preliminary imperial exam and earned some minor fame for his talents.”

“However, he has repeatedly failed the higher-level exams.”

Hearing this, Qin Guo’er covered her smooth, rosy lips and giggled, “I wouldn’t have guessed he was a scholar.”

What kind of scholar fails the exams repeatedly?

Lan inwardly scoffed but continued reading. The scout’s report was impressively detailed, even including how Yang An fared in fights with street dogs during his childhood.

Taking a few children down to the river to catch fish by hand, they were nearly swept away by the current.

During their classical studies, Qin Guo'er trimmed a little girl’s hair.

Not a single trivial matter escaped her notice.

Qin Guo'er listened with great interest, and even after quite some time, she didn’t grow bored—instead, her mood grew even more cheerful.

That was until Lan read aloud that Yang An had a fiancée.

A woman named Zhao Guizhen.

Qin Guo'er’s fingertips, playing with her silky hair, paused slightly. On her exquisitely beautiful face appeared a few hints of a teasing smile. “Tell me more about this Zhao Guizhen.”

“Yes, Princess!”

Lan continued reading: “Zhao Guizhen is the same age as Yang An. Her father, Zhao Bin, once served alongside Li Yan in the Yunzhou army years ago, earning numerous battle honors.

“Especially notable was his role as the first to breach Qianhu City.

“Thanks to his military merits, he now holds the position of Inspector Censor at the Yunzhou Salt and Iron Bureau. The engagement between Zhao Guizhen and Yang An was arranged during their time serving together in Yunzhou by Zhao Bin and Li Yan.”

“Zhao Guizhen herself is quite talented and has attracted the admiration of many scholars in Yunzhou.”

“Yang An is utterly infatuated with her.”

At this point, Lan suddenly shivered.

A sharp ‘crack’ sounded.

She looked up to see Princess Anle, wearing pristine white silk socks, cruelly pressing her foot down on Yang An’s face, nearly crushing his nose.

Her eyes radiated a chilling coldness.

Qin Guo'er’s expression flickered unpredictably as she contemplated whether to kill this despicable man.

Just as she hesitated—

Lan’s voice from below resumed: “However, Zhao Guizhen seems to have no feelings for Yang An. According to scouts’ reports, in recent months she has been frequently seen associating with Cui Wenyan, the third son of Yunzhou’s provincial governor.

“Rumors say... they may have already... crossed the line.”

The grand hall, once heavy with cold hostility, gradually lost its chill.

Qin Guo'er laughed heartily, bending forward and backward with delight. She lifted her foot and playfully tapped the soft, pale sole against the side of Yang An’s face. “Oh dear, you’ve met a bad woman, haven’t you? How pitiful! Hee hee hee~”

Princess Anle grew even more gleeful.

She mockingly teased Yang An, “Hee hee hee, your fiancée has run off with someone else. Are you feeling heartbroken? So very sad?”

Naturally, the unconscious Yang An remained silent.

Had he known he was being humiliated beneath Qin Guo'er’s foot like this, he would have leapt up long ago to fight her.

After a while,

Qin Guo'er finally stifled her laughter and said, “Continue. How did he get those injuries in the first place?”

Lan resumed: “After learning that Zhao Guizhen was involved with another man, Yang An fell into despair, drowning his sorrows in drink every day. When Li Yan went looking for him, he happened upon Lin Hao raging wildly, causing trouble. Li Yan was injured while rescuing someone.

“To save Li Yan, Yang An was tricked by Wang Gou’er, the owner of Wang’s Money Shop, and the shopkeeper of Huichuntang, into a scam that cost him money.”

“Yesterday, Wang Gou’er came by again to beat and scold him.”

“It is suspected that the injuries on Young Master Yang’s body were inflicted by a gang of thugs from Wang’s Money Shop.”

When Lan finished speaking,

The entire hall fell so silent one could hear a pin drop.

The smile on Qin Guo'er’s face vanished completely. Her calm voice slowly emerged, “Kill him. Kill him and burn him to ashes. Eradicate his entire clan.”

Cold sweat dripped from Lan’s temple.

She could feel the murderous intent surging from the princess like a raging sea of blood.

Hurriedly, she reported, “Princess, Wang Gou’er, Zheng Huaiyi—both ninth-grade martial artists—and twelve ruffians from Wang’s Money Shop were all found dead this morning. The culprit remains unknown for now.”

"But judging by the current situation..."

"It’s very likely the young master’s doing..."

“Hm?” Qin Guo’er was slightly startled, but then a brilliant smile blossomed across her face. “A scholar who’s never trained in martial arts actually managed to kill two Ninth-Rank warriors—truly a prodigious talent.”

“That bastard is really something.”

“I’m growing fonder of you by the day, and I’m finding myself less and less inclined to kill you~”

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter—the eight female attendants, Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju among them, all lowered their heads, eyes fixed on their noses, noses on their mouths, mouths on their hearts, playing the part of wooden dolls.

Pretending not to have heard a thing.

Overjoyed, Qin Guo’er pressed her tiny feet harder against Yang An’s face—once, twice.

She didn’t feel annoyed at all.

On the contrary, she pressed down with even more enthusiasm.

Watching Yang An’s thin lips, Princess Anle’s eyes sparkled with mischief, her breathing gradually quickening.

Her foot inched closer and closer to Yang An’s mouth.

Just as it was about to touch his lips—

Yang An, who had been unconscious until now, suddenly moved. His hands instinctively grabbed hold of Qin Guo’er’s soft, fair foot.

The rough fingertips brushed across the sole.

Qin Guo’er’s heart trembled; her long lashes fluttered several times, and her small fists clenched tightly.

Her strength in her foot softened.

Pulled downward by Yang An’s grip.

Only then did Qin Guo’er notice that the loose black robe around his waist had somehow tightened and bulged. Recalling the old woman’s earlier words, she was struck with alarm.

Her beautiful face flushed a deep red, as if bleeding.

What was he trying to do?

That bastard—what was he up to?

Princess Anle dared not even imagine. Seeing her foot about to be sullied, panic surged through her. She tightened the arch of her foot and fiercely kicked Yang An’s cheek.

Bang!

Yang An, still dazed, was sent flying.

His whole body spun like a top for several revolutions before crashing to the ground.

Princess Anle hurriedly hid her jade foot, wrapped in pristine white silk socks, beneath her long skirt. She clutched her chest, panting in short, shallow breaths until she calmed down.

She dared not continue pressing her foot against Yang An’s face.

Fuming with shame and anger, she spat out, “Ugh! You filthy bastard!”