Chapter Seventy-Two: Once Married

Yun Xin clearly hadn’t expected that the moment Li Yuxi arrived, the first name out of his mouth would be Chu Bing!

The fury she’d felt from Chu Bing’s earlier threat had yet to dissipate. Gritting her teeth, she replied, “I truly have no idea why she’s here!”

Why is that woman everywhere I go?

Li Yuxi didn’t believe her for a second. Yun Xin harbored an inexplicable hostility toward Chu Bing, and even Chu Bing herself had repeatedly caused Yun Xin trouble.

There was definitely something strange between these two women!

He pressed one foot down on the back of Yun Xin’s hand, yet his voice grew even gentler—like a venomous serpent flicking its tongue, sending chills crawling across her skin.

“You’d best think carefully. In my presence, there is no need for anyone who hides the truth from me.”

Yun Xin felt every hair on her body stand on end. Lowering her head in panic, she blurted out quickly, “Chu Bing must have come here with the county magistrate! She used to be his eighth concubine!”

“Eighth concubine?” Li Yuxi’s voice held a trace of surprise.

That woman was wild and defiant, and he could tell that what Chu Bing loathed most was being shackled—let alone reduced to some magistrate’s lesser wife!

That wasn’t her true nature!

Afraid that Li Yuxi wouldn’t believe her, Yun Xin hurried to add, “It’s true—I used to be her maid. But even Master Xie didn’t like her and never touched her! She’s nothing but a discarded woman nobody wants!”

“Enough!” Li Yuxi’s face darkened suddenly, his voice cold as ice.

That woman had been married before?

A wave of irritation surged in Li Yuxi’s heart. He wanted nothing more than to give that county magistrate a sound beating!

His expression grew even more menacing, his presence so oppressive it was impossible to meet his gaze.

Yun Xin lay prone on the ground, her heart pounding with dread. Had she said too much? Why?

Biting her lip in frustration, she suddenly cried out, “Sir! That Chu Bing is nothing but a fickle, flirtatious woman! When she ran a restaurant, she was always tangled up with some young lord…”

A loud crack.

“Ah!”

Li Yuxi’s fan struck Yun Xin’s face with a resounding smack.

Clutching her cheek, Yun Xin stared at him in disbelief. Half her face was already swollen, a testament to the force he’d used.

Li Yuxi dusted off his fan as if it were soiled by something filthy, his tone low and indifferent. “Remember your place.”

Resentment smoldered in Yun Xin’s heart, but the instant her eyes met Li Yuxi’s, her blood ran cold. This man was capable of anything!

Anger him, and he might very well kill her!

She crawled a few steps closer to him, raising her face timidly. “Sir, I know I was wrong. I’ll be good… I’ll obey.”

Don’t kill me! I don’t want to die!

Li Yuxi looked down at the woman with disgust, then suddenly kicked her hard in the chest.

Yun Xin flew backward, landing far away before she finally stopped. Her face turned deathly pale from the pain, blood seeping from the corner of her lips.

She lifted her head in panic, hearing Li Yuxi’s cold, detached voice: “You’re nothing but a bitch at my side, meant to follow orders. If you ever dare to displease me…”

The icy glint in his eyes terrified Yun Xin. She collapsed to her knees, nearly sobbing, “Sir, I’ll do whatever you say.”

Li Yuxi cast her a glance, then turned and vaulted onto the roof. Staring toward the Li residence, a cold smile played at his lips. “Time is on my side…”

Chu Bing escaped onto the main street. Only when she was certain Li Yuxi wouldn’t pursue her did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Spotting the bustling marketplace, she remembered Li Mochan waiting for her back at the Li estate, and her cheeks warmed. Without thinking, she walked over to buy some vegetables.

The system in her mind reminded her, “Host, don’t forget your mission! Becoming emotionally entangled with unrelated people will be punished!”

Chu Bing waved it off. “How could I possibly get emotionally involved with them? Everything I do is to complete the mission!”

She spoke so earnestly that the system didn’t believe her for a moment, but lacking concrete evidence, it could only nag at her relentlessly.

Chu Bing’s expression didn’t change. Nag all you like—there was no real harm done!

She picked out some meat, planning to make braised pork for Li Yuxi.

Braised pork was a timeless classic, beloved throughout the ages. Chu Bing was confident she could win Li Mochan’s favor with this dish.

“You just want his affection!” the system protested loudly.

“I do not! You misunderstood—I meant trust!” Chu Bing faced off with the system, looking utterly sincere.

When she returned to the courtyard, Old Zhao was already waiting at the kitchen door.

Chu Bing’s lips twitched. “Uncle Zhao, what is the meaning of this?”

He was guarding her as if she were a thief!

Old Zhao eyed the meat in her hand with suspicion. “Miss Hongxiu, from now on, leave matters in the kitchen to others. You need only take care of the young master.”

Though there had been nothing wrong with that soup in the morning, who could guarantee that every dish Hongxiu made would be safe? Maybe she’d only played it safe earlier to throw them off!

Old Zhao found this Hongxiu highly suspicious, so he watched her like a hawk.

Chu Bing was at her wits’ end. She waved the meat in her hand. “How about this, Uncle Zhao: you can stand right here and watch. I’ll taste everything first when I’m done—guaranteed poison-free!”

“No!” Uncle Zhao replied, face expressionless.

Chu Bing was helpless against this stubborn old man. She set her things down, put her hands on her hips, and suddenly shouted, “Young Master! Uncle Zhao’s acting up again!”

Old Zhao’s eyes bulged in fury, his beard bristling. “What nonsense are you shouting?”

Chu Bing grinned triumphantly. “If you keep blocking me, I’ll keep shouting. I guarantee the young master won’t get a moment’s peace!”

No matter how tough he was, the old man had one weakness—Li Mochan!

To avoid disturbing Li Mochan, Old Zhao could only stand at the door, staring daggers at Chu Bing as she chopped and stir-fried.

Even with someone standing nearby, Chu Bing felt perfectly at ease and soon finished a plate of braised pork.

The blue-and-white porcelain dish was piled high with mouthwatering meat, and Old Zhao couldn’t help swallowing hungrily.

Chu Bing noticed his little gesture and smiled to herself. Deliberately, she covered the dish right in front of him, then carried it straight to Li Mochan’s room.

Old Zhao followed closely behind.

The moment Li Mochan saw the dish in Chu Bing’s hands, he knew she’d made something delicious. The chill in his expression faded a little. “Shall we eat together?”

Chu Bing’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t eaten much all day and was quite hungry, so she didn’t hesitate to sit down across from Li Mochan.

Old Zhao’s face darkened at the sight of her sitting there like she owned the place. He scolded, “You wretched girl! What do you think you’re doing?”

Before Chu Bing could reply, Li Mochan spoke up, “Uncle Zhao, mind your words.”