“The item was found on him. Given his character, such behavior isn't surprising, is it?” Qi Ziyi brushed her off indifferently, his gaze lingering on Shen Ruoyu’s neckline. Though her winter clothes were thick and concealing, he could still discern the faint red marks at the base of her pale throat, hinting at recent intimacies. 

Shen Ruoyu was his uncle's betrothed. His uncle, a man of restraint and not one for frivolous pursuits, would never do such a thing. The only explanation was that Shen Ruoyu was having an affair. To think that the seemingly aloof Miss Shen was such a promiscuous woman.

“What’s that on your neck, Miss Shen? You truly take after your fox-like brother, always feigning innocence…” Believing he had her cornered, Qi Ziyi grew bolder, disregarding the presence of others.

“What the hell are you talking about?! How dare you speak to Yuyu like that?!” Jiang Peizhi, unable to bear it any longer, pointed at Qi Ziyi, ready to strike him.

Before he could make contact, Shen Ruoyu’s slap landed squarely on Qi Ziyi’s face. A sharp crack echoed in the air as a vivid handprint blossomed on his left cheek. The force of her blow was considerable; the young man tasted blood, pain radiating from his face. His previously composed smile vanished, replaced by a furious glare directed at Shen Ruoyu. “You’re insane! You dare strike me?! Who do you think you are? You and your slvtty brother should just die and stop causing trouble for others!”

Qi Ziyi’s pretense shattered. Even if he had wrongly accused Shen Xinghuai, what could be done? A nobody with no backing; his death wouldn't even cause a ripple. He couldn't fathom why this wretched woman dared to slap him in public, and with such force. Was this the strength of a sheltered young lady? He had been pampered since birth; his own parents had never laid a hand on him, and yet today, this woman…

Not only him, but even Xiao Chun and Jiang Peizhi were stunned. Such blatant disrespect towards Qi Ziyi! How would Shen Ruoyu explain this to the Marquis Household if his face was permanently marked? And what about Rong Yan?

“Tsk, tsk, look how swollen your face is. What was it you said about my brother and me just now?” Shen Ruoyu’s fingers lightly grazed his reddened cheek, instantly provoking a violent reaction from the young man.

Qi Ziyi shoved her away, shouting, “Get away from me! Do you really think you’re my aunt now? My uncle would never marry an unchaste woman like you! A loose woman like you should stay far away from him…”

He crouched on the ground, trembling, his eyes red with fury. Qi Ziyi hated how his uncle was entangled with the Shen family. He loathed Shen Xinghuai’s pretense and despised Shen Ruoyu even more. It was as if they were naturally opposed, like fire and water. He had disliked her from the moment they met, let alone the fact that she had stolen his uncle’s affections.

Xiao Chun, slightly frightened, approached and whispered, “Miss, let’s go back. He’s the Marquis Household’s precious treasure.” Surely, their pride had to be saved. To slap him so mercilessly in public…

“It’s alright, Xiao Chun. I haven’t been as cruel to him as he has been to my brother. Those from the Marquis Household aren't any more noble than we are.” Shen Ruoyu finished speaking and stepped towards him, looking down at the crouching Qi Ziyi.

In a voice only they could hear, she said, “Qi Ziyi, I don’t care what you meant by those words, but don’t think you can control me with a few casual remarks. You’re infatuated with your uncle, and for his sake, you target my brother and have even tried to harm me several times. For all that, a single slap is lenient.”

Qi Ziyi stiffened. Shen Ruoyu gripped his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. The young man bit his lip, a flicker of loathing in his eyes. His defiant demeanor resembled an untamed beast.

“My dear nephew, rest assured, I have no interest in your uncle. But your declining Marquis Household is counting on you to achieve success in the imperial examinations and restore its glory. What do you think would happen if I were to spread the information I have? Would you still be able to embark on the official career you so desperately desire?”

Her calm words struck Qi Ziyi like daggers, piercing his heart. His actions, in the eyes of others, were merely those of an arrogant and spoiled youth. No one would ever connect them to his infatuation with his uncle. If this secret were to be revealed, not only would the Marquis Household lose face, but he himself would be condemned to death by fire.

Qi Ziyi was not like Lu Zhixing, a madman unafraid of death. He was threatened by Shen Ruoyu’s words. Whether she was bluffing or not, fear gripped him.

The young man looked up, meeting Shen Ruoyu’s smiling eyes. This time, he pleaded, “Please… don’t tell Uncle. I’ll do anything you ask.”