Chapter 31: Returning to the Mo Family Village

During dinner that evening, Mo Yan brought up the matter, causing a moment of silence at the dinner table.

Putting down his chopsticks, Mo Qingze looked at his children with a hint of hesitation on his face. "This morning, the news was also being discussed at the bank. It's said that the news arrived at the court ten days ago, but it has only just spread outside. The army heading south to suppress the rebellion is probably already on its way. It won't be long before us refugees are sent back to our hometowns by the government."

"Dad, does 'sent back to our hometowns' mean we have to return to our original home? But Zhen'er doesn't want to go back, Zhen'er wants to stay here!" Zhen'er looked pitifully at his father. He didn't want to go back to the Mo family village, where many bad people bullied them. Here, there was delicious food every day, and no one would snatch it from him.

Xin'er bit her chopsticks without saying a word, her eyes fixed tightly on her father. Obviously, she didn't want to return to the Mo family village either.

The Mo family village...

Many memories related to the Mo family village flashed through Mo Yan's mind, and among these fragments, she saw a petite yet courageous girl.

In her childhood, her father worked outside to support the family, while she, at a young age, struggled to raise her younger siblings. She could endure the hardships and fatigue of life, but she couldn't tolerate the insults and abuse from the cruel women and children in the village. The phrase "bastard child without a mother" accompanied them as they grew up, and they even had to endure the harshness and oppression of some despicable relatives. The memories of the Mo family village were almost gray.

For those people, Mo Yan chose to ignore them, but she harbored resentment in her heart!

Even though those unpleasant past events had nothing to do with her, whenever she saw these scenes, her pity and admiration for her predecessor deepened. If it weren't for her predecessor's strong will and constant guidance to her siblings, the three children might have been ruined by those rumors and gossip. If these unpleasant things happened to other children, perhaps no one could handle it better than her predecessor.

If they were to return to such an environment, she worried that the two younger ones would suffer psychological trauma. Even she herself didn't want to travel thousands of miles back.

"Dad knows, Dad knows. If possible, Dad also doesn't want you to suffer! But if the government wants to send us back to our hometowns, we have no choice but to go back, otherwise our household registration will be canceled, and we won't even be considered citizens of Dachu."

Mo Qingze was also helpless. The Mo family village was where he had grown up since childhood, and it was impossible for him not to have feelings for it. However, his three children were the most important to him. He had to consider their opinions. If there was a way, he also wanted to try to stay in the capital.

Upon hearing this, Mo Yan asked, "Dad, in Dachu, are people not allowed to move freely?"

Mo Qingze nodded. "Not only in Dachu, but also in other countries! If it weren't for this natural disaster and man-made calamity, when we came to the capital, we not only needed household registration but also certificates and guides issued by the village chief, county town, and prefecture. If we want to settle down in the capital, we must change the household registration of the Mo family village to that of the capital, but..."

Here, Mo Qingze didn't continue.

Thinking about how difficult it was for someone to relocate their household registration in their past life, Mo Yan could guess what her father hadn't said. Even though she had lived under the five-star red flag in her past life, changing household registration was still a very troublesome matter, not to mention settling near the imperial city. It probably required a large amount of money and strong connections.

"Dad, don't worry. There's still no news yet, right?" Mo Yan comforted her father and reassured her younger siblings, saying that if they were really sent back to their hometowns, with the space and no worries on the road, there was nothing to worry about. As for those gossiping women from the Mo family village, she had ways to shut them up.

After Mo Yan and her father's conversation, Li Zhong also felt a bit melancholic. He had always thought his daughter was still in the capital and had wanted to find her slowly. But if they were sent back, he was afraid he would never find her in this lifetime.

Li Yan quietly held her grandfather's hand, a smile on her face. Wherever her grandfather went, she would go too.

That night, both Mo Qingze and Li Zhong, the heads of the households, tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep until dawn!

...

A few days later, Mo Qingze's speculation became reality. The government posted notices at various city gates, roughly stating that refugees from other places must change their household registration or leave the capital by the thirtieth day of September in the twenty-seventh year of Hui'an. Violators would be treated as spies of enemy countries!

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 Chapter 156: Pretending?

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 Chapter 155: Developing Feelings

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 Chapter 154: Unconvinced

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 Chapter 9: The Bai Family

It was Bai Sifu's wife who came out to tell jokes. Among the sisters-in-law, her background was the best, with the identity of the Princess of Wenyi County, which even the noblewomen in the palace would have to look up to.

But she never used her status to deceive people. She was gentle and kind, with a first-class temperament. Therefore, the people of the Bai family both respected and liked her.

However, every time she saw Feng Jinlin, she would always tease him a few times. Perhaps it was because of the difficulty in having children of her own, she felt the need to pay extra attention to such a clever child.

The whole family entered the house laughing and joking around, but Shen Shi, who was still outside, glanced at Feng Jinlin with disdain and snorted heavily.

Another one who follows the wind, treating him as if he were nothing.

She didn't like Feng Jinlin's behavior very much, but it wasn't appropriate to make a scene at this moment. She brushed off the hanging red-gold hairpin on her head and swaggered inside.

Sitting in the main hall was an old woman with silver hair and a kind face. She was the protagonist of the birthday celebration, Old Lady Bai.

Wearing a dark blue brocade jacket embroidered with the Five Blessings, her silver hair was tied up with a few simple jade hairpins. With her well-proportioned features and gentle temperament, she was a perfect match for the dignified and generous Bai family.

"Grandmother, I pay my respects to you. I wish you eternal youth and longevity."

After saying this, she knelt down on the ground and kowtowed three times before getting up, her face full of smiles, which made Madam Bai unable to stop laughing.

"Grandmother is already sixty, and you still wish for eternal youth. You naughty monkey, you only know how to please your grandmother."

Feng Jinlin cheekily approached, and Madam Bai playfully hit him, making everyone burst into laughter.

However, Bai Sihan, who was standing nearby, looked at his back with a somewhat distracted expression, feeling a sense of familiarity.

Today, Bai Sihan had also dressed up deliberately, wearing a pleated skirt like smoke and butterflies, which complemented her peach-like face and snow-white skin.

Originally a top-notch beauty, coupled with those fox-like eyes that were extremely charming, just a glance from her could make one's bones turn soft.

When Feng Jinlin looked over in their direction, she immediately perked up and shyly smiled at him, intending to say something. However, she saw his gaze shift away without hesitation.

Damn it!

When she was in Qiongzhou, how many young masters had fallen for her charm? How could this cousin Feng be completely unmoved?

Feng Jinyao, living another life, looked at the familiar faces of the Bai family today, feeling a momentary nostalgia as memories from her past life flooded her mind.

When the Feng family fell on hard times, the Bai family had spared no effort to help, only to be harshly reprimanded by the Emperor and Empress.

Uncle Bai Cha'an boldly spoke up for the Feng family in court and was subsequently demoted. Uncle Bai Chaohai wrote a petition at Yunqi Academy, which spread among the people. The Emperor was furious, and if it weren't for the pleading of Prince Kang and Princess Wen, they might have lost their lives long ago.

Grandmother, Uncle's wife, and Fourth Uncle's wife also wore mourning clothes and repeatedly went to the palace to plead for the Empress Dowager and Empress to intercede for the Feng family. Unfortunately, they knelt for three days in a row, and the palace gates never opened once. Madam Bai returned home with a serious illness, and ever since then, she never left her side, not as lively as before.

Feeling a thousand emotions at once, she felt bitter in her heart but didn't know how to express it or how to repay the Bai family's kindness.

She could only solemnly pay her respects to Madam Bai and the other elders.

"Grandmother, today is your sixtieth birthday. I specially wrote a couplet for you, wishing you happiness and longevity."

After saying this, she respectfully kowtowed to Madam Bai.

At this moment, Madam Bai looked at Feng Jinyao kneeling in front of her, feeling a surge of emotion.

Although Feng Er resembled Madam Feng the most, he was still a man after all. Now that she saw Feng Jinyao, she felt as if she were seeing her daughter from many years ago, and many memories came rushing back to her.

"Good child, get up quickly."

Her loving appearance made Feng Jinyao unable to hold back her tears, and Bai Lin immediately came forward to hand her a silk handkerchief.

"This child is always so sentimental. Today is a day of celebration, so it's not good to cry, you know?"

"Grandmother is right, it was impulsive of me."

Madam Bai waved her hand and pulled her to sit beside her, handing her the golden warming stove in her hand.

"How is your mother? Is she feeling better after taking the doctor's medicine?"

The person behind the poisoning of her mother had not yet been discovered, and Feng Jinyao did not intend to reveal it prematurely, so she made up an excuse to dodge the question.

"She's better, but the cold winter weather occasionally causes some relapses. Mother specifically instructed us to come earlier today to see if we could help. She said that after the weather warms up a bit, she will invite grandmother and the aunts to the mansion for tea. Grandmother's favorite, the newly acquired Jingming tea."

"Your mother always worries about these things, that's why her condition keeps relapsing. You should persuade her more. Your eldest daughter-in-law has been in the Eastern Capital for several years now, always confined to the courtyard, which is not good. It would be better to let your mother take her around more, take care of the family's affairs, and it will be better for her."

"Yes, I will talk to my mother about it."

Madam Bai touched Feng Jinyao's black hair affectionately, overflowing with love.

However, a seventeen-year-old girl sitting below was not happy. Pouting, she said, "Grandmother is partial. As soon as Jinyao comes, she doesn't see me, her legitimate granddaughter."

Princess Wen Yi covered her mouth and chuckled, "You have no shame. In the past, grandmother left nothing good for you. Now, you even envy your own cousin."

A young woman in a golden embroidered jacket and a pale white skirt stepped forward, pushing Feng Er aside and affectionately leaning against Madam Bai, coquettishly saying,

"Sister Jinyao, today I'll share grandmother's love with you, and tomorrow it'll be mine again."

Haha, her quick-witted words amused everyone.

The speaker was Princess Wen Yi and Bai Siruo.

Thanks to the Emperor's love for her mother, she had received the title of County Princess several years ago, and she was born with a beautiful and charming appearance, elegant and generous.

Although she was young when she was bestowed the title of County Princess, and even received a county princess mansion outside, she was very upright and never used her power to oppress others.

Apart from that, Feng Jinyao didn't have a very strong impression of her.

In the previous life, they were only acquaintances. Her attention was taken up by Miss Wen and her group, so she only knew that after she got married, she had a bad relationship with her husband and often returned home in anger, causing the entire Eastern Capital to know about it and making fun of her.

Her husband was even the eldest grandson of Prince Kang, and as a result, the relationship between Prince Kang's Mansion and the Bai family became tense.

She thought to herself that if she had the chance in this life, she could help her.

Avoiding this feud-ridden marriage would also be a way to repay Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt. After all, they only had one daughter, and they must also hope she would live happily.

With a plan in mind, Feng Jinyao deliberately approached and joked a few times.

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 Chapter 92: Kicked into the Bushes

Yin Panpan choked up for a moment, then continued, "My uncle said my mom and I wouldn't manage the company well, so he took away the management rights, then he tried various ways to reduce our assets, and finally kicked us out of the house."

Yin Panpan choked up again, "Originally, my mom had several properties under her name, but now they're all gone..."

"Did nobody else intervene?" Ou Yan asked softly.

"Before, my grandfather was in charge at home. After he passed away, not long after, my grandmother also passed away... Originally, the company was managed by my dad. Later, when my dad left, everyone looked up to my uncle."

No one stood up for them.

Some older relatives advised them to be more accommodating, to understand that it's easy to make a living under the protection of the Yin family.

"But I just don't want to bow my head and submit. They've gone too far."

Usually, she could tolerate her uncle and aunt bullying them, but later, even her cousins dared to bully them. Even after she and her mom moved to a rental house, her cousins still caused trouble from time to time.

It seemed like amusing themselves with them was quite enjoyable.

"Today, when taking out the garbage at the grave, needless to say, it must have been done by my cousin!"

Yin Panpan was infuriated, "Last year, she brought several bodyguards, kicked off all the offerings for my dad, and even dumped garbage on them, saying a lot of disrespectful things. My mom argued with her and was injured by the bodyguards. It was awful..."

Yin Panpan thought of something, "It was also this time last year... President Ou, can I make a call?"

Ou Yan guessed what she meant, "Of course."

Yin Panpan hurriedly took out her phone and dialed her mom's number, but waited for a long time with no answer.

She felt anxious, with a vague sense of foreboding.

Just then, He Ning knocked on the door, "Miss Ou Yan, there's an underwear company that's been selling well recently. They want us to help with production since their current production line can't handle the demand. The price they offered is quite attractive. Their manager wants to meet you at the Waterside Cafe, in about an hour. What do you think?"

Yin Panpan dialed two more numbers, but still no answer. She was extremely anxious, "Miss Ou Yan, can I take a leave? I want to go to Lanting Mountain..."

Her dad's grave was on the top of Lanting Mountain.

"It's on the way," Ou Yan glanced at He Ning, "Get the car ready."

Recently, she had been picked up by Si Yechen, without her own car. However, the company still had two cars available for use.

Little did they know, after they left, a hand picked up the design drawings on the desk...

Along the way, Yin Panpan kept dialing her mom's number, and the more no one answered, the more anxious she became.

Finally arriving at the top of Lanting Mountain, Yin Panpan saw a group of people surrounding her mom, Li Chunyuan, with her cousin Yin Qing by her side!

At this moment, Yin Qing spoke in a precious tone, "Aunt, look, it's been several years since Uncle passed away, and you're all alone. Aren't your days hard? Luckily, your niece has you in her heart. Look, my bodyguard is about the same age as Uncle. Why don't you just make do with him? It's convenient for Uncle to witness at the grave..."

The girl speaking was about seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing an expensive little dress, with small accessories enhancing her elegance, a diamond headband pulling her golden bangs back, and soft waves of hair cascading down the back, youthful and lively, yet also appearing delicate and noble.

"Yin Qing! Are you speaking like a human being?! Didn't Uncle treat your family so well when he was alive? Have you forgotten? Are you not afraid of Uncle coming back as a vengeful spirit to find you?"

Although Li Chunyuan was itching with hatred, she knew better than anyone her disadvantage against so many people.

"Aunt, if you didn't mention it, I almost forgot. When Uncle was alive, he was deeply favored by Grandpa. At that time, our family was firmly pressed under your feet, but now, the tables have turned..."

Yin Qing said with a smirk, "If Uncle is buried for so long, can he open the coffin and care about your business? Moreover, which elder dares to interfere with you and your daughter?"

"You wench!" At this moment, Yin Panpan suddenly rushed forward, intending to slap Yin Qing.

But she was intercepted by a quick bodyguard, who pushed Yin Panpan to the ground.

Yin Panpan stumbled, her elbow bleeding.

"Pan'er, why are you here?" Li Chunyuan hurriedly said, "Go, don't worry about me."

Yin Panpan glared angrily at the arrogant and domineering girl in front of her, "Has anyone in your family ever put feces in your mouth? Your mouth stinks so much! And these sycophants around you, don't they use a brush to clean your mouth?"

"Yin Panpan!" Yin Qing saw her, angry and amused, "You've come at the right time. A Li, you've been eyeing her for a long time, right? Today, you and Ah Xiong entertain them well, mother and daughter."

Yin Panpan was infuriated, "Dare you touch us and see?"

"What if I touch you? Can't Uncle crawl out of the ground to help you?" Yin Qing raised her eyebrows in triumph, "Go ahead."

A Li moved forward first, intending to tear off Li Chunyuan's clothes. Li Chunyuan screamed in fear.

"Let go of my mom!" Yin Panpan wanted to rescue her mom, but she was dragged by A Li and dragged into the nearby bushes, "Bastard, let go of me."

Suddenly, a slender hand grabbed A Li's arm, and before A Li could react, he was inexplicably kicked into the bushes.

  Chapter 91: Watching the Sunrise Together

The message from Si Yechen arrived at 6 a.m., after a sleepless night.

Ou Yan's slender fingers lightly tapped the screen, "Don't I ask you to hold me every day?"

She replied with patience, "Sleep well, we'll meet again in a while."

Unexpectedly, just seconds after she sent the message, Si Yechen called.

"Yan Yan." Si Yechen's voice carried a charming magnetism, "Why are you up so early? Had a nightmare?"

Ou Yan wasn't sure if her childhood experiences counted as a nightmare, "You haven't slept yet?"

"Yeah, can't sleep." Si Yechen's voice was particularly alluring, "Miss you so much."

Every moment with her replayed countless times in his mind, the girl's face made him unable to sleep.

"Still tired?"

Ou Yan said calmly, "Not anymore."

"Then let's watch the sunrise together." Si Yechen really wanted to see her, and soon he was on his way after getting permission.

After Ou Yan finished dressing and grooming, Si Yechen's car was already at her doorstep.

As soon as Ou Yan stepped out, he embraced her.

The girl's elegant fragrance entered his nostrils, halting his longing thoughts.

"Missed you so much." He lowered his head, noticing the kiss marks left on the fair neck from last night. He couldn't resist lifting her face, wearing a indulgent smile, "Good morning."

"Morning."

"Let's go to the Sky Restaurant to watch the sunrise and have breakfast."

"Okay."

"You look so obedient when you just wake up." Si Yechen rubbed her cheek, his handsome face even more indulgent.

"..."

On the terrace,

At first, Li Yusha thought she was seeing things, until she took out binoculars and saw clearly. The expression on her face couldn't be described as anything but shocked!

It was really Si Yechen!

Si Yechen personally came to pick up Ou Yan!

Not only did he open the car door for her, placed his hand over her head when she got in, but also bent down to give her a lingering good morning kiss in the car!

Li Yusha couldn't believe her eyes. They were together until a little past eleven last night, and now, before seven in the morning, they were back together so quickly!!

Seeing their car driving away, Li Yusha was so angry that her heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys all hurt. She wished she could round Ou Yan and stomp on her, angrily going to plan with Zhang Mama.

The Sky Restaurant, located on the mountaintop, was an excellent place to watch the sunrise.

When Si Yechen and Ou Yan arrived, the sun had already risen, casting a radiant glow on the horizon, as beautiful as a poem or painting.

"A bit late." Si Yechen, holding Ou Yan's fragrant shoulder, said, "Next time, let's come earlier."

"Okay." Ou Yan looked at the scenery before her, "Actually, it's still beautiful like this."

She never had time to appreciate the beauty of nature before. Standing there, admiring, her gaze was already satisfied.

Seeing the sunlight on her fair face, Si Yechen nodded, "Indeed beautiful."

Beautiful to the point that he couldn't go without a kiss.

The restaurant manager, witnessing them kissing in the sunlight, almost had his eyeballs fall out.

What's going on?!

Last time they were holding hands, and now they're kissing?

Isn't this progress too fast?!

After a long kiss, Si Yechen looked into the girl's eyes and said tenderly, "In the future, if there's anything, you can tell me. Whether it's something happy or sad, I'll be the first one to listen to you."

Ou Yan raised her eyes, looking at his sincere expression.

"Don't bear everything alone, okay?"

Ou Yan seemed to have never shared her thoughts with anyone, whether good or bad, even with her friends, she would casually pass it by with a few words.

Now, seeing Si Yechen's serious and caring eyes, she nodded, "Okay."

She would try.

Si Yechen touched her face, smiled indulgently, "Let's go, have breakfast."

After breakfast, Ou Yan went to the company. Among a pile of reports, she found some clues.

Her slender fingers lightly tapped the desk, thinking about Hu Linqian. How many secrets did he have that she hadn't discovered?

"Miss Ou, Designer Yin is looking for you!" Outside the door was He Ning's voice.

"Come in."

When Yin Panpan came in, there were still traces of tears in her eyes.

"Good morning, Miss Ou. These are the autumn designs I've worked on recently."

Yin Panpan respectfully presented the design drafts to Ou Yan, with a slight smile on her lips.

But looking closely, her smile seemed a bit forced, even with a hint of sadness.

"Director Yin asked me to show them to you. He said you're the truly talented designer..."

Ou Yan assessed her red eyes, "Cried?"

Yin Panpan shook her head, but the emotions she had barely held back once again broke through, and she sobbed softly.

"Sit down, calm down."

Ou Yan didn't put pressure on her but handed her a tissue, waiting for her to vent.

After Yin Panpan cried for a while, Ou Yan poured her a glass of water and placed it in front of her, "Moisten your throat first."

"Miss Ou..." Yin Panpan didn't expect Ou Yan to pour water for her personally. Even someone with no blood relationship with her treated her so well. Thinking of her own family, her emotions, which had just calmed down, surged again.

Ou Yan watched her sob, and calmly asked, "Work-related issues?"

Yin Panpan shook her head.

"Family matters?"

Yin Panpan nodded.

Ou Yan understood now; only family could hurt someone so deeply.

"I... I..." Yin Panpan struggled for a while before saying, "Today is the anniversary of my dad's death... But they are too much. They even dumped garbage on my dad's grave... If I hadn't gone to pay my respects, I wouldn't have known my dad suffered such humiliation."

Speaking of this, Yin Panpan couldn't help but cry again. She really didn't want to bring private matters and personal feelings into work, but when she thought of that grave, she felt angry and wronged!

"I haven't told my mom about this..." Yin Panpan hadn't finished her sentence when tears flowed again, and she choked up.

Ou Yan waited for her to finish crying before asking, "Done by relatives?"

"Yeah!!" Yin Panpan thought of those heartless relatives, and tears fell like broken beads.

"In fact, my family also runs a clothing company..." Yin Panpan wiped away her tears and said, "My grandfather founded the clothing company. After he passed away, my father took over, but a few years ago, my father died suddenly in a car accident..."

Chapter 611: Hou Yunjiao Spits Blood, Qin Ruan Discovers Clues

Hou Chuan raised his head and scanned the various dark guards of the Punishment Hall around him.

When Qin Ruan appeared, these people only glanced at her indifferently, not treating her as half of their master.

Even though their attitudes and tone were respectful, there was no trace of reverence in their eyes.

The Punishment Hall was controlled by Third Young Master Hou, and the only master they recognized was the one in power in the Hou family.

The dark guards of the Punishment Hall were different from those who accompanied the Hou family. They only obeyed Hou Yunjiao's orders and were always lofty figures.

Except for the master, no one could gain their approval.

Although Hou Chuan was the manager of the Punishment Hall, he only had a good relationship with a few people inside. Usually, he acted according to Hou Yunjiao's orders and was not troubled by them.

At this moment, the pupils of these people showed a slight movement, and the corners of their eyes kept glancing at the only person sitting at the table inside—Qin Ruan.

Hou Chuan held back his smile and signaled to the two subordinates beside him.

They immediately dragged A158 and prepared to leave.

"Wait."

Qin Ruan suddenly spoke to stop them.

She sat on the stone table and waved to the dark guards dragging A158. "The matter is not over yet, bring him over here."

The dark guards dragged the powerless A158 and threw him in front of Qin Ruan.

Qin Ruan lowered her head and saw A158 in a miserable state, his bloody hands entering her vision.

She raised her foot and stepped on his backhand.

A158 lay on the ground, aside from the initial tremor, there was no other movement.

He couldn't feel pain, but he knew that Qin Ruan had not let him go.

His body, like a dead dog, couldn't help trembling under Qin Ruan's gaze.

He was afraid.

Qin Ruan's red lips curved into a wicked smile as she asked A158, "Still can't feel the pain?"

Without a doubt, there was no response.

Qin Ruan didn't need his answer.

When A158 chose to play dead, she remotely controlled his body.

She brought him in front of her, face to face.

Qin Ruan slowly approached him, her teasing eyes assessing him.

Seeing the killing intent in A158's eyes, Qin Ruan's gentle and calm expression suddenly changed, and her eyes became as fierce as a storm pressing down.

This person was truly fearless.

He made her want to crush him into the mud.

Qin Ruan's eyes flickered with a cold light. "As a good person, I will keep my word. Since I let you out, I must make sure you don't have it easy. Enjoy the rest of your life."

Qin Ruan knew that with A158's actions, he wouldn't die easily.

"Ugh..."

A158 curled up on the ground, feeling the pain attacking every inch of his body. He was about to pass out from the pain.

His body trembled like he had Parkinson's disease, constantly shaking.

"Ah, ah, ah!!!"

"Kill me, please kill me!"

"Please, I beg you, kill me!!!"

A158 couldn't bear this level of pain. He cried and begged for a quick death.

But there were no such good things in this world.

He had a chance to escape before, but he had to provoke Qin Ruan and ended up in such a sorry state before begging for mercy.

It was too late, there was no time left.

Qin Ruan coldly laughed twice and stood up, walking towards two other people kneeling on the ground, their hands and feet bound by chains.

These two were the ones Hou Yunjiao brought for Qin Ruan to practice on.

Seeing Qin Ruan approaching, they immediately retreated.

A158's appearance was enough to frighten them. He had all suffered at the hands of this woman.

They didn't want to experience that, they just wanted to stay as far away as possible.

But as they retreated, Qin Ruan's steps also closed in.

One of them was very sensible and kneeled on the ground, gritting his teeth, "Miss, spare me, I'll talk, I'll talk."

"Me too, I'll confess everything!" The other person also hurriedly spoke.

They didn't want to experience the cruel punishment like A158 just now.

Qin Ruan's expression showed surprise and she stopped in her tracks.

She looked at the fear and dread in the eyes of these two.

Then she looked at A158 not far away, who was covered in blood and crying out loud.

Qin Ruan understood. She shook her head with a smile.

She hadn't done anything yet, and they were already ready to confess. It was too unchallenging.

Qin Ruan put her hands in her windbreaker pockets, and her footsteps turned.

Seeing Hou Chuan giving orders to his subordinates to take A158 away, she said to him, "The matter is resolved. You can handle the rest. I'll go back."

When she came, she saw that Hou Yunjiao didn't look too good.

She hadn't taken care of him yet today.

Hou Yunjiao's body had purple qi and black miasma. It was not like the previous contest where they were evenly matched; this time, the black miasma was dominating the situation, and the purple qi was in a weaker position.

As long as she divided some of her power every day to cleanse Hou Yunjiao's body, it would make him feel much better.

Huo Chuan nodded to Qin Ruan, "I'll see you off, Madam."

Qin Ruan waved her hand to refuse. "No need, Lin Hao and Hou Zhi are here."

She walked in front of Hou Zhi and extended her hand.

But as she bent down, she felt the heaviness in her stomach, and she slowly retracted her hand.

She pointed to Hou Zhi, who was sitting on the ground, and said to Lin Hao, "Take her with you. Let a doctor come and check on her injuries."

"Alright."

Lin Hao stepped forward and picked up the weak Hou Zhi from the ground.

The woman's face was pale, and the blood from her chest wound hadn't stopped, still oozing out.

Lin Hao could tell at a glance that Hou Zhi's injuries were severe.

If she let her walk a few steps, the wound would cause further harm. It was better to just carry her.

With Hou Zhi in his arms, her face showing discomfort, she said, "Put me down, I can walk on my own."

Lin Hao lowered his head, devoid of emotion, and said, "You fainted after walking a few steps. Let me carry you."

Back and forth would be more troublesome, it was better to just carry her.

Carrying Hou Zhi, who looked uneasy, Lin Hao hurriedly followed Qin Ruan, who had already left the small building.

...

Qin Ruan returned to the residential area.

She didn't see Hou Yunjiao on the first floor.

Walking into her room, Qin Ruan took off her windbreaker and threw it casually on the nearby sofa.

As she turned around, she saw Lin Hao carrying the weak Hou Zhi.

Qin Ruan's calm eyes focused on Huo Zhi's pale face, and she furrowed her brows. "Brother Hao, take Hou Zhi back to her room and have a doctor check on her injuries."

"Alright--"

Lin Hao carried Hou Zhi to the leftmost room on the first floor.

Qin Ruan smelled a faint rust-like bloody scent in the hall.

Sniffing the faint scent, Qin Ruan walked to the sunroom on the first floor.

She stood outside the door, looking through the glass at the graceful back of the person sitting inside, his back turned to her.

Chapter 610: This is Just the Beginning, Enjoy the Ride

Amidst the horrified gazes of the dark guards, Qin Ruan forced A158 to kneel on the ground.

Her lips curled up with an eerie arc, her voice low and unfathomable with a relentless killing intent, "Anyone who dares to touch me, I will make you wish for death!"

Hou Zhi had already been recognized by Qin Ruan as her own person.

A158's desire to kill her was seen as a provocation.

Today, all the dark guards of the punishment Hall were present; how could she disappoint them?

She was the wife of Third Young Master Hou, the mother of the future heir to the Huo family. Even if she couldn't gain their approval and admiration, she would not allow them to look down on her.

Qin Ruan placed her palm on A158's hand.

His weak soul was pulled outward along Qin Ruan's slowly raised palm.

"Ah, ahh!!!"

The tearing of his soul made A158 let out a miserable howl from his mouth.

He felt a torment worse than death.

Raising his hand in an attempt to resist, he tightly clenched the empty air.

His fingernails sank into his palm, and the deep red blood stained the ground.

A158 seemed to have seen hell, the surging river of blood within, and the countless souls he had once wiped out.

Their blood-red, hate-filled eyes stared at him excitedly, as if wanting to tear his body apart and drink his blood and eat his flesh.

They approached, extending their long, sharp claws.

"Ah, ahhhh!!!"

A158's heart-wrenching cries echoed once again.

The pain of his soul being torn attacked every inch of his body.

This was not just mental torture, nor was it simply physical torment.

It was despair, fear, a chilling double torment that penetrated every fiber of his being.

Qin Ruan paid no attention to A158's pain; she continued to pull his soul.

With a little more force, she could turn him into a lifeless corpse.

However, Qin Ruan refrained from doing so; she let go of him.

A158's soul returned to his body.

He had been just one step away from death.

Death would have been a release for him, but how could Qin Ruan easily grant him that?

A158's body regained its freedom, but he collapsed on the ground, his bloodied hand trembling, and his soul-reconnected body violently convulsing.

At this moment, he had none of his previous arrogance and arrogance.

Just when he thought he had escaped death, Qin Ruan controlled her psychic power once more and pulled him up from the ground.

A new wave of soul-tearing began.

"Ah, ahhhh!!!"

"Let me go, ahhh!!!"

Due to the dual torment, A158 could hardly speak clearly, and he begged for mercy.

Qin Ruan maintained her calm and leisurely demeanor as she continued to torture him.

She once again controlled A158, who had already been weakened to the point of barely being able to kneel.

In his terrified eyes, she continued the previous soul-torturing method.

"Let me go, I'll tell you everything!"

Before Qin Ruan acted, A158 was already afraid, begging for mercy.

Qin Ruan remained composed and relaxed, not satisfied with the late plea for mercy.

She raised an eyebrow, smiling wickedly at A158, "Remember what I said before? I'll make you cry and beg me to know everything."

As soon as her words fell, she placed her palm on A158's head.

His soul was once again pulled out by her, almost half of it.

"Ah, ahhh!!!"

"Let me go! Let me go, ahhh!!!"

Qin Ruan's dark gaze fixed on A158, her entire body exuding coldness and ruthlessness, making everyone around her feel a chill.

His pitiful screams resounded throughout the small building, almost toppling the roof.

Even the dark guards guarding the entrance, who had been through countless battles, couldn't help but be moved by the wailing inside the room.

What kind of method was used to make a vicious prisoner locked in the Penalty Hall cry and beg for mercy, disregarding his tough image?

Lin Hao had seen Qin Ruan's cruel side before.

However, compared to the past, there seemed to be something unpredictable about Qin Ruan's current nature.

She seemed like a playful executioner, enjoying the pleasure of tormenting others, watching them suffer, cry, and still denying them release.

Her temperament seemed clear and calm, that of a protected pregnant woman, but she was now performing such a horrifying torture.

And yet, looking at her appearance and expression, she seemed as gentle as ever, as if she were not the one inflicting the cruelty.

Lin Hao couldn't help but shiver, feeling the hairs all over his body standing on end.

After letting go once again, Qin Ruan's breath was somewhat unsteady.

Using her psychic power consumed a little too much for her current condition.

The baby in her belly became active, seemingly discontent with her behavior.

This time, after releasing A158, Qin Ruan did not continue to torture him.

She looked down at the pale and desperate face of A158 from a high vantage point and ordered in a deep voice, "One chance, tell me everything you know."

"I'll talk, I'll talk..."

A158 was covered in sweat, and both his hands were dripping with fresh blood from being squeezed.

He lay prostrate on the ground, resembling a disgusting and hateful wild dog.

Qin Ruan walked to the marble table not far away and sat down unceremoniously, her cold gaze sweeping over Hou Chuan.

The latter nodded slightly, taking over to interrogate A158 and make him confess everything.

In just a few minutes, A158 spilled everything out clearly.

A158 was a special agent from another territory, and a few months ago, he received a lucrative mission to assassinate Hou Yirong.

In their line of work, there were no confidentiality agreements.

However, this time was different; he received the job specifically from someone of great importance.

As long as he revealed anything related to the mission, even if he survived by some miracle, he would not live a day in peace for the rest of his life.

The important person would hunt him down, and his group's influence could not protect him. They would even assist the benefactor in hunting him down.

As for who the powerful figure behind the assassination of Hou Yirong was, A158 was clueless, only knowing that the person was from the capital.

He might not know, but that didn't mean the people from the Hou family wouldn't find out.

From A158's mouth, Hou Chuan extracted information about his group's influence and their internal details.

A158 was truly terrified by Qin Ruan.

He understood the feeling of not being able to seek death even when he begged for it. He experienced the different levels of torment as if he had been thrown into a frying pan, a sea of flames, and glaciers.

Months of effort to extract the information from him was easily accomplished by Qin Ruan.

After finishing the interrogation, Hou Chuan looked down on the man filled with despair and hatred, who wished to die immediately.

That he ended up in the hands of their Third Young Master's wife was somewhat accidental.

There were people secretly trying to stop their madam from taking over the Penalty Hall, and this scum was brought out to serve as an example.

They didn't expect that it would provide an opportunity for thier madam to make a show and serve as a warning to others.