Upon hearing this, Qu Jingxiu was taken aback at first, but then he remembered what had happened not long ago and assumed that Ding Yi was blaming him.

"Ding Yi, you've really misunderstood me. I went to my mother hoping she would approve of our marriage as soon as possible. But I didn't expect her to hit you after inquiring about the process. If I had known, I definitely wouldn't have gone to her. If you're angry, you can hit her back."

I've explained to you many times during this period that I really didn't mean it. Although I was very angry after our conversation that day, I realized later that it was my fault and I shouldn't have treated you that way.

But you have to understand me. The reason I'm like this is because I love you so much.

Ding Yi remained silent, ignoring Qu Jingxiu's words.

"I'm sorry, Young Master. It's her right to punish me however she wants, but I advise you to end your feelings for me as soon as possible."

I don't love you. Even if you use the Pavilion Master to force me to marry you, we still won't be happy.

Hearing this, Qu Jingxiu assumed she was still angry, so he said, "Are you still upset that I didn't consult you before letting Mother arrange our marriage?"

"I said, it has nothing to do with me."

Qu Jingxiu said, "I know you're angry that I didn't tell you beforehand, but I really care about you too much. We grew up together since we were little, we're childhood sweethearts, isn't it normal for us to be together?"

Moreover, I've had feelings for you for a long time, so why can't you see my true feelings?

"Ding Yi, if you marry me, you'll be the mistress of Shennong Pavilion. I can give you anything you want. Isn't that a good life?"

Ding Yi's expression remained cold as she said, "No, I don't care."

She had no extra feelings for Shennong Pavilion.

She stayed here because of her master, and also because she had nowhere else to go.

Now it exists.

"Ding Yi." Seeing that Ding Yi wouldn't budge, Qu Jingxiu frowned slightly, his mood becoming somewhat displeased. He said in a deep voice, "Don't force me!"

Inside the pavilion, everyone except Ding Yi treated him with utmost respect, and no one dared to slap him in the face like Ding Yi did.

The reason he indulged her so much was simply because he cared about her, and she took his affection for granted.

In his view, everything in the pavilion, including the people, belonged to him after his mother's death, which naturally included Ding Yi.

"Don't think that just because I like you, you can do whatever you want! My patience is limited."

"Ding Yi, I'll say it again: if you marry me, I won't mistreat you! If you're unwilling, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

Ding Yi was unconvinced, but Qu Jingxiu's words later made her even more determined to leave.

"Don't think I don't know you're secretly searching for the former Pavilion Master!"

Ding Yi's expression darkened. She had been very careful in this matter, and no one in the Skirt Pavilion had noticed it for so many years. She didn't know how Qu Jingxiu knew.

Suddenly, Qu Jingxiu leaned closer to Ding Yi and said, "Tell me, if my mother knew about this, would you still be alive and well?"

"So, I advise you to be honest and behave yourself towards my woman, that's what you should do."

Upon hearing this, Ding Yi frowned deeply.

When Qu Jingxiu saw her expression, he immediately assumed that she had taken his words to heart.

He then said, "It's getting late, you should go back quickly. I'm going to see my mother."

Ding Yi suddenly looked at Qu Jingxiu, who smiled smugly and said, "Don't worry, I won't tell Mother. But the condition is that you behave well!"

Ding Yi remained silent.

Meanwhile, Dongfang Yi followed Shuxin onto a small path.

Just as Shuxin said, very few people could discover this secret passage. It is a natural path formed by a crack in the rocks, and without a guide, he would never have been able to find it.

With Shu Xin leading the way, the two quickly arrived at the top of the cliff. Once up, Dongfang Yi immediately called Chen Ran.

Before long, Chen Ran arrived with a group of people.

Shuxin, who was focused on the exit, suddenly heard a noise and turned her head to look. She immediately saw a group of people walking towards her.

Shu Xin looked at Dongfang Yi and asked, "Your people?"

Dongfang Yi nodded.

Seeing this, Shuxin stopped worrying about it. At this moment, all she could think about was whether her young mistress could escape unscathed.

Chen Ran looked at the healthy Dongfang Yi and said excitedly, "Young Master, I knew you would be alright."

Dongfang Yi hadn't seen Chen Ran for a long time, and couldn't help but smile when he saw him like this. You see, when they parted ways, they were both seriously injured, and at that time he even thought they might meet again in the underworld.

"Hmm, you're doing well too. You seem to be recovering quite well."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ran said with great pride, "Thanks to the young master, Miss Yi Xue personally treated me; otherwise, how could I have recovered so quickly?"

Hearing this, Dongfang Yi didn't think anything of it.

After all, his cousin left him the body, and she had come looking for him. It was only natural for her to treat Chen Ran when she saw him injured.

Upon hearing this, Shuxin immediately felt a jolt of alarm in her mind.

He suddenly looked at Dongfang Yi and asked, "What Miss?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Ran immediately looked at Shu Xin, and then looked at Dongfang Yi with a puzzled expression, waiting for an answer.

He was so focused on the young master that he didn't notice there was another person there, and a woman at that.

Shuxin: ...

Could she possibly be invisible?

He must be blind to not be able to see such a big, living person!

Chen Ran: "..."

He wasn't blind; he just had no heart for the young master!

Dongfang Yi noticed Chen Ran's gaze, then remembered and said, "This is Miss Shu Xinshu, one of my saviors."

Then he looked at Shu Xin and said, "This is my subordinate, Chen Ran."

Shuxin didn't speak upon hearing this; she was still waiting for the two of them to explain what the 'Miss' was.

The thought that her young lady had followed this weakling was one thing, but if he dared to do anything to betray her, she would make him regret ever being born!

When Chen Ran heard his master's introduction and learned that the other party was Dongfang Yi's savior, his attitude immediately became much more respectful.

"Miss Shu, thank you so much for saving my young master's life."

"It was nothing, and besides, saving him wasn't my idea," Shu Xin said dismissively.

Dongfang Yi was immediately embarrassed.

Having spent so much time with them, he knew that it was indeed Ding Yi who saved him, and that Shu Xin was simply following Ding Yi's instructions.

Chen Ran looked completely bewildered.

Just then, Shuxin spoke up, "Mr. Dongfang, shouldn't you explain what this 'Miss Yixue' is all about?"

Chen Ran was even more puzzled.

explain?

Why explain?