Chapter 43 Slave?

All eyes turned to Xie Sangning!

"Hiss... It's Miss Xie! She really came!" A woman shrank her neck and lowered her voice.

"That bitch Liu is going to have to bleed today!"

"If she dares to throw mud at this monster, ten lives wouldn't be enough to pay for it!"

"That's right! I heard that back in Xihan City, this guy was incredibly ruthless! He killed without shedding blood!"

“My maternal uncle’s second uncle’s neighbor used to work in Xihan. He said he saw her gouge out the eyes of a traitor while smiling!”

"Tsk tsk, it wouldn't be surprising if she were killed in the street! This bitch deserved it!"

The crowd automatically parted to form a path.

Xie Sangning walked straight toward Liu Shi, the center of the storm, without the slightest hesitation.

Liu Shi naturally saw her as well.

Those eyes, which had just been fierce, suddenly contracted when they met Xie Sangning's gaze!

The hand holding the handkerchief trembled uncontrollably.

Xie Sangning stopped in front of Liu Shi.

Dead silence.

All the noise and insults froze instantly!

Countless eyes were fixed on the scene, holding their breath.

Excitement and anticipation shone in everyone's eyes.

A slap? A kick? Or a hair-tearing incident?

Xie Sangning's gaze fell on Liu Shi's filthy face, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Like autumn."

Ruqiu immediately stepped forward, took out a silk handkerchief she always carried, grabbed Liu Shi's chin with one hand, and vigorously wiped the filth off her face with the other!

"My young lady cannot stand filth. Miss Liu, please forgive me."

Liu Shi froze, completely unable to comprehend the situation before her, letting Ru Qiu wipe her, her body tense, her eyes blank.

Just as most of the dirt on Liu Shi's face was wiped away, a rotten egg flew out from the crowd behind her!

The egg originated from a plump woman with her hands on her hips and a fierce face.

court death!

Xie Sangning's gaze suddenly turned cold as he abruptly looked at the woman.

The woman, locked in by that terrifying gaze, instinctively shrank back.

But then, forcing herself to straighten her chest, she shrieked, "What are you wiping for! This shameless slut who seduces the prince! She deserves to be covered in rotten eggs and cabbage leaves for the rest of her life! Let her embarrass herself properly! Ah—!!!"

"Pfft!"

Blood splattered everywhere!

Before anyone could even see the movement clearly, they only saw a dark shadow flash before their eyes!

Ru Dong's figure appeared before the shrew like a ghost, a cold glint flashing in her hand!

Two bloody, still warm severed hands crashed to the ground!

Blood gushed out from the cut!

"Ah! My hand—!"

The woman let out a heart-wrenching scream; the excruciating pain caused her to collapse to the ground like a lump of mud, writhing and rolling wildly.

As Dong Mumu said, "I've already said it, Miss detests filth."

The entire room fell silent!

Time seemed to stand still!

All the gloating and amused expressions froze on their faces, instantly turning into horror and fear!

A hand was severed in the street!

So ruthless! So...unscrupulous!

This...this is a hundred times more terrifying than the rumors have!

Even the most arrogant and domineering princes and princesses would never commit such evil deeds in the street!

This is a complete disregard for the law!

At this moment, everyone's fear of Xie Sangning reached its peak!

Many people felt their legs go weak. Looking at the blood-soaked figure rolling on the ground and at the expressionless face of Ru Dong, they felt a chill run from the soles of their feet straight to the top of their heads!

Xie Sangning ignored the fear and screams around her. Since Pei Yan wanted her to enter the palace, he would not allow her to have any stain on her reputation. Even if she killed someone in the street, Pei Yan would clean up the mess.

She slowly turned around, a malicious smile curling at the corners of her lips.

"Excuses...all lame excuses..."

"It's because she lived the way you wouldn't dare to live, so..."

"I've offended the lives you've settled for, haven't I?"

She paused, her voice laced with sarcasm:

"You're blocking this doorway, throwing the stinkiest rotten vegetables and eggs at her, practically wanting to smother her in the mud, all to tell the men in your families—"

"Look, I'm different from her!"

"I am innocent! I am law-abiding! I am a good woman who can earn you a chastity memorial! I am useful to you! Don't abandon me!"

"Is it right?"

Boom!!!

A commotion erupted in the crowd! Then, a deathly silence fell.

A blush and shame crept onto the women's faces.

Their eyes darted away, and they could no longer lift their heads.

Xie Sangning was too lazy to even glance at these ants: "Go home and serve your master well, bring him water to wash his feet, and be a good role model for him."

After she finished speaking, she looked at Liu Shi with disdain in her eyes.

"Get this lady a cloak, lest my carriage get dirty."

Liu Shi stood there, looking at Xie Sangning, and tears finally welled up and silently slid down her cheeks.

It was only then that people realized that the rumors of the two vying for the eldest prince were actually false.

If it were truly a robbery, how could Miss Xie possibly speak up for Liu Shi or stand up for her?

——

Inside the smoothly moving carriage, Xie Sangning leaned against the soft brocade cushions, her eyes closed, seemingly resting, or perhaps silently calculating something.

A suffocating silence filled the carriage.

Liu Shi sat at the lower end, her hands tightly clasped on her knees.

“Thank you… Miss,” her voice trembled, “Thank you so much for saving me today. I will remember this kindness forever.”

Xie Sangning did not open his eyes:

"Thank you?" Her voice rose slightly at the end. "What's the value of empty words of thanks? This young lady only accepts tangible rewards."

Liu Shi nodded forcefully and heavily: "Yes! Liu Shi understands!"

The carriage stopped in front of the majestic stone lions of the General's Mansion.

In a side room of Ruixue Pavilion, Ruchun led two maids to serve Liu Shi as she bathed.

Hot water enveloped Liu Shi's icy body.

Inside the main hall, Xie Sangning sat upright in the main seat, with wisps of tea smoke rising. She appeared to be sipping tea, but her thoughts were racing.

Before long, Liu Shi was led into the hall.

She walked to the center of the hall, and facing the figure in the main seat, solemnly performed a full bow, her posture humble and devout:

"Liu Shi is deeply grateful for Miss's kindness in saving me! Liu Shi is now disgraced, her family is extinct, and she has nowhere to stand. I am grateful for Miss's kindness in taking me in. I am willing to go through fire and water for Miss, even unto death! To be my servant or maid is the greatest blessing I could ever receive!"

Her posture was as humble as could be.

Xie Sangning put down his teacup.

She slowly rose to her feet, her powerful aura almost tangible, making it difficult for Liu Shi to breathe.

Xie Sangning used her fingertips to lift Liu Shi's chin, forcing her to raise her head.

Her gaze scoured that beautiful yet alluring face, scrutinizing it with a critical eye.

"Hmm...it does have some color."

Liu Shi's cheeks flushed instantly, her heart pounded, could it be...?

"I've investigated you."

Xie Sangning sat down again, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest. "What you want is nothing more than power, a position where you can trample people under your feet, isn't that right?"

Liu Shi looked up abruptly and nodded vigorously without hesitation: "Yes! All Liu Shi desires is power!"

"very good."

"If that's the case, I'll give you a path to instant success. Do you dare to take it?"

"A meteoric rise to power?"

"But...but my reputation is now ruined, like a rat in the street, how can I..."

"Well?" Xie Sangning interrupted her, his voice carrying an undeniable authority. "That's my business! You just need to answer—this path is fraught with thorns and paved with bones, but its starting point is the cloud you've always dreamed of. Do you want to take it?"

"think!"

Liu Shi almost roared, her eyes filled with a desperate madness and a resolute determination to risk everything.

"I dream of it! I'd gladly die for it!"

"Great!" Xie Sangning clapped his hands and laughed.

She stood up and looked down at Liu Shi:

"Then, from this moment on, there will be no more Liu Shi in the world."

Liu Shi held her breath; her heart almost leaped out of her chest.

"Only my sworn sister, Xie Sangning,"

Liu Shi's pupils suddenly contracted!

"The adopted daughter of General Xie Zhenting, the Grand General Who Protects the Nation,"

A tremendous shock swept over her!

"Xie Nu'er".

She was Xie Sangning's servant for all eternity.

Xie Shi suddenly stood up from the chair, her knees slamming heavily onto the ground!

With the utmost devotion and humility, she prostrated herself deeply, her forehead pressed against the cold ground, her voice filled with absolute loyalty:

"My servant... Thank you, my servant, for being here..."

"Thank you... Sister, for saving my life!"