The spark touched the soft fabric of Hua Jiao's body and burst into flames.
Hua Jiao was completely unable to move, watching helplessly as the flames engulfed her.
The once-prosperous Zuichunlou gradually collapsed in several fires, with flames soaring into the sky behind it.
Xiao Wu asked curiously, "Do you think the master has truly fallen for her this time? Would you call this a case of acting rashly for the sake of a beauty?"
"Speak less, or the adults will pull out your tongue," Qi Zhou whispered.
"Don't be so serious," Xiao Wu said, grabbing his shoulder. "I'm only saying this to you."
"Alright, let's go. If we drag this out any longer, we won't be able to catch up with the adults."
Having traveled for several days, Song Ting was worried that Chu Huaixu would be tired, so he arranged for the carriage to rest for an extra day at the Dingzhou post station.
As the weather grew hotter, Chu Huaixu, seeking coolness, refused to eat anything. On the second day, he only ate two plates of chilled fruits.
Song Ting naturally refused and coaxed the person to eat a few more soft, sweet and fragrant snacks.
Xiao Wu and Qi Zhou returned at this time, and Xiao Wu whispered a few words in Song Ting's ear.
The latter nodded expressionlessly and dismissed the two: "You've worked hard, go and rest."
Huaiyue pretended not to notice anything, lowered her head and slowly chewed what was in her mouth, looking bitter and resentful.
It was as if Song Ting wasn't telling him to eat snacks, but rather that he was being told to swallow a knife.
The carriage ride was bumpy, and it was easy to feel uncomfortable if we set off immediately after the meal, so the driver decided to rest for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
This was the slowest journey Xiao Wu had ever taken; it was practically crawling like a tortoise.
"Isn't the master being a little too cautious? He's worried that he'll get tired, that he won't eat or sleep well, that he won't be comfortable riding in the carriage..."
"You're so afraid of this and that, as if that person were some fragile porcelain. I've never seen an adult like this before."
Xiao Wu was an impatient person and couldn't stand this way of traveling, so he secretly complained to Qi Zhou.
Qi Zhou took a sip of water, didn't respond, and only gave him a warning look.
Xiao Wu pretended not to see anything and made her own plans:
"But I noticed that man always has a cold face towards the adults, clearly putting on airs. Do you think we should give him a warning in private and tell him to be more polite to the adults?"
Qi Zhou lifted his eyelids to look at him: "Warning? Have you forgotten what happened to the madam of Zuichunlou and Zhang Lu and the others?"
Xiao Wu immediately hugged his arms, breaking out in a cold sweat: "How could I possibly forget that..."
Qi Zhou gave him another look, clearly saying, "Then what nonsense are you spouting?"
"That's why I said we adults are getting too deeply involved. In the future, I'm afraid that if anyone dares to touch a single hair on that Huaiyue's head, the adults will tear that person to pieces—"
"What about my hair?"
"who?!"
Xiao Wu was already feeling guilty for talking badly about people behind their backs, and when he suddenly heard this voice, he jumped up in fright.
He instinctively swung the knife at his waist, but fortunately Qi Zhou stopped him in time, preventing blood from splattering on the spot.
Xiao Wu looked closely and realized that the person standing behind him was none other than their darling.
That was close.
Xiao Wu breathed a sigh of relief; he had almost been skinned alive by the adults.
"Young Master Huaiyue, why are you out here? It's hot outside, don't let yourself get sunburned, hahahaha..."
Xiao Wu has a silver tongue and speaks without thinking, blurting out whatever he should or shouldn't say, sometimes even Qi Zhou can't stop him.
But upon seeing Huaiyue, his tongue seemed tied in knots, and he didn't know what to say. He could only desperately try to wink at Qizhou—Quick, quick, save me!
"Are they talking badly about me behind my back? I think I heard my own name mentioned."
Xiao Wu leaned against the wall, while Chu Huaixu sat opposite him, lazily crossing his arms and gazing at Xiao Wu with a smile in his watery eyes.
He has naturally amorous eyes; he can look at someone as if they were his lover with just a casual glance, let alone gaze at someone with such focused attention as he does now.
Even though Xiao Wu doesn't like men, she can't stand being stared at like that.
In particular, he knew very well that this person was the apple of his master Song Ting's eye.
Given how petty his family is towards this person, if things continue like this, he might even lose his life.
Xiao Wu's palms were constantly sweating.
"How...how could I dare? I was just talking...talking about how nice the weather is today."
Chu Huaixu chuckled: "Well, I feel unbearably hot today, making people restless and irritable. I'm looking for a way to vent my frustration."
Xiao Wu: "..."
"Tell me, where did Song Ting send you?" Huaiyue asked.
"Please forgive us, sir, but we really cannot say this, otherwise the magistrate will surely pull out our tongues."
"If you don't tell me..." Chu Huaixu still had a smile on his face, but his tone suddenly turned cold.
He swept his gaze across their faces expressionlessly: "I can also have him pull out your tongues, then skin you and remove your bones. Do you two believe that?"
Xiao Wu: "..."
Qi Zhou: "..."
"The master ordered us to torture and kill Hua Jiao and burn down Zui Chun Lou," Qi Zhou said.
Xiao Wu's eyes widened suddenly, and she turned to Qi Zhou in disbelief:
"You... why did you say that? Didn't the master warn us that this matter must not be told to Young Master Huaiyue?"
Qi Zhou's face remained expressionless: "Do you want your tongue pulled out?"
Xiao Wu shook his head.
"Do you want to be skinned alive and have your bones pulled out?"
Xiao Wu shook his head again.
“That’s it then,” Qi Zhou said. “I didn’t want to either.”
Xiao Wu: "..."
"Anyway, what Young Master wants to know, even we adults can't hide it from him, right, Young Master Huaiyue?"
Xiao Wu: "..."
No, how come I never knew you were this kind of person! You were just seriously reprimanding me a moment ago!
"Hmm." Huaiyue chuckled. "Song Ting is such a boring person. I didn't expect my subordinate to be so interesting."
Xiao Wu and Qi Zhou naturally didn't dare to respond.
Huaiyue, however, pressed on with great interest: "Tell me how you tortured him, so I can have a good laugh."
"Your subordinate dares not."
"What is there to be afraid of?"
"My methods were a bit cruel, and I'm afraid they might offend your ears, young master."
Huaiyue lowered her eyes and smiled, seemingly pleased: "It's alright, I just like hearing about those cruel methods, so I can use them on you adults in the future."
Qi Zhou and Xiao Wu's expressions turned serious.
"What are you saying?"
Almost simultaneously, the commander silently appeared behind them.
Huaiyue's gaze casually swept over him. "It's nothing, just chatting. The weather is nice today."
Xiao Wu: "..."
Qi Zhou: "..."
Song Ting agreed, "Yes, I also think the weather is nice today."
Xiao Wu glanced silently at the sky; the dark clouds hung low, heavy and oppressive—what was so good about it…
The adult has indeed fallen in love!
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