“Yes, that’s why even though my father only had one son and one daughter, he never thought of taking a concubine.” At this point, He Qixie’s heart stirred, and he asked, “Junbai, you also have a fiancée. When do you plan to get married?”
A cold glint flashed in Qiao Qiu's eyes. Fiancée?
She harbored deep resentment, but maintained a blank expression on the surface, calmly saying, "I have my own plan for this matter. You will see the outcome in a few days."
He Qi Xie was a little disappointed, but he also discovered that Shen Junbai liked to keep everything to himself and not tell anyone.
"Tonight is destined to be no quiet night." Qiao Qiu drank another glass of wine.
He Qixie didn't understand. "What do you mean?"
Qiao Qiu didn't speak, but instead lifted the lid of the incense burner, put in some spices, and poked at them with a long needle. Soon, the smoke swirled and spread around.
Suddenly, a murderous aura gathered around them, almost solidifying into a tangible form. He Qixie gripped his long sword tightly, warily surveying his surroundings, and immediately understood Qiao Qiu's meaning.
The next moment, a dozen or so men in black jumped down from the rooftops and walls around them, the sound of them drawing their swords was extremely jarring.
He Qixie also drew his knife, leaped up, and charged towards the man in black.
At this moment, He Suyue, who had been peeking from the courtyard gate, rushed in, jumped in front of Qiao Qiu, drew her knife, and used her body to shield her. "Brother Shen, don't worry, I will protect you."
Qiao Qiu was slightly moved. She picked up another clean, empty wine glass from the table, poured herself a glass of wine, and said, "Su Yue."
"What's wrong, Brother Shen?" He Suyue didn't turn around, but just hearing Shen Junbai call her made her heart pound wildly.
"Have a drink."
"What time is it? Why are you still drinking?" He Suyue looked ahead nervously, not even having time to glance back.
"You look nervous. A drink will give you courage."
"Really?" He Suyue couldn't help but turn around and look. She was stunned for a moment when she saw her Brother Shen holding a wine glass, smiling at her. His exquisite features were right in front of her.
Qiao Qiu sighed and personally fed her the drink. He Suyue just stood there blankly, drinking from his hand.
A man in black broke away from the battle and, seeing Qiao Qiu over there, stabbed at her with incredible speed.
Qiao Qiu flicked her finger, sending the wine cup flying and colliding head-on with the tip of the knife. With a clang, the man in black was sent flying, and the large knife in his hand shattered into countless pieces.
The man in black, seeing her exceptional martial arts skills, revealed a look of terror in his eyes and scrambled backward, fearing that Qiao Qiu might throw another wine glass at him and kill him.
This was beyond his capabilities. Shen Junbai's martial arts were far superior to his own, and he didn't want to knowingly throw his life away.
"He Qixie, when you move to the left, take a slightly smaller step. When you swing the knife diagonally downwards, make a horizontal cut. When you thrust the knife forward, take a step back and then thrust backwards..."
Qiao Qiu's voice was like flowing water hitting a stone, clear and clean, yet magnetic, unhurried and steady, standing out prominently amidst the sounds of clashing weapons.
He Qixie followed her instructions in making and retracting his moves, and found that the chances of hitting his enemy with his sword had increased significantly. She also pointed out and resolved the bottlenecks he usually encountered when practicing martial arts.
The man in black fought him for a while, but seeing that he was no match for him, Shen Junbai even acted as his strategist. They exchanged a glance, and with the injured man in tow, they leaped up and fled.
He Suyue stared in disbelief as her brother was commanded by Qiao Qiu. As an observer, she could clearly see that her brother's martial arts skills had improved dramatically. Why hadn't she thought he was so clumsy when she watched him fight before...?
He Qi Xie sheathed his sword, took a slight breath, walked over, and bowed to Qiao Qiu, saying, "I humbly admit defeat in martial arts."
He was truly impressed today. Shen Junbai could spot his mistakes after just one look at his practice of the He Family Knife Technique. Geniuses are indeed beyond the reach of ordinary people.
"You flatter me." Qiao Qiu said with a faint smile, then weakly closed her eyes and fainted.
He Suyue quickly grabbed her, crying, "Brother Shen, Brother Shen!"
He Qi Xie was startled. He leaned closer and saw that her face was pale and her forehead was covered in a fine sweat. He asked He Su Yue, "Did he just use his martial arts again?"
He Suyue thought hard for a moment, then shook her head.
He Qi Xie didn't believe her. This little girl easily spaced out whenever Shen Junbai was around. He turned around and looked around. He saw a large knife with its blade shattered into pieces on the grass not far away. On the fragments lay an intact wine glass. There was no doubt that the wine glass belonged to Shen Junbai.
He Qixie was once again stunned. How powerful must one's martial arts be to withstand a weapon several times harder than itself with such fragile porcelain and still remain intact?
Shen Junbai is actually more powerful than he imagined.
He Qi Xie barely managed to suppress his shock, turned around, and shook her, "Jun Bai, Jun Bai."
Qiao Qiu fainted from the pain. The pain in her wrist continued to radiate, so she wasn't completely unconscious. When He Qi Xie shook her, she slowly woke up from the darkness.
He Suyue heard her groan and see signs of waking up again, and said with delight, "Brother, stop shaking me, Brother Shen is awake."
Qiao Qiu woke up, pressed her wrist, sat up straight, frowned slightly, and looked towards the courtyard gate.
Just as He Qixie was about to speak, the butler suddenly came in and interrupted him.
"Young master, we've captured them all."
Qiao Qiu turned to the side, her back to the butler, and slowly stood up. Her voice was calm and nonchalant as she said, "Separate them and lock them up. Tie them up with ropes and gag them with cloth. After you've done that, let them go to sleep."
"Yes, young master."
The housekeeper assumed she was going to rest and, without giving it any further thought, turned and left.
The moment Qiao Qiu noticed the housekeeper walking out of the courtyard gate, she swayed slightly.
He Qi Xie and He Su Yue were startled and quickly reached out their hands, but she regained her footing.
He Suyue cried, "Brother Shen, you always think of others, but think of yourself! You still have a great grudge to avenge, so you must take care of yourself no matter what."
Qiao Qiu calmed down and felt a little better before saying, "I know, thank you all for today. I'll just apply some medicine when I get back. You all go back to sleep."
"Then you should rest well, Yue'er. We're going back now." He Qi Xie sighed. He had watched the whole thing from beginning to end, and from the details, Shen Junbai's character was impeccable. He was just a little aloof. He wondered if the departure of his family was what made him like that.
He Suyue wiped away her tears, reluctant to leave, and followed He Qixie away, turning back every few steps.
Qiao Qiu's room wasn't far from the courtyard, but it was a difficult walk for her, taking almost half an hour to get back to her room.
In fact, there was no ointment for treating muscles and bones in Shen Junbai's room; there were only some wound medicines.
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