Chapter 69 Remembering Jiangnan (Part 9) You're kidding me.
Ye Mu's back stiffened for a moment.
She slowly turned around, feigning a bewildered and wooden expression, and asked very respectfully, "Is there anything else you need, sir?"
Zhou Chongli took a few steps forward. The moonlight was dim, and it was further obscured by thin clouds, so only a thin layer of silvery-gray was filtered down, making her lowered eyebrows and eyes even more obscure.
They remained silent, with only the rustling of the night breeze against their clothes.
But Ye Mu always felt the imposing aura around him, and the unease in his heart seemed genuine.
She quietly gripped the razor blade she hadn't yet put away in her sleeve even tighter in her palm. No matter what happened next, self-preservation was the top priority.
Just when she thought Zhou Chongli must have seen through something and was going to hold her accountable, he spoke up.
"You caught a cold yesterday, are you feeling better?"
I didn't expect him to ask this.
Ye Mu was slightly surprised, but quickly composed himself and said, "Thank you for your concern, Lord. I took the medicine, slept all day with my head covered, and sweated a little. I'm fine now."
I slept all day.
Zhou Chongli raised an eyebrow with interest, then asked, "Have you had dinner yet?"
"I've just recovered from a cold, and my stomach and spleen are still weak, so I have no appetite," Ye Mu lied, not wanting to deal with him any longer and hoping to get away as soon as possible. "I want to go back and rest as soon as possible."
But he refused to do as she wished.
"Then have some with me. I have been inspecting the spring planting today, trekking through the countryside, and have not eaten or drunk anything yet."
Zhou Chongli walked out, ignoring her resistance, and said, "Follow me."
His voice was cold and his spirit was broken.
Ye Mu could only follow behind him. When they passed through the moon gate, she glanced back and saw that the ebony umbrella was still leaning against the wall, placed at the door of the signing room.
Zhou Chongli did not take her to the inner courtyard, nor to the noodle shop from the day before. Instead, he led her through two streets that still had some lights on, and stopped in front of a restaurant.
The storefront was bright and spacious, with several bright corner lanterns hanging under the eaves, illuminating the vermilion pillars. Although not the most prestigious in the city, it was still a respectable and clean place.
"This restaurant's braised mutton and mutton soup hot pot are the best in Wujiang. They use high-quality ingredients and cook them to perfection, making them the best for nourishing and dispelling cold." Zhou Chongli lifted the cotton curtain embroidered with elegant orchids, gesturing for Ye Mu to come in first. "Aren't you always afraid of the cold?"
He must have noticed the small bronze hand warmer she always carried on the desk in the hut.
Ye Mu's heart tightened, but he replied respectfully, "Your Excellency's observation is remarkable. I have been weak since childhood, which has caused you concern."
The hall was warm, filled with the aroma of wine and food. The innkeeper personally led them upstairs to a quiet, elegant room facing the street.
The room was small but elegantly furnished. Opening the window revealed the scattered fishing lights on a tributary of the canal in the distance.
Zhou Chongli ordered braised mutton, mutton offal soup, several refreshing seasonal vegetables, and a pot of warm yellow wine.
"There will be archery practice at the county government's drill ground the day after tomorrow," Zhou Chongli said, placing the scalded bowls and chopsticks in front of Ye Mu. "Are you aware of this?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency, I have heard from Secretary Yu."
Taking the opportunity, Ye Mu said, "This humble servant is dull-witted and only knows how to bury himself in checking numbers and accounts. He is completely ignorant of archery and horsemanship. May I ask, sir, if this humble servant may not participate? In order to avoid making a fool of himself and dragging down the evaluation of the Household Department."
Zhou Chongli listened quietly, glancing at her thin shoulders. She certainly didn't look like someone who could draw a bow, but he knew that this was by no means her main excuse. She didn't want to go for another reason.
Zhou Chongli chuckled lightly, “Archery and horsemanship are skills that cannot be mastered overnight. You are still young and your body is still weak, so you should take this opportunity to stretch your muscles and bones. If you don’t know how, you can learn.”
"Your teachings are correct," Ye Mu replied hastily. "I will certainly do my best, but I fear that my aptitude is too dull and I will learn too slowly, thus delaying the progress of my colleagues."
"Has Secretary Ye always been so self-deprecating?"
"Your Excellency, I have always been self-aware."
Zhou Chongli stared at her for a moment, then smiled slightly, “I have a lot of confidence in Secretary Ye. He traveled all the way from the capital to this unfamiliar place in Jiangnan to make a living. This kind of courage is not something that ordinary scholars who only know how to bury themselves in old books can have.”
Ye Mu then raised his eyes, "You flatter me, sir. I dare not accept such praise. I had no other choice but to come out and find a way to survive."
When speaking to him, you must carefully consider every word in your heart, as if walking on a cliff with bottomless fog on both sides. A slight mistake could lead to utter destruction.
Fortunately, at that moment, the waiters filed in carrying steaming hot dishes, temporarily breaking the tense atmosphere of their exchange.
A large earthenware soup pot sits in the center, its milky white broth bubbling and boiling. The mutton is cut into evenly thick slices, and the offal is cleaned thoroughly, leaving no trace of muttony smell, only a rich aroma.
Served with vibrant green cilantro and garlic sprouts, along with a small dish of specially prepared spicy dipping sauce, it's incredibly tempting.
"Eat it while it's hot." Zhou Chongli picked up the serving chopsticks, first ladling a full bowl of steaming mutton soup for Ye Mu, then adding a few slices of tender mutton and soft, glutinous mutton blood, and gently pushing it in front of her. "You've just recovered from a cold, and your stomach is weak. Mutton is warming and nourishing, which is just right for you."
He had already said so much, so to refuse would be ungrateful. Ye Mu accepted it, saying, "Thank you, sir."
She sipped the mutton soup, the warmth sliding down her esophagus, which indeed soothed her stomach, which was cramping from tension.
Zhou Chongli himself ate slowly and deliberately. The only sounds in the private room were the clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the bubbling of soup. Outside the window, the night was as dark as ink, with lights flickering.
After a few sips of hot soup, my body warmed up.
Zhou Chongli put down his spoon, wiped his mouth with a cloth, and resumed his previous remarks, "All registered clerks must participate in archery practice. This is the rule of the yamen, and naturally we cannot make an exception for you alone."
"Yes, sir. I understand." Ye Mu replied in a low voice, knowing that there was no turning back.
"Since it is archery practice, special archery riding clothes with arrow sleeves are required for convenient movement."
Ye Mu put down his spoon and nodded. "I will make the arrangements after I finish my shift tomorrow."
Zhou Chongli looked at her.
She's still not very good at pretending to be down on her luck.
A young man who is truly struggling financially, suddenly faced with extra expenses, should, even if he tries his best to remain calm in front of his superiors, have a look in his eyes that shows his heartache and calculation regarding the money.
That kind of deep-seated embarrassment can't be acted out; she doesn't have it. On the contrary, she's too calm.
It's as if buying a riding and archery outfit is no different from buying a stack of paper or a piece of ink.
Calm and composed is the demeanor of the wealthy. She has no idea how nervous a person who has truly struggled up from the bottom would be to haggle over a few coins and avoid embarrassing themselves in front of others.
The difficulties and struggles are something that those who haven't experienced them can't fake.
Zhou Chongli thought of himself.
When he first entered officialdom and had just been appointed to a minor post, he learned that civil officials in this dynasty also had the old practice of practicing archery, and that it might affect their performance evaluation. He managed to squeeze out all his spare time and use borrowed money to bribe the old instructor to open the training ground in the middle of the night.
The skin between my thumb and forefinger was chafed and bleeding, sticking to the bowstring. Every pull to the bowstring tore at my skin and flesh. Blisters quickly formed on my fingertips. The blisters burst, and thick calluses formed, which then burst again, until they festered and became infected. Even holding a pen was excruciatingly painful.
My arms were so sore I couldn't lift them, and my shoulders felt like they were being torn apart, but I still went to work the next day as if nothing had happened.
After several sleepless nights, I managed to practice my bow-drawing posture and accuracy until they were barely passable.
There was no other thought in mind; I simply didn't want to become a laughing stock under the open or covert scrutiny of my colleagues.
She didn't understand how much a down-on-his-luck person values that little bit of self-respect.
What Zhou Chongli couldn't understand was, if she really was Ye Xingjian's sister, the daughter of a marquis, why would she be willing to take off her silk skirt, apply yellow wax, abandon the prosperity and tranquility of the capital, and sneak into the Wujiang County government office, which was thousands of miles away?
What kind of bargaining chips did the other party use to make a noble lady from a wealthy family willingly venture into the lion's den and carry out such a treacherous act?
Yesterday, I had a casual chat with Ye Xingjian over drinks. He mentioned his younger sister, and although he showed the usual concern and worry of an older brother for his younger sister, his expression and tone did not seem to indicate that he knew his sister might be in Wujiang County, which was under his jurisdiction.
So, she didn't come with the family's permission.
Could it be that she escaped?
Zhou Chongli looked at her; she didn't seem like it.
She sat there, seemingly reserved, but always tense. She had come prepared, with a verifiable "Wanping Ye Mu" identity document. Someone was setting up a plan for her.
However, Zhou Chongli still couldn't figure out what reason it was that would make a woman from a noble family, who was once pampered and privileged, willingly step into this murky water.
If you can't figure it out, just observe quietly for now.
He was quite happy to watch her struggle in the mud, how little by little she would reveal her true colors.
"Regarding archery practice, although the government has established precedents, the clothing and equipment must always be provided by the participants themselves."
Zhou Chongli said, “A decent set of archery and horseback riding clothes, including the workmanship and materials, would cost at least one and a half taels of silver in a decent shop in Wujiang County. This does not include the wrist guards, thumb rings, belts and other odds and ends. If you use the cheapest ones, it would cost another three or four hundred coins.”
"After deducting rent, food, paper, ink and other miscellaneous expenses from Ye Shuban's monthly salary in the household office, it's probably going to be a tight squeeze for him to squeeze out this much money."
One and a half taels of silver was indeed a considerable expense for a temporary scribe with a meager monthly salary.
Ye Mu lowered his head slightly, a look of shame forming on his face. "My cousin runs a silk shop. Although he doesn't directly take on garment manufacturing, he has known several skilled and reasonably priced tailors through years of business dealings. I would like to ask my cousin to put in a good word for me. Perhaps we can get a discount and make do."
“There’s no need for such trouble, and it might not even be possible to make one in time,” Zhou Chongli said. “It’s quite a coincidence that I happen to have a brand new riding and archery uniform that was made a couple of years ago. When it arrived, I realized that the shoulders and back were a bit too tight, and it wasn’t very comfortable to wear, so I’ve been putting it aside ever since.”
His gaze swept over her slender shoulders. "Judging from Ye Shuban's figure, she can fit into it. The material of that outfit is decent; it's a waste to leave it lying around."
"If Secretary Ye doesn't mind, you can come to my residence to try it on after you finish your shift tomorrow. If it fits, you can take it and use it."
Having said this, he had already gone to great lengths, showing consideration for his subordinates, being frugal and economical, balancing reason and emotion, and benefiting his subordinates.
Ye Mu raised his eyes and met Zhou Chongli's gaze.
In the candlelight, his eyes were open and honest, even gentle, but she sensed an inquiry beneath the surface.
He was sizing her up, and so was she.
After seeing Yi Cheng off yesterday, Ye Mu received a reply from Jiang Si.
The paper, several pages long, was mostly filled with useless idle chatter and reminiscing, asking her about the scenery of Jiangnan, her food and daily life, and interspersed with a few sarcastic remarks about Xie Yicheng's less-than-stellar skills.
But at the very end of the letter, there is a crucial point.
"I spent over a decade in the officialdom of my previous life, but I had never heard of the name 'Zhou Chongli'."
Jiang Si had never heard of Zhou Chongli.
what does that mean?
Last night, Ye Mu pondered on her bed, considering two possibilities: First, Zhou Chongli was the variable that led to her rebirth in this life.
But since she woke up, all the people she has encountered have traces in her memories of her previous life, and no entirely new characters have appeared out of thin air.
So, the more likely explanation is the second one: before Jiang Si passed the imperial examinations and truly entered officialdom in his previous life, Zhou Chongli had already completely disappeared.
Not just death, but a silent one.
So clean that his name left no trace in the memory of the future powerful prime minister, what kind of method could erase a county magistrate with outstanding political achievements so thoroughly?
Will it be a swift and severe punishment, resulting in the closure of his records? Or will an even more unspeakable accident plunge everything he has into eternal darkness?
Jiang Si entered officialdom six years later in his previous life.
In other words, Zhou Chongli died within the next six years.
Ye Mu looked at the young county magistrate in front of him. His expression was calm, and his methods and mind were extraordinary. How could he have died quietly in the next few years?
What did he encounter in his past life? Was it also related to the 50,000 taels of silver for the river construction project? Did the crown prince in his past life also secretly investigate him?
Ye Mu grew up in the Marquis's mansion and naturally heard about several political events in the imperial court.
No matter how extensive the corruption case is, in the end it will always be punished according to the law, the suspect will be sent to the capital in a prison cart, and notices will be posted all over the city gates as a warning to others.
The key is to "warn" everyone, to make it known to all.
But Zhou Chongli...
If what Jiang Si said is true, then it means a completely different kind of ending—not a trial announced to the world, but a silent erasure.
His name vanished from the files, and his deeds disappeared from conversations, as if he had never existed in Wujiang County.
What kind of crime would require such a secretive approach?
Ye Mu still couldn't figure out the key point.
At this moment, she could only bow her head respectfully and say, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, my lord. I will take the liberty of disturbing you."
-
The following afternoon, dusk slowly enveloped the green tiles.
Ye Mu stood in front of Zhou Chongli's residence. Before he could understand why he had come, a servant came out from inside the gate to greet him.
"Secretary Ye is here?" He smiled politely. "The master has given instructions. Please follow me."
The slender bamboo leaves on both sides of the corridor gleamed with a cold, ethereal light in the fading daylight. The main hall was unlit, and the servant led her around the corridor toward the east wing.
"The master is in his study dealing with some urgent documents and has asked you to wait in the side room." The servant pushed open a lattice door. "The riding and archery uniform is already prepared inside."
"Thank you for your trouble." Ye Mu discussed with him, "but it's getting late, could you please allow me to take the clothes home to try them on? I really wouldn't dare to bother you and your household any further."
"You're too kind, Secretary Ye. The master specifically instructed that you should try it here. If the size is not right, the seamstress in the manor can start making corrections right now and it will be done tonight, so it won't delay your archery practice tomorrow."
The servant laughed and said, "If Clerk Ye only discovers the problem after taking it back, wouldn't that waste even more time?"
He closed the door behind him. "Please make yourself at home. If you need anything, just call me. I'll be waiting for you at the bottom of the steps."
The door closed.
Ye Mu sighed softly.
The room is small, but its furnishings are exquisite.
A rosewood desk stands by the window, and a bamboo painting hangs on the wall, its brushstrokes elegant and unrestrained.
Against the north wall stood a boxwood clothes rack, on which a set of archery riding clothes with arrow sleeves was neatly draped. Because the riding clothes were fitted at the waist, a plain white undergarment, a pair of wrist guards, and a rhinoceros horn thumb ring were thoughtfully provided on a low stool next to it.
Ye Mu walked over and touched it. The material was indeed solid and crisp. The color was the dark blue commonly seen in official riding and archery uniforms, but under the light, one could vaguely see the dark cloud patterns woven in. This was not an ordinary product purchased by the county government.
She looked around and found no screens or partitions to block her view. Fortunately, the servant outside the door was far away, standing with his head bowed on the steps, his posture upright, and he showed no intention of spying. He probably wouldn't suddenly barge in.
Ye Mu took the riding and archery uniform off the clothes rack, untied the outer robe, and took off the gray cotton robe.
She originally planned to wear the riding and archery uniform over her undergarment, which was made to fit the large size of a man's outer robe and would conceal her figure well.
However, when Ye Mu tried to slip his arm into the arrow sleeve, he immediately realized something was wrong.
Her undergarment was too loose, with baggy sleeves that couldn't stretch out properly inside the tight sleeves of her riding and archery uniform, bunching up at her shoulders and arms to create an unsightly and conspicuous bulge.
With such an appearance, let alone shooting arrows, even raising his hand in a normal manner seemed extremely clumsy.
No, wearing this out would be too obviously ill-fitting and would only attract attention.
She paused, her gaze quickly falling on the plain white undergarment on the low stool next to the clothes rack. It was a close-fitting garment that matched her riding and archery attire, and its cut must have been tight and snug.
After only a moment's hesitation, Ye Mu made his decision.
With her back to the door, she quickly untied the sash of her undergarment.
The cool air suddenly touched her skin, and Ye Mu shivered slightly.
The white cotton cloth binding her chest was exposed, tightly wrapped around her chest, creating a flat line. Only when she returned to her own little house and locked the door could Ye Mu briefly break free from this restraint and breathe freely.
At this moment, in this completely unfamiliar place, exposing this most crucial secret, even for just a moment, was enough to make her tense all over, send a chill down her spine, and make her fingertips feel slightly cold.
She grabbed the new undergarment and was about to put it on when...
"Secretary Ye."
Zhou Chongli's voice suddenly rang out from outside the door, startling Ye Mu so much that her hand trembled and her shirt almost slipped off.
"My lord." Ye Mu gasped for breath and hurriedly pulled his clothes back to his chest. He was only wearing half of his shirt, with his right shoulder still exposed. The white cloth covering his chest was dazzling in the dim light.
She quickly slipped her right arm into the other sleeve, pulled up the hem, and her fingers trembled as she tied the tie under her armpit. "I'm trying on clothes."
"Hmm," Zhou Chongli responded, "Does it fit?"
Ye Mu put on his inner garment and said, "My lord, I haven't finished putting on my outer garment yet, I need to wait a moment."
There was a rustling sound inside the house.
The door was covered with a single layer of cotton paper, which provided adequate sound insulation but did not completely block out people's shadows.
Candlelight shone from inside the room, casting a hazy shadow of a slender figure onto the paper door.
The shadow was bowing its head slightly, adjusting its clothes.
Jade legs, slender arms, and neck, all vaguely visible.
With each movement, her shoulder blades resembled a pair of butterflies about to take flight, connected to an excessively slender back line, devoid of any rugged masculine muscles, graceful, delicate, and arousing desire.
That's just nonsense about the cold; you're kidding me.
Zhou Chongli looked away, walked down the steps, and his gaze fell on the servant standing with his hands at his sides. He frowned slightly and asked, "What are you doing standing here?"
The servant was taken aback and quickly bowed, saying, "Sir, I'm afraid Secretary Ye has some instructions..."
"What could I possibly ask for in order to put on some clothes?" Zhou Chongli interrupted him, taking a half-step forward to block the servant's path. "Go wait outside the courtyard gate. If you are not summoned, you need not come any closer."
"Yes, yes! I'll go right away."
The servant had never seen the county magistrate so stern in private. Startled, he dared not say a word, quickly retreated, hurriedly crossed the courtyard, and disappeared outside the moon gate.
A moment later, the door was gently pulled open.
Ye Mu was already dressed, wearing an indigo riding and archery outfit that cinched his waist, making him appear even more slender and upright.
However, the sleeve was still a bit too long, covering half of the back of her hand. She stepped down the steps, walked to Zhou Chongli who had turned around and was looking at her, and bowed slightly.
“Sir,” she gestured with her arm, “the sleeves seem a little too long.”
Zhou Chongli looked at her; his collar was neatly tied up.
He nodded, his expression unchanged. "Hmm, it fits pretty well, but the arm length is a bit off. It's alright, I'll have the seamstress shorten it a bit more."
As he spoke, he raised his arm to call for someone.
“My lord,” Ye Mu spoke up to stop her, his tone respectful, “It’s just a minor adjustment, and I really dare not trouble your lady any further. I will take her back to her residence and handle it herself. I would not dare to cause any more trouble.”
“That’s true,” Zhou Chongli turned his gaze back to her lowered eyelashes. “It’s only natural that Secretary Ye has been working alone for many years and has to do everything herself. I’ve been thinking too much about how delicate she is.”
Delicate?
This word is often used to describe talented women. Ye Mu frowned slightly, sensing a hint of sarcasm in his tone, but he didn't say anything more.
Ye Mu remained expressionless, only lowering his head even further. "Thank you for your kindness in gifting me these clothes, sir. I am ashamed to say that I can only rely on these meager skills. It is getting late, and I need to go back and take care of these sleeves, so I will not bother you any longer."
Zhou Chongli, however, did not stay.
Ye Mu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She was afraid that if she went back to the room to change her old clothes, it might cause more trouble. Fortunately, he could tell that she didn't want to stay long, so he ordered someone to bring a blue cloth bundle and put the old clothes she had changed out of into it.
The two walked along the corridor leading to the gate of the mansion.
Halfway there, Ye Mu suddenly heard a soft clattering sound from the roof tiles above him. A nimble shadow swept across the roof ridge, let out a soft "meow," and landed on the stone steps not far away. It turned out to be a wild cat with mottled fur.
It sat crouching, its emerald pupils reflecting a faint light in the darkness, gazing fearlessly at the two people under the eaves.
Caught off guard, Ye Mu shrugged slightly.
"Did it scare Ye Shuban?" Zhou Chongli glanced at the cat indifferently, his tone casual. "It's a stray cat that's been lingering around here for some time. It's wild by nature, and I couldn't catch it, so I just let it be."
Ye Mu composed himself. "Please excuse my rudeness, sir. I just happened to see it suddenly... Judging from your words, sir, this cat must come here often?"
“It’s a regular.” Zhou Chongli turned to look at her. “Did Secretary Ye keep a cat at home?”
"No." Ye Mu didn't want to say more about himself, for fear of revealing more flaws, so he took the opportunity to throw the conversation back, "Judging from its boldness, not avoiding people, it seems that you are kind-hearted and have not mistreated these wild animals."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chongli chuckled softly.
His gaze returned to the cat, watching it lick its paws, seemingly carefree.
"Kind-hearted?" He repeated, his tone unreadable. "I wouldn't say so. I just enjoy watching cats hunt mice; it's quite fascinating. They lurk silently when still, and swiftly strike when they move. Under their claws, victory or defeat is decided instantly."
His tone abruptly shifted here, his gaze falling back on Ye Mu's face, his eyelashes drooping slightly.
"Secretary Ye, in your opinion, in this world, would you rather be a cat waiting for its chance, or a mouse living in constant fear?"
The question was thrown at me suddenly, sharp as a blade.
The two had just arrived outside the courtyard gate.
The light from the lantern slanted down from one side, elongating Zhou Chongli's shadow.
He was not wearing his official robes at the moment, but a dark blue casual dress that accentuated his tall and straight figure. He only tied his hair with an ebony hairpin, which made him look less imposing in the courtroom and more enigmatic.
Ye Mu's heart pounded, but he tried his best to remain calm.
She stopped, faced Zhou Chongli, bowed deeply, and performed a very respectful bow.
"You jest, sir. I am but a lowly clerk in the yamen, handling documents and doing odd jobs. I have neither the sharp claws of a cat nor the cunning ability of a scheming mouse."
Ye Mu smiled bitterly, "If we really have to compare, I'm afraid we don't even qualify as either of them; we're nothing more than ants."
She adopted an extremely humble posture, attempting to defuse the sharp and pointed question by belittling herself.
"Ants..."
Zhou Chongli curled his lips and took two steps forward. "Though ants are insignificant, they are not necessarily as useless as Secretary Ye said."
He looked at her and said, "What they are best at is to scramble in the dark and survive by following the cracks. They may seem humble, but over time they can erode the foundation of the beams and pillars."
"I'm afraid I don't have that kind of ability."
"Is that so?" Zhou Chongli leaned forward slightly, seemingly disbelieving. "However, the lives of ants are the most fragile. Since Secretary Ye compares himself to an ant, isn't he afraid?"
How could I not be afraid?
Ye Mu's fingertips curled slightly inside her sleeve.
During her time in Wujiang, she had dealt with all sorts of people and felt she had been careful enough, but she knew Zhou Chongli must have figured something out from his words.
Was it the signing of the mortgage yesterday that aroused his suspicion? Or was it a subtle flaw in the disguise? Or perhaps it was a boudoir habit that wasn't completely concealed in her words and actions?
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, but Ye Mu forcibly suppressed them.
She slowly straightened up and coughed lightly twice.
"Of course I'm afraid," Ye Mu readily admitted. "How could an ant like me not fear thunder? But..."
She raised her head, and this time, her gaze did not dodge, but met Zhou Chongli's eyes directly.
This was perhaps the first time since she assumed the identity of "Ye Mu" that she had so boldly confronted this unpredictable superior.
"...But now that we have left our homeland of Wanping and set foot on this land of Wujiang, it is like an arrow that has been released from the bow, with no way back. Whether we are afraid or not, we must continue to walk step by step. Whether we find a crack to survive or are crushed into dust, it may not be entirely up to us."
She curved her lips into a smile, "Or is it that Lord Zhou already harbors murderous intent towards this insignificant ant?"
After he finished speaking, silence fell outside the door.
The faint smile on Zhou Chongli's face finally vanished completely. He looked at her as if he wanted to peel away all her pretenses and see right through her.
Suddenly, Zhou Chongli reached out and gripped Ye Mu's chin, increasing the pressure to immobilize her. She stared at him, "Will you obey?"
"What do you mean by this, sir?"
Zhou Chongli narrowed his eyes, his tone playful, "If you listen to me, I won't kill you."
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