Although Zhang Yuge had preliminarily deduced the connection between Yun Lan and the Zhang family, he still wasn’t one hundred percent sure he could prove it.
Unless the Zhong family and the Ye family had targeted Yun Lan from the very beginning.
“Xiao Yao, have you ever wondered why the Zhong family would team up with the Ye family to go after the Zhang family?”
Zhang Qingyao was silent for a moment, then slowly said,
“It’s probably because Da Ge called off the engagement…”
“Da Ge became an Outer Gate Disciple of the Shenhuang Sect five years ago, an Inner Gate Disciple four years ago, and a Core Disciple three years ago. The last time he sent a letter was two years ago, mentioning he was canceling the marriage contract with Zhong Bailing that had been arranged since childhood. After that, he never sent any letters home again.”
“I remember your Da Ge was in the Foundation Establishment stage, right?”
Zhang Yuge asked.
“Da Ge entered Foundation Establishment three years ago, which is when he became a Core Disciple. It’s been three years since then, but I don’t know what level he’s at now.”
Zhang Yuge nodded thoughtfully and continued,
“And you’ve been secretly in love with Zhong Bailing. Since Da Ge rejected her, you’re trying to step in and take his place, aren’t you?”
Zhang Qingyao bristled at that.
“W-what do you mean ‘taking his place’? Da Ge barely met Zhong Bailing a few times, and they never had a proper conversation. How can you say I’m taking his place? Besides, Zhong Bailing and I have known each other since we were kids; we’re childhood friends. Is it wrong for me to like her?”
“So, you’ve met Zhong Bailing far more times than Zhong Bailing has met Zhang Qinglin, correct?”
“Of course!”
“But Zhong Bailing never favored you in the end. Instead, she killed you with her own hands. From beginning to end, her only concern was your Da Ge. There was never any place for you in her eyes—that’s an undeniable fact.”
Zhang Qingyao was rendered speechless by these words; they struck her hard.
The girl hesitated, then turned her head and whispered,
“It’s all in the past now. Talking about it doesn’t matter anymore.”
A hint of amusement flashed in Zhang Yuge’s eyes as he asked,
“Don’t you hate them? Zhong Bailing killed you, and your Da Ge was the trigger for all of this.”
“I do hate them, of course I hate them. But what good does hating them do? Zhong Bailing is dead, and Zhang Qinglin… has disappeared without a trace. There’s no one to rely on. All I want now is to save my family, that’s all.”
The girl’s voice grew quieter as she spoke.
“Although your Da Ge’s canceled engagement could explain why the Zhong family wants revenge on the Zhang family, killing people over a broken marriage agreement is excessive. Besides, the Zhong and Ye families had already arranged a marriage between Zhong Bailing and Ye Xichen about half a year ago. So Zhong Bailing had no reason to keep interacting with you—but she still did. Why?”
“To lure me out for a marriage proposal, then ambush me on the way to take revenge on the Zhang family?”
“No, it’s not that simple. It couldn’t be.”
“Then what else could it be? I’m Da Ge’s full biological brother. Maybe the Zhong family thinks killing me would upset Da Ge. But they’re mistaken—Zhang Qinglin wouldn’t care whether I live or die.”
“Is it possible their real goal is to seize the treasure chests and bride price you brought? Since the marriage won’t happen, they don’t want to return the bride price and just decided to act like bandits.”
Hearing this, the girl bowed her head sadly and blamed herself.
“If I had just stayed obediently at the Ye family and not offended or angered them, maybe no one in the Zhang family would have been involved or captured. Mom wouldn’t have been beaten by that person because of me. A few weeks ago, we caused a big scene at the Ye mansion, and in retaliation, the Ye family teamed up with the Zhong family. I dragged everyone in the Zhang family down with me; it’s all my fault.”
Seeing Zhang Qingyao so dejected, Zhang Yuge was taken aback.
Was this still the unruly and lawless spoiled brat he had known?
He lightly tapped her head with his finger.
“Ouch…”
“You only fill that little head of yours with nonsense, don’t you?”
Zhang Yuge scolded.
“You say it’s all your fault—then tell me, what exactly did you do wrong?”
“I… I shouldn’t have opposed the Ye family, and I shouldn’t have angered them.”
“Remember this: it was me who angered the Ye family, and I was the one who mocked Ye Xichen. You’re not at fault! Zhong Bailing was the one who made a marriage contract with Ye Xichen. You’re not Zhong Bailing, so why should you let the Ye family manipulate you?”
“But I’m currently using Zhong Bailing’s body…”
“But you’re not her! You’re Zhang Qingyao, not Zhong Bailing. Zhong Bailing is dead. She’s gone. She’s completely disappeared from this world!”
“Gone?”
Zhang Yuge’s sudden outburst startled Zhang Qingyao.
He placed both hands firmly on her shoulders, gripping tightly.
“If Ye Tianlu wants Zhong Bailing to marry into the Ye family so badly, then let his son arrange a ghost marriage and burn her some paper money. You, Zhang Qingyao, belong to me. You belong to me, Zhang Yuge. No one can, no one has the right, to take away what belongs to me from my side. Your family is my family. If the Ye family dares to hurt your mother, then I, Zhang Yuge, will trample the Ye family into the ground, tearing them limb from limb until there’s nothing left!”
For a moment, the two fell silent.
Yun Lan hid inside the ring, listening to Zhang Yuge’s speech.
He smiled with relief.
Perhaps this disciple of his really could help him.
Zhang Yuge himself didn’t know why he had spoken so much.
Seeing Zhang Qingyao take all the blame upon herself, looking so fragile, inexplicably made him angry.
Zhang Yuge let her off and casually poured himself some tea, pretending nothing had happened.
“…Young master.”
After a brief silence, Zhang Qingyao spoke again.
Hearing the soft call, Zhang Yuge looked up indifferently.
“What is it?”
Suddenly, a soft touch brushed against his lips.
Zhang Yuge’s pupils trembled, and before he could react, that softness slipped away from his mouth.
The moment was brief, like a dragonfly skimming water.
But that fleeting touch left a lasting impression on Zhang Yuge.
Looking down, the girl’s face was flushed.
This time, her gaze did not waver but locked with his.
“Qingyao trusts the young master. If it’s you, then there’s definitely nothing wrong.”
In her eyes, a glistening hint of moisture could be seen.
Before she could finish speaking, a hand grasped her chin, forcing it upward.
Their lips met again.
Zhang Qingyao met Zhang Yuge’s bold advances with all her strength.
Fortunately, Zhang Yuge had reserved a private room, so the teahouse guests outside had no idea what was happening between the two inside.
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