An Xin had practiced martial arts, and the strength in her hands was far beyond that of ordinary people. Even if she couldn't kill Xu Chongyan today, she would make him wish he were dead!
"Smack!" Another slap, and the entire place fell silent. Everyone stared in shock at the completely reversed scene. Looking at An Xin's cold eyes, they suddenly felt a chill run down their spines.
"Smack!" Just as the paddle was about to strike Xu Chongyan again, a hand suddenly grabbed her. An Xin was startled, abruptly raising her eyelashes. Upon seeing who it was, she slowly narrowed her eyes...
Chapter Ninety-Five: Even the Heavenly King Can't Save You
An Xin's fingers slowly tightened as she looked at the person in front of her. Unfathomable shadows slowly filled her dark pupils, but she spoke softly, "What's wrong?"
He leaned slightly forward, a wisp of five-colored magic falling onto his lapel. His shimmering eyes sparkled, and he said in a low voice, "Xin'er, stop. Shu Xianchunqu."
An Xin's grip on the stick tightened, but her body remained motionless. She stared at him from the corner of her eye and said coldly, "Yan Zhen, what did you say?"
Yan Zhen's lips twitched slightly as she raised her eyelashes and said, "Xin'er, stop."
An Xin thought that people are spoiled. Even though Yan Zhen always liked to keep his distance from her when they were together, he would never say no to anything she took seriously. But today, when her father was beaten and covered in blood, he actually told her to stop!?
"What if I say no?" An Xin's eyes darkened, but her face remained expressionless as she coldly retorted.
"Xin'er...be good." Yan Zhen's hand landed on the board, but An Xin pressed down hard without it moving. When he looked at her, his eyes were clear, so clear that An Xin clearly realized that he was not joking.
Obey her? An Xin felt a jumble of emotions surge within her. Didn't he understand what she valued most? As long as she lived, she would never let her parents be bullied! Didn't he see her father covered in blood? Didn't he know that the beating was a complete fabrication by Xu Chongyan? Didn't he realize that stopping her in front of everyone would only fuel her anger? He didn't understand why she could accept others stopping her, but his intervention was precisely what she couldn't accept!?
An Xin's lips curved into a cold, hard, and stubborn smile. She slowly raised an eyebrow and stared at Yan Zhen, saying, "No matter what you say, I won't stop. Understand?"
Yan Zhen's eyes suddenly became so deep that their color was unreadable.
"Let go." An Xin coldly uttered two words. If she had the patience to beat Xu Chongyan a moment ago, at this moment, she wished she could behead him.
"Crack—" The board suddenly shattered, the cracks spreading down the board towards An Xin's palm, and then with a "pop," it crumbled into powder.
An Xin's downward pressure caused the board to shatter, causing her to stumble and fall two steps forward.
Yan Zhen reached out, and An Xin slapped it open, then turned and walked towards An Youwei.
"Xin'er," Yan Zhen called out in a low voice.
An Xin ignored him and walked up to An Youwei, helping him up and whispering, "Dad, let's go home."
An Youwei's consciousness was somewhat hazy, but he still saw Yan Zhen. His expression changed, and he was about to bow when An Xin grabbed him, saying, "Chen Suya, what are you standing there for! Come and help!"
Shen Suya suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly stepped forward to support An Youwei, whispering, "An Xin, who was that person just now?"
An Xin's face was somber, and her voice was neither loud nor soft as she said indifferently, "I don't know her!"
Shen Suya curled her lip. Don't you recognize me? You're kidding me!
Yan Zhen's expression gradually turned serious.
An Xin glanced at Xu Chongyan and sneered, "I will return every single one of those two hundred lashes to you. Even if the Heavenly King himself came, he couldn't save you!"
Xu Chongyan gritted his teeth but ultimately remained silent.
An Xin helped An Youwei walk out step by step; the courtyard was deathly silent.
Xu Chongyan staggered to his feet, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you so much, Right Chancellor, for arriving in time. Otherwise, I fear I would have lost my life here..."
Yan Zhen shifted her body, then turned to look at Xu Chongyan, smiling gently, "Your Excellency, what are you saying? Xin'er is just being silly, please don't take offense."
A hint of resentment flashed in Xu Chongyan's eyes, and a fake smile appeared on his face, but he still said with a dark face: "This woman is really audacious! It's one thing to not take me seriously, but she also doesn't take the Right Chancellor and the Emperor seriously! Such treason can't be allowed to live."
Yan Zhen opened her folding fan and said with a smile, "Yes, not only is she rebellious, but she is also extremely arrogant, opposing me time and time again. Such a woman is truly rare in this world!"
Xu Chongyan was not expected Yan Zhen to say this suddenly. Everyone in the capital knew that the Right Chancellor doted on An Xin. Could it be that the infatuation had already passed?
Come to think of it, An Xin was plain-looking, of lowly status, and had a wicked nature. The Prime Minister was only curious about her when he first saw her. Once the novelty wore off, he naturally didn't take her seriously!
Overjoyed, Xu Chongyan said with a gloomy face, "Just now she slandered me and beat me with a cane in public. She is utterly despicable."
Huang Yixuan frowned slightly, glanced at Yan Zhen hesitantly, and then said indifferently, "The Duke of the State has been wronged, but it is too much for you to punish An Youwei without any evidence. An Xin saved the lives of the entire city this time, and even Zhao and you were saved by her. You should reward her instead of punishing her."
The Duke's expression suddenly changed, and he hurriedly said, "Your subject knows his crime."
Huang Yixuan softened his tone and said, "Don't dwell on this matter in the future. Your uncle is a veteran official who has served three dynasties. Don't lower yourself to the level of a mere girl."
Xu Chongyan prostrated himself and said, "Your subject obeys."
Yan Zhen shook his folding fan, his gaze slowly falling on the doorway, where there was no one in sight.
****
After helping An Youwei to rest, An Xin comforted Xu Ruolan. Only then did An Xin notice An Jin, who had been hiding outside the door. She glanced at Lu Zhu and gave her a meaningful look before walking outside.
Shen Suya stepped forward and asked, "Hey, is your dad alright?"
"Why would you lie in bed if there's nothing wrong?" An Xin shut Shen Suya up with one sentence, then leaned down to look at An Jin. This child seemed to be afraid of her but also respected her, and liked to follow her around.
Have you been bullied these days?
An Jin immediately shook her head.
An Xin asked, "Has anyone bullied my parents?"
An Jin nodded.
"Who else but the Duke of Junguo?"
An Jin blinked and said, "No, that's all."