An Xin spoke as if recounting an old, trivial matter, her face remaining completely expressionless. Zhou Xiruo, however, was ashen-faced, her previous ferocity replaced by emptiness, frozen in place.
"You're filled with hatred and want to destroy the Yan family because of what happened in Baihua County back then. You think the Yan family leaked the secret, right? If you hate the Yan family so much, why were you willing to take care of Yan Zhen's mother for so many years? Why did you return here three years later? Zhou Xiruo... no, I should call you Dieyi. You wiped out Yan Zhen's entire family. Do you think I can compare to your feelings for him? You love him so much, your love for him transcends hatred. Can your dead parents rest in peace?" An Xin's voice was calm, but it was like a hook with sharp thorns, piercing Zhou Xiruo's heart again and again. She trembled and took two steps back. When her gaze met An Xin's, it suddenly became sharp as a snake, and she suddenly pounced on An Xin.
While An Xin was rambling on, she had already retreated to the door. Without hesitation, she turned around and tried to escape, but Zhou Xiruo's skills were far beyond her expectations. She swiftly grabbed at her with both hands in claw-like motions.
An Xin suddenly grabbed her wrist, and the hidden arrow shot out instantly. Zhou Xiruo froze, instinctively dodging it. An Xin took the opportunity to run a few steps further away and saw Yan Zhen walking not far away. She immediately shouted, "Yan Zhen, save me!"
Before she could finish speaking, Yan Zhen had already flashed over, exchanging a palm strike with Zhou Xiruo who was rushing towards her. Her eyes narrowed immediately.
Zhou Xiruo was caught off guard and staggered back a step, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Yan Zhen said calmly, "Xi Ruo, I never knew your skill was so high."
Zhou Xiruo's body trembled slightly, and she said in a sorrowful voice, "Do you think my mother and I have survived these past three years?"
Yan Zhen glanced at An Xin, who remained relatively calm. An Xin also glanced at him, but for some reason, she felt a little guilty after being glanced at by Yan Zhen. To be honest, she had secretly read the letters in his study and asked Shen Zhuo to help investigate the Shura Palace. She was sure that Shen Zhuo wouldn't lie to her. In any case, she was investigating Yan Zhen's private affairs.
"Hmm, so you want to kill her now?" Yan Zhen pursed his lips slightly. If that palm strike had hit An Xin, even if she hadn't died, she would probably have been crippled. Although he originally wanted to cripple this woman, he always felt uncomfortable having someone else do it.
"She...she slandered me, I was so angry that I..." Zhou Xiruo desperately tried to defend herself.
An Xin said calmly, "Yes, I slandered her. Actually, I could slander you again in front of Yan Zhen."
Zhou Xiruo's face suddenly turned pale, and a hidden murderous intent flashed in her eyes. Then she coughed a few times, and a weak, mosquito-like voice entered An Xin's ears, almost venomous, saying, "Kill me, and you will die too, An Xin. You have been poisoned by Gu."
An Xin's gaze suddenly darkened.
Zhou Xiruo immediately covered her lips and said softly, "I'll go see if Mother has woken up." After saying that, she lowered her head and hurried away.
Yan Zhen stared at Zhou Xiruo for a long time, then glanced at An Xin and said, "Now, in front of me, slander her again."
An Xin: "..."
Yan Zhen's eyes flickered, and she used her folding fan to lift An Xin's chin and smiled, "You'd better not try to lie to me, otherwise, I will do everything in my power to tell you how serious the consequences will be."
An Xin: "..."
Yan Zhen: "Speak."
An Xin asked blankly, "What did you say?"
Yan Zhen frowned.
An Xin felt a slight unease as she looked at his furrowed brows, but she quickly said, "Oh, I mean she's in cahoots with someone."
Yan Zhen lowered her eyelashes and looked at her, saying, "Why do you say that?"
An Xin said, "She said I can't compare to your childhood friendship with her, and that I'm shameless for interfering in your relationship, and that I'm a scoundrel."
Yan Zhen's expression softened, and she smiled, saying, "So? You're jealous?"
An Xin nodded and said, "I was jealous, so I scolded her harshly."
Chapter 106 Heartbreaking
****
An Xin opened her eyes from the excruciating pain, and the throbbing pain in her chest made her sit up involuntarily.
It was very late, and everything around was completely silent. An Xin got out of bed, leaned against the wall, and opened the door. The cool night air rushed in. An Xin took a deep breath and walked outside.
"Miss An, where are you going so late?" Startled, Mingyue hurried over and was shocked to see An Xin's pale face.
An Xin shook her head and asked, "Where is Yan Zhen?"
"The master went to the palace when it was getting late and has not returned yet." Mingyue stepped forward to support Anxin.
An Xin's heartache grew more intense, a pain so real it felt like a thousand insects were biting her, tearing her apart. She couldn't help but think of the poison hidden in her body. Could Zhou Xiruo be in danger?!
"Where is Zhou Xiruo?" An Xin clutched her chest, her breathing unsteady.
Mingyue was taken aback, paused for a moment, and then said, "Miss Zhou always accompanies Madam, so she must be there now."
An Xin whispered, "If Yan Zhen comes back, tell him that I went to Zhou Xiruo's place."
Mingyue's expression changed slightly, and she said worriedly, "Miss An, let me accompany you."
An Xin waved her hand, enduring the excruciating pain as she strode forward. Turning the corner, she bumped into Xiao Cui, who was in a hurry. Xiao Cui was Zhou Xiruo's personal maid. Upon seeing An Xin, Xiao Cui's expression changed, and she turned to run away, but An Xin, quick as a flash, grabbed her and said coldly, "Where is your young lady?"
Zhou Xiruo and An Xin have never gotten along. Having served Zhou Xiruo for a long time, the maid's resentment towards An Xin has also affected her. Xiao Cui said coldly, "What business is it of yours where Miss is? Let me go."
An Xin suddenly tightened her grip, and Xiao Cui instantly turned pale with pain, staring at An Xin in fear.
"Since it has nothing to do with me, then I'll just strangle you!" An Xin's voice was icy cold. Xiao Cui's expression changed instantly, and after a long while, she stammered out a sentence.
"Miss, you've been kidnapped..."
****
In the dimly lit room, a soft "plop" was heard. Zhou Xiruo's eyes widened suddenly, and her pupils vaguely reflected a disheveled figure with dark eyes that gleamed with a cold, eerie light, like a bloodthirsty demon.
Right in the center of the blade, the cold, sharp edge, carrying a piercing pain, caused Zhou Xiruo to suddenly let out a long cry of "Ah!"
In an instant, she felt death was imminent.
"I can't think of a better way than to kill him to silence him." The clear, gentle voice carried a faint smile, which was incredibly soft in the dim basement, yet it sent chills down one's spine.
"Why..." Zhou Xiruo's throat tasted metallic, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.