Tea seeped through the crack, dripping onto Xu Changming's hand, but he didn't seem to notice.
Those eyes, usually carrying a faint smile, were now dark and terrifying, fixated on the scars on Zhou Zhilán's neck.
"This…" His voice was squeezed through his teeth, low and tense, "this is… also Second Young Master's doing?"
Zhou Zhilán panicked and tried to adjust her veil, but in her fluster, she accidentally tore it completely off. The gruesome scars were fully exposed in the morning light—interlaced purples and blues, with old scabs still visible.
"N-no…" she stammered, frantically trying to cover herself. "I… I injured myself while practicing…"
Xie Zhaolin coughed at the right moment. "You don't need to hide it for me. Steward Xu, Second Young Master really did strike Miss Zhou Wu heavily yesterday. If I hadn't intervened in time…"
Before she could finish, another violent cough shook her, a trace of blood at the corner of her lips.
Xu Changming's face darkened like stormy water. He suddenly raised a hand, gentle spiritual energy brushing over Zhou Zhilán's neck. The scars under the light revealed their depth and differences, old and new intertwined.
"These wounds…" His voice quivered slightly, "when… did they happen?"
Zhou Zhilán stayed silent, letting him examine the scars. She knew her quiet was stronger than any explanation.
Xie Zhaolin weakly spoke, "Steward Xu, there's no need to pry. The Zhou family's internal affairs…"
"Internal affairs?" Xu Changming sneered coldly. "An outside guest elder was harmed, and she's my friend. That's still just family business?"
He spun around, sleeves whipping up a gust of wind. "I'm going to find Zhou Moxuan."
"Steward Xu, please don't—"
But Xu Changming strode out, stopping suddenly at the courtyard gate.
With his back to them, his voice was unusually calm. "Miss Zhou Zhilán, may I have a word?"
Zhou Zhilán exchanged a glance with Xie Zhaolin, nodded lightly, and followed him.
By the bamboo grove outside, Xu Changming turned his back, voice low and firm. "Does your father… know about this?"
Zhou Zhilán hesitated a moment, then whispered, "Father's usually at the alchemy workshop… rarely returns to the main residence."
"So no one's in charge?" Xu Changming spun around, a flicker of pain in his eyes. "Just letting Second Young Master…"
"Second Brother is the Patriarch's most cherished son." Zhou Zhilán lowered her head, voice barely audible. "I'm just a daughter from a branch line…"
Xu Changming's hand clenched violently, knuckles whitening.
He took a deep breath, producing a smooth jade pendant from his chest. "Take this. If he ever—"
Zhou Zhilán stepped back, shaking her head. "I appreciate your kindness, Steward Xu, but this pendant is too precious. I can't accept it."
"Then just… consider it—" His voice caught. "Consider it lent to you."
He pressed the jade pendant into her hand and strode off, his back showing an unusual edge of urgency.
Back at Tinghe Pavilion, Xie Zhaolin had already sat up, adjusting her breathing.
"He gave you this?" Xie Zhaolin asked, eyes on Zhou Zhilán's sleeve.
Zhou Zhilán took out the pendant, twirling it between her fingers. "Went even smoother than expected."
"Don't worry he'll get suspicious?" Xie Zhaolin raised an eyebrow.
"The more he's deliberately avoided, the more he believes it," Zhou Zhilán said, tucking the pendant away. "Next, it's time for Seventh Uncle to make his move."
No sooner had she spoken than hurried footsteps sounded outside, followed by Zhou Moxuan's angry voice. "Xu Changming! Are you trying to meddle in my Zhou family affairs?"
Xu Changming's cold, hard voice cut through. "Zhou Moxuan, first he harms my friend, then he abuses his own kin. This must be addressed!"
Zhou Moxuan's face darkened, eyes darting between Xu Changming and Zhou Zhilán. "Steward Xu, I'll handle it. Why make such a scene?"
"Handle it?" Xu Changming sneered, tossing a jade tablet from his sleeve. "These are the past three years' records from the alchemy workshop. Second Young Master secretly took herbs enough to supply a normal mortal city!"
Xie Zhaolin leaned against the window, watching Zhou Moxuan's fingers tremble slightly as he accepted the jade tablet, a barely perceptible curve on her lips.
The records were probably even more detailed than Zhou Moxuan knew.
"Seventh Uncle…" Zhou Zhilán whispered timidly, "Second Brother was just careless…"
"Careless?" Xu Changming spun around and ripped open Zhou Zhilán's collar, revealing the shocking scars on her neck. "These wounds… careless?"
Silence fell instantly.
Zhou Moxuan's face turned ugly, but he said nothing.
"Seventh Uncle, I—"
"Enough!" Xu Changming's sleeve whipped, slamming the jade tablet down hard. "Zhou Moxuan, if there's no explanation today, I'll immediately send word back to the sect!" His gaze cut like a blade. "The Hehuan Sect deals strictly with those who pocket private gains."
Zhou Moxuan's voice was low. "Steward Xu, what explanation do you want?"
Xu Changming unrolled the jade tablet deliberately. "Rights to two spiritual veins." As Zhou Moxuan opened his mouth to protest, he raised a hand to stop him. "Considering the Zhou family's situation…" He paused meaningfully. "We can deliver in installments. First year, seventy percent; second year, fifty percent; third year on, thirty percent."
"Impossible!" Zhou Moxuan laughed furiously. "Xu Changming, you're trying to cut off my family's roots!"
"Roots?" Xu Changming sneered. "Without the Hehuan Sect, where would your roots be?!"
"Or…" His voice suddenly went cold. "Send Second Young Master to the northern mines for twenty or thirty years. That's also an option."
Zhou Moxuan's breath caught, eyes gleaming sharply.
"Seventh Uncle." Zhou Zhilán suddenly knelt, tears streaming. "Please save Second Brother. Even if he's wrong, he's still my brother. The north… it's too harsh…"
Zhou Moxuan's expression shifted several times before he finally said with effort, "The spiritual vein issue… must be discussed with the family…"
"By noon tomorrow, I expect your answer," Xu Changming said coldly, leaving, but giving Zhou Zhilán one last long look.
Once his footsteps faded, Zhou Moxuan grabbed the teapot and smashed it violently to the ground.
"Xu Changming! Hehuan Sect!" He glared at Zhou Zhilán, face twisted. "I wanted you to draw his pity, and you give me this huge surprise?"
Zhou Zhilán, still tear-streaked, looked at him. "Seventh Uncle, I was thinking of you too…"
"So?" Zhou Moxuan sneered. "Think this is enough to completely bring down Second Young Master? Even elders…"
"Maybe…" Zhou Zhilán added quietly, "I have something that can help you."