"Gongzi, why don't you come over and sit down to rest for a while? This room is a bit stuffy," the woman said, her voice soft and coaxing. As she spoke, she removed her wedding dress, leaving only a thin red undergarment. She tugged at the collar, intentionally or unintentionally revealing her pale skin, and picked up a fan, pretending to cool herself.
"Get out!" Su Ran roared, his voice trembling with barely suppressed rage. His breath came out hot and labored, he could feel the effects of the drug taking hold once more. The only difference this time was that his body felt utterly drained of strength. Knowing the situation was dire, he fought against the weakness and confusion clouding his mind, gripping the doorframe for support as he struggled to leave.
Just as he was about to push the door open, the woman behind him suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist. Su Ran tried to shake her off, but his weakened state made it impossible. She pulled him back with surprising force, and he fell onto the bed. The woman climbed on top of him, her hands fumbling to unbutton his clothes.
With what little strength he had left, Su Ran pushed her aside and tried to rise, but she yanked him back down. His face flushed with anger, his body trembling as he fought to resist. He could feel the drug taking over, but the thought of touching this woman filled him with disgust.
"Disgusting woman," he muttered through gritted teeth.
Wenshi, undeterred, tore off her clothes and threw herself at Su Ran, clinging to him shamelessly. Su Ran, the leader of the Demonic Cult, now found himself in a humiliating struggle. He grabbed her shoulders, trying to push her away, but she used his momentum to flip their positions, pinning him beneath her.
As Su Ran attempted to rise again, Wenshi wrapped her arms tightly around him, her voice suddenly shifting to a panicked scream. "Help! Someone, please! Don't—!" she cried, her voice shrill and desperate, as if she were the victim of some unspeakable cruelty. She bit her finger hard, drawing blood, and smeared it on the bedsheet beneath her, her sobs growing louder and more pitiful.
The door burst open, and four or five servants, along with several maids and nannies, rushed in. They found Su Ran disheveled and lying atop the third young lady, who was now naked and weeping hysterically.
"Don't look at me! Please, don't look!" Wenshi cried, her voice filled with shame and anger. The maids hurried to cover her with clothes, whispering words of comfort, while the servants grabbed Su Ran, who was flushed and weak, and forced him to stand aside. Someone had already run to inform the third young master.
Meanwhile, Ji Chun was chatting with Yun Zizhuo, wondering if Su Ran had returned to rest. As the night grew late, he was about to bid farewell when a servant rushed in, his expression grave. Yun Zizhuo stopped mid-sentence, noticing the servant's urgency.
Soon, Yun Ziyu, still in his wedding attire, stormed into the room, his face a mask of suppressed rage. Behind him, Yun Ziang and their second uncle, Yun Xinkang, followed, their expressions equally serious.
"Zizhuo, Ji Chun Dashi, come with us," Yun Ziyu said tersely as he passed their table. Without waiting for a response, he led the way out of the courtyard.
Ji Chun and Yun Zizhuo exchanged a glance but asked no questions. They quickly rose and followed the group to another courtyard. As they approached, Ji Chun felt a growing sense of unease.
Yun Ziyu kicked open the door, its surface adorned with a large red wedding character. Ji Chun's heart sank as he stepped inside.
"I'll kill you!" Yun Ziyu roared, pulling a sword from the wall and lunging toward Su Ran.
Ji Chun's heart nearly stopped at the sight. Without hesitation, he struck out with all his strength, sending those blocking his path tumbling to the ground with a powerful gust of wind. His face turned cold, his eyes sharp as he glared at Yun Ziyu. In one swift motion, he kicked Yun Ziyu squarely in the chest, sending him flying into the corner of the room, where he collapsed, spitting blood.
Ji Chun's eyes burned with fury, his entire body trembling. The servants holding Su Ran froze in fear, releasing their grip. Su Ran's body went limp, and Ji Chun rushed forward, catching him before he could fall. He held Su Ran tightly, his gaze icy as he stared at Yun Ziyu.
"Ji Chun! Have you lost your mind?!" Yun Zizhuo shouted, his eyes wide with shock and anger. He rushed toward Ji Chun, but Ji Chun sidestepped, still holding Su Ran protectively.
"I want to ask Yun Gongzi," Ji Chun said coldly, "why your brother attacked my friend without cause."
Yun Ziang had already moved to help Yun Ziyu to his feet. Yun Ziyu coughed up another mouthful of blood, his voice weak but filled with rage. "Er Ge, he—he insulted Wanmo! I'll kill him!"
"Yu'er!" Yun Ziang's voice was deep and commanding, his face dark with anger. Someone had dared to harm his brother on his own territory, and though the truth of the matter was still unclear, he would not let this stand. "Arrest them!" he ordered.
Several servants moved to surround Ji Chun, but Yun Zizhuo stepped forward. "Wait! San Ge, let's find out what happened first."
"Er Ge, didn't you see what happened? Wanmo… Wanmo was…" Yun Ziyu's voice broke as he turned to comfort Wenshi, who was still sobbing softly. "I'm sorry, Wanmo… I failed to protect you… I'm so sorry…"
Yun Zizhuo glanced at the bloodstain on the bed, his eyes narrowing slightly. He turned to Su Ran, his expression thoughtful. "San Ge, perhaps there's been a misunderstanding. Let's call a doctor to examine both of them first."
Perhaps someone had plotted against them. Yun Ziyu and Wenshi clung to each other, tears streaming down their faces. Yun Zizhuo, sharp-eyed and resolute, refused to back down. "Someone, fetch a doctor!" Yun Ziang commanded with a wave of his hand. "And not a word of this leaves this room! Zizhuo, handle things here. I'll go reassure the guests." With that, he strode out, his expression cold and stern.
"Take the Third Young Master and his wife to Hefeng Garden," Yun Zizhuo ordered in a low voice. "Escort Ji Chun Dashi and Su Gongzi back to Yijing Garden, and summon a doctor to attend to them."
Before Yun Zizhuo could finish speaking, Ji Chun had already hurried out of the room, carrying Su Ran in his arms. He made his way toward the courtyard where they had rested earlier that afternoon. As he left, he heard Yun Ziyu's tearful shouts from behind: "Stop them! Catch them!"
"Yun Ziyu, go back!" Yun Zizhuo's voice was icy and commanding, so authoritative that it brooked no argument. "Someone, escort the Third Young Master to his quarters!"
Ji Chun no longer cared about the Yun family's affairs. His only concern was Su Ran, who lay curled in his arms, his face flushed and his consciousness fading in and out. Why did this man always find himself in such trouble? And why did Ji Chun feel compelled to be by his side every time? Though he blamed himself for not preventing this, he was also relieved that he was there to help.
Without bothering to open the door, Ji Chun kicked it open and carried Su Ran to the bed. Two servants followed closely behind, one of them saying, "We've sent for the doctor. He should be here soon."
By now, Su Ran had begun to remove his clothes unconsciously, his fair skin glistening with sweat. The room was eerily quiet, the only sound his labored breathing. Ji Chun didn't want anyone else to see Su Ran in this state. "Please leave," he said coldly.
The servants exchanged uneasy glances. "The young master instructed us to stay and assist," one of them said hesitantly.
"It's so hot..." Su Ran murmured, his cheeks flushed. "Get me some water..."
Ji Chun quickly pulled a quilt over Su Ran's half-exposed body, then turned to the servants and growled, "I said, get lost!"
The servants hesitated, but the dark look on Ji Chun's face made them retreat. "We'll be outside if you need us," one muttered before they hurried out, closing the door behind them.
Ji Chun poured a cup of cold tea from the table and returned to the bed. He lifted Su Ran gently, cradling him in his arms, and brought the cup to his lips, tilting it slowly to let the liquid trickle into his mouth. Su Ran's dry lips softened, their pale color glowing faintly in the dim light.
"Ahem..." Su Ran coughed after a few sips, turning his face away. "No more..."
Ji Chun set the cup aside and studied Su Ran's face anxiously. "How do you feel now?" he asked.
Su Ran's eyelids fluttered open, and he focused weakly on Ji Chun. Recognizing him, Su Ran seemed to relax slightly, though his breathing remained uneven. "Quick... find me a woman..." he whispered hoarsely.
"What do you need a woman for?" Ji Chun asked, his voice low, though a flicker of anger and unease stirred within him.
"That damned woman... she gave me an aphrodisiac..." Su Ran's words were strained, his vision blurring as the heat overwhelmed him. "Go!" he demanded, his voice trembling.
Ji Chun remained seated, unmoving. He understood Su Ran's predicament, but the thought of finding a woman for him filled him with reluctance. His fists clenched, and he frowned, whispering, "Just wait a little longer. The doctor will be here soon."
"You—!" Su Ran's frustration flared, his breathing growing more erratic. He grabbed the front of Ji Chun's robe, pulling him close until their faces were mere inches apart. Su Ran's fiery gaze locked onto Ji Chun's calm, serious eyes, but Ji Chun's expression remained unreadable, infuriating him further.
The tension between them was obvious. Su Ran's flawless face was so close that Ji Chun's heart began to race. He fought to suppress the sudden surge of emotion rising within him. With a firm hand, he pushed Su Ran back, creating distance between them.