Spoiled Eldest Miss x Two-faced Madman

CHAPTER 25: “Carry Me Back.”

 

　　“Look! Someone’s here!”

　　“It’s Miss An! What is Miss An doing here?”

　　“Regardless, let’s inform Doctor Pei and the others.” 

　　When An Jiu awoke again, the sky was already bright. Opening her eyes, she saw many people surrounding her, all dressed in green robes and carrying swords – disciples of the Huashan Sect. 

　　The Huashan disciples had guarded the Yizhuang for a night, waiting in vain. 

　　Their first reaction was that their plan had been leaked. The hidden Gu Master knew they were coming to arrest him, so he hadn’t appeared. 

　　Seeing that the usual time for the ‘revival of the dead’ had passed and the Gu Master was still absent, the disciples stopped hiding and began searching the Yizhuang for the Gu Master’s tracks, determined to capture him. 

　　During the search, they found An Jiu lying in the woods. 

　　Zhou Yihuan half-squatted in front of An Jiu, helping her up from the ground and asking, “Miss An, how did you end up here?” 

　　She looked so disheveled. 

　　An Jiu’s thoughts were still a little hazy. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, and seeing everyone looking at her curiously, she gradually came to her senses. 

　　She blinked twice and said innocently, “I heard you were going to arrest that Gu Master. It sounded fun, so I wanted to come and see.” 

　　Upon hearing this, Zhou Yihuan showed a disapproving expression: “This isn’t something to find fun in.” 

　　An Jiu pouted, complaining, “Yeah, I came out in a carriage last night, planning to secretly hide and watch, but it was too dark, and I got lost in the woods! I was tired after walking so much, so I found a place to sleep. Oh, I’m so tired, can you guys send me back to the inn?”

　　As soon as these words left her lips, the Huashan disciples, who had initially been somewhat favorably impressed by the girl’s striking appearance, looked at her with changed eyes. 

　　They risked their lives to fight evil, yet this girl treated it as mere amusement, and now she was even brazenly giving orders. 

　　Zhou Yuli was standing next to Zhou Yihuan, but because An Jiu was a woman, he did not approach her at this moment. Hearing her words, his expression turned quite grim. 

　　He stepped forward with a stiff expression, saying stiffly, “Miss An, I’ll take you back.” 

　　An Jiu glanced at him and nodded, “Alright.” 

　　Her tone implied that she was doing him a favor. 

　　Zhou Yuli’s face grew even colder. Initially, he had a very good first impression of this Miss An, but she had repeatedly shattered his worldview. Now, he had no feelings of goodwill left for her. 

　　He glanced at Zhou Yihuan beside him. He used to think his junior sister was sometimes too willful and clueless, but now, compared to An Jiu, he found his junior sister to be perfect in every way. 

　　Not long ago, their master had mentioned the matter of his marriage to his junior sister. Zhou Yuli had hesitated at the time, but now… perhaps after this incident was resolved, he would return to the mountain and get married. The women in the world were too terrifying, he simply couldn’t handle them. 

　　He was a child picked up by their master, and he followed his master’s surname, Zhou. He and his junior sister had grown up together, childhood sweethearts. Although his junior sister sometimes had a stubborn temper, she was very kind-hearted. If they were to become husband and wife, it would be a beautiful story.

　　“Don’t you have a carriage?” The girl’s spoiled voice cut through Zhou Yuli’s thoughts. 

　　They had reached the roadside. 

　　Having sorted things out, Zhou Yuli’s attitude toward An Jiu became indifferent, a polite distance reserved for strangers. “We all ride horses; there are no carriages here.” 

　　The girl in red spun her bright eyes, her gaze falling on the chestnut horse Zhou Yuli had led over. She said disdainfully, “I’m not riding a horse! What if it throws me and kills me!” 

　　Actually, An Jiu knew how to ride. In the modern world, she had received formal equestrian training. 

　　But the original ‘An Jiu’ didn’t, so she couldn’t show that she did. 

　　She lived under the watchful eye of the big boss, Pei Ji. Since his rebirth, he knew ‘An Jiu’s’ character. If she acted in a way that didn’t fit ‘An Jiu,’ the big boss would definitely not let her off lightly. Perhaps he might even have her dissected. 

　　Even if he needed her life to cure his poison, she believed he would have other ways to control her. 

　　An Jiu knew very well that she was currently walking a tightrope. Any misstep would lead to her ruin. 

　　“Besides, who knows how clean this horse is? I’m not riding a horse someone else has ridden!” 

　　“Take this horse away! It smells so bad!” 

　　An Jiu’s unwillingness to ride, and Zhou Yuli’s realization that she probably couldn’t, left him at a loss. Just then, a familiar voice sounded, “I’ll take her. Senior brother, you and the others continue searching for the Gu Master.” 

　　It was Zhou Yihuan.

　　Seeing their impasse, she came over and offered to help. 

　　“Good, thank you, junior sister!” 

　　Zhou Yuli was overjoyed, as if he had shed a huge burden. He left with a light heart. 

　　An Jiu watched the man’s quickly departing back, then looked at Zhou Yihuan, a glimmer in her eyes. 

　　In the original novel, this brother and sister also appeared, and they had quite a bit of screen time. 

　　The book described how Zhou Yuli was captivated by the vicious female supporting character, An Jiu, at first sight, falling in love with her. At that time, An Jiu was suppressing her spoiled temper for He Ziqing and hadn’t revealed her true nature. 

　　Zhou Yuli was a loyal lickspittle to the vicious female supporting character. Initially, it was just lust at first sight, but later, his pity for her unrequited love deepened, causing him to be willing to break off his engagement with his junior sister for An Jiu.

　　Because he felt guilty towards his master and junior sister who had raised him, he voluntarily left the sect and followed An Jiu, doing many things for her. After An Jiu’s death, he wandered the world, disappearing without a trace. 

　　As for his junior sister, Zhou Yihuan, whose engagement was broken off, she married her second senior brother, Xi Guangyuan, in a fit of anger. However, unexpectedly, this man was philandering and heartless after marriage, eventually becoming a bitter couple. 

　　It was originally a destined marriage, but it ended tragically. 

　　An Jiu recalled Zhou Yuli’s relieved expression when he left, guessing that with this obstacle removed, the two should be able to be together properly. 

　　If it still didn’t work out, there was nothing she could do; she had done what she should have done. 

　　“Miss An, get on the horse. I’ll protect you from behind; you won’t fall. I often clean Zhuixue (the horse’s name), so she doesn’t smell.” Zhou Yihuan, without noticing An Jiu’s gaze, spoke in a businesslike manner. 

　　She thought Miss An would still be picky, but unexpectedly, she got on the horse neatly. Her posture didn’t look like someone who didn’t know how to ride. 

　　Zhou Yihuan looked at An Jiu strangely, wondering why she had changed so much. A moment ago, she was so unreasonable, and now she was suddenly so easy to talk to. 

　　“Let’s go quickly, don’t delay,” urged the girl on the horse. 

　　Zhou Yihuan didn’t think much of it. She leaped onto the horse behind the girl in red, and with a light shout of “Giddy-up,” the steed galloped towards the city. 

　　Riding a horse was faster than a carriage. Before long, the two arrived at the Yunlai Inn. 

　　An Jiu climbed down from the horse, her hands and feet weak, suppressing her trembling limbs without showing any unusual signs.

　　The pill ‘Fei Yi’ had given her last night seemed to have failed. While riding the horse, the jolting from the horse’s running had made her feel like she was dying. It wasn’t painful, exactly, just numb, like she’d had full-body electrotherapy. After the ride, all four limbs felt weak. 

　　“Miss An, I won’t go in with you,” Zhou Yihuan said. 

　　An Jiu’s voice was weak, “It’s fine, I’ll go in myself.” 

　　Seeing her slightly flushed face, Zhou Yihuan paused, then asked, “Miss An, are you feeling unwell?” 

　　An Jiu shook her head, forcing a smile. “It’s my first time riding a horse; I was just a little scared. Don’t worry about me.” 

　　Since she said so, Zhou Yihuan didn’t ask further, turning to leave on her horse. 

　　Watching the blue-robed girl’s back disappear down the street, An Jiu slowly made her way into the inn. 

　　The shop assistant was the same one from last night. Upon seeing her, he breathed a sigh of relief, saying thankfully, “Guest, you’re finally back! If you hadn’t returned, I wouldn’t have known how to explain it to your friends!” 

　　Before leaving last night, An Jiu had instructed him to tell He Ziqing and the others if she hadn’t returned by morning. 

　　An Jiu smiled, “They haven’t woken up yet?” 

　　It was already quite late. People in ancient times went to bed early and generally woke up at dawn. When she had come earlier, the streets were already bustling with people.

　　The shop assistant said, “Master He and Miss Lin got up early and said they were going to the magistrate’s office. They didn’t ask about you, so I didn’t mention it.” 

　　An Jiu pulled out a small piece of silver and tossed it to him, “Good work.” 

　　The shop assistant complimented her with a smile and happily accepted the tip. 

　　An Jiu continued slowly upstairs. She walked very slowly; her legs were weak and numb. The overly sensitive sensations made even the friction of her clothes unbearable. The fabric brushing against her skin caused a series of small tremors. 

　　She leaned on the railing, finally managing to climb the stairs, a thin layer of sweat on her brow. 

　　At the end of the stairs was a corner. As she turned, she suddenly collided with someone. 

　　The person was sitting in a wheelchair, dressed in white, with loose black hair, and dark, gentle eyes that looked straight at her, a surprised expression on their face. 

　　“Miss An?” 

　　An Jiu had managed to maintain her composure, but the collision caused her knee to hit his leg. It wasn’t a hard impact, but for her, it felt like a comet hitting Earth. A wave of pain and numbness spread from her knee to her entire leg, and then her whole body. 

　　Her eyes instantly reddened, and her legs went weak. Without warning, An Jiu stumbled forward. 

　　The man in front of her reacted quickly, spreading his arms to catch her. 

　　“Oof~” 

　　The young miss had never suffered such injustice. An Jiu fell into the man’s arms, sitting sideways on his lap, her ten fingers clutching his clothes tightly, whimpering in pain. 

　　She raised her tear-filled eyes, meeting the man’s surprised gaze, and couldn’t help but say in a crying voice, “Pei Ji, you hurt me! It hurts so much, it’s all your fault!” 

　　The man in white looked helpless, “I…”

　　“Don’t deny it! It’s your fault!” the girl roared tearfully, but because of the pain, her body trembled, and her voice lacked strength. 

　　It made one think of an angry kitten, its fierce meows sounding like a whine. 

　　“Miss An, I didn’t use any force…” 

　　Footsteps suddenly sounded from downstairs; someone was coming upstairs. 

　　An Jiu stiffened, quickly tugging on Pei Ji’s collar, nervously saying, “Someone’s coming! Quickly take me to my room, don’t let anyone see!” 

　　If anyone saw her crying in a man’s arms, what would become of her reputation? 

　　Pei Ji suggested, “Miss An, you can get off me first.” 

　　An Jiu, eyes brimming with tears, fiercely said, “I told you I’m hurt, I can’t get up! Carry me back!” 

　　“Miss An, I’m crippled…” 

　　“Your hands aren’t crippled! Wheelchairs are pushed by hand! Hurry, hurry, he’s coming up!” 

　　“…”

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