Chapter Three: Forced Marriage Amidst Bloodshed Chapter Twenty: Failed Revenge

She tore off the red veil in one swift motion and, overjoyed, ran toward the doorway. The signal matched—he had truly succeeded! She immediately opened the door, ushered the master of ceremonies inside, and hurriedly closed it behind them. “Did it work?” she asked anxiously.

“They’re all out cold!”

“Really? And that wretched one?”

“He’s probably dreaming sweetly right now!”

“Good!” Within moments, she stripped off her bridal attire. With the master of ceremonies leading the way, Ye Kaixin strode boldly toward the door. Before Yu Bing returned, she intended to torment that cursed man a little.

As long as she left him alive, that would suffice.

Led by the master of ceremonies, they quickly reached the woodshed. Along the way, the courtyard was strewn with unconscious guests, sprawled in all directions, utterly disheveled. “Will they be alright?” Kaixin, innately kind, asked with a pang of guilt. After all, her vengeance was meant for Xu Liang, not these innocent guests.

“Don’t worry! Your friend provided the medicine and measured the dosage well. At most, they’ll wake in three hours.”

“Then I’m reassured!” She stuck her tongue out playfully and pushed open the woodshed door, stepping inside.

“I won’t go in. Someone needs to keep watch outside,” the master of ceremonies said after a brief consideration, deciding it was wiser to stand guard.

“Didn’t you say they wouldn’t wake for three hours?” Kaixin retorted, grabbing his sleeve and dragging him inside. Once the door was shut, she added, “So what’s there to fear?” She began surveying the room. “This place is enormous!”

Though this was the shabbiest room in the grand Xu estate, its furnishings rivaled her own family’s main house. “Where’s that wretch?”

“Behind the woodpile.” He moved aside two bundles stacked against the wall, revealing Xu Liang bound hand and foot. The drug was potent—he remained deeply unconscious.

“Bring a bucket of water and wake him up! I want answers!” The sight of her enemy made Kaixin itch to kill him on the spot.

Yet she hesitated, fearing it might disrupt Yu Bing’s plan. If her father’s rescue failed because of her, Xu Liang’s death would be meaningless. Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.

With a splash, the master of ceremonies poured a full bucket of water over Xu Liang’s head, his eyes burning with anger.

“Who the hell poured water on me? Are you tired of living?” Even before opening his eyes, the depraved young master began to curse.

“Well, he’s awake!” The master of cere