CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 6: ZHUO SHIYU

Gu Qingqing remembered a few days ago when Rong Ye had given her some talismans, saying they were his latest research. However, at that time, she was busy replying to Jun Wu, so she hadn’t listened carefully. She didn’t expect that they would include such talismans—simply... perfect!

After dealing with the Zhu Yan, it was still early, so the three of them returned to the inn. Others were still asleep. After Gu Qingqing returned to her room, Yue Zhao and Si Lin also went back to theirs.

In the morning, Rong Ye and the others inquired about the events of the night before. Gu Qingqing didn’t hide anything and recounted everything. Upon learning about the power of the Fire Talisman, Zhuo Tingqiu and Yun Ran shamelessly asked Rong Ye for a few.

After breakfast, they were about to set out for the next town. As they left, they encountered a group of people, led by a young girl. Upon seeing Gu Qingqing and the others, the girl hesitated for a moment and instinctively wanted to turn her head away.

"Zhuo Shiyu!" Zhuo Tingqiu looked at the girl, his face looking unpleasant and his voice sounding somewhat through gritted teeth.

Zhuo Shiyu’s body shook. She turned around awkwardly and looked at Zhuo Tingqiu.

"Third Brother, what a coincidence." She had a flattering smile on her face as she walked up to Zhuo Tingqiu.

"Not a coincidence!" Zhuo Tingqiu would not have any of it, glaring at her, "If I remember correctly, Uncle should have sent you to Wentian Palace, shouldn’t he? Why are you here?"

Zhuo Shiyu’s smile froze, a flicker of regret in her eyes as she hurriedly stepped forward to grab Zhuo Tingqiu’s sleeve, "Third Brother, my dear Third Brother, please don’t tell Father that I’m here. If he finds out, I’m done for!" She shivered at the thought of her father’s temper, looking at Zhuo Tingqiu with a plea in her eyes.

"Tell me why you’re here first?" Zhuo Tingqiu neither agreed nor refused, looking at Zhuo Shiyu with a serious expression and asked.

"If I tell you, will you not tell Father?" Zhuo Shiyu still tried to bargain with Zhuo Tingqiu.

"If you don’t tell, I’ll inform your father now!" Zhuo Tingqiu raised his eyebrows and said unhappily.

"I’ll say, I’ll say," Zhuo Shiyu quickly pleaded, "It’s just," she suddenly became shy, her face turning red, "I, I heard that Zhao Yunchi was injured, so I came over."

Zhuo Tingqiu thought for a moment about who Zhao Yunchi was, and when he realized that Zhao Yunchi was the injured young master from the Zhao Family he had mentioned before, he furrowed his brows. Looking at the blush on Zhuo Shiyu’s face, a suspicion crossed his mind, "You like that Zhao Family boy?"

He found it a bit unbelievable. His cousin practically stayed in Shangyang City all her life, or was in Wentian Palace, so logically, she shouldn’t have come into contact with that Zhao Family boy. How did she end up liking him?

"Third Brother!" Having her secret revealed, Zhuo Shiyu’s blush deepened, and she pouted at Zhuo Tingqiu.

"How did you meet that Zhao Family boy?" Zhuo Tingqiu stared at Zhuo Shiyu, dissatisfied and asked.

Although Zhuo Shiyu was the daughter of his third uncle, he had no sisters, and Zhuo Shiyu had always been like a biological sister to him. He always thought of Zhuo Shiyu as that little girl and wasn’t ready to see her get married. How had his family’s little cabbage moved into someone else’s basket? The very thought made him so frustrated he could kill!

"Just, during my training outside, he saved me once, so I got to know him. Besides, he’s also in Wentian Palace." Seeing Zhuo Tingqiu looking like he wanted to kill someone, Zhuo Shiyu’s voice grew softer, until she eventually fell silent.

Zhuo Tingqiu furrowed his brows. If it wasn’t for his experiences over the years, he could have rushed to the Zhao Family and beaten Zhao Yunchi up right there.

Thankfully, those years of training hadn’t been in vain. He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger and calming himself down, looking at Zhuo Shiyu with a blank face, "Since you’ve already seen Zhao Yunchi, hurry back to Wentian Palace, or I’ll tell Uncle you’re here!"

"I won’t!" Zhuo Shiyu lifted her head to meet Zhuo Tingqiu’s gaze, stubbornly saying.

"Why not?" Zhuo Tingqiu asked impatiently, frowning.

"Senior Brother Zhao is still injured. The doctor before said if a good doctor isn’t found, he might not survive. I want to stay here and help find a doctor for Senior Brother Zhao!" At the thought of her beloved possibly dying, Zhuo Shiyu’s tears fell like a string of broken pearls, dropping one by one while still stubbornly lifting her head, indicating to Zhuo Tingqiu she wouldn’t leave!

Seeing the tears on Zhuo Shiyu’s face, Zhuo Tingqiu was momentarily stunned. It seemed that she hadn’t cried like this since growing up, yet now she cried for Zhao Yunchi, showing how important the young man was to her. This made Zhuo Tingqiu reassess the situation.

The two of them stood in confrontation, one furrowing his brows in thought, the other looking up as tears fell.

Gu Qingqing and the others had already stepped aside when the two began talking, clearing the inn’s doorway. Seeing the scene unfold, they exchanged glances but refrained from speaking because it was Zhuo Tingqiu’s family matter, and they had no right to intervene!

Finally, Zhuo Tingqiu admitted defeat. He sighed, helping Zhuo Shiyu wipe away her tears.

"Since you like that kid, after he recovers, leave this place quickly. It’s not safe outside, or if your parents find out about your running around, I won’t be able to help you." His tone was much softer than before, helpless yet indulgently helping Zhuo Shiyu tidy her hair.

"Thank you, Third Brother, I understand." Zhuo Shiyu held onto Zhuo Tingqiu’s sleeve with one hand and wiped her tears haphazardly with the other, her voice still carrying a sob.

Zhuo Tingqiu waited for Zhuo Shiyu to compose herself before leading her over to Mu Chen.

"Brother Mu, could I ask you to help heal Zhao Yunchi’s injury?" Zhuo Tingqiu knew of Mu Chen’s medical skills but was also aware that he typically only treated people close to him, so he spoke with utmost sincerity.

Mu Chen glanced at Gu Qingqing, and upon seeing her nod, helped Zhuo Tingqiu to his feet.

"Alright, for Little Qingqing’s sake, I’ll go with you." Mu Chen acknowledged Zhuo Tingqiu, and since Gu Qingqing also intended for him to help, he did not make it difficult for Zhuo Tingqiu.

"Thank you, Brother Mu." At this, Zhuo Tingqiu breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Gu Qingqing, "Thank you, Little Qingqing, I owe you another favor!"

[You owe me plenty, just be my lackey.] Gu Qingqing teased with a gesture.

Zhuo Tingqiu nodded earnestly, then turned to Zhuo Shiyu, "You know where the Zhao Family is, right? Take us there; I found you a skilled doctor!"

Zhuo Shiyu looked at Zhuo Tingqiu and then at Mu Chen, uncertain if Mu Chen could treat Zhao Yunchi. However, she knew Zhuo Tingqiu would not joke about something like this and, half-believing, led the group to the Zhao Family.