352 Someone He Can't Afford to Provoke

It was a blatant display of disdain! Just as Wei Zijian was about to stand up for Zhao Ya, she stopped him.

She raised her head, looking directly into Fei Yi's eyes, and asked, "What do you want then?"

Fei Yi snorted. "Simple. Show everyone what you've got first."

After saying that, she took out an embroidery hoop with a pure white silk handkerchief stretched on it and tossed it casually to Zhao Ya. Then, provokingly, she tilted her chin. "Do you dare?"

Zhao Ya took the embroidery hoop and pursed her lips. Her gaze firmed, and she responded, "Why wouldn't I?"

"Humph." Fei Yi scoffed, her eyes full of disdain. "Well then, bring it on!"

Zhao Ya ignored her and simply started embroidering right there on the street.

As Zhao Ya's fingers nimbly threaded the needle, a blooming peony flower gradually appeared on the silk handkerchief. It was so lifelike, it seemed as if dewdrops were still gleaming on its petals.

Many people were already signing up, and by now, a considerable crowd had gathered to watch. Witnessing Zhao Ya's proficient embroidery skills, they began to exclaim in praise.

In reality, Zhao Ya had only used about half of her actual skill for this peony flower. Though she wasn't as clever as her younger sister, she had learned from Zhao Zhitong since childhood. Through constant exposure, she was no fool and naturally understood the wisdom of concealing her true abilities.

I can't reveal my true strength to an opponent before the official competition begins.

Therefore, when Fei Yi took Zhao Ya's completed embroidery and saw her handiwork, a trace of contempt flickered in her eyes, and she shook her head.

Is this all?

It's barely satisfactory. If she dreams of surpassing me, she's still a long way off.

Only these country bumpkins around here, who've never seen anything, would think this embroidery is remarkable.

A sense of disdain immediately rose in her heart. She carelessly tossed Zhao Ya's embroidery onto the table and said dismissively, "Alright, fine. It's not too bad. You can go sign up."

Someone of this level definitely won't be a threat to me!

With that, she turned, swaying her hips, held her head high, and strutted off.

The registration process was still ongoing. The Xiao Si in charge, poker-faced, asked Zhao Ya for her information.

Meanwhile, Wei Zijian, standing to the side, saw the embroidered handkerchief carelessly tossed onto the ground by the Xiao Si. A flash of anger sparked in his eyes, and he went over to pick it up.

At that point, Zhao Ya finally finished registering.

Meanwhile, Zhao Zhitong, after returning to their lodgings at the yamen, saw that Zhao Ya and Wei Zijian, who had gone to register, still hadn't returned. Feeling a little worried, she went with Zhao Yu to look for them.

Just as they arrived at the registration site, they happened to meet Zhao Ya, who was just coming out after finishing.

Zhao Zhitong quickly went up to her and asked, "Sister Yaya, how did it go? Did the Fei Clan give you any trouble?"

Wei Zijian immediately rushed forward and started complaining, "As expected of you, Master, you even guessed it! The Fei Clan really doesn't have many decent people…"

He then went on to recount how Miss Fei (Fei Yi) had made things difficult for Zhao Ya.

Zhao Yu, listening, was filled with anger. "That Fei Clan is truly despicable!"

Zhao Zhitong nodded in agreement and took Zhao Ya's arm. "Let's go. We'll talk more when we get back."

Just then, a pretentiously dressed man stood not far away. He was tapping a folding fan in his hand, his eyes directed towards Zhao Zhitong and her group.

If Zhao Zhitong were to see this man, she would surely exclaim, "This fellow is truly hard to kill; he actually didn't die on the river!"

This person was none other than Young Mister Fei—Fei Wen—the one who had caused trouble for them on the river that day, insisting that Zhao Zhitong attend to him.

Clearly, he recognized Zhao Zhitong and her companions.

"Well, well, they're certainly tough to kill, actually surviving that!"

As he spoke, he licked his lips, a lecherous look in his eyes. He then pointed towards Zhao Zhitong's group and ordered the Xiao Si by his side, "Go! Go find out for this young master who those women are!"

The Xiao Si immediately accepted the order and hurried after them.

「...」

Zhao Zhitong's group chatted casually as they headed towards their lodgings.

Just as they were about halfway there, Zhao Yu noticed someone was following them. He immediately gave Zhao Zhitong and the others a meaningful glance.

They all understood instantly, turned, and slipped into a deserted alley.

The Xiao Si who was tailing them saw them enter the alley and quickly ran in after them.

Once inside, he was surprised to find the alley empty!

The Xiao Si froze for a moment, then trotted deeper into the alley. After turning a corner, he discovered it was a dead end.

Just as he stood there, puzzled, a voice sounded from behind him.

"Are you looking for us?"

Startled, the Xiao Si spun around. He saw Zhao Zhitong and her companions standing behind him, watching him with an amused expression.

He glanced at the arm-thick wooden club in Zhao Zhitong's hand and instinctively swallowed. Feigning a smile, he said, "Haha, no, no, I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just passing by, just passing by."

With that, he tried to bluff his way out.

But that was clearly impossible. Just as he tried to pass Zhao Yu, Zhao Yu grabbed him.

With a swift shoulder throw, Zhao Yu slammed him to the ground.

Zhao Zhitong stepped forward and sneered, "Trying to leave before you've made things clear?"

As she spoke, she brought the club in her hand down on him.

"Speak! Who sent you? Why were you following us?"

The Xiao Si, cowering and covering his head as he was beaten, yelped, "Heroine, spare me! Stop hitting, please stop! I'll talk, I'll talk..."

Zhao Zhitong lowered her club. "Speak!"

The Xiao Si had been beaten quite badly. Clutching his head, he spilled the beans, selling out his master completely.

"That's how it is. This lowly one truly had no malicious intent. My young master, he just... he just wanted to get to know you all. No ill will, really, truly..."

Hearing this, Zhao Zhitong and her companions understood. Young Mister Fei, the one who had caused them trouble on the river, was not only still alive but had now targeted them again.

Zhao Zhitong brought her club down again and snapped coldly, "Go back and deliver a message to your young master. Tell him we are people he can't afford to provoke! If he dares to harbor any ill intentions, he should watch out for his future descendants!"

Wei Zijian chimed in from the side, "Exactly! Go back and tell your master he'd better not mess with us! We haven't forgotten what happened on the river. Tell him to watch his back!"

After saying this, Wei Zijian also gave the Xiao Si a kick.

"Now scram!"

The Xiao Si, beaten black and blue and aching all over, hadn't expected to get out alive. Hearing their command, he scrambled to his feet and fled, terrified that Zhao Zhitong and her group might change their minds.

Watching him scurry away like a frightened rat, the group burst into laughter.

Zhao Zhitong twirled the club in her hand, looking every bit the tough leader. She wiped under her nose and snorted, "Hmph. Amateur!"

Zhao Ya was amused by Zhao Zhitong's bold swagger and said with a laugh, "Little Sister, quickly put that weapon down. If Mother finds out, she'll definitely say you're not being ladylike again."

"I haven't even drawn a saber yet. This is plenty ladylike, alright?" Zhao Zhitong muttered under her breath, but she obediently tossed the club to the ground. "As long as Sister Yaya doesn't tell Mom, Mom won't know."

Zhao Ya winked. "Don't worry, I'll keep your secret."