Chapter 20: Furious Slap at Zhao Gao

Fusu stared at the wound on his hand. Thankfully, the ancient knife wasn’t very sharp, so the cut wasn’t too deep.

But this time, there was no way he wouldn’t be left with a scar!

Fusu was truly tempted to curse his fate.

How could a simple engagement almost end in death?

Was this woman really that stubborn?

Come to think of it, was he really that terrible?

She would rather die than marry him...

“Zhao Gao, bring me a bottle of strong liquor!”

“Hurry up!!!” Fusu gritted his teeth against the pain and ordered.

Zhao Gao was taken aback. Why did he want liquor?

Hua Yang, seeing her younger brother injured, panicked and quickly said, “Go, get the general’s private stock of strong liquor!”

Wang Jian immediately looked over at that, but when he saw that Fusu was injured trying to save his granddaughter, the words on his lips were swallowed back.

Apparently, there was only one bottle of that liquor left...

Suppressing his reluctance, Wang Jian glared at Wang Ruonan and cursed, “You brat!”

“Everyone has been too good to you all this time!”

“How dare you defy the imperial decree and even attempt to take your own life?”

Wang Ruonan lowered her head in silence, but she simply did not want to marry Fusu!

Not for any other reason but the things she had heard about him in recent days made her deeply disgusted.

Wang Jian also understood the consequences of defying the imperial decree — the downfall of the entire family, and even implicating nine clans.

He snorted coldly, “Our Wang family has enjoyed imperial favor for generations. The wealth, status, and fine clothes you’ve had since childhood — all were granted by His Majesty.”

“If you have enjoyed such honor, then you must bear responsibility for it!”

“Reflect on yourself properly!”

Zhao Gao, seeing the situation, sneered sarcastically and advised, “That’s right. Defying the imperial decree means extermination of the whole family…”

Upon hearing this, Fusu’s anger flared instantly.

He stepped forward and kicked Zhao Gao hard, shouting, “Try saying that once more!”

“Isn’t this mess big enough already?”

“I’m injured, and yet you keep fanning the flames?”

“Who do you think you’re stirring trouble for?”

“Are you trying to sow discord between His Majesty and the Marquis of Wucheng, or between me and the Marquis?”

“I told you to get the liquor, and you damn well didn’t move. I didn’t ask you to speak, but you’re picking fights!”

Fusu kicked him again and again.

Zhao Gao howled in pain, dodging desperately.

In the end, helpless, Zhao Gao raised the imperial decree, saying, “Fusu, I have the imperial edict. I am here to deliver the order!”

“If you keep assaulting this old servant, I will accuse you of maliciously injuring a court official and disrespecting His Majesty’s decree!”

Fusu kicked him again. “So what if I beat you?”

“I’ve wanted to for a long time. You slander me and Consort Li, and still go out of your way to oppose me!”

“I’ll kick you to death today!”

Zhao Gao, terrified, shouted, “Someone, seize Fusu! He’s guilty! He’s committed a grave crime!”

Smack!

Hearing that, Fusu ignored the bleeding in his left hand and swung his right hand in a wide arc, slapping Zhao Gao hard across the face. “I’m guilty, am I?”

“Then I’ll slap you and see how guilty I really am!”

Smack!

Fusu kept hitting him relentlessly.

No one dared to intervene nearby. Only when Fusu tired did he sit down.

Hua Yang hurriedly brought over the strong liquor. “How is it, brother?”

“Is the wound serious? The imperial physician is coming soon!”

Fusu smiled, panting, “Sister, it’s nothing.”

Saying that, Fusu opened the bottle and poured the liquor directly onto his hand.

Everyone was stunned.

Why pour the liquor on the wound instead of drinking it?

Wang Jian glanced coldly at Zhao Gao, but upon seeing Fusu pour the liquor, his face showed grief and indignation.

“What are you doing?”

“This is the hard-to-get strong liquor I managed to procure!!!”

Fusu gritted his teeth in pain, ignoring Wang Jian.

After cleansing the wound with the alcohol, he found some clean cloth and bandaged his left hand.

Wang Li glared angrily at Fusu and asked, “Our Wang family has served Qin for generations. Why does His Majesty treat us like this?”

Fusu glanced at Wang Li. What a fool!

Hua Yang, somewhat angry, thought, How could you treat my brother like this?

She snorted coldly, “Back then, the general conquered cities and strongholds, breaking through three kingdoms—a glory unmatched!”

“I, Hua Yang, admire the general and thus pleaded with the emperor for this marriage!”

“Now, Qin has just unified the land. Though it seems peaceful, it faces internal and external crises, fraught with danger.”

“At times like this, the outstanding heroes of our Wang family should rise to support His Majesty, not put their own lives and honor first, scheming and giving opportunists a chance.”

At these words—

Wang Li immediately dared not say more.

Hua Yang’s position within the mansion was lofty, and over the years she had been very kind to them. They truly respected her.

But Fusu...

They refused to accept him!

Wang Jian nodded, “Life and honor are minor matters; betraying imperial grace is paramount!”

Hua Yang approached Wang Ruonan and spoke softly, “Ruonan, since I came into the household, have I ever wronged you?”

Wang Ruonan was taken aback.

Hua Yang continued, “We are both women. Sometimes, we cannot help but suffer some grievances.”

“I promise you this: if Fusu ever wrongs you, I will be the first to punish him!”

“If Fusu reforms and you two treat each other with respect, wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing?”

Tears welled in Wang Ruonan’s eyes.

Hua Yang had once felt the same way.

In her youth, full of dreams for the future, she had always thought more than she did.

But in the end...

Hua Yang gently wiped away Wang Ruonan’s tears, embraced her, and whispered, “If you marry Fusu, your grandmother will still look after you. But if you marry someone else, who will truly stand up for you in all matters?”

“Ruonan, accept the decree...”

Though reluctant, Wang Ruonan deeply respected this elder.

After all—

What if she were made to marry someone as old as her grandfather...

Wang Ruonan gave Fusu a fierce glare. If only he were half as capable as her grandfather.

“I, your servant, receive the decree with gratitude,” Wang Ruonan said, her entire being seemingly drained, her eyes hollow.

“Ding!”

“Congratulations, the host has persuaded Wang Ruonan to finalize this marriage. Reward: a complete set of papermaking techniques, along with a collection of famous calligraphers’ works!”

“These two items have been placed in the spatial pouch and can be accessed at any time.”

Fusu secretly rejoiced.

Wang Jian looked at his granddaughter, heart aching but powerless.

He knew this was fate.

For a family with meritorious service, enjoying honor means bearing the responsibility of that honor.

After all, many people in this world aspire to live as the elite do.

Zhao Gao, battered and bruised, climbed up from the ground, no longer daring to speak recklessly. Forcing a smile, he said, “This old servant will return to report first.”

“Wait!” Fusu, sitting on the steps, called out to Zhao Gao.