Translator: 549690339
The women stared at each other, nobody dared to pipe up.
The dining hall was deathly quiet.
The Duke’s gaze slowly drifted over each of their faces, finally resting on Cheng Xi.
Cheng Xi’s trembling body shook even more violently. Her eyes widened in terror, her face devoid of colour. She stood rigid, as if about to faint any moment.
The Duke narrowed his eyes at her, his voice slow and cold. “Have any of you…disobeyed my orders and entered a locked room?”
Fearfully, Cheng Xi shook her head.
She wanted to deny it, but she was voiceless from extreme fear.
“Why always…” the Duke sighed, putting down his knife and fork.
The clanging of metal against porcelain echoed, making everyone’s heart skip a beat.
They all tensely eyed the humanoid beast, their hands clenched tightly around their weapons under the table, ready to retaliate.
“Why?… Why must women always be this way? No matter how many precious jewels I give you, no matter how many beautiful clothes, you’re never satisfied, always wanting more! Why?!”
The Duke suddenly roared.
He rose from his seat and took long strides towards Cheng Xi.
Cheng Xi shuddered violently, watching the Duke loom closer with great terror.
She was motionless, apart from the shaking. She couldn’t run even if she tried.
“What is this?” he grabbed hold of her hand and yanked it upwards.
Cheng Xi was lifted up into the air. Her silence broke, and she let out a sharp, high-pitched scream.
“You dared to go to that locked room!” the Duke growled, gripping her wrist, “You damned woman, lying right to my face?!!”
Her wrist was squeezed until it was deformed. The red cloth wrapped around her hand came loose, revealing the wound on her hand.
Cheng Xi screamed in pain. “Ah!!!… I didn’t! It was them…”
“Still won’t admit it?!” The Duke, face twisted in anger, dragged her towards the dining hall exit. “Disobedient brides must be punished! Only by paying the price in blood can you learn how to be a proper bride!”
Her bones creaked under his grip, blood dripping down her arm, staining her skin and the bridal gown. That arm of hers was almost crushed!
Cheng Xi was dragged along the floor, like a blood-soaked dead fish.
Everyone shivered with fear.
Catching Bai Youwei’s gaze, Su Man knew it was time. She raised Iron Sword and charged without hesitation!
Zhu Shu immediately followed suit.
Yu Yaqing was taken aback momentarily before realising they hadn’t lied to her.
They really hadn’t found the key! Otherwise, Su Man and Zhu Shu could have simply used the key to escape, without taking the risk to attack the Duke!
Once Yu Yaqing realised this, all the shadows clouding her heart were chased away, her body feeling lighter.
Even though a fierce battle was imminent, at least her heart was no longer under torment!
She gripped her sword tightly and chased after them out of the dining hall. Seeing Su Man aiming her sword at the Duke’s chest, she coordinated her strike towards the Duke’s back!
Caught between two attacks, the Duke was livid!
However, just like the previous time, no matter what kind of attack he was subjected to, he refused to let go of Cheng Xi! He single-handedly fended off Su Man’s and Yu Yaqing’s attacks, showing no signs of weakness!
He grabbed hold of the incoming sword held by Yu Yaqing and flung it to the side!
Even though Yu Yaqing was prepared and tried to dodge, she was still half a second too late! The overwhelming force flung her high into the air before she slammed onto the staircase!
As she hit the ground, she protected her chest and forced herself to sit up. She then saw that Su Man had also been injured, her weapon already broken by the infuriated Duke!
“We can’t keep doing this!” Yu Yaqing yelled to Su Man, “We can’t hurt him!”