Zong Zhao strode back with heavy steps.
Xu Wan couldn't even keep up with him, let alone hold him back.
Xu Lian'er was leading Chen Yunyu away to change clothes.
Before they had gone far, Zong Zhao appeared with a dark expression and kicked Chen Yunyu square in the chest—without holding back any force. Chen Yunyu was sent flying, blood spraying from his mouth.
"Yunyu!!" Xu Lian'er cried out in shock, lunging toward him.
But Zong Zhao wasn’t done. He delivered another brutal kick to Chen Yunyu’s crumpled body on the ground.
"Yunyu!!" Xu Lian'er wailed, but no one dared to intervene. The servants even held her back, urging her not to move.
When General of the Western Garrison decided to teach Chen Yunyu a lesson, even Duke Jin's Manor had to endure it. Any interference would bring consequences they couldn’t afford.
Zong Zhao wasn’t one for words, but his temper was far from mild. Pressing his foot against Chen Yunyu’s chest, he growled dangerously, "Do you think she’s someone you can covet?"
Xu Wan was his wife—and also Chen Yunyu’s elder sister-in-law. Yet this despicable man had disregarded all decency, even attempting to steal her away while Zong Zhao was absent. The audacity was unforgivable.
"You… you knew…" Chen Yunyu spat blood, his eyes burning with fury. "So what if you knew? I was just a month too late! One more month, and I could’ve married her! Zong Zhao, you were a dead man missing for years—why did you have to send your father a dream about marrying her? Huh? You did nothing, so why do you get to have her?!"
Chen Yunyu had nursed an obsession over nearly winning Xu Wan. What began as regret festered into resentment, growing heavier with time.
Now, after being kicked repeatedly by Zong Zhao, his bitterness erupted. If he was going down, he’d drag Zong Zhao with him.
Why? Why should Zong Zhao have her?
Zong Zhao’s mind flashed to Xu Wan—her quiet suffering, her gentle smile despite hardship. Hearing these words only stoked his fury. She had endured enough. Who was this wretch to disrupt her peace?
Debating wasn’t Zong Zhao’s style. He lifted his foot and kicked again, harder. Chen Yunyu’s vision blurred with pain, the crack of ribs echoing in his ears.
When Xu Wan arrived, Chen Yunyu was a bloodied, broken mess, his body limp as if every bone had been shattered.
Xu Lian'er sobbed, "Sister! Please, save Yunyu! He’s going to die!"
Xu Wan’s heart pounded. Zong Zhao’s brutality was staggering.
She rushed forward, pulling at Zong Zhao’s arm. "Enough, enough! Zong Zhao, calm down. Old General Qi’s grandson’s full-moon banquet is today—we can’t have a death here."
With Xu Wan tugging at him, Zong Zhao relented, stepping back to avoid hurting her. He glared at Chen Yunyu. "Get out."
Chen Yunyu had already passed out from the pain.
Xu Lian'er scrambled to beg forgiveness. "Yes, yes! Sister… General, we’ll remember! We’ll never provoke you again!"
Xu Wan dragged Zong Zhao away, shooting a warning look at the little troublemaker, Zong Jincheng, who stuck out his tongue. He’d only wanted to see his father beat Chen Yunyu some more—he hadn’t expected Zong Zhao to nearly kill the man.
Truly his father—far more ruthless than Buyan in a fight.
Though no crowd had witnessed the scene, news spread fast: the eldest son of Duke Jin's Manor had been carried out of General Qi's Mansion with five broken ribs, beaten unconscious by the General of the Western Garrison.
At the banquet, men and women were seated separately.
Xu Wan had Zong Jincheng by her side, but the atmosphere had shifted. Before, she and her son were barely noticed. Now, with Zong Zhao’s military achievements and the earlier spectacle, every noblewoman’s gaze flickered toward them.
Xu Wan gritted her teeth, whispering, "This is all your fault. See how serious the consequences are now?"
The little devil grinned. "I know, I know! I just didn’t expect Father to be so intense. He just—acted! I’m used to Buyan ignoring me, so I thought Father wouldn’t care either. Who knew he’d be so explosive?"
Xu Wan massaged her temples. "Yes, your father hid it well. Quiet ones are the most dangerous—silent until they strike."
Zong Jincheng scoffed. "That’s nonsense, Mother. Qin Ye barely talks too, but he couldn’t beat Chen Yunyu to a pulp."
Xu Wan rolled her eyes. "Why do you always drag Qin Ye into things?"
Zong Jincheng shrugged. "I drag everyone into things."
When the feast began, Lady Wei and Madam Shen joined her, both giving approving nods.
Lady Wei smiled. "Your husband is impressive, sister. My husband is feared in the capital too, but he’s never openly beaten a duke’s son half to death. General of the Western Garrison is on another level." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel※fire.net
Madam Shen added, "Generals fight—it’s normal. Zong Zhao is actually quite restrained. If it were General Luo… Chen Yunyu wouldn’t have survived."
Was this how it worked? A man’s temper seemed mild only when compared to a monster like General Luo?
Zong Jincheng snickered beside her, earning a few kicks from Xu Wan. The brat thrived on chaos.
Lady Wei reassured her, "Don’t worry too much. Zong Zhao seems steady, not the reckless type. There might be more to this."
"More?" Xu Wan frowned.
Leaning in, Lady Wei whispered, "My husband mentioned your general has been digging into Chancellor Yan’s old case. Duke Jin's Manor is involved. A clash was inevitable."
Xu Wan blinked, processing the new gossip.
Zong Jincheng, munching grapes nearby, perked up at his mother’s surprised expression. "Auntie, what are you whispering about?"
Lady Wei patted his head. "Adult matters. Children shouldn’t eavesdrop."
The little genius’s smile vanished, his ears drooping.
Hmph. That phrase again—always aimed at him. Just wait. One day, they’d learn the cost of underestimating a prodigy like him!