Chapter Seventy-One: Sinking into the River

Chu Bing watched the farce unfolding inside the room, unable to suppress her astonishment. This Yunxin was truly ruthless.

The county magistrate had never imagined he would spoil a woman so venomous, both furious and enraged. "Wretch! I’ll have you skinned and your tendons torn out—"

"Too bad you won’t get the chance!" A malicious gleam flickered in Yunxin’s eyes. She seemed to have reached a decision, her face now devoid of worry, replaced entirely by smug satisfaction.

She stood, looking down at the magistrate, and spoke slowly, "Do you know why I submitted to an old fool like you? I’m so young, yet every day I must feign happiness in your presence, carefully serving you… You disgust me!"

Yunxin gritted her teeth, the venom in her gaze nearly overflowing.

The magistrate trembled all over, staring at her in disbelief.

"Wretch! Scoundrel!"

Yunxin snorted coldly and clapped her hands. Two burly men entered from outside, heads bowed as they awaited her orders.

"Find a bag, put him in it, fill it with stones, and quietly throw it into the river. Make sure no one ever finds out."

"Yes, ma’am."

After issuing her orders, the magistrate lay on the ground, his face drained of color, terrified. "How dare you! I am the county magistrate! I am an official! If you kill me, the court will never let you go!"

Yunxin sneered, "The court? Soon there won’t be such a thing."

She now followed Li Yuxi, and although she didn’t know the deepest secrets, Li Yuxi had never hidden his intention to overthrow the court. She was well aware of his ambitions.

Yunxin thought of that man, both righteous and evil, standing above all others—her heart burned with longing. One day, she would make him kneel at the hem of her skirt!

The two burly men swiftly bound the magistrate, stuffed a rag in his mouth, and packed him into a burlap sack.

No matter how the magistrate struggled, it was futile.

His eyes fixed on Yunxin, filled with malice. If he survived, he would never let this wretch escape punishment!

The scholar, witnessing the scene, felt a chill in his heart, his gaze toward Yunxin filled with terror.

Yunxin noticed his look and snorted, "As long as you behave, I won’t kill you."

The scholar shrank back, afraid to speak.

Chu Bing was genuinely shocked by Yunxin’s ruthless methods. She had never imagined that this woman, who had always cowered before her, could possess such decisive and rational cunning.

Given enough time and resources, Yunxin could well thrive in this era!

The two burly men carried the sack containing the magistrate toward the woods behind the courtyard.

Chu Bing hesitated, then activated her aura-concealing array and followed.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Though she loathed the magistrate, keeping this corrupt official alive might one day prove a powerful tool against Yunxin.

The two men carried the magistrate to a riverbank, tied extra stones to the sack, and threw him in. Once they confirmed it wouldn’t float, they hurried away.

Only after they had left did Chu Bing leap down from a tree.

She plunged into the water and untied the sack.

The magistrate had already lost consciousness. Without caring whether he would be injured, Chu Bing dragged him onto the shore and tossed him near a nearby household, then swiftly darted into the woods.

Chu Bing returned to the courtyard. Yunxin was still there, entwined with the scholar in a tender embrace.

The sight of the two disgusted Chu Bing.

Her eyes flashed as she suddenly used her teleportation skill and appeared behind Yunxin.

"Ah!" The scholar was startled, scrambling away as fast as he could.

Yunxin spun around, her face turning pale as she saw Chu Bing smiling at her. "When did you come in?"

How had she seen nothing!

Chu Bing grinned, "I must say, I witnessed quite the drama today! The county lady murders her husband and meets her lover in secret—tsk tsk, I wonder what people will think when word gets out!"

The color drained from Yunxin’s face. She cared little for her reputation, but certainly didn’t want to be hunted by all.

Moreover, if the matter became public, she would be charged with murder!

She couldn't let Chu Bing spread the word!

Yunxin’s mind raced, searching for a way to silence Chu Bing, but Chu Bing suddenly began to disappear little by little before her eyes.

"Ghost! A ghost!" The scholar screamed in terror, then promptly fainted.

Yunxin collapsed to the ground in fright.

What was Chu Bing’s true identity?

Chu Bing exited the courtyard with a cheerful smile.

She recalled Yunxin’s last frightened look and felt a surge of delight.

She glanced at the bustling street, preparing to leave, when suddenly a hand pressed down on her shoulder.

Chu Bing froze, every muscle tense. Who was it?

Someone had managed to stand behind her without her noticing!

"Chu Bing?"

It was Li Yuxi.

His voice carried a faint smile. "I could tell it was you from your silhouette, even from afar! What are you doing here?"

Chu Bing was about to turn around when she remembered the disguise on her face had yet to wear off. If she turned now, Li Yuxi would see through her immediately!

She clenched her teeth, gave no answer, and broke into a run.

Li Yuxi narrowed his eyes. "Interesting!"

Chu Bing darted across the rooftops. She dared not return to the Li residence now—if she did, Li Yuxi might follow, putting Li Mohan in danger!

But the sounds behind her told her Li Yuxi was in relentless pursuit. Even when she managed to widen the gap, he quickly closed in again!

Li Yuxi seemed even more persistent than before!

Chu Bing felt her inner strength nearly exhausted. If this continued, she would inevitably be caught!

"You can’t escape," his voice drifted to her ears on the wind. A fierce light flashed in Chu Bing’s eyes, and she flicked her sleeve, sending several silver needles flying toward Li Yuxi’s vital points!

The needles were black—clearly poisoned.

If he didn’t dodge, he’d surely lose his life!

Li Yuxi stopped at once, dodging swiftly, the relaxed expression vanishing from his face. His brows furrowed as he watched Chu Bing disappear into the distance.

She was already gone.

"What a ruthless woman," Li Yuxi said with a soft laugh, collecting the poisoned needles. He flipped open his folding fan and returned to a familiar courtyard.

Yunxin was waiting for him.

As soon as he leapt down from the wall, she knelt respectfully, "Master!"

Li Yuxi’s gaze was cold. "What was Chu Bing doing here just now?"