Chapter 46: Want to Save Someone? Beg Me First

“You idiot!” Xuanyuan Hongyu shouted loudly, revealing his figure. The golden mask gleamed under the sunlight, making it hard to look directly at him. His golden hair floated elegantly as if stirred by an invisible breeze. Clad in exquisite purple robes, the young man exuded a noble aura that was almost overwhelming.

Madam Wang and Zhao Meng, along with the others, seemed to witness a deity descending from the heavens. Their legs bent, and they knelt, bowing their heads repeatedly in worship. “Heavenly deity above! Please calm your wrath, please calm your wrath!”

Xuanyuan Hongyu waved his hand impatiently, and the assembled members of the General’s Mansion who were kneeling all stood straight. “There is no need for such ceremony.”

Zantai Lingwei looked at the people of the General’s Mansion with disbelief, then glanced at the pretentious youth and suddenly burst into laughter. “Ha ha, Madam Wang, Uncle Zhao, all of you aunts and uncles, he’s not a deity—he’s just a useless sack. How could you… ha ha ha!”

Xuanyuan Hongyu felt an urge to crush this little fool. “If you laugh one more time, your maid will lose her life.”

Lingwei immediately turned around and just caught sight of that scoundrel, Wang the Scribe, gripping little Yutou by the neck, shouting, “Let go of my Yutou, or I won’t spare your life!”

Madam Wang turned and nearly had her heart stop. Her once lively daughter was now barely breathing, strangled by someone’s hand. What kind of curse was this?

Wang the Scribe, thinking he had found the General’s Mansion’s weak spot, grew bolder. “Let me go, or I will strangle the entire little maid to death!”

Lingwei struggled, trying to rescue little Yutou, but Xuanyuan Hongyu held her tightly to prevent rash actions. Amused, he teased her, “Apologize to me, and I’ll help you save your little maid. How about that?”

“Let go! I’ll save her myself! Get away!” Lingwei yelled, her eyes never leaving little Yutou and Wang the Scribe. Her wide eyes burned with resentment, fixed fiercely on the scribe’s prominent mustache.

Madam Wang was about to rush at Wang the Scribe, but he kept his eyes locked on her. The moment she moved, he shouted, “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll strangle her right away! If you don’t believe me, you can try—it’s a race between my hand and yours!”

Zhao Meng stopped in place, calculating the best way to rescue the girl. To Wang the Scribe, it seemed they were too afraid to act, which only swelled his arrogance. “Release me at once! Otherwise, I can’t promise this little maid will see tomorrow’s sun.”

Madam Wang cried out anxiously, “Don’t do anything reckless! I’ll listen to you. Zhao Meng, step back and let him go!”

Zhao Meng discreetly gave a signal to someone hidden in the shadows, then stepped back a few paces. Seeing this, the others retreated as well, clearing a path for Wang the Scribe.

Wang the Scribe sneered at little Yutou in his grasp. “It turns out you little troublemaker are quite useful. Once I’m out, I’ll repay you handsomely.”

Madam Wang and Zhao Meng exchanged worried glances. This meant Wang the Scribe intended to kill Yutou once he was free. But rushing forward now wouldn’t save her—they had to wait for the right moment.

Xuanyuan Hongyu resumed teasing the restless little thing in his arms. “Little one, did you hear that? If you don’t behave and do exactly as I say, your little maid’s life won’t be safe. Have you made up your mind?”

Lingwei looked at the motionless Yutou with a heavy heart, clenching her fists tightly before loosening them again. “What do you want me to do? As long as you save Yutou, I’m willing to do anything.”

The boy, who should have been pleased, felt as if he had swallowed gallons of vinegar upon hearing these words from the little maid in his arms. “You have to do it willingly, or you’d better prepare to bury your little maid.”

Lingwei didn’t detect any difference in tone. She lifted her small head, resolute and ready to face death. “Whatever you say, I will do.”