Chapter 27:Castle Past 27 Aftermath
Flashback
Knock, knock, knock.
Li Hua rapped on Zhang Zhuanghao’s door.
To his surprise, it was ajar.
The door creaked open under the force of his knocks, revealing a sliver of light from within.
Hesitating, he peered through the gap. Zhang Zhuanghao, indulgent in opulence, sipped from a wine glass, muscles taut, face flushed.
Suddenly, Zhang’s eyes widened, clutching his throat, staring at the glass.
Through the crack, Li Hua’s single visible eye caught this, pupils contracting.
The shock in his gaze faded, replaced by a faint smile.
No intention to save him. He stood quietly, watching Zhang writhe, choking in agony.
Idiot deserves it.
The poison worked fast. Zhang crawled toward the door, spotting Li Hua.
His hand reached out, gasping, “H-help…”
Li Hua sneered, dodging the dark, chubby hand.
“Fool.”
To a dying man, he didn’t hide his disgust.
Zhang collapsed, skin cherry-red, air tinged with rotting almonds and rust.
One final twitch, and he was gone.
Li Hua watched coldly. He’d seen death before—not shocking.
But as he gazed at the vivid corpse, a storm churned inside, eyes gleaming with sickly fascination, fingers twitching.
No!
His gaze hardened, left hand rubbing a knife in his pocket.
Left hand’s fine, right?
He didn’t kill him. Just cleaning up a body—should be okay.
As long as no one saw.
He dragged the corpse inside, locking the door.
In the shadows, Cheng Li hid behind a wall, watching Li Hua’s back as the door shut.
A smirk curled his lips, clutching gold bars, greedily pocketing them.
Not my kill now.
Flashback End
That day, Cheng Li spoke to Fu Ruxue, admitting his panic when he saw them talking seriously.
He warned her soon after.
His calm facade hid a growing madness threatening to consume him.
During the Duke fight, he nearly stabbed the defenseless Fu Ruxue.
But as his knife reached, reason screamed: No.
He couldn’t cross Xu Nian. Failing to return to reality meant death.
Li Hua jammed the key into the lock, hand freezing mid-air.
What the…
Confusion filled his eyes. He aimed at the keyhole, thrusting harder.
The key hit air, rippling transparently, stuck, unmoving.
Only then did he grasp Xu Nian’s words.
She knew escape was impossible and knew the gate’s location.
Time to ask her.
He knew what she needed.
Rescue from the Young Lady.
Two pairs of striking eyes locked, sparks almost visible.
The Young Lady smiled, staring Xu Nian down, as if ready to keep her until day seven’s end.
Before, she’d vanish often. Now, her constant gaze and terrifying stamina pinned Xu Nian.
Xu Nian’s icy eyes flicked to her. “I want out.”
“One more day, then do as you please.”
As expected—after seven days, the exit sealed.
Trapped forever as the Young Lady’s captive?
The thought weakened her knees. A day or two was fine, but her frail body couldn’t handle this…
She barely exercised, panting from runs, let alone…
No way.
She had to escape.
Tugging the Young Lady’s sleeve, she said, “If I’m not leaving, at least get me a book to pass the time.”
“Fine.”
So quick?
Xu Nian waited, but the Young Lady just stared.
Exasperated, she poked her. “Go get it…”
“Right away.”
The Young Lady smiled amiably, taking her hand.
A knock came.
Hand released, she swept her golden hair back, opening the door.
Outside, the twin-braided maid peeked in. “Yes, Miss?”
“Get me a book.”
Tch.
Xu Nian toyed with her chains, annoyed her plan to distract the Young Lady failed.
She was too guarded now. Xu Nian had overplayed her hand.
The maid asked, “What book, Miss?”
“What book?” She turned to Xu Nian.
“In my room’s desk drawer.”
Since arriving, Xu Nian barely stayed there, caught in shameless days and nights.
The Young Lady relayed, “Mother’s room, desk drawer.”
“Okay.”
The maid left, throwing Xu Nian an approving glance.
Tearing up, she murmured, “Miss finally has a friend…”
Not quite a friend.
The maid returned with the book.
“Here.”
Xu Nian took it, flipping briefly.
Her mind wasn’t on it.
Glancing around, no escape routes.
Doors and windows—nothing else under the Young Lady’s watch.
Forced to read, a line caught her:
The potion is a painkiller.
The diagram matched the bottle from the Duchess’s room—color, description, all familiar.
She snapped it shut, casually flipping elsewhere.
Knock, knock, knock.
The Young Lady raised a brow, silent.
“In this state,” Xu Nian lifted her chained wrists, silver rings tight, “how do I open the door?”
Grudgingly, the Young Lady opened it, her gentle demeanor turning icy.
“What?”
“Xu Nian.”
Li Hua stood outside, facing her, his expression unclear in the dim light.
“Fu Ruxue sent me. Where’s the gate?”