After Saving The Disabled Villain, I Was Attacked In Return! - Chapter 42

Just as Zheng Yutong bent down to look at Qi An, the latter swiftly pulled a dagger from her sleeve and pressed it against Zheng Yutong’s neck. The sharp blade slid slowly across her throat. Even though it didn’t actually cut her, Zheng Yutong was terrified out of her wits.

Bright red blood gushed forth. Zheng Yutong felt a chill run through her as pain radiated from her neck.

Her voice softened to a pleading tone. “Say what you mean properly! If you kill me, neither the General’s Residence nor Jiang Yu, the apple of your eye, will escape consequences. My father will never let you off!”

Zheng Yutong’s eyes were bloodshot with terror. Qi An smiled, the dagger still pressed against her throat. “If you dare approach Jiang Yu again, don’t blame me for showing no mercy. I may not be talented, but killing someone like you is more than within my capabilities.”

In that moment, Zheng Yutong saw Qi An as a merciless demon. She nodded repeatedly. Once Qi An withdrew the dagger, she fled the East Wing. Her personal maid, who had been escorted to the gate by a servant from Shaoyue Pavilion, rushed forward upon seeing Zheng Yutong’s disheveled hair and terrified face, quickly grasping her hand.

“Miss, you mustn’t do this,” the maid said sternly. By then, Zheng Yutong had barely managed to steady herself. Looking up at the maid, she seemed to find a sense of reassurance.

The mistress and her maid left in an odd manner. The maid from Shaoyue Pavilion stood at the General’s Residence gate, watching their retreating figures for a long time before hurrying back to report to Jiang Yu. But unexpectedly, on her way back, she ran into Qi An.

Qi An appeared extremely frail. The maid, seasoned and shrewd, knew how highly her mistress valued Qi An, and immediately helped her back to her feet.

Reaching Shaoyue Pavilion’s door, the maid gently knocked. The door swung open the next moment, Jiang Yu’s anxious voice calling out, “Qi An! I’m coming, I’m coming…”

She was about to sweep the girl inside, but froze when she saw who had knocked. Embarrassment washed over her face.

“You… thank you for bringing Qi An back,” Jiang Yu said awkwardly, pushing Qi An into the room. Just as she was about to say something to the maid, she noticed the cold sweat beading on Qi An’s pale, delicate face. She had only been gone for a short while, yet…

“Did Zheng Yutong upset you?” Jiang Yu, ignoring the maid standing by the door, moved to roll up her sleeves and chase after Zheng Yutong, who had already left. Qi An, with her pale, slender fingers, gently gripped the hem of Jiang Yu’s sleeve, lifting her gaze to meet Jiang Yu’s.

“No…” Jiang Yu’s voice softened, her earlier anger melting away. She knelt down, taking Qi An’s hand.

The maid, witnessing this scene, immediately recalled what she had seen at the General’s Residence entrance earlier and hurried to report it.

“Miss, when I was seeing Miss Zheng out at the gate, I noticed something odd about her and her servant.” The maid paused, hesitant to continue in the open. Understanding that conversation by the Shaoyue Pavilion entrance could easily be overheard, Jiang Yu nodded for her to come inside and closed the door herself.

Jiang Yu carefully guided Qi An to sit down, still holding her hand throughout. Despite having been outside only briefly, Qi An’s hands were already icy cold.

The maid stood frozen, witnessing Jiang Yu’s tender treatment of Qi An. She immediately resolved to curry favor with Qi An and proceeded to give a detailed account of everything she had seen at the General’s Residence gate.

Jiang Yu grew visibly angry upon hearing the maid’s account. She was now convinced that Zheng Yutong had bullied Qi An. Yet as she recalled the maid’s description, her face paled and she clutched her neck, suspecting an attempt to frame Qi An.

She had long suspected Zheng Yutong’s ulterior motives, like a weasel paying respects to chickens, and now it seemed her suspicions were confirmed. Seeing Qi An’s pallid complexion, Jiang Yu felt a pang of sympathy from the depths of her heart.

But she didn’t know what to do.

“Alright, I’ve heard enough. You may withdraw now,” Jiang Yu dismissed the maid. She then personally checked the entrance of Shaoyue Pavilion, only relaxing when she confirmed no one was lurking nearby.

Qi An remained clueless about Jiang Yu’s actions, simply sitting blankly in her wheelchair. She watched as Jiang Yu first brought her a cup of tea, then busied herself for a long while arranging pastries into the shape of a little rabbit.

“Qi An, try this pastry?” Jiang Yu asked expectantly, holding out the dessert. Qi An, still unfazed, nodded slightly and picked up a piece. But then she saw it: nestled beneath the pastry was a familiar jade pendant.

“This…” Qi An’s pupils contracted sharply. She snatched the pendant from the plate, her mouth still full of pastry, but she’d forgotten to chew.

Jiang Yu nodded earnestly, taking the plate from Qi An so she could examine the jade pendant for any damage. Qi An quickly regained her composure and said nonchalantly, “It’s just the most valuable thing I own. I overreacted because I was relieved to have it back.”

Jiang Yu nodded without contradiction. She knew Qi An wasn’t someone who cared much for material possessions. As for any secrets the jade pendant might hold, Jiang Yu didn’t want to probe further. All she needed to do was ensure Qi An’s safety and well-being.

Sitting in her wheelchair, Qi An looked so delicate and vulnerable that Jiang Yu felt an overwhelming urge to embrace her. Qi An’s legs remained paralyzed, and she hadn’t yet gained the power-hungry allies that would later help her “blacken” in the original story.

Qi An was now so frail she could barely manage on her own.

Jiang Yu absolutely wouldn’t allow anyone to harm her!

Seeing Qi An hadn’t put away the jade pendant, Jiang Yu took it from her and tucked it into her waistband.

“I don’t know why this is so important to you, but… keep it safe!” Jiang Yu looked earnestly at Qi An, her innocent eyes full of concern, making Qi An chuckle despite herself.

At that moment, the sound of children’s laughter drifted from outside Shaoyue Pavilion. Curious, Jiang Yu ran down from her seat and pushed the door open. To her surprise, Lu Wu stood there, holding a child with a disheveled hairdo, looking utterly exhausted.

“Miss…” Lu Wu’s voice sounded strained, even though she had been managing the household and caring for Jiang Yu for so long without showing such weariness before.

The child, who had been so lively in Lu Wu’s arms, immediately calmed down upon seeing Jiang Yu and reached out to be held.

Jiang Yu, who had never cared for children, couldn’t resist quickening her pace to gather the adorable little girl into her arms.

But…

Qi An, seated in her wheelchair, immediately scowled, her haughty expression returning. Her slender fingers spun the wheels, slowly maneuvering her chair beside Jiang Yu. She would claim her place, no matter what.

Jiang Yu’s pale yellow jacket was incredibly soft. The little girl’s pretty face nestled against the fluffy collar, occasionally nuzzling the soft fabric before breaking into a smile.

Jiang Yu felt her heart melt, but the thought that such a sweet child had no family to claim her filled her with anxiety.

“Hasn’t anyone come looking for her?”

Lu Wu nodded dejectedly. “I’ve been carrying her around the crowd, but no one stepped forward to claim her. The child shows no sign of wanting to find her parents either—she just keeps fussing with me.”

As Lu Wu spoke, she struggled to maintain her hairdo. Jiang Yu chuckled, freeing a hand to lead Lu Wu inside. Then, cradling the little girl, she settled into the main seat.

Qi An felt ignored and obediently wheeled her chair over to the pastries. She picked up a fragrant, sweet-smelling pastry and waved it in front of the little girl in Jiang Yu’s arms.

The girl, who could already walk but was being held by Lu Wu to prevent her from running around, squirmed free of Jiang Yu’s embrace and toddled over to Qi An. She snatched the pastry and stuffed it into her mouth.

Watching the girl devour the treat, Jiang Yu couldn’t help but recall how she had begged for porridge several times. She must have been starving after getting lost from her family.

Qi An brought the girl back to the pastries. Seeing the abundance, the girl giggled and nodded while munching on her treat.

Then Qi An released the girl’s hand and subtly wheeled her chair over to Jiang Yu, looking pitifully up at her. “She… bit my finger just now…”

She held out her slender, pale finger. After examining it carefully, Jiang Yu noticed a faint row of teeth marks.

“I’ll scold her later!” Jiang Yu exclaimed, her cheeks puffing up in mock indignation, like a mother defending her own child.

Qi An thought it was over, but Jiang Yu unexpectedly bent down and gently blew on her fingers, her breath carrying an intensely suggestive warmth that caressed the tips of Qi An’s fingers like soft feathers brushing against her heart.

“Jiang Yu…” Qi An’s voice trembled, and she trailed off.

“What is it?”

Jiang Yu, completely oblivious to the impropriety of her actions, tilted her head innocently, making Qi An dare not meet her gaze.

Thinking Qi An was in pain from the child’s biting, Jiang Yu turned to the little girl with a displeased expression. She walked over, grabbed a piece of pastry from the plate, and popped it into her mouth, muttering, “I’m punishing you by making you eat one less piece!”

The child, who had been happily munching, looked up in confusion, staring at Jiang Yu as if she were a fool. Their eyes met, and Qi An shook her head helplessly. After composing herself, she maneuvered her wheelchair to Jiang Yu’s side and tugged at her sleeve. “Don’t mind her,” she said slowly. “I’ve eaten a few pieces of pastry and now want to take my medicine. I want my leg to heal faster.”

Jiang Yu snapped out of her daze and nodded eagerly, carefully carrying the medicine to the small kitchen.

The maid waiting there reached out to take the medicine, but Jiang Yu hesitated.

“Could you teach me how to prepare it? I’d like to try making the decoction myself…” Jiang Yu blinked earnestly, her sincerity evident.

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