After Transmigrating, My Younger Brother Always Tries to Seduce Me - Chapter 28
Ever since she twisted his wrist, Zhao Ta had worn a haunted expression, refusing to continue fighting. This drawn-out stalemate irritated Zhu Zhenzhen, who had little patience for him to begin with. She wanted a swift victory, eager to humiliate him quickly.
Zhao Ta remained silent, his impatience etched on his face. Just then, snippets of conversation reached her ears, momentarily halting her movements.
Did Zhao Ta ever imagine, when he was raping and murdering women, that one day he would fear them?
Everyone had witnessed his trembling fear.
Remember that woman? She only did those filthy things with him to survive. But who could have predicted…
How old was she when she died?
Barely sixteen. I heard her marriage was already arranged, the dowry settled. Such a pity…
Zhu Zhenzhen’s expression grew increasingly grim.
Sixteen? Even though girls in ancient times could marry at that age, Zhao Ta, with his modern mindset, was essentially committing statutory rape. Zhu Zhenzhen’s anger flared instantly, making her want to curse him out.
Since her time-travel, she hadn’t exactly had an easy ride, but never before had she felt such burning rage.
The simmering anger she had been suppressing finally erupted. She narrowed her eyes, the beauty mark at the corner of her eye adding a touch of striking allure to her face.
To outsiders, Zhu Zhenzhen appeared frozen in place, but Song Heng knew perfectly well that she was furious.
Moments later, the scene Yun Guanhua witnessed unfolded.
Zhu Zhenzhen lowered her gaze, taking in Zhao Ta’s disheveled state. Her voice, light as a feather, carried an undercurrent of menace It’s time to fulfill your promise, Brother Zhao.
Will you remove your clothes yourself, or shall I assist you?
Sweat soaked the coarse linen shirt clinging to Zhao Ta’s back. His lips trembled uncontrollably, and beads of sweat glistened on his upper lip.
Seeing Zhu Zhenzhen’s pale hand reaching toward him, about to touch his sweat-drenched collar, Yun Guanhua emerged from the shadows.
You’ve won, so what more do you want? he snapped.
Why did that voice sound so familiar?
Zhu Zhenzhen followed the sound and met the newcomer’s gaze with unwavering precision.
The moment their eyes locked, both visibly froze, startled.
The man stood bathed in sunlight, the harsh glare making his skin appear unnaturally pale, like a vampire from an old anime who never saw the sun—frighteningly white.
Zhu Zhenzhen recognized him instantly the lavishly dressed young master she’d encountered at Min Yue Tower. Now, he had suddenly appeared at Prince Jin’s Manor, and the surrounding guards showed no reaction, as if his presence were perfectly natural.
Clearly, he held a high position within the manor.
Judging by his expression, he had recognized her as well.
Zhu Zhenzhen saw nothing wrong with her actions. She knew that injuries and deaths were considered natural occurrences during the Martial Arts Tournament, and the manor staff paid them no heed.
Without warning, she spoke, May I ask, sir, what objection do you have to my actions?
She hadn’t even started stripping him she had merely intended to throw him off the stage. After all, such dirty work could be left to the obedient Song Heng.
Heaven bear witness if she had actually done it herself, she would have gotten a corn on her hand!
Doesn’t the young lady understand the principle of showing mercy where possible? Yun Jianhe asked as he approached, having overheard their conversation. His initial shock had long subsided. Even if this woman cared nothing for her reputation, he would never allow her to proceed.
He had no personal interest in Zhao Ta, but as the current administrator of the Martial Arts Tournament, this incident would inevitably cause a sensation, spreading through word of mouth and attracting the attention of those seeking evidence. If the Holy Emperor were to suspect anything, Prince Jin’s meticulously crafted plans over the past few years would be in grave danger.
That was the first reason.
The second was that he needed to deliver Zhao Ta to the Prime Minister’s Manor before the tournament concluded.
The young lady Zhao Ta had murdered belonged to the Prime Minister’s lineage. The court’s political landscape was a tangled web, and it was impossible to predict when this matter might come to the Prime Minister’s attention.
Once the tournament ended, Yun Jianhe would lose complete control over the fates of the eliminated participants. It was far better to send Zhao Ta to the Prime Minister’s Manor early as a show of loyalty, potentially winning the Prime Minister’s favor. When Prince Jin learned of this, it would undoubtedly be considered a meritorious deed.
Zhu Zhenzhen remained oblivious to these political machinations. All she knew was that people like Zhao Ta—scum of the earth—served no purpose in the world other than to increase its carbon dioxide levels.
The young master himself said that only a ‘person’ deserves my mercy, Zhu Zhenzhen began, feigning deep thought before pointing at Zhao Ta with sudden realization. But young master, can this even be considered a person? What lies here is nothing more than a lump of rotting flesh draped in human skin.
Yun Jianhe choked slightly, his gaze unconsciously tracing the contours of her face. He hadn’t seen such vibrant, fearless defiance of authority in a long time.
The woman, whom he had only met once before, continued, I stand here on the stage, as his opponent. His life and death are inextricably linked to me, not to you standing below.
Her words were laced with provocation, but she spoke the truth. The Martial Arts Tournament had always prioritized the strong, with no precedent for intervention.
If one day the tournament champion demanded the execution of someone insignificant to Prince Jin’s Manor, Prince Jin would undoubtedly grant the request without hesitation.
But he would certainly protect Zhao Ta.
Yun Jianhe clearly had no intention of arguing further with Zhu Zhenzhen. With a dismissive wave of his hand, he called out, Guards! Escort our esteemed guest to the guest chambers!
Several guards, who had been surrounding the courtyard, stepped forward and formed an impenetrable barrier around the arena.
How dare she talk back to the Young Master?
This is going to be good…
Do you think she’ll rise up and kill Zhao Ta to get revenge?
Swords aren’t allowed in the arena, but each of these guards has a saber. Besides, he’s the Young Master. The consequences of defying him…
The guards advanced steadily, their cold blades slowly closing in on Zhu Zhenzhen. She pressed her lips together, calculating her next move.
The man’s status was clearly high, judging by the fearful way the crowd spoke of him and his authority to mobilize the courtyard guards and break the rules.
Was it worth offending him just to vent her anger?
The answer was obvious. Zhao Ta was just a pawn. The actions of others present were likely even more despicable. Besides, swords have no eyes there was no need to antagonize the man over him.
Zhu Zhenzhen watched Zhao Ta being led away with cold indifference, not even shifting her stance or showing any reaction.
As she stepped off the stage, the crowd was baffled by her lack of response.
Just… just letting him go like that? They had assumed this woman possessed more backbone.
Although Zhao Ta had been forcibly taken away by Yun Guanhua, Zhu Zhenzhen, as the victor, was granted her own private chamber.
Yun Jianhe’s gaze followed her retreating figure until she closed the door, completely severing his line of sight.
He stepped into the shade of a tree, thinking, A wise move.
The other matches continued. By the time the sun had completely set, the outdoor clamor had subsided, and the bloodstains on the arena had been wiped clean, the first round of the Martial Arts Tournament concluded.
Late that night, Song Heng, lying on his couch, heard a faint rustling from the eaves. A smirk curled his lips as he turned over.
He had later slipped her a packet of mind-altering incense—the very same drug Zhao Ta had once used on others.
As the first rays of sunlight bathed the earth, those who emerged from their homes to breathe in the fresh morning air were stunned by the scene outside.
After realizing what they were seeing, they hurriedly knocked on the doors of everyone they knew, urging them to come witness the spectacle.
Word spread like wildfire, and soon a crowd had gathered around the arena.
The news quickly reached Yun Jianhe. When he arrived and saw the sight, he too froze in shock for a moment.
Zhao Ta lay slumped against a pillar, seemingly unconscious. His clothes were in disarray, and he was bound to the pillar with his arms and legs stretched straight forward, supported by bamboo poles. The arrangement mimicked a dog’s posture on all fours.
It was vulgar and absurd, yet undeniably comical.
Given the events of the previous day, it was clear who was behind this. The crowd buzzed with speculation, but the culprit was nowhere to be seen, their door tightly shut as if they were still sound asleep.
Yun Jianhe’s brow twitched. He realized he needed to send Zhao Ta back to the Prime Minister’s Manor immediately. The longer Zhao Ta remained at Prince Jin’s Manor, the more trouble would arise.
This woman’s brazen act showed she clearly held him in contempt. He would make her pay dearly for her insolence.
Zhao Ta stirred awake, his face deathly pale. Yun Jianhe pondered for a moment before ordering, Investigate this woman’s identity.
Zhu Zhenzhen yawned as she got up and opened the door. The sunlight outside stung her eyes, and she paused for a moment before glancing at the arena. It was completely empty, devoid of the figures she had seen there the previous day.
This was to be expected, though a little disappointing. She wondered how many people had witnessed the events.
Zhu Zhenzhen then knocked on Song Heng’s door and recounted everything she had seen and heard the previous night.
A handsome face soon appeared before her. Song Heng had dark circles under his eyes, suggesting he had also stayed up late.
She averted her gaze and stepped inside. Guess what I discovered while searching for Zhao Ta yesterday?
What?
He wasn’t in the rear courtyard chambers at all. He was locked in Prince Jin’s Manor’s dungeon.
Song Heng nodded he already knew this. In their previous life, Zhao Ta had been treated like a commodity, fought over by both factions because they both needed to win over the Prime Minister.
Zhu Zhenzhen’s expression suddenly turned serious. But I saw Prince Jin.
Around midnight, Zhu Zhenzhen finally located the dungeon. The locks were mere child’s play for her she could break them with a flick of her fingers. Just as she was about to carry Zhao Ta out, she heard footsteps approaching the entrance—more than one pair.
The dungeon was cramped, leaving Zhu Zhenzhen no choice but to find a spot that barely concealed her figure.
A tall figure entered. Though it was well past the hour for rest, his hair remained meticulously bound in a high crown, every strand perfectly in place. Zhu Zhenzhen squinted, studying him closely. It was said that every inch of kesi silk was worth an ounce of gold, and the hem of the newcomer’s robe was embroidered with a kesi dragon.
Yet the moment he stopped walking and stood before the cage, the golden dragon vanished as if it had never been there.
Only one man possessed such ambition.
When the man spoke, Zhu Zhenzhen experienced for the first time the unique majesty of imperial authority.
His expression remained unchanged, yet an inexplicable sense of oppression filled the air. Don’t let him escape. If he does, everyone in this dungeon will pay with their lives.
Why had Prince Jin returned to his manor at this hour? In her previous life, he had been at the palace with…
Song Heng’s pupils constricted. In his past life, he had paid no attention to the Martial Arts Tournament and was unaware of this connection. If Prince Jin had known of Zhao Ta’s existence all along, he would have established ties with the Prime Minister long before Song Heng himself.
But if Zhao Ta had been in the Prime Minister’s hands for so long, why was he still alive and on the run?
Unless…
Song Heng was horrified. The man he had painstakingly tracked down wasn’t the real Zhao Ta at all! It was a trap set by the two of them!
He had willingly delivered the gift, never suspecting its authenticity or suspecting the Prime Minister’s involvement.
No wonder things had gone increasingly wrong in his past life after sending Zhao Ta to the Prime Minister’s Manor and establishing connections with him. It turned out Zhao Ta had been in league with Prince Jin all along.
The questions that had plagued him in his past life now formed a clear line, causing his face to pale involuntarily. He was lost in memories of his past life, unable to pull himself out until a woman’s voice called his name.
Song Heng’s distracted heart tightened slightly. Her voice and jade-like face were becoming increasingly similar to Yu Mian’s, even the upward lilt at the end of her voice when she called his name was identical.