It Was A Fake Marriage, But Jiu Qian Sui Took It Seriously - Chapter 18

A group of people first went to Xiangyun Cloth Shop, the one closest to Shengjing. “Xiangyun” was the grandmother’s maiden name and a wedding gift from the grandfather. The shop’s special fabric, “Floating Light Brocade,” was invented by the grandmother and only produced in limited quantities each year.

This specialty kept the shop thriving. Manager Qian said that the current owner, Lu Yuan, was a distant relative of the lady from the Marquis household and known for being cunning.

Shen Qing Li knew it wouldn’t be easy to reclaim the shop, but if she could overcome this major challenge, the rest would be more manageable.

The current owner, Lu Yuan, was a distant nephew of the Lu family. As Nanny Su opened the curtain, Shen Qing Li saw a group of people waiting outside the shop, with Lu Yuan standing at the front. He looked to be in his twenties, dressed in simple silk robes, short, skinny, and dark-skinned, with sharp eyes.

“Owner, Lu Yuan greets you. The shop has prepared a banquet to welcome you,” Lu Yuan said, running to the carriage.

“Appearances are deceptive. Let’s see if his intentions are good,” Nanny Su whispered to Shen Qing Li.

Shen Qing Li smiled, put on a prepared veil, and remained silent. The coachman stopped and lifted the curtain. Nanny Su got off the carriage first.

“No need for a banquet. Miss is tired from the journey and needs to rest. Lu Yuan, please bring the account books to her room, and she will meet everyone tomorrow,” Nanny Su instructed.

With Chun Hua’s assistance, she stepped out of the carriage. She faced Lu Yuan and the others without hesitation. Her eyes scanned them with calmness, her demeanor exuding authority. Without saying a word, she walked toward the estate.

Lu Yuan felt uneasy; he had been the owner for five or six years and had never met Shen Qing Li. She didn’t seem as gentle as the lady had described.

Occasionally, some ladies would come to the shop to reserve Floating Light Brocade and buy other fabrics. The shop had a few quiet guest rooms for important visitors.

After a long afternoon on the carriage, Shen Qing Li was tired and had fallen asleep when Lu Yuan brought the account books.

The next day, Shen Qing Li dressed in a light blue inner robe with a thin pink outer robe, sat by the window, and checked the accounts. Lu Yuan ran in, “Owner, Owner…”

Nanny Su scolded, “Stop shouting. What’s the matter?”

Lu Yuan, out of breath, replied, “Nanny, I’m sorry, but Princess An Ning of Western Jin has come to our shop.”

Western Jin was as powerful as Great Zhou, and relations were tense. Princess An Ning, the Empress Dowager’s favorite, had come to celebrate her birthday, making her a valued guest.

“Princess An Ning is an honored guest. Serve her well. Why are you rushing to see Lady Shen?” Nanny Su asked, puzzled.

“Princess An Ning heard that the owner is the Marquis’s niece and wants to talk to her,” Lu Yuan explained.

Shen Qing Li walked out, confused.

The Marquis household was not well-known, and she, an overlooked niece, was even less significant. Why would Princess An Ning want to see her?

Nanny Su whispered to Shen Qing Li, “I heard that Princess An Ning wants to marry Jiu Qian Sui. She might know that he helped you before.”

Although the Jiu Qian Sui forbade it from spreading, there were too many people present that day. Anyone with a bit of curiosity could find out the truth with just a little inquiry.

Shen Qing Li was utterly shocked—so there was such a matter! No wonder he had suddenly distanced himself from her.

An indescribable discomfort welled up in her heart. She straightened her clothes, feigning composure, and took Chun Hua along.

Nanny Su wanted to accompany her as well, worried that this might be a trap. If that princess came with ill intentions, she didn’t want Nanny Su to witness her in a sorry state. So, she left her behind to manage the account books in the room.

Winding through corridors and walkways, they gradually left the guest quarters far behind, heading towards the mountainside.

Something felt off.

Just as Shen Qing Li turned around, a faintly sweet scent wafted into her nose. Her head spun, her vision blurred—Chun Hua had already collapsed beside her.

“You…”

Lu Yuan’s sly grin deepened, his gaunt face accentuating his high cheekbones.

She couldn’t make out what he was saying. Stumbling backward, she yanked the golden hairpin from her head and ruthlessly stabbed it into her arm.

The sharp pain jolted her mind awake, but her movements were still sluggish.

“Oh? Quite the fiery temper.” Lu Yuan chuckled darkly, stepping forward to yank off her veil.

He froze for a moment. Then, his eyes darkened with desire.

“Truly a rare beauty—far more exquisite than that Western Jin princess.”

Western Jin princess? Was this because of Jun Mo Ran? Did he want her dead?

Or was it the Lu family? Or the Marquis’?

There was no time to think. The drug was surging through her system again. Shen Qing Li gritted her teeth and stabbed her arm once more. In that fleeting moment of clarity, she turned and ran uphill with all her might.

Even with her decent martial skills, her drugged body was no match for a strong man. Lu Yuan caught up quickly.

He grabbed the corner of her pink gauze robe. Shen Qing Li clenched her jaw, disregarding her own reputation, and shed the outer garment.

Her white underclothes were now stained with bl00d—a shocking sight.

Lu Yuan held her discarded robe to his nose and took a deep breath. The unique fragrance of a young woman made his mind reel with lust. His eyes burned as he hungrily gazed at her delicate figure.

He lunged again.

Shen Qing Li suddenly turned back, using all her strength to drive the hairpin at him.

Caught off guard, the sharp tip grazed his cheek, and bl00d beaded instantly.

Lu Yuan wiped his face and saw his palm covered in red. Fury surged within him. He grabbed Shen Qing Li’s hair and delivered a vicious slap.

“Stupid b1tch! Do you even know who I am? You’re just a discarded woman that someone else didn’t want. You should be grateful I’m willing to take you!”

Her face swelled immediately, but strangely, the pain made her even more lucid.

About fifty meters ahead, a cliff loomed. If she could push him off, she might have a chance.

Lu Yuan tore her collar, the sight of her exposed collarbones making his breath hitch. Just as he was about to sink his teeth into her skin—

A sharp, brutal force struck between his legs.

The pain was excruciating.

Lu Yuan howled, clutching himself as he collapsed to his knees.

Shen Qing Li seized the chance to run toward the cliff. Lu Yuan, staggering, still managed to chase after her, cursing all the while.

Five meters… four… three…

“Ah!”

A sharp cry echoed.

To break free from Lu Yuan’s grasp, Shen Qingli threw herself off the cliff.

Lu Yuan watched her plummet, swearing under his breath. This cliff wasn’t too high—she might not be dead.

He had to send people down immediately. He couldn’t afford to let this disrupt the bigger plan.

As Shen Qing Li tumbled downward, a thought flashed through her mind.

That person had saved her life once again.

It was him who had told her—if in danger, always strike a man’s weakest point.

A debt she could never repay…

As the world spun around her, she instantly lost her consciousness.