Reborn: The First Rank "Madam"

C10 – Master! You Have to Hold on

Zuo Shaoqing toyed with him on several occasions. Noticing that bystanders began to halt and observe, he feigned a stumble, acting as though he’d been knocked down. In the process, he covertly jabbed his finger into a hole on Zuo Shaoling’s knee.

A sharp pain in his knee overtook Zuo Shaoling, and he involuntarily dropped to his knees, triggering an eruption of laughter from the onlookers.

At this moment, the robust ego of Zou Second Master was deeply wounded. He glared at Zuo Shaoqing, his eyes burning with the desire to devour him whole.

“Zuo, Shao, Qing!” he bellowed, fury coursing through him. “You damned scoundrel!” Enraged, Zuo Shaoling launched himself forward, fists flailing.

Zuo Shaoqing intentionally absorbed a few blows, allowing his fair, unblemished face to take on a more vivid hue.

Zuo Shaoling’s attendant, seeing the fight intensify, attempted to intervene, but Luo Xiaoliu’s swift reflexes held him back. “Leng Sheng, intervening now is pointless. Do you have a death wish?”

Unable to free himself, Liang Sheng yelled in frustration, “Luo Xiaoliu, that’s your master!”

Luo Xiaoliu surreptitiously rolled his eyes. He was fully aware of his allegiance to his master, the very person who controlled his fate. Yet he was not oblivious; he could clearly see Zuo Shaoqing’s deliberate attempts to incense Zuo Second Master.

As the pair continued their standoff, Zuo Shaoling, in a sudden move, seized a machete someone had discarded and viciously lunged at Zuo Shaoqing.

A glint of cold determination swept through Zuo Shaoqing’s eyes. He assessed the trajectory, shifted to the left, and allowed the blade to plunge into his right chest.

Holding Zuo Shaoling’s gaze, the corners of his mouth twisted into a menacing smirk, and he deliberately leaned in closer, catching Zuo Shaoling off guard.

“Puff…” Crimson blood spattered across Zuo Shaoling’s visage, thoroughly jolting the pampered and imperious young master.

“Ah…” The audience, initially entertained, was stunned into silence. Even Luo Xiaoliu found himself shaking with fear.

“Lord Third…”

“Second Master…” Both Liang Sheng and Luo Xiaoliu rushed to the scene simultaneously. One of them offered support to Third Master Zuo, who was bleeding profusely, while the other held onto the dazed Zuo Second Master.

“San Ye, you… You must hang in there…” Luo Xiaoliu used one hand to cover the bloody wound on Zuo Shaoqing’s chest, his eyes reddened as he implored Zuo Shaoling, “Second Master, even if you don’t care for our grandfather, you shouldn’t be so cruel. He’s your own brother!”

The crowd erupted into chatter, with various speculations circulating. Some believed it was a dispute among brothers over family assets, while others speculated about romantic rivalry.

Later, when certain individuals identified the two Zuo Family elders, the conversation gradually shifted towards them.

Zuo Shaoling dropped the machete, which hit the ground with a resounding “clang.” His face grew pale as he watched the crimson stain rapidly spreading, struggling to regain his composure.

Upon hearing the commotion outside, students from the academy streamed out to investigate, and their expressions turned fearful when they witnessed the scene.

“This… What was going on? What happened to Shao Qing?”

“Shaoling… You killed people?”

“I… I never expected…” Zuo Shaoling mumbled those feeble words and then turned and fled. Observing this, Leng Meng hastily pursued him.

Realizing that more people were arriving, Zuo Shaoqing grew concerned about being discovered. He pinched Luo Xiaoliu’s waist and whispered into his ear, “Take me back to the city.”

“Master, my life is on the line!” Luo Xiaoliu held the person in his arms horizontally, disregarding decorum. “At a time like this, you’re thinking of playing tricks.”

Zuo Shaoqing feigned pain and cautioned in a hushed tone, “Lil ‘Six, are you defying fate?”

“If you die, I won’t be able to live either.”

Despite Luo Xiaoliu’s lack of brawniness, he held an advantage over Zuo Shaoqing with his two-year seniority and servant’s strength, capable of carrying a person in his arms.

Zuo Shaoqing insisted on a longer route back from the main road, allowing the entire Youuxi Town’s populace to witness his blood-soaked elegance.

Luo Xiaoliu couldn’t sway him and had no choice but to hasten his steps. However, the journey from the Academy to the Zuo Family still consumed half an hour, compelling him to frequently glance down every few steps to ensure his master’s survival.

Zuo Shaoqing donned a simple white cotton robe today. Crimson blood cascaded down from his shoulders, imparting a frightful appearance.

As they entered the yard, Luo Xiaoliu didn’t pause to catch his breath before calling out, “Nanny Liu…” “Nanny Liu…”

Zuo Shaoqing scrutinized Luo Xiaoliu’s anxious countenance with a furrowed brow. He remained uncertain whether Luo Xiaoliu fretted more for his well-being or the antidote.

Nanny Liu dashed in and beheld Zuo Shaoqing, drenched in blood. Her eyes darkened, and she swayed momentarily before regaining her composure.

“Oh my goodness…” What has happened to you? “Who could have done this?”

Of course, Zuo Shaoqing couldn’t respond. Luo Xiaoliu placed him on the bed and declared, “I’ll fetch a doctor.”

Tears welled in Nanny Liu’s eyes. Her hands trembled as she moved to extract the knife lodged in Zuo Shaoqing. Zuo Shaoqing promptly restrained her, explaining that he was waiting for the doctor.

“Right, right…” My apologies, I was momentarily confused. Just to be safe… Poor child, Lady Ruan suffered a similar injury a few days after she left…”

Zuo Shaoqing exerted his utmost control over the feeble inner energy within him, causing his pallor to deepen due to substantial blood loss. He offered reassurances to Nanny Liu a few times and later dismissed two individuals from the room when the doctor arrived.