Countless sorrows and myriad emotions

Xu Jin glanced at Li Bai, and as Xu Ziyan stepped out from behind Meng Haoran, she furrowed her willow-shaped brows and explained, “No, brother, it’s not like that at all!”

“You can’t arrest him!” Chen Yage blocked Li Bai, her eyes unwavering and fearless.

Xu Jin sneered, “Can’t I? Give me one good reason why not. A life for a life is the most basic principle of justice!”

“No, I won’t let you take him! If you insist on arresting him, you’ll have to ask my sword first!” With a swift movement, Chen Yage snatched the sword from You Huan’s hand. Her resolute voice and determined gaze made Li Bai’s heart falter for an instant.

“Seize him!” Xu Jin ignored Chen Yage’s protest altogether, his gaze turning cold as he gave the order.

Chen Yage was determined to fight to the end. Li Bai caught her right hand just as she was about to draw her sword, shook his head gently, and signaled her not to act recklessly. He added, “Yage, forgive me, but from now on you must take care of yourself.”

Chen Yage didn’t want Li Bai to surrender so willingly, but she also didn’t want to defy his wishes. She dropped the sword from her hand and said calmly, “I killed him. Arrest me instead.”

Everyone froze in shock. Li Bai retorted angrily, “What nonsense is this? I was the one who killed him. Take me!”

“It was me, I killed him!” “It was me, don’t listen to her. I’ll go with you, just don’t trouble them!”

“No, you can’t take him!”

“That’s enough. Brother Meng, please take care of her for me!” After a heated exchange, Li Bai finally followed Xu Jin with a look of grim resolve. You Huan stood rooted to the spot in guilt; if it hadn’t been for him, Wang Fugui would not have died. The greatest blame for this death fell squarely on his shoulders.

With a metallic clang, Chen Yage’s sword fell to the ground.

“I’m sorry, I’ll turn myself in. I’m the one who killed him.” You Huan looked at Chen Yage, guilt written all over his face. In those exchanged glances between her and Li Bai, he had seen a bond unlike any other—such deep affection, who could fail to notice it?

“Stop!” Chen Yage called after You Huan, “Even if you confess, they may still not release Brother Bai. Besides, Wang Fugui brought this upon himself. Let’s think of another way.”

“But do we have another way? If we can’t find a solution, your Brother Bai will die unjustly,” You Huan said anxiously. He was responsible for the killing—even if not entirely, most of the blame lay with him.

Meng Haoran finally came to his senses and said calmly, “Don’t act rashly, or you’ll not only fail to save Brother Li, but also put yourselves in danger. As for rescuing him, we must consider our options carefully.”

Xu Ziyan agreed, “Brother Meng is right. Don’t panic. That young man only killed Wang Fugui by accident to save me. Besides, he’s my father. If I plead with him, perhaps he’ll listen.”

Xu Ziyan’s words gave Chen Yage a glimmer of hope. Her eyes lit up with joy. “I’ll go find Dujuan. She’ll definitely help us. Ziyan, go and plead with your father, beg him to release Brother Bai. There’s no time to lose—let’s hurry to the Xu residence!”

No sooner had she spoken than the group rushed into the Xu residence. They didn’t find Dujuan first, but instead ran into Master Xu, who was waiting for them in the main hall with many servants. As soon as they entered, they were summoned to the hall.

“Father!” Xu Ziyan called softly, a faint smile on her face as she walked toward Master Xu.

“Now you remember I’m your father? Why do you defy me time and again?” Master Xu’s face was dark as he shook off her hand.

Dujuan, standing beside Master Xu, tugged at his sleeve with a sweet, innocent smile. “Father, don’t be angry. Sister came back safe and sound, didn’t she? Please, calm down, calm down!” As she spoke, Dujuan offered him a cup of tea she had already prepared.

Perhaps out of guilt, Master Xu treated Dujuan with great affection. Seeing her radiant smile, half his anger faded, though he still glared at Xu Ziyan. “If only you were half as obedient as your sister, I wouldn’t have so many worries. I’ll let this incident pass, but from now on, you are not to leave the Xu residence without my permission. Do you understand?”

Xu Ziyan saw his attitude soften and grew bolder. Chen Yage wasn’t sure if Dujuan knew about Li Bai’s arrest and, seeing there wasn’t an easy way to bring it up, thought it best for Xu Ziyan to explain.

Before Chen Yage could signal her, Xu Ziyan stepped forward and said, “Father, I was wrong this time. I promise not to leave the Xu residence again without your permission. But I have a request—please grant it!”

“What is it? Speak and let me hear it first,” he replied.

Suddenly, Xu Ziyan knelt down, her tone unyielding. “If you won’t agree, I won’t get up.”

“Speak, then! If you’re being unreasonable, I absolutely won’t agree.” Master Xu’s tone was stern and less composed than before.

Dujuan, truly unaware of Li Bai’s arrest, stepped forward to help Xu Ziyan up and said, “Sister, tell us what it is. Father will agree, trust me!”

“Father, I beg you to release the young man surnamed Li. If Young Master Wang hadn’t insulted me first, that gentleman would never have killed him by mistake. Besides, it was Wang who attacked us first—we were only forced into it...”

Master Xu’s expression changed dramatically. Apparently, Xu Jin had not yet told him about Wang Fugui’s death. He roared, “What did you say? Young Master Wang is dead? And you killed him? Do you have any idea what a calamity you’ve brought upon us? Do you not know the Wang family’s background? Utterly outrageous!”