Chapter 193: A Narrow Escape

Change? Change what?

Lei Qing was stunned. Did they really want to change already? Did he have to call her “Wife”? Or “Madam”?

No, no. They hadn’t even held the wedding ceremony yet. Calling her that would be too reckless. Lei Qing pondered for a moment and made up his mind. He tightly grasped Zhu Xiyu’s hand and stammered, “Xiyu, I will treat you well in the future and won’t let you suffer any grievances.”

Guan Fei nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. What kind of weird title was that? He glared fiercely at Lei Qing, annoyed, “Xiyu? Is she someone you can just call like that?” Seeing Lei Qing’s wretched state, Guan Fei was anxious inside and almost wanted to choke him to death.

“Third Brother-in-law, please don’t blame Qing’er. He has never addressed anyone like this in his life. It’s his first time, so he is naturally shy and hesitant.” Zhu Xiyu was gentle and understanding, but her small hand was held tightly by Lei Qing, which felt strange. Although Lei Qing had agreed that everyone considered them mother and son, he was still a young and handsome man. Even Dongfang Cangqiong always treated her with courtesy and respect.

“What is there to be shy about? You have to call her, right? Xiyu, you can’t spoil him too much, or you will have a hard time in the future.” Guan Fei grinned, “Lei Qing, be a man. Don’t act like a woman. Hurry up and call her. After you do, Uncle will buy you candy.”

Lei Qing rolled his eyes and glared at him angrily. You are the one acting like a woman. Forget it, death is certain anyway. He would just call her. After all, apart from being a married woman, Zhu Xiyu had no flaws. Although she was older, she looked about thirty, mature, graceful, and charming. He felt he had struck gold. Lei Qing steeled his heart and secretly said, “I’ll risk it.”

Just as Lei Qing was about to open his mouth to call her “Wife,” a loud voice from outside interrupted him. “I am Wan Yongxing, seeking an audience with Little Guanyin.” His tone sounded somewhat subservient.

“Hmph. This Wan Yongxing looks honest on the outside, but his words are slippery.” Guan Fei sneered, “Xiyu, let’s give him the cold shoulder first. We shouldn’t let the Wan Family Fort look down on us, Marquis Zhu Residence.”

Zhu Yuer and Zuo Qianqian did not quite understand that brief exchange. However, after a moment of thought, Lei Qing understood what Guan Fei meant. If the leader of a major power, Wan Yongxing, came to seek an audience with the Divine Sword Villa and Marquis Zhu Residence after being threatened, it would lower his status and weaken the reputation of Wan Family Fort.

But he cleverly changed the subject, saying he only wanted to see Little Guanyin, who was famous for her kindness. No matter how low his posture, people would only think Wan Yongxing was courteous and respectful of Zhu Xiyu.

Moreover, as long as Zhu Xiyu herself calmed down, Marquis Zhu Residence would not insist on fighting Wan Family Fort. Even if they fought, Marquis Zhu Residence was indeed powerful, but Wan Family Fort was not to be trifled with.

“As the head of the family, many things are out of one’s hands.” Zhu Xiyu had a kind heart. She sighed, “Since Qing’er is fine, it is better to resolve conflicts than to create enemies. We should not anger Wan Family Fort too much. Third Brother-in-law, please invite him in.”

Guan Fei could not refuse Zhu Xiyu. Although he was dissatisfied with Wan Family Fort, he followed her orders and invited Wan Yongxing in.

Lei Qing looked at Wan Yongxing. He was tall and burly, with a dignified face and eyes that were upright and not crooked. He indeed looked honest and honest-looking. However, judging people by appearance was a taboo. Lei Qing would not judge a person solely by their outward appearance.

As soon as Wan Yongxing entered, he took a very low posture and bowed deeply to Zhu Xiyu. “This humble Wan pays his respects to Little Guanyin. I have come to apologize on behalf of my younger sister.”

“Fort Master Wan need not be so polite.” Zhu Xiyu, gentle and well-mannered, curtsied softly and said, “As for apologizing, it is not necessary. I was not harmed in the slightest.”

Although Zhu Xiyu had a quiet nature and disliked fighting, she came from the prestigious Zhu Family and had been married to the Villa Master of Divine Sword Villa for years. It was absurd to say she had no skills. Her soft yet firm response rejected Wan Yongxing’s insubstantial verbal apology, clearly showing she did not accept it easily.

Wan Yongxing knew this would not be simple. He chuckled and turned to Guan Fei, cupping his hands with a smile. “I heard that my young brother Guan recently killed Dong Wu, the bully of Dingzhou. It was truly satisfying and earned my extreme admiration.”

“Old Wan, spare me this routine.” Guan Fei played the villain again, sneering, “You must have understood the situation before coming over. I won’t waste words. Speak, how do you want to handle this? Should we resolve it internally within the Alliance, or should we display our strength?”

Both Divine Sword Villa and Marquis Zhu Residence held higher status within the Free Alliance than Wan Family Fort. If the two joined forces, Wan Family Fort definitely could not withstand the attack.

Facing Guan Fei’s aggression, Wan Yongxing could only give a helpless bitter smile. “The matter was indeed my younger sister’s fault. But everyone saw it at that time. She was greatly shocked, lost control of her emotions, and went mad. I have already ordered her to be strictly guarded. Young Brother Guan, Madam Dongfang. My younger sister suddenly received tragic news, and then this horrific report exploded. I was also struck by lightning.” Speaking of this, his face showed a mournful expression.

“Hmph, Old Wan, stop acting pitiful and seeking sympathy here.” Guan Fei snorted coldly, “The situation now is that my Marquis’s daughter and the Villa Master’s wife of Divine Sword Villa almost died by your crazy sister’s hands. Not only that, your sister shouted and falsely accused our Zhu Family of killing her lover. How do we calculate these accounts?”

Wan Yongxing had anticipated this before coming. Since a major mistake had almost been made, he definitely needed to pay a price to settle it. However, he did not want to be completely at their mercy and hoped to lose as little blood as possible. Immediately, Wan Yongxing put on a bitter expression. “Brother Guan, this matter was indeed a mistake made by my Wan Family Fort. As the Fort Master, I will not deny it. How about this? Divine Sword Villa and Marquis Zhu Residence, I will gift each of you three hundred sets of full-body iron armor to show my comfort.”

Gift three hundred sets of iron armor? Lei Qing’s eyes turned green. That was three hundred full sets, given for free. Wan Family Fort sold full-body iron armor to outsiders for about two hundred gold coins per set. If you didn’t have a good relationship, you couldn’t even buy it. Three hundred sets were sixty thousand gold coins. Two sets of three hundred were a total of 120,000 gold coins.

Major powers were indeed major powers. Their gestures were so generous. However, Lei Qing was not included. In fact, Lei Qing was the real victim, almost beaten to death by Wan Zhilan with one palm strike.

But the world was like this. Only with strength did one have the right to speak and gain respect. Divine Sword Villa and Marquis Zhu Residence were both tough opponents. Only then would Wan Yongxing apologize so subserviently. If the faction was far weaker than Wan Family Fort, what if they were beaten to death by Wan Zhilan? Whether to compensate was just a word for Wan Yongxing. He naturally did not put Lei Qing on his list, nor did he care about the Iron Cavalry Regiment.

Although Wan Yongxing seemed sincere, Guan Fei was not happy. He shouted angrily, “Old Wan, you are truly not honest. If Lei Qing had not risked his life to save us this time, your Wan Family Fort would have caused a major disaster. When the three parties fought, it might have triggered a civil war within the entire Alliance. With such great merit and contribution, you didn’t say a word? Besides, Lei Qing came to your Wan Family Fort at someone’s request to deliver a letter to your sister. Even if there is no merit, there is effort, right?”

Wan Yongxing finally looked at Lei Qing with normal eyes, chuckled, and cupped his hands, saying, “I haven’t finished speaking just now. This matter was thanks to young brother Lei. I have read young brother Lei’s intelligence reports before. How about this? To express my gratitude, you can choose weapons and equipment worth ten thousand gold coins from our Wan Family Fort at will.”

Hearing this, Lei Qing understood that the Divine Craftsman Wan Yongxing did not look down on him but held a great grudge. It was understandable to think about it. His biological son Wan Liyun’s engagement with Li Baobao was almost ruined by him, and there was still no clear answer to this day.

Secondly, if Lei Qing had not delivered the letter this time, how could her sister have gone mad? Such a disgusting and messy thing happened.

Thirdly, as soon as he entered Wan Family Fort, he slapped them hard, beat their juniors, and won a precious Heart-Cleansing Pendant.

If he did not resent or hate them, that would be strange.

Of course, this resentment was based on the huge difference in strength and status between the two parties. If Lei Qing were a Holy Rank powerhouse from Eternal Life Palace or Moon Cold Palace, Wan Yongxing would definitely not dare to look down on him.

Ten thousand gold coins? Treating me like a beggar? Lei Qing appeared calm on the surface but sneered inside. Although saving Zhu Xiyu was his own will, he had indirectly saved Wan Family Fort, right? If Zhu Xiyu had really died in Wan Zhilan’s hands, both Divine Sword Villa and Marquis Zhu Residence would have no choice but to fight to the death with Wan Family Fort.

Lei Qing was angry, and even the usually kind-hearted and good-tempered Zhu Xiyu was angry. She thought to herself, “Am I, Zhu Xiyu, worth only ten thousand gold coins?” She sneered repeatedly, “Fort Master Wan really values me, Zhu Xiyu, and my godson, Lei Qing.”

Godson? Wan Yongxing’s face changed. He stared at Lei Qing in surprise. How did this annoying young man named Lei become Zhu Xiyu’s godson in the blink of an eye?

But what surprised Lei Qing even more was him. His heart stirred with turbulent waves. Godson? His mouth twitched. Was this a joke? So, after all this tossing and turning, they wanted him to acknowledge a godmother? Damn you, Guan Fei. Why did you speak so ambiguously? He almost called her “Wife” for real.

Phew, that was a narrow escape. If he had really called it out then, even Zhu Xiyu’s good temper would have wanted to slap him to death.

……