Innocence

Fang Yue looked somewhat bewildered at You Sisi beside him. The latter suddenly stepped forward, separating Fang Yue and Ming. Standing between them, she looked down at the petite Ming and said coldly,

"I won't let Nightshade go to a place like that!"

A place like that? So, a brothel?

Fang Yue furrowed his brows slightly.

Ming was a girl. Why did she want me to accompany her to a brothel?

But that wasn't important.

Fang Yue gently patted You Sisi, motioning for her to move back, then looked calmly at Ming.

"Miss Ming, I'll decide for myself whether to go to Cuckoo Bird Tower. But today, you have to give me an explanation."

Ming seemed to have expected this. She chuckled. "And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll have to invite you to stay at the Seventh Prince's Mansion for a few days."

As if she'd heard a joke, Ming couldn't help giggling.

"Hehehe! So Lord Ye's going to use force? By all means, give it a try. I came prepared today—"

Before Ming could finish, a blur shot forward. Fang Yue grabbed her by the throat.

A sharp pain shot through her neck. With a gasp, her entire field of vision rose—Fang Yue had lifted her into the air by the throat with one hand.

Eyes wide and face flushed red with fury, Ming kicked wildly, but it was as if she were kicking a steel plate. Fang Yue didn't budge.

"Nightshade?!"

"...Let her go!"

Two voices rang out almost simultaneously.

A sword appeared against Fang Yue's neck, its blade pressed close.

The icy touch reminded Fang Yue just how sharp it was.

But he merely glanced at the handsome man in red who had suddenly appeared beside him, then said slowly, "Move your sword an inch closer, and