With a scream, Zhang Xiaoxiao was sent flying by Ning Chuan's slap. Her cheek swelled red, blood sprayed from her mouth, and she slammed hard into the ground some distance away, looking utterly wretched.
"What?"
Shen Qingqing had been furious, but the sight left her stunned.
Ning Chuan had actually slapped Zhang Xiaoxiao?
She had been determined to stop Ning Chuan from buying Zhang Xiaoxiao's freedom, no matter what, but she had never expected him to strike so ruthlessly.
"You bitch! A few days ago, you joined forces with the Li Family Members and beat me half to death. Did you really think I didn't know? And you still dared come to the Shen family? Do you really take me, Ning Chuan, for a fool?"
Ning Chuan spoke with a cold sneer.
He knew what Zhang Xiaoxiao was plotting and suspected that someone from the Li Family had put her up to it, but he could not be bothered to play along with her.
"What? You were the bitch who plotted against my brother-in-law a few days ago? You bastard! You deserve to die!"
Shen Qingqing flew into a rage, disbelief filling her eyes.
Inwardly, she breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Ning Chuan had not been bewitched by Zhang Xiaoxiao. But learning that Zhang Xiaoxiao had been behind his severe injuries sent her anger soaring.
"Ning Lang, what are you saying? I don't understand. My love for you runs deep into my bones. How could I possibly hurt you? You really have wronged me!"
Zhang Xiaoxiao spoke with tears brimming in her eyes, her voice filled with hurt and anguish.
Yet Ning Chuan still caught the flicker of concealed venom in her eyes.
"Still refusing to admit it? Very well! Guards, drag her away and torture her for answers. Find out exactly who sent her!"
Ning Chuan spoke with a cold sneer.
"Yes!"
Several burly guards with powerful auras rushed in through the door, hauled Zhang Xiaoxiao up, and dragged her away.
Seeing that Ning Chuan meant business, Zhang Xiaoxiao completely lost her nerve and hastily screamed, "Ning Chuan, if you dare hurt me, the Li Family will never let you off! I belong to the Li Family! Let me go, let me go..."
But Ning Chuan remained unmoved and had her dragged away.
Since they're plotting against me, the Li Family may already have secretly made a move against Luo Luo. It looks like I have to visit the City Lord's Manor!
Ning Chuan thought to himself. Ignoring Zhang Xiaoxiao's screams, he headed straight outside.
"Brother-in-law, where are you going? Wait for me!"
Seeing Ning Chuan leave, Shen Qingqing hurried after him.
"What's this? You're not calling me by my name anymore?"
Ning Chuan left the Shen Residence and headed toward the City Lord's Manor. Glancing at Shen Qingqing as she followed, he spoke with a faint smile.
"Ahem... brother-in-law, I thought you and that little bitch... I was overthinking things. You did the right thing! A bitch like that deserves to be beaten to death!"
Shen Qingqing blushed and hurriedly replied.
"Don't worry. Does trash like her really think I'd be interested? Qian Xun is the one I love most. I won't do anything to betray your sister!"
Ning Chuan said it without blushing or missing a heartbeat.
"Really? Then... brother-in-law, where are you going now? You're not really going to the City Lord's Manor to buy that little bitch's freedom, are you?"
Shen Qingqing asked, only half convinced.
"I am going to the City Lord's Manor, but not to buy that bitch's freedom. If I get there too late, Zhao Luo Luo's life may be in danger!"
Ning Chuan replied with a faint smile, a cold edge glinting in his eyes.
Li Family, since you're so eager to die, don't blame me for showing no mercy!
Killing intent filled Ning Chuan's heart. He had already resolved to wipe out the Li Family once he cured Zhao Luo Luo of the god-devouring gu poison.
The City Lord's Manor.
"Young Master Ning Chuan, you're here? I was just about to send someone to notify you. I've had my people gather all the spirit herbs and treasures of heaven and earth you need!"
Zhao Songzhai was overjoyed to see Ning Chuan enter.
"City Lord Zhao, take me to Luo Luo at once!"
Ning Chuan spoke with a grave expression.
"Luo Luo? Has something happened?"
Zhao Songzhai's heart tightened.
"Let's see Luo Luo first. I hope I'm overthinking things!"
Ning Chuan shook his head as he spoke.
Seeing how serious Ning Chuan looked, Zhao Songzhai realized the gravity of the situation. Without the slightest hesitation, he led Ning Chuan toward Luo Luo's bedchamber.
Inside the bedchamber, Luo Luo lay on her bed, seemingly having just fallen asleep.
Several maids hurriedly bowed upon seeing Zhao Songzhai and Ning Chuan.
"What did you give Luo Luo?"
Seeing the trays in the maids' hands and the unfinished black medicinal decoction on them, Ning Chuan's expression changed. He shouted as he strode quickly toward Luo Luo.
With no time to worry about anything else, Ning Chuan placed two fingers directly on Luo Luo's wrist to check her pulse.
"Young Master Ning Chuan, has something happened? Luo Luo took a decoction to replenish her qi and blood. The physician in my manor personally prescribed it!"
Zhao Songzhai's expression changed, and he hurriedly asked.
Ning Chuan ignored him. As soon as he sensed the condition inside Luo Luo's body, his brows furrowed.
"They acted so quickly! How vicious-they actually dared to feed the gu parasite! It seems they mean to put Luo Luo to death!"
Ning Chuan laughed in fury, his gaze turning bone-chillingly cold.
"What?! Young Master Ning Chuan, are you saying... are you saying... there's something wrong with this medicine?"
Zhao Songzhai's face instantly turned deathly pale, and cold sweat broke out over him.
At the same time, icy fury surged in his eyes, and a terrifying aura spread from him. The maids trembled all over in fright and hastily fell to their knees.
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