Scumbag and Heartless Man

Chapter 91 Scumbag and Heartless Man

"Miss Liu, I have heard that the Prince Jing's heir has been assassinated. I have been ordered by the imperial court to come to Yuhua City to thoroughly investigate this case—"

""

Xu Guanlan came to Yuhua City for two reasons: one was for the Second Prince's personal matters, and the other was, of course, for official business!

When news of the assassination of Prince Jing's heir reached the capital, it caused an uproar throughout the court and the public, with speculation, doubt, and fear.

In any case, at this critical juncture when the relationship between Prince Jing and the Emperor is tense, the death of the only son of Prince Jing's family makes the Emperor the most suspicious person!

The truth remains unknown.

No one dared to guess!

However, the imperial court could not simply sit idly by and ignore this matter.

Xu Guanlan was chosen by the imperial court to come to Yuhua City to investigate this matter.

Ostensibly, they were there to offer condolences to the Prince Jing's residence on behalf of the imperial court, but in reality, they were there to investigate the case and provide an explanation.

At the same time, this is also a valuable opportunity for him to gain experience, which his family has secured. After gaining valuable experience in Yuhua City, he can be promoted smoothly upon returning to the capital. At that time, Xu Guanlan's position in the Xu family will be completely secure, and no one will be able to shake it.

Having just arrived, Xu Guanlan was unfamiliar with Yuhua City and had no connections. Therefore, he cast his gaze upon the willow catkins—

She is the daughter of the head of the Tianxuan Division, and also the absolute head of this Tianxuan Division branch in Yuhua City. With her assistance, this matter will be much easier to handle.

Of course, it was also a good opportunity to get closer to the First Lady's daughter.

However, after Xu Guanlan explained his identity and background, he received no response. He looked up and saw that Liu Xu at the courtyard gate was staring in another direction, her face as cold as frost, and her whole body was surrounded by a layer of coldness.

It's so cold!

Xu Guanlan looked puzzled and followed Liu Xu's gaze to the three people not far away.

What appeared was Xu Jinghong, panting and disheveled, along with a very handsome young man and a pretty young girl beside him.

The two people behind him were completely ignored by Xu Guanlan—a constable from the Tianxuan Division was not someone who could attract Liu Xu's attention.

So, is Liu Xu looking at—Xu Jinghong?!

Xu Guanlan's pupils suddenly contracted.

This thought instantly gave him a sense of foreboding.

"Miss Liu?"

Xu Guanlan suppressed his shock and unease and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Liu Xu withdrew her cold gaze, her face expressionless. Her eyes swept over Xu Guanlan and the guards behind him, glancing at the gray-robed old man.

"What just happened?!"

His tone carried a chilling, merciless edge.

Xu Guanlan's heart sank.

Willow catkins, this is the woman the Second Prince has taken a fancy to!

At the same time, she is also a crucial link in the second prince's struggle for the throne, and no accidents can be tolerated.

His purpose in coming to Yuhua City this time was not only to deliver a message to the Second Prince, but also on the Second Prince's orders to personally check whether any other men had appeared around Liu Xu.

But what Xu Guanlan is facing now is shocking and unsettling.

Xu Jinghong?!

Could it be that he and Liu Xu—

Xu Guanlan suppressed his shock and forced a smile: "There was a little misunderstanding just now—"

"I haven't seen my younger brother, Xu Jinghong, for a long time, so I came here specifically to visit him. Unexpectedly, Jinghong still harbors resentment towards me, which led to a minor altercation. I apologize for disturbing Miss Liu!"

Liu Xu listened expressionlessly, her gaze sweeping over Xu Jinghong for a moment before settling on Li Chuqiu and Jiang Ning not far away.

But then she suddenly noticed that Jiang Ning, who was originally leaning against Li Chuqiu, seemed a little scared and hid closer to Li Chuqiu—the two of them got even closer together.

The fingertips hidden under the sleeves suddenly clenched.

Meanwhile, Li Chuqiu and Jiang Ning on the other side also sensed that something was wrong.

When Liu Xu's icy gaze fell upon her, for some reason, Li Chuqiu felt a chill run down her spine—

My whole body is covered in hair!

I felt extremely uncomfortable.

Needless to say, Jiang Ning was standing next to her.

"Her eyes are terrifying—"

Jiang Ning shrank further behind Li Chuqiu, tugging at his sleeve: "It's so cold—did you offend her?!"

offend?

You know what, I really offended them!

And the offense was far more serious than just a minor one.

Recalling what happened yesterday, Li Chuqiu felt somewhat guilty.

Facing Liu Xu's cold, piercing gaze, Li Chuqiu revealed a cautious, somewhat ingratiating smile, trying her best to project an image of innocent kindness.

However, it was completely ignored!

Liu Xu coldly looked away, completely ignoring it.

The smile on Li Chuqiu's face remained stiff.

"I've long heard that Miss Liu and my younger brother Jinghong are acquainted. I've been fortunate enough to receive Miss Liu's care during my time in Yuhua City. My brother is rather immature; I wonder if he has offended Miss Liu in any way?"

Xu Guanlan spoke up, trying to find out the relationship between Liu Xu and Xu Jinghong.

However, Liu Xu's consistently calm expression made it impossible for him to discern anything.

She didn't even glance at him.

Completely ignored.

This made Xu Guanlan lose face, and at the same time, he felt increasingly uneasy.

"By the way, I wonder what Miss Liu's decision has been?"

"I am here on orders from the imperial court to investigate the assassination of Prince Jing's heir, and I hope Miss Liu can assist me in this endeavor."

Liu Xu glanced at him expressionlessly, her voice carrying a hint of impatience: "Since this matter is an order from the imperial court, it is not appropriate for our Tianxuan Division to interfere."

Xu Guanlan's heart sank.

Is this a rejection?

A shadow crossed his eyes, but it quickly dissipated.

"In that case, there's no need to trouble Miss Liu."

Xu Guanlan smiled and said, "I have important matters to attend to today. I'll visit Miss Liu again in a couple of days when I have more free time!"

Liu Xu remained unresponsive.

Xu Guanlan turned around, his gaze falling on Xu Jinghong not far away, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Then, a meaningful, cold smile appeared on his face. He said in a forced, insincere smile, "It's been a long time since we brothers have seen each other. If you're free tonight, how about we get together for a drink and catch up?"

Xu Jinghong's lips curled into a mocking smile: "No time."

Xu Guanlan's expression stiffened slightly, but he quickly recovered: "Since you're unwilling, then forget it!"

Before turning to leave, she glanced at him one last time: "Since you've chosen to stay here, then you'd better behave yourself—don't even think about things that don't belong to you."

"Otherwise, beware of impending doom!"

After saying this, Xu Guanlan left with his entourage.

Once the group had left the backyard, Xu Guanlan abruptly stopped. He looked up sharply, his voice low and menacing: "Can anyone tell me what's going on here?!"

"What exactly is Xu Jinghong's relationship with Liu Xu?!"

"What have our informants in Yuhua City been doing for the past six months?!"

At this moment, he finally revealed his true colors.

His face was contorted in a ferocious expression, and his eyes were filled with malice. At the same time, a deep sense of fear surfaced in his eyes.

The maid beside him spoke up: "Although Xu Jinghong and Miss Liu have known each other since childhood, their relationship is merely acquaintances. Our people in Yuhua City have been keeping an eye on them—according to intelligence, Xu Jinghong and Miss Liu have no other relationship whatsoever!"

"impossible!"

Xu Guanlan recalled Liu Xu's reaction just now, his whole body covered in frost, clearly showing that his emotions were extremely strong—she was angry!

Why are you angry?

—Isn't it because Xu Jinghong was injured by his men?

If they were just acquaintances, why would she get angry about this?!

Unless it is ————

Xu Jinghong is extremely important to her. Does she care about him?!

As this thought crossed his mind, Xu Guanlan's expression turned even uglier.

At the same time, a strong sense of fear emerged.

"Investigate! Investigate immediately!"

Xu Guanlan's eyes turned fierce: "We must find out exactly what happened!"

The maid beside him also realized the seriousness of the situation, and her face showed worry: "Young master, what if Miss Liu really is with Xu Jinghong—"

Xu Guanlan glanced at her with a deep, cold look in his eyes.

The maid shuddered violently, instantly understanding what was happening.

"Liu Xu is the person the Second Prince has taken a fancy to—whoever dares to lay a finger on her must die!"

A fierce glint appeared in Xu Guanlan's eyes: "Xu Jinghong—"

"He must die too!"

'

After Xu Guanlan and his group left, the courtyard quickly became deserted.

Xu Jinghong dusted herself off and bowed to Liu Xu at the courtyard gate, saying, "Thank you for your help, Miss Liu!"

Liu Xu's cold gaze fell on him, swept over him, and then looked away.

Not a word.

He turned around and went back to the courtyard.

"Miss?!"

Xiao Cui, who was standing to the side, then realized that her young mistress's aura was a little off. Why did she seem a little angry again?

Could it be that Xu Guanlan offended our young lady?

Thinking this, Xiao Cui looked out of the courtyard and landed on Li Chuqiu and Jiang Ning not far away.

That one glance made Xiao Cui's eyes widen.

Especially when she saw Jiang Ning sneaking around behind Li Chuqiu, Xiao Cui was even more incredulous. She seemed to understand something, and her face showed anger.

"Scumbag!"

"Faithless man!"

"Pah, disgusting!"

"???"

This string of angry curses left everyone present stunned.

Who are you calling a jerk?!

Jiang Ning was the first to react. Her eyes widened, and she was about to retort when Li Chuqiu stopped her, saying, "Never mind, just say less!"

"No, she insulted you, and you can tolerate that?!"

Jiang Ning was furious and immediately wanted to get revenge!

As the dignified Princess Chaoyang, who dares to speak so passionately?!

Li Chuqiu naturally didn't want the girl to escalate the situation: "Forget it, we adults are magnanimous—how could you, a dignified Princess of Chaoyang, lower your status by arguing with a mere maid?"

Jiang Ning thought it made sense.

"So you're just going to let her insult you?!"

Jiang Ning was still a little annoyed: "Why did she call you a scumbag and a heartless man?!"

"Who knows? Maybe she's mentally unstable."

Li Chuqiu remained unfazed.

"Besides, she is, after all, Deputy Commander Liu's maid; they're all on our side—"

"Who's on her side?!"

"I work for Tianxuan Division. You don't want me to lose my job because of this, do you?"

"What's so great about being a lowly Xuan Si? You might as well quit and I'll support you!"

Jiang Ning said nonchalantly, "Why don't you come to our palace and be my guard? I'll give you the best treatment, and you'll definitely have a better future than here."

"Does that mean I'm a kept man?"

"Isn't being a kept man delicious?"

"—This isn't about whether it tastes good or not. Have you forgotten what we talked about last time?"

Reminded by Li Chuqiu, Jiang Ning remembered what Li Chuqiu had said that night, and her face immediately turned slightly red.

"Oh well!"

Finally, they managed to appease this person.

"Please wait here for a moment. There might have been some misunderstanding. I'll go and talk to them."

As Li Chuqiu spoke, she stepped to the courtyard gate: "Little Cui—"

"Pah, you scumbag, you womanizing radish—don't talk to me!"

Before Li Chuqiu could even speak, Xiao Cui's eyes were filled with disdain and anger.

This scoundrel was passionately kissing his mistress in the yard yesterday, and today he actually brought another woman over to provoke her?

They were even pulling and tugging at each other in front of the lady, constantly engaging in ambiguous behavior?

Deceiving too much!

No wonder Miss was so angry just now?

If it were her, how could she possibly resist?

"If I were a prostitute, I'd stab you to death, you scumbag!"

Xiao Cui glared angrily at Li Chuqiu.

"Bang!"

Xiao Cui slammed the door shut, refusing any visitors.

"Little Cui, you've misunderstood!"

Li Chuqiu knocked on the door. "Open the door and let me explain."

"Get lost, or I'll break your legs, you scumbag!"

Xiao Cui's furious voice came from the courtyard.

Li Chuqiu:

"————"

He sighed, turned around, and met a pair of extremely astonished eyes.

Xu Jinghong glanced at the closed door, then at Li Chuqiu, and finally couldn't hold back any longer: "You didn't even spare Xiao Cui?!"

Li Chuqiu: "?"

"How could that young lady, Xiao Cui, possibly be—"

Xu Jinghong was stunned. Just now, Xiao Cui's reaction, cursing Li Chuqiu as a scumbag and a heartless man, was exactly how Li Chuqiu had betrayed her.

The next second, a thought flashed through Xu Jinghong's mind, and his gaze sharpened: "Could it be that it was you and Miss Liu—"

As if she had figured something out, Xu Jinghong was both surprised and astonished: "So, you really were lying to me? So you and Miss Liu have been having an affair all along?!"

Li Chuqiu sighed: "If Vice Commander Liu hears this, do you believe I'll break your legs?"

Xu Jinghong shrank back somewhat fearfully, glanced at the tightly closed courtyard gate, and then seemed to think of something, her eyes showing a playful expression.

He glanced at Jiang Ning not far away, his tone tinged with schadenfreude: "But you've got some nerve, kid!"

"You even dared to bring the Princess before Miss Liu, and to be so affectionate with Princess Chaoyang right in front of her—I'm truly impressed this time!"

"What do you mean by 'lovey-dovey'?"

Li Chuqiu frowned.

Xu Jinghong sneered: "You two were touching and groping each other just now, practically hugging, and you still want to deny it?!"

"Everyone present just now, who didn't see it clearly?"

"?"

At first, Li Chuqiu hadn't considered this possibility at all. But after Xu Jinghong's reminder, he recalled Jiang Ning's reaction when she was beside him earlier, and from an outsider's perspective, it did indeed seem a bit... intimate?

The smile on Li Chuqiu's face gradually disappeared.

"You mean, Vice Commander Liu saw it too?!"

"It's more than just seeing!!"

Xu Jinghong glanced at him: "Didn't you notice how awful her expression was just now?"

"I was just short of stabbing you two to death with one sword!"

Li Chuqiu:

Finished!

A