Volume One, Chapter 18: Kill Him

“Put some strength into it, haven’t you eaten?” Yang Yuqi commanded.

“Yes…” Liu Qi took a deep breath and tried to apply more pressure.

Though Yang Yuqi was battle-hardened and physically far superior to ordinary people, even the toughest body has its soft spots. If the force was too great, it would cause injury—and that would mean death for Liu Qi.

But if the force was too light, it would merely tickle Yang Yuqi unbearably, and the consequence would still be Liu Qi’s death.

Therefore, Liu Qi had to find a balance between light and heavy—enough not to tickle her, but not enough to hurt her.

This was extremely difficult, and Liu Qi could not simply ask for feedback with a touch. He had to guess her feelings solely based on her physical reactions.

That meant he had to focus entirely on her response. While Yang Yuqi might not find this demanding, for Liu Qi it was a severe test.

No matter how battle-tested or domineering Yang Yuqi was, she was still a woman, and Liu Qi was still a man.

So, it was undeniably a daunting task for Liu Qi.

Finally, Liu Qi finished wiping Yang Yuqi. Exhausted and drenched in sweat, he had nonetheless preserved his life. Throughout the process, Yang Yuqi showed no significant reaction—only occasional frowns or toes curling tightly.

Feeling a weight lifted, Liu Qi looked at Yang Yuqi, who was also damp—whether from bathwater or sweat, he couldn’t tell.

Yang Yuqi stretched languidly, her graceful figure unfolding. She slowly sat up, brushing the sweat-soaked hair from her forehead, her face flushed as she looked at Liu Qi with a trace of seduction.

This was the first time Liu Qi had seen such a feminine side of her. His heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he dared not look any longer, bowing his head immediately, fearful of wandering thoughts.

“The night grows late; I shall take my leave,” Liu Qi said, bowing.

Yang Yuqi frowned. “Dress me.”

“But it’s late…”

“I want you to dress me!” Her tone was sharp.

Liu Qi dared not disobey and fetched her undergarments, outerwear, and trousers, helping her into the clothes.

Once dressed, Yang Yuqi’s complexion returned to normal. “Pour out the bathwater.”

“But—”

“Hm?”

“Yes…” Liu Qi obeyed, emptying the wooden tub.

---

There were few servants in the Yang household, but enough to attend to Yang Yuqi. Yet she deliberately assigned Liu Qi to serve her, clearly intending to occupy his time and prevent him from leaving.

Liu Qi did not know her purpose. He only knew that if he didn’t leave soon, when the Prince of Qi questioned him, he would likely suffer harsh punishment.

After pouring out the bathwater, Liu Qi returned to the room, prepared to take his leave, only to find Yang Yuqi gone.

Panicked, he searched for her and saw a familiar carriage waiting at the gate—the luxurious carriage belonging to Sima Yun.

Sima Yun drew back the curtain and said, “It’s late. Why not return?”

As Liu Qi moved forward, Yang Yuqi’s voice came from behind: “Since you’re in my residence, you belong to me. Lord Sima, is it proper to snatch someone away like this?”

Sima Yun smiled and stepped down, approaching Yang Yuqi with composed grace.

The two women faced each other, their gazes sharp and hostile.

Liu Qi stood silently to the side.

“General Yang, he seems to be my man, does he not?” Sima Yun’s smile was laced with malice.

Yang Yuqi replied, “Does my man become yours simply because you kept him for a few days?”

Sima Yun chuckled. “Is General Yang fickle?”

“I, Yang Yuqi, never break my word. Nor did I ever say I would give him to you,” Yang Yuqi retorted.

Sima Yun said, “It seems General Yang is not only fickle but also does not dare to take responsibility.”

“What have I done that I do not dare to own up to?” Yang Yuqi stepped forward, her eyes blazing with anger.

Sima Yun maintained a confident posture, her smile concealing sharp intentions.

“Sima Yun, on that day in the tent, did General Yang hand you over to me?” Sima Yun turned to Liu Qi.

Yang Yuqi also looked at Liu Qi sharply, her tone harsh: “Tell the truth. Did I ever say such a thing?”

The two women, one on each side, stared at Liu Qi as if roasting him over a fire. He didn’t know how to answer—any response would offend one or the other.

“Sir… I…” Liu Qi was sweating profusely, struggling to find a reasonable explanation.

At that moment, another figure descended from the carriage—it was none other than the Prince of Qi.

“Sima Yun, how long do you expect me to wait?” the prince said calmly as he entered the Yang residence.

---

“Greetings, Your Highness,” Yang Yuqi bowed.

The prince nodded. “No need for formalities.”

Sima Yun said, “My lord, per your orders, I came to bring this brat back, but General Yang seems unwilling.”

The prince smiled as he looked at Liu Qi.

Liu Qi fully understood the prince’s power and immediately knelt, lowering his gaze.

If Liu Qi had any influence now, he wouldn’t fear the prince. But currently, he was nothing but a lowly servant, and his life was at their mercy.

So, he had to endure and remain hidden, like a dormant dragon.

“History shows women bring ruin to kingdoms, never men to the people,” the prince said meaningfully. “But it seems this brat will write a bold chapter in our Great Qian’s history.”

Liu Qi’s heart skipped a beat.

The prince was indeed shrewd. Despite Liu Qi’s act of weakness and lowliness, the prince seemed to sense his true nature.

Perhaps the prince merely suspected, but even suspicion could mean death for Liu Qi.

“Your Excellency, I—”

“Why the need for such insight? A mere slave? Do I need to see more?” The prince snorted. “If this brat is a menace, why not kill him? Then you two won’t have to fight over him.”

At the words, Liu Qi trembled uncontrollably.

After enduring so much, only to be undone now, was his life to end here?

How could he accept such a fate?

Yang Yuqi crossed her arms and snorted coldly. “I have no objection.”

Liu Qi’s heart sank. Clearly, Yang Yuqi did not regard him as a person; his life was utterly dispensable to her.

To avoid clashing with Sima Yun, she was even willing to consent to his death. This crushed Liu Qi’s heart.

However, unexpectedly, Sima Yun said something else: “My lord, this brat is quite clever. Wouldn’t it be a pity to kill him so easily?”