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This was the second time Ren Yaohua had seen Zeng Kui, but perhaps because she had heard Ren Yaoqi speak of those matters concerning Zeng Kui, Ren Yaohua felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze.
Though the two were currently in marriage discussions, strictly speaking, they could not be considered acquainted.
So after glancing at him, Ren Yaohua averted her gaze and intended to walk past him. In her view, greetings were unnecessary between two strangers who had never even spoken.
However, the other party clearly did not share this sentiment.
Seeing Ren Yaohua once again ignore him and prepare to leave, Zeng Kui reached out to block her path. Tilting his head, he smiled and looked at her, saying, "Third Miss Ren, we meet again."
The gesture carried a touch of youthful playfulness. If someone else had done it, it might have been somewhat endearing, but on Zeng Kui, it felt somewhat overwhelming.
Ren Yaohua frowned, not sparing him any courtesy as she said, "I don't recall knowing you."
Zeng Kui seemed somewhat surprised by her words, but the interest in his eyes only grew stronger. He even bowed very politely to Ren Yaohua and said, "Please forgive my presumption. We did not speak during our last meeting, so indeed we cannot be considered acquainted. I am Zeng Kui. My father is Zeng Pu, and we are from the capital. We arrived in Yanbei not long ago."
Zeng Kui's demeanor truly did not seem like that of a person with a disability. Ren Yaohua couldn't help but glance at him again.
To be honest, this version of Zeng Kui also did not resemble the dark, cruel person Ren Yaoqi had described. If one ignored the scar on his face and that dead-fish eye, Zeng Kui was no different from the other young men studying at Yunyang Academy.
One does not strike a smiling face. Ren Yaohua's expression softened slightly, and she nodded. "Greetings, Young Master Zeng."
Zeng Kui smiled and took a step closer, not shying away from the frightening scars on his face. He stared at Ren Yaoqi and asked in a gentle tone, "Has Third Miss Ren come to worship the Buddha today, or to partake in the vegetarian meal?"
The scars on his face were hideous and terrifying, yet his tone of voice was unusually soft. The contrast created a somewhat eerie scene. At the very least, Xiangqin was so frightened she took a step back, earning a fierce glare from Wujing, even though Wujing's own face had paled from fear.
Ren Yaohua, however, remained expressionless. She looked at Zeng Kui and said calmly, "Both to worship the Buddha and to partake in the meal. My sister is waiting for me to return. Young Master Zeng, I must take my leave." Her manner made it clear she had no intention of further conversation with Zeng Kui.
Zeng Kui narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled and took half a step back. Ren Yaohua thought he was making way for her and was about to walk past him when, unexpectedly, Zeng Kui suddenly raised his hand and grasped Ren Yaohua's wrist.
Ren Yaohua was stunned for a moment. Upon recovering, she yanked her wrist back with force. Although his grip was through her sleeve and did not touch her skin, for some reason, the moment Zeng Kui made contact, she felt a chilling coldness emanating from his strength. Though it lasted only an instant, it sent a shiver down Ren Yaohua's spine.
Just as Ren Yaohua was forcefully pulling her wrist back, and Xiangqin and Wujing stepped forward angrily, ready to intervene, Zeng Kui suddenly and without warning released his grip. Ren Yaohua, caught off guard by the force of her own pull, nearly stumbled and fell. Fortunately, Wujing was standing beside her and quickly caught her.Ren Yaohua's expression of shock and anger, along with the hostile glares from her maids, seemed to amuse Zeng Kui. He clapped his hands and laughed heartily, as if Ren Yaohua and her maids' reactions were the most entertaining thing.
After steadying herself, Ren Yaohua said coldly, "What do you mean by this?"
Hearing this, Zeng Kui stopped laughing, though he couldn't help panting slightly as he replied, "Nothing much. I just find your reaction amusing. Since I touched your hand, I'll take responsibility."
He delivered the last sentence in a teasing tone.
Ren Yaohua retorted angrily, "Nonsense! I think you're seriously ill. Did you take your medicine before going out?"
Zeng Kui had an eccentric temperament, and Ren Yaohua's insults didn't anger him. Instead, they made him burst into laughter again.
Seeing that he was indeed not a normal person, Ren Yaohua didn't want to engage with him any further. With a stern face, she turned to leave, but Zeng Kui shifted his steps and followed her.
Ren Yaohua was at a loss with such a person. He didn't care if she scolded him, and she couldn't hit him. To make matters worse, they were in a long, narrow passage between two temple halls, where few people passed by. Zeng Kui could act without restraint, unafraid of anyone interfering.
Xiangqin and Wujing, fearing Zeng Kui might lay hands on Ren Yaohua again, immediately stepped forward to shield her on either side. They glared at Zeng Kui defensively, as if ready to pounce on him at the slightest move. In their loyalty to protect their mistress, the two maids even ignored the disgusting scars on Zeng Kui's face.
But Zeng Kui acted as if he didn't see them. When Ren Yaohua walked forward, he followed. When she stopped, he stopped too, still wearing a cheerful grin.
Ren Yaohua couldn't help but feel troubled. With no one around now, if others saw them like this in a crowded place, they would surely misunderstand their relationship. In that case, Ren Yaohua wouldn't be able to clear her name even if she jumped into a river.
As they were about to exit the passage, Ren Yaohua finally lost her patience and snapped, "Young Master Zeng, please show some self-respect! Why are you following me like this?"
Zeng Kui laughed and said, "This path isn't yours. You walk your way, and I'll walk mine. What's wrong with that?"
Ren Yaohua suppressed her anger and asked, "Then, may I ask if you want to walk ahead or behind? I'll let you go first, alright?"
Zeng Kui looked at Ren Yaohua and smiled, his scars appearing even more terrifying and repulsive. He spoke slowly and gently, enunciating each word, "I say no! I'll walk however I please. You'll become my wife sooner or later anyway, so what's wrong with walking together? Are you afraid of what others might say?"
Before Ren Yaohua could react, Xiangqin flew into a rage. Regardless of Zeng Kui's status, she cursed, "Pah! You wish! Our young lady would never marry someone like you! Get lost already, you're disgusting!"
The word "disgusting" caught Zeng Kui's attention. He turned to look at Xiangqin, scrutinizing her from head to toe, then licked his lips and said with a smile, "Is this your maid? She's quite pretty."
The timid Xiangqin was so frightened she nearly collapsed to the ground.
This time, Ren Yaohua was truly furious. How outrageous! He even dared to flirt with her maid!
Ren Yaohua had always been quick-tempered and reckless. It was only in the past two years, with Ren Yaoqi constantly keeping an eye on her, that she had improved somewhat.However, even the most patient temperament would be provoked by Zeng Kui's teasing, let alone Ren Yaohua, whose nature was far from gentle.
She was about to lose her temper with Zeng Kui when she heard a low, familiar male voice behind her say, "Third Miss Ren, what are you doing here? I just saw Fifth Miss Ren asking the temple monks about your whereabouts."
Ren Yaohua turned around abruptly and saw Lei Ting, the head of the Lei Family.
Ren Yaohua hadn’t expected to encounter Lei Ting at such a moment. She was being pushed to the brink by Zeng Kui, and running into an acquaintance while in such a disheveled state inevitably made her feel awkward.
Still, the shock of meeting Lei Ting helped ease the anger Zeng Kui had stirred in her. She took a deep breath to steady herself, turned, and bowed her head in a respectful curtsy to Lei Ting.
Lei Ting’s sudden appearance interrupted Zeng Kui’s amusement. Zeng Kui narrowed his eyes, sizing up Lei Ting with a half-smile, as if assessing the man before him.
The fabric of Lei Ting’s attire that day was rather ordinary, offering no clue to his status, yet he carried the composed and steady demeanor of a mature man.
Lei Ting and Zeng Kui had never formally met and were essentially strangers, so after a brief glance, Lei Ting averted his eyes as if he didn’t recognize him.
Ren Yaohua had now completely calmed down. For some reason, she recalled what Lei Ting had said to her the last time they met. She knew she couldn’t afford to cause a scene with Zeng Kui here.
Zeng Kui had nothing to lose, but Ren Yaohua had to consider the reputation of her mother and younger sister in front of Lady Xu and the other ladies and young misses. She also knew how difficult it had been for Madam Li to integrate into the social circles of these ladies in Yunyang.
If she were to make a scene with Zeng Kui here, she might indeed end up with no choice but to marry him, just as he had threatened.
She couldn’t help but step closer to Lei Ting and whisper, "I got separated from my younger sister and the others. Where did you see her just now, Master Lei?" Her voice held an unusual softness.
Lei Ting glanced at her and nodded. "I happen to be heading that way as well. Let’s go together."
Ren Yaohua was eager to escape the madman Zeng Kui as quickly as possible and hurriedly replied, "Then I’ll trouble you, Master Lei."
Lei Ting nodded again and led Ren Yaohua away. Whether intentionally or not, he blocked Zeng Kui’s line of sight toward Ren Yaohua.
Zeng Kui watched as the two walked past him without so much as a glance, his eyes lingering on Lei Ting’s retreating figure for a long moment before he grinned. His smile, however, carried an indescribable chill.
Once Ren Yaohua had followed Lei Ting out and finally shaken off Zeng Kui, she breathed a sigh of relief and formally curtsied to Lei Ting in gratitude.
"Thank you, Master Lei."
Lei Ting nodded, then glanced back thoughtfully at Zeng Kui, who had emerged from the narrow path behind them. Zeng Kui merely smiled at them before turning and leaving. There was a deeper meaning—or perhaps malice—in that smile.
After a moment’s reflection, Lei Ting advised Ren Yaohua, "Third Miss Ren, it would be best to bring more maidservants with you when you go out in the future. Although your maids are loyal and protective, they may not be able to handle unscrupulous troublemakers."Ren Yaohua also knew that she couldn't always happen to encounter Lei Ting as she did today. Fortunately, she met Lei Ting today—his composure helped her calm down immediately, preventing the situation from escalating.
Thinking back now, Zeng Kui might have deliberately provoked her with his words and actions, wanting to see her make a fool of herself.
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