Let's Squander A Billion First!-Chapter 1665: Lord Millennia (17)

Zhu Dongfeng had just reached the main entrance, ready to knock, when the vermilion door swung open by itself, revealing the people inside.

Zhu Dongfeng was startled and turned on his heel, intending to leave.

However, in the next second, he turned back around.

He had thought she looked familiar before.

Compared to the little girl from five years ago, the current Ji Chuzheng seemed like a completely different person. Her temperament and appearance had changed significantly.

In his heart, the people of the Ji Family were already dead, and he didn’t want to recall them.

So he never even considered associating her with the Ji Family.

How Xu Jiaowei recognized her, Zhu Dongfeng wasn’t sure, but after her reminder, he suddenly matched the person to the name.

Chuzheng walked out with her hands behind her back, her cold eyes sweeping over Zhu Dongfeng: "Lord Zhu, what are you doing outside my residence so early in the morning?" Looking for trouble?

I won’t show you any courtesy.

I’m happy to provide such a service, for free, no charge, with complete discounts and gifts included.

[...]

Miss, calm down.

We are not people of society.

Please let’s be good people.

Socialistic harmonious development needs you!

Chuzheng directly shoved the King’s Account that was muttering and murmuring into a little black room, enjoying the newfound serenity and feeling much more at ease.

"Previously, the young lady saved the princess at Qingquan Temple, and I specifically came to express my gratitude," Zhu Dongfeng said, holding onto items that seemed to imply he genuinely came to show gratitude.

He meticulously observed Chuzheng; this person... she really was completely different from what he remembered.

That little girl would always call him "Brother Dongfeng" with shining eyes whenever she saw him.

Unlike now...

Her gaze was as cold as a wintry snowstorm, piercing into one’s bones when she looked at you.

Chuzheng asked coolly, "And then?"

It’s been so long, and now you come? Do you think I don’t know you have ulterior motives?

Zhu Dongfeng: "..."

Zhu Dongfeng choked for a moment and offered the items in his hands: "These are gifts of gratitude for the young lady, I hope you won’t find them unsatisfactory."

Chuzheng didn’t accept: "What does me saving the princess have to do with you? Even if thanks are due, it wouldn’t be your turn."

Zhu Dongfeng: "..."

Chuzheng spoke so bluntly that Zhu Dongfeng couldn’t find words to continue, his expression awkward.

He originally intended to use any excuse to have a closer look at her, to see if she truly was that person.

It was meant to be mere platitudes, the usual small talk, something any normal person would go along with even if puzzled, but she was so straightforward.

Zhu Dongfeng quickly gathered himself and said, "If it weren’t for your intervention, if something happened to the princess, I would face even greater punishment, so I still must thank the young lady."

"That’s truly a pity.

Zhu Dongfeng: "??"

Pity what?

Zhu Dongfeng found it difficult to communicate with Chuzheng and forced himself to exchange a few more pleasantries.

"You wanted to ask if I am Ji Chuzheng, right?" Chuzheng interrupted Zhu Dongfeng’s probing, her cold gaze piercing him.

Zhu Dongfeng’s heart began pounding wildly, the astonishment on his face belied the fact he failed to hide.

He met Chuzheng’s eyes, and in that moment it felt like being dragged into an abyss, descending in a snowstorm, limbs numb with cold.

No need for him to probe anymore...

She admitted it.

She was the one from the Ji Family.

Chuzheng’s rosy lips moved slightly: "Does Lord Zhu now have clarity in his heart?"

Her voice, clearly bright and ethereal, contained an undertone of sinister insinuation.

"You... how could you..."

Chuzheng inclined her body sideways, inviting Zhu Dongfeng inside: "Lord Zhu, how about discussing it within?"

Zhu Dongfeng: "..."

Zhu Dongfeng’s eyes were fixed on Chuzheng, as if trying to uncover some secret from her.

Probably thinking that within the premises, Chuzheng wouldn’t dare act against him, and with questions of his own, Zhu Dongfeng followed Chuzheng inside.

-

"Master, Master, something bad has happened."

A frightened servant from the Zhu Residence ran to Father Zhu.

Father Zhu was in conversation when the servant rushed in so rudely, causing him to frown and darken his expression: "What’s got you so flustered!"

"Master, you’d better go and see, Young Master, he..."

The servant pointed outside, speaking between gasps before finally making things clear.

Zhu Dongfeng was found outside, seemingly beaten, and still unconscious.

In a panic, Father Zhu rushed over, with Zhu Dongfeng already being laid on the bed, but the doctor hadn’t arrived yet.

Seeing the bruises on Zhu Dongfeng’s face, Father Zhu’s countenance immediately hardened: "How did this happen? How did he end up like this?"

"..."

Who could possibly answer that question?

Zhu Dongfeng was sent back like this.

He came back in this state, and no one knew what had transpired.

They could only wait for Zhu Dongfeng to wake up to find out.

"Where’s the doctor? Why hasn’t the doctor arrived yet!" Father Zhu shouted angrily.

"I’ve already gone to fetch him," the servant promptly responded.

Father Zhu was impatient: "Make it quick!"

Though Father Zhu had more than one son, Zhu Dongfeng was the one he most valued and was grooming as a successor.

With him in such a state now, how could he not worry?

Zhu Dongfeng was beaten into unconsciousness, causing chaos within the Zhu Residence.

The person Father Zhu had been conversing with earlier seemed to have left unnoticed, but soon the news of Zhu Dongfeng being beaten spread.

-

In the palace.

Yin Shen was focused on reviewing memorials.

The memorials were sorted into two piles: one pile, tall, contained those he deemed insignificant, while the shorter pile held more important matters.

After placing down the final memorial, Yin Shen set aside his brush and summoned someone to take the shorter pile to the Emperor.

A palace attendant carried the memorials away, crossing paths with another entering as they left, who then respectfully approached Yin Shen.

"My lord, I’ve uncovered something."

Yin Shen took a sip from his tea, raising an eyebrow slightly at the remark: "Hmm?"

That person reported, "That Miss Chuzheng seems to be a lady of the Ji Family..."

"Ji Family?" Yin Shen squinted slightly: "Which Ji Family?"

"The Ji Family that was executed five years ago."

"Oh?"

Yin Shen was somewhat surprised.

Five years ago, he hadn’t been in his current position, though he’d heard about the Ji Family’s case.

Initially a small issue, it snowballed into something much larger.

Ultimately, the entire Ji Family was implicated, prompting the Emperor to order their execution.

Yin Shen set down his teacup and, with a smirk, remarked sarcastically: "The Zhu Family only climbed to their current standing after the Ji Family fell."

The person remained silent.

Yin Shen pondered for a moment before instructing: "Investigate thoroughly, I want to know everything."

"Yes."

-

Zhu Dongfeng awoke around midnight, the movement causing the sound of cracking bones to echo in his ears, the pain making him gasp.

The servants attending to him heard the noise and rushed in immediately.

"Young Master is awake."

"Quick, inform Master."

"Young Master, how are you feeling?"

"Young Master..."

A crowd gathered around Zhu Dongfeng, and once Father Zhu arrived, the air in Zhu Dongfeng’s vicinity felt free to flow again.

"Son, how do you feel?" Father Zhu, evidently still awake, was fully dressed but appeared wearied, his expression full of concern.