After I traveled through the book, I fought back in the Hou Mansion

Chapter 373

"No, I can't report this to the authorities." She didn't dare take any risks; her top priority was finding a place to hide. If the authorities knew about her miserable state, the young lady from the aristocratic family in Kyoto would surely know about it. The Zhou family had shallow roots and was already looked down upon by the aristocratic families. If word got out that she had lost her name, how would her father stand up to his colleagues in the future?

She would never allow anyone to laugh at her father.

Even though she wanted to throw herself into her father's arms and cry, she had to force herself to endure it.

Luo Shuiyao saw the girl's sudden agitation, her red, swollen cheeks contorted with blood. Though her subtle expression was unclear, the urgency in her voice was palpable. Gazing at her bruised and battered body, she began to piece together the events. A moment's reflection revealed her resistance to reporting the matter to the police.

"Okay, we won't report it to the police, don't be afraid." Luo Shuiyao sighed softly and soothed in a gentle voice.

When Zhou Baozhu heard this promise, her tense heartstrings suddenly relaxed, all her persistence collapsed in an instant, her forced consciousness receded like a tide, and she fell into a deep sleep.

Luo Shuiyao waited for a long time, but when she saw no movement, she guessed that her cries for help had exhausted all her strength. Glancing around at the desolate scene, and seeing the bruises and swelling covering the girl's exposed skin, she knew it all—she had most likely been kidnapped and assaulted. Such a thing would be a catastrophic disaster for a woman, so it was no wonder she preferred death to reporting the incident to the authorities.

Thinking of this, Luo Shuiyao's heart suddenly tightened. This alley was deep and deserted. If the bad guys returned, how could the two of them, master and servant, protect themselves? But she couldn't just abandon the injured person. Gritting her teeth, she waved to her maid Xiaotao, "Xiaotao, come over and help me take the person away first."

"Miss, where are you taking her? Do you want to report to the police?" Xiao Tao asked anxiously while struggling to lift the girl.

Luo Shuiyao was torn: reporting the case to the police would catch the murderer, but it would expose her miserable experience to the public. How would she live her life in the future? She was at a loss for words and angrily urged, "Don't ask any more questions. Save the person first!"

Xiao Tao, always docile, said nothing more after hearing this, gritting her teeth and working together with her master to lift the person. Unfortunately, both of them were weak women, and the girl was limp as mud, and her wounds could not be touched. Despite their immense efforts, they were unable to lift the person. Forcibly dragging her would only worsen her injuries.

Luo Shuiyao let go of her hand, looked at Xiaotao's thin figure, then looked down at herself - she was a few years older and a little stronger, so she should shoulder this heavy responsibility. "Help her up, I'll carry her."

"Miss, you can't do that! Let me do it——"

"It's dangerous here! Stop talking nonsense! Let's go back first."

Xiao Tao heard "there is danger" and dared not refuse any longer. She quickly helped the girl onto Luo Shuiyao's shoulders. Luo Shuiyao bit her lip to steady herself, motioning Xiao Tao to support the injured woman's legs. The three of them stumbled away from this dangerous place in the hazy moonlight.

Shortly after they left, several men in black emerged from the alley. The leader, seeing the gate bolted and the darkness thick with darkness, felt a wave of fear, figuring that neither the slut nor the young lady could escape. He gestured for the others to throw torches into the courtyard. The dry grass caught fire, erupting in a blazing flame. Tongues of flame, swirling with thick smoke, quickly engulfed the courtyard. Fearing the fire might attract investigation, the men dared not linger, disappearing into the darkness.

[End of previous life paragraph]

……

Luo Shuiyao and the others had spent the night at the Right Prime Minister's residence. Compared to her own simple courtyard, the residence was exquisitely furnished, the soft bed covered with warm velvet bedding, indescribably cozy. She had never been particular about her bed, and last night, she had slept dreamlessly and soundly. The next morning, a faint golden light filtered through the carved window lattices, gently waking her from her slumber.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she learned from Chuntao that Du Lingfeng had come early today and was practicing sword in the yard.

"Why didn't you wake me up earlier? You made me wait for so long!" Luo Shuiyao quickly got up and blamed him while putting on her clothes.

"Miss, you are wronged!" Chun Tao said a little aggrievedly, "It was the Master who didn't let me wake you up."

Luo Shuiyao put on her clothes and patted her shoulder: "Okay, I don't blame you. But remember, if there is a next time, you must tell me, don't listen to the young master."

Chuntao nodded, relieved to see that the young lady wasn't really angry. After giving her a quick wash, the master and servant left.

Du Lingfeng was currently dancing with a sword beneath the blossoming trees in the courtyard. The blade's light flowed gracefully like snow in the wind. His sword technique wasn't brutal or overbearing; instead, his movements were like gentle rain, gently wetting the earth. Where the blade passed, even the petals on the branches trembled slightly, swirling and falling with the sword's force. This sword spirit perfectly mirrored his own personality—gentle and shy, yet revealing a gentlemanly demeanor.

Luo Shuiyao stood under the corridor, quietly watching the figure dancing with a sword under the flower tree, without making a sound to disturb him.

Du Lingfeng finished his sword technique when he noticed her gaze. He then handed the sword to the servant, Abao, and looked up at her. He had actually seen Luo Shuiyao standing there, but this family sword technique required a continuous flow, with no pauses, so he didn't stop until the sword force was fully concentrated.

Seeing a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, Luo Shuiyao took out a silk handkerchief and stepped forward. She wanted to hand it to him, but Du Lingfeng mistakenly thought she wanted to wipe it himself, so he subconsciously lowered his head and bent down, his posture obedient but also a little clumsy.

Her fingertips paused slightly, but she couldn't withdraw her hand. She could only gather her thoughts and gently wiped the sweat off his face with her handkerchief: "Brother, you came so early today, why didn't you ask someone to wake me up?"

"Mom said not to disturb your rest." Du Lingfeng bent over, letting Luo Shuiyao wipe the sweat from his forehead. He spoke without stumbling today, replying to Luo Shuiyao fluently.

Luo Shuiyao smiled, folded the handkerchief, and put it away. Hearing his answer, she knew that the Right Prime Minister's wife was concerned for her, and she would not let down such a kindness. She then looked up at the sky and said, "It's getting late now, brother. Have you had breakfast yet?"

Before Du Lingfeng could reply, A Bao, who was standing by, handed his sword to another servant and came over. "Miss, the young master hasn't had breakfast yet. Madam has already sent someone over to tell you to go to the front hall and eat together after you get up. I've already sent a servant to the front yard to inform you. Let's go now."

It wasn't that A Bao didn't understand hierarchy, but Du Lingfeng always didn't answer a single question out of ten. A Bao was afraid that his son would displease the questioner, so he developed the habit of answering before him.

Luo Shuiyao nodded: "Then let's go quickly, but don't keep parents waiting for too long."

Du Lingfeng had been standing quietly by the side. Upon hearing this, he reached out and grabbed Luo Shuiyao's sleeve, leading her forward. Luo Shuiyao didn't struggle, and following his force, the brother and sister walked towards the dining hall. Behind them, Abao, Chuntao, and Chunxing hurried to catch up.

In the dining hall, the right prime minister sat at the dining table. He looked as calm as ever, but if someone looked closely, they could see a hint of resistance in his eyes.

The only person who could see his true emotions didn't even look at him at this moment, but just looked out the door from time to time.