Chapter 15: So What If I Hit You? Do You Have a Problem with That?

Shuang'er followed Ji Yin helplessly, still unsure what her young master was wandering about for.

“Well, if it isn’t the pig-riding boy! So, how did it feel yesterday to ride a pig? You might as well just make pigs your regular mount from now on.”

Ji Yin tilted his head, glancing in the direction of the voice.

Chu Ming, accompanied by several attendants, was striding over from the other side. At his words, the people nearby erupted in laughter.

Ji Yin crossed his arms and smiled faintly. “Riding a pig is a most exquisite experience—one you simply cannot imagine. Only those who have done it can truly know.”

“Pfft!” Chu Ming clutched his belly, shaking with laughter. “Then you should just marry that sow and ride her every day.”

“Master Chu, please mind your words,” Shuang'er interjected, unable to tolerate such crude remarks.

“Look, look, the useless scion of the Ji family needs his maid to stand up for him. Do you run home to the Ji manor every day and suckle from your dear mother’s breast, huh? Is that it, Young Master Ji?”

Another round of mocking laughter rippled through the crowd.

Across the street, in a superior private room on the second floor of a teahouse, sat a man dressed in regal, dark-purple robes. A bamboo curtain veiled his features, though his tall, elegant figure was plain to see.

He lifted a fine celadon teacup, taking a delicate sip.

“My lord, look,” Wu Yan murmured, gazing down at the commotion in the street.

The gentleman known as Ji turned, his slender hand lifting the curtain as he looked toward the source of the disturbance.

Inside the room, the air was thick with curling blue incense and the fragrance of tea, worlds apart from the raucous noise outside.

“Oh! Ji Yin, you dare strike me!”

Chu Ming clutched his face. This useless wretch, who couldn’t even carry a bucket of water, since when did he become so strong? Half his face was already swelling.

“So what if I hit you? Do you have a problem with that?” Ji Yin replied with a smile.

“You!” Chu Ming was at a loss for words. “Get him!” he barked at his attendants.

Shuang'er darted in front of Ji Yin. Having awakened her soul power, dealing with these lackeys would be no problem.

The attendants rushed forward menacingly, but Shuang'er floored one with a single punch! Her ferocity stunned the others—was every maid in the Ji manor so formidable?

Ji Yin grabbed a nearby carrying pole and swung it at Chu Ming’s leg. With a howl of pain, Chu Ming collapsed to his knees. Ji Yin pressed Chu Ming’s head down and sat astride his back.

“Now this is the real joy of riding a pig!”

Chu Ming was furious! Wasn’t Ji Yin treating him as nothing more than a pig?

Only now did the onlookers fully grasp what was happening, covering their mouths to stifle their laughter. Young Master Chu had never been so thoroughly humiliated!

Dreaming Ming’s face flushed purple with rage as Ji Yin sat on his back, keeping him pinned to the ground.

“Aren’t you coming to help me?”

Seeing Chu Ming subdued, his attendants rushed back, only for Shuang'er to snatch up two at once and toss them aside.

“Young master, this pig is rather obedient. Why not enjoy the ride a bit longer?”

“Indeed, indeed! Only, it’s a little too slow!”

“Ji Yin! Get off me!” Chu Ming roared in fury.

“Not moving? Seems you need a little motivation,” Ji Yin replied, utterly unfazed by Chu Ming’s outrage. He raised the pole and struck Chu Ming’s rear.

“Aw!” Chu Ming let out a wail more beast than man, and, driven by pain, began scrambling forward on all fours.

Ji Yin nodded in satisfaction. “As I thought, it just needed a bit of encouragement.”

“Ji Yin, I’ll tell my father when I get home—no, I’ll tell my sister and have the Emperor put you to death!” Chu Ming threatened.

Ji Yin lifted the pole to strike again—when suddenly, someone seized it! In an instant, she was flung aside with such force it seemed her assailant meant to smash her to pieces. Fortunately, she managed to steady herself.

Ji Yin looked up at the newcomer…