Chapter 273
Chapter 273
“You shameless pretty boy! You’re a physician, yet you bullied my sister and refuse to take responsibility. You’re marrying her today, or you’re not going home!”
Wang Yunzhu’s brother, Wang Dayong, sprayed spittle as he berated Shen Qingzhu. Beside him, Wang Yunzhu sobbed as though she had suffered a terrible injustice.
People who did not understand the situation began pointing at Shen Qingzhu.
“Such a handsome man. How could he do something like that?”
“You can’t ruin a young woman’s chastity and walk away.”
That was precisely the effect the siblings wanted.
Wang Yunzhu looked pitifully at Shen Qingzhu. “Shen, my love, I know you don’t care for me. But… but now you’re the only man I can marry.”
Jiang Yunsui stood in front of Shen Qingzhu with her small arms spread wide and shouted in her childish voice.
“You’re lying! Shen Qingzhu isn’t like that at all. You’re the shameless ones trying to force yourselves on him!”
Wang Yunzhu glanced at Jiang Yunsui and thought that once she married Shen Qingzhu, she would have to find a way to dispose of this child.
“Shen, my love…”
“Shut up,” Shen Qingzhu said.
He took Jiang Yunsui’s hand. His normally gentle eyes were icy as he regarded the siblings.
“I have practiced medicine for years and saved many people, but this is my first encounter with anyone as shameless and ungrateful as you.”
Wang Dayong flew into a rage and rolled up his sleeves for a fight.
“Who are you calling shameless? Who forced herself on you? A real man owns up to what he’s done! So what if you’re a physician? Does that mean you can have intimate contact with my sister and refuse responsibility?”
Shen Qingzhu asked calmly, “Who saw me have intimate contact with her? Do you have evidence?”
“Why would we need more evidence?” Wang Dayong demanded. “My sister’s word is evidence! Would she use her own spotless reputation to slander you?”
An older woman nodded repeatedly. “Exactly. Anyone with the least sense of shame who cared about her reputation would never say such a thing.”
Though the woman meant to support Wang Yunzhu, Wang Yunzhu disliked the remark and even glared at her.
Who was she calling shameless?
“But I don’t think Doctor Shen is that kind of person. He’s an excellent physician, and he charges ordinary people very reasonable fees.”
“Medical skill doesn’t guarantee good character.”
Ignoring the surrounding chatter, Shen Qingzhu asked, “Other than her own claim, can anyone prove that I had intimate contact with her? Did anyone witness it?”
Wang Yunzhu’s eyes darted around. “How… how could anyone have seen?”
“Then all of this rests on your word alone. From the beginning, you have insisted that you admire me and want me to marry you. Am I so cheap?”
“Because you admire me, must I return your affection and marry you? You possess no talent, no virtue, no ability, and not even beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.”
“I see nothing about you that attracts me. Why should I marry you?”
“This so-called intimate contact occurred five days ago outside the city, when criminals nearly captured you and violated your chastity. Three friends and I happened to pass by and saved you.”
“Another man put his arm around your waist. He did so only because the situation was urgent, and he released you immediately. I merely took your pulse as part of my responsibility as a physician, yet you have twisted it into something sordid.”
“You have no witness who can prove I took liberties with you. I, however, have witnesses who can establish exactly what happened that day. The three criminals are still imprisoned at the magistrate’s office. If you insist on slandering me, we can settle this in court.”
“You claim you want to repay a life-saving debt with marriage, but of the three men who saved you, one was an elderly man past fifty and another was a dark-faced warrior.”
“I was the most handsome of the three, so you were captivated by my appearance. More than that, my clothing suggested wealth, and you coveted my money. But you possess nothing I desire, and I feel nothing for you. Why should I marry you? Because you have a mouth capable of casually slandering my innocence?”
Shen Qingzhu usually wore a gentle smile and appeared remarkably easygoing.
In truth, anyone capable of keeping company with ruthless schemers such as Ji Yan’an and Song Jin was hardly a harmless soul himself.
The crowd stared in amazement.
He made an excellent point!
Wang Yunzhu was struck speechless, then burst into tears.
“How… how could you say that about me?”
Shen Qingzhu sneered. “Was anything I said incorrect?”
“You sharp-tongued pretty boy!” Wang Dayong shouted. “I’ll teach you a lesson today!”
Jiang Yunsui tugged Shen Qingzhu back and gave a whistle.
“Move aside. You don’t need to fight!”
Little Mushroom was fiercely loyal, as though she intended to fight personally.
Wang Dayong had already raised his fist when two dogs as large as lions sprang out from behind Jiang Yunsui and Shen Qingzhu.
The dogs’ eyes gleamed viciously. They bared their teeth, savage growls rumbling in their throats.
There was no need for an actual fight. Wang Dayong’s legs immediately went weak with terror.
Wang Yunzhu screamed, abandoned her brother, and fled.
Emboldened by her dogs, Jiang Yunsui planted her hands on her hips and shouted.
“Why are you running? Don’t you admire Shen Qingzhu? Why are you fleeing so fast?”
“Come back! If you can defeat my two dogs, I’ll approve this marriage!”
The corner of Shen Qingzhu’s mouth twitched. He covered the mouth of a certain Little Mushroom who could never resist making a spectacle even bigger.
He rested one hand on Zuozuo and looked at Wang Dayong, whose legs had given out beneath him and who now sat paralyzed on the ground.
“Get lost.”
Wang Dayong scrambled away on all fours.
Jiang Yunsui immediately looked as refreshed and triumphant as a victorious general.
“See? When it comes to fighting, you need me.”
Most of the spectators had fled in fear when Zuozuo and Youyou appeared.
Only a few of the braver ones remained.
Some gazed at the two enormous dogs with obvious admiration.
Shen Qingzhu left with Jiang Yunsui.
Huohuo chirped without pause, sounding as though it were cursing someone.
In truth, it was merely producing a meaningless string of calls.
The moment they returned, Ji Yan’an glanced at them.
“Went out to throw your weight around?”
His tone was mild, without the slightest hint of reproach.
Unafraid, Jiang Yunsui ran to him and rapidly recounted how Shen Qingzhu had nearly been extorted into marriage.
Then she cupped her little face in her hands and gazed at Ji Yan’an. “Ji Yan’an, you’re handsome too. When you grow up, will someone try to trap you like that?”
“No.”
“Huh? Why not?”
He remained expressionless. “Children shouldn’t pry into adult matters.”
Jiang Yunsui puffed up indignantly.
Fine. She would not ask.
Nanshu, meanwhile, waggled his eyebrows at Shen Qingzhu. “Mr. Shen is truly fortunate. A beauty declared her love in the street and begged to marry you.”
Shen Qingzhu gave him a faint, ambiguous smile. “Would you like me to give you that good fortune?”
Nanshu rolled his eyes. Shen Qingzhu knew perfectly well about his circumstances. Wasn’t he deliberately rubbing salt in the wound?
Hmph. A more petty man would have started holding a grudge against Shen Qingzhu.
“Oh, right, Ji Yan’an,” Jiang Yunsui said. “I heard people saying bad things about you. They were also trying to investigate you and the cement.”