"What did you just say?"The housekeeper's face darkened instantly.Hu Yu remained indifferent. "Get out.""Do you even know who you are, speaking to me like that?"The housekeeper questioned coldly.Hu Yu smirked. "And who do you think you are, barking orders around here?""You're nothing but a useless waste of space, and yet you dare act so arrogantly. If I don't teach you a lesson, what will become of you in the future?"The housekeeper sneered inwardly as he looked at Hu Yu, dressed in red, looking frail and delicate. He was sure that from tomorrow onwards, the new son-in-law of the Lin family would avoid him at all costs.The housekeeper sneered. "According to the Lin family's rules, I could have you whipped fifty times. Do you have any objections?""Then tell me, which rule of the family have I broken?"Hu Yu asked nonchalantly.The housekeeper mocked him. "You've shown disrespect to your elders."Hu Yu glanced at the housekeeper. "You, a mere servant, have the audacity to call yourself an elder in front of me? Who gave you the guts?"The housekeeper calmly replied, "Who gave me the guts? Naturally, it was the master of the family. He instructed me to look after the young miss. If you keep acting so recklessly, what will happen to her?""Using the tiger's power to scare people."Hu Yu groaned in frustration as he sat on the bed.The housekeeper narrowed his eyes, looking for trouble. "You dare! Get up immediately, don't soil the young miss's bed!""Dare? It's you who dares. I, Hu Yu, am the young master of the Hu family, and you're just a lackey. Do you really think you can discipline me on behalf of my father? Are you tired of living?"Though Hu Yu had no cultivation at the moment, his gaze was as sharp as a blade, and the housekeeper felt a chill running down his spine, as though he were in a freezing pit.The wine cup, originally meant for the ceremonial toasts, was suddenly thrown at the housekeeper's face, shattering on the floor."You... you dare strike me!"The housekeeper pulled himself together, but the cold aura left him on edge. He sensed something was off about Hu Yu and instinctively grew cautious."As the Lin family's son-in-law, I should still have the right to discipline the servants. Let me say this one more time—get out."Hu Yu spoke icily.A useless waste of space who has no cultivation dared to speak like this to me, someone at the intermediate stage of cultivation! The housekeeper was not angry; in fact, he started laughing."You've become a pitiful son-in-law, and you think you're a master now? Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!"He was at the intermediate stage of cultivation, and yet, a normal person was speaking to him like this—it was a first.Rustling sounds came from the servants eavesdropping outside the door."Ha, that useless guy is finished.""Don't kill him.""He won't die, he's the son-in-law after all.""I say just kill him. Marrying into the woman's family? I'd rather kill myself than live with that shame."The servants were watching with amusement, anticipating Hu Yu's downfall.The housekeeper clenched his fists, cracking his knuckles, and was about to throw a punch.Hu Yu smirked. "Unappreciative fool."The housekeeper sneered, "Are you talking to yourself?"Hu Yu said nothing, or rather, he simply didn't care to respond."Maybe next time, you'll understand. Right now, you're not the young master of the Hu family. You're just a pathetic pawn."The housekeeper gathered his strength, ready to strike, but before he could, a cold voice, like a ghost's, cut through the air."You will suffer excruciating headaches every night around midnight."The housekeeper's pupils contracted, and he stopped in his tracks."If you try to channel your true energy, your entire body will be filled with pain."The anger on the housekeeper's face vanished, replaced by confusion."The cause of this is your cultivation method, the Fire Spirit Art, which is flawed."The confusion turned into shock."Unless I'm mistaken, the doctor told you that your condition will worsen with time. In other words, you don't have much time left. So, isn't it true that you're afraid I'll report this, right?"Shock morphed into pure fear.Hu Yu looked at him with amusement, then added casually, "But, I happen to know how to cure you.""Heh, with your abilities?"The housekeeper's face showed confusion and hesitation. How did this useless person know about his cultivation method, and how did he know of a cure that even the doctors didn't?Hu Yu saw through his thoughts and chuckled lightly. "You should know that my family has been around for hundreds of years and has collected countless ancient texts.""Save me, Young Master!"Before Hu Yu could finish speaking, the housekeeper shuddered and fell to his knees, repeatedly kowtowing. When Hu Yu remained unmoved, the housekeeper gritted his teeth and slapped his own face hard, bruising it into a swollen mess."Just a few minor side effects of the Fire Element cultivation method that some practitioners suffer from. Nothing serious. But it's enough to get rid of some trouble."With that thought, Hu Yu pointed lazily toward the door. "If you know what to do, do it. I don't need to repeat myself.""Yes, yes, Master!"The housekeeper, as if pardoned, scrambled to his feet and ran out in a panic. But when he looked up, he froze in terror. His body trembled as he stammered, "Y-Young Miss?"
Newlywed Wife?
Outside the house, all the servants immediately straightened their backs, quickly masking the panic on their faces. "Greetings, Miss!" The housekeeper hurriedly bent down. "This humble servant greets Miss!"
"Housekeeper, what have you been doing? Weren't you supposed to handle Hu Yu's matters?"
In the courtyard, under the moonlight, a young girl in a green robe stood, her features delicate and graceful. She possessed an enchanting charm mixed with a touch of youthful innocence. This was Hu Yu's new bride, Lin Cui.
"Well... This humble servant had an urgent matter to attend to and accidentally tripped," the housekeeper stammered. His life was on the line, and although he was still disgusted, he had no choice but to protect Hu Yu.
"Today, most of the servants have been busy with the wedding. What urgent matter could you possibly have? And how does one end up with such a face? Explain yourself!" Lin Cui's tone turned icy. There were very few people who dared to lie to her.
"The young master did it..."
Just as the housekeeper was still desperately trying to find a way to navigate this situation, one of the servants by the door spoke up.
"Hu Yu?" Lin Cui sneered. "That useless fool could do this?"
"Although it was the young master's doing, he didn't lay a hand. Liu, the housekeeper, slapped himself," another servant from the left added.
"Yes, yes! I saw it too! Liu was just teaching the young master the rules of the house when, out of nowhere, he started slapping himself. Miss, you can ask Liu or the young master." The servant on the right chimed in.
Lin Cui paused, surprised by the words, then glanced at the housekeeper. "Tell the truth."
The housekeeper cursed the two servants silently in his mind, wiped his sweat, and lied, claiming that Hu Yu, using the power of the Hu family, had bullied him. As he spoke, he kept glancing toward the room, sneaking peeks. Through the shadows of the door curtains, he could vaguely make out that Hu Yu was not facing them, and it seemed like he was doing something inside.
"Oh, Lord, please come out and greet the Miss. She's angry! What should I do about my illness?" The housekeeper thought anxiously.
"Useless fool, still just a useless fool, relying on the family's name to intimidate others." Lin Cui snorted disdainfully, though a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes.
Lin Cui took two steps forward and climbed the stairs, calling out to the room. "Hu Yu, come out!"
She knew the housekeeper's words were suspicious, but she couldn't be bothered to probe further. As long as Hu Yu didn't show himself, it didn't matter what happened.
The two servants at the gate, having nothing to do, quietly thought to themselves that Hu Yu was done for. The housekeeper might be in trouble too, but at least there would be some entertainment. If they could use this to earn Lin Cui's favor, they could walk all over the Lin house in the future. The housekeeper, bowing his head, was initially scared but, after thinking for a moment, found himself strangely pleased. If Lin Cui was going to punish Hu Yu, it would be great. After all, he couldn't be killed, and if he wasn't killed, his illness could be treated. Once he was cured, what would he have to fear from that useless fool?
The people in the courtyard all had their own thoughts, waiting for Hu Yu to come out in defeat so they could seize an opportunity to gain some advantage. However, after a long while, there was still no sign of Hu Yu.
Lin Cui's face darkened. That useless fool actually dared to ignore her! Her father wouldn't dare treat her like this! "Open the door!"
Lin Cui spoke coldly.
The two servants swallowed nervously and trembled as they opened the door. They saw Hu Yu sitting at the table with his back to them, wearing a red wedding robe, his left hand raised.
A faint sound of water flowing broke the silence.
He was pouring wine.
The housekeeper's mouth fell open in shock, almost causing him to stumble.
"God, this is too arrogant! Does he really think he's all that just because he's the young master?"
Lin Cui was so furious she almost laughed. "I told you to come out!"
Hu Yu seemed not to hear and continued to pour himself a drink.
"The Miss is asking you a question!"
The two servants cursed under their breath, rolled up their sleeves, and were about to rush in and grab him to earn some credit.
Hu Yu, hearing the hurried footsteps, took his time drinking the newly poured wine.
For some strange reason, the two servants suddenly felt an inexplicable fear. They had a strange feeling as though the person inside was the family patriarch, or perhaps even someone more powerful, like the city lord.
Without realizing it, they froze in place.
At that moment, Hu Yu placed his cup down and spoke calmly, "Little girl, if you don't want to come in, go find somewhere else to sleep."
"Little girl!" Lin Cui immediately exploded in rage, her temper flaring like a cat with its fur standing on end. "Say it again!"
Hu Yu remained unfazed, "Little girl."
"You're asking for death!"
Lin Cui was beyond furious.
Hu Yu shrugged indifferently. "What's wrong with calling you 'little girl' at fifteen or sixteen? Don't make a big deal out of it. The wind outside is strong. Either come in or shut the door."
Lin Cui ground her teeth in frustration. "This is my room. You get out immediately!"
There were too many people around. If she made a move and word of it reached Liu's family, it would only bring unnecessary trouble.
Lin Cui stamped her foot in anger. If this had been the day before, she would have already thrown Hu Yu out and beaten him half to death.
She thought she was holding back for the sake of the situation, but she had forgotten that when the servants had tried to grab him earlier, she hadn't stopped them.
In truth, Lin Cui wasn't even sure why, subconsciously, she didn't want to lay a hand on Hu Yu.
"An hour ago, this was indeed your room, but now it's mine. Why should I leave?" Hu Yu's voice floated out.
An hour ago, that had been the time of the wedding. His meaning was clear: I'm your husband now. What's the problem with us living together?
Lin Cui's teeth ground in frustration. She realized she couldn't physically do anything, but she couldn't argue either. So, she turned her gaze to the housekeeper and the servants.
The housekeeper quickly averted his eyes.
Though he despised Hu Yu, he still relied on him to save his life.
The two servants exchanged glances. For some unknown reason, they were too frightened to act.
Something felt off about Hu Yu.
If anything, it was the atmosphere. Despite not having any cultivation, the aura of a former ruler was still terrifying.
The longer Lin Cui stood there, the more furious she became.
This was clearly her private chamber!
If Hu Yu refused to leave, was she supposed to?
Was Hu Yu trying to force her to share a bed with him?
Ridiculous.
They were just a nominal marriage, after all. Hu Yu was nothing more than a puppet for show.
"Hmph! If you don't come out, don't blame me for being rude!" Lin Cui threatened, her emotions on the verge of overflowing. But Hu Yu still didn't budge, so she finally couldn't hold back and decided to march in and drag him out for a good scolding.
However, at that moment—
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
"Impudent."
Hu Yu's voice came from within. "Any woman who wants to sleep with me will have to wait in line from the Eastern Continent to the Great Wasteland."