Li Yiqiu frantically tried to control her body, but still couldn’t stabilize herself, and the sharp tip of the knife headed straight for Zhong Niangyao’s chest.

This scene terrified everyone present. Events had unfolded too swiftly for anyone to react, and all they could do was watch helplessly as it unfolded. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Even some of the more timid ladies had already covered their eyes with their hands, fearing the sight of the bloody scene that was about to transpire.

Panic was written all over Li Yiqiu’s face, but in a place where no one else could see, a glint of excitement and madness flashed in her eyes.

In the nick of time, Lu Yichen turned around rapidly and embraced Zhong Niangyao, dodging to the side. Although he moved quickly, his arm was still slashed through his clothes, cutting the skin beneath, and the fresh red blood, although not glaringly obvious, did dampen his black suit in one area.

Li Yiqiu fell to the ground, her knife flinging forward. She immediately stood, hurrying to Zhong Niangyao’s side, and upon seeing the wounded arm of Lu Yichen, her face paled as she quickly apologized, "I’m sorry, truly sorry. It wasn’t on purpose, I was tripped, I—"

"Let’s not talk about that now," Zhong Mingyu quickly stepped forward and pulled Li Yiqiu away, "Hurry up and call for the family doctor!"

Because of this unexpected accident, a shadow was cast over the birthday banquet.

After the initial chaos subsided, everyone regained their composure.

Old Sir Zhong immediately sent someone for the family doctor.

Lu Yichen and Zhong Niangyao didn’t continue to stay in the main hall, but rather went straight to a side room.

The wound on Lu Yichen’s arm was already being pressed with a white towel, which too had been dyed red, presenting a somewhat shocking sight.

Aside from the two of them, Zhong Mingyu was also waiting in the side room, his anxiety clearly visible on his face. He didn’t even take a seat, instead pacing back and forth, occasionally peeking outside to see if the doctor had arrived.

With neither Lu Yichen nor Zhong Niangyao speaking, he felt even less daring to utter a word.

The silence in the atmosphere was suffocating.

Inside the main hall, the liveliness had apparently returned. But that was only superficial. Although it was an accident, it had still affected everyone’s mood, especially since the injured party was none other than Third Young Master Lu of the Lu Family.

Old Master Zhong and Old Madam Zhong both wanted to check on Lu Yichen’s injury, but as hosts, and with Old Sir Zhong being the guest of honor, they were unable to leave.

So, despite their concern, they had no choice but to continue in the main hall.

As for Li Yiqiu, the person involved in this accident, she was no longer in the main hall but had returned to her own room.

Inside the side room—

The family doctor arrived as quickly as possible and bandaged Lu Yichen’s wound.

Seeing the wound on Lu Yichen’s arm that was almost turning inside out, Zhong Niangyao couldn’t help but frown, her eyes conveying a trace of distress. At the same time, she was in a bad mood, and the atmosphere around her grew somewhat tense.

Because of the oppressive aura exuded by Zhong Niangyao, the doctor became extra cautious while treating the wound, careful not to cause any more pain to Third Young Master Lu.

Zhong Mingyu felt his head spinning; he knew Lu Yichen was injured, but he hadn’t expected the injury to be so severe. He couldn’t bear to think about how the Lu Family might react upon discovering that Third Master Lu had been hurt at the Zhong Family’s place, especially since it was his wife who caused the injury.

Though it was an accident, his heart still felt uneasy.

After Lu Yichen’s wound was bandaged and, for safety, after he received a tetanus shot, and after the doctor gave instructions for his aftercare, he finally left.

Zhong Mingyu, who had been standing by all along, felt his heart hanging, never able to settle completely.

"Second Uncle, I’ll just stay here and rest a bit with Ah Chen," Zhong Niangyao turned to Zhong Mingyu and spoke with a smile, "You should head back to the main hall. Grandfather’s birthday banquet is still ongoing, and you should be there to help out."

Zhong Mingyu looked at Zhong Niangyao’s smiling face and couldn’t read any attitude from it.

But now that Zhong Niangyao had spoken, he felt it would be wrong to continue lingering there.

"Then I’ll step out first," Zhong Mingyu could only respond with a forced smile, "Also, Nianyao, about your Second Aunt—"

"Second Uncle!"

Zhong Mingyu had not finished speaking when Zhong Niangyao interrupted him, "Let’s talk about Second Aunt’s matter later! There are still many guests outside. Grandfather and grandmother are old and might not have the energy to deal with everything; as their son, you should go out and help now."

Zhong Niangyao was firm in her stance, clearly not wishing to continue discussing the matter.

With no alternative, Zhong Mingyu left after giving a few more instructions.

Once Zhong Mingyu had left, only Lu Yichen and Zhong Niangyao remained in the side room.

"What was the need for that?" Zhong Niangyao picked up Lu Yichen’s injured hand with a hint of exasperation, "You knew very well I could have dodged it myself."

Watching Zhong Niangyao’s worried expression, Lu Yichen greatly enjoyed the attention, and didn’t withdraw his hand, instead chuckling lightly, "At that moment, the body moved faster than the mind could think."

Zhong Niangyao sighed and continued, "Alright, I’ll go to the herbal medicine store tomorrow to buy some ingredients and personally mix a medicinal ointment for you. In three days at most, your wound will surely heal."

She was very confident in her skills.

Lu Yichen nodded then responded with a smile, "Then I’ll have to trouble Madam."

"What nonsense are you talking!" Zhong Niangyao glared at him, annoyed, "You’re injured, and still you jest."

Lu Yichen looked at Zhong Niangyao and smiled, saying nothing.

Zhong Niangyao stared at the white gauze on Lu Yichen’s wrist, then lifted her head, her expression carrying a hint of suspicion, "What do you think my Second Aunt is up to with all this commotion?"

She was no fool and had clearly seen that this incident was no accident, but intentional on the part of Li Yiqiu.

However, she truly couldn’t understand—there had been no recent quarrels or old grudges between her and Li Yiqiu. In fact, she had once saved Li Yiqiu and her child’s lives. If it weren’t for her intervention then, the child Li Yiqiu carried would have been lost long ago. Moreover, even if Li Yiqiu survived, she would have been severely weakened.