I took a deep breath and looked at the statue of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable, clasping my hands together, "Heavenly Venerable, I have endured humiliation and avoided disaster with great effort. However, my enemies still come to provoke me. With her malicious nature, she will not let me off easily. I cannot just sit back and do nothing."

With that, I turned and walked towards Zhou Yan.

At this moment, Zhou Yan's face blushed slightly as she was talking to Luan Zhong. When she saw me approaching, she smiled smugly and said to Luan Zhong, "Ji Jia's younger sister just confessed to the Heavenly Venerable, admitting that she acted rashly. It was just a small misunderstanding with her cousin, which made her stay outside in a fit of anger. Now she has reconsidered and probably wants to move back."

As she spoke, Zhou Yan gave me a secret signal, instructing me to clarify things with Luan Zhong.

Luan Zhong asked, "Is that so?"

I smirked, "Not quite. Miss Zhou just told me that she admires Mr. Luan very much and is very dissatisfied with him guarding the Peach Blossom Pavilion. She asked me to terminate the protection contract with Mr. Luan before tonight, or else she would disfigure me with hot oil. She even said that I am just an orphan, while she is a noble lady. Crushing me would be as simple as crushing an ant."

Zhou Yan's face instantly turned red, and she quickly denied, "No, no, I never said such things. Mr. Luan, don't believe her."

Luan Zhong's handsome face turned cold, looking at Zhou Yan with disgust, "From last night when you asked me at the banquet if I was married, using pouring wine as an excuse to touch me, I felt something was off. You played with Cui Anren and now you're targeting me. Are you out of your mind?"

Zhou Yan never expected Luan Zhong to speak harshly to her, a delicate lady. She felt wronged, tears almost falling, and defended, "How could you say that? I don't even know Cui Anren."

Luan Zhong's brows furrowed deeply, angrily saying, "I don't care about your relationship with Cui Anren. In any case, you have no connection with me. Is the Zhou family so powerful? Your father is just a minor official. If you dare harm Miss Ji even a bit, I will make you pay a hundredfold!"

Zhou Yan glared at me viciously, saying to Luan Zhong, "Do you think Ji Wanwan isn't using you?"

Luan Zhong raised an eyebrow, "So what if she is using me? Between us, it's just an employment relationship. Isn't it natural for her to give me orders? Besides, being used by her, I enjoy it."

Zhou Yan trembled with anger, shook her sleeve fiercely, and left in a huff.

Watching the wicked woman walk away, I breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, just now, I did it on purpose. Firstly, to remind Luan Zhong that Zhou Yan is treacherous, so he can avoid being deceived. Secondly, Luan Zhong is generous by nature. Knowing that Zhou Yan has ill intentions towards me, he will work harder to protect me.

I bowed to Luan Zhong, "Thank you."

Luan Zhong smiled lightly, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

I felt a pang in my heart; he saw through me again.

Luan Zhong embraced me, "I was a bit harsh on a young lady just now."

I pursed my lips, "I'm sure Miss Zhou hasn't gone far. Mr. Luan, quickly go apologize to her."

Luan Zhong shrugged, "Spoken words are like spilled water, no need for apologies. Rest assured, if she dares to harm you, I'll deal with her!"

I smiled, "Thank you, sir."

Luan Zhong paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "Last night, I went to the Zhou residence for a banquet and failed to adhere to the contract of staying by your side at all times. I'll punish myself by protecting you more for ten days."

I hurriedly said, "It's not necessary."

Luan Zhong interrupted me, "It's settled. I'm going to practice swordsmanship now."