16: Uncle, I'm here to help you.

"Young Miss, something terrible has happened, Young Miss!"

Qing Qing, Ouyang Yaoxi's personal maid, looked extremely anxious.

Ouyang Yaoxi furrowed her willow-like brows slightly, "What happened? Don't panic, speak slowly."

Qing Qing reported that Wang Ming had paid a visit and declared he would come to fetch his bride at the Hour of Xu tonight.

This matter was no secret at all within the Ouyang Residence.

Even among the servants, it had long been widely spread.

After hearing this, Ouyang Yaoxi's face instantly turned extremely unpleasant.

She never dreamed that her father, who had once doted on her and cherished her like a precious pearl in his palm, would actually do such a thing!

Not only was he forcing her to marry a notorious libertine, but he was also arranging the marriage without her even having met the man in person!

"My marriage is my own decision to make!"

Ouyang Yaoxi turned and returned to her room, personally writing a letter and handing it to Qing Qing, "Qing Qing, help me deliver this letter to Brother Ye Chen. Remember, you must hand it to him personally!"

Qing Qing nodded firmly, "Young Miss, don't worry. For your happiness, I will definitely deliver the letter to him!"

Qing Qing left.

Ouyang Yaoxi sat cross-legged on the bed.

After a moment of silence, her jade-like hand lightly brushed over her Storage Ring, and a long sword with a green sheath appeared in her palm.

She gripped the hilt tightly, her eyes icy cold, "Wang Ming... if you truly dare to come here, I won't mind eliminating a public menace and severing that root of evil!"

"How bold! Someone from the Ouyang Family actually dares to come to my Ye Family!"

The guard on duty, upon hearing the visitor was from the Ouyang Family, immediately drew his sword with a clang.

Qing Qing, frightened, quickly stepped back and said anxiously, "I am Young Miss Ouyang's maid. Please announce me. I have a very important matter to discuss with Young Master Ye Chen."

"Haven't you humiliated our Ye Family Head enough? Get out now, or don't blame me for being merciless with my blade!"

One of the guards shouted angrily.

The incident where Ouyang Mingqiang came to break off the engagement and, together with Wang Ming, severely injured Ye Chen had long been spread throughout the Ye Family.

Although they didn't like Ye Chen, he was now the Ye Family Head, representing the face of their entire Ye Family!

The Ouyang Family slapping Ye Chen's face was slapping the face of their entire Ye Family!

It was no wonder they had such an unfriendly attitude.

"You might have misunderstood. Our Young Miss and Young Master Ye Chen are on the same side. Please, let me in!"

Qing Qing was extremely anxious. She had just confidently promised her Young Miss, but now she couldn't even meet Ye Chen.

If she delayed her Young Miss's happiness because of this, she would never forgive herself for the rest of her life!

Just as the guards were about to drive Qing Qing away, a voice came from inside the Ye Residence.

"What's going on? All this noise and commotion is unbecoming!"

"Young Master Ye Di."

Several guards saluted respectfully.

The newcomer was none other than Ye Di.

Ye Di glanced at Qing Qing and learned the situation from the guards.

Someone sent by Ouyang Yaoxi, looking for Ye Chen!

A glint flashed in Ye Di's eyes as he stared at Qing Qing, "What business do you have with the Family Head?"

Qing Qing said softly, "I... I'm here to deliver a letter from my Young Miss."

"Give me the letter. I'll pass it on for you. You can go back." Ye Di extended his hand.

Qing Qing shook her head decisively, "The Young Miss said I must personally hand it to Young Master Ye Chen."

Ye Di's face suddenly turned cold, "You should know that, given what the Ouyang Family has done to my Ye Family, my willingness to deliver it for you is the greatest leniency. I'll give you two choices."

"Either give me the letter, and I'll deliver it for you, or..."

With a clang!

Ye Di drew a long sword from the guard beside him, pointing the tip directly at Qing Qing, "You're lurking suspiciously outside my Ye Family. I have reason to suspect you're a spy sent by the Ouyang Family to gather intelligence. For the safety of my Ye Family, I'll have to execute you on the spot!"

"Choose!"

Qing Qing's delicate face was drenched in cold sweat from fear. From Ye Di's gaze, she had no doubt that if she didn't hand over the letter, Ye Di would truly kill her!

Finally, under the pressure of life and death, Qing Qing handed over the letter.

"You may leave."

Ye Di turned to head back inside the residence.

Qing Qing mustered her courage and urged, "Please make sure to deliver it to Young Master Ye Chen!"

"Don't worry, I will."

Ye Di curled his lips into a meaningful smile, walked into the Ye Residence, and disappeared... "Yao Xi, I'm coming in."

Ouyang Mingming knocked on the door and entered, carrying a teapot.

Seeing him, Ouyang Yaoxi slowly opened her eyes, "Second Uncle, if you're also here to persuade me, please leave. There's no way I'll agree to marry Wang Ming!"

Ouyang Mingming shook his head and smiled, "I'm not here to persuade you. I'm here to help you."

Ouyang Yaoxi was taken aback, "Help me?"

Ouyang Mingming looked at her affectionately, "You know, Second Uncle has been single all his life and has no children. Although you're my elder brother's daughter, I've watched you grow up since childhood, and you're no different from my own daughter. How could I stand by and watch you be pushed into a pit of fire!"

"Second Uncle..."

Ouyang Yaoxi's nose tingled, and her eyes instantly reddened.

As soon as she returned home, she was met with her father's forced marriage arrangement.

Only now did she finally feel a trace of familial warmth.

All her grievances suddenly surged up.

Ouyang Mingming walked to the table, poured two cups of tea, picked up one himself, and took a small sip, "Don't blame your father. He's doing this for the Family, though his methods are too extreme."

Ouyang Yaoxi also picked up a cup and, without suspicion, took a big gulp, listening quietly without speaking.

She didn't notice at all that the moment she drank the tea, a flash of guilt crossed Ouyang Mingming's face.

Ouyang Mingming brushed his Storage Ring, and a paper packet instantly appeared on the table.

"What's this?" Ouyang Yaoxi asked curiously.

Ouyang Mingming said gravely, "Immortal's Drunk!"

He explained, "A potent knockout drug, colorless and odorless, extremely effective. Below the Core Formation Stage, even at the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, just a little touch of it will... knock you out!"

As soon as he finished saying "knock you out," he saw Ouyang Yaoxi sitting opposite him, her face filled with panic, swaying unsteadily before collapsing.

Ouyang Mingming's vision also began to blur. He murmured, "Yao Xi, everything Second Uncle said just now came from the bottom of my heart. I only hope you won't hate me."

After saying this, his head tilted to the side, and he too collapsed.

With a creak, the door opened.

Ouyang Mingqiang walked in. Seeing the panic still lingering on Ouyang Yaoxi's face from before she fainted, his expression grew somewhat complicated.

However, this complexity was soon replaced by determination.

"I'd rather you hate me than see you follow Ye Chen and die under the Wang Family's sword in the future!"

Ouyang Mingqiang took out a pink Medicinal Pill and fed it into Ouyang Yaoxi's mouth, then called out, "Someone, prepare a bath and change of clothes for the Young Miss!"