The Marquis's household guards were still in pursuit, but the carriage had taken several turns and disappeared ahead.
When they finally found it, the carriage was empty.
The household servants noticed the General's Mansion's insignia hanging on the carriage.
"My lady, the Prince Yu's mansion is not far ahead. I've heard Prince Yu has some acquaintance with the young lady from the General's Mansion. It's possible she's taken refuge inside."
"Perhaps... we should let it go?"
Prince Yu was known for his cold demeanor and gave face to no one. Trespassing into his mansion without proof or reason would likely lead to trouble.
"What Prince Yu? He's just a prince without even a posthumous title. Calling him Prince Yu is merely giving him the face of a prince." Jiang Yufei said dismissively.
Her cousin had recently been enfeoffed as Prince Lian. Was she truly afraid of an unfavored prince?
"You! Go and break down the door for me!"
The Marquis's guards behind her stepped forward to ram the door.
Before they could even attempt to break it down, the main gate opened from within.
Ying Xiao, dressed in a red and blue guard uniform, emerged from inside. With a sideways sweep of his leg, he sent the entire group of Marquis's guards tumbling down the steps.
Jiang Yufei's face immediately soured. She pointed at Ying Xiao and rebuked, "How dare you! Who are you to dare strike the Marquis's servants!"
Ying Xiao's cold gaze swept over them. He raised his sword to chest level and said chillingly, "Those who trespass into the Prince's mansion shall die!"
Jiang Yufei's eyes flickered.
Were the people within Prince Yu's mansion always this imposing?
"I am the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Jiang. I am here to apprehend a thief who trespassed into the Marquis's mansion. By what right do you obstruct me?"
Ying Xiao remained silent, slowly drawing a sliver of his sword.
That small sliver of blade glinted with a cold silver light under the sun, much like his person – frigid and murderous.
The Marquis's household members were all forced back by the oppressive aura, none daring to approach the main gate of Prince Yu's mansion.
Jiang Yufei gritted her teeth. "I must apprehend that person! If you won't let me force my way in, at least go and announce me!"
Ying Xiao's eyes moved. He slowly opened a path and coldly uttered a single word: "Please."
Jiang Yufei hadn't expected him to let her in so readily. She instinctively glanced inside the mansion.
Beyond the solemn and imposing main gate was a wide, straight path.
Although it was daytime, for some reason, this path appeared somewhat eerie.
The path of forgetfulness.
The three words suddenly popped into Jiang Yufei's mind, and she suddenly felt hesitant to enter.
She paused, gathering her resolve and encouraging herself.
Prince Yu had struggled for survival under her aunt's control for years. She had seen him herself two years ago; he was nothing more than a timid coward.
She assumed this guard was merely cold and aloof, here to put on a show. The rest of the people inside were likely timid and insignificant.
Comforting herself with this thought, she stepped inside.
However, the Marquis's household servants lacked such boldness and remained outside waiting.
Upon entering Prince Yu's mansion, aside from the scenery, what surprised Jiang Yufei the most were the guards coming and going.
These individuals moved with remarkable efficiency. Each one appeared meticulous, and most importantly, their movements suggested they all knew some form of martial arts.
Jiang Yufei couldn't help but clench her fist.
"My lord is in the main hall." A chilling voice sounded.
Jiang Yufei jumped in surprise. Composing herself, she entered the hall.
Ye Jingyu was seated in the hall, drinking tea, with Qian Xue standing by to serve him.
"Your Highness Prince Yu, someone trespassed into the Marquis's mansion and committed violence. I suspect they have fled into Prince Yu's mansion, and I am here to apprehend them."
Jiang Yufei had resolved to intimidate Ye Jingyu with her presence upon meeting him. However, after seeing the mansion, which differed from her expectations, her composure was disrupted.
Her voice lowered slightly as she spoke, and her imposing demeanor weakened accordingly.
Ye Jingyu wore a golden mask that day. Its square edges fit snugly against his face, making him appear cold and commanding.
"Present the imperial decree."
A personal imperial decree was required to search a prince's residence.
Jiang Yufei froze.
She had only learned of her second brother's downfall and, in her haste, brought her people to capture Su Youqing. She hadn't thought to obtain an imperial decree.
"Their carriage is parked outside Prince Yu's mansion, and I personally saw..."
"So you do not have an imperial decree?" Ye Jingyu interrupted her, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.
Jiang Yufei's heart skipped a beat, her hands trembling slightly.
The Prince Yu she remembered was not the person before her. Where had things gone wrong?
She clenched her fist, trying to calm herself. "Does Prince Yu intend to shield these people? Don't forget, my mother is the Empress Dowager's own sister! My father is the Marquis!"
Qian Xue inwardly sneered.
Using the Empress and Marquis Jiang to pressure His Highness was quite something.
"Ying Xiao." Ye Jingyu narrowed his eyes, a hint of impatience in his tone.
Ying Xiao stepped forward with his sword and forced Jiang Yufei to her knees on the ground.
Jiang Yufei immediately cried out, "Let go! What are you doing?"
Qian Xue spoke up to enlighten the county princess.
"According to our dynasty's customs, falsely accusing a prince, forcibly entering a prince's mansion, and searching without an imperial decree are all capital offenses. Regardless of one's status, they shall be torn apart by five horses!"
The words 'torn apart by five horses' landed with a resounding impact.
Jiang Yufei's heart pounded with fear.
Ying Xiao dragged her out.
She struggled and screamed.
"Wait! Your Highness Prince Yu! I truly saw those people enter the mansion! You cannot do this!"
Ying Xiao continued to drag her, almost pulling her out the door.
Jiang Yufei finally panicked and quickly changed her tune. "Your Highness, perhaps I was mistaken. Those people are not in your mansion. I was presumptuous. I will leave immediately!"
Ye Jingyu remained silent, seemingly displeased.
Jiang Yufei, being quite astute, broke out in a cold sweat and added, "I will certainly visit with a generous gift to apologize another day!"
She had been rash today. The female guard was right; she had no evidence that those people were in the mansion.
If this matter escalated, she would be in the wrong. Even if the Emperor did not favor him, he would have to consider the dignity of the royal family. If this were to become public, the Marquis's mansion might suffer as well!
The more Jiang Yufei thought about it, the more she felt a chill of fear, and cold sweat beaded on her forehead.
Ye Jingyu tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table. "Since she is a relative of the Empress Dowager, I shall naturally give face."
Hearing this, a sense of relief surged through Jiang Yufei, as if she had narrowly escaped disaster.
The next second, she heard him say, "Five horses are unnecessary. Cut off one of her fingers."
Jiang Yufei's blood ran cold.
Ying Xiao grabbed her and forced her face down onto the ground. His blade was drawn and, without hesitation, swung down.
"No... Ah!!"
Jiang Yufei let out a piercing scream.
Her little finger was severed, and blood splattered.
She felt all her blood rapidly drain away, her body becoming hot, and then her vision went black as she fainted from fright.
Ying Xiao dragged her out of the main hall. Afterward, two servants entered to clean up the blood on the floor.
Su Yunmo emerged from the back hall, raising her eyebrows playfully. "Putting on quite a show."
Qian Xue gave her a helpless look.
In this world, only the young lady dared to call His Highness a showman.
Ye Jingyu glanced at her, a look of无奈 and a sigh on his face. "Can't you even say thank you?"
Su Yunmo shrugged her shoulders. "It's a matter of reciprocity, and you didn't just help me this time."
The words 'reciprocity' caused a slight stir in Ye Jingyu's eyes.
He had heard about what happened in Fengqi Palace.