The little dumpling didn't know why she was laughing and looked a bit strange. Just as she was about to ask, she yawned.
She was exhausted after running all day.
She then leaned into Zhou Wanyou's arms and acted spoiled, "Mommy, Momo is sleepy~"
"Good girl, lie down on Mommy's lap and sleep for a while. I'll call you when we get to the mansion." Zhou Wanyou kissed her forehead and wrapped the little dumpling in a blanket.
The little dumpling lay down, tucking her little hands to her chest and curling up her legs, like a little meatball.
The carriage wheels creaked.
The little dumpling closed her eyes, nuzzled against Zhou Wanyou's lap, and drifted off to sleep.
It was already dark outside.
There was no one on the street.
The stall owners had all packed up and gone home to eat.
Moonlight spilled onto the street, casting a golden hue.
Occasionally, in the dark night, a bird would chirp, with a hint of eeriness.
Suddenly, a figure seemed to flash across one of the roof beams on either side.
Acai immediately became alert, pulled the reins, and stopped the carriage, placing one hand on her sword. "Madam, be careful. Something is not right on the street."
"What is it?" Zhou Wanyou glanced at the little dumpling sleeping on her lap and lifted the carriage curtain.
As soon as the carriage curtain was lifted, an arrow shot out, grazing Zhou Wanyou's face and piercing a hole through the carriage.
"Madam, get out of the carriage quickly!" Acai drew her sword and leaped out of the carriage, blocking the front of the carriage and quickly scanning her surroundings.
Another sword strike followed.
Acai's sword flashed, cutting the arrow in half.
Zhou Wanyou's heart sank. She quickly picked up the little dumpling and got out of the carriage.
"Mommy?" The little dumpling was startled awake, rubbing her eyes groggily.
But the hand she used to rub her eyes suddenly froze, her eyelids snapping open. Her eyes were filled with a murderous intent, devoid of any sleepiness.
She suddenly turned her head and saw a silver glint on one of the eaves. "Sister Acai, someone is there!"
Acai looked up at the archer, then leaped onto the roof beam and, before he could shoot another arrow, ran him through with her sword.
At the same time, four people leaped out from four directions, trapping Acai on the roof.
From the shadows, a person emerged, blocking Zhou Wanyou's path.
This person was short, with teeth protruding, and when he spoke, his voice was a sharp, hoarse rasp, as if his throat had been burned.
"Hand over that child."
Zhou Wanyou instinctively held the little dumpling tightly, her hands trembling. She scanned for an escape route while speaking to distract the attacker.
"Who are you, and why do you want to capture Momo?"
The short man's eyes gleamed green. "It's none of your business. Hand over the little one, and I'll let you live."
Su Yunmo recognized him; he was the one who had saved the Nanjiang man that day.
This person was also from Nanjiang.
"Alright, I'll hand her over." Zhou Wanyou calmed herself and agreed. She walked forward step by step, and when she reached the entrance of another alley, she suddenly changed direction and ran into the alley.
"Trying to run? Not so easy!" The short man sneered, leaping forward, his hand forming a claw as he lunged for the back of Zhou Wanyou's head.
He was incredibly fast, leaving afterimages in his wake.
"Mommy!" Su Yunmo grabbed Zhou Wanyou's head and forcibly turned it aside, dodging the claw.
Zhou Wanyou narrowly escaped death and felt a lingering fear.
The little dumpling wriggled out of Zhou Wanyou's embrace and jumped to the ground. She said to the short man, "If you want to take Momo away, then you'll have to catch me first."
Relying on her small size and agility, she darted out from under the short man's arm and ran towards the main road.
"Stop!" The short man abandoned Zhou Wanyou and sprinted after her.
"Momo! Momo!" Zhou Wanyou's heart leaped. She watched helplessly as the little dumpling disappeared into the darkness, her legs feeling weak and almost unable to stand.
"Madam!" Acai leaped down from the roof and supported her. "Madam, those people have followed the young lady."
Zhou Wanyou's pupils trembled. She gripped Acai's hand, forcing herself to stand and trying to remain calm.
There was still a long way to the General's mansion, and it was too late to rush back.
"The street across from here leads to Prince Yu's mansion. Acai, hurry! Go and ask Prince Yu for help!"
Acai: "But Madam, you'll be alone here."
"I'm fine. Those people are after Momo. Since they've left, they won't come back. Hurry!" Zhou Wanyou felt a pang of fear for the first time.
Acai said, "Yes," and quickly ran towards Prince Yu's mansion.
Fortunately, Prince Yu's mansion was not yet closed at this hour.
Qian Xue was lighting lamps and patrolling when she saw someone approaching the mansion from a distance. She hurried over. "Miss Acai? Why are you here so late?"
Acai, panting, said, "Quickly tell His Highness Prince Yu that our young lady has been abducted!"
"What?!" The lamp in Qian Xue's hand almost slipped.
Damn it, why did it have to be today!
Qian Xue gritted her teeth, her thoughts in a bit of a mess.
Acai urged, "What are you waiting for? Go and report to His Highness Prince Yu. Saving her is important!"
Qian Xue stomped her foot. "Our master hasn't rested yet. Come in quickly."
No matter what, the young lady's matter was important and had to be known by the master.
Acai followed Qian Xue into the mansion and met Ye Jingyu, recounting the entire incident.
Ye Jingyu did not hesitate. He first sent people to the street to escort Zhou Wanyou back to the mansion, and then personally led his men in pursuit in the direction Acai had indicated.
Su Yunmo was heading west of the city and had already reached the vicinity of the small hunting ground.
This was a large area of abandoned grounds, with no houses for miles around.
"You must be tired after running for so long. We don't intend to harm you; we just want you to come with us."
The short man blocked Su Yunmo's path with a front flip.
Su Yunmo stopped and turned to see that quite a few people had gathered behind her.
They quickly surrounded her, trapping Su Yunmo in the middle.
Su Yunmo stood in place, her gaze sweeping around.
There were eight people on the other side. The Nanjiang man who had been following her last time was not among them; he was most likely recovering from his injuries at their residence.
The little dumpling crossed her arms. "Do you think I'm stupid? Your people have been following me for so many days, and now you're drawing weapons and making a fuss. Who would believe you're not trying to kill me?"
The short man said, "If we really wanted to kill you, we would have done it by now. Why would we be talking to you here?"
The little dumpling pouted and snorted. "Don't think Momo doesn't know that Linlang hates Momo and wants to help Concubine Lian Wang harm you. You're all in this together."
The short man frowned. "She has indeed recognized a master. Foolish."
If they couldn't even distinguish people, and something went wrong, it wouldn't be a joke.
Su Yunmo's eyes darkened slightly.
He did recognize Linlang, which meant Linlang was also from Nanjiang.
But since this person didn't know about Linlang, it meant they weren't working together.
If she remembered correctly, the current ruler in Nanjiang was only the Nanjiang King.
Why would there be two groups of people trying to capture her?
The short man signaled to the others to put away their weapons and walked towards Su Yunmo by himself.
"Young master, we are your mother's family. We are here to bring you back."
If this person before them was truly the princess's daughter.