There were not a few intelligent women, nor were pretty young ladies from noble families uncommon. Yet, she could be a well-behaved young lady from a noble family one moment, and a ruthless Feng Jin Yao the next. Xiao Ting Yi was somewhat unable to discern which side was her true self.
That whip against the gate of Prince Kang’s mansion seemed to have struck his stern heart as well. He heard the sound of his heart cracking beneath layers of ice, something yearning to burst forth.
Perhaps, the Grand Secretary was right; she was indeed a special existence to him.
Thinking of this, a smile involuntarily curved his lips. Fortunately, he was alone in the carriage, or else someone might have noticed his unusual state.
Outside the carriage, Yang Zhao signaled to his brothers hidden as sentries. Soon, those men vanished from the entrance of Prince Kang’s mansion.
Night gradually descended.
The Bai family was in utter chaos at this moment. When Madam Feng arrived, she saw County Princess Wen Yi had already fainted three times from crying, and Bai Si Lang’s fingers were turning purple from pinching her philtrum.
“Fourth sister-in-law, don’t panic. A Yao and the others have gone in pursuit; they will surely bring her back.”
After receiving the message from the coachman, she had rushed to Ying Tian Prefecture. Due to her special status, the Prefect of Ying Tian dared not neglect the matter, especially since it involved the Prime Minister’s beloved granddaughter. Naturally, more manpower was deployed to apprehend the culprits.
She had returned to inform the Bai family of the situation.
Bai Da Lang, who had remained silent, furrowed his brow even tighter. “With such a grand display, once Si Ru is found, the entire city will know she was abducted. At that time, her reputation…”
He did not finish his sentence, but everyone present understood. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Bai, lying propped up on the bed, had clear eyes.
“A Yao did the right thing. If not for this, the rumors tomorrow might be that our granddaughter eloped with someone. If we can’t quell the gossip then, Si Ru would truly have no way to live.”
Prime Minister Bai’s words startled everyone present. While the customs of Da Jin were not overly conservative, the demands placed on noble ladies were always higher. If the charge of elopement were truly placed upon Bai Si Ru, she would never be able to redeem herself in her lifetime.
This would also bring disgrace to the Bai family, Prince Kang’s mansion, and even the Feng family.
They could be caught in one fell swoop; it was indeed a precise calculation. Fortunately, A Yao discovered the scheme, otherwise, by the time they realized Bai Si Ru was missing in the latter half of the night, it would be too late to act.
Now, they could only wait at home, placing all their hopes on A Yao.
Although it was nearing February and no longer as cold as mid-winter, Feng Jin Yao was only wearing a pleated skirt slightly thicker than a single layer. The cloak that could shield her from the wind had been discarded long ago, as it would slow down the horse.
The wind now was not a significant issue for Su Cheng and Xiao Mu Qian, but for Feng Jin Yao, accustomed to the sheltered life of a noble lady, it was a bone-chilling cold.
“A Yao, are you alright?”
Su Cheng asked her with concern as he rode his horse.
“I’m fine, let’s find my cousin first!”
Her determined gaze earned Su Cheng’s admiration. She was indeed a daughter of the Feng family, enduring hardship just like her elder brothers.
He then fell silent and slowed his pace, following behind Feng Jin Yao to protect her.
Ahead, Xiao Mu Qian, who was riding recklessly, clenched the reins so tightly that they creaked. If Lu Yuan Feng were present, he would likely have been throttled by now.
He continuously prayed to heaven for Bai Si Ru’s safety.
Hooves pounded the ground, leaving imprints. In a civilian dwelling on the western outskirts, Lu Yuan Feng had settled Bai Si Ru and bound Haitang, the maid, hand and foot, gagging her mouth with cloth before throwing her into a side room.
Bai Si Ru on the bed remained unconscious, while Lu Yuan Feng drank to warm himself by the dim candlelight.
After driving for nearly two hours, his body was stiff with the cold wind and frost.
However, looking at the beauty with her eyes tightly shut, his heart burned with passion.
“Bai Si Ru, you can’t blame me. Who told you to be born into the Bai family and be so easily deceived, and to stand in someone else’s way? Therefore, you are destined to be mine. Tell me, after the news of you eloping with me spreads throughout the capital tomorrow, Prince Kang will surely be dejected for some time, won’t he? Hmph, he always likes to steal the limelight; I’ll let him taste the flavor of being cuckolded!”
He downed the wine in his cup, his eyes filled with greedy and lecherous light.
He walked step by step towards the bed, his fingers caressing her smooth face. It was like an electric shock. Indeed, she was a noble lady, unlike those women from brothels who were common to all.
He reached out to unbutton her clothes, but before his fingers could touch the collar, a cold glint flashed past. Before he could react, his entire palm was cleanly severed, blood splashing all over Bai Si Ru.
Lu Yuan Feng cried out in pain. When he raised his hand, he discovered his hand was gone and let out a roar that seemed capable of lifting the roof.
He ferociously turned to look at the person who had cut off his hand, only to find it was Xiao Mu Qian.
Xiao Mu Qian stared at Lu Yuan Feng with a ferocious expression, spitting out each word as if it were laced with ice, “If you dare touch her again, I will take your life!”
Xiao Mu Qian had emerged from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood on the battlefield. His ferocity was something Lu Yuan Feng, who mingled in places of pleasure, could not withstand.
“You… aren’t you afraid of…” The words “Duke of Wei” almost escaped his lips, but his final shred of reason told him that if he uttered those three words now, he might not see the sun tomorrow.
He could only clutch his severed hand and howl in agony.
Xiao Mu Qian strode quickly to the bedside, gently lifting the still unconscious Bai Si Ru, his heart filled with tenderness.
Before this moment, he had only felt that Bai Si Ru was different from those rule-abiding noble ladies, who were like wooden beauties without souls. She, however, was straightforward and clearly loved and hated, which suited his taste perfectly, making her an excellent candidate for a wife.
But after learning of her abduction, as he rode his horse all the way, the thought that occupied his mind the most was his hope for Bai Si Ru’s safety. Even if she were unfortunately violated, it wouldn’t matter; she would still be the person he cherished.
In this life, he wanted no one else, and no one else could have her.
He whispered into her ear, “It’s good that you’re alright.”
When Su Cheng and Feng Jin Yao arrived, they witnessed this scene. Feng Jin Yao, seeing Bai Si Ru in Xiao Mu Qian’s arms, finally felt her heart relax. She stepped forward and shook Bai Si Ru.
“Cousin, cousin!”
Seeing that she showed no reaction, it was clear she had been drugged. Feng Jin Yao looked at Lu Yuan Feng, her eyes filled with icy coldness.
“Where is the antidote?”
Lu Yuan Feng grimaced in pain, unable to attend to anything. Su Cheng immediately kicked him in the chest, nearly making him spit up blood.
“Speak!”