In stark contrast to the somber atmosphere of the Yan King's mansion, the General's mansion was abuzz with joyous celebration, filled with the sounds of drums and gongs.
It was the wedding day of the Xiao family's young general, who was marrying Chu Qingge, the legitimate daughter of Minister Chu. Officials from across the court gathered at the General's mansion to offer their congratulations.
A red carpet stretched from the General's mansion to the entrance of the Minister's residence. The wedding procession, with its synchronized and well-drilled steps, moved forward. Xiao Luo, astride a white horse, wore an unmistakable gentle smile on his usually composed face.
However, the Minister's mansion was already in utter chaos!
The bride had disappeared. All the maids and servants attending her had collapsed on the ground. Minister Chu and his family were in a state of panic. If word got out that the bride had been abducted on her wedding day, Chu Qingge's reputation would be ruined!
"Has the young lady been found yet? The wedding procession will be here any moment!" Minister Chu's face was pale with worry for Chu Qingge's safety. "Please, let nothing happen to her."
"Father, don't worry, my sister will be fine," Chu Jingyu said in a soothing tone. "For now, we must focus on handling the current situation."
Just then, a figure burst in – it was Xiao Man. Her expression turned grim as she saw the servants lying on the ground.
"Niece, Qingge has been taken."
Xiao Man took a deep breath. "I understand, Uncle Chu. You don't need to worry. I will definitely bring Sister Chu back!"
"My lord, the wedding procession has arrived," a subordinate reported as the procession reached the Minister's mansion, causing Minister Chu and his wife to pace frantically.
"What are we to do?"
"Find someone to impersonate the bride and go through the ceremony. I will go find Sister Chu," Xiao Man immediately instructed. "When my brother arrives, tell him what's happening beforehand so he doesn't cause any further trouble out of ignorance."
Xiao Man leaped away, clutching a note in her hand. It contained only a single sentence: To save Chu Qingge, come alone to the Guanyin Temple three li outside the city.
The cold wind whipped around her, stinging her face, but Xiao Man dared not stop. She didn't know who was behind this, but she knew they were an enemy. All she prayed for now was Chu Qingge's safety.
"She's here." Hidden in the shadows, a figure watched Xiao Man's hasty departure from the city, a cruel smile playing on their lips. "For some people, hurting them directly doesn't hurt. But hurting those they care about will make them suffer beyond compare."
"What deep hatred drives you to treat her this way?"
"No deep hatred. She is simply the apple of my enemy's eye. Tormenting her is tormenting my enemy. I suffer, and I want them to suffer even more. Let's go, I can't wait to see Xiao Man's pained expression."
Outside the Guanyin Temple, it was deathly quiet. Xiao Man felt an unsettling unease. The silence was unnaturally eerie. The half-open door loomed like a monstrous maw, ready to swallow her. Xiao Man hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.
The instant Xiao Man entered, she felt as though she had been struck by lightning. Beside the statue of Guanyin, a woman lay on the ground. Her bright red wedding gown was torn, revealing her body, clearly having endured unspeakable torture.
"Sister Chu."
Xiao Man rushed forward, checking Chu Qingge's breath. Relieved to confirm she was still alive, she quickly took off her own outer garment and wrapped it around Chu Qingge.
"Who are you? What grudge do you have against Sister Chu to treat her like this?"
A clear laugh echoed from behind her. Xiao Man spun around and lunged, but the figure dodged back, standing at a distance. Watching the enraged, pale-faced Xiao Man, they trembled with delight. "Xiao Man, do you like the gift I prepared for you?"
"Who are you? What grudge do you have against Sister Chu?" Xiao Man demanded, her beautiful eyes blazing with suppressed fury.
The newcomer wagged a finger. "I have no grudge against her. It's just that she is your good sister. She is in this state because of you."
Xiao Man's grip on her sword tightened, her knuckles turning white. She had few enemies, and even fewer female enemies. "You are Wen Moyu!"
A sinister laugh spread through the air. "Xiao Man, surprised to see me alive?"
"The outside world believes you are missing. It seems you weren't missing, but hiding in the shadows, waiting for revenge. I am the one who offended you. Why do you take it out on the innocent?" Xiao Man seethed inwardly. If Wen Moyu wanted revenge on her, she wouldn't be afraid. But Wen Moyu was targeting those close to her!
"Innocent?" Wen Moyu scoffed. "Anyone connected to you, Xiao Man, is not innocent. Chu Qingge is just the first. There will be a second, a third!"
Xiao Man's face turned ashen. She drew her sword and charged, her mind consumed by a single thought: kill Wen Moyu. Only by killing Wen Moyu could she ensure those around her would no longer be harmed!
"Already enraged?" Wen Moyu chuckled gleefully at Xiao Man's fiery anger. "Don't rush. This is just the appetizer. The pain I endured, you will endure it all, both physically and mentally. Xiao Man, I won't kill you. I will let you live, to live in agonizing pain!"
"But I won't let you go!" Xiao Man thrust her sword. Two figures in black cloaks stepped forward, blocking Xiao Man and preventing her from reaching Wen Moyu.
"Xiao Man, be angry, be sad, struggle. Who do you think will be next?"
"Next is you!" Xiao Man suddenly raised her hand, and a sleeve arrow shot out from her wrist. The two figures attempted to block the hidden weapon, but in doing so, they sealed their fate. The dart split into seven, striking all three of them.
"Xiao Man."
"Take your life!" Xiao Man didn't hesitate, intending to kill Wen Moyu on the spot. Wen Moyu, seeing Xiao Man's sword lunging towards him, retreated rapidly and glanced towards the doorway. "Why aren't you acting? If their reinforcements arrive, killing you will be harder than scaling the heavens!"
Just as Xiao Man's sword was about to pierce Wen Moyu's chest, a sword appeared from nowhere, deflecting Xiao Man's blade and forcing her back. A face, devoid of emotion, appeared before her.
"Baili Letian!" Xiao Man was shocked. Hadn't Baili Letian gone to Wuyue Kingdom to investigate? Why was he here? What had gone wrong?
Baili Letian frowned. "You recognize me?"
Xiao Man retreated to Chu Qingge's side, hoisting her onto her back. With Baili Letian here, and her own people not yet arrived, she had to escape. Otherwise, she feared she might not leave alive!
Xiao Man leaped out of the window with Chu Qingge. To her surprise, the Guanyin Temple was already surrounded. Baili Letian stepped forward, sword in hand. "Want to leave? It's not that easy."
"It seems we have no quarrel."
"Indeed," Baili Letian nodded. "I am merely ordered to kill you, to teach Prince Qin a lesson, to let him know he cannot touch whomever he pleases."