Countless pairs of eyes were fixed on the position of the Young Mistress of the Ling family.
Among large families, arranged marriages were the most common.
If she were to die,
then wouldn't others have a chance again?
Ever since she got together with Ling Yuchen, she had been protected very well.
Even when she returned this time, he had repeatedly urged her not to go out.
Although Ling Yuchen hadn't told her anything, she could feel the seriousness of the situation.
And her mother's disappearance had left Ling Yuchen with no time to attend to other matters, so he couldn't focus on looking after her.
This was the best opportunity to get rid of her.
...
Her thoughts flashed in an instant, Xia Wantang smiled and looked at Situ Jing with a relaxed expression.
"Alright, let's go for a sit. I hope you genuinely know my mother's whereabouts."
Situ Jing returned a smile, her emotions hidden, but her heart seething with anger.
Xia Wantang referring to Zhu Yunfei as her mother made her very displeased, feeling that she was deliberately showing off.
The two walked side-by-side down the street, chatting and laughing like ordinary people.
Xia Wantang wore a faint smile, engaging in polite conversation with Situ Jing very naturally.
But in her heart, she kept guessing her intentions.
As they spoke, they arrived in front of a three-story building with ancient charm.
It was a purely traditional architectural style, with intricately carved doors and windows, exuding an ancient and elegant atmosphere.
A plaque hung above with three prominent characters – Lixiang Yuan.
Situ Jing said with a slight smile, "This opera house has a history of over a hundred years and is very tasteful. Listening to opera and sipping tea is exceptionally leisurely and pleasant."
Xia Wantang didn't answer her but peered inside.
Even before entering, the sounds of opera singing could be heard.
The voices rose and fell rhythmically, full of emotion, the singing melodious and graceful, drawing one into a trance.
Pushing open the door and stepping over the threshold, they were greeted by a high opera stage, surrounded by an audience.
On stage, the female lead, with meticulously painted eyebrows and exquisite head ornaments, moved gracefully and beautifully. Her red lips parted, and the lingering echoes of her voice filled the air.
"This is the Kunqu opera classic 'The Peony Pavilion'," Situ Jing said, looking at the stage with a smile. "When Yu Chen and I came before, they were singing this same play."
Xia Wantang remained composed, showing no reaction to her words.
The two went up to the second floor and entered a private room.
The furnishings and decor were all in a classical style. Listening to opera and having a pot of good tea was indeed very calming.
Situ Jing pushed the tea menu towards her with a smile and said, "You can order tea here, and there are also various pastries."
Xia Wantang was not polite and ordered several items casually.
She didn't dare to eat them, but she had to order them, as it wasn't her money anyway.
The opera on stage continued, and everyone was an audience...
Xia Wantang had no interest in sipping tea and listening to opera with her. She got straight to the point and asked, "Tell me, what do you know?"
Situ Jing propped up her chin, looking out the window with great interest as if she were very fond of opera.
"No hurry. Since you're here, listen to some opera and drink some tea. What needs to be said will be said eventually."
Xia Wantang had no choice but to wait patiently.
Situ Jing's face was full of memories. She said carelessly, "Yu Chen and I grew up together. He has a naturally indifferent nature, and few people could get close to him."
Xia Wantang didn't know what she meant by saying these things but couldn't interrupt.
Situ Jing suddenly turned to look at her, her eyes filled with unconcealed envy.
"You are the first person to make him so devoted. I have never seen him so gentle. Do you know? I envy you."
Xia Wantang looked at her in silence, her eyes placid.
She thought Situ Jing wouldn't have invited her here just to say these meaningless words.
Situ Jing paid no attention to her reaction and continued to talk to herself.
"I've liked Yu Chen since I was a child, and it has never changed. Your appearance is unacceptable to me."
Xia Wantang looked up at her and met her gaze. She saw her eyes were deep and her gaze was somber.
The atmosphere became tense at this moment. Both were silent, one expressionless, the other sullen.
After a long while, Situ Jing suddenly chuckled, as if she had let go, or perhaps in self-mockery.
"I'm sorry, I'm a little unable to control my emotions. You and Yu Chen are already married, so I won't say such things again. This is the first and last time."
She paused, her voice becoming much softer.
"You are luckier than me. I truly envy you."
Xia Wantang's mood was complicated. She felt that Situ Jing must have had more than just these useless words to say when she invited her over, but looking at her genuine emotions, she didn't seem to be faking it.
Situ Jing shed tears and her emotions became somewhat uncontrollable. She hastily stood up and said, "I'm sorry, I need to use the restroom."
With that, she hurried out.
The moment she stepped out of the room, her expression changed drastically. She calmly wiped away her tears, and her narrowed eyes were filled with cold light.
Xia Wantang sat there alone, her expression growing increasingly strange.
Suddenly, her gaze sharpened, and she realized something was amiss.
...
A moment later, Lixiang Yuan was engulfed in flames, the fire illuminating half the sky. Black smoke billowed.
The streets were bustling with people, a scene of chaos, yet not a single person escaped from Lixiang Yuan.
The fire started in a room on the second floor, directly above the main entrance. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the entire Lixiang Yuan in an instant.
The opera-goers rushed towards the exit in a frenzy. However, the door opened inwards, and everyone just wanted to get out. People were pushing against each other, and the door barely had a crack open.
Those outside desperately pushed inwards, while those inside squeezed outwards.
The person who reached the door first was pressed against it. He frantically scratched at the wooden door, emitting a piercing sound.
Suddenly, a burning wooden beam fell from above, completely blocking the exit with its raging flames.
Piercing screams echoed one after another. Calls for help, cries of agony, and mournful wails were frequently heard, like a living hell.
Old Wang, along with the Ling family's bodyguards, desperately tried to rush in, but the entrance was blocked, and they couldn't open the door.
Old Madam Ling and Old Madam Situ rushed over after receiving the news. Both cried to the point of almost fainting.
Especially Old Madam Ling, her heart was filled with regret, bleeding.
Why did she bring her grandson's wife out? Why!
If she had stayed at home, none of this would have happened.
She slumped to the ground, her mouth agape, shedding silent tears. She couldn't even cry out loud.
Old Madam Situ wiped her tears and made as if to rush in. She cried out, "Jingjing, my Jingjing!"
Someone beside her held her back and said, "You can't get in, the door is blocked."
"No, I must save my granddaughter."
She wailed and cried, "It's all my fault, it's all mine. I dragged her here for some so-called fortune-telling marriage. It's all me looking for trouble. Why wasn't it me who burned to death..."