The moment Liu Qinghuan flips over the mansion walls, a few shiny swords are already in front of her.
She stands there, unimpressed as she glance up at calm and unruffled Tang Zhibo.
” And this is what you meant by cooperation? ”
” Miss Du’s wit and intelligence is well known so I’m only taking some measures in case you have some tricks up your sleeve. ”
He said, smiling. Liu Qinghuan smirk.
” Who can be better than you, Tang Zhibo, when it comes to tricks? On one side you said you wanted cooperation and on the other, you went to Xue Mu to snitch on me. This skill of double crossing and backstabbing is something I can never match. ”
No matter how her tone is filled with sarcasm, Tang Zhibo ignores it.
” I only did that to let Miss know what apart from me, you don’t really have any other choice. ”
Liu Qinghuan resist the urge to snicker.
” Then I’m truly grateful. ”
” Please don’t say that. ”
In a good mood, Tang Zhibo orders his men.
” Please invite Miss Du Juan back into our mansion as a guest. ”
His orders just came down and Liu Qinghuan already see a large hulking of a brute walking towards her with a piece of blindfold in one hand. Subconsciously taking a step back, she can feel those pointy swords immediately move towards her. Her face turn black as she stares at Tang Zhibo.
” What is the meaning of this? ”
Tang Zhibo signals the big brute to continue with blindfolding her eyes as he whispers in her ear.
” I hope you understand. As long as you stay nice and quiet, I promise not to hurt you. ”
Frowning, Liu Qinghuan allows them to blind her own eyes. Seeing how mysterious they’re acting, she guess they aren’t heading to Tang Zhibo’s mansion but instead, to a secret meeting ground for the Beseeching Fire Cult.
In order to hide her from view, he place a veiled hat on her. She is then guided onto a horse carriage and in it, a maid. Once she is onboard, the maid hook her arm and slightly apply force.
” Greetings, Miss. ”
Liu Qinghuan’s eyes gleam. If her ears are correct, this voice belongs to that purple dressed girl that day the young man came to challenge Xue Mu.
She didn’t reply, and the maid take no heed and simply continue hooking arms with her. The carriage then slowly move, and based on how much a rackus they’re making, it really looks like a daughter of some big family is going out on a trip.
Although Liu Qinghuan is blindfolded, she have been taking notes on how many turns they have been making. This carriage should have turn out of the west gate through the Zhongni square and proceeding north, in which it turns west again.
The further west they go, the stronger is the smell of spice in the air. Even if she can’t see, just the smell alone is enough to tell her that they are at the West Market. Time and time again she would hear mongolian, as well as rusty mandarin use by mongolian traders trying to bargain.
After a stretch of road, the carriage then turn again, making it’s way east. The gears in Liu Qinghuan’s brain starts churning. If her guess is correct, the place they are heading is most likely Yining Square, where the fire cult devotees often gather at their temple brunch. But if they are bringing her to the temple, why blindfold her?
When the carriage stopped, nothing can be heard. Liu Qinghuan stay onboard, not moving while the maid besides her jump down and grab hold of her arm.
” Miss, please step down. ”
Liu Qinghuan purse her lips and hold onto the maid’s hand as she alight. After she alighted, Tang Zhibo did not remove the blindfold but instead, the maid continue guiding her in a direction.
After walking for a bit, Liu Qinghuan frowns. This… this seems to be heading underground. Her surroundings gets quieter and quieter and she doesn’t know if the maid is leading her around in circles but she have already turn more than 10 times on this stretch of road. Finally, she hears a low voice next to her ear.
” Miss, we are here. ”
With that, her hat and blindfold is removed. Liu Qinghuan blinks, and her blurry eyesight gets clearer. It is still the same bunch of people, just that the location have changed.
Here is a squared room, decorated daintily. The only defect is that there is no windows in the room at all. Only a few candles are lighted up but it is more than enough to light up the entire room. A large bed is set at the left side of the room, against the wall, the engraved peony as real as it can be.
” I decorated this room specially for you, so what do you think? ”
Tang Zhibo said, smiling despicably. Liu Qinghuan smiles.
” Looks just like you. ”
” Oh? Care to explain more? ”
” Hypocritical and superficial, just how I like it. ”
Tang Zhibo laughs, his deep voice echoing around the room.
” As long as you like it. ”
He then point to a young lady dressed as a maid.
” This will be your personal maid, Bangzhi. You remember her? ”
Liu Qinghuan’s eyes goes to that young lady. As expected, it’s that purple-dressed girl. She laughs and smile.
” How can I forget? ”
” She is unlike the 2 maids you have in the Hou Mansion. Her martial arts is very good so please do not try anything in front of her. ”
” I’m trapped here where no one can hear me so what should I even try? ”
” It’s the best if you think that way. You have been on the road for the entire morning so I guess you must be hungry. Why not have lunch first? ”
In the Hou mansion, the guards discovered a bigger problem after chasing away the fire cult devotees. Their Madam is missing!?!
Liu Qinghuan went soft on them this time round so Ci Tao and Qing Zhi woke up soon after. After feeling dizzy for a bit, they then rushes outside in a frenzy. Xue Mu is not back yet so the ones who got alerted is Nian Tang and the guards. When Nian Tang heard that Liu Qinghuan disappeared once again, her face just fell. The last time they spend 2 days and nights trying to find Liu Qinghuan and she really don’t want to experience that again.
She rush out and search the entire perimeter but got nothing. Bearing with a tiny flame of hope in her heart, Nian Tang rushes back to the mansion and straight towards the main bedroom, grabbing Qing Zhi and asking.
” Is she back yet? ”
” No. ”
Qing Zhi reply, her eyes red.
Madam had hit them the same way as the last time so it looks like they should be learning martial arts rather than cooking!
Nian Tang last hope is dashed and she could only head into the army to inform Xue Mu. But the moment she reaches the gate, she sees Xue Mu, Peng Peng and Nuo Yan going her way.
Nian Tang subconsciously freeze. Looking at her wooden expression, Xue Mu ask.
” What’s wrong? ”
She takes a deep breath and forgo resisting.
” Marquise, Du Juan escape again. ”
Looks like the few mongolians that came this morning is not looking for trouble but to cover her!
Xue Mu’s face changes a few times and before he even speaks, Peng Peng, with a thunderstruck expression, yells out.
” We la la is gone again?! ”
Sa sa mo ni! When will they stop torturing a frail flower such as him?
Xue Mu goes silent for a while, before saying emotionlessly.
” So be it. ”
Nian Tang and Peng Peng both pause. The last time Du Juan ran away, Xue Mu looked like he is about to kill someone so why is he so calm this time round?
But only Nuo Yan is thinking about how soft Xue Mu have been, simply letting her go like that.
As different thoughts go through each person’s mind, Xue Mu lifts his leg and strides into his mansion. Just after a few steps in, he sees Liang Cheng running towards him in a hurry. He frowns and walk quickly towards her.
” Why are you panicking? Is mother okay? ”
” No, not that like. Old Madam heard that Madam, Madam is gone and is looking frantically for you! ”
Xue Mu eyes dim.
” I got it. ”
Seeing him walking towards the inner courts, Liang Cheng rushes up to him.
” Marquise, what is going on with Madam? ”
One person just disappeared from the mansion so not to mention Madam Ning, they would also have to give an explanation to their daughter-in-law’s family!
Xue Mu simply purse his lips as he continue on towards Madam Ning courtyard.
Madam Ning sit there, her temple throbbing. A maid behind her gently massage her temples and when she spots Xue Mu walking in, leans over and inform Madam Ning.
” Old Madam, the Marquise is here. ”
Madam Ning open her eyes.
” All of you go down for now. ”
All the maids bow and leave, while Xue Mu walk towards her, asking gently.
” Mother, is your head hurting again? ”
She stares at him, her tone sharp.
” Let me ask you, where is Liu Qinghuan? Is she sick again? ”
An astonished expression flashes across Xue Mu face as Madam Ning smiles.
” Mu-er, you don’t really think I know nothing, do you? ”
He lowers his head and said nothing as Madam Ning sighs, mumbling.
” I already felt something was up when Qinghuan came over to greet me this morning. ”
She pause.
” Mu-er, usually you won’t tell me anything you do and I won’t ask either, but I have to ask when it’s about Qinghuan. The last time she saved you and got injured, Madam Liu cried her eyes out so please tell me what to tell them when their daughter is missing from our house? ”
Seeing Xue Mu is still staying silent, her anger flares up.
” What is going on with the both of you?! If you don’t care about your wife, who will?! You haven’t even think of what would happen, leaving a woman out there alone! ”
The more she say, the more agitated Madam Ning becomes, so much so that Liang Chen, who is standing guard outside, rushes in to help smoothen her breath.
” Don’t get so angry, Madam. The doctor said you can’t get this agitated. ”
” I’ll die sooner or later with this kind of son! ”
Seeing Madam Ning getting breathless, Xue Mu hurriedly admit his wrongs.
” Don’t be angry Mother, this is all my fault. I let her down. ”
The moment Liu Qinghuan flips over the mansion walls, a few shiny swords are already in front of her.
She stands there, unimpressed as she glance up at calm and unruffled Tang Zhibo.
” And this is what you meant by cooperation? ”
” Miss Du’s wit and intelligence is well known so I’m only taking some measures in case you have some tricks up your sleeve. ”
He said, smiling. Liu Qinghuan smirk.
” Who can be better than you, Tang Zhibo, when it comes to tricks? On one side you said you wanted cooperation and on the other, you went to Xue Mu to snitch on me. This skill of double crossing and backstabbing is something I can never match. ”
No matter how her tone is filled with sarcasm, Tang Zhibo ignores it.
” I only did that to let Miss know what apart from me, you don’t really have any other choice. ”
Liu Qinghuan resist the urge to snicker.
” Then I’m truly grateful. ”
” Please don’t say that. ”
In a good mood, Tang Zhibo orders his men.
” Please invite Miss Du Juan back into our mansion as a guest. ”
His orders just came down and Liu Qinghuan already see a large hulking of a brute walking towards her with a piece of blindfold in one hand. Subconsciously taking a step back, she can feel those pointy swords immediately move towards her. Her face turn black as she stares at Tang Zhibo.
” What is the meaning of this? ”
Tang Zhibo signals the big brute to continue with blindfolding her eyes as he whispers in her ear.
” I hope you understand. As long as you stay nice and quiet, I promise not to hurt you. ”
Frowning, Liu Qinghuan allows them to blind her own eyes. Seeing how mysterious they’re acting, she guess they aren’t heading to Tang Zhibo’s mansion but instead, to a secret meeting ground for the Beseeching Fire Cult.
In order to hide her from view, he place a veiled hat on her. She is then guided onto a horse carriage and in it, a maid. Once she is onboard, the maid hook her arm and slightly apply force.
” Greetings, Miss. ”
Liu Qinghuan’s eyes gleam. If her ears are correct, this voice belongs to that purple dressed girl that day the young man came to challenge Xue Mu.
She didn’t reply, and the maid take no heed and simply continue hooking arms with her. The carriage then slowly move, and based on how much a rackus they’re making, it really looks like a daughter of some big family is going out on a trip.
Although Liu Qinghuan is blindfolded, she have been taking notes on how many turns they have been making. This carriage should have turn out of the west gate through the Zhongni square and proceeding north, in which it turns west again.
The further west they go, the stronger is the smell of spice in the air. Even if she can’t see, just the smell alone is enough to tell her that they are at the West Market. Time and time again she would hear mongolian, as well as rusty mandarin use by mongolian traders trying to bargain.
After a stretch of road, the carriage then turn again, making it’s way east. The gears in Liu Qinghuan’s brain starts churning. If her guess is correct, the place they are heading is most likely Yining Square, where the fire cult devotees often gather at their temple brunch. But if they are bringing her to the temple, why blindfold her?
When the carriage stopped, nothing can be heard. Liu Qinghuan stay onboard, not moving while the maid besides her jump down and grab hold of her arm.
” Miss, please step down. ”
Liu Qinghuan purse her lips and hold onto the maid’s hand as she alight. After she alighted, Tang Zhibo did not remove the blindfold but instead, the maid continue guiding her in a direction.
After walking for a bit, Liu Qinghuan frowns. This… this seems to be heading underground. Her surroundings gets quieter and quieter and she doesn’t know if the maid is leading her around in circles but she have already turn more than 10 times on this stretch of road. Finally, she hears a low voice next to her ear.
” Miss, we are here. ”
With that, her hat and blindfold is removed. Liu Qinghuan blinks, and her blurry eyesight gets clearer. It is still the same bunch of people, just that the location have changed.
Here is a squared room, decorated daintily. The only defect is that there is no windows in the room at all. Only a few candles are lighted up but it is more than enough to light up the entire room. A large bed is set at the left side of the room, against the wall, the engraved peony as real as it can be.
” I decorated this room specially for you, so what do you think? ”
Tang Zhibo said, smiling despicably. Liu Qinghuan smiles.
” Looks just like you. ”
” Oh? Care to explain more? ”
” Hypocritical and superficial, just how I like it. ”
Tang Zhibo laughs, his deep voice echoing around the room.
” As long as you like it. ”
He then point to a young lady dressed as a maid.
” This will be your personal maid, Bangzhi. You remember her? ”
Liu Qinghuan’s eyes goes to that young lady. As expected, it’s that purple-dressed girl. She laughs and smile.
” How can I forget? ”
” She is unlike the 2 maids you have in the Hou Mansion. Her martial arts is very good so please do not try anything in front of her. ”
” I’m trapped here where no one can hear me so what should I even try? ”
” It’s the best if you think that way. You have been on the road for the entire morning so I guess you must be hungry. Why not have lunch first? ”
In the Hou mansion, the guards discovered a bigger problem after chasing away the fire cult devotees. Their Madam is missing!?!
Liu Qinghuan went soft on them this time round so Ci Tao and Qing Zhi woke up soon after. After feeling dizzy for a bit, they then rushes outside in a frenzy. Xue Mu is not back yet so the ones who got alerted is Nian Tang and the guards. When Nian Tang heard that Liu Qinghuan disappeared once again, her face just fell. The last time they spend 2 days and nights trying to find Liu Qinghuan and she really don’t want to experience that again.
She rush out and search the entire perimeter but got nothing. Bearing with a tiny flame of hope in her heart, Nian Tang rushes back to the mansion and straight towards the main bedroom, grabbing Qing Zhi and asking.
” Is she back yet? ”
” No. ”
Qing Zhi reply, her eyes red.
Madam had hit them the same way as the last time so it looks like they should be learning martial arts rather than cooking!
Nian Tang last hope is dashed and she could only head into the army to inform Xue Mu. But the moment she reaches the gate, she sees Xue Mu, Peng Peng and Nuo Yan going her way.
Nian Tang subconsciously freeze. Looking at her wooden expression, Xue Mu ask.
” What’s wrong? ”
She takes a deep breath and forgo resisting.
” Marquise, Du Juan escape again. ”
Looks like the few mongolians that came this morning is not looking for trouble but to cover her!
Xue Mu’s face changes a few times and before he even speaks, Peng Peng, with a thunderstruck expression, yells out.
” We la la is gone again?! ”
Sa sa mo ni! When will they stop torturing a frail flower such as him?
Xue Mu goes silent for a while, before saying emotionlessly.
” So be it. ”
Nian Tang and Peng Peng both pause. The last time Du Juan ran away, Xue Mu looked like he is about to kill someone so why is he so calm this time round?
But only Nuo Yan is thinking about how soft Xue Mu have been, simply letting her go like that.
As different thoughts go through each person’s mind, Xue Mu lifts his leg and strides into his mansion. Just after a few steps in, he sees Liang Cheng running towards him in a hurry. He frowns and walk quickly towards her.
” Why are you panicking? Is mother okay? ”
” No, not that like. Old Madam heard that Madam, Madam is gone and is looking frantically for you! ”
Xue Mu eyes dim.
” I got it. ”
Seeing him walking towards the inner courts, Liang Cheng rushes up to him.
” Marquise, what is going on with Madam? ”
One person just disappeared from the mansion so not to mention Madam Ning, they would also have to give an explanation to their daughter-in-law’s family!
Xue Mu simply purse his lips as he continue on towards Madam Ning courtyard.
Madam Ning sit there, her temple throbbing. A maid behind her gently massage her temples and when she spots Xue Mu walking in, leans over and inform Madam Ning.
” Old Madam, the Marquise is here. ”
Madam Ning open her eyes.
” All of you go down for now. ”
All the maids bow and leave, while Xue Mu walk towards her, asking gently.
” Mother, is your head hurting again? ”
She stares at him, her tone sharp.
” Let me ask you, where is Liu Qinghuan? Is she sick again? ”
An astonished expression flashes across Xue Mu face as Madam Ning smiles.
” Mu-er, you don’t really think I know nothing, do you? ”
He lowers his head and said nothing as Madam Ning sighs, mumbling.
” I already felt something was up when Qinghuan came over to greet me this morning. ”
She pause.
” Mu-er, usually you won’t tell me anything you do and I won’t ask either, but I have to ask when it’s about Qinghuan. The last time she saved you and got injured, Madam Liu cried her eyes out so please tell me what to tell them when their daughter is missing from our house? ”
Seeing Xue Mu is still staying silent, her anger flares up.
” What is going on with the both of you?! If you don’t care about your wife, who will?! You haven’t even think of what would happen, leaving a woman out there alone! ”
The more she say, the more agitated Madam Ning becomes, so much so that Liang Chen, who is standing guard outside, rushes in to help smoothen her breath.
” Don’t get so angry, Madam. The doctor said you can’t get this agitated. ”
” I’ll die sooner or later with this kind of son! ”
Seeing Madam Ning getting breathless, Xue Mu hurriedly admit his wrongs.
” Don’t be angry Mother, this is all my fault. I let her down. ”
