Chapter 29: Feng Yuxi Abducted by Assassins

Lu Heng dragged Gu Nanshu to a side courtyard of the Jiang residence before stopping. Angry, he shoved her away with force, then turned, his handsome face cold as he stared at her downcast eyes and rebuked her: "Gu Nanshu, have you forgotten my words? Did you forget what I told you?"

After smashing the wine jar on Jiang Mubai, Gu Nanshu felt much better. Her eyes lowered, she glanced at a nearby tree, reached out, plucked a leaf, and tore it into several pieces, acting like a child who had done something wrong. Hearing Lu Heng’s reprimand now, she felt less annoyed. Finally, she raised her eyes to look at him and replied in a calm tone, "I have not forgotten, Your Highness. I remember."

"You remember?" Lu Heng stood with his arms folded, staring at her with irritation. "If you remember, why did you smash that wine jar on Jiang Mubai just now? That is attempted murder. Do you believe that I could have you punished for your crimes right now?"

Mentioning this made her angry again. "Your Highness would punish me without asking for the reason," Gu Nanshu retorted. "Do you know what Jiang Mubai said to me just now? He is a hypocrite with a human face and a beast’s heart. Even if I killed him a hundred times, it would not be enough to satisfy my hatred!"

Lu Heng’s brows knit slightly. "Gu Nanshu, do not tell me these things. I have no interest in your past with him. I only require evidence, not your speculations and one-sided accounts. There are eighty-seven days left of the three months. I hope you keep that in mind, rather than indulging in blind revenge!"

So, he had been counting down the three months all along. These words felt like a basin of cold water poured over Gu Nanshu. What had she been hoping for? Lu Heng would never uphold justice for her, nor would he listen to her grievances. Why was she so foolishly unable to distinguish reality?

Gu Nanshu smiled, suppressing the reluctance in her heart. She bowed to Lu Heng and said rationally, "Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness. I will keep in mind that there are eighty-seven days left, and I will uncover the truth."

Seeing that her attitude toward admitting her mistake was acceptable, Lu Heng conceded, "Very well, I shall wait for your good news." He waved his hand, about to dismiss her, when a man suddenly shouted, "Oh no! A fire! Quick! Call for people to bring water and put it out! Hurry!"

A great fire had suddenly ignited in the direction of the Jiang family ancestral hall. Lu Heng and Gu Nanshu both froze, their gazes turning simultaneously toward the red glow rising from the hall. How could a fire start so suddenly, out of nowhere?

Lu Heng immediately instructed Huantao, "Take the Princess Consort to the guest room to rest. Do not wander about." He frowned at Gu Nanshu, then turned and strode away.

***

A cup of tea’s time earlier.

Feng Zhinian pushed open the doors to the bridal chamber of Jiang Mubai and Feng Yuxi and stormed inside. Upon seeing it was Feng Zhinian, Feng Yuxi hurried over with a smile. "Big Brother, why are you here?"

Feng Zhinian’s face was dark. He didn't speak, but instead strode to the table, poured himself a cup of tea, drank it in frustration, and then sat down, head bowed, his eyes darting restlessly.

Seeing her brother was unhappy, Feng Yuxi hesitated, then walked over, poured him another cup, and handed it to him, asking tentatively with a smile, "Brother, what is the matter? Did Jiang Lang not treat you to good wine? How about this, I will have someone call him over to drink with you alone, shall I?"

Mentioning Jiang Mubai only made Feng Zhinian angrier. He slammed his hand on the table, looked up at Feng Yuxi, his chest heaving. "Do not mention that lecher to me. Do you know what he did tonight?"

Feng Yuxi knew that Feng Zhinian had always been at odds with Jiang Mubai, so she didn't find his words strange. However, today was her wedding day; she did not want to damage the harmony with her brother. She frowned slightly and asked, "Brother, today is my wedding day. What could he possibly have done to you? From today on, he is part of the Feng family. Can you please stop targeting him?"

"Do you think I would target him without reason?" Feng Zhinian stood up abruptly, shouting in anger, "When he was toasting Nanshu earlier, did you see how close and intimate he was to her? How happily he was smiling? As a man, how could I not know what that smile meant? He actually tried to seduce the Imperial Aunt in public! Tell me, isn't he a lecher?"

Feng Yuxi had never felt a strong sense of security regarding Jiang Mubai. Hearing this, her figure swayed. But she still refused to believe it. She grabbed Feng Zhinian’s arm and smiled in self-reassurance. "How could that be, Brother? Jiang Lang wouldn't seduce the Tenth Imperial Aunt. It was just a toast; you must have misread the situation."

Feng Zhinian’s eyes widened sharply. "How could I have misread it? I don't know what he said to Nanshu, but she picked up a wine jar and smashed it on his head. With everyone watching, do you think Nanshu would have smashed a jar on his head for no reason?"

Of course, she wouldn't. Feng Yuxi’s figure froze. Her hands gripping Feng Zhinian’s arm tightened, and her inner defenses collapsed.

Feng Zhinian continued, "Yuxi, I told you long ago that Jiang Mubai is no good. He is sinister and cunning; he approached you with a hidden agenda, but you wouldn't believe me. Now that you are pregnant, he can't wait to seduce another woman. Do you still want a man like this?"

Feng Yuxi pushed Feng Zhinian away. "No, it’s impossible. Brother, what you’re saying can't be true. I don't believe it!"

***

"Believe it or not, whether it is true or not, you can go to the study right now and find Jiang Mubai. He is currently bandaging the wound on his head. Go ask him yourself if the injury was caused by Nanshu and why!"

Right. She would go confirm it with Jiang Mubai directly; that was better than guessing here. Feng Yuxi immediately turned and strode toward the door.

At that moment, someone outside shouted, "Oh no! A fire! Quick! Call for people to bring water and put it out! Hurry!"

Before the voice could fade, the door was kicked open with a loud bang, and two masked men in black entered with blades in hand.

Taken by surprise, Feng Yuxi’s eyes widened in terror. She grabbed her clothes at her chest and retreated. "Who, who are you! How did you break in?"

"Feng Yuxi, enough talk! Come with us!"

The taller masked man roared and lunged at Feng Yuxi, striking her on the neck. Feng Yuxi felt a numbness in her head, her vision went black, and she fainted. The tall man hoisted her onto his shoulder, turned, and leaped out the door, fleeing with her.

Feng Zhinian, having finally reacted, saw his sister being abducted right before his eyes. He raised his fists and lunged forward. "Who are you? Why are you kidnapping my sister? Let her go!"

The rear-guard assassin saw the incoming fist and kicked Feng Zhinian in the abdomen. Feng Zhinian, whose martial arts were far inferior, was sent flying several yards away, collapsing onto the ground. The masked men did not hesitate and fled.

Soon after, the two masked men were running quickly through the Jiang residence when they suddenly collided with Gu Nanshu and Huantao, who were on their way to the guest room.