At this moment, Qi Xin also approached Liu Xiu. Her bright red wedding dress was dazzling. Her fingers touched Liu Xiu's, and Liu Xiu instinctively pulled his fingers away. Qi Xin was startled.
Qi Ran smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and then walked back to his seat.
Liu Xiu's gaze darkened, the madness in his eyes slowly fading. His fingers were finally grasped by Qi Xin, intertwined, and as their fingers clasped, Qi Xin blushed, lowered her head, and smiled softly. That smile was so charming and alluring that everyone stared in disbelief.
Hua Wuduo watched everything unfold. She curled her lips in self-deprecation, as if struggling with herself, as if unwilling to believe what she was seeing. She asked softly and fragilely, with a hint of stubbornness, "Tell me your answer."
Liu Xiu's voice rang out in the hall. It was deep and hoarse, but very calm. He said, "I cannot."
Suddenly, someone in the crowd let out a sigh.
Upon hearing this, she seemed to lose all strength, staggering back several steps, unsteady on her feet. Suddenly, several guards pounced on her from behind, pinning her to the ground, but she didn't struggle at all. With a flick of her silver thread, it slipped from the two bound guards, disappearing just as it was about to vanish through her fingers. At that moment, a strand of her hair snapped off and fell to the ground. Gazing at the strand of hair on the ground, her eyes dimmed, and she said indifferently, "From this day forward, we are strangers."
Who exactly is it?
Liu Xiu's gaze was calm, gazing indifferently into a corner, seemingly unmoved. Qi Xin, however, felt her hand, which was clasped in hers, clench into a fist and tremble uncontrollably. She looked at Liu Xiu, flashing a dazzling smile to the crowd, but her gaze was cold.
The Empress waved her sleeve and said coldly, "Drag her out and cripple her..." Before she could finish speaking, Liu Xiu knelt down in front of her with a thud and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down! I have disturbed Your Majesty today because I have gotten into many romantic entanglements in the martial world. I hope Your Majesty will consider my youth and ignorance, and since today is my wedding day, it is really inappropriate to see blood. Please just throw her out."
The Empress frowned deeply, fixing her gaze on Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu's head was bowed low, his body almost entirely prostrate on the ground, not pleading but begging. She knew what Liu Xiu was thinking, and upon realizing this, she couldn't help but sigh softly, a hint of coldness creeping into her eyes.
At this moment, Qi Xin knelt down and pleaded, "Your Majesty, Xiu and this woman have some affection for each other. Today is also Xiu and my wedding day. Please let her go. Otherwise, I'm afraid my husband will be known as a heartless and fickle person from now on, which would be terrible."
Liu Xiu heard this, but didn't look at Qi Xin.
Qi Xin glanced at Liu Xiu, who was lying on the ground, and her gaze darkened slightly.
Madam Qi, who was seated at the head of the table and was Qi Xin's mother, also said, "Today is the joyous day of Xiu and Xin'er, and it is not appropriate to see blood. Your Majesty is kind-hearted, so please let her go."
Empress Liu remained silent for a long time before saying to the guards, "Do as Lady Qi says, throw her out. If she dares to come near the Imperial Uncle's residence again, kill her without mercy."
Hua Wuduo's lips curled into a mocking smile.
The guards acknowledged and dragged her away without a shred of pity. Hua Wuduo offered no resistance whatsoever. It seemed that only physical pain and humiliation could alleviate the ridiculous and pathetic agony in her heart.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard Qi Xin say from inside the hall, "Wait!"
The guards paused, turned around, and pinned Hua Wuduo to the doorway, forcing him to kneel before Qi Xin.
Hua Wuduo stared at the woman approaching her, struggling to stand up, but the guards held her firmly, preventing her from rising. She struggled repeatedly, then simply sat on the ground, disdainfully saying, "In this life, I only kneel to my parents and to Heaven and Earth; you are not worthy of my kneeling!"
Qi Xin stood in front of Hua Wuduo, looked down at him, and suddenly her gaze turned cold, but she said softly, "You come from humble beginnings, and meeting Xiu is perhaps a blessing from your past life. Falling in love with him is not your fault, but you know that your status is far below his and you are not a good match. Don't act rashly anymore. This is not a place for you. Once you leave, don't come back."
Qi Xin's kind words of advice made everyone in the hall nod in agreement, most of them thinking that she was kind-hearted and intentionally trying to persuade the woman not to come and die.
Hua Wuduo, however, was unmoved. He snorted coldly and said contemptuously, "Even if you kneel down and beg me, I will never come again."
Qi Xin's breath hitched, but she smiled and said, "Do you have enough money for your journey? If not, I can have someone prepare some for you."
Most people nodded in agreement upon hearing this, agreeing that Qi Xin was not only beautiful but also kind-hearted. They all felt that Hua Wuduo was rather ungrateful.
Hua Wuduo noticed the fleeting disgust in Qi Xin's eyes. She snorted and said, "Fine, bring as much as you have, but don't bring out anything less than a thousand taels of gold or ten thousand taels of silver to offend my eyes."
The empress, seated on the throne, sneered, "What arrogance!"
"You do have a bit of pride," Qi Xin said with a faint smile, seemingly unperturbed. "But it's a bit ridiculous to be so proud of yourself when you can't see your place."
Everyone thought Qi Xin was good-tempered and that what she said made sense. They couldn't help but laugh at this woman for being so arrogant and asking for a thousand taels of gold. She was simply courting death.
Hua Wuduo naturally understood the implication in her words and said impatiently, "Say what you have to say quickly, or shut up. I'm in a hurry."
Qi Xin had never seen a woman speak so vulgarly in her life, and she was taken aback. A look of contempt flashed in her eyes as she said, "I want to ask you, where do you live? What is your name?"
Hua Wuduo suddenly laughed and said, "You think you're worthy of knowing?" Although she was looking up, her gaze was extremely contemptuous. Qi Xin had never been looked at like that before in her life, and she felt angry.
Then Hua Wuduo said, "You don't need to look at me with that fake pity that can't hide your disgust. I despise your pity and loathe your disgust. You say my status is far below his and I'm not good enough for him, and you pity me, but you're no better. You're just a bargaining chip they're fighting over. They don't even treat you like a human being; they just fight over you like a commodity that can bring them benefits. And you're still happy about it. Compared to me, aren't you even more pathetic?"
These words struck a nerve with Qi Xin. Her face flushed red and then paled. When she saw the contempt and pity in Hua Wuduo's eyes, she felt as if her pretense had been stripped away. She hadn't expected to be insulted by a woman of humble origins from the martial world. Just as she was about to speak, Hua Wuduo continued with a mocking tone, "As you say, I am not as well-born as you, nor as beautiful. It is only natural that you married him. He likes you more than he likes me." At this point, Hua Wuduo's voice choked with emotion, but she still continued, "Your hatred is even more unreasonable. So, please put away your disgusting hypocrisy, put away your ugly, deceitful face." She glanced around, then looked directly at Qi Xin, and smiled contemptuously, "And put away the affectations that only courtesans use to please their customers. Don't make me feel like I've lost to a lowly woman, don't make me feel resentful and humiliated."
The word "bitch" had completely driven Qi Xin to madness. She had never been insulted like that before, especially in front of so many people. She raised her hand to strike Hua Wuduo, but suddenly someone grabbed her wrist. Looking up, she saw a young man in brocade robes suddenly appear at the door. His eyes were like morning stars, his demeanor composed, and his smile elegant. The gaze he gave her was unfathomable, a knowing calmness that seemed to see through everything, sending a chill down Qi Xin's spine.
He released Qi Xin's wrist, slightly raised the corners of his mouth, and said with a half-smile, "Madam, such an auspicious day, if we miss it, wouldn't we regret it for the rest of our lives? She's just a country bumpkin who hasn't seen much of the world. Why should you personally teach her a lesson in front of everyone and lose your dignity?"
Everyone was shocked by Hua Wuduo's words, intuitively feeling that this woman was not simple. When they saw Qi Xin suddenly reach out to hit Hua Wuduo, they were also surprised. Qi Xin's gentle, virtuous and knowing-how-to act was instantly shattered in many people's eyes.
Gongzi Yu, in particular, was somewhat indignant, and was itching to pounce out from the corner, saying, "If she really dares to hit Wuduo, I...I..."
I kept talking for a while without getting any response, and the young master couldn't stand it any longer, so he asked, "What exactly is wrong with you?"
Gongzi Yu thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a good solution, and couldn't help but feel a little discouraged. At this moment, Gongzi Xun interjected, "If she really dares to hit Wudu, I will no longer acknowledge her as a beauty, but as an ugly woman."
Upon hearing this, Gongzi Yu immediately perked up and said, "Yes, she's an ugly woman, so I'll treat her as an ugly woman too."
Gongzi Kuang chimed in, "It seems that Qi Xin is not as gentle and virtuous as we thought; she is a weak woman who needs protection."
Gongzi Ziyang said, "Wu Du has touched on her sore spot."
Gongzi Yu disagreed, saying, "Wu Duo is not wrong either. Besides, others may not know Wu Duo's character, but don't we know her? She's honest and easy to bully, but she's also loyal and chivalrous. Don't forget that she once risked her life to save all of us. If she hadn't been so heartbroken, she wouldn't have..." Gongzi Yu recalled that battle, and Hua Wu Duo's bravery still stirred his emotions. Seeing the current situation, he sighed again, "And now, we just stand by and watch her suffer humiliation, hiding on the sidelines without lifting a finger to help her."
Everyone was disheartened.
Gongzi Qi said calmly, "We can't be blamed for this. Given our status, what right do we have to speak here? Even if we tried to help her, it would only backfire. As long as she's not hurt, that's all that matters."
Young Master Xun said with indignation, "Wu Duo is arrogant and haughty. Qi Xin's actions are too insulting to Wu Duo."
Gongzi Zheng suddenly asked, "I've always been curious, when did Wuduo fall in love with Xiu?"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Gongzi Yi with puzzled expressions. This was because Hua Wuduo and Gongzi Yi had a very special relationship, after all, the two had lived and eaten together. It was inevitable that everyone would have some wild thoughts. At this moment, Gongzi Yi was looking thoughtfully at Song Zixing, who had suddenly appeared at the door.
Too many changes have occurred tonight. Most of those who came to offer their congratulations were officials of the current dynasty, as well as prominent local families. Seeing this scene, they all tacitly watched with indifference.
Qi Xin looked at Song Zixing, her expression slightly changing, but she still smiled sweetly and asked, "May I ask who you are, young master?"
The man immediately bowed and said, "I am Song Zixing, General of Annam. Greetings, Madam."
A complex expression flashed across Qi Xin's face as she said, "General Song seems to be a little late."
Song Zixing smiled and said, "I was delayed on the way due to some matters, but fortunately I still made it in time for the wedding banquet of the Imperial Brother-in-law and his wife. I hope the madam will forgive me."
Qi Xin smiled gracefully and said, "General Song may have misunderstood. I don't mean to make things difficult for her. I just want to know who she is and why she keeps spouting such arrogant words here?"
Upon hearing this, Hua Wuduo, who was sitting on the ground, chuckled softly, as if asking himself and others, "Who am I?" Thinking of his own identity, he sneered even more disdainfully.
Qi Xin said, "Even if you come from a poor background, you still have a name and surname, and parents and elders. Don't you even have these? Or is there some unspeakable hardship that you're ashamed to say in public?" In fact, many people present did not recognize Hua Wuduo, and many wanted to know who this woman was. Qi Xin's words were loaded with meaning, and those who listened carefully had already guessed what Hua Wuduo's so-called hardship was. Naturally, it was her shameful and impoverished background.
Hua Wuduo struggled to get up, but was pressed down by the guards.
At this moment, Qi Xin said, "You may all step back for now."
The guard glanced at Empress Liu, who was seated on the throne, and only released his grip after seeing her nod.
Hua Wuduo swayed as she straightened up. Looking at Qi Xin, the disdain in her eyes intensified, and she said, "You insist on knowing who I am? Then I'll tell you exactly who I am."
She raised her hand, touched behind her ear, and slowly peeled the mask off her face. She heard gasps and exclamations. She saw the shock in Empress Liu's eyes, the bewilderment in Qi Xin's eyes, and the disbelief in the eyes of everyone else present.
She laughed, but pain and helplessness spread through her limbs and bones, slowly converging into a mixture of sorrow and slightly insane arrogance.
She heard her own trembling, mocking voice echoing through the hall, "I am Fang Ruoxi, the second daughter of the Fang family of Jinling!"
**************
She smiled, seeing the utter devastation on Liu Xiu's face. She wanted to laugh, but found herself uncontrollably curling up, a sharp pain in her chest making her shrink back. Inadvertently, her gaze met that of Gongzi Yi, who had been staring at her. She trembled, her only thought of running away in fear.
Before anyone could recover from their astonishment, she turned around and was already outside the hall. She couldn't help but look back at Liu Xiu, who was pale and seemed to have lost his soul. She remembered the phrase "from now on, we'll be strangers." Tears streamed down her cheeks. She waved them away with her sleeve, and with a flick of her sleeve, she disappeared into the night sky.
Tang Ye, standing in the crowd, coldly observed everything, as if he was not interested in what was happening. Only when he heard her last sentence did his expression suddenly change.
Prince Yi was no less shocked than Empress Liu Ya. He stared blankly at the woman in the hall, his expression complex.
Gongzi Qi's gaze shifted several times in an instant, but after seeing Gongzi Yi's expression, she sighed.
Gongzi Yu stared at Hua Wuduo in disbelief, completely oblivious to her words. His eyes were fixed on her stunning beauty. Was this Wuduo? Was this Wuduo's true face? She was simply... too beautiful.
The other young masters, including Gongzi Zheng and Gongzi Ziyang, were also stunned on the spot, shocked not only by Hua Wuduo's true face, but also by her actions and her identity.
Liu Xiujian straightened up, but he couldn't stop trembling. Was she Fang Ruoxi? Was fate playing a cruel joke on him? ...She was actually Fang Ruoxi? She had deceived him for so long...
In an instant, she moved several times and was already far away. Leaning against the moonlight hanging in the sky, she turned her head, and everyone in the hall was captivated.
Before the guards could react and give chase, the woman's figure had already disappeared among the buildings, gradually becoming a dot until she was nowhere to be seen.
At the wedding banquet, Liu Xiu drank cup after cup, not only accepting all offers but also intensifying his drinking. It wasn't until Prince Ziyang snatched his cup and advised him to drink less that he suddenly burst into laughter. He laughed and laughed until his voice became hoarse, until tears streamed down his face, until he coughed and vomited uncontrollably.
Liu Shun tried to help him up, but was pushed away by him, which knocked over a nearby table. The food, wine, and cups on the table were scattered on the ground, creating a mess.
This unexpected turn of events brought the banquet to a standstill; no one spoke, they simply watched the scene unfold.
Gongzi Ziyang secretly pressed a pressure point on Gongzi Xiu's acupoint, causing Gongzi Xiu to collapse to the ground. Gongzi Ziyang helped Gongzi Xiu up and laughed with the guests, saying, "The groom has had too much to drink. I'll help him inside first. Everyone, please make yourselves at home." Although the guests knew something was amiss, they did not say anything and continued drinking.
Prince Ziyang gave Liu Shun a wink, and together they helped Liu Xiu retreat to the back hall.
Gongzi Yi, Gongzi Qi, Song Zixing, and others only drank a few cups before claiming to be drunk and leaving one after another. The remaining young masters also dispersed hastily.
After leaving the Imperial Uncle's residence, Gongzi Yi and Gongzi Qi immediately dispatched many men to inquire about Hua Wuduo's whereabouts. The two waited for news in Daming Prefecture, but no news came until dawn.
Inside the study, the candles had burned out, and darkness enveloped everything. The chill and loneliness before dawn permeated every corner. The two men stood silently in the darkness, lost in thought, speechless for a moment.
In the silence, Gongzi Qi suddenly said, "I find it strange that Wu Duo didn't shed a single tear from beginning to end. Was she going to win back her love or to steal her husband?"
Gongzi Yi said, "Her pride wouldn't allow her to shed tears at that moment."
“You seem to know her quite well,” Gongzi Qi mocked.
Gongzi Yi also gave a mocking smile and said, "But I'm a fool too."
Gongzi Qi was taken aback upon hearing this, and said calmly, "This isn't the first time you've been tricked by her."
Gongzi Yi said calmly, "But only this time, when I was unwilling, did she keep it from me for so long."
Gongzi Qi sighed and said, "She is in great danger right now. I wonder if she is aware of that."
"She's probably hiding somewhere heartbroken right now, so how could she possibly be aware of any danger? Luckily, she knows how to disguise herself; I just hope she's already changed her mask," Gongzi Yi said, without much hope.
Gongzi Qi was speechless for a moment, then thought of something else and said, "Why did Song Zixing suddenly appear in the capital? He looks travel-worn and exhausted, he must have traveled a long way. Could it be that he came for Wuduo?"
Gongzi Yi said, "If we can't find Wuduo, it's very likely that he took him away. I'm finding myself increasingly admiring his style of doing things. He handled the Jiangling matter perfectly. Only he could have thought of using soldiers disguised as refugees, dispersing them to leave Jiangling with grain. He successfully transported such a large amount of grain. You know what? In this life, the last thing I want is to be his enemy one day."
"Why?" Gongzi Qi asked knowingly.
But then Gongzi Yi sighed helplessly, "Because he is too beautiful. I have never been able to resist beautiful women."
Receiving an unexpected answer, and knowing he was beating around the bush and trying to distract her, Gongzi Qi was speechless. After a long pause, Gongzi Qi finally said, "It's almost dawn. We still haven't heard from Wu Duo. I'm afraid, as you said, Wu Duo has been taken away by Song Zixing. Let's rest before dawn." Gongzi Qi rubbed her aching shoulders.