Clear waters and beautiful mountains

Chapter 10

Yu Chi Mingyue had never encountered such a situation before and couldn't help but panic. She was about to get up, but Di Xiu pressed her down again.

"Don't move," Di Xiu said.

Just as Yu Chi Mingyue was about to say something, suddenly, a man in black rushed into the carriage and swung his knife. Before Yu Chi Mingyue could even cry out, she saw Di Xiu easily dodge the man's attack, then grab his wrist, disarm him, and strike him in the chest with a palm strike. The man in black screamed and was knocked away.

All the movements happened in the blink of an eye. Yu Chi Mingyue didn't see Di Xiu's moves clearly, but she could tell he was very skilled. At this moment, his eyes were filled with a sharp killing intent, making him a completely different person from before.

He would protect her. This thought gave her some peace of mind...

Just then, the carriage jolted violently, the horses neighed, and galloped off.

Di Xiu lifted the carriage curtain, leaped onto the carriage shaft, and grabbed the reins. However, the horses pulling the carriage had been hit by arrows and were in excruciating pain; even with the reins pulled, they would not stop.

Di Xiu raised his sword, about to cut the yoke of the carriage, when several men in black leaped over and boarded the carriage. Di Xiu had no time to worry about the horses anymore and began to fight with the men.

Inside the carriage, Yu Chi Mingyue suppressed her panic and helplessness. She watched the fight unfold, anxious but unable to help. Fortunately, the men in black were no match for Di Xiu, and in no time, they were all knocked off the carriage.

She had just breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a low slope ahead, where there was no path. Di Xiu tightened the reins and pulled the horse back. The horses were startled and disoriented, but when they reached the top of the slope, they all stopped abruptly.

Di Xiu loosened the reins, extended his hand to Yu Chi Mingyue, and said, "Get out of the carriage."

Yu Chi Mingyue nodded and was about to take his hand.

Suddenly, a deafening roar erupted, followed by a tremendous force. The carriage was overturned and tumbled down the hillside. She felt a wave of dizziness, her vision went black, and she could feel nothing more.

...

When Yu Chi Mingyue awoke, it was already dark. Snowflakes were falling, bringing a chill to the air.

She was startled, and her mind cleared instantly. She abruptly sat up, but a sharp pain shot through her left ankle, causing her to cry out.

"Don't move."

Upon hearing the voice, she was overjoyed. She looked in the direction of the sound and when she saw Di Xiu, her heart pounded with emotion, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Di Xiu was tending to the campfire when he saw her wake up. He got up and walked over, silently handing her a small cloth bag.

Yu Chi Mingyue recognized the bag as belonging to the Prince of Nanling's residence; it was likely their luggage. She took the bag and was about to speak when he turned and returned to his original seat, remaining silent.

Yu Chi Mingyue looked at his actions with slight confusion. She looked down at the cloth bag in her hand and opened it.

Inside the bag were a pile of peeled chestnuts. Yu Chi Mingyue was surprised. She suddenly remembered that yesterday, when she angrily confronted Di Xiu, he was peeling chestnuts. Were these peeled for the journey? No, this wasn't the time to think about that…

She looked up, bewildered, and glanced around. By the light of the campfire, she saw that she was nestled among a pile of rocks. The rocks were huge, but they did provide some shelter from the wind. Beyond the rocks lay a grove of trees. Winter was bleak, and the leaves had long since fallen. Beneath her lay those soft fallen leaves. To her greatest surprise, she was covered with her favorite white fox fur blanket.

The cloth bag and blanket are items on the carriage, but where is the carriage?

Thinking about it this way, she recalled what had happened before. They were attacked halfway through the journey, and the carriage went out of control. Then it seemed like gunpowder exploded, the carriage overturned, and rolled down the hillside… She couldn't remember anything after that…

As she thought about it, she couldn't help but feel a chill of fear. But what terrified her even more were the people who had attacked them:

Yuchi Mountain Villa.

She had initially thought the men in black were after Di Xiu, but the gunpowder attack and the overturned carriage had even affected her. Did the attackers intend to kill her too? Within the Yuchi Manor, who hated her so much that they wanted her dead? Or had the Yuchi family never truly considered her their fourth young lady…?

She suddenly felt a chill in her heart and dared not think any further.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and then asked Di Xiu, "Where is this?"

Di Xiu remained silent and began breaking off tree branches on his own.

Yu Chi Mingyue pretended not to hear and asked again, "Where are we now?"

Di Xiu piled the broken branches aside, poked at the fire, and still did not answer.

Yu Chi Mingyue was completely puzzled, frowning as she pondered deeply. Suddenly, it dawned on her.

"You..." Her voice trembled slightly as she said indignantly, "You're not still angry, are you?!"

Chapter Twelve

"Are you still angry?!"

Di Xiu's eyebrows twitched slightly. He glanced at her but remained silent.

Yu Chi Mingyue pointed at him angrily and said, "I haven't done anything heinous, don't go too far!"

Upon hearing this, Di Xiu frowned and said, "You're lying to me."

Yu Chi Mingyue was stunned, unable to answer for a long time. After thinking for a while, she retorted weakly, "So what if I lied to you!"

Di Xiu looked at her, his eyes filled with pain. He avoided her gaze and whispered, "I love you, it's true..."

His voice was melancholy and sorrowful, like a sigh.

Yu Chi Mingyue's heartstrings twitched, and a faint pain arose within her. It was this seemingly nonsensical remark that had troubled her until now. She had doubted, suspected, and tested him, placing all her attention on him. And now, she had no choice but to believe him.

Since he didn't lie, how could she lie to him? Love is not something to be taken lightly. Putting herself in his shoes, the words she uttered must have been very hurtful.

She hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly and sincerely, "I'm sorry..."

Before she could finish speaking, Di Xiu interrupted her. He frowned and said, "Don't apologize!"

Yu Chi Mingyue was stunned for a moment, but when she recovered, she was furious. "What exactly do you want?!"

Di Xiu's eyes were slightly red, as if she were angry and resentful. She only repeated, "Don't apologize."

Just as Yu Chi Mingyue was about to lash out, she suddenly realized something.

Apologizing would be admitting she lied to him. But didn't he already know she had lied? In other words, what he cared about wasn't that she had lied, but that she didn't like him? Her mind was a mess, and she didn't know what to do. Her frustration grew stronger. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn't have agreed to let Mei Ziqi test him. Being taken advantage of was one thing, but what was she going to do now?

She had long since forgotten about her own situation, and all her questions from earlier had been put aside. All her thoughts were now focused on him, tangled and conflicted.

The snow was falling heavier, and it was getting colder. Snowflakes landed on her neck, making her shiver. She huddled up, breathing on her hands to warm them, and glancing at Di Xiu every now and then.

He was already injured, and the attack and struggle had reopened his wounds. By the firelight, one could clearly see the blood seeping through his clothes on his right arm and left leg. Although the wounds had been roughly bandaged, they clearly showed no improvement. However, he seemed preoccupied with the events of the previous night and did not seem to care about these injuries.

She gently clutched the white fox fur blanket covering her, frowned in thought for a moment, and then said, "Come here."

He ignored it and did nothing.

Yu Chi Mingyue frowned and said, "You're not coming over, are you? Fine! I'll come over!" As soon as she finished speaking, she was about to get up when the pain in her left ankle instantly returned, causing her to groan involuntarily.

Seeing this, Di Xiu quickly got up and went to her side, saying with concern, "Don't move."

Yu Chi Mingyue looked up at him, secretly pleased. She moved to the side, patted the ground, and said, "Sit down."

Di Xiu frowned, looking slightly embarrassed, but eventually sat down.

Yu Chi Mingyue smiled with satisfaction, lifted the blanket covering herself, and draped it over him.

Di Xiu was slightly startled and was about to make a move when he heard Yu Chi Mingyue command, "Don't move!"

Di Xiu had no choice but to remain still, glancing away with slight dissatisfaction.

Yu Chi Mingyue's cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes flickering. She took a deep breath, steeled herself, gently wrapped her arms around his waist, and nestled into his embrace.

Di Xiu's dissatisfaction crumbled in surprise. He lowered his eyes, looking at Yu Chi Mingyue in his arms, somewhat at a loss.

“There’s only one blanket…” Yu Chi Mingyue buried her head in his chest and explained softly.

Di Xiu remained silent for a moment, then finally laughed. He reached out, pulled the blanket tighter, and wrapped her in his arms. He spoke with a smile, "Little Si is so warm."

Upon hearing this, Yu Chi Mingyue frowned, looked up, and said reproachfully, "Don't call me Xiao Si!"

Upon hearing this, he smiled and called out, "Mingyue."

Her heart raced at his call, and her blood felt a slight heat rise within her. His voice was so gentle, it seemed to melt into her very being. A complex mix of emotions welled up inside her, a bittersweet feeling. Though she didn't understand the sensation, she was overcome with shyness. She lowered her head, closed her eyes, and remained silent.

In the silence, only their breaths and heartbeats were clearly audible. It was as if they were the only beings in the world…

Just then, Di Xiu suddenly pushed her away, raised his hand and struck out with a palm, extinguishing the fire.

Yu Chi Mingyue was astonished, but the moment the fire went out, more than a dozen torches appeared around her, and footsteps approached from afar. She didn't know whether the newcomers were friend or foe, and seeing Di Xiu's reaction, she couldn't help but feel nervous.

Just then, a soft female voice rang out, exclaiming with delight, "Mingyue! Steward Di! We've finally found you!"

Upon hearing this voice, Yu Chi Mingyue became even more surprised.

A beautiful young woman hurried in, leading a group of maids. She wore a scarlet cloak, which shone even brighter in the torchlight. This woman was none other than Yuchi Caiyao, the second young lady of Yuchi Manor, who had left the manor to recuperate.

"Second Sister," Yu Chi Mingyue called out, somewhat pleased.

Yu Chi Caiyao was slightly out of breath, her smile filled with relief and excitement, "I was so worried when I heard you were attacked. Thank goodness you're all alright!"

As she spoke, she took a step forward. However, Di Xiu stood up and blocked Yu Chi Mingyue's path, coldly staring at Yu Chi Caiyao.

Yu Chi Caiyao stopped and said timidly, "Chief Steward Di, please don't do this, I am Caiyao..." She looked Di Xiu up and down and said, "You are badly injured, let me take a look."

Just as Yu Chi Caiyao was about to approach, Di Xiu struck her with a palm.

Yu Chi Caiyao moved nimbly to avoid the attack, and said with great anxiety, "Chief Steward Di, what are you doing? I'm here to help you!" As she spoke, she looked at Yu Chi Mingyue, "Mingyue, why don't you say a few words to him?"

Seeing Di Xiu's actions, Yu Chi Mingyue gradually understood something.

The attackers were from Yuchi Manor... Could it be that Second Sister was behind it?

The thought sent a chill down Yu Chi Mingyue's spine. She spoke, asking, "Second Sister, did you send people to attack us?"

Yu Chi Caiyao was shocked. "Mingyue, how could you think that? I'm your second sister..." she said, her expression filled with sorrow. "I know you must have recognized the assassins... They are indeed from Yu Chi Manor." She hesitated for a long time, but finally mustered her courage and said, "Actually, it was my eldest brother who sent the attack on you..."

"Big brother?" Yu Chi Mingyue was shocked.

“Hmm…” Yuchi Caiyao glanced at Di Xiu, “My elder brother has always harbored resentment towards Steward Di. He originally intended to use the interrogation of ‘Zhenhu’ as a pretext to settle his personal score. Unexpectedly, Mingyue, you saved Steward Di and even took him away from Yuchi Manor. In his desperation, he did such an impulsive thing. Mingyue, don’t be afraid. Come back to the manor with me, and we will inform Father and ask him to uphold justice.”

These words make perfect sense. When Di Xiu had his accident, everyone who had a grudge against him went to visit him, hoping for a chance to retaliate, except for Second Sister. It's likely that Eldest Brother and Di Xiu had a grudge. Besides, weren't the things Eldest Brother and Third Sister said to her earlier meant to make her give up on Di Xiu?

But if it was aimed at Di Xiu, why use gunpowder? Clearly, they weren't sparing her either…

Thinking of this, fear returned to her. Her older brother and sister, whom she had never really understood, were now becoming increasingly unfamiliar. What kind of place was Yuchi Manor, really...? And could she trust Yuchi Caiyao, the person standing before her?

Seeing that Yu Chi Mingyue remained silent, Yu Chi Caiyao said again, "Good sister, come with me quickly, it won't be good if your elder brother's men find you!" As she spoke, she tried to step forward, but was forced back by Di Xiu. She was faintly angry, but she hid it in her worry.

After pondering for a moment, Yu Chi Mingyue asked, "Second Sister, how did you know that I left Yu Chi Manor with Di Xiu?"

Yu Chi Caiyao replied, "I only found out after receiving the news. As soon as I heard you were in trouble, I rushed over immediately..."

Yu Chi Mingyue interrupted her, saying in a deep voice, "The villa where Second Sister recuperates is two days' journey from Yu Chi Manor."

Upon hearing this, Yu Chi Caiyao was slightly taken aback, then a broad smile spread across her face.

"Mingyue, you're so foolish..." Yuchi Caiyao sighed, then loudly ordered her men, "Take them down!"

Upon hearing this, all the servants drew their weapons and charged forward.