Meanwhile, Chu Tong was numb with pain. The wound, though not deep, was surrounded by blackened areas, clearly indicating poisoning. She tore off a piece of her clothing to barely bandage the wound, then pushed open the window on the other side of the room, jumped out onto a chair, and fled. She ran stealthily for a short while when she heard a commotion inside Yiyan Pavilion. Knowing something was terribly wrong, she forced herself to run forward. Knowing she couldn't stay in Yiyan Pavilion any longer, or she would implicate Xie Linghui, she headed straight for the back courtyard. The madam of the brothel was patrolling the back courtyard and recognized Chu Tong as Xie Linghui's personal maid. She quickly opened the back gate as Chu Tong requested. Chu Tong slipped out of Yiyan Pavilion, looked around, and saw a maze of narrow alleys ahead. Without a second thought, she ran inside.
It was completely dark, and the alley was pitch black, with only the occasional bark of a dog. Chu Tong stumbled and groped her way towards the Xie residence. It was only shortly after the beginning of spring, and the night was still bitterly cold. Chu Tong, wearing only a padded jacket and skirt, shivered uncontrollably. The wound on her shoulder ached as if her heart was being ripped out; the pain was indescribable. Fortunately, she was naturally strong-willed, and she gritted her teeth and ran as fast as she could.
After running out of the alley, she was utterly exhausted. Leaning against the wall, she slid down to the ground, panting. While resting, she listened intently to her surroundings. Only when she heard no more footsteps following her did she breathe a sigh of relief. Then, using her right hand to support herself against the wall, she struggled to her feet and slowly walked towards the main street. Most of the shops on the street were closed; only a few remained open, creating a rather desolate scene.
As Chu Tong walked, she saw a black horse galloping towards her from afar, with a sturdy young man in an ochre cloak riding on it. Chu Tong craned her neck to take a look and immediately her face lit up with joy. She shouted, "Long Xi!"
The horse was about to gallop past when the rider, hearing the shout, abruptly pulled on the reins, causing it to rear up and neigh before coming to a stop. The rider turned the horse and, seeing Chu Tong covered in blood, was immediately shocked, exclaiming, "Chu Tong, you…!" before quickly dismounting. Long Xi had been ordered by Xie Linghui to return home to report, only to learn upon arrival that Xie Chunrong had been summoned to the palace by the Emperor. He waited briefly at the Xie residence, realizing he wouldn't see his master anytime soon, and hurried back, where he happened to encounter Chu Tong on the way.
Chu Tong said, "Longxi, you've come at just the right time. Quickly take me back to the Xie residence." After a moment's thought, she said, "In my current state, I won't go into the garden yet. Take me to that vacant house behind the residence. It's a warehouse of the Xie residence, and there's only an old man living there guarding it."
Longxi had a bellyful of questions, but seeing Chu Tong's listless expression, he swallowed back the words that were about to come out of his throat. Then he thought that this little girl was favored by Xie Linghui and would surely become the Xie family's lady in the future. If he didn't curry favor with her now, when would he? So he hurriedly took off his cloak and wrapped it around Chu Tong's body, and then helped her mount the horse. The two of them rode together back to the Xie family's mansion in the back.
Long Zhao knocked on the door, revealed his identity, and tossed the old man a piece of silver, telling him to stay somewhere else for the night. The old man knew that Long Xi was Xie Linghui's personal bodyguard, so his attitude was naturally extremely respectful. He had assumed that Long Xi was a womanizer and wanted to have an affair with a maid in the manor, so he was initially somewhat reluctant. However, upon seeing the silver, he immediately beamed, put on his sheepskin coat, and left.
Chu Tong walked into the room and collapsed onto the kang (a heated brick bed). She felt her tense body relax instantly, and then she was plunged into deep darkness.
She didn't know how much time had passed, but in her sleep, Chu Tong felt a burning, excruciating pain in her shoulder. She licked her chapped lips and murmured, "It hurts..." Just as she finished speaking, she felt a cool sensation on her lips. Someone was dabbing her lips with a damp cotton ball, and then a familiar voice softly called, "Chu Tong, Chu Tong."
Chu Tong opened her eyes groggily and saw Xie Linghui sitting by the bed, looking very anxious. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she was awake and asked, "Are you feeling any better?" He then paused and said, "You've been unconscious for two days. You were poisoned. The wound isn't deep, and it will heal soon after applying the ointment, but it will inevitably leave a scar."
Chu Tong nodded, and Xie Linghui helped her sit up. Chu Tong looked around and realized she was still in the old house behind the mansion. Xie Linghui brought her a cup of water, which Chu Tong drank half of in one gulp. Xie Linghui poured her another cup and quietly looked at her, his phoenix eyes filled with complex emotions. After a long while, he took Chu Tong's hand and said softly, "Chu Tong, this time you are the benefactor of our entire Xie family." Then his expression darkened, and he said, "However, however you have been poisoned and caused a great disaster... You must stay in this room and recover peacefully. You must not step out!"
Chu Tong was taken aback and asked, "What terrible disaster?"
Xie Linghui lowered his voice and said, "That day you killed the Sixth Prince Deyun in Yiyan Pavilion! When the Sixth Prince fell to the ground, his temple hit the corner of the stool, so he died in a daze. The Emperor was furious and ordered all the guards who were with the Sixth Prince to be buried with him. The entire Yiyan Pavilion was sealed off, all its property was confiscated, and all the people involved were imprisoned. Yuping, the madam, and the pimp all committed suicide by poisoning themselves on the night of the incident. Now the Emperor has ordered people to search everywhere for the murderer who harmed the Sixth Prince, but because the candlelight was not very bright, the guards could not describe the girl's appearance clearly, only that she was a girl with two buns on her head."
At this point, Chu Tong felt a little relieved, thinking to herself, "Second Master is indeed efficient, knowing to kill and silence witnesses in time. But thankfully, the candlelight was dim, otherwise the government would have issued a city-wide warrant for my arrest once they had my portrait, and that would have been no fun."
Xie Linghui frowned and continued, "Although no one recognized your face, the Sixth Prince stabbed you with a knife that was poisoned. It is said that this poison was made by the Northern Liang royal family and is called 'Thousand Miles of Fragrance.' Although the name contains the word 'fragrance,' this poison will cause your whole body to be covered with festering sores that are unbearably smelly, and you will eventually die from the festering of your entire body."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tong's face turned deathly pale. She grabbed Xie Linghui's hand and said, "Second Master, I, I..."
Xie Linghui grasped her hand and said, "I've given you medicine and used acupuncture, but it's not an antidote; it can only temporarily suppress the poison." He then pulled Chu Tong into his arms and said, "I will definitely save you! Don't worry, just focus on recovering." He kissed her cheek and said softly, "I've already sent Ziyuan to take care of you. If you need anything, just tell her."
Chu Tong was in a state of utter confusion and didn't listen to a word Xie Linghui said. Xie Linghui, realizing it wasn't wise to linger, only stayed a short while before hurriedly leaving.
The moon before the building, withered by the passing spring breeze.
More than twenty days passed in a flash, and the weather gradually warmed up. Chu Tong's wounds had scabbed over, but due to the poisoning, her body remained weak and listless. Xie Linghui occasionally visited Chu Tong, but each visit was brief, leaving only Zi Yuan to care for her. Chu Tong and Zi Yuan were the closest of friends, so their daily chess games and chats were never boring. A few days ago, Chu Tong noticed Zi Yuan often looked worried and, upon inquiring, learned that her mother was seriously ill and the family had almost run out of money. Upon hearing this, Chu Tong asked Zi Yuan to fetch her little cotton-padded jacket from Tanwu Garden. Without hesitation, she took out a hundred taels of silver notes she had received at the ancient temple years ago from inside the jacket and gave them to Zi Yuan. Zi Yuan accepted them without saying "thank you," but instead knelt on the ground and respectfully kowtowed.
One evening after dinner, Ziyuan sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) embroidering, while Chutong sat on the other end of the kang reading a history book, but she began to drift off into thought as she read. She couldn't help but think, "My luck has been really bad lately. Not only did I kill a prince, but I also got poisoned. If there's no antidote, I'll be counting down the days. Even if there is, carrying the weight of a crime that could implicate nine generations of my family won't be easy." Thinking this, she sighed, but then thought to herself, "Bah! But at least this time I killed a prince! How many people in the world dare to kill a prince? I'm practically a top-tier, illustrious, and incredibly important person!" Thinking this, she felt a little relieved, reached out and picked up a piece of pastry, stuffing it into her mouth. Her thoughts began to wander again: "But after all this commotion, my marriage to the Second Master is ruined, and the Crown Prince definitely won't recognize me as his goddaughter. I'll be thankful if he doesn't kill me now..." Just as she thought this, she was startled, hearing Zi Yuan let out a long sigh. She was holding a needle, lost in thought, her brows furrowed with a thousand unresolved worries. She touched Ziyuan's arm and asked, "What are you thinking about? Is it your mother's illness?"
Zi Yuan turned her face, stared at Chu Tong for a moment with her beautiful eyes, her expression changing rapidly. Finally, she seemed to have made up her mind and said in a low voice, "Chu Tong, you should leave. I..." Chu Tong's heart sank suddenly.
Just then, a knock came at the door, startling both of them. Zi Yuan hurriedly ran to pull the latch, only to see Xie Linghui standing outside, carrying a food box. He nodded slightly to Zi Yuan and said, "You can go now." Zi Yuan nodded, and before leaving, she glanced at Chu Tong again, her eyes seeming to hold a thousand words she wanted to say, but in the end, she lowered her head and left.
Xie Linghui seemed to be in a good mood today. He walked over to Chu Tong, opened the food box, and took out plates of exquisite pastries. His phoenix eyes curved into a smile as he said to Chu Tong, "I specially ordered the chef to make these today. They're all your favorites. Try them." He then took out a small jar of wine and waved it in front of Chu Tong, saying, "I also have a jar of fine old baijiu here. It would be quite enjoyable for us to have a little drink." He poured two cups himself and then sat down next to Chu Tong.
Chu Tong looked up and smiled, "Second Master, is there some happy occasion today? You look refreshed and radiant."
Xie Linghui shook his head, put his arm around Chu Tong's shoulder and said, "I just remembered that you've been recovering from your injuries and your health isn't good. You need to nourish yourself, so I had the kitchen specially make this." As he spoke, he picked up a piece and handed it to Chu Tong, saying, "It's still warm."
Chu Tong took the pastry, her bright eyes gazing at Xie Linghui's face for a moment. He had captivating phoenix eyes and a gentle smile. Chu Tong chuckled, looked down at the pastry, her smile fading, and whispered, "Second Master, did you come here today to send me on my way?"
Xie Linghui's body jolted. Chu Tong looked up at him and smiled, "Second Master, you're wearing a plain white phoenix-tail embroidered robe today, a white jade crown on your head, and you've brought my favorite pastries, and even wine. It seems you really are here to see me off today..."
The room fell silent for a long time before Xie Linghui said in a low, hoarse voice, "Chu Tong, I'm sorry."
After saying this, Chu Tong felt a chill run from her feet to her head.
Xie Linghui slowly said, "We found a female corpse that looked somewhat like you to appease the Emperor. I originally thought that would be the end of it, but the Crown Prince insisted on taking your life. He has an informant in my residence, so he knows your height and appearance by heart. It's impossible for him to fake it..."
Chu Tong remained silent, staring at the pastry in her hand.
Xie Linghui remained silent for a moment before continuing, "This matter is far too far-reaching. If you don't die, the Crown Prince will never have a moment's peace. If this matter is exploited by those with ulterior motives and the truth is uncovered, the Crown Prince's position as heir apparent will certainly be in jeopardy, and the Xie family will face the crime of having their property confiscated and their clan exterminated!"
Chu Tong said softly, "So I have to die?"
Xie Linghui didn't respond. After a long silence, he said with difficulty, "Chu Tong, I've always loved you and wanted to be with you forever, but... but..." He raised his wine glass, tilted his head back, and downed it in one gulp. He then gripped the glass tightly in his hand, his whole body trembling slightly. He took a deep breath and said, "Chu Tong, I haven't been able to sleep these past few days. I can't bear to part with you, but I have a family behind me. I can't abandon the interests and lives of the entire Xie family for you..."
Chu Tong said coldly, "But I risked my own life for you!"
Xie Linghui remained silent for a long time, finally saying in a bitter voice, "I know you hate me... I owe you, I'll repay you in my next life." After saying this, Xie Linghui crushed the wine glass in his hand with a "crack," and drops of blood fell onto his plain white clothes, staining them like blood-red plum blossoms.
Chu Tong suddenly shoved all the pastries in her hand into her mouth, chewing them voraciously as tears streamed down her face, her whole body trembling. She forced down the food, then poured herself several glasses of strong liquor, drinking them all in one gulp. She hugged herself tightly, trembling for a while, before gradually calming down. She wiped the tears from her face and stared blankly at Xie Linghui, saying, "I wonder how Second Master wants me to die? Give me a quick death?"
Xie Linghui clenched his fists even tighter, drops of blood sliding down his face. He finally let out a long sigh, pointed to the door, and said, "I can't bring myself to do it to you. I don't want... I don't want to see you die in this courtyard. Butler Hong and Long Xi and Long Zhao are already guarding the courtyard from different directions. Once you leave this house, they will catch up with you..."
Chu Tong stood up expressionlessly, her movements seemingly frozen. She wrapped the little cotton-padded jacket she had worn when she came to the Xie residence into a bundle and tied it around her waist. She grabbed a handful of pastries and put them in her bosom before turning and walking towards the gate. At that moment, her previously empty and dazed eyes suddenly flashed with intense despair and hatred. Staring at Xie Linghui's face, she ripped the jade ruyi from her waist and threw it forcefully to the ground, where it shattered into pieces with a "crack." Chu Tong gritted her teeth and said, "Tanwu Manor, once a bright moon, you have betrayed me. Our ties are severed!"
With that, Chu Tong strode out. With each step, the ferocity in her eyes grew, and the rage within her surged like a raging torrent, threatening to make her scream. Why! Why! I was deeply in love with him, I risked my life for him, I was poisoned for him, and now he wants to kill me! He wants to kill me!
She suddenly chuckled, a laugh filled with boundless grievance and resentment. She was unwilling! She was unwilling! She was unwilling to die here! She slapped herself hard to clear her mind, just as someone pulled her arm, and then a hand covered her mouth. Chu Tong shuddered and looked closely. She saw Zi Yuan standing anxiously before her, putting a finger to her lips and shushing her. "Chu Tong, it's me," she said. She glanced around, then pulled Chu Tong to the side of a courtyard wall, her voice urgent. "There are guards around this courtyard, just waiting for you to step out... But thankfully, Second Master didn't make a big fuss, only stationing trusted men outside a few walls." At this point, Zi Yuan pulled a dagger and a handkerchief from her bosom and handed them to Chu Tong. "Long Xi guards the west wall. His old shoulder injury flared up a few days ago and hasn't fully healed yet. Besides, he's the most soft-hearted of these men; he might let you go if absolutely necessary. This handkerchief contains a sleeping powder; anyone who inhales it will faint instantly. My horse is parked in the corner behind this wall; hurry and ride away!"
Chu Tong was taken aback upon hearing this. Zi Yuan tucked the dagger and handkerchief into her waistband and urged her in a low voice, "Hurry up! Otherwise, it will be too late!"
Chu Tong felt a surge of heat welling up in her eyes. She squeezed Zi Yuan's hand tightly and choked out in a low voice, "Good sister, I..." She couldn't finish her sentence. She just looked at Zi Yuan deeply, gritted her teeth, jumped up, grabbed the wall with both arms, and then flipped over and leaped out.
Sure enough, a horse was tethered in the corner outside the courtyard wall. Chu Tong untied the reins, leaped onto it, and softly shouted "Giddy up!" before spurring the horse forward. She had only gone a few steps when a murderous aura rushed towards her. Chu Tong quickly dodged, and saw a gleaming broadsword graz her shoulder. Chu Tong shuddered, thinking, "Here it comes!" Turning her head, she saw Long Xi standing before her, holding a single-edged sword, about to leap into the air and strike down. At that moment, moonlight shone on Chu Tong's panicked and desperate face. Long Xi's expression froze, and he immediately remembered the lingering friendship he had shared with Chu Tong while working for Xie Linghui. In that moment of hesitation, Chu Tong pulled out the handkerchief Zi Yuan had given her from her waist and forcefully flicked it at Long Xi's face. The handkerchief scattered powder, and Long Xi, unable to dodge in time, inhaled a small amount. His eyes immediately went blank, he swayed twice, and then collapsed to the ground. Seeing this, Chu Tong squeezed the horse's flanks with both feet, and the horse neighed softly and galloped forward.
It was completely dark by then, but a few dim lights flickered on the street in the cold wind. Chu Tong spurred his horse and galloped wildly down the street, the clatter of hooves clear in the still night. Chu Tong thought to himself, "The Wang family and the Xie family have always been at odds. If I run into Wang family territory, Xie Linghui will have to be wary. Besides, Wang Lang once gave me a jade pendant; I'll go to him for help. My life is at stake; I can only take it one step at a time!" With that thought, Chu Tong galloped towards the Wang family's residence in the north of the city.
Suddenly, a burly figure appeared on the quiet street, the dim lamplight illuminating an ordinary face. Chu Tong was startled and couldn't help but exclaim, "Butler Hong!" Her heart sank, but a cold smile played on her lips as she muttered, "I knew I wouldn't escape so easily!"
Butler Hong raised his long whip high and lashed it at Chu Tong with a "snap." The horse neighed in surprise and immediately stopped. Chu Tong gripped the reins tightly, watching Butler Hong warily.
Butler Hong remained silent. He took a few steps toward Chu Tong, then stopped, and the two stared at each other quietly for a while. Chu Tong straightened her back, a hint of coldness flashing in her bright eyes. Suddenly, a trace of sadness appeared in Butler Hong's eyes, and he said softly, "Chu Tong, is there anything you wish for in the end? We've worked together for the Second Master these past few years, and we've developed a certain relationship. If you have any unfinished business, I will certainly help you fulfill it."
Chu Tong smiled alluringly and said, "I have no wishes other than to live, but unfortunately you won't grant my wish." Although her words were brief, they were filled with intense hatred.
Butler Hong said, "Second Master had no choice."
Chu Tong burst into laughter, then angrily said, "Unavoidable? He could send me far away, ensuring I could never return to the Great Zhou, but now he wants to kill me!"
Butler Hong loosened and tightened his grip on the whip, saying calmly, "Yao Chutong, even if you harbor resentment today, there's nothing I can do. Second Master carries a heavy burden. He once said, 'One cannot live in this world solely on emotions.' Chutong, don't blame Second Master; blame your own bad luck!" With that, Butler Hong lashed out with his long whip.
Chu Tong was startled and hurriedly swerved to dodge, but she was still a step too late. The whip struck her right leg with perfect accuracy, and she screamed in pain, almost falling off the horse.
Steward Hong withdrew his whip and lashed Chu Tong's leg again. Chu Tong felt a sharp pain in her left leg and immediately lost all feeling; cold sweat dripped down her forehead. Steward Hong slowly walked over, took out a small blue-and-white porcelain bottle from his robes, and said to Chu Tong, "This bottle contains arsenic. Chu Tong, eat it; it'll make your death quicker and leave you with a whole corpse."
Just then, Chu Tong sneered and pulled out a handful of pastries from her bosom, throwing them at Steward Hong. In the brief moment he was distracted, Chu Tong turned her horse around, shouted "Giddy up!", and the horse galloped off to the other side of the street.
Xie Linghui's horse was a fine steed chosen from among thousands, running with the speed of the wind. Although Steward Hong was highly skilled in martial arts, he could not catch up for a while. He used his lightness skill behind her, and his long whip cracked down, landing two heavy blows on Chu Tong's back. Fortunately, she was carrying a bundle on her back, otherwise she would have vomited blood and fallen off her horse.
Chu Tong felt a surge of blood rushing through her chest, an inexplicable discomfort, but she clung tightly to the horse, refusing to let go. Suddenly, a whip struck the horse, and it neighed loudly, galloping forward as if possessed. Chu Tong could only hear the whistling wind in her ears, but she had no idea where she was.
As she ran, Chu Tong gradually felt she couldn't keep up. Her grip loosened, and she was thrown to the ground. She rolled a few times before getting up, only to find no one behind her. The horse, having galloped fiercely, had naturally left Steward Hong far behind. She looked around and realized she had landed near a very luxurious and opulent mansion. Two lanterns hung on the gate, and Chu Tong carefully examined them, noticing the character "王" (Wang, meaning king) written on each. Chu Tong murmured, "Could I have arrived at the Wang family's residence in the north of the city?" Just as she thought this, she faintly heard footsteps and shouts. She knew her pursuers had arrived, so she gritted her teeth and pounded on the gate.
A short while later, the sound of a door opening came from inside. A middle-aged man in his thirties or forties opened the door and asked, "Who is it? Who is it?"
Chu Tong immediately took out the jade pendant that Wang Lang had given her from her purse and handed it over, saying, "I was looking for the Third Young Master, and he said that if I brought this jade pendant, you should let me in."
The man took the jade pendant and examined it under the candlelight. At this moment, the footsteps became increasingly clear.
After crossing this mountain, another village appears.
Chu Tong was extremely anxious, but she kept a straight face, glancing around every now and then. The doorman took the jade pendant and was immediately taken aback. He remembered that the Third Master had instructed the various gatekeepers that if anyone came with a jade pendant engraved with his name, they should treat them as honored guests and not be negligent. Although he was not very literate, he recognized the character "琅" on the back of the jade pendant, so he immediately put on a smile and stepped aside to greet her, saying, "Please come in, Miss."
Chu Tong was overjoyed to hear this and immediately stepped inside. Just as the gate closed, Long Zhao, along with his men and Steward Hong, chased after them from around the corner of the alley. They held torches and looked around, only to find the long alley quiet and desolate, with only the two large red lanterns of the Prince's Mansion swaying in the wind. Steward Hong knew this was the Prince's Mansion's territory, so he dared not linger. He exchanged a glance with Long Zhao and then led his men to run into another alley.
Chu Tong felt a slight sense of relief upon entering the main gate, secretly letting out a sigh of relief. Her leg had just been whipped twice by Steward Hong; although the bone wasn't broken, the injury burned intensely, making every step excruciating. She gritted her teeth and limped along behind the gatekeeper deeper into the Prince's mansion. After walking for a while, the gatekeeper led her to the second gate, where a maid led her to an ancient courtyard. Above the vermilion gate hung a plaque with the three large characters "Han Ying Guan" (撼英馆). The maid led her into the courtyard and into a side hall. Unable to bear the pain any longer, she didn't stand on ceremony and sat down directly on an embroidered stool. She had only been sitting for a short while when she heard hurried footsteps. The person who entered lifted the curtain and smiled at Chu Tong, saying, "Miss Chu Tong!"
Chu Tong quickly looked up and saw Wang Lang standing by the door, his deep, pool-like eyes filled with a smile, as he strode over. Chu Tong hurriedly stood up, but a sharp pain shot through her leg, and she cried out, "Ouch!" and sat back down. Wang Lang walked to Chu Tong's side, his expression changing slightly, and asked, "What happened to your leg?"
Chu Tong looked down and saw that her long dress was stained with blood. She realized that the two lashes from Steward Hong had broken her skin and soaked her dress with blood. She forced a smile and said, "It's alright, just some minor cuts."
Wang Lang frowned slightly, grabbed Chu Tong's hand to take her pulse, and found it weak and thready, floating and feeble—clearly symptoms of poisoning, and a very peculiar one at that. Seeing Chu Tong's travel-worn appearance, carrying a bag and looking haggard, his heart sank further. He asked, "You...have you gotten into some trouble?" The Wang family was a prominent official family, naturally well-informed, and Wang Lang was an exceptionally intelligent man. After a moment's thought, his expression changed drastically, and he said, "Could it be you..."
Chu Tong's heart skipped a beat. A glance at Wang Lang's expression told her she couldn't hide it any longer. She thought, "It seems this young master Wang has guessed most of it. If he's afraid I'll implicate him, and if he decides to kill me, I'm doomed today!" Then she thought again, "Damn it, going out is death anyway. I might as well go all in; maybe there's still a chance." With that thought, she gritted her teeth and said, "Young master Wang is right!"
Wang Lang's body trembled violently, and his expression hardened once again.
Chu Tong composed herself and roughly recounted the whole story to Wang Lang, but she didn't dare say that she had killed the prince, instead placing all the blame on the deceased Yu Ping. When she mentioned that Xie Linghui had betrayed their past friendship and poisoned her, Chu Tong couldn't help but choke up several times, biting her lip and swallowing back her tears.
After saying this, Chu Tong said sadly, "Young Master Wang, I dare not implicate you. I only ask to stay here for one night and leave at dawn tomorrow. I only beg you to take pity on me and let me stay!" As she said this, she knelt down with a "plop," but in her heart she thought, "If he wants to kill me, I will draw the kitchen knife from my waist and subdue him, and make him prepare a carriage to send me out of the city!"
Wang Lang remained silent, pacing around the room for a moment, his gaze fixed intently on her. Her beautiful face appeared even more alluring in the candlelight.
At dawn, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, most people in the long alley were still sound asleep. At this time, a carriage was quietly prepared at the side gate of the Prince's mansion. Soon, a slender, refined young man emerged, accompanied by a maid and a servant. The servant, about fifteen or sixteen years old, had rosy lips and white teeth, and possessed a delicate, intelligent air; the maid, though slender and graceful from behind, had a dark, pockmarked face and a slight limp, evoking a sense of pity in those who saw her. The two quickly and efficiently arranged the luggage in the carriage. The servant was Wang Lang's personal attendant, named Bai Jia; the maid was Chu Tong in disguise. While busy at work, Chu Tong caught a glimpse of a sedan chair vaguely parked at the corner of the alley. Still shaken and like a frightened bird, she quickly tugged at Wang Lang's sleeve, giving him a meaningful look towards the sedan chair.
Wang Lang turned his head and saw the sedan curtain being lifted by a slender hand. A stunningly beautiful woman of sixteen or seventeen stepped out, her face like a peach blossom, her eyebrows like wisps of smoke, her eyes like spring stars, her waist slender and her back delicate. She possessed an elegant and unparalleled beauty. She wore a tea-colored cloak and a dress with an ochre base and dark green embroidered peach blossoms, a light yellow belt with multicolored cloud patterns around her waist, and a red-gold floral hairpin and scarlet silk flowers in her hair. A pair of jade hoop earrings further accentuated her snow-white skin. Chu Tong was startled. This person was none other than Xie Xiuyan, the second young lady of the Xie family! Chu Tong thought, "Oh no! Oh no! Could it be that bastard Xie Linghui sent her to find me?" Thinking this, she dared not linger outside. Enduring the pain in her leg, she quickly climbed into the carriage, lowered the curtain, and peeked out through a small crack.
Xie Xiuyan walked over gracefully. Wang Lang raised an eyebrow, turned his head, and said, "You may all leave." The servants responded and withdrew, except for Chu Tong, who hid in the carriage. Xie Xiuyan walked up to Wang Lang and gave him a graceful curtsy. Her beautiful eyes sparkled, and she said softly, "Greetings, Young Master Wang. It's been a long time."
Chu Tong wondered to herself, "Could Xie Xiuyan and Young Master Wang be acquainted already?" As she thought this, she gripped the sword she had found in the carriage tightly in her hand, thinking that if Xie Xiuyan rushed over to harm her, she could strike first.
Wang Lang remained calm and composed, nodding and smiling, "Long time no see."
Xie Xiuyan glanced at the carriage parked at the entrance of the Prince's mansion, and Chu Tong's heart leaped into her throat, her hands trembling slightly. Xie Xiuyan asked, "Is Young Master Wang heading out?"
Wang Lang said, "Indeed, I was just planning to go on a trip to the nearby countryside today. May I ask what brings Miss Xie here?"
Xie Xiuyan sighed softly, a hint of loneliness on her pretty face. She said in a low voice, "Young Master Wang, please don't be so cold to me. We've known each other for four years. We used to play music and chess together happily, but ever since you found out my identity, you've become increasingly distant from me. I... do you know how I feel..." As she spoke, Xie Xiuyan's voice gradually lowered until it was barely audible.
Upon hearing this, Chu Tong was immediately stunned, thinking to herself, "This is incredible! So Young Master Wang and the second young lady of the Xie family are having an affair! They've been together for four years!" Then, a thought flashed through her mind: "No wonder she played 'Jianjia' on Xie Linghui's birthday. Isn't Young Master Wang's personal servant named Baijia? So she was using that opportunity to express her feelings!" Just as she thought of this, she couldn't help but recall the day she sang several songs at the grand banquet, stealing the show, and Xie Linghui, with his phoenix eyes sparkling, raising his glass to her with a smile...
Chu Tong felt a sharp pain in her heart and took a deep breath. Then she heard Wang Lang's clear voice: "Miss Xie, our acquaintance was accidental, merely a gentlemanly friendship formed over tea and literature. We were young and impetuous before, but now, given the difference between men and women, such private interaction might damage Miss Xie's reputation."
Hearing this, Xie Xiuyan trembled, rushed to Wang Lang, and firmly grasped his hand with her own. Tears welled in her beautiful eyes as she cried, "I don't care about reputation! Young Master Wang, do you know that Xiuyan has long admired you..."
Wang Lang was stunned and unconsciously took a step back. He was at a loss for words in the face of the sudden confession and the beautiful woman with tears streaming down her face.
Xie Xiuyan took another step closer, tears streaming down her face, and said, "Young Master Wang, do you even have the slightest affection for Xiuyan? In the dead of night, I often wonder if you have feelings for me. Otherwise, why would you still write to me while you are traveling, and even send me local specialties from various places? Young Master Wang, is your deliberate distancing from me because of my status as a young lady of the Xie family?"
Chu Tong sneered, thinking to herself, "Xie Xiuyan, Xie Xiuyan, let's not forget that most women in the world are all talk and no action. The Emperor only supported the Xie family to restrain the Wang family because the Wang family was too powerful. The Wang and Xie families are in opposition because they are worthy of the Emperor's favor. So even if Young Master Wang is not indifferent to you, your feelings for him are just a dream."
Wang Lang coughed lightly and said, "Miss Xie, I heard that you are engaged to Prince Duan, and the Prince Duan's mansion will be sending betrothal gifts to the Xie family on an auspicious day..."
Just as Wang Lang finished speaking, Xie Xiuyan said sadly, "That's right. If it weren't for this matter, why would I have shamelessly come to the Prince's mansion? I waited outside for a long time, unable to make up my mind, until I saw you come out, young master. I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, that even the heavens were helping me. Young master, I... I don't want to marry Prince Duan. If I could follow you, even if I were just a lowly maid, I would be willing!"
Chu Tong pursed her lips, looking quite unconvinced.
Wang Lang pondered for a long while, then subtly withdrew his hand. His eyes were deep, and his expression was calm as he said, “Miss Xie, four years ago you were practicing Buddhism at Qingfeng Temple in the suburbs, keeping your hair as a nun. I happened to visit Qingfeng Temple and met you. You concealed your identity, only saying that you were frail as a child, and the monks there said you needed to enter the Buddhist order to ensure your health, so you practiced Buddhism at Qingfeng Temple from a young age. I pitied your youthful beauty, dressed in simple clothes, accompanied only by the ancient Buddha and the dim lamp, and also because I enjoyed chatting with you so much, I considered you a friend, but I never…” "I had no improper thoughts. Writing letters and sending you local specialties while traveling was merely a small token of my friendship. Until three years ago, when you finished your cultivation and revealed your true identity to me dressed in the finery of a worldly woman, I knew that our friendship had come to an end." He sighed softly, saying, "Miss Xie, my actions back then were all due to youthful naiveté. Now that you have found a good husband, let go of all past ties. I was impetuous before, and I apologize to you here!" He then bowed deeply to the ground, offering a profound greeting.
Xie Xiuyan felt a wave of dizziness. She stood there, seemingly lost in thought, but tears streamed down her face as she murmured, "So, it was all just wishful thinking on my part..."
Wang Lang frowned slightly and stepped forward to ask, "Miss Xie, are you alright?"
Xie Xiuyan stared blankly. She staggered back a few steps, then suddenly covered her face and sobbed. She turned and ran back, plunging into the sedan chair.
Wang Lang stood there for a moment, then composed himself, called to the servants and guards, and boarded the carriage.
The carriage moved slowly forward. Wang Lang closed his eyes to rest, while Chu Tong curled up in the corner of the carriage. Only the two of them were in the carriage. Bai Jia sat on the shaft to drive, while two guards from the Prince's Mansion rode on horseback to protect them on either side.