Volume One, Chapter Fourteen: Sir, Someone Is Trying to Take Me Back to the Manor

“Ah, why is the heir apparent so agitated right outside the shop?” Manager He approached quickly, his face troubled at first, but as he reached the heir apparent of Pingyang Marquis and Xue Shuying, he replaced it with a smile.

He hadn’t expected that a few casual words with Lady Xue would stir up such a big problem.

The heir apparent of Pingyang Marquis had some vague inkling about the true master behind the Zhenlong Pavilion, so he was willing to give Manager He some leeway.

“She’s someone I purchased from the Entertainment Bureau half a month ago. She went missing on the way back, so of course I’m bringing her home now.”

“What are you meddling for?” Manager He smiled and leaned in to whisper, “Young Master, you must be mistaken. She’s Madam Dantai’s wife. It wouldn’t be wise to offend that nobleman over a mere woman.”

“Really?” The heir apparent was shocked. He had dismissed the servant girl’s shouting as mere bluster, but now the Zhenlong Pavilion’s manager said the same.

Manager He continued, “The two thousand taels’ worth of head ornaments and jewelry sent by Zhenlong Pavilion that day were all paid for by House Dantai. If this lady wasn’t part of House Dantai, would the accounts be so clear?”

Who would spend two thousand taels on jewels for someone they just happened to rescue? Had Xue Shuying confused the matter?

The heir apparent’s expression darkened as he pushed Xue Shuying away.

Liu Wuyi’s eyes flashed at this, deciding to seize the opportunity to apply pressure. Yet worried her brother might still be nearby, she refrained from revealing she was from the Dantai Kanan household.

“If I am taken away from the Pingyang Marquis’s residence today, won’t the young master fear Governor Dantai himself coming to demand me?”

Only four guards stood before her, while the Pingyang Marquis’s retainers numbered over ten. By all appearances, they couldn’t win a fight.

Liu Wuyi’s demeanor was calm and composed, as if backed by an unshakable force. The breeze seemed to soften around her; her hem gently fluttered then settled, exuding a beauty that dared no one to challenge her.

The heir apparent was momentarily taken aback by her bearing, his expression wavering. He was merely lustful, not foolish—he knew exactly who could not be provoked.

“A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. The young master was simply too anxious and mistook her,” Manager He stepped forward to smooth things over.

Seizing the moment, he bowed to Liu Wuyi, “Please forgive this humble one’s mistake, madam.”

“All blame lies with this humble one. The shop humbly offers a small gift as apology. Let this matter rest, shall we?”

Manager He offered a graceful way out, and the heir apparent took the hint, lifting his chin to signal his men to disperse.

A servant emerged from the shop holding a red brocade box—a gift long prepared.

“No need.” Liu Wuyi flicked her sleeve and turned away, leaving a final remark behind: “I hope next time the young master does not mistake again, or Governor Dantai will not be as lenient as I am.”

Her proud posture surprisingly eased the heir apparent’s mind.

Liu Wenyuan, peering through the upstairs window crack, also breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, his sister had been clever since childhood; she had seized the opportunity Manager He had created.

Liu Wuyi helped Chun Tao into the carriage; the crowd instinctively parted to let them pass.

“Liu Wuyi!”

She turned instinctively, sensing something was wrong. Too late to hide, she hurriedly pulled Chun Tao into the carriage. The dark green curtain dropped, marked by a deep bloodstain.

Xue Shuying smiled triumphantly and whispered a few words to the heir apparent.

The heir apparent listened, still doubtful. Xue Shuying summoned her maid to open a wooden box.

Inside lay neatly stacked indenture contracts. The top one bore Liu Wuyi’s name.

Xue Shuying had concealed Liu Wuyi’s pregnancy when purchasing her, now using it as proof Liu Wuyi could never be Governor Dantai’s woman.

Moreover, before the Liu family’s downfall, Governor Dantai had no personal dealings with them in the deep palace, making Liu Wuyi’s claims mere theatrics. Governor Dantai had saved her casually and would not make a fuss over a government-claimed courtesan.

The heir apparent smiled, a chilling cruelty hidden in it. He reached out and brushed aside Manager He, “What are you waiting for? Shall I take matters into my own hands?”

Manager He’s face turned anxious, his eyes darting around as if searching for something.

“Go quickly!” Liu Wuyi shouted from inside the carriage.

A guard leapt onto the carriage to urge the horses forward, while three others stood around with drawn blades.

The crowd’s rising shouts penetrated the carriage, muffled but ominous. A bad feeling stirred. Just as the carriage moved a few steps, the horses let out agonizing whinnies; the carriage jolted violently and toppled to one side. Chun Tao instinctively shielded Liu Wuyi, both falling inside and unable to rise. The driver guard tore back the curtain and roughly pulled them out.

“Master, someone slashed the horse’s leg. Are you hurt? Hurry out! Brothers will cover your escape!”

Liu Wuyi and Chun Tao steadied each other, ignoring the pain, and dashed toward the outskirts.

Two figures suddenly charged from the side, closing in.

There was no way out—they were surrounded.

Liu Wuyi and Chun Tao stood at the center. Four guards with knives formed the inner ring, while a dozen or so retainers with various weapons sneered from the outer circle.

Liu Wuyi was the heir apparent’s chosen, untouchable. But what about Chun Tao, a mere servant girl?

“Heh heh…” A burly retainer leered at Chun Tao with a lecherous grin.

Having come from the Entertainment Bureau, Liu Wuyi knew well the look and gestures that revealed a man’s true nature. She pulled Chun Tao behind her, eyes sharp and wary of these beastly men.

Chun Tao’s back and waist were injured from the carriage tumble, pain too severe for words. She followed her mistress wherever she was led.

The heir apparent was lustful and picky. The woman before him had delicate, exquisite features; her eyes were particularly bright, paired with a slender figure that bore a pure grace, untainted by the mud.

Women in Shengjing were beautiful but lacked such spirit. Liu Wuyi’s beauty was fit for both home and court, a beauty that made one covet her utterly.

“You nearly fooled me,” the heir apparent said, pinching a tiny space between thumb and forefinger.

“All right, all right, truly a bold beauty,” he said, then clenched his hand into a fist, “But no matter what, what belongs to me must end up in my palm.”

Liu Wuyi sneered, “I told the steward I would be back for lunch. You’d best release me. Otherwise, by late noon today, the Imperial Guards will be surrounding the Pingyang Marquis’s residence.”

“Look at the sky, Young Master. Only an hour remains.”

The heir apparent burst into laughter, “What did she say?”

Xue Shuying laughed along, “She said she’ll lay siege to the Pingyang Marquis’s residence.”

The heir apparent draped his hand over Xue Shuying’s shoulder, laughing together.

When the laughter died down, he straightened up, “My father fights for the nation on the northwestern border. Who dares harm his only legitimate son? Not even Governor Dantai.”

“We’ve wasted enough time. Capture them and bring them back to the residence at once,” he said, disinterested.

The retainers surged forward. Even though the Dantai guards were far more skilled, protecting Liu Wuyi and her servant meant they took continuous injuries.

The struggle had only just begun.