Volume One, Chapter 15: She Brought This Upon Herself

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In the early morning, Lin Chuyao set out with Qingxing and Xiao Tan to gather medicinal herbs in preparation for the Third Prince’s treatment. The sunlight was warm and gentle, and the marketplace gradually grew lively. The three of them spoke quietly, the atmosphere light and relaxed.

“Miss, today looks clear and fine. After the treatment, could we perhaps return to the residence to rest? Qingxing can prepare some nourishing soup for you,” Qingxing tentatively asked.

Lin Chuyao smiled faintly. “I have no matters to attend to. It’s you all who have been busy these past days. When we return later, you should rest as well.”

Just as they reached a quiet alley, Lin Chuyao’s brow suddenly furrowed; she paused, lowering her voice. “Be careful, something feels off around here.”

No sooner had she spoken than several figures clad in black burst from the alley's corner, brandishing sharp blades and swiftly encircling them. The leader barked coldly, “Take Lin Chuyao away. Leave the others.”

“Miss!” Qingxing screamed and lunged forward to shield Lin Chuyao, but she was struck with a heavy palm and sent sprawling, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Before Lin Chuyao could react, a hand clamped over her mouth, and the strong scent of a sedative filled her nostrils, her consciousness rapidly fading.

As darkness crept upon her vision, she faintly heard Qingxing and Xiao Tan’s cries, mingled with the heavy sound of horse hooves fading away.

When Qingxing and Xiao Tan came to, moments later, they staggered back toward the Marquis’s mansion, faces bruised and tear-streaked, unable to stop their sobbing.

As they stepped through the main gate, they encountered Lin Yanluo. She wore a simple, elegant dress and walked slowly, her gaze laced with lazy indifference.

“What’s going on? Making such a racket?” Lin Yanluo stopped and looked coldly at them.

Qingxing collapsed to her knees, tears streaming, “Second Miss, the Miss was taken by men in black!”

Lin Yanluo raised an eyebrow, a fleeting sneer flashing in her eyes. She hadn’t expected the Pingyang Princess to move so swiftly.

She gently snapped her folding fan shut, her tone dripping with disdain. “Taken? What a joke. She just went out to buy some things—where would these men in black come from? Perhaps she met someone familiar and delayed her return.”

Tears welled in Qingxing’s eyes, her voice choked, “It’s true! Those men carried knives and were ruthless… we really couldn’t protect the Miss!”

Lin Yanluo waved her hand impatiently, “Enough! You all know what status our sister holds now—a fallen woman. Who would pay attention to her? Stop making a fuss here and disturbing the order.”

Qingxing and Xiao Tan exchanged a glance, their hearts turning cold. This was a matter of life and death, and though they were sisters, no matter the past conflicts, they could not be so heartless.

Xiao Tan clenched her fists and whispered through gritted teeth, “If the Second Miss doesn’t believe us, let’s go speak with Madam and make this clear.”

They burst into Liu Xishuang’s hall, kneeling in panic.

Qingxing sobbed, “Madam, something terrible has happened! The Miss was taken! The men in black… they belong to the Princess!”

Liu Xishuang’s face went pale, nearly dropping her teacup. “What did you say? Who took Chuyao?”

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Xiao Tan wept, “They knocked us unconscious, and when we woke, the Miss was gone!”

Liu Xishuang’s expression darkened, her lips trembling slightly. “Are you certain they were the Pingyang Princess’s men?”

Qingxing nodded firmly. “Definitely her! Only the Princess would be so cruel to the Miss!”

Liu Xishuang frowned deeply. If it truly was the Pingyang Princess, then Chuyao’s fate was grim. That girl had just returned and caused all sorts of trouble, but lately, she’d become more compliant.

Moreover, Yize’s illness had been improving over the past two days under treatment at Qingfeng Hall. Whether or not that girl was here wouldn’t have much impact on Yize’s condition.

To offend the Pingyang Princess for her sake again would likely bring trouble to the entire Marquis household, Liu Xishuang’s thoughts grew troubled.

At that moment, the venerable Lady Lin entered, leaning on her cane, her gaze sharp as she swept over them. “What’s going on? What’s happened?”

Liu Xishuang hesitated, then whispered the whole story. Finally, she asked softly, “Mother, if it really is the Pingyang Princess’s doing, what should we do?”

Lady Lin’s expression turned cold. After a moment of thought, she said icily, “If the Pingyang Princess was the one who acted, how could our Marquis household interfere? If Chuyao didn’t know her place and provoked the Princess, this is her own doing.”

Qingxing, furious, crawled forward several steps, crying out, “Old Madam, the Miss is your own granddaughter! If she dies, how could you bear it?”

Lady Lin’s gaze grew even colder. “You, a servant, dare to make a scene here? This matter is not to be mentioned again. No one in the Marquis household is allowed to intervene!”

Liu Xishuang bit her lip, conflicted, and looked up at Lady Lin. “Mother, after all, this is Chuyao… Shall we just watch her be harmed?”

Lady Lin snorted coldly. “Who is the Pingyang Princess? Do you think we can endure her wrath? I’m in charge of this matter!”

Qingxing’s tears streamed, her heart filled with despair. No wonder the Miss had become like this—no one in the entire Marquis household cared for her safety.

Xiao Tan suddenly tugged at her sleeve, whispering, “The Third Prince… isn’t today the day the Miss treats him? Perhaps His Highness can save her.”

Qingxing’s eyes snapped open. Wiping away her tears, she gritted her teeth and whispered, “Right! His Highness can save the Miss! I’ll go to Qingfeng Hall to seek him!”

Inside the jolting carriage, Lin Chuyao slowly regained consciousness. Her head spun dizzily, the scent of sedative still lingering, but due to years of testing medicines, her body was resilient to many drugs, and the sedative’s effect was weakening.

She moved slightly and realized her hands were bound behind her back, a cloth gag stuffed in her mouth—she was completely immobilized. Outside the curtain, she heard the sound of horse hooves and the driver’s low voice:

“We’ve arrived at the woods. Deal with her quickly; the longer she stays, the more complications arise.”

“Understood. Act fast and leave no traces.”

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The cold voice behind her sent chills down Lin Chuyao’s spine, fear surging like a tide.

But she could not die—not yet. The Mysterious Medicine Valley still had people waiting for her. She had to survive.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Chuyao forced herself to calm down. Her fingers searched the ropes and brushed against a hairpin hidden inside her sleeve. She strained to use the pointed end to loosen the knots.

Her fingers were raw and aching from the friction, but she endured, sweat dripping down her face.

At last, the knot loosened slightly. Clenching the hairpin tightly, Lin Chuyao exerted herself and successfully freed her hands. Struggling to sit up, she lifted the carriage curtain and saw dense woods outside.

“Have to take this gamble,” she murmured, biting her lip. As the carriage slowed, she mustered all her strength to roll out, landing heavily on the gentle slope of the forest floor, her bones aching as if shattered.

“She’s running! After her!” the men in black shouted in alarm.

Despite the excruciating pain, Lin Chuyao forced herself up and staggered toward the depths of the woods.

Thorns tore at her sleeves and cheeks, blood seeping out, but she dared not stop. The footsteps behind grew nearer, and she could almost hear the cold voices: “She won’t get far. Catch her!”

She reached a steep incline, slipped, and tumbled down.

Pain overwhelmed her, and she lost consciousness.

When she awoke again, night had fully fallen. All was silent except for the faint moonlight casting threads of silver on the leaves.

Leaning against a tree, she tried to stand but realized her ankle was twisted, barely able to bear weight.

Every wound burned fiercely, but she dared not linger. She knew the men in black would soon catch up.

She bit her lip hard, forcing the injured ankle to support her. As her foot touched the ground, sharp pain shot through her, cold sweat breaking out as she nearly collapsed again.

“Lin Chuyao… can’t fall…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Nearby, footsteps approached, accompanied by the men’s murmurs: “She just tumbled down here. Split up and search—don’t let her escape!”