The handsome and peerless Prince Shangguan Yun walked in the moonlight in gorgeous clothes, looking like a god descending to the world. With a single step, he blocked the mansion soldiers and said to her, "Leave it to me. You go first."
Wei Dongling's lips trembled. A heart that had been as cold as ice gradually felt a glimmer of warmth.
She was too injured to be of any help. Without hesitation, Wei Dongling hugged the horse's neck and galloped away.
There was even more chaos at the main gate of the horse - training ground. The sight was heart - wrenching. Mansion soldiers with missing limbs lay on the ground, wailing in pain. A ragged and bearded beggar, covered in blood, was in a frenzy of killing among these soldiers.
"Senior!" Wei Dongling recognized him and called out excitedly. But her voice was so hoarse that it was barely audible. The blood - soaked beggar was full of killing intent and couldn't hear her at all.
Before Wei Dongling could struggle to dismount, the horse dashed out of the main gate of the horse - training ground and galloped towards a dark wasteland.
Wei Dongling was jolted so much that her internal organs seemed to be displaced. Afraid of falling and being trampled to death, she clung tightly to the horse.
The horse carried Wei Dongling for quite a while and finally crashed into a twisted jujube tree. Wei Dongling let go of her hand and fell off the horse, rolling far into a reed - thicket. She spat out several mouthfuls of blood in a row.
Wei Dongling felt dizzy and disoriented. Gritting her teeth, she struggled to get up and staggered forward.
She had to return to the General's Mansion! She had to warn Qi Jinxuan! The 13 - year - old Wei Dongling had been killed! She had to find the beggar senior! She had to find out the cause of her father Wei Jiang's death! She couldn't fall yet!
The ground was slippery after the rain. The reeds taller than a person blocked her view. She had no sense of direction and stumbled forward, not caring that her shoes were covered in mud.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, she suddenly heard an impatient shout in the distance: "Why are you so late?" The voice was extremely familiar.
Wei Dongling perked up her sluggish spirit and bit her tongue hard to force herself to stay awake. She held her breath, gently pushed aside the reed leaves and peeked over.
On the distant riverbank, there were several black - clothed men standing beside a carriage.
The man in the lead had his ear wrapped in white gauze and looked extremely fierce. It was none other than Lord Mu, whose ear had been bitten.
Opposite Lord Mu was a small boat. Two men in straw hats and capes on the boat were trembling with fear. They bowed and said, "My lord, please calm your anger. The heavy rain made rowing difficult today, which is why we're late."
Lord Mu waved his hand impatiently. Several black - clothed men behind him boarded the boat and carried something out.
The moonlight was dim and the distance was a bit far. Wei Dongling couldn't see clearly what those men were carrying. She craned her neck to take a closer look, but accidentally rustled the reed leaves.
"Who's there?" Lord Mu roared and looked over. Wei Dongling shrank her neck in fear and didn't dare to breathe.
Lord Mu gave a signal, and two servants immediately drew their swords and approached.
Wei Dongling thought it was bad. Just as she was hesitating whether to dive into the river, a pure - white waterbird fluttered out not far from her, flying close to the water surface and creating a series of small ripples on the calm river.
When Lord Mu's men saw it was just a bird, they let down their guard and didn't pursue further. They turned around and continued to lift the boxes onto the carriage.
How close that was!
Wei Dongling heaved a sigh of relief and didn't dare to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead.
"My lord, someone's coming!" A servant rushed over to report in a hurry. Immediately afterwards, a series of hoofbeats were heard in the distance.
Lord Mu quickly waved his hand to signal a retreat. The two men on the small boat quickly bowed and pushed the bamboo pole to leave quickly.
Lord Mu and his black - clothed men also quickly got into the carriage and quietly disappeared into the reed - thicket under the vast moonlight.
Wei Dongling's head was extremely heavy. Finally, she couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed on the muddy ground in the reed - thicket.
"Wei Dongling!"
Someone seemed to be calling her in the distance. Who was it?
Wei Dongling tried her best to stand up, but slipped and fell clumsily into the mud again.
Her eyelids were getting heavier and heavier.
"Wei Dongling!" The voice calling her was getting closer.
She forced her eyes open and tried to recognize the person.
Thank goodness, it was Yu Zixi.
"How are you?" Yu Zixi looked anxious and his voice trembled. He took off his outer robe and carefully covered her with it.
"Find... Qi... Jinxuan..." Wei Dongling uttered a few words and then fainted.
Wei Dongling was in a state of alternating heat and cold. She broke out in cold sweats one after another, and her hands and feet twitched from time to time. Someone nearby took a wet handkerchief and placed it on her scalding forehead.
It was two days later when Wei Dongling finally woke up.
She found herself lying on the carved wooden bed in Qi Jinxuan's boudoir.
When Lv Kou saw her wake up, she was overjoyed and shouted, "Young steward, you're awake?" Without waiting for Wei Dongling to answer, she rushed out to call someone.
In a short while, the room was filled with people.
Qi Jinxuan reached out and held Wei Dongling's small hand. With red - rimmed eyes, she asked excitedly, "Are you hungry? Shall I ask someone to cook some millet porridge for you?"
Second Master Qi stood beside the bed, looking at Wei Dongling with full of pity in his eyes.
All the maids and servants were also looking at her intently.
Wei Dongling slowly sat up and leaned lazily against the headboard. Her voice was hoarse as she said, "I'm so hungry. Do you have any meat?"
Qi Jinxuan was stunned for a moment and quickly ordered the servants to add some shredded meat to the millet porridge. Lv Kou scurried out to make the arrangements.
Wei Dongling then struggled to nod and thank everyone, "Sorry to have worried you all."
"It's good that you're back, young steward!"
"Recover well and get out of bed soon." The servants chattered.
Qi Jinxuan thought they were too noisy and waved them out. She took off her embroidered shoes and squeezed onto the bed. Holding Wei Dongling's small hand, she said with a sob, "Wei Dongling, you scared me to death."
"I've just suffered some minor injuries. I'm fine." Wei Dongling had a lot to say to Qi Jinxuan, but didn't know where to start. She could only ask, "Was it Young Master Yu who brought me back?"
"Yes, and the personal guard of Prince Yun. I heard they didn't find you until dawn. Who on earth was so bold as to treat you like this?" Thinking of this, Qi Jinxuan was so angry that her face turned red.
Wei Dongling said sullenly, "It was the Zhao Mansion."
"Which Zhao Mansion?" Qi Jinxuan was stunned for a moment. As if she had guessed something, she then asked, "The Zhao Mansion of the State - Uncle Zhao?" Seeing that Wei Dongling didn't refute, she shouted angrily, "Why did the Zhao Mansion treat you like this?"
Wei Dongling said helplessly, "They thought I was the daughter of a traitor and forced me to confess."
Hearing this, Qi Jinxuan was even angrier. She jumped out of bed to look for her shoes, "This is too much! I'll write a letter to my father right away and ask him to tell the emperor!"