Could there be something else added to this bird's nest soup?
Thinking that Qi Jinxuan would treat her like this, Wei Dongling's forehead was covered in cold sweat, but she still forced a smile on her face. "Thank you, eldest miss, for your kindness. I'll be back soon." With that, she curtsied and walked away.
Qi Jinxuan watched Wei Dongling's departing figure thoughtfully.
Although Wei Dongling's steps seemed calm at the moment, she was extremely panicked inside. She couldn't believe that Qi Jinxuan, who was so kind that she was afraid of stepping on an ant while walking, would actually set up a trap to harm her secretly. Just because the heir, Shangguan Yun, showed no interest in Qi Jinxuan, would she be so jealous and hateful that she wanted to get rid of her?
The more Wei Dongling thought about it, the colder her heart became. She placed her hand on the small crossbow in her clothes and looked around the yard, but she didn't see the trace of Jingzhe at all.
Where could he be?
Wei Dongling was in a complete panic. The writing on the small note was delicate and graceful. It seemed to be the handwriting of Lvkou. Could it be that Lvkou accidentally discovered something and took a risk to have the bird's nest with the note sent to her? Did she want her to leave quickly?
Wei Dongling quickened her pace and rushed out of the yard. If there was danger here, it wouldn't be difficult for Jingzhe to get away with his skills. She should leave first so as not to drag him down.
Suddenly, a familiar and hearty laugh came from the entrance. "On the birthday of Second Master Qi, I, the crown prince, will naturally come to offer my birthday greetings in person!"
The person coming was actually the crown prince, Murong Jingyu. Wei Dongling was shocked as if struck by a thunderbolt. Did Qi Jinxuan actually join hands with the crown prince to deal with her?
Wei Dongling turned around and was about to leave when a figure of a woman suddenly appeared behind her. The woman held a shining long sword against Wei Dongling's throat, blocking her way. The brim of the hat the woman wore had a black veil hanging down, covering her face tightly. Judging from her figure, she seemed to be Miss Qiao, the female killer beside the crown prince.
The steward who was leading the way in the Qi Mansion saw Wei Dongling being held at sword - point and thought that the people of the crown prince had mistaken her for a thief. He quickly stepped forward, bowed to the crown prince and explained, "Your Highness, this Miss Wei is a family member of Second Master Qi. She is not a bad person."
The crown prince glanced at Wei Dongling, whose face was as white as a sheet, and sneered non - committally. "Really? Steward, don't be deceived by this Miss Wei's appearance. She is not a good person!"
Hearing what the crown prince said, the steward was momentarily stunned and didn't know what to do.
The crown prince gently patted the steward's shoulder of the Qi Mansion and whispered, "I still have some private matters to attend to. Please help me send the birthday gift to Second Master Qi." With that, he glanced at his attendant beside him.
The young servant beside the crown prince immediately understood his meaning. He stepped forward, stuffed a gold ingot into the steward's hand of the Qi Mansion, and bowed with a smile. "Thank you."
"Yes, sir." The steward bowed tremblingly, took the gold ingot and the birthday gift, and retreated. He didn't even dare to look at Wei Dongling again.
The crown prince waved his hand lazily, and then led everyone away with Wei Dongling in custody.
The doorman bowed. Seeing the crown prince take Wei Dongling away with his own eyes, he was secretly shocked but didn't dare to say a word.
There were several carriages parked beside the main gate of the Qi Mansion. The crown prince got into the front carriage, and Miss Qiao grabbed Wei Dongling by the neck and stuffed her into the back carriage.
Wei Dongling saw Jingzhe lying in the carriage, covered in blood and tied up like a zongzi. She was both shocked and angry. She trembled and said to Miss Qiao, "Whatever grudges you have, come at me. Why take it out on him?"
Miss Qiao took off the hat on her head, revealing a face full of scars. She used to have a beautiful face with bright and charming eyes, but now there were several shocking scars on her face, and her right eye had been gouged out. Only her left eye, full of hatred, stared fiercely at Wei Dongling.
Wei Dongling was so shocked that her scalp went numb when she saw Miss Qiao's face. Miss Qiao stabbed her sword into Wei Dongling's abdomen and laughed wildly and cruelly. "My face was ruined beyond recognition thanks to you, Miss Wei. Why do you think I should spare anyone?"
Wei Dongling felt a sharp pain in her abdomen and collapsed on the spot. She had once pulled the trigger of the small crossbow at Miss Qiao's face. The tips of the needles were poisoned, and one needle had directly pierced into her eye. Miss Qiao had screamed madly on the spot. When she was saved, one of her eyeballs had to be removed.
Miss Qiao rummaged through Wei Dongling's body, took away her small crossbow and meteor blades, glanced at Wei Dongling lying on the ground as pale as death, and the corner of her lips curled into a cold smile. Miss Qiao stepped on Wei Dongling's face and rubbed it back and forth forcefully.
Blood gushed out from Wei Dongling's abdomen, and her face hurt badly from being stepped on. A sense of despair slowly welled up in her heart.
What had she ever done wrong to Qi Jinxuan?
She had done nothing at all. Why did Qi Jinxuan treat her like this? Why did she even collude with the crown prince to harm her secretly?
The banquet in the Qi Mansion was over. Mrs. Wu and her daughter Qi Jinlan were on their way back to the backyard. They saw a woman standing furtively beside the rockery.
Seeing them coming, Lvkou rushed out and bowed. "Second Madame, Miss Jinlan, have you seen Miss Wei Dongling?"
The mother and daughter glanced at each other. Mrs. Wu replied, "Dongling went to the toilet during the banquet and hasn't come back. Maybe she's already gone back?"
Lvkou knelt in front of Mrs. Wu with a thud and said in a low voice, "I've asked around. The doorman said he saw with his own eyes that His Highness the Crown Prince took Miss Wei away."
"His Highness the Crown Prince?" Mrs. Wu was secretly shocked. Halfway through the banquet, the steward did present a birthday gift, saying it was sent by someone on behalf of the crown prince. Did the crown prince enter the Qi Mansion without even saying hello and just left? And took Wei Dongling away?
Lvkou was in tears and anxious. "Second Madame, I lived with Miss Wei for a few days some time ago. I know that the crown prince intends to harm Miss Wei. I hope Second Madame can help Miss Wei!" Lvkou kept kowtowing as she spoke.
Mrs. Wu was stunned. "Really?"
Lvkou couldn't say that Miss Qi was colluding with the crown prince. She just kept begging. "I can't leave the mansion. Please, Second Madame, arrange someone to go to Miss Wei's mansion and let them know. Someone will surely find a way to save her! Please help, Second Madame!"
Mrs. Wu was a bit confused and was about to help Lvkou up when a voice came from behind. "Lvkou, what are you doing here?"
Hearing this voice, Lvkou's face turned pale with fear.
Mrs. Wu turned around and saw from afar that Hongxiu was supporting Qi Jinxuan walking slowly over. After perfunctorily saluting her, Qi Jinxuan stared fiercely at Lvkou kneeling on the ground.
Lvkou's face was deathly pale and she stammered, "I..."
Qi Jinxuan sneered. "You sneaked from the inner courtyard to the main hall. Were you here to steal something?"
Lvkou's face turned white and she kept shouting, "I dare not!"
Hongxiu beside Qi Jinxuan interrupted. "You've always been untrustworthy. Why wouldn't you dare?" Hongxiu deliberately said this to remind people of the incident when Lvkou stole a ring and was sold out of the mansion not long ago.
Lvkou's face was as pale as paper, but she didn't dare to argue anymore.