The coachman put down the footstool and respectfully opened the carriage door.
Everyone looked up and saw a man in a crow - blue silk brocade lined robe, swaying a folding fan, getting off the carriage.
Wang Jinsong was slightly stunned and quickly bowed. "Your humble subject greets the Second Young Master. May I ask what your command is for coming here today?"
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister is being too polite. I went up the mountain to visit my father. By chance, I met the Second Miss of your mansion on the way and gave her a ride back. I ran into your son at the city gate."
As Lu Yunzheng's voice faded, Wang Jingze was seen getting off the carriage with Wang Yurou in his arms.
The once - flamboyant and gorgeous woman now had disheveled hair and not a trace of color on her face, pale as frost. Wrapped in a jet - black cloak, she looked like a porcelain that would shatter at a touch.
Wang Jinsong staggered and could hardly believe his eyes. "What... what on earth happened?"
Wang Jingze's face was grim as he said coldly, "Father, it's better not to ask so many questions for now. Hurry and send someone to call a doctor!"
Seeing this, the head steward on the side quickly ordered the servant to invite a doctor.
Wang Jingze nodded slightly to Lu Yunzheng and carried Wang Yurou straight into the mansion.
Wang Jinsong was stunned for a moment, then bowed his hands to Lu Yunzheng. "Thank you, Second Young Master, for saving my daughter. It's hot today. Please come into the mansion for a cup of tea!"
"No need. I have a family banquet today. I can't afford to delay. I'll take my leave first."
"Your humble subject sees off the Second Young Master. I will surely prepare generous gifts and visit the prince's mansion another day to thank the Second Young Master for his heroic act."
After seeing off Lu Yunzheng, Wang Jinsong rushed back into the mansion and headed straight for Feiyun Pavilion.
Not long after, Gu Nianci also rushed over. Seeing Wang Yurou's injuries all over her body, she cried out of breath.
"What on earth happened? My lord, you must catch those villains and cut them into pieces!"
Since childhood, Wang Yurou had been pampered and had never even scratched her skin. Now, covered in blood and on the verge of death, it was no wonder that Gu Nianci was heart - broken.
Wang Jingze took one look and then stepped out.
"Eldest Young Master, Eldest Young Master."
Amid the panicked figures, Ling'er quickly entered Feiyun Pavilion and ran up to Wang Jingze. She lowered her voice and said, "Please save Miss Lin, Eldest Young Master."
Wang Jingze frowned slightly. "What's wrong with Miss Lin?"
Ling'er was so anxious that tears were about to come out. She hurriedly told him what had happened before.
Hearing this, Wang Jingze's face darkened. "This is simply nonsense!"
With that, he quickly walked out, and Ling'er followed closely behind.
After a long search, they finally found Lin Wanyu tied up in a sack under the rear carriage base of a carriage.
Wang Jingze's face was extremely gloomy. Looking at the pale - faced woman in front of him, the pain in his eyebrows deepened.
Not only did they send the woman to the villains in exchange for his sister, but they also tied her up in a sack and threw her under the base.
He couldn't believe that such humiliating things were done by his own father and mother.
Wang Jingze took a deep breath, picked up Lin Wanyu, and strode towards Changyin Pavilion. "Ling'er, go to West Street and invite Doctor Li over."
Ling'er replied with red eyes and quickly ran out.
...
The sun was setting in the west, and the afterglow was as red as blood.
As soon as Lu Huaijin and Chuncheng entered Yuncheng Residence, they saw Sichen kneeling in the yard to plead guilty.
He rubbed his temples tiredly and stepped forward. When passing by Sichen, he said in a deep voice, "Come in!"
Sichen had been kneeling for half a day, and his knees were numb. Hearing his master's words, he forced himself to stand up and slowly followed into the main hall.
Chuncheng wanted to help him, but he refused.
There was calming incense burning in the hall. The cold air from the ice in the icebox mingled with the fragrance, making people feel extremely comfortable.
Lu Huaijin sat down. His handsome face was full of fatigue, and his voice was as cold as frost, which made people tremble inside.
"What happened?"
Sichen knelt down and bowed his hands to report. "Your subordinate led people but failed to capture Wang Yurou. She was... snatched away by others first."
He had led people to ambush in the forest not far from Chonghua Temple, planning to wait for the Wang family's carriage to come and then kidnap Wang Yurou. But after waiting for a while, he didn't see anyone. Instead, he heard the cry for help from Wang Yurou's maid.
When he went to check, he found that Wang Yurou had been kidnapped.
"Who!"
"When your subordinate led people to chase after, we found that it was Xie Jingchu's people!"
After hesitating for a moment, Sichen still revealed the person who had kidnapped Wang Yurou.
As soon as Lu Huaijin heard this name, he felt his temples throbbing. "What does that fool want with Wang Yurou? Wasn't he traveling outside? When did he come back?"
"A month ago, Marquis Xie was seriously ill and sent a message for Young Master Xie to come back. He kidnapped Wang Yurou, seemingly... related to Miss Lin."
"Your subordinate inquired a bit. Before, Young Master Xie had been in Yangzhou and seemed to have some ties with Miss Lin. This time, it was Young Master Xie who helped Miss Lin kidnap Wang Yurou in an attempt to exchange for Miss Lin."
Sichen's voice got softer and softer. The cold wind on his head made his back shiver.
"So what's the situation now?"
Lu Huaijin played with the jade cup on the table. A terrifying coldness gradually welled up in his ink - colored eyes.
What a deep connection!
Sichen replied truthfully. "Young Master Xie's people were just seen by the Second Young Master. The Second Young Master rescued Wang Yurou and sent her back to the Prime Minister's Mansion."
Lu Huaijin laughed out of anger and couldn't help recalling what happened when he met Lu Yunzheng at the city gate.
No wonder he had invited Wang Jingze to ride in the carriage with him. It turned out he had done a good deed.
The cup in his hand was smashed onto the table with a "pop", and Sichen's heart skipped a beat.
"Your subordinate failed to complete the task. Please punish me, Your Highness!"
Lu Huaijin glanced down at him without saying a word, then got up and walked into the bedroom.
...
Just after the watchman's gong sounded at midnight, Lin Wanyu suddenly woke up with a start. She felt as if her throat was on fire and extremely dry.
She lifted the bed curtain and was about to get out of bed to pour a glass of water. But when she saw the person in front of her, she trembled all over and almost fell.
The moonlight shone through the window into the room. The man's cold and fair face showed no expression. When he looked down at her, there was only aloofness in his eyes and brows.
Lin Wanyu took a breath, quickly got out of bed, knelt in front of him, and bowed. "Your Highness!"
"Are you disappointed to see me coming?"
Lu Huaijin sneered with a curl of his lips. Streaks of coldness gradually filled his dark eyes.
Lin Wanyu lowered her eyes, not knowing what to say. In the end, she only said, "Your humble servant wouldn't dare."
Lu Huaijin's eyes turned colder. He taunted, "Playing both the new and the old lovers, having it both ways. Miss Lin is really good at schemes. But have you forgotten something?"
Lin Wanyu bit her lower lip tightly and slowly raised her eyes, just meeting those cold eyes.
Her red lips parted, but before she could speak, there was a cold touch on her chin, and she was uncontrollably pulled into Lu Huaijin's arms.
The clear fragrance mixed with the slight coldness of the cold night. At this moment, it spread along the man's fingertips on her neck.
A wild and overbearing kiss landed on her soft lips. Lu Huaijin wrapped one arm around her waist, and his tongue pried open her lips and teeth, slowly grinding against them.
The sweetness in her mouth seemed to be a trigger, instantly arousing the man's inner passion. The feeling of being out of control gradually spread.
"Your Highness..."
Lin Wanyu's fingertips trembled as she tried to break free, but Lu Huaijin didn't give her a chance.
A coppery sweetness gradually welled up between their lips and teeth. Lu Huaijin let go and raised his eyebrows with a smile. "So fond of biting me?"
His deep voice was like a charming and bewitching sound, instantly making Lin Wanyu's heart skip a beat. Her jade - like face turned even redder.
"Your humble servant..."
Just as she was at a loss, Ling'er's voice suddenly came from outside the door. "Miss, are you awake?"
Lin Wanyu trembled all over and was so scared that she tried to get out of Lu Huaijin's arms.
Lu Huaijin's eyes were dark. He didn't give her this chance. He reached out and untied the belt around her waist, then hooked her into his arms.
The clothes scattered like flowing water, and her delicate pink undergarment was exposed under the moonlight.
Lin Wanyu instinctively tried to gather her clothes, but her wrist was grabbed by Lu Huaijin. The clothes slowly slipped down along her smooth neck and shoulders, and her cold and fair skin was gradually revealed.