Under the large red lanterns, Song Han’s face seemed to grow even paler.
He spoke softly: “Come out, all of you!”
Five or six guards emerged from behind him, throwing their weapons into the courtyard and raising their hands high.
Duan Gongyi didn’t approach, but smiled and asked: “Is this all of them?”
“This is everyone!” Song Han replied, his face ashen. “The others aren’t my men!”
Duan Gongyi nodded to those beside him.
Several agile guards came forward with ropes and bound all of Song Han’s men.
Song Han’s face alternated between red and white as he watched.
Duan Gongyi smiled and said “Excuse me,” then produced a rope from somewhere and walked towards Song Han.
Realizing what he intended to do, Song Han retreated several steps, shouting: “You dog, what are you doing?”
Duan Gongyi’s expression darkened. “Second Master, you plotted against Duke Ying’s daughter-in-law and eldest grandson. Even before the emperor, this is a capital offense. I address you as ‘Second Master’ out of respect, don’t push your luck!” He then roughly bound Song Han and dragged him towards the servants’ quarters in the western part of the rear garden.
The villa at Xiangshan was Duke Ying’s property. Song Han had often come here to escape the summer heat with Madam Jiang when he was young. He knew those small buildings housed the villa’s maids. He silently regretted not realizing Dou Zhao had been hiding here. But how had she discovered his schemes?
He wracked his brain but couldn’t figure out where he had slipped up. He could only purse his lips as Duan Gongyi dragged him stumbling into the last room of the servants’ quarters.
The window lattices were covered with blankets, making the room appear pitch black from the outside. Inside, however, two palace lamps were lit. Due to poor ventilation, the room was stuffy, but a faint scent of wintersweet blossoms made it bearable. Young Master Yuan slept sweetly on the large kang bed by the window. An unfamiliar old woman fanned him with a banana leaf fan, while Jin Gui and Yin Gui stood by to attend to him. Dou Zhao sat at the edge of the kang, her eyes as cold as winter stars as she gazed at Song Han, revealing no emotion.
Song Han’s heart trembled. He quickly called out “Sister-in-law” as tears fell: “I’ve been losing my temper in the courtyard, but no one paid any attention. I wanted to send word to you and the elder madam but couldn’t. I’m so relieved you and Young Master Yuan are safe. I was terrified something had happened to you – I would never have been able to forgive myself…”
Dou Zhao felt nothing but disgust.
She spoke coolly: “Second Master, your act is tiresome to watch. Tell me what happened and I’ll consider you were coerced and won’t pursue the matter further. If you keep trying to deceive me, I’ll have no choice but to hand you over to the young master for punishment. Make your decision quickly, Second Master. It’s hot, and I don’t have the patience to wait while you weigh your options and calculate the risks!”
Song Han struggled to move forward, saying: “Sister-in-law, you can’t wrongly accuse me like this…”
Dou Zhao cut him off with a cold laugh: “When Duke Ying’s mansion caught fire and the young master wasn’t home, didn’t I defend Yizhi Hall? Song Han, you’ve underestimated me!” She turned to Jin Gui and instructed, “Count to one hundred for me. If the Second Master’s story hasn’t changed by then…” She looked towards Duan Gongyi, her face seeming to frost over, “Master Duan, drag Song Han out and slaughter him for me. After all, he keeps insisting he was taken hostage. We can just say the kidnappers silenced him afterward!”
Duan Gongyi cheerfully responded “Yes,” his eyes dancing as he added: “Don’t worry, this isn’t my first time doing this sort of thing. Remember that Pang boy last time? We beat him until he was paralyzed!”
The two casually discussed murder and violence while the old woman beside them remained as calm as if they were discussing the weather.
As Jin Gui counted with a slightly trembling voice, a chill ran through Song Han.
Suddenly the door burst open and Chen Xiaofeng, who had been guarding outside, rushed in: “My lady, something’s not right! There’s not even the sound of insects outside.”
Dou Zhao’s hair stood on end.
She exchanged a glance with Duan Gongyi. He said: “I’ll go check.”
Dou Zhao nodded.
Chen Xiaofeng quickly slipped back out.
There was a rustling sound outside, followed by a man’s gloomy voice: “Lady Dou, please come out with your eldest son. We mean you no harm, we simply wish to invite you to stay at our residence for a few days. Please don’t resist needlessly. We have over fifty crossbows aimed at your room! Be careful not to turn it into a hornet’s nest.”
Crossbows were controlled items, only used by the military.
Dou Zhao’s expression changed dramatically.
A thought flashed through her mind.
Duan Gongyi was filled with regret. He stomped his foot and said: “The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. It’s my fault for falling for Song Han’s trap!”
Dou Zhao glanced at Song Han, whose face still showed traces of shock, and shook her head: “It’s not your fault. Song Han didn’t know he was being used as bait either. They’re determined to capture me and Yuan’er.” She asked Duan Gongyi, “Is there any chance Song Han could suddenly break free?”
Duan Gongyi puffed out his chest and said: “Besides my late master, no one else can undo my knots.”
Dou Zhao nodded and said: “Push Song Han out in front of me. I want to talk to them.”
“No…” Song Han’s legs gave way and he nearly collapsed to the ground.
But Duan Gongyi showed no mercy as he picked Song Han up and pushed him to the doorway.
Dou Zhao looked past Song Han’s shoulder to the outside.
In the bright moonlight, men stood on all the surrounding rooftops. The sharp arrowheads glinted coldly as if one careless move would send arrows flying, piercing hearts.
Dou Zhao’s heart tightened.
Song Han let out a wail: “Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! I’m the Second Master of Duke Ying’s household! Your master promised me a good position if I could capture the Dou woman…” This was followed by the smell of urine.
Dou Zhao frowned.
Duan Gongyi sneered: “With such little courage, you dare try to murder and plunder like others? No wonder your master doesn’t take you seriously. You’re nothing but a pawn. Otherwise, why would they use you as bait? Stop trying to inflate your importance. Want to bet that if they disagree with the lady, you’ll be the first one they shoot?”
Song Han trembled uncontrollably, unable to utter a word.
Duan Gongyi kicked him and said: “Hurry up and reveal who’s behind this. Do you want to wait for death?”
Song Han’s eyes showed terror, but he kept his mouth tightly shut.
Dou Zhao ignored him and asked Duan Gongyi: “If they start shooting crossbow bolts at us, how long can we hold out?”
Duan Gongyi hesitated for a moment before replying: “If we don’t take casualties, we should be able to defend this small building until dawn.”
Chen Xiaofeng and the others were outside. The fear was that if they moved, the enemy would start shooting indiscriminately.
Not daring to take the risk, Dou Zhao could only try to buy time. She told Duan Gongyi: “I’ll try to talk to them. Signal Chen Xiaofeng and the others slowly make their way over here. Get as many people inside as possible.”
Duan Gongyi nodded.
Dou Zhao called out loudly: “Who are you people? I am the daughter-in-law of Duke Ying, a first-rank titled lady. Hasn’t anyone told you that kidnapping an official’s family member carries extra penalties?”
The other side replied unhurriedly: “My lady, we’re also acting out of necessity. Please don’t make things difficult for us…”
As they spoke, there was a sudden whistle of an arrow flying towards Chen Xiaofeng, who had been inching forward. If not for his alertness and quick reflexes allowing him to dodge, he likely would have been hit.
Dou Zhao’s face turned cold.
The enemy spoke ominously: “My lady, don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit.”
Dou Zhao laughed disdainfully and said softly to Duan Gongyi: “Push Song Han out there, let him shield Chen Xiaofeng.”
“Ah!” Duan Gongyi’s mouth fell open.
Song Han began screaming like a madman: “How dare you treat me like this! I am the Second Master of the noble Duke Ying’s household. Those lowly guards aren’t fit to tie my shoes, yet you want me to be their human shield?”
Duan Gongyi also said: “Don’t you still need Song Han’s confession?”
Dou Zhao raised her head to look at the starry night sky and said: “No need. I already know who’s trying to capture me and Yuan’er. He’s useless now, push him out!”
Song Han began to babble incoherently.
Dou Zhao hid behind the door.
Duan Gongyi called out “Chen Xiaofeng!” and shoved Song Han out without mercy.
Chen Xiaofeng grabbed Song Han and used him as a shield, retreating towards the room.
Seven or eight arrows shot towards them like shooting stars.
Chen Xiaofeng instinctively swung his sword, knocking the arrows to the ground, and used the opportunity to run into the room.
Dou Zhao smiled, baring her teeth.
Chen Xiaofeng dropped the now unconscious Song Han and saluted Dou Zhao, excitedly calling out “My lady!”
“Say no more,” Dou Zhao smiled. “Tell the guards outside to use Song Han as a shield to get in here.”
Chen Xiaofeng hesitated for a moment, but ultimately brotherly feelings won out. He respectfully answered “Yes” and tossed Song Han back out.
This time Song Han wasn’t as lucky in Chen Xiaofeng’s hands. He was hit by arrows in the shoulder and thigh, the pain waking him up.
Dou Zhao once again ordered Duan Gongyi to throw him out.
Song Han clung tightly to Duan Gongyi’s leg, his tears and snot indistinguishable: “Sister-in-law! Sister-in-law! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything! Just please don’t throw me out there again!”
But Dou Zhao remained unmoved, coldly saying: “Throw him out for me.”
Song Han was, after all, Duke Ying’s son. Duan Gongyi and the others exchanged uncertain glances.
Dou Zhao said: “In my heart, you are more important than him. Just follow my orders. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility!”
For a moment, everyone inside and outside the room felt a lump in their throat. Chen Xiaofeng’s eyes even grew moist as he saluted and said “Yes,” then threw Song Han out.
Song Han cried out: “If you dare to shoot, I’ll reveal who your master is!”
The other side hesitated.
Dou Zhao’s guards took the opportunity to charge towards the room.
“Shoot!” Seeing this, the enemy chose to fire.
A rain of arrows fell from the sky.
Several men at the back of the charge were hit, but luckily not in vital areas.
Song Han, lying on the ground, avoided fatal injury but was hit by two more arrows in his back and arm.
His guards, tied up and left in the courtyard, were all turned into pincushions by the arrows.
Song Han fainted again from fright.
Everyone disregarded propriety between men and women. As Chen Xiaofeng helped tend to his injured brothers, Duan Gongyi couldn’t help but ask Dou Zhao: “Who is trying to kidnap you and the young master?”