Feng Yue shook her head – she had barely scratched the surface of her understanding.
On the other side, Yin Gezhi had already taken his seat, and many who noticed came over to pay their respects. An Shichong and Xu Huaizu approached one on each side, eagerly pouring tea with excessive enthusiasm. “Master, try this tea – it’s newly arrived Maojian!”
“It’s almost noon, Master. Are you hungry? Would you like some refreshments first?”
Yin Gezhi sat like a lord, silently enjoying his disciples’ attendance. Feng Yue stood nearby, feeling extremely satisfied with the scene.
It wasn’t that she was being servile – look, even these noble young men had to act deferential before him! Before the Demon King, all beings were equal. She had nothing to complain about!
“Isn’t that the heir of Marquis An’s household? Why is he so familiar with him?” Someone muttered not far behind.
Feng Yue paused, pretending to arrange nearby flowers while slowly turning to look.
Two men stood together, appearing to be in their forties. Though wearing casual clothes, they carried themselves with official bearing. Unlike others’ envious and respectful expressions, their looks held neither.
The other man answered quietly, “Didn’t he become his disciple? Who knew the heir of Marquis An would bow to him as master? Look at how they’re treating a mere hostage like someone important.”
Feng Yue frowned slightly, thinking to herself.
There were quite a few in court who disapproved of Yin Gezhi, but besides Zhu Laicai who directly attempted poisoning, the others remained unclear. Who were these two?
“Yue’er.” Just as she was pondering this, Yin Gezhi’s voice called out. Feng Yue turned to see him looking at her with displeasure, then pointing to a spot behind him.
She walked over confused and asked, “Does the Young Master have any instructions?”
“As a servant, you should always stand behind your master, not too far away,” Yin Gezhi said meaningfully while handing her a pastry. “Try this.”
How kind! Feng Yue blinked, smiling as she accepted the pastry. Just as she was about to eat it, she heard someone laugh: “His Highness finally has a maid.”
“Who’s so fortunate to serve as a maid in the Envoy’s residence?”
Xu Huaizu responded roguishly to the speaker: “This junior was considerate enough to send Master a maid, and Master graciously accepted. Is this the maid’s good fortune, or mine?”
The person was startled, immediately flattering: “Naturally it’s Young Master Xu’s good fortune.”
Xu Huaizu chuckled, his eyes signaling Feng Yue to lower her head. Seeing this, Feng Yue immediately shrunk her neck.
Yin Gezhi seemed not to hear these words, leisurely waiting for the feast to begin. He sat at a table below the main seat, originally unremarkable, but with both young masters surrounding him, this table naturally drew many onlookers. During the feast, though Marquis An only ceremonially came to drink one cup, Yin Gezhi was constantly surrounded by people toasting him, as if celebrating his fiftieth birthday.
After drinking too much, he became drunk and pulled Feng Yue, who was standing like a decorative vase beside him, into his arms. With alcohol-laden breath, he said, “Yue’er, don’t wander off, or I won’t be able to find you later.”
Feng Yue smiled, gritting her teeth while whispering, “Master, your servant has been standing right beside you, not moving a single step!”
“Then go wait for me at the gate,” the drunken man said. “I’ll escape soon, and we’ll slip back to the residence.”
Feeling malicious gazes fixed upon them, she felt uncomfortable and immediately agreed, pushing through the crowds toward the exit.
At the side gate of Marquis An’s residence, numerous carriages and sedan chairs were parked, with drivers and servants sitting together chatting while waiting. Feng Yue crouched on the shaft of the Envoy’s carriage, stretching her neck like a goose to watch. While other masters came out sporadically, there was no sign of her own.
After waiting for the time it took to burn three incense sticks, he still hadn’t appeared. Feng Yue cursed under her breath and decided to stand up to stretch her limbs.
However, just as she stood up, a sharp presence suddenly emerged from beside her.
Instinctively wanting to dodge, her movements weren’t as fast, and her strength was not as great. The frail Feng Yue was firmly caught in a sack, only managing a single yelp before being gagged and carried away.
The drivers at the gate were too engrossed in their chat to notice anything.
Her heart sank heavily as Feng Yue couldn’t understand who would target her at this time – she was just a maid! Who had she offended?
The person carrying her was very strong, with a gruff voice: “Is this the right one?”
Someone beside them said, “Should be right. We’ve left the note, let’s wait outside the city.”
Kidnapping? She steadied herself – since they left a note, it meant she still had a chance to live. No need to panic, just play the role of an obedient captive.
So the kidnappers ran for quite a distance, noticing their shoulder cargo neither moved nor made a sound, hanging like a noodle.
“Did we knock her out earlier? Why isn’t she moving?”
The person beside them said, “She probably fainted, such a timid one! But timid is good, makes our job easier.”
With these words, the two men lowered their guard against such a weak young woman. Upon reaching their destination, they even carefully placed her on a haystack instead of throwing her.
Keeping her eyes closed and staying still, Feng Yue breathed evenly. Only after a bucket of water was splashed on her face did she pretend to wake up startled, trembling as she looked at the people before her: “Who… who are you?”
Seeing her docile appearance, the two bandits softened their tone: “Don’t be afraid, we just need your help with something.”
Wow, your attitude when asking for help is something! While cursing inwardly, Feng Yue trembled even more violently, looking at them in terror.
At the side gate of Marquis An’s residence.
Yin Gezhi stood by the carriage, looking at the note pressed against the shaft.
“North City Gate, forest by the broken bridge.”
The drunkenness in his eyes dispersed as he studied the note for a while before passing it to Xu Huaizu behind him: “A miscalculation indeed. Though she’s just a maid, being a maid sent by the Xu family makes her an easy target.”
Xu Huaizu exploded upon reading it, his eyebrows standing straight: “What kind of skill is it to target women?!”
Then he lowered his head to think. Looking at his surprisingly calm master beside him, he suddenly understood the bandits’ reasoning.
If not targeting women, should they target Yin Gezhi instead? That wouldn’t be making a move – that would be seeking death.
“Master, let us accompany you to check it out. In case there’s an ambush, you won’t have to fight alone!” An Shichong said, “We should bring some men.”
“Yes, Master, let’s rescue Miss Feng Yue together!”
Yawning, the drunkenness returned to Yin Gezhi’s eyes as he slurred: “Mm. Rescue.”
Then he suddenly passed out drunk.
An Shichong gaped as he reached out to catch him, while Xu Huaizu was also dumbfounded: “Master?”
The person on his shoulder had closed eyes, steady breathing, and a drunken flush on his face, looking… truly like a jade-like gentleman tinged with an evening glow.
Pah pah pah now wasn’t the time to admire appearances! Xu Huaizu anxiously asked An Shichong: “What do we do now?”
An Shichong was calmer than him, thinking for a moment before saying: “Master is in no condition to rescue anyone like this, but since Miss Feng Yue was officially given to Master by you, it makes sense for you to lead the rescue now.”
Makes sense! Xu Huaizu immediately mounted his horse, pulling the reins: “You settle Master, I’ll go back to the General’s mansion to gather men. Meet at the North Gate in half an hour.”
“Good.” An Shichong nodded. Watching him gallop away, he had servants help carry Yin Gezhi to a guest room.
It was just past noon in broad daylight, yet kidnappers could carry someone out the city gate – they must have some capability. The two young masters didn’t dare be careless, gathering over thirty men with bows and weapons before daring to head towards the North Gate.
In the thatched hut.
When Feng Yue’s muscles had stiffened from trembling, the two bandits finally revealed their purpose: “If you want to live, follow our instructions. Apply this, and brush it against your master’s lips.”
A red paper and two smears of rouge – Feng Yue stared in confusion: “My lords… are you asking this servant to seduce my master?”
“With your looks, it should be enough.” The big man who carried her declared loudly: “You’re the only maid by his side. Don’t you warm his bed at night? When he comes to heroically rescue you, you can offer yourself to him – wouldn’t that be natural?”
How impressive, they’ve planned everything, Feng Yue couldn’t help wanting to applaud.
“Swallow this. Once you succeed, we’ll give you the antidote.” Something round was stuffed into her mouth. Feng Yue pretended to swallow it, retching twice while keeping it in her hand. Then she smoothed her chest with tears in her eyes: “What… what is this?”
“Poison. Without the antidote, you’ll die. This way, even if you’re rescued, you’ll still have to do it.” Seeing her terrified and anxious appearance, the two bandits scared her like they would a child: “So don’t try any tricks, or you’ll lose your life!”
“This servant will comply, my lords must save this servant when the time comes!” Kowtowing to them, Feng Yue trembled like a leaf in the wind.
Usually when kidnapping, hostages need to suffer somewhat to ensure compliance, but today’s business went exceptionally smoothly. Both men felt lucky – the kidnapped girl was timid and cooperative, so they didn’t need to expend effort.
Just wait for people to come.
Outside the thatched hut was a broken bridge. The river below had dried up, allowing people to walk across directly. The bandits waited on one side of the broken bridge. An hour later, they saw two young men in brocade robes leading a large group charging towards them.
“What’s going on?” The bandits were dumbfounded: “Didn’t the lord say to just wait for a good-looking man in blue clothes? Why are so many people coming?”
The other person was also stunned: “Then… should we still threaten to chop up the girl if that blue-clothed gentleman doesn’t kill himself?”
“Threaten my ass! We’ll be lucky not to get chopped up ourselves! Run!”
Villains often die from talking too much. They might have escaped, but after chattering for so long, An Shichong had already led people to surround them, directly pressing the two bandits to the ground for a thorough beating.
“In broad daylight, you dare to abduct a woman? Who sent you!”
“I…” The more robust kidnapper wanted to say defiantly that they came on their own! But before the words left his mouth, a guard’s sandbag-sized fist “bang” smashed into his mouth, knocking loose his front teeth, which traced a beautiful arc through the air.