Chapter 44: Jade Bracelet

Chapter 44: Jade Bracelet

Madam Shen's belated cries for help abruptly ceased as two guards named Liu Wei helped her to the side. She clamped her hand over her mouth, terrified that any sob might disturb Cheng Yu.

She knew Cheng Yu. The renowned Prince of Duke Yan, famous throughout the Eastern Capital City, was a figure of great prestige. People praised him as a noble gentleman, the city's most admired bachelor. At barely twenty, Cheng Yu had already entered the court, setting an example as the youngest and most accomplished among the noble scions.

The kidnapper holding Yuanxi hostage, however, was a stark contrast. His face was dark and unattractive, clad in a gray tunic and black cloth shoes. Though tall, his sturdy build resembled that of a farmer, far from the refined elegance of a prince from the esteemed Duke Yan's household.

Three years ago, if someone had told Madam Shen that Prince Cheng would one day abduct a maiden on the street, driven to desperation, she would have dismissed it as impossible.

The blade hovered precariously close to drawing blood, its cold sheen piercingly chilling.

Everyone seemed to hold their breath, except Gongye Chu. His sword remained sheathed, his cold gaze towards Pei Yuanxi devoid of any sympathy.

Cheng Yu licked his lips, his eyes challenging as he flicked the dagger in his hand.

Their eyes locked, hostile and unforgiving.

Three years earlier, Gongye Chu had been the commander of the Imperial Guards at Tai Ling Palace. After the East Mountain Mansion was devastated by rebels, he was the sole survivor. The previous emperor, captivated by beauty, had placed considerable trust in him.

Back then, Cheng Yu was not only the heir to Duke Yan but also a trusted aide with access to the palace. Both he and Pei Yuanxi were favored by the late emperor, one for his literary prowess and the other for his martial skills.

Then Gongye Chu staged a coup, slaughtering the entire Shang family in one night to pave the way for the new emperor. Before the Chengs could react, their clan was sacrificed to the new dynasty.

Everyone believed the Chengs were completely wiped out, unaware that some had escaped the massacre.

Once a renowned noble youth in the Eastern Capital City, Cheng Yu now lived like a bandit in hiding. No one knew what he had endured three years ago or where he had been concealing himself.

Pei Yuanxi could feel the cold edge of the dagger against her skin. She had no doubt that if she dared to move, it would pierce her throat.

Cheng Yu held her hostage to make his escape. Surrounded as they were, even if he managed to break free, it would be difficult to leave the city with her in tow. Thus, there was a high chance she would be abandoned halfway, though whether alive or dead remained uncertain.

In her dark eyes, Gongye Chu's figure steadily approached.

This man wouldn't care about the life or death of a mere bait. To him, she was merely a pawn to lure Cheng Yu out. Now that Cheng Yu had appeared, her mission was accomplished.

"Lord Gongye, do you truly not care about this lovely maiden's fate?" Cheng Yu taunted, his tone devoid of fear.

"I care more about Prince Cheng than any beauty," Gongye Chu replied with an icy voice.

Are you two publicly displaying your affection? Under Pei Yuanxi's pale countenance, her anger was reaching its peak. She was the one being sacrificed, yet they still had the audacity to joke in front of her.

"I am truly honored that Lord Gongye takes notice of me," Cheng Yu said, his gaze dark and sinister as he stared at Gongye Chu's cold expression. He realized that whether in the past or present, he despised this man immensely.

Back then, everyone praised his literary talent, but Cheng Yu knew that this man's skills were no less than his own. His father had warned that this person was not only a threat to the Ling Dynasty but also a calamity for their Cheng family.

The former emperor was incompetent, unable to understand the intentions of his father, Emperor Yongcheng. How could the Dongshan Mansion, tasked with guarding the northern borders of the Ling Dynasty, be slaughtered by rebels in a single night?

It was Emperor Yongcheng who had been eliminating potential rivals, paving the way for the former emperor to inherit the throne. The former emperor was of average ability, capable only of maintaining what he had inherited. If the Dongshan Mansion had harbored ill intentions, the former emperor would have been powerless to suppress them.

Under Duke Dongshan's rule, law and order were strict, leaving no loopholes to exploit.

A single rebellion had wiped out an entire family.

Father had repeatedly warned the former emperor that Gongye Chu was not a man to be entrusted with important tasks. Yet, the former emperor chose to ignore these warnings, entrusting the defense of the entire Tai Ling Palace to this very person.

And thus, the palace coup occurred on that fateful night in Tai Ling Palace, giving rise to their deep-seated blood feud as the Duke of Yan.

"With your might, Lord Gongye, one would think the kingdom no longer bears the surname Shang but has taken up the name Gongye instead," he taunted, his gaze darkening further.

"What dynasty the realm belongs to is none of Prince Cheng's concern. How can a traitor who plots against the throne question who should rule the land? Are you suggesting, Prince Cheng, that you prefer the dynasty to bear your family name rather than Shang's?"

Cheng Yu's pupils constricted, and he burst into laughter. The Shang dynasty was incompetent, while Gongye Chu harbored wolfish ambitions. It mattered little if the kingdom changed its name; what was wrong with it being called Cheng?

Their eyes locked in a fierce battle, as if exchanging blows in a deadly dance.

Men vying for power were, in their own way, madmen.

"Keep your dagger away from me," Pei Yuanxi interjected suddenly, her brow creased in a naive frown, her voice quivering slightly. "Do you know who I am? Let me go!"

She was originally a naive girl, so her behavior under such circumstances aroused no suspicion.

Gongye Chu narrowed his eyes, giving her a sidelong glance.

Cheng Yu's lips curled with amusement. "Lord Gongye, listen for yourself. The little beauty is on the verge of tears. Pitiful creature, she's innocent. Order your men to step back and let me go. I promise to return your little beauty unharmed once I'm free."

The refined Prince Cheng was always courteous, while this crude man seemed to have fallen from grace, devoid of his former scholarly elegance.

It appeared that he hadn't had an easy time in the past three years.

Gongye Chu pretended not to hear, while Liu Wei had already surrounded them tightly.

"Baili Sir, if you take one more step forward, I'll slit this beauty's delicate neck. Such a lovely and slender neck would bloom into a magnificent blood-red flower – it'd be a sight to behold," he threatened with an icy chill that left no doubt he was dead serious.

Pei Yuanxi's small face turned ashen, revealing her sheer terror. There was a touch of foolishness and confusion in her fear. Her body trembled, and suddenly, she burst into tears.

Gongye Chu halted his steps, a hint of uncertainty flickering across his cold gaze. He gazed at that face, which overlapped with the vision from his dreams. Ever since he had invaded the Marquis Manor that fateful night and dreamt of peach blossoms, this face had frequently appeared in his dreams.

Sometimes it was joyful, sometimes coquettish, and other times weeping. She always flashed by like a fleeting flower, calling out his name, "A Chu."

He knew she was putting on an act; not only was she pretending to be foolish, but her fear and tears were also feigned.

She wept with such trepidation that her body shook even more violently.

From Gongye Chu's momentary hesitation, Cheng Yu perceived something. With the corner of his eye, he gave Pei Yuanxi a serious glance. This woman was indeed uncommonly beautiful, albeit a bit foolish.

"Lord Gongye truly has a soft spot for delicate maidens. This little beauty is quite fetching, but alas, a bit simple-minded. I never would have guessed that Lord Gongye has a fondness for such a fool. Why don't the ladies of Eastern Capital City weep in regret?" He jestingly glanced at the Liu Wei guards, "Don't you step aside? Do you really wish to witness this beauty's neck bloom?"

The Liu Wei guards waited for Gongye Chu's directive, clearly uncertain if their master had any affection for Pei Yuanxi.

"Let her go, and you can leave," Gongye Chu said coldly.

"How could I be so foolish as to believe you? If I really release this beauty, what if you change your mind?" Cheng Yu didn't trust him and had no intention of giving up his leverage.

Gongye Chu replied coldly, "Do you have a choice?"

Of course Cheng Yu had no choice. He could only bet on whether Gongye Chu was a man of his word. Clearly, he didn't dare to take that chance because he didn't trust Gongye Chu.

The dagger in his hand was already touching Pei Yuanxi's skin. He leaned closer, his warm breath making her feel disgusted. "In truth, having a beauty by my side before I die wouldn't be a bad way to go. However, I'm not particularly interested in being a ghost. It's much better for beauties to remain alive."

While they were at a standstill, Pei Yuanxi had stopped crying. She looked upward with her eyes rolled back, seemingly staring at nothing in particular. Yet, she was so absorbed that she forgot about the knife held against her throat.

Curiosity is innate in humans, and they often follow the crowd without reason.

After watching for a while, some of the common folk began to look up as well. One person, two people, three people... Many people simultaneously lifted their heads.

No one could tell what was up there. It was just the sun and a few clouds, less appealing than the sky from previous days. They stared as if they wished to bore a hole through the heavens.

As long as Pei Yuanxi didn't avert her gaze, others continued to watch. Several Liu Wei guards also looked upward, and even Gongye Chu cast a fleeting glance.

With a suspicious frown, Cheng Yu's gaze darkened.

After hearing Pei Yuanxi's startled "yi," he couldn't resist looking up. In that fleeting moment, a tiny, cold arrow pierced his arm, causing him to wince in pain and his grip to loosen.

Pei Yuanxi crouched down and rolled away, while Cheng Yu, realizing he had lost control of the situation, shouted something. A vegetable seller and several civilians rushed to his aid.

They attempted to carve out an escape path through the chaos, but Gongye Chu and Liu Wei pressed relentlessly forward.

Everyone's attention was focused on that side, so no one noticed the candy vendor woman who had taken advantage of the confusion to move closer to Pei Yuanxi.

"Help!" Pei Yuanxi cried out in desperation, using her hands to fend off the woman's attack.

The woman was incredibly strong, and with a sharp crack, the jade bracelet on her wrist shattered under the force of their collision.

The jade bracelet saved her life, but the woman quickly followed up with another assault. As the glint of a weapon loomed before her eyes, Pei Yuanxi believed she was doomed - until a cold arrow shot through the air, intercepting the threat.

The weapon fell from the woman's hand, and she collapsed to the ground with wide, unseeing eyes. Pierced by a cold arrow, the weapon had struck a vital spot and was almost entirely embedded in her back.

It was the first time she had witnessed death firsthand, occurring right before her eyes. Admitting she wasn't afraid would be a lie, but she knew this was not the time for fear.

Madam Shen had crept over at some point, trembling as she clung tightly to her. She had heard someone say that all the intruders had been apprehended. She watched as the Liu Weis retreated into the distance, and then that dark ink-like figure vanished as well.

She felt as though he might have turned to look back before leaving, but from such a distance, she could not discern his expression or gaze. It was likely deeply profound and indifferent—certainly not one of guilt.

In his eyes, her life was as insignificant as a blade of grass or an ant.

He could use her as bait without a second thought; how could he possibly have a change of heart?

Supporting Madam Shen, the two of them returned to the carriage.

The common folk were still trembling with fear, each one of them busily gathering their belongings with heads bowed. She watched the direction they had left in, the chill on her neck yet to dissipate.

Madam Shen dared not waste a moment, wishing desperately that their carriage could sprout wings and fly back to the Marquis Manor. It must have been an ill-omened day, else there would not have been so many mishaps.

Being held hostage in broad daylight was no trivial matter, and those who had witnessed it could hardly be silenced. An unmarried young lady encountering such an incident would inevitably become the subject of endless gossip for weeks to come.

Pei Yuanxi was already known as a foolish girl, and now, with the recent incident of Li Yi's forced marriage proposal and this latest ordeal of being abducted by bandits, her reputation was beyond redemption.

Madam Kang held her tightly and wept for a long while, a mix of heartache and pity for her daughter.

Marquis Xuanping clenched his fists so tightly that he seemed ready to kill. Madam Shen had fainted from crying several times, blaming herself for not checking the auspiciousness of the day before leaving home and encountering such misfortune.

"Try not to dwell on it, rest well," Marquis Xuanping said to Pei Yuanxi.

Yuanxi had something to discuss with him, so the father and daughter went to the study in the front courtyard. They closed the door and conversed privately for a long while, leaving outsiders ignorant of their discussion. When they emerged, Marquis Xuanping's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, and he hurriedly left the mansion.

She looked up at the sky with a bitter smile, already imagining what kind of image she would have in people's mouths.

A woman's reputation greatly influenced her future. No matter how indifferent she was to her reputation, Pei Yuanxi didn't wish to be burdened by it for the rest of her life. However, since the incident had occurred, worrying was futile.

Upon nearing the inner courtyard, she encountered Pei Ji and Shen Changyin.

Shen Changyin was there to find her.

Pei Ji was momentarily at a loss for words. He was deeply troubled in his heart. As an older brother, he wished for his sister to encounter a worthy man who could see past the gossip and recognize her virtues.

And Prince Shen was undoubtedly that person.

Someone who remained steadfast in their feelings under such circumstances was, in his opinion, dependable. Furthermore, the Marquis Changqi's residence was her maternal family's home, and he believed that the Marquis would treat his sister kindly.

He stepped aside to observe from a distance, giving Shen Changyin and Pei Yuanxi space to talk.

"Second Sister, don't be upset. This isn't your fault," Shen Changyin said with a gentle expression. "Gossip is how the world operates, and sooner or later, it will fade away. Don't take it to heart."

Pei Yuanxi offered a small smile. "Thank you, Cousin Prince, for your concern. I won't dwell on it. If we're talking about reputation, I've been the subject of many rumors before. There was my foolishness in the past, then the incident involving Aunt Li's nephew, and now being kidnapped in broad daylight. Taken individually, none of these events paint me in a good light."

Shen Changyin was well aware of all this; it was indeed a dire situation for any young lady. He had once confided his feelings to his mother, but she had been evasive. He understood that his mother had her concerns, as did his grandmother.

In his eyes, however, Second Sister was blameless. The fault lay with those who had ulterior motives.

"Has Second Sister been practicing calligraphy lately?"

"Yes," Pei Yuanxi replied.

"That's good. Calligraphy helps to calm the mind and focus one's thoughts. If you're troubled, perhaps you could write more often." His cheeks flushed slightly as he spoke. "I wonder when I might have the chance to practice calligraphy together with Second Sister. I... am eagerly looking forward to it."

Pei Yuanxi's face registered a momentary surprise. This was a subtle confession, wasn't it?

Regrettably, this matter was not in his hands, nor hers.

Two families uniting in marriage did not stem from the love between a man and a woman but rather an alliance and mutual benefit between two households. Her reputation was already tarnished; she would not be the choice of the Marquis Changqi's residence.

"To me, Prince Consort Cousin is like a blood brother, so naturally, we can practice calligraphy together."

The flush on Shen Changyin's face faded. Did Second Cousin not wish for it?

He had always been proud, with both talent and birth standing out among his peers. He believed that Pei Yuanxi understood the hidden meaning behind his words and clearly heard her rejection.

Why?

"Second Cousin, you...?"

"Prince Consort Cousin, everything in life is predestined. I'm already grateful to have the bond of siblings."

Shen Changyin fell silent. Second Cousin was undoubtedly clever enough to see their grandmother and mother's disapproval. Still, he trusted that his grandmother and mother were the closest to him, and they would eventually acquiesce to his wishes.

"I will not let Second Cousin down."

Pei Yuanxi neither confirmed nor denied, and simply bowed in farewell.

Cousin Prince Gongye had enjoyed a smooth-sailing life, probably never having encountered any setbacks. If they were not related by blood, she might have entertained some expectations. After all, in terms of appearance and character, he was an excellent choice.

However, she had a premonition that the bad reputation she carried was far from being just these. Perhaps there was more to come. Cousin Prince Gongye's current indifference might not persist in the future.

A tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease; matters were far from reaching their conclusion. The person behind the harm inflicted upon her and her mother had yet to be exposed—no one knew what else awaited her.

A sword at the throat, a blade above the head.

She had no energy to concern herself with her reputation, let alone indulge in romantic musings.

News of the incident on Palace Street spread swiftly, filled with mystique and danger. Not only those who had witnessed it firsthand, but even those who had merely heard about it, couldn't help but feel anxious for her.

Some said she was truly plagued by misfortune, others believed she was experiencing a downturn in luck, while there were those who claimed she was cursed by jealous rivals. Opinions varied, and all sorts of speculations emerged.

Of course, where there were whispers about Pei Yuanxi, there would also be private discussions about Gongye Chu.

Gongye Chu was known for his autocratic rule, his power towering over Emperor Jingwu. While some worried, others fretted, all maintaining a facade of silence while harboring clear thoughts in their minds.

Sooner or later, this world will bear the name Gongye.

Shangxing cared little whether the world bore his family name; he was already a Gongye. What mattered to him was his father's attitude toward his mother. He didn't expect his parents to be affectionate now, but he never imagined that his father would use his mother as bait to capture Cheng Yu.

He stomped in anger within the Governor's residence, weeping bitterly with snot and tears. Fortunately, the study door was tightly shut, and only the two of them were inside.

Gongye Chu's brows knitted tightly, his head throbbing with pain.

"Dad, how could you put Mother in danger? How could you do this? If anything happens to her, what will you do? What will I do... Waaaah..."

"Your Majesty, you're worrying too much," Gongye Chu held his aching forehead. "Under my watch, I decide who lives and who dies. Those who wish to live cannot die, and those who seek death cannot survive."

He was confident that under his watch, nothing untoward could happen to Second Miss Pei. She had merely received a bit of a shock, and from his observation, she hadn't even seemed frightened.

Shangxing cried even harder. "You're lying! If you're really that powerful, then how did my mother die? She died in your arms, and yet you still dare to say that you control life and death?"

Gongye Chu's gaze turned sharp at these words once more.

His headache intensified. That woman... had died in his arms? It was utterly absurd, and the young emperor's delusions seemed to be worsening.

Closing my eyes, I allowed Shangxing to weep.

Shangxing wept uncontrollably, hiccupping amidst his sobs, "I... I don't like my father now. You've deeply disappointed me. I thought we'd find Mother together, that our family of three could reunite. But Father is willing to hurt Mother and doesn't believe in me... Sometimes, I'm so scared. I want to go back, but I can't... It's been five years since I last had a bath... Waaaah..."

His lament was filled with grievance and pathos, sounding to Gongye Chu like an oppressive incantation.

Gongye Chu's emotions were in turmoil, his headache threatening to burst open his skull. An indescribable sensation swirled within his chest, sour and bitter in equal measure. It was as if he witnessed his loved ones dying before his very eyes, their lives extinguished one by one. A suffocating pain spread from his mind, and he found himself struggling to suppress the overwhelming urge to drain blood.

He feared he might lose control and commit murder.

"Scram!"

That single word succeeded in halting Shangxing's sobs.

With his eyes wide open, tears streaked across the young and handsome boy's face. His father had never lost his temper with him before, let alone told him to leave.

He refused to believe that this person was his father.

"I don't like you anymore!" With those words, he stormed out of the door.

In Gongye Chu's tightly shut eyes, a crimson hue prevailed, as if he could taste the very essence of blood. The image of his father and mother passing away with their eyes open grew ever more vivid, causing him to clasp his head, feeling as if it were about to split apart.

Amidst his ears rang cries and wails, pleading for him to avenge them. Those once familiar and affectionate faces had transformed into frenzied and grotesque expressions.

With a low growl, he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a crimson gaze that resembled a nocturnal demon. After the lights in the study extinguished, a ghostly shadow swiftly darted across the room.

Nightfall casts its enchanting shadow into the noble residence, vanishing deep within the pavilion by the water.

In the inner chamber of the waterside pavilion, Pei Yuanxi was yet to drift off to sleep. Her mind was still preoccupied with the events of the day. She vividly recalled how Cheng Yu had smiled at her while being surrounded by admirers.

His disguise concealed an ordinary face, yet it was strangely eerie. His lips moved slowly, allowing her to discern his words with clarity.

He said, "My dear beauty, we shall meet again."

At this thought, she shuddered uncontrollably. She tried desperately to erase that unsettling expression from her mind. Whether it was Gongye Chu or Cheng Yu, both were perilous men in her eyes – the best course of action was to keep her distance.

However, when a chill breeze carried a hint of blood and a murderous aura, she realized that some people were not so easily shaken off.

The cold air mingled with the scent of blood, instantly cooling the room. She mused that the weather was turning cooler, and decided to instruct her servants to discontinue the use of ice buckets the following day.

The vicious aura dissipated into the air with each step he took. The crimson in his eyes gradually returned to its cold detachment, and the surging emotions calmed. As he closed his eyes, it seemed as if the bloody, dark-red haze had dispersed significantly, revealing faint glimpses of peach blossoms shimmering through the fading black mist.

After the black fog completely dissipated, he could still catch a hint of floral fragrance.

Once his breathing was fully composed, he opened his eyes to look at the woman in the bed.

Her serene expression, combined with her raven-black hair cascading onto the emerald pillow, gave her an appearance of vulnerability and innocence. She seemed like an ordinary girl, sheltered from the world's troubles.

This very fragile and harmless woman, however, had the ability to feign ignorance under the threat of a blade and even suppress his bloodthirsty frenzy.

The young emperor's delirious words...

His breath remained hidden and steady, but when the image of the weeping young emperor appeared in his mind, his thoughts inexplicably became disordered. Looking again at the sleeping face beneath the brocade quilt, the depth of his gaze turned even darker.

Time passed, perhaps too long for Pei Yuanxi to feel as though his stare could pierce through her face. Finally, he left.

Silence enveloped the inner chamber as his presence faded. Only then did she stretch out her hand from under the covers, reaching for the spot where he had seemingly touched the pillow. A gentle warmth transmitted through her fingertips, and she found a jade bracelet.

Without even examining the jade bracelet's quality, she knew it was no ordinary object.

Her hand gently clenched, savoring the lustrous feel of the jade bangle.

What did that man intend?

Was he trying to mete out punishment followed by a reward? !