Chapter 66: The Seizure

Chapter 66: The Seizure

The overnight-soaked beans were perfectly ready; come dawn, the women gathered around the stone mill to begin their work. As the millstone turned slowly, it released the pure white soy milk, exuding the distinctive aroma of the beans.

Amidst the women's laughter and chatter, Pei Yuanxi found herself unable to join in such activities.

The ground soybeans were filtered, boiled, and coagulated with nigari. Afterwards, they were wrapped in large cloths and weighted down with stones to set. By the time of the second meal in the afternoon, the tofu was ready.

Winter days are short and nights long, and in the mountains, daylight is particularly scarce. Though it was supposed to be mid-afternoon, the sky already held an ambiguous hue between daylight and dusk. The cold wind rustled through the remaining leaves, creating a melancholic whisper that accentuated the desolation. In the fields and along the edges of the land, human silhouettes multiplied, injecting vitality and liveliness into the bleak winter scene.

Pork fat was rendered into oil and cracklings, then simmered with bean curd and vegetable stems, infusing the dish with the rich aroma of lard and the delicate fragrance of tofu. The smoke from the cooking, mingled with the appetizing scents of the food, wafted throughout the entire village, provoking the laborers' ravenous hunger.

The moment the signal for dinner sounded, the men eagerly rushed towards the kitchen.

Gongye Chu followed behind, and from a distance, Pei Yuanxi gently shook her head at him. Whether he noticed or not, she had done all she could; now, she could only await the outcome in silence.

Nightfall in the mountains arrived swiftly. After the workers finished their boisterous meal, resembling a festive celebration, the sky had turned pitch black. With darkness descending early, sleep naturally came sooner too. Once the hour of You passed, many were already exhausted, dozing off in pairs or small groups. By the third quarter of the hour of Hai, the entire village was enveloped in a profound stillness.

Pei Yuanxi leaned against the headboard of her bed, still dressed.

In her hand, she toyed with a delicate porcelain vial containing a substance akin to a potent knockout drug, but gentler in nature. A small dose could soothe the nerves and aid in sleep. She had another one, but its contents were far too toxic.

Both items were taken from Fangyin Palace when Ronger asked her to choose. One was for preservation of life, while the other would only be used as a last resort.

Footsteps echoed outside the courtyard. She sat up straight initially, then, upon recognizing the sound, leaned back down to feign sleep with her eyes closed.

"Master, we must hurry," Aunt He's anxious voice pierced the air. The sudden deep slumber that had befallen everyone on the estate alarmed her. No matter how much she called out to Ya'er, the girl wouldn't awaken, and Aunt He knew that trouble loomed.

Cheng Yu strode in, catching sight of Pei Yuanxi, fully clothed, sprawled across the bed. Assuming she had succumbed to sleep without removing her garments, he observed her with a somber gaze, aware of the perilous situation he now found himself in.

Someone had clearly infiltrated the estate, and the drug could have been administered through the food or the water. Regardless, with the inhabitants of the estate in a deep slumber, Gongye Chu's men would soon arrive.

Aunt He, carrying her daughter, was visibly distraught.

"Master, don't worry about her..."

The moment Cheng Yu tried to move Pei Yuanxi, her eyes half-opened in a daze, as if she was on the verge of dozing off again. "So tired... Why is Young Master Cheng in my room?"

"There are two options before you," he said. "Will you choose to leave with me, or stay here and return to the capital with Gongye Chu's people?"

Her expression seemed to clear up upon hearing this. "Lord Gongye found his way here?"

"Yes," Cheng Yu's deep eyes held an unspoken anticipation. "If you choose to follow me, I swear I won't betray you in the future. But if you wish to stay, you must consider the consequences carefully."

What kind of choice was this? If she said she wanted to stay, would she end up as a corpse or a living person? The situation didn't allow her any choice at all. She pinched her own face harshly.

"I'll go with you. I'm willing to take the risk..."

Satisfied with her answer, an indescribable emotion flashed across Cheng Yu's eyes. Although this woman was highly ambitious and had ulterior motives for following him, he still felt a hint of joy.

Aunt He urged, "Miss, hurry up and walk on your own."

They couldn't let Young Master carry someone.

Young Master held a prestigious status and mustn't be burdened by a woman.

Peng Yuanxi's drooping eyelids were about to close when she suddenly bit her hand fiercely. Her eyes widened significantly, and she appeared much more alert. "I can walk on my own."

Despite the perilous circumstances, Cheng Yu couldn't help but admire her decisiveness and quick thinking. Only a woman like this was worthy of walking alongside him.

There was only one road leading to the manor, and naturally, they would not take that path to descend the mountain for fear of encountering Gongye Chu's people. In truth, there was a hidden path for entering and exiting the manor that very few knew about.

Cheng Yu walked at the forefront, followed by Pei Yuanxi in the middle, and then Aunt He carrying Ya'er at the back. If it were just Aunt He and her daughter, Pei Yuanxi might have attempted a desperate escape. However, with Cheng Yu around, she dared not act rashly.

She pretended to be extremely drowsy and thus did not walk quickly. After a while, carrying Ya'er became an arduous task for Aunt He. They descended the mountain through the secret path where someone was always on duty day and night.

A carriage was concealed in the woods, along with a few sturdy men and several horses.

The leader of the men didn't ask any questions and hurriedly began to harness the carriage. Cheng Yu wore a grave expression, glancing at Pei Yuanxi from time to time. Pei Yuanxi seemed detached, leaning against a tree as she struggled to keep her eyes open. She occasionally bit her hand, leaving deep and shallow marks on it.

Aunt He held her daughter, her face twisted with either exhaustion or fear.

"Sir, did you have dinner tonight?" she asked.

Cheng Yu replied, "Just a little."

Aunt He's gaze turned sharp. "Then the problem must lie with the food. This old servant did not eat."

Thus, she didn't fall asleep, and Prince Cheng was unaffected despite eating some. Her sharp gaze turned to Pei Yuanxi, who yawned and claimed she hadn't eaten much due to the presence of pork rinds in the dishes.

Young ladies from noble families weren't tempted by such fatty foods; the more pampered they were, the less they enjoyed greasy meats. Aunt He, assuming that Pei Yuanxi had a good appetite, naturally dismissed her explanation without suspicion.

"Lord Cheng, it was this old servant's negligence. Please punish me accordingly."

"It's not your fault," Cheng Yu glanced at the night sky.

Pei Yuanxi pretended to struggle against sleep, but in reality, she was tense like a tightly strung bowstring. A cunning rabbit has three burrows, and Cheng Yu surely had other hiding places.

She shouldn't have waited for Gongye Chu; she should have found a place to hide first. That man would be preoccupied with removing his own obstacles, caring little about others' lives.

"Prince Cheng," a cold voice echoed in the darkness.

Several men surrounded Cheng Yu protectively, wary of the approaching figure.

In the night, a figure emerged like a black vulture, clad in black attire with matching hair, exuding an icy aura—none other than Gongye Chu.

Pei Yuanxi couldn't escape, as Aunt He had already pushed her beside Cheng Yu. The sword in Cheng Yu's hand wasn't yet at her throat, but it was only a matter of time.

"A gentleman like you, let us hold them off while you make your escape!" a man suggested.

Cheng Yu's sword moved, blocking Pei Yuanxi's path. "Go."

Pei Yuanxi cooperated fully, even crying out to Gongye Chu, "Sir Gongye, save me!"

Her voice trembled with fear, as if she was genuinely terrified. Cheng Yu's sword wasn't even at her throat; his hand didn't even restrain her.

Aunt He, carrying her daughter, was anxious beyond measure.

Someone chosen by Cheng Yu to be part of his escape plan must have exceptional skills. With Gongye Chu occupied by the men, Cheng Yu used Pei Yuanxi as leverage and retreated towards the carriage.

The carriage was already prepared. He asked Aunt He and her daughter to board first. Grateful, Aunt He disregarded the social hierarchy between master and servant in her desperation and helped her daughter inside.

As she turned around, she widened her eyes in horror.

Gongye Chu had already dispatched the men and was now advancing towards them like a night breeze.

Cheng Yu's grip on his sword tightened, the tip almost touching Pei Yuanxi's neck. "Sir Gongye, take one more step forward, and Second Miss Pei will lose her head."

"Sir, save me... I don't want to die..." Pei Yuanxi cried out, her voice trembling and fragmented.

Gongye Chu halted and looked at Cheng Yu coldly. "A mere woman – if she can help me rid the world of your remaining Cheng lineage, she will have done a great deed. When I return to the capital, I will report to His Majesty and reward her family."

This was a clear indication that he didn't care whether she lived or died.

Pei Yuanxi's face paled, but in reality, she was furious. She had drugged everyone in the manor for him, yet this heartless man was already planning to discard her.

Even if it was just talk, it proved that he had considered it.

"Mr. Cheng, I told you before that capturing me would be useless, but you wouldn't listen..."

Cheng Yu retreated with her in tow. He didn't doubt Gongye Chu's words. Gongye Chu might have some interest in a woman, but he would never pass up such an opportunity for one.

As Cheng Yu hesitated, Aunt He suddenly rushed towards Gongye Chu.

Aunt He's action was akin to throwing an egg against a rock; inevitably, she ended up collapsing on the ground. Blood gushed from her neck, and her eyes were wide open in terror.

"Milord... This old servant can no longer serve you..."

With a pained expression, Cheng Yu looked at Gongye Chu in sorrow and anger.

His hands trembled, filled with despair. This feeling was reminiscent of the day when the Cheng family was seized, locked away in prison without anyone to save them. Back then, it felt as if the sky had collapsed, much like this dark night.

"Prince Cheng, with all the lives you've taken, don't you fear retribution?"

"Does Prince Cheng truly believe your Cheng family is innocent? My entire Dongshan Mansion was destroyed, and your father's provocations before the previous emperor played a significant role."

"As a servant of the emperor, it's natural to alleviate his worries. Your Dongshan Mansion disrespected imperial authority, and my father merely fulfilled his duty as a subject. As for the annihilation of your Gongye family, how does that involve my Cheng family?"

Gongye Chu replied coldly, "For an esteemed emperor to fear a subject and resort to despicable deeds, who was it that advised him?"

"My father would never be such a person!" In Cheng Yu's mind, his father was a man of integrity and loyalty to the emperor. The destruction of the Dongshan Mansion might have been the result of their own arrogance and overconfidence.

The chill in the air, mixed with a sense of impending doom, made Pei Yuanxi's teeth chatter together. Her chattering teeth were accompanied by a stream of tears, her voice quivering uncontrollably.

"Mr. Cheng, please let me go. I really don't want to die..."

Cheng Yu's despair gave way to a hint of complexity. He didn't have the energy to discern whether her fear was genuine or feigned, but it was clear that she truly didn't wish to die.

Gongye Chu wouldn't let him off easily; if he were more ruthless, he would undoubtedly drag someone down with him in his final moments. Her sobs were dispersed by the wind, unsettling his heart somewhat.

"Second Miss Pei, having chosen me, you should have foreseen this day."

Fortune and glory are often found amidst peril, for the victor rules as king, while the defeated is branded a foe - this is an eternal principle that transcends time.

"It was you who abducted me, not I who chose you... I am a lady of the Marquis household; it is utterly inconceivable for me to associate with a traitorous rebel like you..."

Cheng Yu's heart turned cold. He was a traitorous rebel. So, was it because Pei Er saw that he couldn't defeat Gongye Chu that he switched sides at the last minute? Indeed, those driven by selfish interests were like withered grass on a fence, swaying with the wind in either direction.

If that was the case, why should he bother being the good guy?

With determination in his heart, the sword pressed closer.

Pei Yuanxi's teary eyes pleaded with Cheng Yu. Cheng Yu's heart jolted as if something within him was crumbling. This impact, though brief, was enough for her to act.

With remarkable dexterity, she seized his sword-wielding hand, stooped low, and pushed him away. As she did, her dagger stabbed towards his chest. In the blink of an eye, she found herself behind Gongye Chu, his sword now pointed directly at Cheng Yu.

He clutched his chest where he had been pierced, staring at her in disbelief. The dagger had been smeared with poison, and he fell backward heavily, his eyes filled with fury as they locked onto hers.

"I was once held hostage, and that memory haunts me daily."

That's why she had sought advice from Hong Baozhu on martial arts and escape tactics, practicing relentlessly every day. She had rehearsed that move countless times.

Thanks to his lack of caution towards her, she had succeeded in her plan.

Stepping out from behind Gongye Chu, all trace of fear had vanished from her demeanor. "Young Master Cheng, your arrogance blinds you, and your heart lacks the necessary ruthlessness. Thus, failure is your inevitable fate."

Cheng Yu struggled to keep his eyes open as he glared at her. "Women can be the most venomous, and those in the inner courtyard are the most cunning. I misjudged you; I thought you were different..."

"How have I deceived Young Master Cheng? I've always said that I am a pragmatist, one who will always choose the side that benefits me most. Clearly, you are no match for Lord Gongye."

"You're so ruthless..." Cheng Yu's eyelids finally drooped, closing in reluctant acceptance.

The dagger was coated with the same drug found in the tofu, but in a much higher dosage. He didn't die from poisoning but rather fell into a deep sleep due to the drug's effects.

A few dark figures appeared not far away, led by Liu Ze.

"Lord, everyone on the estate has been subdued and bound."

Pei Yuanxi's heart skipped a beat. "Your Excellency, some in the village are unaware, they don't even know the identity of Prince Cheng. Their crimes do not warrant death, I beg you to show mercy."

Gongye Chu nodded slightly towards Liu Ze, who then signaled to the two men beside him. The pair swiftly vanished into the darkness.

A night breeze blew, tousling a few strands of hair across Pei Yuanxi's forehead. Her gaze toward Cheng Yu held a hint of sympathy. "If Duke Yan's estate still stood, he would have lived a life of luxury and admiration."

Instead, he was forced to hide and run, only to end up fallen in this wilderness, at the mercy of others.

"In that case, if Dongshan Mansion still existed, I too would have served my country with unwavering loyalty, spending my life on the battlefield," Gongye Chu spoke softly, as if addressing her alone.

She sighed softly, pondering when the endless cycle of revenge would come to an end.

"The venom I coated my dagger with is harmless; his life is not in peril."

Gongye Chu looked over, not understanding the implications.

She smiled wryly. "Though he has used me as leverage time and again, in these days he has treated me with a modicum of decorum. If he were any less scrupulous, I doubt I would stand here unscathed. Call me hypocritical or falsely compassionate if you will, but I truly harbor no intent to kill him; else, the dagger would have been coated with a far deadlier substance."

Liu Ze attempted to approach, but Gongye Chu deterred him with a mere glance.

"Are you trying to save his life?" Gongye Chu asked, his voice icy cold.

She shook her head. "Why should I save him? He was polite to me, but he's also the one who abducted me. Not killing him is already my greatest mercy. I won't stop anyone else from doing so. If you wish to eliminate any future threats, just give him two more slashes."

Gongye Chu signaled his men, who then carried Cheng Yu onto the carriage. With a crack of his whip, the horse bolted away like an arrow from a bow.

Liu Ze mused to himself. The Lord let Prince Cheng go just to win Second Miss Pei's favor... He couldn't help stealing a few more glances at Pei Yuanxi as he took his leave.

Pei Yuanxi didn't believe that Gongye Chu had acted on her words. She didn't consider herself that influential. Cheng Yu had a backup plan and clearly other hideouts, along with secret followers.

By releasing Cheng Yu, Gongye Chu must have intended to track down those connections.

"Lord, do you have any idea who Prince Cheng might seek refuge with?"

Gongye Chu gazed deeply into her eyes, a rare hint of approval in his cold expression. "Being too clever isn't always a good thing."

"Still better than being a fool," she sighed wistfully. "I've been foolish for far too long. I never want to be a fool again."

The village had been cleared out, now filled with Gongye Chu's men. The courtyard remained the same, with its stone mill still standing, and the air still carrying the distinct fragrance of beans.

It seemed like the laughter and joy of the day still lingered, yet overnight, everything had undergone a cataclysmic change.

They might never cross paths again, strangers whose encounter was as fleeting as water flowing by. She wished for closure in their parting, so she desired to stay one more night, bidding Aunt Li and the others farewell the following day.

"Your Excellency is preoccupied with official duties, so there's no need to concern yourself with me. Please leave a few people behind to escort me back to the capital."

Gongye Chu neither agreed nor refused, turning his back and entering the room with his hands clasped behind him.

She stood in a daze for a moment before following him in. The moment she stepped inside, it felt as if she had inadvertently trespassed into someone else's domain. He was leaning against the bedside, one hand propping up his head while his eyes were closed.

"My Lord, this is my room," she approached him softly.

"I haven't slept in days," he replied.

What did his lack of sleep have to do with her? There were plenty of empty rooms on the estate; he could have chosen any one of them to rest in. Why did he insist on sharing her room and bed?

"It seems there are some things that Rong-er hasn't told you," he said, opening his eyes slowly to look at her.

She wore a puzzled expression.

He lifted the corner of his mouth, seemingly in a smile. "In the end, he still leans more towards me."

Her anger flared. This man was sowing discord, trying to estrange her from her son. With his cold demeanor every day, how could Chen-er possibly feel closer to him?

"How is that possible?"

"Otherwise, you should know why I'm sleeping here."

She had no desire to know why he was stealing someone else's bed, nor was she interested in finding out. Since he was willing to sleep here, she would find somewhere else to rest.

Before she could move, she was pushed down onto the bed's edge.

An unprecedented fury intertwined within her heart. He had previously disregarded her life and death, and now he was occupying her bed. Did he think she would marry him and that he could control her at every turn?

"What are you doing?"

"Sleeping." His voice carried a hint of weariness.

She glared at him, only to notice the dark circles under his eyes, causing her to pause in surprise. It was as if she just realized that he was flesh and blood, susceptible to weariness and fatigue like any ordinary person.

The world feared his reputation for brutality and his ruthless tactics. Yet, who knew that had the Dongshan Mansion not met its tragic end, he might have lived a carefree life like other young nobles, dressed in fine clothes and riding proudly on horseback.

Suddenly, her anger dissipated, replaced by a self-deprecating smile.

After an indeterminate time, he seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep. She was about to rise when, upon movement, she felt her hand being held by someone.

"Hearty tofu is delicious," he murmured, either speaking or dreaming.

Her hand was enclosed in his, the warmth and unfamiliar touch making her ears flush. Hearing him praise the tofu, she felt a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance, gritting her teeth softly.

" Hu Dali!"