Chapter 53: Kidnapping

Chapter 53: Abduction

When she woke, it was pitch black, an impenetrable darkness.

Qiu Shuiyi tried to examine her surroundings, but moving her feet, she found them bound.

She realized her hands were tied behind her back, and a rope was tightly cinched around her waist, tying her firmly to the chair, giving her no chance to escape.

Memories of everything before she lost consciousness flooded her mind.

She had been waiting for Xin Tao to buy the shaobing when a sudden, unknown sense of danger enveloped her.

Reflexively, she twisted her body to dodge, narrowly avoiding a hand snaking out from beside her.

Before she could catch her breath, another hand clamped a handkerchief over her mouth and nose with lightning speed.

Qiu Shuiyi struggled desperately, but before a cry for help could escape her throat, she had already fainted.

Running through a mental list of everyone she had offended, she had a strange intuition.

She couldn't shake the feeling it was still connected to Qiu Lianying.

In that case, she might as well wait it out calmly.

Relaxing all her muscles, Qiu Shuiyi settled herself steadily on the wooden chair, tilting her head back to gaze upward, her eyes unfocused, not settling on anything specific.

This seemed to be a dilapidated temple, with a broken roof allowing a few strands of starlight to filter through.

The night was cool as water, all was silent, the whole world so quiet it felt as if she were the only person left.

Only the eerie sound of the night wind rushing through the broken window lattice shattered the pervasive desolation.

"Tap, tap" footsteps echoed out of nowhere, like ghostly sounds in the depths of a vast, lonely forest.

"Creak—"

The wooden door let out a heavy groan as someone entered.

That person held a lamp, its warm yellow light illuminating half the temple.

Behind him stood another figure, entirely shrouded in darkness, like a specter.

Qiu Shuiyi opened her eyes, her long lashes fluttering uneasily, a timid look in her eyes, and when she spoke, her voice was tremulous and tearful, "Assistant Minister Zhao, what do you intend by bringing me here?"

Zhao Xiping approached slowly.

The candlelight cast upon his face, one half handsome and refined, warm as fine jade; the other half cold and sinister, sharp as a blade.

He stood before Qiu Shuiyi, bending down to stare at her unblinkingly.

His thin lips parted, his voice low and cold as ice.

"You don't seem very surprised to see me, Second Miss Qiu."

She should have realized it sooner.

The note submitted by the steward of Prince Duansu's residence listed all those involved in spreading that rumor.

Zhao Xiping's name was listed, plain as day.

Since he had fueled the flames, aside from being aligned with that Jianghu man, he must have grown suspicious of her.

He too suspected that she had harmed Qiu Lianying.

Her limpid, autumn-like eyes instantly welled up with tears. Qiu Shuiyi's shoulders trembled, "Assistant Minister Zhao, I am just a perfectly ordinary woman. If I have offended you, I beg for your mercy. Please let me go."

The beauty's delicate brows furrowed slightly, tears glistening as they fell, fragile and delicate.

Zhao Xiping showed no mercy. His large hand gripped Qiu Shuiyi's chin as he coldly demanded, "Tell me, where is Miss Lianying?"

"Elder Sister is at White Cloud Temple," Qiu Shuiyi whispered through sobs, tears tracing down her snow-white cheeks.

"Even now, you're still lying." Zhao Xiping tightened his grip, a dark storm brewing in the depths of his eyes, like a tempest about to erupt.

"The one at White Cloud Temple is just a decoy."

Qiu Shuiyi's pupils constricted sharply.

Zhao Xiping had been to White Cloud Temple?!

Had he seen Su Niang?

Then why hadn't Su Niang sent any message back to the Mei residence?

Had she betrayed them, or had she already met with misfortune?

"Fizz—"

The candlestick fell, the flame flickering wildly, struggling for two breaths against the wind before finally extinguishing.

"Clang—"

A cold glint flashed before Qiu Shuiyi's eyes. She turned her head and closed them.

The next instant, cold sweat broke out all over her.

A dagger pressed against her neck, its surface smooth and polished like a mirror.

It felt as if a chill emanated from the blade, like countless slender, icy hands reaching from all directions to tightly constrict her throat, freezing Qiu Shuiyi in place, unable to move.

The dagger at her neck was sharp enough to slice through her veins instantly.

Qiu Shuiyi pressed her lips tightly together, a sharp glint flashing briefly in her eyes.

"Tell me Miss Lianying's whereabouts."

A vein throbbed violently on Zhao Xiping's forehead, as if he were suppressing some intense emotion.

Unconsciously, he applied more pressure, the dagger grazing Qiu Shuiyi's neck.

A streak of blood instantly appeared on her snow-white neck, a few drops trickling down like a string of brilliant ruby beads, alluring and decadent.

"Stop! Zhao Xiping, I told you not to harm Second Sister Qiu!"

A figure suddenly rushed in from outside, quickly placing the lamp in hand on a discarded table, then snatching the dagger from Zhao Xiping's grasp and hurling it violently away.

The dagger clattered onto the stone floor with a series of "clangs."

Qiu Shuiyi's eyes widened in disbelief.

What... him too?

He pointed angrily at Zhao Xiping. "This is Lian Ying's own flesh and blood! How dare you treat her this way!"

"And what of it?" Zhao Xiping sneered mockingly. "Anyone who hurts Miss Lianying will answer to me."

"Do you truly believe this woman is weak and innocent?"

Zhao Xiping advanced step by step, his voice cold and sarcastic. "Did you know the rumors that pushed Miss Lianying aside were personally spread by her? What do you suppose her aim was?"

Hearing this, Zhou Yundun was so shocked his pupils dilated. He involuntarily stepped back, a struggle evident on his face.

"Fool."

Zhao Xiping sneered contemptuously.

Zhou Yundun clenched his fists, forcibly suppressing his rage. He turned abruptly and fixed his gaze on Qiu Shuiyi.

He asked, his voice hoarse, "Second Sister Qiu, were those rumors truly spread by you?"

Qiu Shuiyi remained silent.

Zhou Yundun took a step forward. "Why did you do this? What exactly were you trying to achieve?"

Qiu Shuiyi still kept her mouth shut.

Zhou Yundun frowned and crouched down in front of her. "If you don't wish to speak, I won't force you. Lianying is kind-hearted. Since you are her twin sister, you likely harbor no ill intent either. I believe you mean her no harm."

Zhao Xiping let out a cold, scornful laugh, his mockery plain to see.

The veins on the back of Zhou Yundun's hands bulged as he struggled to contain his surging anger. He took a deep breath and looked into Qiu Shuiyi's eyes.

"Second Sister Qiu, could you... tell me Lianying's whereabouts? She hasn't appeared in so long; I'm truly worried."

Tears clung to Qiu Shuiyi's long lashes. Instead of answering, she asked a question in return: "Young Master, are you and Assistant Minister Zhao in cahoots?"

"Huh?"

Zhou Yundun was momentarily stunned.

Two more streams of tears slid from her clear eyes. Qiu Shuiyi spoke with a tone laced with sorrow and resentment, "Do you also want my life?"

"No, no, no."

Zhou Yundun waved both hands, repeatedly denying it. "Second Sister Qiu, Assistant Minister Zhao and I merely crossed paths. It just so happened we both wanted to know Lianying's whereabouts, so we acted together."

Seeing Qiu Shuiyi's concern, he assured her, "Don't worry. As long as you tell us Lianying's location, I will absolutely not harm you, nor will I let Zhao Xiping harm a single hair on your head."

Zhao Xiping's sidelong glance at Zhou Yundun held no warmth whatsoever.

But he also did not voice any further mockery.

Zhou Yundun breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her encouragingly. "Second Sister Qiu, can you... tell us now?"

"Why are you so certain I must know my sister's whereabouts?"

"That day, Miss Lianying left the city in a carriage, but it was you who returned to the manor. Besides you, who else could know the hidden truth of what happened?"

Zhao Xiping looked down at Qiu Shuiyi condescendingly.

"It sounds... like I really should be suspected."

Qiu Shuiyi murmured.

Lifting her face, she slowly shook her head, her voice as light as a feather. "But, I truly don't know where she is."

"It seems you won't tell the truth unless you're made to suffer."

A fierce, ruthless glint suddenly appeared in Zhao Xiping's eyes.

Picking up the dagger that had been knocked away, he slowly approached and pressed the sharp blade against Qiu Shuiyi's smooth, lustrous cheek.

"This face of yours is extremely irritating. Making a few cuts on it might actually make it more pleasing to the eye."

"Zhao Xiping! Have you gone mad!"

Zhou Yundun grabbed Zhao Xiping's hand, forcefully pushing him away.

"If I can't find Miss Lianying, that's when I'll truly go mad!"

Zhao Xiping growled lowly, his eyes bloodshot. His wrist trembled with intense emotion, making Zhou Yundun's heart pound with fear that he might accidentally slash Qiu Shuiyi's face.

This asshole!

A violent rage churned in Qiu Shuiyi's chest. She wished she could smash Zhao Xiping's head open with a single blow.

Can't find someone? Don't blame your own incompetence. Why take your madness out on her?

If you have the guts, take it out on yourself!

She began to question Qiu Lianying's

constitution.

What kind of psychopaths was she attracting?

Leaving aside Ji Rui—arrogant, conceited, and domineering—he'd definitely be a legal case in modern times.

Zhao Xiping was just a gloomy psychopath.

Han Zicheng was even more of an idiot.

Not to mention others like Deng Shixuan and Cheng Mingshan.

The only one who seemed relatively normal was Zhou Yundun. Although he had no major moral flaws, he was indecisive, overly pure and kind-hearted. From her observation, he also lacked capability, unable to even handle a Cui Lanru.

Picking the best of a bad lot, looking at it this way, it wasn't surprising that Qiu Lianying chose Zhou Yundun in the original story.

But Qiu Shuiyi couldn't understand it.

In her view, these people weren't even as good as Shen Yuchao.

Although Shen Yuchao wasn't entirely normal either, he knew how to disguise it. Usually gentle and courteous, he was also extremely considerate towards others.

Apart from that time he tested her, when he went mad, it was only directed at specific targets. Moreover, even before marriage, he allowed her to freely command the prince's mansion's steward.

This comparison immediately showed the difference.

What on earth did Qiu Lianying see in them?

Qiu Shuiyi didn't understand.

But that didn't stop her from seething with hatred.

The angrier she felt inside, the more pitiful she looked.

She trembled "fearfully," subtly moving away from the dagger while Zhao Xiping wasn't paying attention.

With a voice choked with tears, Qiu Shuiyi said, "I really don't know."

Before Zhao Xiping could fly into a rage, she raised her voice, her tone breaking like a snapped string.

"But there is someone who might know."

Zhao Xiping paused, his grip involuntarily loosening.

Zhou Yundun snatched the dagger away, strode to the window and flung it out, then hurried to Qiu Shuiyi's side, demanding urgently, "Second Sister Qiu, who is that person?"

Qiu Shuiyi timidly glanced at Zhao Xiping.

Zhao Xiping took a deep breath, reining in his impatience and agitation, and said in a low voice, "Speak."

"If you miss this chance, I won't have the patience to listen to your nonsense later."

Qiu Shuiyi wanted to curse.

What a piece of trash! If Qiu Lianying could ever fancy you, she must be blind.

Go tear each other apart, you dogs!

Her cheeks were tracked with tears, her nose red from crying, and the small mole on it made her look even more pitiable.

Qiu Shuiyi whimpered pitifully, choking back sobs as she stammered, "His name is Han Zicheng."