Chapter 83: Recognition

Chapter 83: Reunion

"Inside."

The man pushed Qiu Shuiyi and Qiu Lianying from behind.

Qiu Shuiyi stumbled, almost falling.

The door was locked again, and she heard someone say to the man, "Heading back, Bage?"

Bage, the menacing man, replied in a low voice, "Yes. We'll hand them over to the Young Master."

"Alright."

As the footsteps faded away, Qiu Shuiyi spoke up, "I'll untie your bonds."

Qiu Lianying's voice, thick with suppressed anger, rang out, "And how do you propose to do that?"

Qiu Shuiyi tilted her head, listening carefully, and slowly walked toward Qiu Lianying.

Her hands, bound behind her back, fumbled until they found the rough ropes. She began slowly working them loose.

Once the ropes were loose enough, Qiu Lianying broke free, pulled off the blindfold, and, before her vision could adjust to the sudden light, untied the bonds on Qiu Shuiyi's wrists.

Qiu Shuiyi closed her eyes, waiting a moment before opening them again.

The room was brightly lit, but outside the window, it was pitch black and she couldn't see a thing. Only the faint sound of water could be heard.

The sound of water?

Qiu Shuiyi frowned. "We're on a boat?"

Qiu Lianying walked to the window, lifting her head to listen.

"It's a boat, all right."

"Where are they taking us?"

Traveling by water... are they taking us south?

Qiu Shuiyi wondered to herself.

They had been eating when, before they could finish, a commotion broke out outside.

She heard Bage urgently order, "We've got pursuers. Thirty of you, with me to take these two women. The rest, hold them off."

Then, the door slammed open. Bage's men quickly bound and blindfolded Qiu Shuiyi and Qiu Lianying, then carried them away.

Blindfolded and on a full stomach, Qiu Shuiyi was jostled until her stomach churned unpleasantly.

She didn't know how much time had passed before she was shoved into a carriage. A cloud of drugged smoke filled her nostrils, and she instantly lost consciousness.

When she came to, she was already on this boat.

Qiu Shuiyi walked to the table and sat down, resting her chin on her arms as she let out a deep sigh.

It seemed Shen Yuchao had found them, but Bage's men had caught on. In their hurry, they had moved the two women early.

Now, with their whereabouts unknown and no clues to follow, could Shen Yuchao still find her?

Qiu Shuiyi's heart sank.

"Ah!"

A scream erupted from near the window. Startled, she hurried over. "What happened?"

Before she got close, horror washed over Qiu Shuiyi, raising goosebumps on her skin.

Thick black hair hung from the window, and between the strands, a pair of crimson eyes peered out.

Those eyes held no emotion, like those of a cold-blooded creature.

Qiu Shuiyi hurriedly pulled Qiu Lianying to her side.

Seeing her reaction, the crimson eyes flickered slightly, revealing a hint of amusement. "Miss Qiu, the wind is strong by the window. Be careful not to get blown into the water."

"And of course, trying to jump overboard won't work either."

The eyes crinkled into a smile, the mouth splitting into a grotesque grin.

Their voice, carried by the night wind, took on an ethereal quality, like a ghost in the water luring people to their deaths.

Qiu Lianying's teeth chattered as she angrily shouted, "Get lost!"

"Fine, fine, I'm going."

The person chuckled, shook their hair, and disappeared from sight.

With that, the window slammed shut.

Qiu Lianying still looked pale and shaken.

"Are you alright?"

Qiu Shuiyi helped her sit down and poured her a cup of water.

Qiu Lianying took a sip, and after calming down, she gritted her teeth. "How could I ever have thought that people in the martial world were all chivalrous, righteous, and straightforward?"

They're nothing but freaks!

Qiu Shuiyi patted her back without a word.

"It's getting late. Let's rest. No matter where we are, we need to conserve our energy and keep our strength up to find a chance to escape," Qiu Shuiyi whispered very softly.

Qiu Lianying nodded slightly.

With Qiu Shuiyi's guidance, she had come around.

No matter what, protecting herself was the top priority.

...

"Your Highness, I followed the traces north of the villa and found a residence. However..." Zuo Yi hesitated, "it was empty. It must have been a decoy."

Shen Yuchao sat upright, a smooth Buddhist prayer bead resting in his palm.

Rubbing the polished bead with his fingertips, he said, "No need to search anymore."

"Huh?" Shang Ze was taken aback. "We're not searching anymore?"

Zuo Yi pondered briefly before tentatively asking, "Your Highness, do you have any leads?"

His hand tightened. Shen Yuchao hung the prayer beads around his neck. "Didn't you notice that those men's moves felt somewhat familiar?"

The two men froze at the same time.

After a moment, their expressions changed.

In the fight, they had acted swiftly and decisively, with no time to think about anything else. Now, with this hint, they immediately realized something was off.

Although the black-clad men's martial arts were somewhat unfamiliar, their ruthless techniques were all too familiar.

"It's them," Shang Ze said, a flash of malice flickering in his eyes before confusion took over. "But why would they capture Second Miss Qiu?"

Shen Yuchao fell silent, thinking.

"Any word from over there?"

Zuo Yi replied, "Yes, a few days ago, they were in Yuecheng." He paused before adding, "They seemed to be waiting for someone, so they probably haven't left yet."

Shen Yuchao decided. "Head for Yuecheng at once."

"Yes."

Zuo Yi and Shang Ze responded in unison.

The two men bowed and withdrew. As they opened the door, they nearly collided with someone outside.

Shang Ze said with a start, "Oh! Miss Xin Tao, what are you doing standing here?"

Xin Tao stood uncomfortably at the doorway. Her usually round, bright eyes were now swollen, with red rims at the corners, a pitiful sight.

She sniffled, her voice hoarse and choked with sobs. "Your Highness, the young master has woken up."

Shen Yuchao paused slightly. He stood up and left the room, heading toward the stranger's chamber.

Zuo Yi was about to leave with Shang Ze when a faint tug on his sleeve made him stop.

Turning back, he saw tears welling up in Xin Tao's eyes as she asked pitifully, "Chief Zuo, will our young lady return safely?"

He felt a pang. Zuo Yi remained silent for a long while before saying softly, "She will."

...

Shen Yuchao pushed the door open.

The moment the door sounded, the man on the bed immediately sat up halfway, his fierce gaze fixed intently on Shen Yuchao, as wary as a wounded wolf.

It was daytime, in the bright light of day.

Under Xin Tao's careful nursing, the bloodstains on the man's face had been completely wiped away, revealing a wheat-colored complexion.

Pale from excessive blood loss, his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, like thousands of blades whistling through the air.

Shen Yuchao didn't bat an eye as he walked forward.

As he drew closer, the man's face gradually overlapped with the one in his memory, throwing him off for a second.

"Who are you? Did you save me?"

The man spoke in a low, rough voice, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time.

Shen Yuchao didn't answer his question. Instead, he took out a jade pendant from his sleeve, his voice as gentle and elegant as the strings of a zither. "Is this jade pendant yours?"

He held the pendant up. It was glistening white throughout. In its center was carved a plum blossom, encircled by a ribbon dotted with golden specks, exquisite and delicate.

At the sight of the pendant, his eyes flashed fiercely as he growled, "Give it back to me!"

The man's strong reaction confirmed to Shen Yuchao that the pendant indeed belonged to him.

He smiled faintly and, under the man's murderous gaze, put the pendant away. Finally, he straightened his slightly wrinkled sleeve and turned to leave.

"Stop!"

Behind him, the man's hoarse voice rang out again. "That pendant is extremely important to me. Whoever you are, whatever you want, or why you saved me—return the pendant to me, and from now on, I am at your service."

Shen Yuchao raised an eyebrow.

He gave a low chuckle. "What use would I have for you?"

A slight sound came from behind. Shen Yuchao turned to see the man standing barefoot in the middle of the room.

Dressed in snow-white sleepwear stained with hints of blood, he seemed utterly unaware. Standing before Shen Yuchao, he resembled a defiant eagle, yet his expression was solemn and earnest.

"Mu Yuanxi has no other talents, only some skill in martial arts. I can stay by your side and protect you for life."

Shen Yuchao laughed.

It wasn't mocking laughter, merely amusement.

Not to mention his own martial arts skills, even Shang Ze and Zuo Yi were no slouches. And if that weren't enough, there were still the mansion's hidden guards. What need did he have for this man's protection?

"I have no use for..."

His words trailed off as Shen Yuchao's brow suddenly furrowed, his tone hardening.

"What is your name?"

The man looked slightly puzzled and repeated, "Mu Yuanxi."

A gentle breeze drifted in, causing the gauze curtains to sway lightly.

Shen Yuchao's eyebrow twitched. He frowned, scrutinizing the man for a moment before suddenly calling out loudly toward the outside, "Xin Liu, bring that boy over."

In the next room, Xin Liu was startled by the call.

Recognizing Shen Yuchao's voice, she hurriedly wiped her tears and rushed out. "Your Highness, do you mean Young Master Mu?"

Your Highness?

Mu Yuanxi's eyes darkened slightly.

This man before him was actually a prince?

His focus entirely on the title, he subconsciously ignored the phrase "Young Master Mu."

Shen Yuchao nodded.

Xin Liu nodded in return, turned back into the room, and carried Mu Sichuan over.

Due to Qiu Shuiyi's disappearance, the boy had been in low spirits, listless, and completely drained these past two days.

Upon seeing Shen Yuchao, he looked up wearily, though his tone still carried a note of respect.

"Uncle Shen, why did you call me here?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Mu Yuanxi's body gave a violent start.

Shen Yuchao pointed at Mu Yuanxi. "Go see if that's your uncle."

Mu Sichuan looked up.

In the next instant, his eyes widened in disbelief, and he exclaimed, "Uncle!"

...

The streets were a hive of activity, bustling and noisy.

Just a wall away, Qiu Lianying set down the white jade bowl heavily. "I can't eat this."

It had already been seven days.

Over these seven days, they had traveled day and night, a pace that would wear down an iron man.

Moreover... she was beside herself with worry about Mu Yuanxi.

The longer time passed, the more worried she grew.

In such a situation, could A'mu still be alive?

Whenever she thought of Mu Yuanxi's unknown fate, Qiu Lianying's heart ached, and her bright gaze dimmed.

Qiu Shuiyi also could hardly eat.

The meals Bage delivered weren't exactly delicacies, but they were quite tasty.

Yet, she couldn't taste a thing.

After eating a few hurried bites, she put down her chopsticks and let out a long sigh.

All this time had passed, but Shen Yuchao hadn't come looking for them. They were closely watched and couldn't find any chance to escape.

They were trapped here like caged beasts.

It was truly infuriating.

The two sisters propped their chins in their hands, their strikingly similar features etched with identical worry.

Another three days passed like this.

Strangely, during these three days, Bage didn't move them again but simply kept them confined to the room, serving them good food and drink daily.

Qiu Shuiyi guessed that Han Zicheng was probably about to show up.

Sure enough, on the fourth day, while the sisters were lost in thought in the room, a sudden commotion erupted outside the door.

The next moment, the door was pushed open.

A silhouette appeared in the doorway.