Chapter 88: Swap

Chapter 88: The Swap

"You're back? How did it go?"

Qiu Lianying opened the cell door and greeted her.

Qiu Shuiyi returned, exhaustion evident in her every movement. She waved a hand dismissively, saying nothing, and slumped into a corner to catch her breath.

Knowing how tired she was, Qiu Lianying picked up the water she had deliberately saved and offered it to Qiu Shuiyi, her voice soft. "Drink."

Qiu Shuiyi glanced at her, then tilted her head back and drained the bowl in one go.

Finishing the water was like a long drought meeting sweet rain; she instantly felt revived.

With a sigh, Qiu Shuiyi said to Qiu Lianying, "The raft is ready. Tomorrow is the final deadline Madam Yun gave Han Zicheng. Do as I told you. When the chaos breaks out, run to the back mountain. We'll escape on the raft."

At this point, Qiu Shuiyi just wanted to sigh.

Who could have guessed that the Qiyun Sect's main base was actually on an island surrounded by water on all sides?

Better to gamble than be killed by Han Zicheng, to fight for a way out.

On her way back, she had secretly gone to the kitchen. Qiu Shuiyi tore a piece of cloth from her garment, sketched a map of the terrain on it, and gave Qiu Lianying detailed instructions.

Qiu Lianying listened attentively, nodding from time to time. "Alright, I understand."

"Oh, right. This is what you asked for."

Qiu Shuiyi took out another item, looking puzzled. "What do you need this for?"

Qiu Lianying's eyes lit up as she took it and hugged it to her chest. Hearing the question, she gave a soft laugh. "It's a secret."

Fine, if she didn't want to say, she didn't have to.

Qiu Shuiyi shrugged, leaned her head against the wall, and stared blankly into space.

She had done all she could. Whether they could escape or not depended entirely on tomorrow.

Shen Yuchao.

Silently mouthing these three words, Qiu Shuiyi slowly closed her eyes.

She wanted an outcome with him. She wanted to accompany her parents as they aged. She wanted to see her brother marry and have children.

So, she absolutely had to escape.

Qiu Shuiyi clenched her fist, steeling her resolve.

...

The moonlight was bright, casting sparse shadows of bamboo.

The person standing by the window suddenly felt a tightness in his chest. An indescribable feeling spread through his chest cavity, gradually extending throughout his entire body.

Shen Yuchao abruptly called out loudly, "Zuo Yi, has Shadow returned?"

After a series of hurried footsteps, Zuo Yi appeared at the door. "Not yet."

The door opposite opened, and Mu Yuanxi stepped out. "What is it?"

Shen Yuchao furrowed his brows, speaking in a low voice. "I suddenly... have a bad premonition."

Mu Yuanxi said, "Me too... I feel like something is about to happen."

"Go find Shadow," Shen Yuchao said, his expression grim.

Zuo Yi replied, "Yes."

"No need, no need." Shang Ze ran up the stairs, panting. "Your Highness, Shadow is back."

A figure drifted into view.

The newcomer was entirely shrouded in darkness, silent and soundless, merging with the shadows as if a ghost drifting through the night.

Mu Yuanxi felt a chill run down his spine.

Prince Duansu's residence truly hid dragons and crouched tigers. He hadn't detected this person's presence at all just moments ago.

A hoarse, grating voice emerged from the black cloak.

"Found them."

Shen Yuchao abruptly looked up, a note of urgency in his voice. "Give the order. We depart tonight."

...

Sunlight crept in through a narrow crack, falling on the young woman's fair, luminous cheek, causing her thick, curled lashes, like butterfly wings, to tremble.

Qiu Shuiyi struggled to open her eyes.

A tall figure stood outside the cell.

It was Bage, and the youth who had frightened Qiu Lianying on the ship.

"Eat. Once you're done, it's time to go."

Bage's voice was cold as he bent down to place a food box on the floor.

"What do you intend to do?"

A timid voice spoke up. Following the sound, Qiu Lianying stood in the middle of the cell, her expression fearful.

Bage gave a contemptuous smile. "Of course, to send you where you belong."

He left with the youth temporarily. "You have two ke. Eat quickly."

Qiu Lianying picked up the food box, taking out dish after dish of fragrant, appetizing food. She handed a pair of chopsticks to Qiu Shuiyi, whispering, "Eat quickly. We need to be full of energy to escape."

Qiu Shuiyi nodded. Just as she was about to reach out with her chopsticks, she suddenly turned her head to look at Qiu Lianying.

Why did she feel something was a bit off about her today?

Qiu Lianying asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Qiu Shuiyi shook her head.

It must be her imagination. Wasn't she acting just like usual?

Putting a piece of meat in Qiu Lianying's bowl, Qiu Shuiyi said, "Hurry up and eat."

Qiu Lianying smiled, her eyes curved and sparkling like stars, or perhaps they were just welling up.

Once the meal was over, Bage and the youth returned.

Opening the iron door and glancing at Qiu Lianying, Bage gestured broadly. "Fu'er, take her away."

The youth named Fu'er stepped forward with a snicker, grabbed Qiu Lianying's hand, and dragged her out without another word.

Qiu Shuiyi was dumbfounded. What was this? Why Qiu Lianying?

As she stared, bewildered, she saw Qiu Lianying suddenly turn her head, tears glistening in her eyes, silently mouthing three words to her.

Stay alive.

The realization hit Qiu Shuiyi.

She finally realized what had felt off about Qiu Lianying.

On the tip of her fair nose, a tiny black dot had appeared unnoticed. And her clothes... those were clearly hers!

Qiu Shuiyi suddenly began to tremble.

Was Qiu Lianying pretending to be her, planning to die in her place?

Why? She had planned everything out, so why not follow the plan? Why take matters into her own hands?!

Her hands, hanging at her sides, clenched into tight fists, her chest heaving violently, bringing tears to her eyes.

She opened her mouth to shout, but before any sound emerged, she saw Qiu Lianying frantically shaking her head at her, eyes filled with pleading tears.

Qiu Shuiyi found she couldn't speak.

"Why do you keep looking back?" Fu'er complained.

Bage chuckled darkly. "After today, she won't be seeing anything anymore. Let her look. What's the harm?"

"True." Fu'er muttered.

The three figures disappeared from Qiu Shuiyi's sight.

She stood silently, expressionless.

A moment later, rapid footsteps approached from outside, and a somewhat familiar figure came into view.

The woman was still wearing black, her face covered by a black cloth, her exposed eyes beautiful yet icy.

She spoke slowly, her voice hoarse as always.

"Miss Lianying, please come with me."

Looking at Fu Ling, all her past grievances came rushing back. Rage churned inside Qiu Shuiyi, begging to be let out.

She said coldly, "Go where? Where have you taken my sister?"

Fu Ling bowed her head respectfully. "Rest assured, Miss, it's a safe place."

She said nothing about Qiu Lianying's whereabouts.

Qiu Shuiyi stared at her coldly, then suddenly took a deep breath, telling herself to stay calm.

Calm, stay calm.

She had to stay calm to think of a plan to rescue Qiu Lianying.

After several deep breaths, Qiu Shuiyi stepped out of the cell and said indifferently, "Aren't you leading the way?"

"Yes."

Fu Ling passed Qiu Shuiyi and walked ahead.

Surprisingly, no one was guarding outside the dungeon, allowing Fu Ling and Qiu Shuiyi to leave unhindered.

Along the way, she took mostly small paths, encountering no one.

The further they walked, the more familiar it felt to Qiu Shuiyi.

Wasn't this... the path to the back mountain?

Did Han Zicheng intend for Fu Ling to escort Qiu Shuiyi to leave by boat?

The boat he arranged would surely be safer than the bamboo raft she had made.

As her thoughts churned, she caught sight of a small path from the corner of her eye.

If she remembered correctly, that path led to the kitchen.

Glancing at Fu Ling's back, Qiu Shuiyi suddenly spoke, "Fu Ling, tell me honestly, where exactly has Han Zicheng taken my sister?"

Fu Ling whispered, "Miss Lianying, some things are better left unknown."

"You're going to kill her?"

Qiu Shuiyi suddenly raised her voice, her tone agitated and furious. "Murderers, give my sister back to me!"

"You've only known her for a few days. Before long, you'll forget her."

"Forget?" Qiu Shuiyi sneered. "I will never forget that Han Zicheng is the one who really killed my sister."

"And the more than thirty lives of the Mu family—he killed them as he pleased. He's no better than a beast! That executioner deserves to go to the eighteenth level of hell!"

Qiu Shuiyi's voice grew increasingly impassioned, filled with hatred for Han Zicheng.

"The young master did it all for you!" Fu Ling hissed lowly. "You don't know how much the young master sacrificed to keep you alive! He even defied the mistress who raised him, feigning compliance while secretly working to rescue you!"

Qiu Shuiyi let out a cold laugh. "Did I ask him to save me? Besides, wasn't he the one who kidnapped me? A hypocritical, despicable wretch."

"You!" Fu Ling turned around angrily. "Don't you dare insult... Ah!"

She covered her eyes, two streams of blood slowly flowing from her tightly shut eyelids.

"My eyes, my eyes!"

Fu Ling screamed in agony.

*Thud—*

A small bamboo tube rolled into the grass, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Over the past two days, using her trips to the kitchen, Qiu Shuiyi had found materials on the spot and specially concocted a "potion."

What a shame, I used it all up at once.

She bent down, picked up a stone, circled behind Fu Ling, and smashed it down with all her strength.

The pained expression on Fu Ling's face froze, and her body slowly collapsed.

Qiu Shuiyi threw down the stone, brushed off her hands, and sprinted toward the kitchen as fast as she could.

No one was in the kitchen, and she slipped inside easily.

The fire in the stove had already gone out.

Taking out the fire striker she had stolen two days before, Qiu Shuiyi opened the lid and blew on it gently.

The bright flame lit up her delicate features, adding an inexplicable touch of coldness.

Looking at the small mountain of flour piled in the corner, Qiu Shuiyi's expression grew even colder.

...

Forced toward the "execution ground," Qiu Lianying's face was filled with anxiety, but inside she was remarkably calm.

_Has Yi'er escaped yet?_

_Go, just go._

_Don't worry about her anymore._

_Go quickly._

Lost in thought, she found herself at the "execution ground."

The surrounding people formed a circle, pinning her in the center.

Han Zicheng sat side by side with a woman on a high platform.

Qiu Lianying looked up, a flicker of astonishment in her eyes.

She never expected the Madame Yun that Yi'er had spoken of to be so breathtakingly beautiful.

The woman on the platform was clad in fiery red, radiant and vibrant. Her figure was curvaceous, and even without makeup, she possessed a devastating beauty. Propping her chin on one hand, a lazy look in her eyes, a single glance from her radiated boundless allure.

"Cheng'er, the time has come. You may begin."

Madame Yun smiled softly.

Han Zicheng answered respectfully, "Yes, Aunt."

He descended the steps, walking slowly toward Qiu Lianying, his expression calm and indifferent, betraying a disregard for life.

Qiu Lianying lowered her gaze, afraid the hatred in her eyes would show.

A shadow fell before her as Han Zicheng said indifferently, "My apologies. If you wish for revenge, try in your next life."

Qiu Lianying closed her eyes, quietly awaiting death.

Han Zicheng reached out his hand. Bage handed him the blade and then retreated with Fu'er.

Gripping the hilt with both hands, Han Zicheng raised the blade.

Just as the blade was about to descend, he instinctively glanced down.

That one glance struck him to the core, nearly making his eyes burst from their sockets.

Lian Ying... How could it be Lian Ying?!

Madame Yun's voice drifted over, "Cheng'er, why haven't you done it yet? Unless..." Her tone turned sinister, "You can't bear to do it?"

"Aunt, I... I..."

Han Zicheng tightened his grip on the hilt, struggle in his eyes.

"What's going on? Why hasn't the Young Master acted?" Bage whispered.

Fu'er shrugged, "How should I know?"

Qiu Lianying opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Han Zicheng's, and her heart instantly skipped a beat.

_She had been recognized!_

"Cheng'er! Do you want your aunt to die?"

Madame Yun's furious shout reached his ears. Han Zicheng's face contorted in pain, "Aunt, please don't force me!"

"Then kill her now!"

"I... I'll do..."

"BOOM—"

A deafening boom interrupted Han Zicheng's struggle.

It was as if mountains were collapsing and the earth splitting, the entire ground shaking violently.

The crowd instantly fell into chaos.

"What happened?"

"Was that an earthquake?"

"Look! Over there! Smoke!"

Someone suddenly pointed in a direction and screamed in alarm.

Flames shot into the sky, black smoke billowing upward, like dark clouds blotting out the sky.

After the commotion, a terrified cry pierced the air.

"Fire! Put out the fire!"

...

Qiu Shuiyi ran at top speed, leaving all the fear-filled screams behind her.

The attention of everyone in the city was drawn by the sudden explosion and flames, so for a moment, no one noticed her.

She didn't know how Qiu Lianying was doing now. She hoped she could make it in time.

Fallen leaves drifted down, fluttering like butterflies, landing in her hair and on her shoulders.

"Crunch—"

Her foot landed, kicking up a layer of dust.

Qiu Shuiyi came to an abrupt halt, the momentum nearly sending her tumbling headlong.

She pressed her lips together, a cold dread washing over her.

A figure loomed, blocking the path ahead.