Chapter 89: Seductress

Chapter 89: The Fox Spirit

"Aunt, something's happened. Let's go check it out first. As for her..."

A flicker of hope shone in Han Zicheng's eyes as he turned to Lady Yun, urging sincerely, "We can deal with her after the matter is resolved."

Lady Yun stared fixedly at Han Zicheng, her stunning face a whirlwind of emotions before she finally sighed in disappointment.

Seeing her shake her head, Han Zicheng's heart sank, a sudden sense of foreboding washing over him.

Before he could trace the source of this unease, Lady Yun spoke softly, "Cheng'er, your aunt is not a fool."

Han Zicheng forced an awkward smile. "Why would you say that, Aunt?"

"If you didn't think I was a fool, why would you try to pull off a 'substitution' trick?"

The crowd was still in chaos, but guards had already begun herding them to safety.

Amid the clamor, she stood atop the high platform, her red robes fluttering like a brilliant sunrise.

At the words "substitution trick," Han Zicheng's face froze.

Qiu Lianying's expression also darkened.

Had Lady Yun known all along that both sisters had been captured?

Then where was Yi'er now?

Watching Han Zicheng's stiff expression, Lady Yun smiled faintly. "Cheng'er, I built this Qiyun City. Every brick, every tile, every blade of grass, every tree, every household, every person—I know them all like the back of my hand. How could I not notice an extra living person?"

With that, she sighed softly. "Cheng'er, you've greatly disappointed me."

Han Zicheng fell to his knees before Lady Yun, his voice strained. "Aunt, this is all my fault. Please, for your own health, don't be so angry."

"And Lian Ying..."

Han Zicheng closed his eyes tightly, fists tight, nails digging into his palms. "I swear I will never see her again. I beg you, Aunt, to be magnanimous and spare her life."

"No need for such hypocritical posturing. I don't want it." Qiu Lianying said coldly, "If you truly wanted to save me, why did you capture me in the first place?"

"Lian Ying, don't act rashly." Han Zicheng turned his head slightly, whispering, "If I hadn't acted, Aunt would have been the one to do it. And Aunt... she truly would have killed you."

"Then let her! Do I look afraid?"

Qiu Lianying lifted her chin high, her usual pride and dignity on full display. "What have you done to my sister?"

Since Lady Yun already knew of Yi'er's existence, how could she simply let her go?

Yi'er...

Qiu Lianying pressed her lips together, worry she couldn't quell.

"What a touching sisterly bond. Since you're about to die, I'll grant your wish." Lady Yun sneered coldly, bringing her hands together in a sharp clap.

To the northwest of their location stood a tall building, three zhang high. At Lady Yun's signal, two figures appeared on its highest floor.

Qiu Lianying looked up, her pupils contracting sharply.

"Yi'er!"

High atop the building, Qiu Shuiyi was bound from head to toe, gagged, her face blank.

Behind her stood a man.

Tall and imposing, expressionless yet exuding authority.

Qiu Shuiyi furrowed her brows deeply. She wanted to swear.

All she wanted was to live. Why did these people insist on making things difficult for her?

Was a scapegoat's life not a life?

"If it's my life you want, I'll give it to you! Just let my sister go!" Qiu Lianying shouted at Lady Yun.

"Lian Ying! Don't be stupid. How can that woman's life compare to yours?" Han Zicheng urged anxiously.

"Shut up!"

Tears streamed down Qiu Lianying's face as she cried hysterically, "My life is my own to decide. Who are you to interfere? We never would have ended up like this if not for you! Han Zicheng, you're a curse!"

Han Zicheng collapsed to the ground as if struck by lightning, staring blankly. "Lian Ying, what... what did you say?"

Qiu Lianying ignored him, turning to Lady Yun. "I'll trade my life for my sister's."

Qiu Shuiyi saw the determination on her sister's face and was moved, her emotions complex.

On one hand, she was touched by Qiu Lianying's sacrifice.

On the other...

She sighed inwardly.

Silly sister, haven't you realized? Lady Yun has no intention of sparing either of us.

Glancing at Lady Yun's stunning face, Qiu Shuiyi concealed the strange glint in her eyes.

She never expected that Han Zicheng's aunt would be this woman.

Qiu Shuiyi's heart tightened suddenly.

There was anger, and there was heartache.

Over there, after a glance at the despondent Han Zicheng, anger flared in Lady Yun's eyes. With a wave of her hand, someone immediately led Han Zicheng away.

She looked the two sisters up and down, then slowly smiled.

"No need. You sisters will both die today."

"Zhu He, proceed."

The man who had been standing behind Qiu Shuiyi finally moved.

He extended a hand, placed it against Qiu Shuiyi's back, and pushed forcefully.

The girl's figure plummeted from the high building, like a butterfly with broken wings—tragically beautiful and fragile.

"Yi'er!"

Qiu Lianying cried out, her voice raw.

At the same time, another tall man slipped silently behind her.

A long blade hung over her head, gleaming coldly.

Seeing this, Lady Yun curled her lips into a mesmerizing smile—one laced with the thrill of vengeance.

“Lian Ying! No—”

Han Zicheng struggled to reach out, but his body was firmly restrained by the guards.

“Get away! Let me go! Aunt, spare her life! I’ll obey you in everything from now on, Aunt—”

He bellowed in desperate, crumbling despair.

She kept falling from the high tower, while the blade above the girl’s head slowly descended.

Lady Yun cast a glance full of scornful disappointment at Han Zicheng, the curl of her lips deepening.

Suddenly, her smile froze.

A figure swept in from afar, catching the girl by the waist just before she struck the ground, setting down gently with her cradled in his arms.

Another figure rushed over, kicked the blade from the man’s hand, yanked Qiu Lianying to safety, seized the hilt, and with a backhand slash, severed the man’s head.

Blood rained down.

Qiu Lianying stared with tear-blurred eyes, whispering softly at the man before her: “Is it you?”

“It’s me.”

His voice was a low rumble, holding her tightly—as if she were a lost treasure reclaimed.

Qiu Lianying broke down sobbing in his embrace: “A’mu, you’re alive… that’s wonderful…”

“Don’t be afraid.” Mu Yuanxi gently stroked the back of her head, whispering, “I’m here.”

…

When her feet touched solid ground, Qiu Shuiyi was still seething with anger and helpless frustration.

After waiting for a long time without feeling any pain, she blinked dazedly—and suddenly met a pair of captivating peach-blossom eyes.

Those eyes were incredibly beautiful, as if gentle ripples stirred within them.

Curving slightly toward her, their owner spoke softly: “Snap out of it.”

Qiu Shuiyi jolted back to the present; her pupils gradually widened in disbelief.

“How did you get here?”

As soon as she spoke, her soft heart felt as if something had gently struck it—making her nose ache and her eyes sting. She threw herself into Shen Yuchao’s arms, her voice choked with tears: “Why did you take so long to come!”

Shen Yuchao held her tightly, lowering his head slightly to rest his chin on her soft hair, and whispered: “I’m sorry—I’m late.”

“I’ll never lose you again.”

Qiu Shuiyi nodded, wiping her tears on Shen Yuchao’s chest.

For some reason, upon seeing him, all her fears instantly melted away.

She felt nothing but peace.

“Let go of her!”

Han Zicheng’s roar jolted Qiu Shuiyi back to the present danger—and she quickly stepped back.

With his embrace now empty, Shen Yuchao shot a murderous glance at Han Zicheng.

Blind to the open hostility, Han Zicheng focused solely on the two embracing figures, his face twisted with rage.

Qiu Lianying withdrew from Mu Yuanxi’s embrace—but kept her hand tightly clasped in his.

Seeing this, Han Zicheng flew into a rage, his expression murderous.

“Enough! Have you no shame left?”

A sharp, cold voice cut through, drawing everyone’s attention.

Lady Yun curled her lips coldly, her eyes frosty and full of sarcasm. “Truly worthy of the Qiu family enchantresses. The elder has my nephew utterly bewitched—daring to defy me for her sake. The younger…”

Her gaze shifted to Shen Yuchao, and she spoke word by word: “…has lured my son into risking his life.”

She laughed heartily: “You Qiu family women are truly skilled—indeed a lineage of seductive foxes.”

“Shameless.”

Qiu Lianying trembled, her disbelieving eyes darting between Lady Yun and Shen Yuchao.

She remembered that Shen Yuchao was the legitimate son of the former Prince Duansu and his wife, the Princess—who had passed away years ago. Why did Lady Yun refer to Shen Yuchao as *her* son?

Uneasily shifting, she felt her hand suddenly squeezed.

Qiu Lianying looked up to see Mu Yuanxi giving her a reassuring nod.

All her worries vanished in an instant—and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

Shen Yuchao’s eyes darkened, about to speak—when the girl beside him stepped forward.

She fearlessly raised her head, her tear-washed eyes clear as stars. Sunlight cast a golden glow upon her, making the smile at her lips dazzling.

“Not as impressive as you, Madam—who killed your husband and abandoned your son.”

As soon as the words fell, Mu Yurou’s face instantly darkened; her gaze turned venomous as she stared at Qiu Shuiyi. “Are you… seeking death?”

“Am I wrong?”

Qiu Shuiyi raised an eyebrow.

Mu Yurou stared at her for a moment—before suddenly bursting into laughter. “Good. Qiu family woman—you’re very good. You brought this upon yourself.”

She raised her hand—and the guards quietly stationed around slowly closed in.

Mu Yuanxi shielded Qiu Lianying, his other hand gripping the long blade tightly.

Shen Yuchao tightened his hold on Qiu Shuiyi’s hand.

“Your Highness.”

A figure approached from a distance, landing behind Shen Yuchao. "Zuo Yi has intercepted Liu Songqing."

Shen Yuchao nodded. "Make it quick."

"Yes."

Shang Ze responded.

Innumerable black shadows materialized behind the guards, blades flashed, blood sprayed, heads rolled.

In an instant, the clash of battle echoed everywhere, and the scent of blood grew from faint to thick.

Shen Yuchao still hadn't moved, his gaze fixed on Mu Yurou like a predator locking onto its prey.

Mu Yurou shifted her gaze to Han Zicheng, who had been brought back by the guards. She said softly, "Cheng'er, go and kill him for your aunt."

Han Zicheng's murderous expression faltered. He looked where she was pointing and hesitated. "Aunt, he... he is still your son."

"So what?" Mu Yurou scoffed lightly. "If he cannot be of use to me, he must be eradicated root and branch."

Han Zicheng pressed his lips together, glancing at Qiu Lianying and Mu Yuanxi before gritting his teeth. "Fine. But Aunt, I want that man to die without a grave."

Mu Yurou cast him a fleeting glance. "As you wish."

Han Zicheng immediately smiled, drew his sword and leapt down, heading straight for Shen Yuchao.

"Shang Ze, protect her well. If she suffers even the slightest harm, it'll be your head."

Leaving these words, Shen Yuchao engaged Han Zicheng head-on.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. I will protect the Second Young Lady."

Shang Ze deflected a sword aimed at Qiu Shuiyi, speaking solemnly.

"Shang Ze, take me to my sister's side."

Qiu Shuiyi suddenly spoke.

Shang Ze was taken aback for a moment before scooping her up and flying over.

"Yi'er, are you alright?"

Qiu Lianying pulled her close.

Qiu Shuiyi shook her head, then uttered something shocking. "Brother-in-law."

Qiu Lianying's pretty face instantly flushed crimson.

Mu Yuanxi paused slightly, his expression impassive, but the tips of his ears turned red.

"W-what is it?"

He even stammered—a rare thing for him.

Qiu Shuiyi said, "Don't help him."