Chapter 57

Chapter Fifty-Seven: Attacked Again After Mu Yuheng left, Ling Jiayue continued sitting atop Cold Mountain Temple, sipping tea as she watched the city gate. “Miss, what exactly is the Seventh Prince trying to do? Why does he keep seeking you out?” Lingxue asked cautiously. “Let him be. Go change the pot of tea. The fragrance has already faded,” Ling Jiayue instructed. Lingxue did as she was told, bringing back a fresh pot of tea for Ling Jiayue. Ling Jiayue drank it in silence. It was already early spring, and Cold Mountain Temple was filled with a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere. Even the flowers and plants around the temple had been nourished into a flourishing, vibrant scene. It truly was an excellent place to drink tea. At last, Ling Jiayue saw the Ye Kingdom envoys who had come to attend the peach-blossom banquet. At the city gate, the commoners crowded around one another, all eager to catch a glimpse of the Ye Kingdom envoys. The scene was exceptionally lively. A magnificent carriage bearing the sovereign of Ye Kingdom, Chu Chaoci, slowly entered the city. The emblem on the carriage was unmistakably a symbol of the Ye Kingdom imperial family. The person seated inside was undoubtedly Chu Chaoci. Leading the procession was Ye Kingdom’s newly appointed grand general, Murong Xi! The Ling family’s eventual fate—every member of the family being executed—could not be separated from this Grand General either. Ling Jiayue’s expression gradually grew solemn. Lingzhu and Lingxue exchanged glances, looking at each other in bewilderment. Ever since Miss had returned, she seemed to have become especially troubled. From time to time, she would reveal this sort of expression. Lingzhu and Lingxue could only silently stand behind Ling Jiayue, not daring to speak. As the carriage slowly passed through the city gate, the people of Dayi crowded around it and followed along. Clearly, they were all favorably disposed toward this “devoted” sovereign of Dayi, especially the young women, who called out to Chu Chaoci almost obsessively. Ling Jiayue watched the carriage gradually disappear into the distance and gave a mocking smile. Setting down her teacup, she called, “Lingzhu, Lingxue, let’s go.” “Yes, Miss,” Lingzhu and Lingxue replied. Ling Jiayue went to bid farewell to the abbot of Cold Mountain Temple. Afterward, the three master and servants descended the mountain. As usual, the carriage creaked along the road. Suddenly, a sound split the air, and the carriage came to an abrupt halt. Ling Jiayue motioned for Lingzhu to take a look. She saw that a cold arrow had shot over and lodged itself directly in the carriage. The coachman was already scared stiff. Narrowing her eyes, Ling Jiayue called out, “The three of us are merely passing through this place. Could it be that you have mistaken us for someone else?” A rustling sound came from the woods, and a group of burly men emerged from their hiding place, carrying knives. “If you’re Ling Jiayue, the legitimate daughter of the Ling Residence, then we haven’t mistaken you. Hurry up and accept your death!” Hearing that the other party intended to kill them, Lingxue was panicked and frightened inside. However, she absolutely could not allow them to harm Miss in the slightest, so she and Lingzhu instinctively stepped in front of Ling Jiayue. When Ling Jiayue saw Lingxue and Lingzhu standing in front of her, she was thinking only one thing: she had to protect them both. Ling Jiayue said, “Gentlemen, I’m afraid you’ve mistaken us for someone else. What sort of person is Ling Jiayue? How could she travel with only a light retinue like me and appear in this desolate wilderness? I ask that you show us mercy and let us pass.” The burly leader stroked his chin. “What you say does make sense. But judging from your bearing, you don’t look like a young lady from an ordinary household. If you say you aren’t the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter, I wouldn’t believe you either.” Ling Jiayue found this amusing, but in order to escape as soon as possible, she had no choice but to continue stalling them. “Big Brother, there’s something you don’t know. I’ve been frail and sickly since I was young. To ensure my own safety and peace, I spent my entire family fortune traveling to various temples to offer incense. I hope you’ll show mercy today.” The leader thought for a moment before saying, “Very well. You may leave.” But one of his underlings urged him, “Big Brother, even if they aren’t Ling Jiayue and her servants, they’re still fairly attractive. Why don’t we take them back and enjoy ourselves?” The leader immediately berated him. “We may be taking money to do a job, but we do not bully men or violate women. If you have thoughts like that again, don’t follow me anymore.” As he spoke, he ordered the men beside him to make way for Ling Jiayue and her two maids. Although Ling Jiayue hated these killers who took money to do their work, she could not help finding their leader rather amusing. Once they had cleared a path, she instructed the coachman to continue onward. As she left, Ling Jiayue even clasped her fists toward the leader and said, “Thank you for showing mercy, hero. I shall remember your kindness.” The man merely waved his hand and let them go. Ling Jiayue quietly instructed the coachman, “Go slowly. Don’t panic. Once we’re far enough away, speed up.” The coachman heard her instructions and followed them, proceeding at a slow pace. Although he was terribly frightened, he did not dare to go any faster. Not long after Ling Jiayue and the others departed, one of the bandits said, “Big Brother, something’s wrong. We’ve been waiting here for so long, and this is the only carriage that’s passed by. The Third Prince got his information from the master of the Ling Residence, so there shouldn’t have been a mistake.” The leader finally realized it as well and cursed angrily, “Damn it! We were fooled by some little girl. Brothers, chase them!” The group of burly men immediately charged after Ling Jiayue. The three master and servants had originally escaped the bandits’ encirclement. Lingxue and Lingzhu both felt as if they had survived a disaster, while Ling Jiayue merely smiled. She had witnessed scenes on the battlefield a hundred times more brutal than this. She had refrained from acting only because she was with the two maids. Otherwise, it was still uncertain who would have killed whom. At that moment, Lingzhu suddenly heard an unusual sound behind them. She lifted the curtain and looked back, only to discover that the group of burly men was pursuing them again. Frightened out of her wits, she said, “Miss, Miss, they’re chasing us again! What should we do?” Ling Jiayue remained calm. “Don’t panic yet. Coachman, go faster. Lingzhu, Lingxue, listen carefully. As soon as you get the chance, run.” Lingzhu and Lingxue asked, “Then what about you, Miss?” “I’ll be fine.” The coachman lashed the horse even faster. The carriage picked up speed, jolting violently along the road. Lingzhu and Lingxue both hoped they would soon escape the bandits, but judging from the sounds behind them, the pursuers were drawing closer and closer. Whoosh! Another sound split the air. A cold arrow flew straight toward the carriage wheel. The wheel suddenly caught the arrow, and with the horse still racing forward, the carriage overturned in an instant. Ling Jiayue, her two maids, and the coachman all tumbled out of the carriage and crashed to the ground. By then, the bandits had caught up and surrounded them completely. “I wonder whose orders you received to pursue us master and servants to the death.” Ling Jiayue showed no fear in the face of danger. Her heroic bearing was unmistakably that of a general who had galloped across battlefields. “You’re an interesting little miss. Even in such a dangerous situation, you remain so calm. You’ve got quite a bit of backbone. Very well, I’ll let you die knowing the truth. We’re acting on the Third Prince’s orders. We’re to bring back your head and claim our reward.” “Then you’re dreaming,” Ling Jiayue sneered.