As dusk fell and lanterns lit up the capital, nearly every prominent household in the city had gathered for the wedding banquet.
The cacophony of firecrackers and the clamor of drums only accentuated the desolate silence of the Bodhi Courtyard.
"Miss, you mustn’t dwell on it too much. People come and go—it’s the way of life," Yulu consoled.
"Yes, Miss! When it’s your turn to marry, the celebration will be even grander and livelier!" Nanny Zhou chimed in.
Yet despite their efforts, Chu Ruoyan remained seated, motionless and silent.
A commotion soon arose outside the courtyard, and moments later, Chu Ruolan and Chu Ruoyin entered carrying a food box.
"Eldest Sister, come try the dumplings we made! They’re delicious!"
As the box opened, the rich aroma filled the air.
Chu Ruoyan’s distant thoughts finally snapped back to the present. Gazing at the steaming dumplings, she parted her lips and declared, "I must leave."
The four women froze. Yulu hesitated, "Miss, the guards are posted outside. You can’t—"
"I have to go."
Su Tingyun was clearly determined to destroy Yan Zheng.
She couldn’t just sit here and wait!
Chu Ruolan and Chu Ruoyin exchanged glances. The former eagerly volunteered, "Alright, Eldest Sister! We’ll help you!"
Chu Ruoyan blinked in surprise as her younger sister rattled off a plan. Chu Ruoyin, however, waved her hands in protest. "No, no! I—I don’t think I can do it..."
"Second Sister, just pretend you’re heartbroken and close your eyes! That’s all!"
"I..." Chu Ruoyin bit her lip, glancing at her elder sister’s exhausted expression before steeling herself. "Fine... I’ll try."
Chu Ruolan then turned to Yulu and Nanny Zhou. "One of you needs to go outside and shout loudly to draw everyone over. The other should stay by Second Sister’s side and wail as if mourning..."
"I’ll do the shouting!" Yulu volunteered. "I’ve got a loud voice!"
Nanny Zhou nodded. "This old servant will handle the crying. Second Miss, please forgive the impropriety..."
Chu Ruoyan’s heart warmed at their earnest efforts. "Thank you, all of you."
"No time for thanks, Eldest Sister! First, you need to change into something that’ll let you slip out unnoticed..."
Half an hour later, Chu Zhong stood guard outside when a sudden scream erupted from within.
Suspicious that the eldest miss might be scheming, he tensed—only for Yulu to come sprinting out in panic, shrieking, "Disaster! Second Miss has hanged herself!"
"What?!" Chu Wei gasped behind him. Chu Zhong frowned. "Why would Second Miss do such a thing?"
"It’s because of Prince Qin! Second Miss is in love with him, but His Highness already has someone else! He insists on waiting for his beloved to return before marrying Second Miss as a concubine! She couldn’t bear the heartbreak!"
Yulu grabbed Chu Zhong’s arm. "Why are you standing there? Hurry inside and help! If Second Miss dies, will you take responsibility with your lives?"
After a brief hesitation, Chu Zhong ordered, "Two men, follow me in. The rest guard the gate—not a single fly gets through!"
"Yes!"
The moment Chu Zhong and his men stepped inside, a food box came crashing down on their heads.
The two guards collapsed unconscious. Chu Zhong, dazed and furious, glared up. "You—"
Thud!
Chu Ruolan struck him again, then clasped her hands in apology. "So sorry! Desperate times call for desperate measures!" She swiftly stripped the guards’ uniforms and handed them to Chu Ruoyan. "Eldest Sister, quick—put this on!"
Yulu ran out shouting again, "It's terrible! They can't hold Second Miss down at all. Quick, we need more people!"
Seeing that Chu Zhong hadn't returned, the remaining servants panicked and rushed in after her...
Seizing the moment, the well-prepared Chu Ruoyan and Chu Ruolan quietly slipped out of the courtyard.
The entire Duke of Chu's Mansion was roused by the commotion.
Lady Jiang the Younger threw on her outer robe and hurried over, only to run straight into the two girls as she passed the main hall!
There stood Chu Ruoyan, dressed in a guard's uniform and clearly about to flee, while Chu Ruolan clutched her hand, glancing back nervously—an accomplice!
Chu Ruolan let out a startled cry at the sight of her.
What rotten luck—how could they bump into her now?
Chu Ruoyan pressed her lips together and stepped forward, about to speak.
But at that moment, Lady Jiang the Younger took Yuetao's arm and walked right past them, asking as if she hadn't noticed them at all, "How is Ruoyin? Is she hurt anywhere?"
Yuetao was momentarily stunned, while Chu Ruolan gaped. "Mother?"
Still refusing to look their way, Lady Jiang the Younger turned and snapped at the frozen servants, "Why are you standing around? Go to the Bodhi Courtyard and help, now!"
The servants snapped out of their daze and rushed toward the courtyard.
Chu Ruolan muttered, "How strange... It's like Mother can't even see us..."
But Chu Ruoyan understood her intention. With a quick curtsy, she dashed toward the manor gates.
At three quarters past the hour of Xu, the city gates closed.
Yan Zheng sat in his carriage, gazing back at the capital shrouded in night.
"Young Master, His Highness has made it clear—no matter what happens on the road, you must reach the Western Mountain Camp at all costs. Governor Ling is already waiting for you there!"
Yan Zheng nodded, fingers tightening around the dagger hidden in his sleeve, his eyes glinting.
Suddenly—a sharp "Whoa!"
The carriage lurched forward. He braced himself against the wall to keep from falling.
Silence outside, then a panicked shout: "Young Master, we're under attack!"
Yan Zheng arched a brow and lifted the carriage curtain. Ahead, Su Tingyun stood blocking the road with nearly a hundred men from the Shuntian Prefecture, their presence overwhelming—as if they'd been lying in wait for hours.
His eyes flickered with realization. "So it was her."
Su Tingyun sneered, "Indeed. A traitor like you would never expect Second Miss Rong to forsake your wealth and secretly pass along the information, would you?"
Yan Zheng nodded. "A surprise, but it saves me some trouble."
Before Su Tingyun could decipher his meaning, Yan Zheng barked, "What are you waiting for?"
The dozen men escorting him drew their blades and charged.
Steel clashed, blood splattered.
Yet Yan Zheng remained unmoved, calmly watching from the carriage as his men fought against impossible odds—until, exhausted, they were captured.
Su Tingyun's forces fared little better. Those dozen were elite warriors, each worth three or four ordinary soldiers.
By the time the skirmish ended, only half of Su Tingyun's men remained standing.
Su Tingyun declared, "Yan Zheng! Abandoned by all, your end is here. Surrender now and return to the capital to face judgment!"
Yan Zheng scoffed. "You think you can take me?"
His dagger flashed coldly from his sleeve.
A collective shudder ran through the crowd—memories resurfacing of the invincible young general he'd been before his legs were crippled.
Su Tingyun frowned. "So you choose to resist to the last?"
Yan Zheng arched his slender phoenix eyes as if hearing some absurd joke. "Su Tingyun, spare me your righteous grandstanding. Do you truly storm in here to arrest me for justice—or for Ayan? Let’s not pretend otherwise."
