The man, who had been inexplicably brought here and forced to kneel on the ground, was clearly panicked.
He warily glanced around.
Seeing Wang Ni standing motionless like a wooden stake, holding his sword, the man quickly withdrew his gaze, not daring to look around any further.
Cui Jue suddenly spoke.
“Zhou Beixiu?”
Hearing the voice from behind the screen, Zhou Beixiu trembled in fright.
Cui Jue continued leisurely, “Chen Wuniang is about to get married. Did you know that?”
As soon as these words fell, Zhou Beixiu’s heart tightened.
He vaguely guessed why he had been brought here.
Whether it was due to the heat in the room or sheer terror, he felt sweat beading on his forehead.
“As far as I know, you and Chen Wuniang were deeply in love. The last time at Longtai Temple, you two were forcibly separated by Princess Zheng. How did that feel, Zhou Beixiu?”
Zhou Beixiu broke out in a cold sweat, his entire body turning limp, as if he had melted into a puddle of mud.
Cui Jue put down his chess manual, slowly stood up, and began pacing behind the screen with his hands clasped behind his back.
Kneeling on the ground, Zhou Beixiu listened to the sound of footsteps inside, his heart lodged in his throat.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the voice finally spoke again.
“Chen Wuniang does not wish to marry into Jiaozhou. Would you be willing to take her away and flee far from here?”
Zhou Beixiu was astonished and couldn’t help but look up.
“Huizhou is under the jurisdiction of Prince Huai’an. Escaping right under his nose—how could that be possible?”
Cui Jue halted his steps.
Zhou Beixiu quickly lowered his head again, secretly trying to figure out the man’s intentions.
“You, of course, wouldn’t be able to escape on your own,” Cui Jue said, “but the Zheng family can cover for you.”
Zhou Beixiu froze.
Cui Jue deliberately lowered his voice, speaking in a devilish whisper, coaxing and luring: “Tell me, as a scholar, do you have ambitions, Zhou Beixiu? Do you really intend to remain a mere book servant your whole life, with no hope of ever rising above your station?”
These words struck directly at Zhou Beixiu’s sore spot, stirring the blood in his chest, though he was unable to reply.
Cui Jue continued solemnly, “The wedding is imminent. If Chen Wuniang escapes, the immediate concern for the household won’t be dealing with you two, but rather handling Jiaozhou.
As long as you two evade Prince Huai’an and survive this initial storm, you will be safe.
Afterward, with Chen Wuniang as your shield and the deed already done, Princess Zheng will find a way to clean up the mess for you.
Even if you ultimately fail to secure a promising future, at the very least, you will have the chance to escape your current predicament. Isn’t that worth trying?”
His words were slow and deliberate, like a demon crawling out of hell, whispering its temptations.
Tempting Zhou Beixiu to use Chen Xianle as his ticket to a better life.
For a poor scholar, this was indeed something to consider.
A pouch of silver was tossed from behind the screen, rolling to the ground before him.
“The governor of Jiaozhou is already over fifty. For Chen Wuniang, that place would be nothing short of a fiery pit.”
“If you have the courage, take her away. If not, I will find someone else. No matter what, the Zheng family will not stand by and watch her suffer humiliation.”
These words were intentionally tied to the Zheng family, leading to a misunderstanding.
Sure enough, Zhou Beixiu’s thoughts started to stir.
He quickly picked up the money from the ground and said, “Let me go back and think it over carefully.”
Cui Jue said, “The situation is urgent; there is no time for you to delay.”
He added, “Resorting to this desperate measure is not ideal, but it benefits you.”
Zhou Beixiu repeatedly nodded, “I understand.”
Cui Jue made a dismissive gesture, and Wang Ni stepped forward, striking Zhou Beixiu unconscious with a single chop.
Zhou Beixiu’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground.
Wang Ni hoisted him up and carried him out.
The room fell silent once again.
Cui Jue returned to the couch, picked up the chess manual, and continued studying.
By the time Zhou Beixiu regained consciousness, it was already late afternoon.
He usually survived by working as a book servant, living in poverty.
Suddenly receiving a pouch of silver, he pinched his thigh hard.
It wasn’t a dream!
He mistakenly believed that the people who had sought him out during the day were from the Zheng family, and his thoughts began to stir.
While he was scheming for his own advancement, Chen Xianle had already decided to take matters into her own hands.
She summoned Madam Liu and instructed her to make contact with Longtai Temple.
Madam Liu was startled, her eyelids twitching nervously.
“Young lady, please think this through carefully. If you are discovered…”
Chen Xianle interrupted, “At this point, I can’t afford to care anymore!”
Madam Liu fell silent.
Chen Xianle’s eyes were filled with resentment.
“My father insists on sending me into the fire pit of Jiaozhou. If he is heartless, I cannot be expected to be dutiful.”
“But…”
“No buts! Is it a crime to not want to ruin the rest of my life?”
Madam Liu had no words to refute her.
Chen Xianle twisted her handkerchief in frustration, her face stubborn yet resolute.
“My mother, my brothers, and my uncles are all useless. My father doesn’t even see me as his own daughter. How can I just sit and wait for my doom?”
Madam Liu said worriedly, “That may be true, but have you considered the consequences of running away from your wedding?”
Chen Xianle had clearly thought it through.
She answered seriously, “Of course, I have.”
She paused before continuing, “I am not the only daughter in this household. If I disappear, there will always be another to take my place.”
Madam Liu said, “But, young lady, think carefully. The entire Zhangling County is under the control of the Prince’s household. Where could you possibly escape to?”
Chen Xianle confidently replied, “Who said I’m going to run?
“I just need to hide. Once the storm has passed, I will contact my uncles. They will surely help me.”
Madam Liu was stunned.
Chen Xianle calculated, “By that time, the marriage arrangement with Jiaozhou would already be set. My uncles and brother will have to find a way to protect me. As long as my mother is still here, at worst, my father will punish me. He wouldn’t take my life.”
After hearing her plan, Madam Liu realized it might actually work.
Chen Xianle tried to convince her further, “Madam Liu, you watched me grow up. Can you really bear to see me married off to an old man who could be my father?”
“This…”
“My father is ruthless, and my mother is powerless. If I just sit and do nothing, I will be doomed anyway.”
“Young lady, please reconsider. This is extremely risky. If things go wrong, the consequences will be unimaginable.”
“What consequences? At worst, I’ll still end up in Jiaozhou. If I take a risk, I still have a chance to turn things around. But if I do nothing, the outcome is already decided.”
Madam Liu remained silent.
Chen Xianle had made up her mind.
“Whether I resist or obey, the worst outcome is the same.
“My father is determined to send me away. Even if I enrage him, he won’t kill me—he still needs me for the marriage alliance.”
“I have thought about this for a long time. If I obediently comply, I fear I will regret it for the rest of my life.”
She spoke with firm resolve.
For an unmarried young woman to have the courage to secretly meet a man, it was evident that she had a rebellious streak in her nature and a strong sense of self-determination.
Madam Liu could not dissuade her.
Chen Xianle was determined to take control of her fate and ordered her to find a way to contact her lover, Zhou Beixiu, to plan their escape.
Originally, Zhou Beixiu had wanted to meet her, but he had not expected her to reach out to him first.
Her close friend, Zhu Xian, was deeply loyal and knew about her relationship with Zhou Beixiu.
Through Zhu Xian’s assistance, Chen Xianle arranged to meet Zhou Beixiu at the Zhu family’s private residence.
The Zhu family was a prestigious and influential clan in Zhangling County, holding significant local sway.
With such a background, they naturally maintained close ties with the Prince of Huai’an’s household.
Zhu Xian, already betrothed, was a straightforward and genuine person.
In private, she had even expressed her disapproval of the Prince of Huai’an’s muddled decisions.
Although she did not support Chen Xianle’s plan to flee, she also did not stand in her way.
Under Zhu Xian’s cover, Chen Xianle was able to meet Zhou Beixiu to discuss their escape.
Inside the room, the two of them exchanged tender words, pouring out their hearts, while Zhu Xian stood guard outside.
Chen Xianle nestled in Zhou Beixiu’s embrace and shared her detailed plan with him.
Holding her hand, Zhou Beixiu was also scheming, viewing her as his chance to rise in status.
Testing the waters, he asked, “Will your mother truly protect us?”
Chen Xianle nodded. “As long as we get through this initial crisis, I will plead with my uncle to help us. He has loved me since I was a child and would never abandon me.”
“I’m more worried about your father…”
“I don’t care! If he insists on pushing us to our deaths, my mother will hate him forever.”
Zhou Beixiu remained silent.
Chen Xianle lifted her head to look at him and asked, “Zhou Beixiu, do you have the courage to take me away?”
Zhou Beixiu quickly responded, “I only wish to protect you, Wuniang.”
Chen Xianle was satisfied.
“That’s all I need to hear.”
She continued, “If we can’t get past my father, we will leave Huizhou altogether. With the Zheng family’s help, we won’t starve.”
Hearing this assurance, Zhou Beixiu finally felt more at ease.
“As long as I can be with you, Wuniang, I will brave any danger, even if it means walking through fire or scaling a mountain of blades.”
Chen Xianle beamed with joy.
The two meticulously planned their escape, discussing their next steps for a long time before parting ways.
In the blink of an eye, the fourth day of the twelfth lunar month arrived.
As the wedding date approached, not only was the Zheng household anxious, but there was also unease at Lixiang Courtyard.
Lady Xu was both relieved and worried—glad that the Prince of Huai’an had not mentioned the matter of adopting Chen Jiao, yet anxious that something might still go wrong at the last moment.
Chen Jiao himself was equally unsettled, knowing that until everything was finalized, the situation could still change.
That evening, the Prince of Huai’an once again showed favoritism toward his legitimate daughter.
In the end, he decided to grant Lady Zheng’s request and agreed to adopt Chen Jiao into the main branch of the family to replace the bride in the marriage arrangement.
When the news was delivered to the Golden Jade Courtyard by the attendant Gao Zhan, Lady Zheng was overjoyed.
As if unable to believe her own ears, she asked again, “Did the lord truly agree to let me adopt Ninth Daughter?”
Gao Zhan nodded.
Lady Zheng was so overwhelmed with excitement that she didn’t know what to do with herself, while the nearby Madam Cao also smiled in relief.
Lady Zheng looked at her and said, “Heavens have mercy, the lord truly holds Wuniang in his heart!”
Madam Cao quickly chimed in, “Madam, you must hurry and share the good news with Wuniang. She will surely be overjoyed!”
Lady Zheng responded, “Yes, yes, I will go tell her right away.”
The mistress and her servant, both excited, headed to Chen Xianle’s residence at Qinfang Pavilion.
But to their surprise, they found the place empty.
Madam Liu suppressed the panic in her heart and said, “The young lady left for the Zhu family early in the morning. She likely planned to stay the night.”
Lady Zheng paused.
Indeed, earlier that morning, Chen Xianle had told her she was going to the Zhu family.
She knew that Zhu Xian and her daughter were close friends, and it wasn’t unusual for them to have sleepovers in the past.
At the time, she had thought nothing of it.
There was no rush—she could send someone to bring her back the next day.
Thus, early the next morning, Lady Zheng sent people to the Zhu household to fetch Chen Xianle.
But the response they received was completely unexpected.
The Zhu family claimed they had not seen Chen Xianle at all the previous day.
Upon hearing this news, Lady Zheng was utterly stunned.
She raised her voice and questioned the servant, “What do you mean she wasn’t there?!”
The servant knelt on the ground, her voice trembling with grief.
“Madam, it was Zhu Young Lady’s personal maid who said it.
“She claimed that yesterday, Zhu Young Lady was with Madam Zhu all day, praying, and she never saw the young mistress visit.”
Lady Zheng’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if she had just heard the most absurd thing.
How could a living, breathing person simply vanish into thin air?!
Madam Cao began to sense that something was seriously wrong and quickly said, “There’s something suspicious about this. Madam, we should summon Madam Liu and get to the bottom of it.”
Lady Zheng took a deep breath and gestured for orders to be given.
Madam Cao immediately went to fetch Madam Liu.
The kneeling servant, realizing the gravity of the situation, dared not utter another word.
Lady Zheng stared at her and warned coldly, “If word of this leaks, I will cut out your tongue.”
The servant hastily bowed, trembling.
“I wouldn’t dare, Madam.”
Annoyed and restless, Lady Zheng waved her hand to dismiss her, and the servant, relieved, quickly retreated.
Soon, Madam Liu was brought before Lady Zheng.
With suspicions already forming in her mind, Lady Zheng suppressed her rising temper and asked, “Madam Liu, where exactly is Wuniang?”
Madam Liu lowered her head and said nothing.
Madam Cao, growing impatient, interjected, “Madam Liu, do not hide the truth. The lord has already agreed to let the Ninth Young Lady replace Wuniang in marriage.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Madam Liu looked as if she had been struck by lightning.
She abruptly lifted her head, her face filled with shock.
“What did you just say?!”
Madam Cao repeated, “Wuniang doesn’t have to go to Jiaozhou anymore.”
Madam Liu stared at her blankly, as if the life had been drained from her body.
Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.
Seeing this, Lady Zheng felt a wave of dread wash over her.
Her heart pounded as she urgently asked, “Where is Wuniang?!”
Madam Liu was on the verge of tears.
She shivered and muttered, “It’s… it’s too late… too late…”
She had clearly been shaken to the core.
In a fit of emotion, she cried out, “The young mistress—she ran away yesterday…”
The moment those words left her lips, Lady Zheng felt her blood surge violently to her head, nearly knocking her unconscious.
Furious, she shouted, “Where did she go?!”
Madam Liu shook her head, weeping.
“I don’t know. She never told me.”
Madam Cao, panicking, urged, “Madam Liu, this is no time for secrets!”
Madam Liu was filled with regret.
Eyes red with remorse, she choked out, “It’s all my fault! I should have stopped her. I should have stopped her!”
With that, she slapped herself several times across the face, clearly devastated by what had transpired.
Lady Zheng was beyond furious.
She abandoned all pretense of composure, grabbing Madam Liu by the collar and demanding answers.
Tearfully, Madam Liu recounted everything that had happened in full detail.
Lady Zheng was so enraged she nearly fainted.
But now was not the time for punishment—the most urgent matter was finding Chen Xianle before the Prince of Huai’an found out.
Suppressing her fury, Lady Zheng made a decisive move.
She immediately sent word to her elder brother, Zheng Zhang, instructing him to discreetly dispatch people to retrieve Chen Xianle.
Meanwhile, as chaos erupted in the Golden Jade Courtyard, the Prince of Huai’an personally visited Lixiang Courtyard to inform Lady Xu and her daughter of his decision.
Upon hearing the news, Lady Xu went into a fit of hysteria on the spot.
Chen Jiao, however, merely cast a cold glance at the man who called himself her father.
Cui Jue, you wretched scoundrel.
You have destroyed my path of cultivation!
If I cannot have peace, then no one else shall either!