Chapter 39

Why isn't now the right time? Mu Wanqing couldn't figure it out, nor did she want to think about it. Deep down, she had already acknowledged this evil rogue. Perhaps the veil she wore back then was prepared for him.

The mountain path was difficult, and it was even harder with a severely injured person. Normally, they should have left the Mang Mountains by evening, but by night, the two of them and the horse had only reached halfway up the mountain.

Mu Wanqing started a fire and cooked some wild food, but Zhao Yougong could only lie there, drooling. He really wanted to curse the heavens—why did he have to be injured in the buttocks? He couldn't sit or run, and lying on the ground was pressing on his little brother.

"Wan'er, can you tell me why you want to kill the Duan family from Dali?"

Zhao Yougong really wanted to understand this. According to his knowledge, Qin Hongmian wanted to kill only Dao Baifeng and Li Qingluo. When did she add the Duan family?

"I don't know. A few days ago, my master and I left the valley to kill that Wang family's little wench. But after leaving Man陀 Mountain Villa, for some reason, my master also wanted to kill a man surnamed Duan. She said that the Duan family man who uses the Six Pulse Sword Technique is her enemy!"

Listening to Mu Wanqing's explanation, Zhao Yougong was speechless for a while. Qin Hongmian was really interesting. She must have been stimulated by something to want to kill even her lover. It seems that being a womanizer also requires skill. If one is as indebted as Duan Zhengchun, they will surely die of worry in old age.

Thinking of the amusing part, Zhao Yougong couldn't help but show a few evil smiles. Mu Wanqing was a bit annoyed and frowned, "Evil rogue, what are you smiling about? Is it that funny?"

"No, how could I dare? I can't even beat you, and if your master comes, she'll cut me down with one stroke. Hehe, Wan'er, can we make a deal? Can you stop calling me an evil rogue? Like Ling Ge'er... Duke... Young Master... all are fine!"

"Absolutely not, evil rogue... evil rogue... evil rogue..."

Well, if you don't let her do it, she will. That's Mu Wanqing.

After a day of mountain travel, both were tired. By the time it was not yet the hour of Dog, they had already leaned against each other and fallen asleep.

It was unknown what time it was, but Zhao Yougong felt a chill all over his body and a coolness on his face. He opened his eyes and reached out to touch it, only to find it was a dewdrop. The climate in Mang Mountains was always like this. It seemed they needed to speed up tomorrow, or it might rain in a few hours. He curled up to keep warm, but as soon as he moved his elbow, he heard a slight tapping sound.

Not good, someone is here. Zhao Yougong thought it was someone sent by Emperor Zhezong. He quickly shook Mu Wanqing's leg, "Shh, someone is here!"

Mu Wanqing also heard the sound. She pointed behind her, indicating that Zhao Yougong should hide behind her and not move. Soon, more than ten people, both men and women, armed with various weapons, emerged from the forest. What was surprising was that the leaders were two middle-aged women.

One woman held an iron crutch, the other a pair of knives, and their eyes were terrifying.

"Little wench, where do you think you can run? If you hand over our young lady, we'll let you off easy. Otherwise, don't blame us for being ruthless!" the woman with the iron crutch shouted. The others also moved forward to surround Mu Wanqing. As for Zhao Yougong, who was lying on the ground with his eyes darting around, he was completely ignored.

Could these people be from Man陀 Mountain Villa?

Zhao Yougong guessed right. These were the people sent by Li Qingluo. After Qin Hongmian and Mu Wanqing caused a commotion at Man陀 Mountain Villa, Li Qingluo started sending people to hunt them down. Mu Wanqing only went to Bianliang because she was forced to. If not for escaping, she wouldn't have wandered around Bianliang.

"Turns out it's you. I thought it was someone else. What young lady? Could your Wang family's little wench have run away with a man like her mother?"

Rui Po raised her iron crutch and scolded, "Little wench, stop being smart with your mouth. If it wasn't you and your master who kidnapped our young lady, who else could it be?"

"Stop talking nonsense. If I did it, I would admit it. Hmph, if that little wench fell into my hands, I would have killed her with one sword. Why would I wait for you to save her?"

After listening for a while, Zhao Yougong also caught the gist. From Rui Po's words, it seemed someone had kidnapped Wang Yuyan. Could it be Duan Yu?

With effort, Zhao Yougong supported himself against a large pine tree and stood up, "Hey, don't fight yet. Can you listen to me for a moment?"

Rui Po and Ping Po exchanged glances, both puzzled. The little wench hated men the most, so why was she with a man now?

Rui Po pointed her iron crutch and sneered, "Who are you? Spit it out quickly, no nonsense!"

How vulgar, a woman cursing, that's rare. They were just a few henchmen from Man陀 Mountain Villa, he, Zhao Yougong, wasn't afraid. Mu Wanqing didn't take him seriously because she was fearless, but the people from Man陀 Mountain Villa couldn't do the same. He was a Duke, and they wouldn't dare to defy the court even if they had ten lives.

"Rogue, how dare you speak to me like that? Quickly say, who are you and why are you so arrogant?"

Duke? Rui Po was startled and looked at him a few more times. Although the man was unkempt, his aura and arrogance were genuine. She cautiously asked, "Who are you, sir?"

"There's no harm in telling you. I am Duke Yongning, Zhao Yougong. Hey, put away your weapons, I'm getting dizzy. If you don't, I'll charge you with attacking the royal family and rebellion!"

Using the tiger's skin to scare, that was Zhao Yougong's usual tactic. This statement was quite intimidating. Rui Po's heart skipped a beat, and she turned to look at Ping Po. Ping Po was more straightforward, put away her knives, and whispered to the people behind her, "Wang Zhe, take a good look, is that really Duke Yongning?"

Wang Zhe had been in Bianliang for a long time and knew the big shots in the capital well. He peeked and, despite the man's injuries and ragged appearance, he could still recognize his face. After a moment, Wang Zhe trembled and whispered to Ping Po, "It's really Duke Yongning. Sigh... I heard Duke Yongning was kidnapped, it turns out it was the little wench!"

Ping Po's face twitched. Although she didn't know why Duke Yongning was protecting the little wench, she had to listen to the Duke. She signaled to Rui Po, and they both put away their weapons and bowed, "We didn't know the Duke was here. Please forgive our rudeness!"

"No, no, I won't blame you. Hey, let me tell you, Mu Wuxia is alone. She doesn't have the young lady you're looking for!"

"Is that true, Duke?" Rui Po looked up, doubtful. Just one sentence, and Zhao Yougong's face darkened again. He glared and shouted, "Rogue, what kind of person am I? Would I lie to you?"

"Don't... don't move, just rest, your wound might open!"

"..."

"Wan'er, you're not afraid, but I am..."

"What are you afraid of? I'm here, I'll protect you!"

Forget it, Zhao Yougong felt like a tragedy. Trying to do good but ending up doing bad, who could be more miserable than him? Standing for too long, he instinctively wanted to lean against the tree to rest, but he forgot about his injured buttocks. As soon as he touched the wound, he winced and groaned, "Ouch... my buttocks... my butt..."

"Ha ha," Mu Wanqing smiled and walked over to help him lie back on the grass mat, "Stop showing off, don't cry. At least your wound didn't open!"

"But it really hurts!"

"Then be quiet. Once we get down the mountain, it will be better. We'll find a carriage then!"

Carriage? He had never thought a carriage was a good thing, but now he was looking forward to it. Soft mattress, warm room, how nostalgic.

In the Chu Wang Palace in Bianliang, two days had passed, and there was still no news of the young Duke. Ying Su's already frail body was getting weaker. Clutching the prayer beads in her hand, she prayed countless times. She hoped the young Duke was safe; otherwise, how could she face the late Dowager?

Hearing footsteps behind her, Ying Su asked without turning, "Is there any news from Lord Zong?"

"Manager Su, no news yet. Lord Zong said he would notify us immediately if there was any news!"

Listening to Mochun's answer, Ying Su laughed bitterly, "Waiting for them? Hmph, they're a bunch of useless scoundrels. Two days have passed, and they don't even know who kidnapped him!" She stood up and quickly walked out of the courtyard.

Ying Su walked quickly, and soon a horse neighed. She led the horse toward the gate. It was already evening, and Mochun was afraid something would happen, so he asked urgently, "Manager Su, where are you going?"

"Of course, to find the young Duke!" With that, Ying Su leaped onto the horse and rode away. The setting sun cast a long shadow behind her.

This lonely and stubborn woman, gentle and delicate, yet with a heart as firm as a man's.

I must find the young Duke, whether alive or dead, I must bring him back to where he belongs.

Do you regret it? Yes, Ying Su regretted it. Why did she get angry back then? Even if the young Duke was no good and ruined the family, as long as he was alive, that was enough.

The horse's hooves faded into the distance, leaving a faint shadow. Ying Su didn't know where to go, but she knew she couldn't stay in that dilapidated palace.

Looking at the sky, it was already dark. Not knowing where to go, she could only follow her heart.

Her eyes were like water, filled with a deep sorrow. My young Duke, where are you?