Chapter 188: Severed Hand - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

Chapter 188: Severed Hand

There are many wise women and beautiful ladies from noble families, but Feng Jinyao’s dual nature—sometimes a graceful noblewoman and other times a fierce and capable figure—left Xiao Tingyi somewhat perplexed about which side of her was her true self.

The whip mark on the gate of the Prince Kang’s mansion seemed to have struck at his own cold heart. He felt a cracking sensation within, as though something was about to burst forth.

Perhaps, as the old minister said, she was indeed special to him.

With this thought, a smile unconsciously curved his lips. Fortunately, he was alone in the carriage; otherwise, someone might have noticed his unusual demeanor.

Outside the carriage, Yang Zhao signaled his hidden scouts, who soon disappeared from the gate of the Prince Kang’s mansion.

Nightfall was approaching.

At the Bai family residence, chaos reigned. When Madam Bai arrived, she found that Princess Wen Yi had fainted three times from crying, and Bai Silang was even pinching people’s acupoints so hard that they were turning purple.

“Fourth Sister-in-law, don’t panic. Ah Yao and the others have gone after them. They’ll definitely catch up.”

After receiving a message from the carriage driver, she rushed to the Yingtian Prefecture. Given her special status, the Prefect of Yingtian didn’t dare to be negligent, especially since the kidnapped person was the beloved granddaughter of the Minister. Naturally, they sent more personnel to capture the criminals.

Her purpose in returning was to inform the Bai family of the situation.

Madam Bai, who had been silent, frowned even more tightly. “Such a large commotion—when Siruo is found, won’t the entire city know she was kidnapped? Her reputation…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but everyone present understood. Even Bai Xiang, lying on the bed, looked clear-eyed.

“Ah Yao did the right thing. If not, the rumor tomorrow would be that my granddaughter eloped with someone. At that point, no matter what we do, we couldn’t stop the gossip. If Siruo truly elopes, she won’t have any future.”

Bai Xiang’s words shocked everyone. Although the customs of the Great Jin Dynasty were not extremely conservative, the standards for noble women were still high. If Bai Siruo were labeled as an eloper, she would never be able to redeem herself.

The Bai family, the Prince Kang’s mansion, and even the Feng family would all suffer a loss of reputation.

Such a precise plan would indeed take them all down. Fortunately, Ah Yao discovered the plot; otherwise, by the time they realized Bai Siruo was missing in the middle of the night, it would be too late to act.

Now, they could only wait at home and place their hopes on Ah Yao.

Though it was nearly February and not as cold as midwinter, Feng Jinyao wore only a pleated skirt that was a bit thicker than a thin dress. The long cloak she had discarded because it would slow the horse down.

The wind was not a big deal for Su Cheng and Xiao Mu Qian, but for Feng Jinyao, who was used to the comforts of a noble home, it was bitterly cold.

“Ah Yao, are you alright?”

Su Cheng asked worriedly while riding.

“I’m fine. We need to find my cousin first!”

Her resolute gaze even made Su Cheng admire her. She truly was a daughter of the Feng family, capable of enduring hardships like her elder brothers.

He fell silent and slowed down a bit to follow behind and protect her.

Ahead, Xiao Mu Qian, gripping the reins tightly, was so furious that the sound of cracking could be heard. If Lu Yuanfeng were in front of him, he would probably have already crushed him.

He kept praying for Bai Siruo’s safety.

Horses’ hooves quickly left marks on the ground. In a rural house on the outskirts of the western suburbs, Lu Yuanfeng had restrained Bai Siruo, tying her hands and feet and gagging her with a cloth. She was thrown into a side room.

Bai Siruo was still unconscious on the bed, while Lu Yuanfeng warmed himself with wine by the flickering candlelight.

After driving for almost two hours, his body had been numbed by the cold.

Yet, seeing the unconscious beauty made his heart burn with excitement.

“Bai Siruo, don’t blame me. After all, you were born into the Bai family and are so easy to deceive. You obstructed someone’s path, so you’re destined to be at my mercy. When the news of your elopement spreads through the city, the Prince Kang’s mansion will surely be devastated. Hmph, let him enjoy the limelight while I make him taste the bitterness of cuckoldry!”

He finished his drink and looked at her with a greedy and lecherous gaze.

He stepped towards the bed, his fingers touching her smooth face, feeling like electricity. Indeed, as a noblewoman, she was different from the women in brothels.

As he reached to undo her clothes, a cold gleam suddenly flashed, and before he could react, his entire hand was severed, blood splattering onto Bai Siruo.

Lu Yuanfeng cried out in pain, and when he looked up to see who had attacked him, he was shocked to see Xiao Mu Qian.

Xiao Mu Qian’s face was cold and fierce as he glared at Lu Yuanfeng, his voice icy and menacing. “If you dare touch her again, I’ll take your life!”

Having emerged from the battlefield, Xiao Mu Qian’s ferocity was beyond what someone like Lu Yuanfeng, who dabbled in the pleasure quarters, could endure.

“You... you’re not afraid...” Lu Yuanfeng almost blurted out the words “Wei Guogong.” but his last shred of rationality told him that mentioning those words might cost him his life.

He could only clutch his severed hand and howl in agony.

Xiao Mu Qian quickly moved to the bedside, lifting the still unconscious Bai Siruo with great care and heartache.

Before this moment, he had only seen Bai Siruo as a noblewoman who was different from others, straightforward and clear in her affections, and a suitable candidate as a wife.

But after discovering she was kidnapped, as he raced here, all he hoped for was that she would be safe. Even if she were unfortunately violated, she would still be someone he cherished.

In this life, he wanted no one else, and no one else could have her.

He whispered to her ear, “I’m so glad you’re alright.”

When Su Cheng and Feng Jinyao arrived, they saw this scene. Feng Jinyao, seeing Bai Siruo in Xiao Mu Qian’s arms, finally relaxed. She approached and shook Bai Siruo.

“Cousin, cousin!”

Seeing that Bai Siruo didn’t respond, it was clear she had been drugged. Feng Jinyao turned her cold gaze to Lu Yuanfeng.

“Where’s the antidote?”

Lu Yuanfeng, gritting his teeth in pain, couldn’t focus on anything else. Su Cheng kicked him squarely in the chest, nearly knocking the wind out of him.

“Speak!”