Chapter Seventeen: The Disappearance of Lian Yue (2)
Update time: 2013-05-18
Yue Lianyu hadn't even finished listening to Qingfeng's reply before she could think of nothing else; together with Lan Shui, whose face was full of regret, she hurried to the Council Hall. Lianyu forced herself to pull back from stepping over the threshold, and with the help of Xiangju and Lan Shui, tidied her dress and straightened the hairpins that had become disheveled from her hurried pace. Only then did she grasp Lan Shui’s hand, feigning calm as she walked inside.
Yue Lianyu swept her gaze across the room, exchanged greetings with Qiao Zhi and Yuwen Lingxi, and then seated herself upon the purple sandalwood chair carved with twin cranes at the head of the hall. She took the tea offered by Xiangju and sipped it lightly before speaking, “Let’s hear how this all happened.”
Yue Lingjun, seeing his eldest sister so composed, managed to quell his own agitation. “Let Uncle Tian explain.”
“Miss, this is how it went: just before noon today, young Miss arrived at Meilan Garden accompanied by the Sixth Prince, Yuwen Young Master, and four servants, making six in total. The gatekeeper, Little Tiger, let them in. Upon entering, young Miss asked Little Tiger to take the lead and went straight into the plum grove, instructing me to find someone to entertain the two gentlemen. Since I had nothing else to do, I personally led them into the garden, taking care not to stray far from young Miss. Then, a masked man dressed in black emerged from the plum grove, spoke a few words with the two gentlemen, and left. I assumed he was simply someone who had climbed over the wall to admire the blossoms, so I did not pay much heed at first, but his way of walking suggested he was quite familiar with the formation,” at this point Uncle Tian paused and offered a slight bow toward Qiao Zhi, “Sixth Prince, am I correct?”
Qiao Zhi set down the bone fan in his hand and nodded affirmatively, “That masked man definitely understands the Yue family's Plum Blossom Triple Array.”
Yue Lingjun was about to ask something when Yue Lianyu interrupted him, “Your third brother says you have loved studying formations since childhood, so I’m sure you wouldn’t mistake it. Uncle Tian, please continue.”
“Yes, Miss,” Uncle Tian cleared his throat and went on, “Then Yuwen Young Master remarked that it seemed unusually quiet where young Miss was, perhaps something had happened. So I took the two gentlemen over, only to find Ziling and Little Tiger immobilized by acupuncture points, and young Miss was nowhere to be seen. I released Ziling’s acupoints, and Yuwen Young Master did the same for Little Tiger. They pointed out the direction, so I went after them alone. I checked the cottage along the way—it showed signs of recent occupancy. I searched around the garden, and found that more plum blossoms had fallen near the western wall; it was from there that someone left the garden. After that, I returned and came here with everyone. For the specifics of how young Miss was abducted, you’ll need to ask Ziling and Little Tiger.”
Lianyu nodded slightly, “Ziling, you tell us.”
Hearing her name called by the eldest Miss, Ziling quietly exhaled, then moved to Lianyu’s left to answer, “Little Tiger, young Miss, and I were picking plum blossoms when suddenly a gust of wind swept by our ears. I was immobilized by acupuncture, and Little Tiger, realizing the danger, grabbed young Miss and ran into the plum grove ahead. They hadn’t taken more than a few steps before a black-clad figure caught up, immobilized them as well. The masked man stared at young Miss for a long moment, then pressed her sleep acupoint, turned to me, and instructed me to deliver a message: three days from now, collect her at the foot of Phoenix Ridge. Then he carried young Miss away into the plum grove. Not long after, Uncle Tian arrived. That’s all, eldest Miss.”
Ziling glanced quietly at her eldest Miss, noting that her expression had not changed much. She recalled the fate of previous maids around Lianyu who had shown even slight negligence, and her heart, which had just settled, now hung suspended; her legs trembled slightly.
Lan Shui discreetly tugged Ziling’s sleeve, urging her to stand by her side.
Lianyu finally set down her teacup and said, “Since they said to collect her in three days, it seems Yue’er’s life is not in immediate danger. Send word: do not let Grandmother know about this. As for Phoenix Ridge, our three main families must make a trip. I expect the Zhou family will soon arrive as well. Lingjun, send word to the Zhou family—three days from now, we go to Phoenix Ridge together.” Then she turned to Yuwen Lingxi, “As for the Yuwen family, the Young Master will be responsible.”
“Your Highness is too kind. Regardless, the Yuwen family will go to Phoenix Ridge,” Yuwen Lingxi replied solemnly.
“If you wish to attend the evening banquet, I’ll have someone show you to the guest rooms to rest,” Lianyu said.
Qiao Zhi, who had been silent, stood and answered, “Sister-in-law, no need for the trouble. Yuwen and I will refrain from intruding further—we must prepare for the trip to Phoenix Ridge in three days.”
“Lingjun, see the two gentlemen out for me.”
“Yes, eldest sister.” Yue Lingjun bowed to Qiao Zhi and Yuwen Lingxi, “This way, please.”
“Sister-in-law, farewell!”
“Farewell!”
After the three departed, Lianyu dismissed all but Lan Shui, then collapsed into her chair, exhausted. “Lan Shui, do you think this masked man is connected to our acquaintance?”
Lan Shui was not surprised by Lianyu’s question; she had expected it from the moment Lianyu kept her alone. “Most likely, yes.”
Lianyu saw that Lan Shui did not wish to elaborate, so she asked no more. The two women fell into silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
That evening at the Yue residence, the Southpeace Princess and the Young Master left the banquet early. The guests sensed something was about to happen and quickly took their leave, eager to report the news to their own families and organizations. Thus, what should have been a grand banquet ended abruptly and without ceremony.