The Cousin Is About to Marry，The Abstinent Young Lord Loses Control-Chapter 217 - 216: Victor or Vanquished

The new emperor was in the Imperial Study Room reviewing memorials, but Eunuch Fu had yet to return with a report.

His patience waned, and he decided to leave the palace to see what was going on.

He didn’t reveal himself but found a teahouse from where he could see the Ji Mansion in the distance.

Seeing Ji Mingzhu leave the mansion and take a carriage heading towards the Imperial Palace, his restless heart finally settled.

Since he rarely left the palace, he decided to stay a bit longer.

He planned to return once the time was right.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to calm down, always wanting to run to his mother’s palace.

Not to mention someone might see through his intentions, scaring Mingzhu would be unfortunate.

He tapped his fingers on the table, contemplating whether he should send a letter to Xie Yunzhen.

Even if he didn’t send one, news would eventually reach the military camp.

But there’s a difference between the two.

Mingzhu was already pregnant; this time, bringing her into the palace was truly for her safety.

In public and in private, he wouldn’t do anything out of line.

He thought it best to send a letter to Ah Zhen after all.

They shared nearly twenty years of brotherhood; in such critical times, they should stand united.

Before he could finish his cup of tea, someone reported that Ji Mingzhu had been kidnapped.

The new emperor’s expression changed dramatically; he stood up so quickly that he accidentally bumped the table.

Tea spilled over his embroidered robe.

Without bothering to wipe away the stains, he strode out of the private room.

"Which direction did they go?"

"Towards the city gates."

With that said, the tall and commanding man had already descended the stairs, his pace hurried, losing his composure.

...

At first, Ji Mingzhu thought the horse pulling the carriage had gone mad.

But when the carriage didn’t stop and the driver made no effort to change course, she realized she had been kidnapped.

Considering the political situation at the court, it wasn’t hard to guess who it was.

Thinking about how her father was secretly harmed by the Xiao Family leading to his death in battle.

And now Xiao Feiyun was still trying to kidnap her, attempting to harm her and her child, Ji Mingzhu felt deep hatred.

If the enemy were just an ordinary man, she might have tried to maneuver and seek a chance for survival.

But he wasn’t.

Like Xie Yunzhen, Xiao Feiyun was also a fierce general!

Ji Mingzhu felt chaotic inside.

She wasn’t sure how long had passed when the guards at the city gate shouted outside, demanding the carriage stop for inspection.

But the carriage didn’t stop, crashing through the barricade directly.

Pursuers followed closely, making the city gate guards aware of the seriousness of the situation.

The leader raised his bow and aimed at the driver.

The new emperor arrived just in time to witness this scene.

If arrows were released, the carriage wouldn’t reach the gate at all.

No matter how skilled Xiao Feiyun was, he couldn’t withstand being surrounded and intercepted by so many Hidden Guards.

But he had kidnapped the most important person.

No one dared to act rashly.

Ji Mingzhu was still in the carriage, and she was pregnant, a time when her body was most fragile.

If the carriage went out of control, she would get hurt!

His concern surged into his throat, wanting to stop it but it was already too late.

Arrows flew quickly towards the carriage.

Two arrows were released; one aimed at the driver, the other at the galloping horse.

Xiao Feiyun drew a short blade and thrust it forcefully into the horse’s rear, spurred by the stimulus, the horse ran even faster, seeming crazed.

Thus, both arrows hit the carriage.

Two metallic sounds rang out.

Xiao Feiyun controlled the reins and quickly glanced back.

The pursuing forces were growing stronger.

Perhaps they realized who was inside the carriage, those behind stopped releasing arrows.

Xiao Feiyun let out a cold laugh.

For a woman, they were so cautious, no wonder they couldn’t accomplish anything!

Xiao Feiyun’s confidence surged, but the relentless pursuit from the other side made him irate.

Especially when he saw someone chasing on horseback, his irritation peaked.

In a flash of inspiration, he recalled something crucial.

Last year, Minister Xu sent assassins to kill Xie Yunzhen, but he narrowly escaped.

All due to a cold pond beneath a cliff and having the skilled Divine Doctor Xi Yu by his side.

Excitement flashed in Xiao Feiyun’s eyes; he could escape from there!

Even the palace guards and soldiers guarding the city couldn’t handle him.

This Ji Mingzhu is indeed useful!

If it weren’t for carrying burdens that hinder travel, he would have tied Ji Mingzhu to the battlefield and offered her up before Xie Yunzhen!

Even if not for a sacrifice, Ji Mingzhu couldn’t be allowed to live.

Because her husband was Xie Yunzhen?

That man dared to play tricks, creating a false southern retreat to lure the Xiao Family Army into a trap, he must face the consequences!

Xiao Feiyun lashed the horse fiercely, releasing the reins, letting the horse charge forward.

Xiao Feiyun grabbed the carriage wall with one hand, bypassed gold, and pulled Ji Mingzhu out.

Time was tight; he had to abandon the carriage.

Otherwise, those behind would soon catch up.

Gold tried to reach for Ji Mingzhu’s hand, but Xiao Feiyun didn’t even hesitate, kicking her squarely in the chest.

"Those who block my way shall die!"

Xiao Feiyun emerged from a sea of corpses and blood; his mighty kick was something ordinary people couldn’t endure.

Though Gold was a slave, serving by Ji Mingzhu’s side meant she didn’t have to do the dirty work.

Her body was even more delicate than some aristocratic daughters.

A single kick left her spewing blood.

"Gold!"

Ji Mingzhu’s pupils dilated, wishing she could tear Xiao Feiyun to pieces.

"Madam..."

Gold felt dizzy, her chest hurt so much she could barely breathe, yet she still tried to reach for Ji Mingzhu’s hand.

But it was already too late.

She could only watch helplessly as the villain cut the trace rope, promptly mounting the horse.

The carriage lost control, crashing to the ground in a roll.

Xiao Feiyun sat steadily on the horse, dragging Ji Mingzhu by the arm.

Several times, the horse nearly kicked her stomach.

Seeing Ji Mingzhu’s pathetic state, a bloodthirsty gleam flashed in Xiao Feiyun’s eyes.

"If you must blame someone, blame Xie Yunzhen and those in command at the court; if they hadn’t resisted, you wouldn’t be suffering."

"Traitors and rebels, you will meet the same fate!"

Xiao Feiyun disliked hearing this.

Victory and defeat define winners and losers; how was he any traitor or rebel?

He snorted: "Then watch carefully and see if my Xiao Family meets their fate!"

Though Xiao Feiyun was an expert rider, dragging someone inevitably slowed him down.

Watching the pursuers closing half the distance, Xiao Feiyun dared not toy with Ji Mingzhu any longer.

A forceful tug pulled her up onto the horse’s back.

The inverted position nearly caused Ji Mingzhu to lose consciousness.

Her belly was pressed against the horse’s back, with every stride, she was jolted.

Normal people couldn’t endure this pain, let alone she who carried a child within.

Ji Mingzhu couldn’t control her body, not even able to use her hairpin as a weapon.

Panic surged through her mind.

Was it their fate to suffer an unfortunate end in this life?

Previously, when Xie Yunzhen encountered trouble, the not-yet enthroned new emperor investigated thoroughly to understand what lay beneath the cliff.

Seeing Xiao Feiyun abandon the carriage and rush in that direction with Ji Mingzhu, he understood his intentions.

Watching Ji Mingzhu being dragged and then forced onto the horse’s back, the new emperor’s eyes burned with fury.

The cliff was near; hesitating further would mean losing Ji Mingzhu for good.

Xiao Feiyun couldn’t be allowed to escape.

Given Mingzhu’s condition, she couldn’t withstand the consequences of falling from such a height.

The new emperor closed his eyes, suppressing his overwhelming emotions.

He ordered sternly, "Release the arrows!"