"Changqing is Father's own flesh and blood!" Yaoniang nearly staggered upon hearing this, roaring in defense, "You can despise me and punish me all you want, but you cannot slander Changqing. He is the root of the Yan Family!"
Yan Changfeng responded with a cold sneer, "So you still care about Changqing? When you committed those deeds, did you ever think about saving face for Changqing? When you conspired with others to harm my father, did you ever consider that Changqing is his own flesh and blood?"
"Just kill me!" Yaoniang gritted her teeth, wearing an expression of fearless resolve.
"Why would I kill you?" Yan Changfeng refused to fall into her trap. "Killing you would only grant you mercy. I must let my father and Changqing see your true nature. How else could I do justice to all your scheming?"
Yaoniang stared fiercely at Yan Changfeng, as if wishing she could bite her to death.
"Nanny Feng," Yan Changfeng ignored her and ordered, "Lock Yaoniang in the Punishment Hall. Do not deprive her of food or drink. Let her reflect carefully on how she will help her Changqing establish himself in the Yan Family from now on… if he even manages to return alive."
Yaoniang's heart sank. Even though she knew the Second Miss's earlier words were false, she couldn't help but feel anxious. What if Zhang Mingshun truly betrayed his promise and sought to eliminate Changqing entirely…
"Second Miss!" Yaoniang steeled herself and revealed her final bargaining chip. "Zhang Mingshun wants the mines in Fengyang Prefecture. He has arranged an accident there. If we hurry, there might still be time to save them."
Yan Changfeng glanced at her. At least this woman still cared about Changqing and hadn't chosen to walk the path of no return.
"I understand." Yan Changfeng gave her a meaningful look.
Yaoniang's final confession served as a bargaining chip—she hoped the Second Miss would not implicate Changqing because of this. Yaoniang also understood that the Second Miss's response was a form of assurance. From then on, she said nothing more and allowed herself to be taken away.
Once she was gone, Lady Yao, who had been utterly confused by the conversation, could no longer hold back. "Xueyi, what… what exactly is going on? What happened to your father?"
Though Yan Changfeng had put on a facade of being in complete control in front of Yaoniang, she was actually uneasy inside. With no news of Father yet, she remained anxious.
But in front of her mother, she still had to pretend everything was fine. "Mother, don't panic yet. Let me explain."
She recounted everything Eldest Sister had told her about the family's affairs. Lady Yao listened, her vision darkening as she nearly fainted. "Then your father, he…"
"It's alright, Mother. I've already sent Old Wu to rescue him and asked nearby friends from the martial world for help." Yan Changfeng comforted her mother, and in doing so, comforted herself.
Since Heaven had allowed Eldest Sister to foresee these events, surely it wouldn't be so cruel. Father would surely be safe.
"Amitabha, may Buddha protect us…"
Lady Yao could only seek solace in Buddha. She immediately clasped her hands together and began reciting scriptures devoutly.
Perhaps her sincerity moved Buddha, for that very evening, news finally arrived.
It wasn't a written letter but a verbal message.
The messenger was one of Old Wu's subordinates. He must have ridden at breakneck speed, risking his life to return. When he dismounted, his legs were too unsteady to stand, and he had to be supported as he came before the Mistress of the Household.
"Madam, Second Miss, it's good news! The master is safe and sound!"
These few words were like sunlight breaking through the clouds, instantly lifting the heavy stones that had weighed on Yan Changfeng and Lady Yao's hearts.
"Amitabha!" Lady Yao relaxed so suddenly that she nearly lost her balance.
"Quickly bring a chair for him!" Yan Changfeng approved of this young man's way with words, knowing to get straight to the point first. "No need to rush, have a sip of tea, catch your breath, and take your time."
The young guard, after all, was in good health. After drinking a bowl of tea, he quickly regained his composure and said rapidly, "It's like this: Chief Wu led us, traveling day and night, exhausting several fine horses, and we finally reached Qingzhou Fu within two days. But first, we encountered a brother who was traveling with the master. He said the master had received word about the bandits beforehand and went to suppress them."
Upon hearing this, Lady Yao felt her vision darken once more, completely unable to understand her husband's eagerness to rush to his death.
Yan Changfeng, however, was delighted, thinking to herself, "That's Father for you—chivalrous and righteous, hating evil as if it were a personal enemy."
She could roughly guess that the letters she had sent must have played a role. Among the nearby secret outposts, Zhang Mingshun only controlled two. The remaining ones, once they received her notification, would contact Father in the shortest possible time.
Father had always been one to make friends far and wide, even having life-and-death companions among the bandit circles. Yet he also despised betrayal the most. Those bandits, having received benefits from Zhang Mingshun, disregarded past friendships. If Father hadn't known, it would have been one thing, but once he found out, he would absolutely not let it slide.
"When we followed the marks the master left along the way and found them, the bandits had already been completely wiped out. The master was afraid that sending a message might not be safe, so he sent me back first to report to Madam and the young ladies that they are safe. They might be delayed for a few more days and asked Madam and the young ladies not to worry."
"Alright, Mother and I understand. You've had a long and tiring journey—go to the accounts office to collect your reward and rest well for a few days," Yan Changfeng said with a smile.
"Thank you, Second Miss, and Madam for the reward!"
With confirmation that Father was safe, Yan Changfeng's heart finally settled. Next, she needed to resolve Eldest Sister's marriage.
She discussed with Lady Yao, "Mother, Father's incident and Yaoniang's treachery were both things Eldest Sister dreamed of. Now that they have come true, her marriage is likely problematic as well. Shouldn't we consider canceling this engagement?"
Lady Yao no longer dared to hold onto any wishful thinking. "We can't let her take such a risk. But then again, the dream isn't a reason we can share openly. How do we refuse the marriage?"
Yan Changfeng already had an idea. "We can't tell others about the dream, but we can't hide it from Maternal Grandmother. After all, this is the truth, and there's no way around it. Once she knows, she won't sit idly by."
Lady Yao thought about it and agreed—it would be more appropriate for her mother to handle this matter.
A letter filled with the truth flew to Beidu once again, but this time, there was no quick reply. Presumably, the matter was complicated, and the Grand Princess also needed some time to deal with it.
Five days later, Yan Chuanxing and his party finally entered Yangzhou Fu. When they were still fifty li from home, he sent a young servant ahead to report their safety.
"Madam, Second Miss, the master asked me to come back and say that there are distinguished guests accompanying him on this trip, so the household should prepare in advance."
"Distinguished guests?" Lady Yao was surprised.
"It's like this, Madam," the servant explained. "The master and a few martial artists went into the mountains to suppress the bandits and happened to encounter government officials who were also there for the same purpose. So, it was accomplished without much effort. Later, we learned that it was Prince of Shu and the Second Young Master of Duke Song's Mansion who had discovered the bandits' traces beforehand, which led to this chance encounter. The two distinguished guests, upon hearing that these bandits were targeting the master, voluntarily escorted him along the way. Thanks to their escort, we encountered several martial arts assassins along the journey, each time perilously close. If not for their help, many of our brothers might have been lost."
There were actually such details. Yan Changfeng felt both relief and alarm. She knew Zhang Mingshun might have taken precautions, but she never expected it to be so perilous.
"Oh, Buddha bless us, we truly encountered a noble benefactor!" Lady Yao chanted another round of Amitabha.
After finishing her prayers, she immediately instructed the household to prepare. A prince's visit was no small matter.
"Xueyi, can the crabs be delivered today? Our home currently lacks any presentable delicacies, and I fear we might slight our distinguished guests."
"Mother, don't worry." Although Yan Changfeng was also caught off guard, she remained steadier than Lady Yao. "I'll go urge them to hurry, and have them send a few perch as well—that should be enough. After all, food is a minor matter. They didn't escort Father back for the sake of a few bites from our home. As long as our sincerity is conveyed, it will suffice."
Even so, she personally went to the river to catch several eels and sent someone to the mountains to dig a basket of tender bamboo shoots. Ingredients easily obtained in the south were considered delicacies to the nobles of Beidu.
After handing the eels to a young servant, she mounted her horse and rode out of the city to greet the returning party. Having nearly faced a permanent separation, she was eager to see her father and the others.
After riding at a gallop for about a quarter of an hour, she encountered the returning procession. From afar, she let out a clear, long whistle.
The crisp, lingering whistle echoed across the fields.
"It's Second Miss!"
Old Wu was the first to hear it and turned back joyfully to inform Yan Chuanxing. "Second Miss has come to welcome us!"
Yan Chuanxing laughed upon hearing this. "I heard her. That girl is getting wilder, daring to ride out of the city alone."
His laughter spread, and soon everyone joined in.
This journey had been arduous. Ever since the ambush in Qingzhou Prefecture, everyone had been on edge, not daring to relax even as they approached home. Now, seeing Second Miss felt like reaching the end of a pilgrimage to the Western Heaven—they could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"What are they all laughing about?"
At this moment, inside the carriage following the Yan family's procession, Sheng Mingyu, the Prince of Shu, lifted the curtain and curiously peered toward the Yan family's group ahead.
Just then, he caught sight of a young woman in red riding toward them on horseback. He had never seen such a spirited lady before and couldn't help but marvel, "Are all the young ladies in Jiangnan this wild?"
"Who did you see?" Another male voice came from inside the carriage. Immediately after, the curtain on the other side was lifted by a slender, well-defined finger, and a young gentleman with ink-black hair and jade-like features leaned out. "Is it some martial arts wom—cough, cough!"
"What's wrong, Jiqing?" Sheng Mingyu looked at Pei Er in surprise. "Is your old ailment acting up again? Did you bring your medicine?"
Pei Xiu covered his mouth with a fist and cleared his throat. "It's nothing. My neck suddenly felt a bit chilly."
Sheng Mingyu's gaze shifted to Pei Xiu's neck in confusion. It was clearly wrapped up tightly—how could he possibly catch a chill?
Fearing that this delicate and frail companion might fall ill on the journey, Sheng Mingyu immediately reacted as if facing a great threat, pulling out a heavy cloak from the carriage's storage chest. "Quick, put this on. I can't stand listening to your attendant's nagging."
Pei Xiu wasn't actually cold, but after a moment's thought, he accepted the cloak and draped it over himself. Once properly bundled up, he leaned out again to look outside.
The young woman on horseback had already reached the front of the procession. Dressed in a red riding outfit, she rode into the light, her brows and eyes lively and spirited, standing out brilliantly and dazzlingly among the crowd.
She should be about fifteen or sixteen now, still a bright and lively young girl. The light in her eyes had not yet been clouded by hatred. How wonderful.