“But, Mother, if Father finds out… won’t he blame you?”
Meng Jinrong certainly wanted to ruin Meng Jinyue, but now that her mother was truly about to act, she began to worry that Father would be angry if he found out.
“Father told me he plans to send Meng Jinyue to Prince An’s residence in the future.”
“Prince An is obsessed with women; his mansion is filled with countless courtesans. With Meng Jinyue’s weak temperament and nothing but her beauty, once she enters Prince An’s residence, she’ll surely have a miserable life.”
“Mother, perhaps you don’t need to take action yourself?”
Meng Jinrong wasn’t feeling soft-hearted or having a sudden pang of conscience.
She simply thought they could wait—Meng Jinyue couldn’t escape her inevitable fate.
After all, Prince An’s residence was no less dangerous than a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair.
Madam Meng tapped her forehead, feeling both exasperated and amused.
“How did I, clever all my life, give birth to such a foolish daughter?”
“If you truly want to deal with someone, you must be swift and decisive. Never hesitate or second-guess yourself.”
“Besides, how can you be so sure your father will send her to Prince An’s residence? It could just as well be the Crown Prince’s mansion.”
Madam Meng stroked Meng Jinrong’s head. “Now that she not only threatens your marriage prospects but could also endanger your elder sister in the future, we naturally have to act.”
“As for your father, once the deed is done, what can he say then?”
Hearing this, Meng Jinrong’s concerns vanished. Puffing out her cheeks, she complained to Madam Meng, “Why didn’t you deal with her earlier, Mother? I thought you were also worried about Father?”
Madam Meng sighed, looking at her daughter with resignation. “I do care about your father, otherwise I wouldn’t have spared her life.”
“But compared to your father, I care more about you and your sister. When she posed no threat, I could turn a blind eye and simply wait for your father to use her up. But now that she’s gotten involved with Xie Yunye, I can no longer let her be.”
Meng Jinrong hugged Madam Meng’s arm. “You’re the best, Mother.”
“Miss, do you think Second Miss might have discovered General Xie was also there? Could she suspect you and General Xie are having an affair?”
Qiu Ning watched the departing carriage, still worried.
“I’m not sure, but probably not?”
Qiu Ning said, “Then these days, Qiu Zhi and I will stay by your side at all times to prevent any mishaps.”
Meng Jinyue nodded.
She knew Meng Jinrong must have found out.
If she hadn’t, Meng Jinyue would have found a way to deliver the news to her, to make sure she knew.
Based on her understanding of her stepmother and stepsisters, once they knew, they would certainly act.
She even knew exactly what methods they preferred to use.
Now, all she had to do was wait.
Meng Jinyue waited for nearly ten days, until she was about to return to the mansion, but there was still no sign of any move from the other side.
“Miss, it seems Second Miss didn’t notice General Xie was also at the temple that day.”
“If Second Miss had known, these past days wouldn’t have been so calm. All my worrying these days was for nothing.”
Qiu Ning patted her chest, clearly relieved.
Meng Jinyue nodded and took her hand. “You’ve worked hard, Qiu Ning.”
Meng Jinyue guessed that her stepmother would likely act tonight.
This timing was most suitable.
If they waited until the birthday banquet to act, although it would maximize her disgrace…
She was still a daughter of the Meng family. If something happened in a place filled with guests, it would also damage the reputations of her stepmother’s own two daughters.
This tactic of harming the enemy a thousand while damaging oneself eight hundred, the legal mother would not use.
Having her meet with misfortune at the Buddhist temple would be best.
If she failed to return to celebrate her grandmother’s birthday, others would naturally notice.
At the very least, a charge of unfilial piety could be pressed upon her.
At the same time, it would highlight the filial piety of the legal mother’s own children.
After the birthday banquet, when the legal mother brought people to search for her, it would be perfectly reasonable to discover her engaging in disgraceful acts in the pure and sacred grounds of the temple, thus adding another layer of guilt.
In her past life, Meng Jinyue had already witnessed similar schemes.
“Miss! Run!”
That night, Meng Jinyue finally encountered the legal mother’s people.
Meng Jinyue pretended to wake up groggily: “Qiu Zhi?”
Qiu Zhi was usually very composed, but at this moment, her face showed signs of panic: “Miss, you’ve been drugged!”
“There are over a dozen of them. I alone cannot hold them off. Now, I can only take you and run!”
The legal mother was indeed meticulous. She didn’t know that Meng Jinyue had Qiu Zhi, a Shadow Guard, but she still sent over a dozen people, likely to ensure nothing went wrong.
Qiu Zhi scooped Meng Jinyue into her arms and then sprinted toward the back hills of the temple.
“Miss, run! Run down the mountain! I’ll hold them off.”
Qiu Zhi was a Shadow Guard of the Xie family. If not burdened by Meng Jinyue tonight, she likely wouldn’t have been chased so frantically by these pursuers.
“But what about you?” Meng Jinyue shook her head: “Qiu Zhi, I can’t leave you alone to face them!”
“My master sent me here precisely to protect you. Even if I die, it would be a worthy death.”
After saying this, Qiu Zhi pushed Meng Jinyue forward and then turned to confront those behind them.
“Miss, run!”
“Qiu Zhi!”
Watching Qiu Zhi fearlessly shield her, Meng Jinyue had no choice but to run forward.
She deliberately ran to a cliff edge.
“Let’s see where you can run now!”
Meng Jinyue clutched her chest, pretending to look back in panic.
Two men had caught up behind her.
She knew Qiu Zhi alone couldn’t hold off so many.
“Don’t come any closer!” Her eyes were red, and her voice trembled violently.
Behind her was the cliff; ahead, the men were closing in.
Meng Jinyue feigned fear on her face, but excitement surged within her. She had never killed anyone before, but tonight, she could try.
Knowing the legal mother intended to scheme against her, how could she not have prepared in advance?
Just as Meng Jinyue was about to use the poison she had prepared beforehand, the sound of hoofbeats suddenly echoed from nearby.
“Xie Yunye!”
The two men reacted quickly.
Seeing the many people behind Xie Yunye and realizing they were at a disadvantage, one of them swiftly grabbed Meng Jinyue and pressed a knife to her neck.
Meng Jinyue quietly withdrew the knockout drug and poison from her sleeve.
“Don’t come any closer. If you do, I’ll kill her.”
The situation instantly turned into a standoff.
Xie Yunye’s expression was extremely grim as he glared darkly at the two men.
“What do you want?” Xie Yunye was no stranger to being threatened, but this was the first time he felt such rage.
When the knife pressed against Meng Jinyue’s slender neck, he admitted his heart felt as if it had been violently seized, tense to the extreme.
This was unlike any previous threat he had faced. He couldn’t remain calm and composed,
because he cared about Meng Jinyue, cared about her life, and the other side had truly grasped his weakness.
“Do you want to live or die? You should know who I am. Ending your lives would be as easy as turning over my hand. If anything happens to her, I’ll tear you to pieces!”
Xie Yunye’s voice was extremely dark, but then he abruptly changed his tone: “However, as long as you release her, I can guarantee to spare your lives.”
Of course, they desperately wanted to live, but they were also Madam Meng’s trusted confidants.
They had been by the Madam’s side ever since their days at the Duke of Chen’s residence.
Today’s mission was to ruin her. Even if she died, they could still give an account to the Madam.
The two exchanged a glance, hesitation flickering in their hearts, but the desire to kill Meng Jinyue gained the upper hand. How could Xie Yunye not notice this?
He realized there was no more time to delay. His arrow shot directly toward the heart of the man holding Meng Jinyue.
As Xie Yunye’s trusted aide, Xie Quan naturally shared perfect tacit understanding with him. When Xie Yunye made his sudden move, Xie Quan’s arrow also flew toward the other man.
“You!” Xie Yunye’s archery was excellent. The man’s pupils contracted, his expression filled with agony.
Yet even at such a moment, even when he could barely stand steady, this man’s mind was still set on killing Meng Jinyue.
In his final moments, this man embraced Meng Jinyue and leaped off the cliff behind them.
“Stop! Don’t!”
At the moment Meng Jinyue fell over the cliff, Xie Yunye tried to grab her hand but was just a step too late.
He watched helplessly as she plummeted down.
Xie Yunye’s heart seemed to stop beating, his mind a complete blank.
Instinctively, he jumped after her.
In that moment, he didn’t think about life or death. He just wanted to catch her.
“Master!”
When Xie Yunye opened his eyes again, he was inside a cave.
“You’re awake!” A woman’s voice was filled with excitement.
Xie Yunye finally realized this was after they had fallen off the cliff together.
He pulled Meng Jinyue into a tight embrace, holding her close.
“We’re both alive?”
“Mhm, we were very lucky. We fell into a lake, so we’re both fine. Don’t be afraid.”
Her voice was soft and gentle. She didn’t push him away, instead gently patting Xie Yunye’s back.
Xie Yunye was taken aback for a moment. “Are you comforting a child?”
“Or perhaps you actually want to comfort me?”
Meng Jinyue’s fair, pinkish cheeks instantly flushed crimson. “I’m not. I thought you were very scared and just wanted to console you.”
Xie Yunye’s dark eyes fixed intently on her as he spoke with utmost seriousness, “I was indeed very scared—when you were in danger today.”
Xie Yunye cupped her face and said earnestly, “I like you. Let me marry you and take responsibility for you, alright?”
After today’s events, Xie Yunye had already come to understand his own feelings.
He didn’t want to lose her.
“But…”
“But what?”
“But… marrying me won’t be of any help to you. I’m just an unfavored concubine-born daughter of the Meng family. If you marry me, you’ll surely regret it in the future. And…”
Xie Yunye listened silently.
“And my second sister likes you.”
Xie Yunye felt disappointed, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over his head, chilling his fervent heart somewhat.
His expression turned grim, his dark eyes fixed on her like a hawk’s: “Because she likes me, you want to push me away? You’re so kind even to someone who tried to harm you. Why won’t you be a little kinder to me?”
Meng Jinyue weakly shook her head. “No, no, of course I guessed it was Second Sister who tried to harm me. After what she did to me, I naturally won’t forgive her or consider her feelings. I’m not that foolish.”
“I… I was worried about you. Second Sister likes you so much, I was afraid her love might turn to hatred, afraid she might also harm you. I didn’t want you to end up like me.”
Xie Yunye froze, realizing he had misunderstood her. His heart felt both sour and astringent, yet at the same time, he was immensely overjoyed.
He eagerly pressed on:
“You were worried about me? You care about me too?”
Meng Jinyue lowered her head, her eyes downcast as she remained silent, but the tips of her ears grew increasingly red.
“When did you start liking me?”
Xie Yunye urged, his dark eyes now gleaming.
Meng Jinyue, too shy to speak, kept quiet. Xie Yunye pinched her delicate, pinkish-white chin: “Speak.”
“If you don’t speak, I’ll kiss you!”
Meng Jinyue: “…”
Though inwardly complaining, she pretended on the surface, stammering out: “Just… just today.”
“After… after you jumped off the cliff to save me.”
“No one has ever been so good to me, even willing to risk their life for me…”
Her ears grew even redder, and her voice trailed off softer and softer.
Hearing her admit she liked him, Xie Yunye felt as though his heart had finally found fulfillment.
“It’s late tonight. My guards should arrive tomorrow.”
Xie Yunye spoke up first, his steps shifting toward her.
“Yao Yao?”
She hugged her knees tightly, her long, ink-black hair cascading down to her waist, also covering her face.
Xie Yunye lifted her chin with his large hand, sensing something was wrong.
Her face was flushed with an unnatural heat, her cherry lips already bitten until they bled crimson. The warmth radiating from her body was alarmingly hot.
“Xie Yunye, I… I think I’ve been drugged! What do I do?”
Her voice trembled with tears as she bit her lips tightly, struggling to utter these words.
Xie Yunye realized what was happening.
“I feel so terrible! Save me!”
Meng Jinyue’s eyes were hazy and unfocused, her damp gaze pleading pitifully at him.
Xie Yunye’s mind went blank.