Although the person in black tried to disguise their voice as a man’s, Song Tang could still tell that the one holding her hostage was a woman—and a woman with an exceptionally good figure at that.
The soldiers quickly surrounded them.
“Surrender now, you thief!” the leading soldier shouted at the woman in black.
The woman in black replied coldly, “Step back! Otherwise, I’ll kill her immediately!”
Caidie, worried for Song Tang’s safety, immediately shouted at the leading soldier, “The one being held hostage is the eldest daughter of the Earl’s mansion, Miss Song Tang! Order your men to step back at once!”
The leading soldier was taken aback but quickly gestured for the other soldiers to take a step back, though they still surrounded the group.
Song Tang caught a faint scent of blood. It seemed the woman in black was injured, and quite severely at that—she was leaning half her weight on Song Tang.
“Are you alright?” Song Tang whispered.
The woman in black didn’t answer. Her voice was slightly hoarse as she said, “Don’t speak. Follow me.”
With that, she carefully moved forward step by step, knife in hand, with Song Tang in tow. Song Tang could feel how much effort each step cost her.
The woman in black was entirely focused on the soldiers, completely unaware that someone had climbed onto the rooftop, waiting for an opportunity to capture her.
Suddenly, a flash of cold light streaked through the air. The woman in black looked up sharply to see a figure descending from above.
She hastily pushed Song Tang aside and swung her knife to meet the figure.
Seizing the chance, Song Tang dodged to the side, and the soldiers rushed forward just in time to shield her.
“Miss!” Caidie hurried to Song Tang’s side, still shaken.
Song Tang gestured that she was fine, but her gaze remained fixed on the figure now engaged in combat with the woman in black.
Only then did she see clearly that the figure was none other than Mu Changxiao.
Mu Changxiao hadn’t expected to find Song Tang here so late at night, let alone that she would be held hostage by someone in black!
In just two moves, the knife in the woman’s hand was knocked to the ground.
The soldiers quickly rushed forward and bound the woman in black.
“Thank you, Marquis, for capturing the thief,” the leading soldier said, kneeling respectfully before Mu Changxiao.
Mu Changxiao sheathed his sword and turned toward Song Tang. “Are you hurt?”
Song Tang shook her head slightly. “Thank you for saving me, Marquis Mu. I’m fine.”
Mu Changxiao nodded, his gaze shifting to the bound woman in black, his brow furrowed.
The leading soldier stepped forward again and respectfully asked Mu Changxiao, “Marquis, how should we deal with this thief?”
Mu Changxiao replied sternly, “Where did you find her?”
The leading soldier hurriedly answered, “Not far from here. We saw her sneaking around in night clothes and gave chase.”
“Take her back for questioning first. Find out where she’s from and what her purpose is. If she’s just an ordinary thief, execute her on the spot! How dare she hold a noblewoman hostage in the streets—she has no regard for her own life!” Mu Changxiao’s expression was dark, his voice icy.
The soldiers acknowledged the order and escorted the woman in black away.
“Marquis, when that person in black was holding me hostage, I noticed she was a woman and seemed to be severely injured,” Song Tang said to Mu Changxiao, watching the woman’s retreating figure.
Mu Changxiao raised an eyebrow slightly and said slowly, “Don’t go out alone at night from now on. If you must go out, bring more servants who know martial arts with you. Understand?”
“Understood,” Song Tang replied with a nod. “Why are you out alone tonight as well, Marquis?”
Mu Changxiao naturally wouldn’t tell Song Tang that he had just returned from the palace and happened to see her bidding farewell to Wang Mengqi at the teahouse. Noticing she had no servant or carriage with her and that the night was dark, he had been worried and followed her from a distance.
“I just returned from the palace and happened to run into you,” Mu Changxiao paused before continuing, “Let me escort you back first. As for tonight’s matter, I will instruct them shortly—not a word will be leaked, you can rest assured.”
“Mm.” Song Tang and Caidie walked ahead, while Mu Changxiao followed far behind, the journey passing in silence.
Finally reaching the entrance of the Song Residence, Song Tang turned back but saw no sign of Mu Changxiao.
“Young Miss, you’ve finally returned. The master and Madam are waiting for you in the main hall,” Steward Lu stood at the gate as if specifically waiting for her.
“Why are they waiting for me?” Song Tang asked knowingly, “Could they be worried about my safety?”
“The master and Madam are certainly concerned for your safety, but this afternoon, Miss Song Wei fainted from crying, so…” Steward Lu didn’t dare elaborate further, but given Song Congzhi and Madam He’s expressions, he felt he should offer a slight warning.
Song Tang nodded slightly, “Understood, I’ll go see them now.”
The atmosphere in the main hall was heavy. Song Congzhi and Madam He sat solemnly in the main seats, with Song An and Song Chao seated below them. All four wore grave expressions.
Song Tang didn’t see Song Wei present, likely still “resting” in her room.
“Tang’er, you’re back,” Madam He spoke first, her voice tinged with weariness.
Song Tang bowed respectfully to Song Congzhi and Madam He, her tone gentle, “Father, Mother, I’ve returned.”
“Why are you only returning now!” Song Congzhi’s face was livid, his anger barely contained.
Song Tang replied honestly, “I ran into the Wang family’s Mengqi this evening. She invited me to dinner, and as her elder, I couldn’t refuse, so I stayed to chat with her a while longer.”
This was indeed true—Wang Mengqi had paid for the meal that evening.
Hearing this, Song Congzhi’s expression softened slightly but remained stern, “Why did she invite you to dinner?”
He still remembered Wang Mengqi confronting Song Tang at Song Wei’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony and couldn’t help but feel suspicious.
Song Tang lowered her gaze slightly, “Perhaps Mengqi felt some guilt toward me. Tonight’s meal was her way of apologizing.”
“If you hadn’t gotten off the carriage, would you have even met the Wang family’s eldest daughter?” Song Chao, straightforward by nature, lashed out directly.
Song Tang feigned hurt, “Second Brother, what do you mean by that? Why shouldn’t I have gotten off the carriage? Even if I hadn’t, Mengqi would have sought me out.”
“You shouldn’t have gotten off the carriage! Cousin Wei was crying so helplessly. If you had stayed to comfort her even a little, she wouldn’t have fainted from crying in the carriage!” Song Chao looked at Song Tang with disgust.
Song Tang couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Her second brother had always favored Song Wei, and now he was blaming her without even hearing the full story.
“Song Tang, I’m telling you now—if anything happens to Cousin Wei, I’ll make sure you…”
“Make sure I what?” Song Tang interrupted Song Chao before he could finish, staring directly at him. “Second Brother, isn’t that too harsh? I’m your sister too. How can you side with a cousin over your own sister?”
Song Chao was left speechless by Song Tang’s retort.
“Song Tang, your second brother didn’t mean it that way. He’s just too worried about Sister Wei’er. Concern leads to confusion—you must understand your second brother.” Song An defended Song Chao.
“Concern leads to confusion?” Song Tang gave a light laugh. “Big brother, is that your second brother’s true feelings, or are they yours?”