Qiao Shi pondered for only a moment before saying to Qi Momo, “Mammy, go find the coachman first and hurry back to inform my husband!”
“But Madam, what about you and the young ladies? Should… should this servant go seek help from the temple masters or fetch the Fifth Madam?” Qi Momo asked anxiously.
Qiao Shi’s eyes turned cold. “Those scheming against us have probably bribed even the monks in the temple. I don’t trust my fifth sister-in-law either – calling her might actually bring reinforcements for our enemies, making it harder for us three to escape.”
Jiang Qiaonian also urged anxiously, “Mammy, please go quickly to send word! Have Father come rescue us soon!”
Seeing how weak both looked, Qi Momo felt frantic yet had no better solution. She could only stamp her foot and declare, “This old woman will run even if it costs her life, but I’ll get the Master here as fast as possible!”
After saying this, she curtseyed and stumbled out the door.
The moment Qi Momo exited, she caught the attention of two matrons sent by the Gongzhu: “Why is that mammy staggering so unsteadily?”
The plumper matron, more impatient, said, “I’ll follow her. You go report to the Gongzhu immediately!”
The thinner matron nodded. “Alright! I’ll go find the Gongzhu first!”
The two quickly went their separate ways.
Seeing Qi Momo’s figure disappear, Qiao Shi called to the others, “Everyone guarding outside, come in!”
The servants who had just finished vomiting entered weakly, their arms and legs limp. Following Qiao Shi’s instructions, they closed the door.
Qiao Shi’s head felt heavy and dizzy. Gritting her teeth, she bit her tongue tip hard. The sharp pain and metallic taste of blood finally cleared her mind somewhat.
The creaking sound of the side gate opening already came from the courtyard. Qiao Shi quickly assigned tasks.
Some used pastry boxes to scrape plaster from the walls, gathering wall dust. Others found weapons like wooden clubs…
Though everyone felt dizzy from the drug’s effects, the intense sense of crisis drove them to complete the tasks Qiao Shi assigned.
Finally, Qiao Shi produced two pairs of scissors, handing one to Jiang Qiaonian.
Jiang Xianian was startled by this: [No way? Is Mother telling Elder Sister to commit suicide as a last resort? Don’t do it! It’s not worth it for that scumbag! My beautiful eldest sister!]
Jiang Qiaonian also looked bewildered at Qiao Shi. She didn’t think Qiao Shi meant for her to harm herself, but her mind was working slowly and she couldn’t grasp Qiao Shi’s intention immediately.
Hearing Jiang Xianian’s words, Qiao Shi felt exasperated. With the urgent situation, she could only explain quickly, “Remember what I say – when people come in later, if anyone approaches you, no matter who, grip the scissors tight and stab them! Stab hard! Understand?”
Jiang Qiaonian nodded dazedly, “Stab them!”
“Right! You’re not as strong as a man, but you must hold these scissors tightly – don’t let them be taken away. Otherwise, they might be used to harm me, or even your sister!” Qiao Shi said gravely.
Hearing “harm your sister,” Jiang Qiaonian jolted alert: “No! Can’t let them hurt Sister! I’ll hold the scissors tight!”
“Yes! Grip them tight! Then stab hard!”
Jiang Qiaonian immediately clenched the scissors in her hand, gritting her teeth. Her muddled mind held only one thought left: use the scissors to stab anyone who approaches!
After settling Jiang Qiaonian in the corner, Qiao Shi immediately heard the sound of the door being kicked open.
Qiao Shi promptly commanded, “Open the door! Throw the powder!”
The barricaded door was forced open, and several boxes of mixed powders were thrown directly at the intruders, quickly blinding their eyes.
Jiang Xianian’s small bed had also been moved to the corner, so she couldn’t see the situation at the door, but she could still watch the live feed through the System.
Seeing the powder blinding the intruders, Jiang Xianian clapped her hands excitedly: [“Good! Good! If it were quicklime, it would be even better—blind these scumbags!”]
Qiao Shi’s heart pounded like a drum, thinking to herself that her little daughter’s idea was excellent. In the future, when going out, she must carry some with her!
The intruders, having just entered, were caught off guard by the powder and, before they could see clearly inside the room, hurriedly rubbed their eyes.
Qiao Shi immediately shouted, “Use the clubs!”
The maids and elderly women behind her raised their clubs and struck, causing the intruders to shriek and howl in pain.
Unfortunately, they had all been drugged. Although they had vomited most of the food, residual effects of the drug remained, allowing them to exert only half their strength at most. While they managed to inflict pain on the intruders, they couldn’t break their skin, muscles, or bones, nor deliver serious injuries, making it difficult to stop them.
A voice yelled out, “Quick! Quick, protect me! I’m being hit! Do you know I’m the young master of Duke Anguo? How dare you lay hands on me—I’ll chop you into pieces!”
Jiang Xianian immediately recognized it as the scumbag who had designs on her eldest sister: [“When he hits others, the more they suffer, the happier he is. But when others hit him, he shrieks at the slightest touch—what a dog!”]
Qiao Shi agreed with her younger daughter’s words and took advantage of the chaos to land a few blows on those dogs with her club.
However, the room was cramped, and with everyone affected by the drug, the intruders soon broke through the blockade and entered the room.
Wang Xingyun glanced around briefly and quickly spotted Jiang Qiaonian hiding in the corner. He immediately slipped out of the protective circle formed by the two monks and sneered as he approached Jiang Qiaonian.
After wiping his face, he eagerly scrutinized Jiang Qiaonian and felt very satisfied. Just as he had heard, she was a fair-skinned, beautiful girl.
No matter how well-raised the maids were, they could never match the delicate beauty and tenderness of a pampered thousand gold, nor possess that exquisite, cherished quality of being held in the palm of one’s hand. No wonder he had always felt something was lacking.
Now, seeing Jiang Qiaonian, he instantly understood—this was the ultimate he desired!
Jiang Qiaonian’s skin, so fair it seemed almost translucent, made Wang Xingyun drool with greed. He couldn’t wait to tie her up and use his hands or a whip to leave blue and purple marks on her delicate, soft skin!
At this moment, Jiang Qiaonian’s mind was still somewhat foggy. She murmured to herself, “Hold the scissors tight! Stab him! Hold the scissors tight! Stab him!”
When she sensed a figure approaching her, she didn’t hesitate—with fierce determination, she thrust the scissors in her hand forcefully into the person’s body!
Caught off guard, Wang Xingyun was stabbed under his left rib and cried out in pain, “Ah—”
Hearing the sound, Jiang Qiaonian widened her eyes. Though her vision was blurry, she could still make out that it was a man, and his voice was completely unfamiliar!
So she gripped the scissors tightly and, without hesitation, stabbed again.
Jiang Xianian was startled by Wang Xingyun’s scream, then immediately overjoyed: [Big sister stabbed that scumbag! Big sister is amazing! Stab him to death! Keep stabbing!]
Hearing her sister’s voice, Jiang Qiaonian felt even more encouraged. Gritting her teeth, she brandished the scissors and gave Wang Xingyun two more stabs, making him shriek and howl in pain.
In an instant, the offensive and defensive positions reversed, with Jiang Qiaonian becoming the one relentlessly pursuing Wang Xingyun.
Seeing the situation turning sour, the two monks immediately moved to help Wang Xingyun. If this young master of the duke’s mansion got injured, they would face severe consequences.
The scene became even more chaotic. Not only were people confused about who was friend or foe, but even Jiang Xianian, watching through the System, felt everything was a tangled mess, completely like a pot of boiling porridge.
Finally, someone let out a piercing scream: “Ah—” startling everyone, even Jiang Xianian, who was lying safely in her small bed, trembled in fear.
Had someone died?!
When everyone quieted down and looked at the person sitting on the ground wailing in agony, they couldn’t help but gasp: Wang Xingyun’s brocade clothes were torn and tattered, stained with blood everywhere. The critical point was his lower abdomen, which seemed to have been pierced open, blood gushing out steadily.
Looking closely, it was clearly…
Not only did everyone’s expressions change, but even the two monks felt a chill in their crotches and couldn’t help but tighten their legs.
Jiang Xianian eagerly checked through the System: [Oh my god! My mother is too amazing! She actually castrated Wang Xingyun! Mother is mighty! Mother is awesome! Castration is too light a punishment for such scum!]
Hearing her daughter’s praise, Qiao Shi immediately felt vindicated and satisfied.
Jiang Qiaonian also regained some clarity. Seeing Wang Xingyun lying on the ground groaning in pain and the bloody, mangled area, she didn’t feel afraid at all. Instead, a surge of satisfaction rose in her heart!
This damned scumbag has become a eunuch! He can’t marry anymore! If he dares to plot against her or her parents, they can expose his eunuch status!
Thinking of this, Jiang Qiaonian felt she had thoroughly vented her pent-up anger.
Mother is indeed amazing! Jiang Qiaonian looked at Qiao Shi with sparkling eyes, full of admiration and affection.
Qiao Shi reached out and gently patted her back.
Jiang Qiaonian felt like crying, tears just beginning to well in her eyes, when a crowd noisily arrived outside: “The guide said Yun’er came this way…”
Everyone in the room looked outside and saw a lady at the forefront, supported by Mammy, leading a group of people approaching with imposing momentum.
With one glance, Qiao Shi knew it was Anguo Duke’s Wife.
She had just guessed that this Guogong Furen would appear soon, and indeed she arrived quite quickly.
Wang Xingyun also heard the voice and immediately became excited, stretching his trembling hands forward: “Mother! Mother! My mother is here! Mother, save me! I’m dying!”
Seeing Wang Xingyun with tears and snot streaming down his face, both Qiao Shi and Jiang Qiaonian felt extreme disgust. He had the nerve to drug people, attempt rape, even kill, but after being punished, he acted like a three-year-old child, still wanting his mother to back him up.
Mother and daughter increasingly felt this scumbag was utterly worthless.
Guogong Furen Zheng Shi, who had been smiling just moments before, suddenly paled upon hearing her own son’s agonized moans. She immediately shook off Mammy’s hand, lifted her skirts, and rushed into the room.
When she saw clearly that the bloodied figure on the floor was her youngest son, dizziness washed over her. A surge of fury shot straight to her head: “Who?! Who harmed my son?! They will pay with their lives!”