Chapter 28: The Warlord Has Yet to Return

Linglong stammered, “You… why aren’t you dead?!”

Uncle Zeng followed behind Qianxue, and upon hearing those words, grew angry.

He immediately scolded, “Second Miss! How can you speak like that? The eldest young lady is your sister! If the master were to hear this, he’d be furious!”

Even as the old steward, he himself was already fuming; how much more would Yue Yongcheng be?

Linglong’s face paled at Uncle Zeng’s rebuke, realizing she’d misspoken.

She hurriedly shook her head gently, “No, that’s not what I meant.”

Qianxue smiled as she entered, “Then what did you mean? Hmm? Aunt Xu, you should explain yourself as well.”

With that, Qianxue sat down, leisurely, though her gaze made it clear she cared little for those present.

Lady Xu, though startled and apprehensive, had suppressed Qianxue for so many years. In the past three months, Qianxue seemed reborn, now daring to resist!

Clenching her fists, Lady Xu said coldly, “Xue’er, I am at least half a mother to you. Speaking to me in this tone is nothing short of disrespect!”

Qianxue laughed lightly, “Half a mother? I’m sorry, Aunt Xu, I have only one mother. There’s no such thing as half a mother. You’re not my father’s lawful wife; you’re merely a concubine, and an unrecognized one at that.”

Lady Xu’s face went white. She had long dreamed that Yue Yongcheng would elevate her to the status of main wife, but his heart remained with that wretched woman, and he had no such intention.

Now, being mocked by Qianxue, Lady Xu nearly lost her mind.

“What do you mean unrecognized? You little wretch! Just like your mother, always stealing from others! If your mother hadn’t interfered back then, I would have become the main wife!”

Anger rising, Lady Xu surged forward, intent on striking Qianxue.

Linglong, unable to contain herself, hadn’t expected Lady Xu’s sudden fury.

Uncle Zeng, seeing the situation, immediately instructed the servants, “Quick! Restrain Lady Xu! Don’t let her harm the eldest young lady!”

Lady Xu, before she could reach Qianxue, was already seized by the house staff.

Yet her eyes burned with fury, glaring fiercely at Qianxue.

Qianxue’s likeness to that woman was uncanny—always using beauty to ensnare hearts. Now Qianxue had stolen the Fourth Prince from her daughter as well!

Qianxue glanced coldly at Lady Xu and waved her hand, “Throw her out of my courtyard! And remove anything in my quarters that doesn’t belong—put it back where it came from!”

Though she wished to settle accounts with Lady Xu, it was pointless to quarrel with such a woman.

Better to wait until Yue Yongcheng returned; after all, he was the master of the General’s residence.

Lady Xu was dragged out by the servants, still shouting, “What are you doing?! Let me go! I am the mistress of this household!”

No one paid her any heed. Now that Qianxue had survived, Lady Xu’s position as mistress was on shaky ground.

Linglong, uncertain what to do, timidly glanced at Qianxue and stepped back, eager to leave.

Qianxue hadn’t paid her much attention until now, but caught sight of her slight figure.

Linglong’s heart trembled; Qianxue’s gaze was like a venomous snake, terrifying and impossible to meet.

“Sister, I’m sorry! You and Prince Zhan had been missing for days. I thought you were both dead. I’m sorry, Sister!” Linglong quickly admitted fault, afraid Qianxue would seek retribution.

Qianxue paused, asking, “Prince Zhan hasn’t returned yet?”

Uncle Zeng answered, “No, young lady. The Prince’s household is still sending men to search. Only you have come back.”

Qianxue frowned.

Strange—Zhan Lianjing had left on his own that night. By rights, he should have returned.

But then again, Zhan Lianjing’s actions were always shrouded in mystery. Perhaps he had already contacted his people, remaining unseen to investigate who was targeting him.

She rose, intending to return to her chamber, and said, “Don’t concern yourselves with the Prince’s affairs. By the way, where’s Peach Blossom? Still not back from Night City?”

Uncle Zeng hesitated, then replied, “Young lady, Lady Xu locked Peach Blossom in the woodshed for two days, forbidding us from bringing her food or water.”

Qianxue’s steps halted. She turned her head slightly, her gaze chilling.

“She’s grown tired of life, daring to imprison my servant?” Qianxue’s voice was icy, as though echoing from the depths of hell, sending shivers through those present.

Clearly, Qianxue was furious, though she concealed it well, turning her anger into coldness.

Linglong’s legs felt weak. She had advised Lady Xu not to target Peach Blossom, but to no avail. Even cursing Qianxue’s death paled compared to harming those close to her.

Qianxue hurried to the woodshed, Uncle Zeng following.

She kicked open the door, spotting Peach Blossom curled up in the corner.

After two days without water, Peach Blossom was barely alive. Hearing the noise, she lacked even the strength to open her eyes and see who had entered.

Seeing her pale face, Qianxue rushed over. Uncle Zeng had someone bring water, and Qianxue quickly moistened Peach Blossom’s lips.

Feeling the water, Peach Blossom instinctively opened her mouth, murmuring, “Water… water…”

Qianxue, both angry and anxious, fed Peach Blossom water slowly, in intervals, lest she be overwhelmed.

She checked Peach Blossom’s pulse—weak, but nothing serious. Carrying her back, she fed her medicine, and her condition stabilized.

No longer thirsty, Peach Blossom’s mind cleared, yet in her sleep she kept calling, “Miss… Miss…”

Qianxue listened by her side, sighing. She had been angry with Peach Blossom, but now all was forgiven.

Just then, a guard announced from outside, “Young lady, the Prince’s household has sent visitors.”

Qianxue replied, “Let them in.”

This group of guards was sent by Yin Susu. Now that Yin Susu’s Gold Pavilion and Drunken Painting House had been sealed, Qianxue considered when to return these guards to her, for ease of action.

In truth, these guards ultimately belonged to Yin Susu, not to Qianxue. Even when Peach Blossom was in trouble, they hadn’t intervened.

As she pondered, two people entered—Hao Yue and Chasing Star. Seeing Qianxue, they grew agitated.

Hao Yue’s appearance was much haggard; evidently, she had exhausted herself searching for Zhan Lianjing.

She asked, “Miss Yue, did you return with our prince?”

Qianxue replied, “We were together at first, but later separated. I returned with the Yan family caravan, alone. You surely have heard as much.”

Hao Yue frowned—they had indeed made inquiries.

But Qianxue and Zhan Lianjing had clearly fallen off the cliff together. They searched the bottom, finding no trace, fearing the worst. Now that Qianxue had returned, hope was renewed, but she was alone, and her answers were ambiguous.

“Miss Yue, how did you become separated from the prince?”

Could it be that Qianxue found the prince troublesome and left on her own?

But Qianxue merely smiled, “If your prince is alive, ask him yourself. I can only tell you we parted ways at Monkey Head Village. I don’t know whether he’s alive or dead.”

Since Hao Yue and Chasing Star had come, it proved Zhan Lianjing wasn’t plotting anything. So why hadn’t he returned? Could he be in danger?

But aside from his crippled legs, Zhan Lianjing was otherwise unharmed and highly skilled; it was impossible for someone to kill him.

Unless… that night, Master Yuan found him?

Master Yuan’s target was Zhan Lianjing. If that cripple were surrounded, no amount of martial skill would suffice.

At this thought, Qianxue’s heart grew chaotic.

Hao Yue and Chasing Star, having obtained useful information, planned to search immediately, but Qianxue stood up, saying, “Wait, I’ll go with you.”

Hao Yue was surprised, “Miss Yue, seeing your nonchalant manner earlier, I thought you were angry with the prince and unwilling to help.”

“There are things I want to clarify myself. Let’s hope your prince isn’t dead. Wait a moment while I gather my things.”

Qianxue entered her chamber, opened a hidden compartment, replenished her medicine box, and slung a crossbow over her shoulder before emerging.

Hao Yue and Chasing Star were stunned—Qianxue looked ready for battle.

“Miss Yue, we can protect you,” Hao Yue said.

“If danger arises, you’ll protect your prince first. I won’t gamble with my life,” Qianxue replied. “Don’t worry, my archery was taught by my father himself. You needn’t worry about me.”

This was only half true. Yue Yongcheng had indeed instructed the original host in archery as a pastime, but it was in her modern life that Qianxue had truly trained.

She instructed Uncle Zeng to have someone care for Peach Blossom, then left with Hao Yue’s group.

Hao Yue’s entourage departed the capital, planning to slow their pace for Qianxue, but unexpectedly, her horsemanship was impressive, keeping up with ease.

The riding was swift. While the caravan took two days to circle around, they could reach their destination in a single day.

As night fell, they pressed on.

But as darkness deepened, heavy fog descended, obscuring all direction.

Hao Yue frowned, “We’ve lost our bearings. It seems we keep circling the same place.”

Moonlight lay like frost, casting the mist in an eerie, mysterious glow.

Chasing Star peered closely, sensing something was amiss.