Chapter 63: Foul Play |
"What's going on?" Bai Yao didn't understand. The new bride had rushed out in such a state, chasing after her groom, intent on killing him?
Hearing the commotion, Shu Qing and Lan Ruo Ting also rushed over. Upon seeing Chao Zong, bare-chested, they too were bewildered by the scene.
Their astonishment only grew when they saw Feng Ru Nan chasing after him, sword in hand. What was she wearing? It seemed she had hastily thrown on a dress, revealing her bare legs. Apparently, she hadn't even bothered with undergarments, and her collar, left unfastened, offered a glimpse of her lightly swaying, fair breasts. Shu Qing couldn't believe her eyes. To her, such an act was beyond immodest. How could a young lady run about in such a manner, flaunting her charms?
She simply couldn't imagine such a thing. If her parents ever witnessed their daughter behaving in such a way, they would surely have struck her down on the spot!
Lan Ruo Ting also gaped, his eyes wide with shock. For him too, such an act was utterly shocking. Such behavior simply violated all moral principles for young women. How could the esteemed Feng family produce such a daughter? He, too, found it incomprehensible.
Chao Zong, meanwhile, was fleeing. Bare-handed, he was certainly no match for Feng Ru Nan. Even more so, with a sword in her hands. Thus, he immediately fled.
"Shameless dog! Just you wait, I'll kill you!" Feng Ru Nan shrieked, chasing him furiously from behind.
The surrounding cultivators, even those perched on rooftops, were utterly speechless.
Bai Yao, regaining his composure, instantly flickered into motion. Feeling a gust of wind, Feng Ru Nan instantly spun and swung her sword. She paid no mind to whether it was friend or foe. Bai Yao swung his sword sheath, clashing it against her blade. Then he seized Ru Nan by the shoulders, halting her in her tracks:
Bai Yao successfully disarmed Ru Nan.
"Let me go! Let me go! I must kill him! I must kill him..." Ru Nan shrieked hysterically, her eyes bloodshot, tears streaming down her face as she glared intensely at Chao Zong.
Bai Yao furrowed his brows: "Ru Nan, what happened?"
She gritted out, "He's a shameless, despicable man!"
Seeing her speak in such veiled terms, Bai Yao already had an inkling of what had transpired. He could only offer a wry smile and say, "You're already wed. Why the anger now? What's done is done, it's a common affair. Throughout all the lands, after a wedding, this is a natural and self-evident matter!"
However, he was surprised. After all, last night she wouldn't even let herself be touched, so why had this happened? Had he taken advantage of her falling asleep? However, he felt awkward asking such things.
Since she wasn't speaking, Bai Yao didn't press. He simply gestured to Weng Xing and Weng Li to help lead Ru Nan back inside. He, shielding her, gently pulled her back into the residence.
Lan Ruo Ting, Shu Qing, and the few bodyguards present collectively breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Ru Nan being led back inside. Never in their lives had they felt such embarrassment.
Lan Ruo Ting turned his head and saw Chao Zong, still half-dressed. He immediately ordered the bodyguards to fetch a cloak for Chao Zong. One of the bodyguards even offered his own boots so the Prince wouldn't have to walk barefoot.
Lan Ruo Ting and Shu Qing quickly escorted the Prince into the inner courtyard.
On the way, Lan Ruo Ting attempted to inquire:
"Prince, did everything... go as planned?" he clearly hinted at the wedding night.
Chao Zong found it awkward to speak of the matter, but he gave a slight nod, acknowledging that he had indeed achieved his desired outcome. Yet, how could he possibly elaborate before the unmarried Shu Qing?
Shu Qing, noticing his nod, immediately blushed. Yet, she pondered inwardly. Ru Nan had clearly shown her unwillingness. Why, then, had she yielded?
Once they were back in the courtyard, Lan Ruo Ting proposed the Prince go inside and change his attire. They could speak afterward.
Chao Zong gave a dry cough, then said, "Sir, please come in as well."
Lan Ruo Ting understood his meaning and entered without a word.
As soon as the door closed, Shu Qing also understood that her brother was avoiding her, so she took her leave.
Inside the room, Chao Zong found his clothes and changed into them. He remained deeply furrowed, while Lan Ruo Ting stood silently to the side.
Once he had changed, Chao Zong leaned his hands on the table, bowing his head. After a long silence, he spoke, bewildered:
"Sir, this affair is rather peculiar."
Lan Ruo Ting approached him and prompted, "Do tell."
Chao Zong replied, "Last night, Feng Ru Nan truly had me at a disadvantage. Only then did her hands weaken. I initially thought she was just catching her breath. But after a while, she completely loosened her grip. I broke free and took advantage of the moment. Only after that... that, I assumed she had resigned herself and willingly yielded. However, afterward she claimed she had been given a special medicine... And you saw what transpired next."
"Medicine?" Lan Ruo Ting's brows furrowed in doubt. "Are you certain?"
Chao Zong murmured, "Last night, while I was occupied with the act, I didn't pay it much mind. But after she grew agitated regardless... Later... much later, I realized she was 80 to 90 percent truthful." He turned his head, a probing look in his eyes, and asked:
"Could it have been someone on our side who administered it?"
Lan Ruo Ting waved a dismissive hand. "How could we? Besides, all the food was provided by the county ruler's own household. We wouldn't have had the opportunity to do anything."
Chao Zong let out a bitter chuckle. "Surely Feng Lin Bo himself wouldn't have done such a thing?"
"True enough. If it's truly as you say, then who could it be?" Lan Ruo Ting mused, puzzled. Suddenly, a spark ignited in his eyes as he recalled yesterday's events. While everyone else was fretting over the Prince, only Niu You Dao remained perfectly calm and urged everyone to disperse.
He had even wondered why Niu You Dao wasn't worried about the Prince. Reflecting on this, he continued:
"Perhaps it was that individual."
Chao Zong looked at him and asked with doubt: "Who?"
Lan Ruo Ting sighed deeply. "Who arranged the Prince's marriage, and who urged him to fulfill his marital duties? Besides him, who else would dare or could?"
Chao Zong was surprised: "Sir believes it's Niu You Dao?"
Lan Ruo Ting stated, "His conduct last night was undeniably strange. I am 80 to 90 percent certain this is connected to him."
Chao Zong said, still doubting, "Sir, how could he have done such a thing without our knowledge? When would he have found the opportunity? Besides, I partook of everything there too. Why did nothing happen to me?"
Lan Ruo Ting sighed. "That, I do not know. The serpent has its own winding path, the mouse its hidden tunnel; their ways are utterly distinct. This Lord Dao does not exactly possess decorous behavior. He swindled money from the Princess, only to then purchase gifts for her with her own funds. Such an act is certainly not befitting of a virtuous man, nor is he, himself, a man of integrity. Yet, his methods are effective. Perhaps there is nothing he cannot achieve. He is an exceptional individual. I still cannot fathom how, at his age, he can be so remarkably perceptive. Could such a learned man, with such a broad perspective, truly have emerged from a mere village? I also do not believe he could have been taught this in the Supreme Purity Sect, especially when they themselves kept him under arrest. I do not know if it is a blessing or a curse that we keep such a man by our side. However, in these past few days, though his methods have not always been honorable, his objectives have proven beneficial. For now, he serves our cause."
Chao Zong grimaced mournfully. "And now what? How can I face anyone..."
Having discussed everything, Lan Ruo Ting left the solitary Prince and stepped outside.
When he saw Shu Qing, he beckoned her aside for a private word.
"Is Brother alright?" Shu Qing immediately asked, concern etched on her face.
Lan Ruo Ting shook his head, appearing as if he wanted to speak, yet finding the words difficult to utter.
Noting his expression, Shu Qing immediately urged, "Sir, if you have something to say, please do. There's no need for us to be formal with one another."
Lan Ruo Ting sighed heavily. "I wish to warn the Princess. Under no circumstances should you ever be alone with Lord Dao."
Shu Qing was surprised: "Sir, why do you say that?"
Lan Ruo Ting paused, then whispered, "It seems Feng Ru Nan was given some sort of medicine in the bridal chambers; otherwise, the Prince would not have succeeded last night."
"Ah..." Shu Qing gasped in surprise, then quickly covered her mouth, realizing she had lost her composure. "How can that be?"
Lan Ruo Ting: "It must be so. The Prince, after that..." Lan Ruo Ting vaguely explained the sequence of events.
Shu Qing, listening to him and connecting the dots, realized it was most likely Niu You Dao. She understood that Lan Ruo Ting was afraid that the same thing would happen to her as to Feng Ru Nan. She merely murmured softly, "Sir, you've overthought this. No one would dare to do that. Is there truly a need for me to fear such a thing?" – by this, she alluded to her disfigured appearance.
Lan Ruo Ting warned, "I urge the Princess to be more cautious. That man employs underhanded tactics."
He clasped his hands, bowed respectfully, and departed.
Shu Qing watched him go, then sank into contemplation...
Yuan Gang arrived at the courtyard of the Southern Mountain Monastery monks. Yuan Fang, smiling, once again greeted him with respectful bows, steeling himself for another beating. Yet, Yuan Gang was in no hurry to strike; instead, he curiously scrutinized Yuan Fang's face. With his gray beard shaved, the demon had become noticeably younger, to the point of being unrecognizable...
Within the bridal chamber, chaos reigned supreme. Chairs, furniture, and crockery lay shattered, while Feng Ru Nan lay weeping on the bed.
Images from last night repeatedly surged through her mind. She recalled how tightly she had held Chao Zong, then how her grip had weakened, and the subsequent unpleasant scenes. The memory brought a fresh wave of agony.
Weng Xing and Weng Li cautiously moved about, tidying the room. But inadvertently, they bumped into a golden wine cup. At the clinking sound, the young woman roused, wiped her tears, and, gazing at the wine pot, inquired:
"Where did this wine come from?"