Chapter 003
Chapter 3: As You Wish
After Nanny Cheng went back, she would surely complain to Huo Ying Zi.
This area was close to Northern Fortress Pass, which was Huo Ying Zi’s turf. If they killed her quietly here, it would be easy, and afterward they could even throw the blame on her.
Xia Meng Yan dared to come because she was not unprepared. The Xia family were civil officials, but they were not weaklings.
Guard Song followed Chun Yue inside and bowed: “Madam, you asked for me?”
Chun Yue had already told him that Madam planned to return to the capital. He did not know the reason, but he was fiercely loyal to the Xia family.
“Take this letter and ride hard to a certain place,” said Xia Meng Yan, crooking her finger so he would lean in.
After Guard Song left, Chun Yue helped her sit and carefully tucked a bolster at her waist: “Madam, Miss Huo shouldn’t dare, right?”
If Madam had an accident near Northern Fortress Pass, the Huo family could not escape blame.
Xia Meng Yan’s eyes turned frosty, and a mocking smile touched her lips: “What if they were bandits?”
“Bandits? How could there be…” Chun Yue suddenly understood and covered her mouth in fear: “Madam, you mean they would pretend to be bandits?”
“Huo Ying Zi has been on the battlefield. Many soldiers in camp admire her. If she cries that she was wronged, someone will stand up for her. Later, if she pleads for them, they lose nothing. But if we are taken by ‘robbers,’ with no one to speak for us when we return to the capital, people will judge us.”
“So vicious,” said Chun Yue. She trusted her own mistress completely, yet she still held a sliver of hope for Marquis Ping’an: “Will the Marquis just let them insult you, Madam?”
Xia Meng Yan slowly closed her eyes, then spoke calmly: “What I said about divorce was not said in anger. From now on, Lin Ye Lan and I will have nothing to do with each other.”
Chun Yue did not know what had happened to make Madam give up on the Marquis, but Madam’s calm face made her heart ache.
The inn was comfortable, so Xia Meng Yan did not leave the next day.
Guard Song returned at dinner and handed her a letter: “They agreed, Madam, but they ask one favor from you.”
Xia Meng Yan opened the envelope, read the lines, and smiled: “I agree.”
A watcher at the inn saw the rooms upstairs being packed and ran off to report.
Lin Ye Lan had not left. He sat in the main tent reading war reports. The soldiers had marched all night and were spent; it was a good time to rest. Most important, Northern Fortress Pass was just ahead; if anything happened, they could reach it in half a day.
A soldier rushed in: “Marquis, Madam is packing and wants to leave the inn.”
“What?” Lin Ye Lan sprang to his feet, went around the desk, and snapped, “Stop her.”
“I don’t dare, sir. Madam is with child,” said the soldier, troubled. If something happened to her, they could not explain it.
“Useless,” Lin Ye Lan snarled, wishing he could strangle Xia Meng Yan.
“Marquis, don’t be angry. Madam is only throwing a tantrum,” said Nanny Cheng as she came in with food and set it on the table: “My miss knows about the matter between you and Madam. She is upset that she cannot come to comfort you, so she had this old servant make the beef you like. Please try it, Marquis.”
Taking up his chopsticks, Lin Ye Lan’s face eased a little: “If only Madam were half as sensible as Ying Zi.”
Nanny Cheng’s eyes flicked as she served the dishes: “Madam is a high official’s daughter. It is normal for her to be a little spoiled.”
“She hit you, and you still speak for her.”
“It was my fault. I grew too close to my miss and forgot the rules for a moment. Punishment was right,” Nanny Cheng said earnestly. “I only worry for the Marquis. Madam makes a scene every few days. This is not the capital; enemies are everywhere. If the Marquis is distracted because of Madam and our soldiers die, and the court punishes you, all your years of merit will be ruined.”
Lin Ye Lan paused, chopsticks in hand.
Seeing he was listening, Nanny Cheng let a bit of pride slip through her eyes and said while ladling soup: “Since Madam wants to leave, why not find a few men to pose as bandits and scare her? Later, the Marquis can appear to rescue her. Once she is frightened, she will stop insisting on returning to the capital.”
“That is a good idea,” said Lin Ye Lan, never once thinking that she was pregnant and might be terrified.
Seeing the plan settle, Nanny Cheng found a reason to leave the tent. She hurried a few steps, then waved to the side. Four or five men stepped out of the shadows.
“It’s set. Watch for your chance,” she said.
The men looked at one another and showed greasy smiles: “Don’t worry, Nanny Cheng. We are old hands at this kind of job.”
The corner of Nanny Cheng’s mouth lifted in a cold curve. [Xia Meng Yan, you hit me. I will make you wish you were dead.]
“Madam, are we really going to travel at night?” asked Chun Yue, helping her into the carriage. She glanced around at the deep darkness and hugged her cloak tight.
Madam wanted to shake off Miss Huo, but there was no need to risk her life.
Xia Meng Yan leaned back and placed a hand on her belly. [I must cause those two some trouble so I can return to the capital safely. For the child in my womb, I have to take the risk.] She said calmly: “I already drank a tonic to protect the baby. I will be fine.”
“If your father finds out, he will scold you,” said Chun Yue.
“Father won’t,” said Xia Meng Yan. Thinking of her father, her heart turned soft.
In her last life, when her father learned that she liked Lin Ye Lan, he did not like it but did not stop them from seeing each other. When she insisted on coming to Northern Fortress Pass, he even assigned her the manor’s Shadow Guard.
She dared to ask for a divorce because of her parents’ love.
People say a married daughter is like water poured out, but in the Xia family, even if she did not return home, her courtyard was always kept clean, and the kitchen always stocked her favorite foods. In her parents’ eyes, she could return anytime. No matter what happened, they would stand behind her.
Sadly, in her last life she lost her senses and made her white-haired parents bury their black-haired child.
As Xia Meng Yan was thinking, the carriage suddenly stopped.
Clashing steel rang outside, and Guard Song shouted: “Madam, do not come out. Mountain bandits.”
Even though she knew Madam had a plan, Chun Yue still stood in front of her, tense and protective.
The clashing faded into the distance. The curtain was yanked up.
Two strong men stood outside the carriage.
A cold smile flashed through Xia Meng Yan’s eyes. [At last. Qiao Sheng.]
He was Huo Ying Zi’s top admirer. In her last life, it was he who broke Chun Yue’s leg to stop her from seeking Lin Ye Lan. He also helped Huo Ying Zi in secret by removing rivals and pushing her upward.
She feigned panic and asked in a rush: “Who are you? Do you know that I am…”
“The marchioness, right,” Qiao Sheng said, trading a grin with his partner: “Don’t say we aren’t gentle. Will you climb down yourself, or do I pull you out?”
Chun Yue lunged and grabbed one man: “Madam, run!”
The man flung her aside: “Get lost. Don’t ruin my fun.”
Chun Yue hit the ground hard and fainted at once.
A fierce light flashed in Xia Meng Yan’s eyes: “Do not hurt my maid. I will go with you.”
Qiao Sheng smirked at that: “The marchioness knows what’s wise. Move.”
As she stepped down, Xia Meng Yan glanced into the darkness, then followed the two men away.
After they left, Guard Song lifted the unconscious Chun Yue with a helpless mutter: “Foolish.”
“Here will do,” Qiao Sheng said, shoving Xia Meng Yan into a ruined temple. Three or four men slipped out of the shadows. He waved them forward: “Boys, don’t say I don’t look after you. Leave her one breath. Do whatever you want.”
“Brother Qiao, she’s pregnant. Isn’t this bad?” one man asked, noticing her belly.
“Someone will clean up the mess for you. What are you afraid of?”
“Right. Go on. I have never done this to a pregnant woman.”
Xia Meng Yan narrowed her eyes, her voice cold as if from an ice cellar: “I have brought you your target, bandit chief. What are you waiting for?”