Chapter 086
Chapter 86: Vile Intentions
Xia Meng Yan lifted the carriage curtain and looked toward the crowd ahead: [No, something is wrong with these beggars.]
She called softly: “Song Mo.” But Song Mo did not appear, and her unease grew heavier.
She turned to Madam Lin and urged: “Mother, something feels off. We should leave at once.”
Song Mo was the Lin Family’s Shadow Guard; if even he had not shown up, it meant someone was secretly holding him back.
Seeing her daughter’s grave look, Madam Lin nodded.
Before Xia Meng Yan could order the driver, the carriage lurched. A voice outside shouted: “There’s a lot of food in that carriage, hurry and grab it!”
Xia Meng Yan’s face changed as she threw an arm in front of Madam Lin: [This is bad.]
Madam Lin had barely reacted when the carriage curtain was yanked open from outside and a grimy hand reached in toward her.
Madam Lin snapped and kicked hard: “Wretch, look who you’re touching!” The man tumbled away from the carriage.
The man fell and shrieked: “The Xia Family is killing people, help!”
Silver needles glinted between Xia Meng Yan’s fingers, ready to strike. It was now certain that someone had planned this on purpose.
Thankfully, she had brought several house guards. With them here…
Chun Yue cried out, and Xia Meng Yan jerked from her thoughts as a head popped in through the window. She did not hesitate and drove a needle in with a flick.
A scream followed, but instead of retreating, the attackers shook the entire carriage the next instant.
Madam Lin’s face went pale as she said: “Not good. Someone climbed onto the roof.”
Who hated the Xia Family this much?
Xia Meng Yan’s mind raced. They were not far from the city gate. If someone went for help, they might get away quickly. She gave swift orders: “Chun Yue, watch for a chance and run to the gate to ask for help.”
Already white as paper, Chun Yue shook her head hard: “Big Miss must not get out of the carriage, they will tear you apart.”
With so many people outside, both Big Miss and Madam would be at a disadvantage. If someone with bad intentions stirred the crowd and spread rumors, Big Miss’s reputation would be ruined.
Xia Meng Yan knew it too, but Father and Song Mo were both pinned down. Waiting would only make things worse.
She steadied her voice: “Don’t worry, I have silver needles. Once we get down, you shield Mother and then find the gate guards.”
Chun Yue started to protest: “But…”
Xia Meng Yan cut her off: “No buts. Go now.” If they did not leave the carriage, once the beggars flooded in, nothing could be explained.
Madam Lin wanted to refuse, but Xia Meng Yan held her back and said quickly: “Mother, there is no time. Please trust your daughter.”
The sounds of fighting rose outside. Chun Yue and Madam Lin moved first and jumped down.
Protecting her belly, Xia Meng Yan followed, her silver needles flashing. Her strikes were quick, precise, and ruthless.
A mother becomes fierce for her child, and right now Madam Lin had endless strength. Anyone who came close took a kick; she would protect her daughter no matter what.
Working together, the three of them forced a way into a narrow alley.
Leaning on each other, Xia Meng Yan told Chun Yue: “Go call for help now.” With such a commotion on the street, the City Patrol Battalion would arrive soon.
Chun Yue nodded and sprinted off.
Just then, several beggars turned into the alley.
Madam Lin’s face changed as she spread her arms to shield her daughter: “Yan’er, go now.”
Xia Meng Yan refused: “No. Daughter will stay with Mother.” She reached for another needle and felt a jolt in her heart. Her fingers had found the last one.
“Get out, filth.” Madam Lin grabbed a fallen stick and swung wildly at the beggars.
Xia Meng Yan gripped the final silver needle. Footsteps rushed close. She spun and drove the needle straight for a vital spot.
The beggar’s eyes went wide in disbelief.
Suddenly, someone darted out from behind him and flung a cloud of white powder.
Xia Meng Yan had no time to react. Her head swam. She slapped her temple hard as a sly face swam into view.
A short beggar heaved her onto his shoulder and slipped away into the narrow alley.
She did not know how much time passed before she slowly opened her eyes.
A man’s voice said: “Ma, this wretch is awake.”
Shapes sharpened. When she saw the man’s face, she was surprised.
“Lin Hong.”
Grand Madam Lin hobbled over, leaning on a cane: “You dare look at me like that when you’re about to die?”
Lin Hong’s filthy gaze roamed over Xia Meng Yan as if she were a cut of fatty meat. He said to his mother, impatient and eager: “Ma, why waste words? I’ll force her now. When people come, she will have to marry me.”
Hearing them, Xia Meng Yan understood at once.
Today’s trap was set by Lin Hong.
After Emperor Xuan Ming stripped Lin Ye Lan of his title, the Lin Family fell hard.
Chun Yue had said Lin Hong’s family now lived in the foulest, lowest alleys.
Unable to bear hardship, they wanted to violate her and become the Xia Family’s son-in-law?
She laughed coldly and spoke with biting clarity: “Who was it that bragged the Lin Family was so noble and looked down on me? Now for the sake of gold and silver you kidnap me. Shameless.”
Grand Madam Lin swung her hand and slapped hard: “If not for you, Ye Lan would not have been hurt. If not for you, the Marquis Manor would not have earned His Majesty’s disgust. It is all your fault, you wretch. Now be obedient, sleep with my son, then marry him and restore the Lin Family’s name. Maybe I will spare your life.”
Bound hand and foot, Xia Meng Yan still did not lose her presence. She burst into wild laughter: “Spare me? Old woman, look at whose child is in my belly. Let me remind you: Lin Ye Lan was exiled, not dead. If he learns that his mother and elder brother violated his former wife, do you think he will not come for your lives?”
Grand Madam Lin snapped: “You still dare bring up Ye Lan. If not for you, he would never have died.”
Xia Meng Yan froze: “Lin Ye Lan is dead?”
How could that be? At this time he should still be on the road into exile.
Grand Madam Lin, shaking with rage, brought her cane down as she snarled: “He was caned by His Majesty. His wounds were not treated before he was sent away. A few days later he burned with fever and died. It is all because of you. If I had known you were a curse, I would have strangled you the day you married in.”
Xia Meng Yan hunched, taking the blows on her back to keep them away from her belly. [Cowards.] No wonder Lin Ye Lan was selfish. The rot started at the root.
If the Lin Family had not coveted her dowry and if Lin Ye Lan had not seduced her, how would she ever have married him? They had plotted first, yet did not dare admit their own fault.
Lin Hong tugged at his mother’s sleeve: “Ma, stop. If she dies, how do we explain it?”
Xia Meng Yan’s heart jolted again: [Explain to whom?]
Grand Madam Lin panted, then jabbed her cane at Xia Meng Yan and hissed: “Don’t think to use the baby to threaten me. I asked the physician. After four months it is safe to be intimate.”
Xia Meng Yan bit her lip as fire licked across her back. These months Madam Lin had cared for her and fed her well; her body was strong. She prayed in secret: [Baby, please be safe.]
Seeing blood at her lip, Lin Hong grew impatient. If she broke, how could he still play his game? He grumbled: “Ma, the child is Second Brother’s after all. That’s enough.”
“Useless thing,” Grand Madam Lin spat. Still, her arm was tired. Resting on the cane, she flicked her chin at him: “Hurry. Before the Xia Family finds her, finish it.”
As long as Xia Meng Yan slept with the eldest, they could make a scandal of it. Even if the Xia Family disliked it, pressure would force them to allow the marriage.
Rubbing his hands, eyes narrowed to slits, Lin Hong said: “Got it. Ma, wait outside a bit.”
Before leaving, Grand Madam Lin shut the door tight.
Lin Hong smirked as he stripped off his patched outer coat and crept toward her: “Sister-in-law, here I come.”
Xia Meng Yan’s eyes were icy and steady as she said: “Wait.”