Chapter 173: Kidnapping Ay Yao

claimed in a low voice, "How is this possible"She looked utterly disbelieving, then asked, "Brother Xiu Ming, is there some misunderstanding here You are the only son of the Marquis and the heir to th...Meng Jinyao went to Wángshēng Táng once again to burn incense for her biological mother, Zhou Shi.

She knelt on the meditation cushion, her expression vacant, her head slightly tilted up, staring silently at Zhou's tablet, without a word.

Ning Dong and Qing Qiu also knelt on the cushions beside her. Seeing her unusually quiet demeanor, both of them were worried, but they also knew that no comforting words would be helpful. Their mistress needed to stay quiet.

They originally thought that Mrs. Sun was just an evil stepmother, but who would have thought that Mrs. Sun actually had an affair with the master! And because Mrs. Sun died prematurely due to complications during childbirth, it's no wonder that even though they weren't biologically related, she treated the mistress of the house worse than the second young master.

That's the reason.

If the master hadn't come to Lingyun Temple today to offer incense, that sickly old woman would have died without him ever knowing this secret.

As the sun set, the light in the Wángshēng Táng grew dimmer and dimmer. The last ray of sunlight that had streamed into the hall disappeared.

Just as Qingqiu and Ningdong were about to persuade her to return to the guest room, Meng Jin yao suddenly spoke up: "Let's go back, it's getting dark."

Qing Qiu and Ning Dong were taken aback for a moment, then responded with a nod and slowly rose to their feet. They stretched their legs to loosen up, then reached out to help Meng Jin Yao up.

Meng Jinyao got up, her knees ached from kneeling for too long. As soon as she took a step, she stumbled and almost fell. With Qingqiu and Ningdong's help, she managed to steady herself.

Qing Qiu said: "Madam, be careful,"

Meng Jinyao nodded lightly, then dragged her slow and heavy footsteps away from the Hall of the Dead, towards her own guest room.

Qing Qiu and Ning Dong watched her troubled expression, her mind clearly elsewhere. They knew she was hurting, the two maidservants several times wanting to speak but ultimately choosing silence, following behind her step by step.

Back in the room, Ning Dong went to the dining hall to get her vegetarian meal.

During autumn, Qing Qiu unintentionally saw several dark red crescent-shaped marks on Meng Jin Yao's palm. Her face changed color. Those were wounds made by fingernails, and the bloodstains had coagulated, turning a deep red, falling onto her fair and delicate palm, making it particularly heart-wrenching to see. Even her nails were stained with blood.

Whenever he loses control of his emotions, or is overcome with grief and fury, that's what the master does. Back when the master was a child, he hated Granny Sun so much he wanted to tear her apart and eat her flesh, but he had to bear it, pretending to be oblivious.

Every time I looked at Mrs. Sun's hypocritical face, I almost couldn't help but expose her for murdering her illegitimate son. It was by inflicting pain on myself that I stayed clear-headed. I didn't want to ruin things out of momentary anger. Instead, I continued playing along with Mrs. Sun. Over time, this habit developed.

In a moment, Qing Qiu silently turned and walked out. Not long after, she brought in a basin of water.

Qing Qiu said in a gentle voice, "Madam, I'll help you wash your hands."

Meng Jinyao was stunned for a moment, spread her palm and looked down, seeing the masterpiece in her palm again she was stunned, a hint of annoyance flashed in her eyes.

Qing Qiu dampened a clean handkerchief, ready to wipe the blood from Meng Jin Yao's hand, but unexpectedly saw her directly put her hand into the basin and wash it. She didn't seem to care that the wound would hurt from getting wet.

Qing Qiu was so frightened that she could only let out a low cry: "Madam..."

"I'm fine"

Meng Jinyao's expression was calm, as if she didn't feel any pain. She carefully cleaned the dried blood under her fingernails.

Qingqiu seeing this, softly called out to her: "Madam"

Meng Jiny Yao softly said, “Qingqiu, we will return to the mansion tomorrow morning and make our statement.” She took the handkerchief from Qingqiu’s hand and wiped her hands.

Qing Qiu nodded softly, "Alright, I'll go ask the temple master if there are any medicines for treating wounds."

Meng Jin yao replied: "It's no trouble at all, it's nothing serious."

Qingqiu: "But..."

Meng Jin Yao interrupted her: "I'm fine.

Qingqiu glanced at the wound on her palm. Fortunately, it was shallow and didn't seem to be a big deal. She then nodded in agreement.

Not long after, Ning Dong brought back the vegetarian meal.

Now that there were only the three of them, mistress and servants, with no outsiders present, Meng Jin Yao invited them to sit down and eat with her. Both Qing Qiu and Ning Dong did not decline.

The vegetarian meal at Lingyun Temple was quite tasty, but Meng Jin Yao's heart felt heavy. She had little appetite and just ate a couple of bites before putting down her bowl and chopsticks.

Seeing that the bowl of rice hadn't been touched, she gently persuaded, "Madam, you should eat more. Eating so little will only harm your health. How can that be good I know you're feeling distressed, but if you starve yourself, wouldn't that be exactly what Lady Sun wants"

Meng Jin Yao, upon hearing this, ate a few more mouthfuls of rice and then put down her chopsticks.

Seeing the situation, Qingqiu and Ningdong exchanged a glance and secretly sighed. Suddenly, they realized that at this moment, what they said might not be as effective as the Marquis's words. If the Marquis were here, it would be great. They wondered how the Marquis always soothed people. Even if Madam was in a bad mood, after talking to the Marquis for a while, her mood would always relax considerably.

The moon hangs high in the sky, stars twinkling brilliantly.

At night in the temple, it is very quiet. There are only the chirping of cicadas and the rustling of leaves as the wind blows through the trees. The summer breeze is refreshing and pleasant.

Meng Jinyáo strolled leisurely in the temple courtyard, Qingqiu and Ningdong following behind her. The three of them walked in silence, saying nothing.

Suddenly, there was a noise nearby. Meng Jin Yao's footsteps faltered as she strained to listen.

Qing Qiu and Ning Dong naturally also heard the commotion.

Qing Qiu said, "Madam, there is the sound of clashing weapons, it seems like someone is fighting.

Ning Dong was astonished: "A holy place of Buddhism, how could there be such a thing"

Meng Jinyu frowned slightly and said in a low voice, "Even Buddhist temples have times of unrest. Let's go back first and not meddle in other people's affairs."

Qing Qiu and Ning Dong responded, following their master's steps quickly. They left in a hurry because if the three of them were found by these women, it would be dangerous.

However, plans can't keep up with changes, the more you try to avoid something, the harder it is to escape.

Suddenly, a young man around twenty years old, dressed in red and green, leaped down from the wall. He took a swift step to Meng Jin Yao's side, his long sword held horizontally across her neck.

The incident happened suddenly, a bolt from the blue. Meng Jinyao didn't have time to react and was completely stunned.

Qīng Qiū and Níng Dōng, upon seeing this, were so frightened their faces turned pale. They cried out in shock, "Madam!"

Meng Jinyao's arm was grabbed, a sharp sword pressed against her neck. She felt a chill run down her spine. If the person moved their hand even slightly, she would die instantly. She was so terrified that her face turned pale, and she didn't dare to move an inch. Her great revenge hadn't been enacted yet, she didn't want to die.

The man held Meng Jin Yao hostage and said to the people who had just arrived, "All of you back off, or I'll kill her!"

Qīngqiū and Níngdōng, upon hearing this, instinctively took several steps back. Qīngqiū hurriedly pleaded, "Master, please do not harm my mistress."

"Huā Línxiāo, quickly let go of this Madam, or today will be your death day!"

A frantic voice sounded from behind.

Two maidservants turned their heads and saw several officers dressed as guards staring intently at the man. Could it be that the man who was holding their mistress hostage was a criminal

The next moment, another man leaped down from the wall. Seeing the familiar figure of the man, Ning Dong's eyes lit up and he shouted urgently, "My Lord, please save Madam!" and whispered sweet nothings to her for a long time, saying that he would take her to play on Lantern Festival and show her the lantern fair.The other maids, seeing Li Wan'er crying like this, could...