Then a few more people came out, one of whom scolded Zhou Ersao, "You woman, how can you be so rude? My brother just wanted to come and see these wood carvings, and you've already resorted to such cruelty." As he spoke, several people slowly surrounded him.

When Zhou Ersao saw the group of people gathering around, she shouted, "Gentlemen, these people have ill intentions. Please help me find the constables at the city gate to come and assist us."

Some people had already run towards the city gate. Several people looked at each other, and then one of them gave a signal. The group that had gathered around then attacked Zhou Ersao and Zheng Yuanyuan.

Zhou Ersao was known for her fiery temper, but she was also intimidated by these burly men. However, with her employer's sister-in-law behind her, how could Zhou Ersao stand by and watch Zheng Yuanyuan get into trouble in front of her? She grabbed something nearby and threw it at the approaching men. Only after throwing it did she realize that she had grabbed a red cloth spread on the table at the wood carving stall, which still had several wood carvings on it. As the cloth was thrown, the burly men who had surrounded her quickly covered their faces with their arms. Taking advantage of this moment, Zhou Ersao grabbed Zheng Yuanyuan and ran into the street.

The streets were bustling with people. Zhou Ersao was so frightened that her legs were trembling. Zheng Yuanyuan wasn't much better off. The two of them stumbled and staggered towards the Yongning Marquis's residence.

The people chasing behind were very anxious. Zhou Ersao pulled Zheng Yuanyuan, who was already exhausted, and ran forward with all her might. In the distance, they saw a group of people coming this way. Zhou Ersao didn't bother to see who it was and just wanted to run over. Zheng Yuanyuan was more cautious and tugged hard on Zhou Ersao's sleeve. Zhou Ersao looked at Zheng Yuanyuan, panting. Zheng Yuanyuan gestured to the side with her lips. Although Zhou Ersao didn't know why, she understood. Zheng Yuanyuan was born and raised in the capital and knew many things that Zhou Ersao didn't know. Since she didn't want to have anything to do with this group of people, she must have her reasons. So Zhou Ersao could only force her way into a nearby alley.

Running into the alley like that was actually very dangerous, but there was no time to think too much now. As soon as I ran in, I saw those people come in right after me.

Zhou Ersao protected Zheng Yuanyuan and slowly retreated to the corner of the wall. Before these people could make a move, they saw more people running towards them from the alley. After a fight broke out in the alley, Zheng Yuanyuan saw some of the group from before coming this way. She was so anxious that she broke out in a sweat.

Zheng Yuanyuan knew in her heart that if these people were using the pretense of saving her to take her away, then all her running and escaping that afternoon would have been meaningless.

Zheng Yuanyuan was suddenly filled with despair, a kind of despair she couldn't control, and a kind of grief and indignation at not being able to control her own destiny. She gritted her teeth and looked at the people coming in from outside. Suddenly, she thought of the rumors circulating in the capital about the sixth prince and the seventh prince vying for the emperor's favor. She suddenly understood that the people who had been following her these past few days were either the sixth prince's or the seventh prince's people, all for her sake. Their goal was to use her to establish a relationship with her brother or even the Yongning Marquis's mansion.

Zheng Yuanyuan thought of her sister-in-law Xu Zhi and her friend Shen Mingwan. Both of them had been sacrifices for the princes to win over the court officials. Was she going to become a sacrifice like them today? Xu Zhi and Shen Mingwan were lucky to have family members who cared about their well-being. What did she have?

Zheng Yuanyuan thought of her deceased mother, her father who had never disciplined her, her brother who had taken care of her since childhood, and finally her sister-in-law who had always been kind to her. Zheng Yuanyuan didn't want to become such a victim. She gritted her teeth and whispered to her second sister-in-law, "Second sister-in-law, please tell my sister-in-law that all of this was my choice. I don't resent anyone. I only hope that in the next life I will have the opportunity to repay my sister-in-law's kindness to me."

Upon hearing Zheng Yuanyuan's words, Zhou Er's wife was startled. She turned around, looked at the calm-faced Zheng Yuanyuan, grabbed her hand, and said anxiously, "My girl, there's hope as long as you're alive. If you just die like this, then there's nothing left."

Zheng Yuanyuan gave a bleak smile and said, "Second Sister-in-law Zhou, but the price I pay for living is to become a victim of some people's selfish desires. I don't want to, and I don't want to become a shackle that restrains my family. Second Sister-in-law Zhou, I beg you."

After Zheng Yuanyuan finished speaking, she took out a dagger from her boot and was about to slit her throat when Zhou Ersao grabbed her. Zhou Ersao had tears in her eyes and shook her head at Zheng Yuanyuan. Zheng Yuanyuan cried and said to Zhou Ersao, "Second Sister-in-law Zhou, if I don't die now, I will suffer a fate worse than death. Please, Second Sister-in-law Zhou, grant me your wish."

The two were leaning against the wall, fighting over a dagger, when they heard a familiar voice shout, "Yuanyuan, throw away the dagger you're holding right now!"

Zheng Yuanyuan looked up and saw that it was Xu Rao. Xu Rao was getting off a horse. He was probably in a hurry to get there. He was still wearing his official robes and his hat was askew. After getting off the horse, he felt uncomfortable, so he simply took off his hat and threw it to his attendant.

Zheng Yuanyuan watched Xu Rao running towards her and couldn't help but let go of his hand. Then, a surge of joy welled up from the bottom of her heart, and the strength that had been supporting her dissipated all at once. She squatted on the ground, not caring about anything else, and burst into tears.

Seeing that Zheng Yuanyuan was alright, Xu Rao finally breathed a sigh of relief. She walked over, squatted down, patted Zheng Yuanyuan's shoulder, and said, "Alright, alright, we came to save you, don't cry anymore. Can you stand up?"

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