Chapter 45 Hoping to Destroy You Are Different From Them
Mingying naturally didn't take his words to heart.
He's an eccentric madman. He was the one who brought her here, and he was the one who said he would take her away.
She was not allowed to refuse at all; it was like placing an object on the ground without ever asking her whether she wanted it or not.
She turned her back, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Those tears that flowed down her cheeks were a mixture of grievance, resentment, and unwillingness to accept defeat.
These days, she often thinks of another person's gentle face, and her heart feels suffocated as if a huge rock is blocking it.
It all felt like a dream.
It was all his fault that she was separated from her family and now they are separated by death.
She clutched the corner of the blanket tightly, a fire of hatred burning within her, drying her glistening tears and making her pupils appear even darker.
Pei Xiaoyun said he would pick her up tonight, and I'm sure he'll keep his word.
Having spent so many days at Ningxue Tower, she had developed a deep friendship with Jin Kui, Li Yun, and others. Unfortunately, she was in dire straits herself and had no way to help them escape their suffering, so she made several sachets for each of them.
This fragrance was the best-selling fragrance when she ran her fragrance shop; the girls in the building loved it so much after receiving it.
She entered Jin Kui's room and saw Jin Kui packing her bags, a bright smile on her lips and a look of joy on her brow.
“My young master said he would come to pick me up tonight.” Jin Kui removed the various hairpins from her hair and changed into a simple white dress. Her complexion was gentle and graceful. When she saw Ming Ying come in, she took her hand and said, “Am I dressed too plainly?”
The young master told her that he would come to redeem her from Ningxue Tower once she handed over that thing tonight.
Given her status, being able to be the young master's mistress was already a blessing; she dared not hope for anything more.
Mingying smiled and said, "You look great in this outfit."
She was pure and beautiful, with pearly white teeth and bright eyes; she was even more beautiful than when she first saw her.
Hearing that Mallow could escape her suffering, she was genuinely happy for her.
"Will you be in Xuzhou?" Jin Kui asked her directly, having become quite familiar with her.
If only I were single, I could see them often in the future, since they are friends.
Mingying's eyes darkened, and she shook her head, bitterness and numbness swirling in her heart.
Pei Xiaoyun will not let her go. He said that as long as he is alive, he will torment her like this, and he might forcibly take her back to the capital to live the same life as before.
If he dies, he must take her with him.
She believed he was truly capable of doing it.
Jin Kui noticed her distress and, recalling the scene from last night, guessed that although the ruthless man treated her badly, he still cared for her to some extent. She sat down to comfort her, saying, "It's already like this. No matter how bitter life is, it can't be worse than here. If you're with him, at least you won't have to worry about food and clothing, and you won't have to be beaten or scolded. Don't you think so?"
She advised Mingying to think more positively, but wasn't she also saying it to herself?
Being able to rely on one person is already the best outcome.
Mingying did not refute her.
This is true for a woman who has no one to rely on.
She had thought the same thing three years ago.
But what did she get in return for her foolish sacrifice? He ignored and oppressed her even more. She only managed to save her life by putting up a final act of resistance.
No one who has lived with their back straight wants to live a life of servility again.
So much has happened, and things have come to this point. Between her and Pei Xiaoyun, there is now an insurmountable chasm called hatred.
Never again in this lifetime!
She will not yield to him, and she will not let him have his way.
Many people might think she's foolish, but all she wants is dignity and freedom.
"Hmm." She looked at the hope flickering in Mallow's eyes, unwilling to shatter it, and simply smiled, "As long as you're alright."
As the sun sets in the west, the city of Xuzhou is shrouded in a hazy mist of dust at dusk.
Xiao Yuanyan personally oversaw the preparations for the villa outside the mansion, waiting to bring Jin Kui there. The thought of being able to stay with her forever filled him with joy, and he quickened his pace.
The mansion was deathly still.
Prince Xiao Fu of Qinghe paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his face gloomy, sighing repeatedly.
Xiao Yuanyan sensed that his father was troubled and stepped forward to ask, "Father, what's wrong?"
Xiao Fu stroked his beard and shook his head. "That Pei Xiaoyun said that his trip to Xuzhou to supervise the construction of the river dam was just a pretext. Do you know his real purpose?"
Xiao Yuan Yan pursed his lips and remained silent, his face stiffening.
"He's here to investigate Ningxue Tower!" Xiao Fu angrily flung his sleeve, feeling a great calamity looming. "His men have probably already deployed outside Ningxue Tower tonight."
If he hadn't sent people to keep a close watch on us, we would have really fallen into his trap.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late.
As long as his men don't make contact tonight, Pei Xiaoyun, that scoundrel, will have difficulty finding any fault and won't be able to easily accuse the Prince's Mansion.
Xiao Yuan Yan was greatly shocked. Thinking of Jin Kui, he couldn't help but catch his breath.
Seeing his nervousness, Xiao Fu frowned and asked, "Did you send someone to meet him?"
"I only asked the woman I love to pass on a message to them." Xiao Yuanyan shook his head, his mind in turmoil. After saying a few words, he turned to leave.
"Where are you going?!"
"I'm going to Ningxue Tower to tell her not to send any messages tonight."
"Stop!" Xiao Fu pointed at him with displeasure. "If you go now, you'll be walking into a trap. Even if a courtesan tries to frame the Prince's Mansion, no one will believe her."
Xiao Yuanyan stopped in his tracks, caught between a rock and a hard place. His blood seemed to freeze, and he heard a deafening roar in his ears.
Are he just going to stand by and watch Mallow die?
"Father, I will act with caution."
Xiao Fu hurriedly called for his servants to pull him back, and scolded him a few times to bring him to his senses: "Don't be foolish. Is the worthless life of a prostitute more important than the future of you and my son? If she doesn't die, you will!"
"Guards, take the young master back and keep him under close guard. He is not to be allowed to leave the manor!"
Xiao Yuan Yan wanted to retort, but after hearing his father's words, he gritted his teeth and gradually loosened his clenched fist.
On the other side, inside the bright and clean mansion.
Pei Xiaoyun slowly wiped his sword, quietly waiting for nightfall so he could catch all the fish and shrimp in one fell swoop.
"Master, we can proceed now."
"Send more men to guard Ningxue Tower." Pei Xiaoyun tapped the sandalwood tabletop with slightly bent knuckles, her voice light and languid. "Don't let them hurt my people."
He rose leisurely, casting a deep shadow.
Go collect the nets and pick up the people along the way.
The surging undercurrents did not disrupt the peaceful revelry at Ningxue Tower; the tower was filled with lively music and the lights were twinkling.
Several men with heterochromatic eyes, dressed in ordinary civilian clothes, glanced outside the building for a moment without noticing anything amiss, before entering Ningxue Tower one after another and going to the Moon Gazing Room, which they had agreed upon at the beginning, to wait.
Jin Kui didn't need to entertain guests tonight, so she talked with Ming Ying in the room from afternoon until nightfall.
Mingying learned that Jin Kui lived in Xuzhou and her family was poor and impoverished. She had many sisters, and she and her two older sisters were sold to different human traffickers when they were ten years old.
She was sold three times, each time for ten taels of silver, and after many twists and turns, she finally arrived at Ningxue Tower.
Mingying's eyes stung as she listened, and a bitter feeling rose in her nose.
Isn't this a reflection of her?
"I've been here for so many years, and I don't know how many beatings and scoldings I've endured." Jin Kui wiped away her tears and said with a smile, "But I am extremely fortunate to have met you, young master. I will repay your kindness to me even if it means working like a slave."
Mingying felt a sudden pang of sadness; she seemed to see herself kneeling in the snow that year.
A handsome and refined man sat in front of her, bowed slightly, smiled at her, and asked her name and age.
His voice flowed like a warm spring, gently soothing the cold fear in her heart.
Later, she gave him everything, only to be left battered and bruised.
Many things and many people are perhaps destined to be entangled in a tragic fate from the very beginning.
Her eyes were cold, and her once beautiful face had become repulsive and unrecognizable.
Mallow was still full of anticipation, "Today is the happiest day I've had since I was ten years old."
Looking at her excited eyes, Mingying felt a ripple in her heart.
Everyone's path is different.
I hope she can have a better life.
After sitting for a while, Jin Kui calculated the time and suddenly took out the letter from under her pillow.
She has already considered Mingying a good friend and makes no attempt to hide it from her.
"What is this?" Mingying asked.
"Young Master asked me to deliver a letter." Jin Kui thought it was an ordinary letter, and her words were calm. "It's time. I'll be right back."
Mingying nodded and then left.
Jin Kui tucked the letter into her bosom and walked toward the Moon Gazing Room, her pure white skirt swaying like a blooming flower.
After a while, Mingying waited for her to return, then noticed that the music inside the building had suddenly stopped, and a commotion broke out outside, mixed with the sound of swords clashing.
A sense of unease washed over her, and she opened the door and went out.
The atmosphere inside the building was tense. What came into view was a dark mass of people, with bows and knives drawn, looking menacing.
The crowd parted to make way, and Pei Xiaoyun, dressed in black and carrying a sword, strode out with an imposing air.
Then, the door to the Moon Gazing Room slowly opened.
The moment the building fell silent and the cold clanging of armor filled the air, the Wuhuan men realized they had fallen into a trap.
Hearing the commotion, Jin Kui met their heterochromatic eyes and sensed something was wrong. As she tried to run out, she was roughly dragged back.
The Wuhuan people tried to escape by jumping out of the window, but when they looked out, they found the outside completely surrounded by soldiers.
"I'm just here to deliver a message, please let me go..." Mallow pleaded desperately.
The Wuhuan people saw the fierce, coiled dragon in their eyes and cursed it viciously.
It must have been this young woman who deliberately used them as bait to betray them.
Immediately, a knife was pressed against her neck, she was dragged by the hair and pulled out, the door was kicked open with a bang.
Upon seeing the mallow, Mingying felt as if someone had grabbed her by the neck, making it hard to breathe, and her whole body was enveloped in a chill.
Then, the guards beside the steps rushed upstairs, surrounded her, and protected her tightly.
Seeing that the situation was dire, the Wuhuan people had no choice but to take Jin Kui hostage and, speaking in broken Central Plains dialect, shout loudly, "Give us a way out, or I'll kill him!"
Jin Kui's face was filled with terror as the dagger slashed her neck, and drops of blood dripped onto her white dress.
She looked at Mingying with despair and helplessness, too terrified to utter a single word.
Mingying's pupils contracted sharply as she looked abruptly at Pei Xiaoyun, her gaze filled with endless longing; her last hope was poured into that look.
She hoped he could save Mallow.
Only he can save her.
Pei Xiaoyun met her gaze for a moment, then looked away. Even though he saw her eyes clearly and guessed what she wanted to say, he still disregarded the plea in them.
He wouldn't forget his purpose. He didn't care about a courtesan who was already colluding with the enemy, nor did he think about saving her.
"Release the arrows."
The chilling voice shattered the silence, like an arrow shot first, carrying a ruthless force that pierced through everything, leaving no room for retreat.
Suddenly, countless cold arrows were fired simultaneously, drawing long, dark arcs in the air.
Like a giant net, it suffocates people.
For a fleeting moment, Mingying's heart stopped. Before she could utter the word "no," her vision was obscured by a white fog, and she could only hear the sound of arrows piercing flesh.
The mallow fell to the ground with a thud, her white clothes turning fiery red, dazzling and eye-catching.
Large tears rolled down Mingying's cheeks, and a sharp pain shot through her chest, as if the arrow had powerfully pierced her heart, pinning her down and rendering her immobile.
A hail of arrows was fired, and the Wuhuan people were wiped out. Pei Xiaoyun deliberately ordered one arrow to miss, leaving one alive to be taken back for interrogation.
Suddenly, Mingying felt an immense surge of strength, forcefully shoved aside the person blocking her way, and ran towards Jin Kui.
The woman lay on the ground, lifeless, her bright but dull eyes wide open.
She slowly stiffened, gradually collapsing to the ground. Her fingertips trembled as she touched her cold face, wiping away the tears clinging to the corners of her eyes. Something broke through her mind, and she cried out hoarsely, as if a lump of sand was stuck in her throat.
Why? Why is this happening?
Less than fifteen minutes ago, she was sitting with Jin Kui, her eyes shining brightly, listening to her express her hopes for the future.
In a split second, she watched helplessly as her sister collapsed and stopped breathing.
Like petals and leaves falling, silently...
Everyone inside the building was driven away, and only Mingying's sorrowful cries could be heard echoing.
Pei Xiaoyun walked over, her shoes stepping on sticky blood, leaving behind a trail of crimson and chaos.
"Why?" Mingying noticed his approach and suddenly looked up at him with bloodshot eyes. "Why didn't you save her?"
Her eyes flashed with a cold light, distant and indifferent, filled with hatred and resentment. She looked at him as if he were a monster who drank blood and had no heart.
She witnessed it with her own eyes; he ordered the arrow to be shot off target, saving one person's life.
Why wasn't that person Jin Kui? What did Jin Kui do wrong?
Even if he says just one word, it could save a life, save someone's future.
"Get up." Pei Xiaoyun naturally couldn't understand why she would be heartbroken over a courtesan. He didn't even mention the dead man. He reached out his hand to her and said, "Come back with me."
Why did you shoot an arrow at her?!
Mingying shook off his hand, her back slightly bent, her figure looming over Jin Kui. She wanted to say something more, but her words failed her...
Her repeated questions made Pei Xiaoyun's eyelids twitch.
His eyes were filled with anger and impatience as he grabbed her wrist and held her swaying, powerless body tightly.
How ridiculous! She was actually questioning him about why he wouldn't save a prostitute.
"For a courtesan to exchange letters with the Wuhuan people and have secret affairs, to leave her with a whole corpse is already considered exceptionally lenient." Pei Xiaoyun ground the blood-stained letter on the ground, the coldness in his voice like the disdain of crushing an ant.
Even if the ant is innocent, it is still its fate.
"She did not send any messages to the Wuhuan people!"
Mingying shook her head and shouted, raising her arms and flicking her sleeves towards his face.
Instantly, all was quiet except for the crisp sound of a slap.
Her palms burned with pain, and a surge of anger welled up in her eyes.
She was fed up with his condescension and coercion.
She couldn't defeat his power and methods, but she wasn't afraid of him. Even if she was a stone, she would still break through the jade's edge.
What's wrong with burning everything together?
Pei Xiaoyun hunched slightly, her head tilting to one side due to gravity. The finger mark on her right cheek was bright red, and the brilliance in her eyes suddenly broke, replaced by an unfathomable coldness and a raging rage that seemed to want to devour her.
The excited and loud voice in his ears shook him to his core, turning his world upside down.
"The letter in Jin Kui's hand was given to her by the second young master of the Qinghe Prince's Mansion." Ming Ying straightened her posture, her words choked with emotion, yet carrying a forceful strength that seemed to penetrate even the most stoic walls.
She knew he wouldn't fail to find out who was behind it all.
But now that the truth has been discovered, why refuse to spare the lives of innocent people?
"You're nothing but a corrupt official who bullies men and women, and is cowardly and bullies the weak. Are you afraid to investigate him? Are you afraid of offending the Prince's Mansion?" She pressed on relentlessly, each word trembling as she spoke. "You only know how to take your anger out on weak women. No matter how powerful you are, I despise someone like you!"
Do you know what you're saying?!
Pei Xiaoyun violently grabbed her chin, like a ferocious beast, wanting to tear her bones apart from head to toe.
How could he not know that the courtesan was just a shield pushed out by Xiao Yuanyan? But even if there were hidden secrets behind a mere prostitute, it wasn't worth his time to investigate.
He would not let the Prince of Qinghe's mansion go; he had plenty of ways to torture them.
But what right did he have to explain his plans to her?
She didn't need to know what he was; she just needed to stay obediently by his side.
He put one arm around her waist, hoisted her onto his shoulder, and left Ningxue Tower.
"Let go... I won't go back with you... I won't go back with you..."
Mingying pounded his shoulder, crying intermittently and hoarsely, her tears soaking a patch of his shirt.
The carriage suddenly lurched, and she was forcibly shoved inside by a large hand. She pounded violently against the carriage wall, but it was no match for Ningxuelou, who was getting further and further away behind her...
He forcefully brought her here, and then forcefully took her away.
Her wishes were nothing more than drifting willow catkins or humble weeds; he wouldn't take them to heart.
Back at her residence, Mingying cried until she was completely disoriented.
Like branches that have endured too much frost and snow, they are instantly broken and unable to straighten up, collapsing section by section.
She felt sorrow for Jin Kui, while simultaneously imagining herself being pierced by a thousand arrows. She was no different from Jin Kui; perhaps, she too would one day suffer that fate.
She sat trembling in the corner of the couch, her tears all dried up. She refused to change her dirty clothes, and the maids who were holding her clothes to help her wash up dared not approach.
When Pei Xiaoyun came in again, she saw a mess everywhere. She smashed whatever she could find, and even tried to tear off the bed curtains. Her face and body were still covered in dried bloodstains, and she looked as dirty as if she had rolled in mud.
He frowned, disgusted by her appearance.
At the same time, it seemed that she had become increasingly difficult to control since she was captured that time.
He wouldn't always have that much patience for her; he just wanted her to become the gentle and obedient Mian'er again.
The burning pain on his face continued to rage, and his pupils darkened slightly. He couldn't forget her audacity and was determined to punish her; otherwise, she wouldn't know who her master was.
"Get out, all of you." He waved his hand impatiently, dismissing the timid maids.
The maids put down the copper basin, hot towels, and all the clothes, and quietly withdrew.
Pei Xiaoyun casually grabbed a clean dress, walked to the bedside, threw it at her, and coldly ordered, "Change into this yourself, don't dirty my place."
Mingying's eyes flickered, her pale face devoid of expression, and she seemed oblivious to his words, staring blankly ahead as she mumbled a disjointed remark.
"Mallow, you're here. Are you in pain?"
Pei Xiaoyun frowned deeply, her voice slightly hesitant: "What are you talking about?"
She was so preoccupied with the memory of a courtesan who had long since died that she started talking nonsense.
Mingying suddenly grabbed his wrist, stared blankly at him, and said in a daze, "It hurts so much, why did you shoot an arrow at me?"
She struggled to breathe, feeling as if a sharp arrow was piercing her chest, the pain was unbearable, and all she could see in her mind was the image of Jin Kui lying in front of her.
She felt that Pei Xiaoyun was about to shoot an arrow at her to kill her.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Pei Xiaoyun pulled her hand away, incredulous.
“You…” Mingying stared straight at him, and when she saw the sharp features of his face, her heart sank. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. “Get out! I don’t want to see you! I don’t want to see you!”
Pei Xiaoyun gritted his teeth, his anger surging. He pulled the brocade quilt over her, wrapping her up tightly, leaving only her head exposed so she could hear him.
"Who are you to pity her?"
She's his woman, he'll protect her, he'll provide her with a life of luxury, why should she pity a prostitute? Why should she repeatedly ostracize him because of this?
Upon hearing his words, Mingying breathed heavily and laughed with a desolate and sorrowful expression.
Yes, she can barely take care of herself, yet she pities others. She'll end up the same way sooner or later; it's just not her time yet.
In his eyes, human life was worthless. He could kill whomever he wanted, and if he had a reason, it would be that they were lowly and deserved it.
She remembered the appearance of Ling Shuang, Yue Chan, and Jin Kui very clearly. They were all living, breathing people. Did they all deserve to die?
"I don't want to be with you, I'd rather die than be with you." Salty tears streamed down her face as she chewed on the words, "You might as well kill me too."
After a long while, Pei Xiaoyun looked away, as if her sharp gaze had stung her eyes. Her Adam's apple bobbed as she said, "I won't kill you. You're different from them. Don't overthink it."
He will give her another chance to change her mind.
He could let this matter slide and not pursue it further.
Then, despite her resistance, he changed her clothes.
Tonight, he was supposed to go and tidy up the Qinghe Prince's Mansion, but for some reason, he didn't go.
He gazed at her unusually quiet face, put his arm around her, and said in a deep, hoarse voice, "Go to sleep. This is your last warning. Don't cause any more trouble."
As soon as the candle was blown out, darkness, like the embodiment of a ghost, tore at Mingying's mind.
Pei Xiaoyun's arm was shaken off.
He saw her clutching the corner of the blanket, sometimes calling out the names of Lin Xian, Jin Kui, and the others, sometimes sobbing quietly, unable to find peace for a moment, and he didn't know what was wrong with her.
His patience had been completely worn out. He hastily put on his clothes, got up, and sent someone to fetch He Lianqing.
When He Lianqing arrived, he also had a worried look on his face.
He learned that Mingying had been brought back, which was a good thing in comparison, but calling him to come see a doctor in the middle of the night was not a good thing.
He would rather see her less often and take her to the doctor less often.
As soon as he entered, he bumped into Pei Xiaoyun who was coming out.
Pei Xiaoyun's brows and eyes were tinged with fatigue, and her eye bags were dark circles. Only a bright red finger mark on her right cheek was clearly visible and glaring.
The room was filled with Mingying's shouts, which disturbed his peace of mind and caused a throbbing pain in his forehead. He wanted to come out for some fresh air.
"What happened to your face?" He Lianqing saw through her words but didn't say anything, instead asking, "Would you like me to take a look at your injury first?"
Pei Xiaoyun's dark eyes blazed with anger as she looked at him: "Go in and see if she's gone mad."
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Author's Note: Please engage in friendly discussion; there may be some harshness directed at the male characters.
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