Chapter 354 Kidnapping
The autumn air is crisp and clear, with fluffy white clouds dotting the azure sky.
The carriage stopped at the gate of Pudu Temple. The red-tiled, white-walled, and majestic halls were bathed in golden sunlight. A cool breeze blew by, and the bronze bells hanging from the eaves trembled incessantly, making a series of crisp sounds.
Wearing a veiled hat, Dou Wenyi slowly stepped down from the carriage with the help of Cuizhi.
The temple abbot, who had been waiting for some time, said respectfully, "Your Excellency, please come in."
Dou Wenyi, wearing a thin veil, nodded slightly and said, "Thank you for your trouble!"
The ancient trees inside the temple were towering and lush, with verdant branches and leaves. Looking around, I was filled with doubt. Why did my master choose this place instead of the larger Xiangguo Temple to perform a ritual for the deceased?
But these are things that a servant like her cannot comment on.
Dou Wenyi whispered in her ear, "Later, don't panic about anything. Just do as I told you in the palace, understand?"
Cuizhi nodded solemnly.
The group quickly arrived at the main hall, where dozens of monks had already gathered, and altars, offerings, and other items were prepared.
Dou Wenyi gently sat down, put her hands together, and devoutly chanted the sutras with everyone else. In the melodious and long chanting, her mind was filled with the image of Nannan. It was a pity that such a sensible and lovely girl was born into the Xie family but did not have a good end.
In her past life, she also resented the injustice of the world. Later, she vaguely discovered that Nannan's death was the work of Xue Shi. She told Xie Guidu about this suspicion and the evidence she found.
He was incredulous and remained silent for a long time before finally telling himself casually, "My mother wouldn't be that confused. We're still young, we can have more children, and we can't just give up..."
Nannan's death was insignificant to him.
She remained resentful and wanted to bring Xue to justice and tear her to pieces, but she could never achieve her wish in her lifetime.
In this life, Xie Guidu deliberately tries to influence her with the picture book, stirring up her guilt towards her daughter...
How ridiculous! He really will stop at nothing!
As the ritual was drawing to a close, Dou Wenyi got up and went to the purification room. "Cuizhi, you wait outside."
A short while later, a woman emerged from the clean room. She was still wearing a veil, only revealing her eyebrows and eyes.
Cuizhi immediately went to her and helped her up, saying, "Your Highness, take it easy."
"Um."
On the roof beam, a masked figure was hidden. The man stared at the beautiful figure, a feeling of unspeakable regret welling up in his heart.
In his past life, he had accompanied Dou Wenyi to Pudu Temple several times to pray for the soul of Nannan. Each time, she would copy a thick stack of scriptures in advance and offer them as a sacrifice. If Nannan had not died, their fate would have been completely different.
In this life, everything and everyone has changed. His entire family and relatives were slaughtered by Pei Siyan, and he personally destroyed their lives.
No, this shouldn't be the ending!
He wanted to set things right, but fate was unjust. Despite his best efforts, things didn't go as planned, and she completely broke up with him, even becoming pregnant with another man's child!
If that's the case, he'd rather go back to his past life...
In that lifetime, she truly loved herself!
Dou Wenyi came today to perform a Buddhist ritual for Nannan, without bringing many guards, because she was afraid she couldn't explain this matter clearly.
She has changed in this life; her methods and temperament have all changed, making her seem like a stranger.
This time, he will not let his guard down!
Watching Dou Wenyi and her entourage walk away, Xie Guidu leaped up, landing lightly on his toes, and easily made his way to a secluded room in the temple's kitchen.
With a whistle, Mo Zhu emerged from the basement. "Young Master?"
"Start the operation, burn the temple!"
At his command, dozens of men in black emerged from the underground cave, orderly carrying dozens of buckets of flammable oil, and silently disappeared into a corner of the temple.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Pudu Temple was engulfed in flames.
"Fire! Fire!
"Help! Put out the fire!"
Multiple sections of Pudu Temple suddenly caught fire, turning this once solemn and dignified place into a scene of devastation.
Thick, pungent smoke filled the air, along with the stench of blood and burning. People fled in panic, their shouts, footsteps, and screams mingling together.
Cuizhi was extremely nervous, gripping her mistress tightly as they hurriedly retreated, crying out, "Your Highness, be careful..."
"Leave two men to protect me; the rest of you, hurry and put out the fire."
Upon hearing this order, some of the imperial guards hesitated, saying, "However, Your Highness's safety is more important. Please, Your Highness, do not make things difficult for us!"
"Heaven cherishes life, do you really want to just watch people perish in the fire?"
The head guard stopped insisting, raised his hand, and led a team of guards to put out the fire.
This scene was witnessed by Xie Guidu, who was hiding in the shadows. He smiled disdainfully as a smile curled at the corner of his lips.
This time he will not underestimate his enemy, nor will he be soft-hearted. He is her husband, for all eternity.
Pei Siyan is the real intruder. Even if it means breaking her legs, he will take her away!
Soon, Cuizhi helped the person to the backyard of the temple, a secluded place surrounded by green trees and almost deserted.
The two boarded the carriage. Cuizhi looked back at the thick smoke and flames, her face full of worry. "Why isn't the fire getting any smaller... Do you want to go and check it out again?"
The guard hesitated, "Isn't that inappropriate?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than several men in black swiftly and cleanly felled the two guards.
A long sword was held against Dou Wenyi's neck, and the man in black quickly tied the two of them up.
The carriage sped along the winding mountain road and soon stopped at a secluded mountain village halfway up the mountain.
Cuizhi and Dou Wenyi were pushed and shoved off the carriage.
Xie Guidu walked out slowly. "Yi'er, we meet again."
Cuizhi covered her lips tightly, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Young Master Xie? What are you doing here? The entire Great Zhou is after you. The net of justice is vast and its meshes are wide, yet nothing escapes it. Aren't you afraid...?"
Xie Guidu glanced at her sideways and said coldly, "Cuizhi, out of consideration for your loyalty to your master, I won't make things difficult for you. Once you're on the ship, I'll naturally let you leave. However, if you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for not showing you any mercy!"
"Yi'er and I are husband and wife, and we are of one mind. How can I leave her here alone?"
Cuizhi became anxious, "Young Master Xie, please stop being so stubborn. The young lady has long been the Empress and has nothing to do with you."
Seeing that Dou Wenyi remained silent and did not speak, Xie Guidu scoffed, "Yi'er, why don't you say anything?"
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