Chapter 189 Kidnapping
Han Wu, Yuan Chenghai, Fang Yuanzhi, the Crown Prince...
As Qiu Heng soaked in the hot spring, she closed her eyes and pondered the pain of her four attacks, the most unbearable of which was undoubtedly the one she had saved the crown prince from.
After much discussion with his advisors, the gentleman deduced that eliminating the Five Thieves might save the Great Xia Dynasty. Her return changed the fate of many people, and she would only suffer the burning pain when she eliminated Han Wu and his group.
This shows that eliminating these three traitors had reached a point where Heaven could not tolerate her, implying that the gentleman and his ilk were right.
The punishment for saving the crown prince was even more severe—Qiu Heng opened her eyes, a smile playing on her lips.
Does this mean she's right?
Qiu Heng raised her hand and pressed the corner of her eye to suppress the surging tears.
She made a decision different from her husband's, and although her heart was firm, she was also filled with anxiety countless times: Was her choice the right one?
What if she's wrong?
But God punished her even more severely to show her that she had done the right thing.
Therefore, the intense pain became like honey, making her feel sweet and content.
I don't know how much time passed, but the attack subsided.
Qiu Heng stepped out of the hot spring, dried herself with a soft towel provided in the wooden house, put on her clothes, and went outside.
"The young lady is out," the maidservant waiting outside greeted her.
"Hmm." Qiu Heng nodded slightly to the maid, then realized something was amiss. "Wasn't it you earlier—"
Before she could finish speaking, the maid's eyes turned cold, and a gleaming dagger was pressed against Qiu Heng's neck.
The county magistrate of Jiayi and others, who witnessed this scene from a short distance, were greatly surprised and rushed over.
"What are you doing? Let go of Ah Heng!"
The maid held a dagger tightly against Qiu Heng's neck with one hand and pulled her backward with the other, shouting at the people rushing in from all directions, "Stop right there, or I'll kill her right now!"
As she moved the dagger, gasps of alarm rose and fell, and no one dared to step forward.
"Don't try to struggle, or you'll regret it!" After warning Qiu Heng, the maid led her back.
Ling Yun rushed over upon hearing the news.
"Where is Aheng?"
Princess Jiayi's eyes were red: "That villain took us over there and forbade us to get close."
Ling Yun looked around and his heart sank.
That was clearly the villain preparing to escape.
"Your Highness—"
Ling Yun ignored the guards' attempts to stop him and walked in that direction.
"stop!"
Ling Yun stopped and said in a gentle tone, "You must have a reason for kidnapping Aheng. If you have any demands, you can make them."
The maid stared at Ling Yun for a moment: "Prince Kang's heir?"
"Exactly."
Do you know Xue Han, the Imperial Envoy?
Ling Yun paused for a moment, then nodded: "I know him."
"Call him over. I'll wait inside. If he doesn't arrive in an hour, we'll collect her body." After saying this, the maid pulled Qiuheng and retreated to the other side of the mountain wall.
Ling Yun clenched his fist tightly.
These hot springs are scattered throughout the valleys, and further in, the mountains stretch endlessly. Once the villains take Ah Heng to hide there, even if a large number of people go into the mountains to search, it will be very difficult to find them.
Humans are far too insignificant in the face of the wonders of nature.
"Go and invite Lord Xue!" Ling Yun didn't dare delay and immediately gave the order.
The maid led Qiu Heng away from everyone's sight, but did not relax at all, quietly waiting for Xue Han to arrive.
"You took me hostage just to summon Lord Xue?" the girl, who had been silent all along, suddenly asked.
"You call him Lord Xue? Isn't he your lover?"
Qiu Heng fell silent when asked the question.
"Is it true or not? If it isn't, you can die right now." The maid asked coldly, her tone so flat that it was clear this wasn't a threat.
"Yes... he is my lover," Qiu Heng answered in a trembling voice. "Why did you call him here?"
"You're already like this, and you're still worried about your lover?" The maid said, seemingly relieved. "Don't worry, I'm not going to kill him. He'll let you go as long as he meets my demands."
What are your requirements?
The maid sneered, moving the dagger slightly: "You have too much curiosity."
The girl seemed startled, and after a long while, she whispered, "I'm not curious... I'm just afraid that Xue Han can't meet your request..."
The maid's tone grew even colder: "That depends on your importance to your lover. If he cares about you, he'll grant my request. If he doesn't care that much—"
"For example, how?"
"Then you can only blame your poor eyesight for choosing the wrong man. You'll have to open your eyes wider in your next life."
A tear fell onto the maid's wrist.
The maid frowned: "You don't seem like the kind of person who would dare to go to Fang Yuanzhi's study."
Qiu Heng's eyes flickered slightly.
This kidnapping was actually related to a treacherous minister?
"I...I'll listen to Xue Han..."
"So it was all for the sake of helping her lover gain merit." The maid suddenly became worried. "How does Xue Han treat you?"
"He, he's fine."
"That's good."
"and you--"
"Shut up!"
Qiu Heng fell silent.
Not long after, a familiar voice came: "I am Xue Han."
The maid looked at her with suspicion: "So fast?"
"I was on my day off today and happened to come to the hot springs, where I ran into the person who was looking for me."
The maid thought for a moment, then called out, "Alright, come over here by yourself."
Soon, a young man wearing a dark cloak appeared before the two.
"Xue Han—" Qiu Heng called out, her voice choked with sobs.
"Don't speak!" The maid yanked Qiu Heng away, the tip of the dagger slicing through her fair skin and drawing blood immediately.
Xue Han's breath hitched, and he shouted, "Don't hurt her!"
Seeing his anxious expression, the maid smiled and said, "It seems you still care about your sweetheart."
"What are your requirements?" Xue Han asked in a deep voice.
"My request is simple: have your men bring the three people we captured earlier, let us go, and I'll release her."
"Are you from Qi?"
"Enough with the nonsense. Are you releasing her, or do you want her dead?"
Xue Han said calmly, "I need to know at least where you came from, otherwise I won't be able to explain to the Emperor if I release him."
“That’s right, I am from Qi.” The maid looked at Xue Han expressionlessly. “Send your men to bring him here now, or else—”
A unique fragrance wafted over.
In her hazy state, the maid heard the girl ask softly, "Or what?"
not good!
The maidservant gripped the dagger and stabbed, but it was too late; she swayed and fell to the ground.
Xue Han rushed over: "Aheng, are you alright?"
"Something's wrong—" Qiu Heng only managed to utter two words before collapsing like a maid.
Xue Han immediately embraced Qiu Heng: "Aheng!"
A whooshing sound came from the air. Xue Han, holding Qiu Heng, quickly dodged, but the crossbow bolt that shot towards them pierced the maid's heart.
There were accomplices too!
"Hu Si—"
Hu Si rushed over: "Sir?"
"There are still spies. Go after them."
"yes."
More people flocked over.
Xue Han handed Qiu Heng to Ling Yun: "Take good care of A Heng."
Ling Yun nodded, and seeing Xue Han go after the spy, he instructed the guards, "You all go too."
He bent down slightly, picked up Qiuheng on his back, and walked outside.
When the Jiayi County Princess and her companions, who were being held back outside, saw Ling Yun carrying Qiu Heng out, their expressions changed drastically.
(End of this chapter)
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