Chapter 267 She, Song Jiyun, will never be manipulated by anyone!
The eldest sister-in-law's words were like a hot iron, making He's mother's heart tremble.
The smile on her face hadn't faded, but her eyes quickly filled with an indescribable, complex emotion.
Prepare wedding clothes for Ran'er...
The child's father is thousands of miles away on the frontier, facing wind, frost, and swords.
How could she not be worried day and night?
The border is in grave danger, and my husband, a general, is in grave danger.
I don't know if I'll ever see my two children get married.
She suppressed the bitterness in her heart and forced a smile that looked worse than crying.
"Yes, yes! It's time to prepare!"
Looking at her feigned joy, Meng Shilan felt a lump in her throat, as if something had gripped her tightly.
She picked up the gorgeous wedding dress and said softly, "Auntie, look, isn't this golden phoenix even more spirited than the one in the painting?"
She deliberately changed the subject, unwilling to let these heavy thoughts overwhelm the old woman who was forcing a smile.
Following her hand, Mother He's gaze returned to the dazzling red, and she forced back the tears in her eyes.
...
The osmanthus tree in the British Duke's Mansion has shed its last petal of fragrance.
Old Madam Zhou's lips were already burning with bright red blisters from her anxiety.
Still no news?
Her voice was hoarse, revealing an barely suppressed anxiety.
Zhao held a bowl of bird's nest soup and slowly stirred it with a silver spoon, without even lifting her eyelids.
"Mother, who are you talking about?"
"With so many people in your household, including sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, your daughter-in-law doesn't know which one you're asking about."
This indifferent tone made Old Madam Zhou's temper flare up instantly!
"Stop playing dumb with me!"
She slammed her hand on the table, making the bowl of bird's nest shake three times.
"I'm talking about Cumulus clouds! Song Cumulus clouds!"
"She's a young woman, with no relatives or friends, who came to our household seeking refuge. Now she's vanished without a trace, and you, as the mistress of the house, haven't even bothered to ask her why?!"
Zhao finally raised her head, a faint hint of mockery on her face.
“Mother, you’re wronging your daughter-in-law.”
“Miss Song is not a servant in our household. She is free to come and go as she pleases. What right does your daughter-in-law have to control her?”
"Besides, she walked out of the mansion on her own that day, she wasn't kidnapped, so how can you say she's 'missing'?"
These words were flippant and sarcastic, each one like a knife stabbing into Old Madam Zhou's heart.
Just then, the Duke of England walked in from outside with a sullen face.
He heard the last few words, and his face immediately turned ashen.
"Enough!"
He gave a low growl, his voice full of annoyance.
"Is a woman from another family worth all your arguing about every day?"
"She walked out on her own, so do you expect me, the Duke, to send people all over the city to bring her back with fanfare?!"
The Duke of England made the final decision, turned and left, leaving the room in deathly silence.
Madam Zhou was so angry that she trembled all over. She pointed at Zhao's back and couldn't say a word for a long time.
She didn't break it.
Who else can she turn to for help?
Should we report this to the authorities? Or should we seek help from other government offices?
Doesn't that mean announcing to the world that she, the future granddaughter-in-law of the Duke of Ying's mansion, has been out all night and her whereabouts are unknown?
By then, Song Jiyun's reputation will be completely ruined!
They can forget about saving face for the British Duke's mansion!
Old Mrs. Zhou slumped into the chair, feeling a sudden dizziness.
She was a strong-willed person all her life, but she never expected that in her old age, she would be completely controlled by a junior.
...
Meanwhile, He Zhuo was in a secluded courtyard, slowly and methodically wiping his long sword, which could cut through iron like mud.
The blade reflected his cold, handsome features.
Guo Fan walked in from outside, carrying a chill with him.
"We've figured everything out."
He said in a deep voice.
"We've investigated all three hideouts mentioned on the note. Just as Young Master He predicted, they're not the same people."
He Zhuo wiped the blade without pausing for a moment.
"Uller is not a monolithic entity."
"Ule is a collective name for dozens of leagues and banners, each with its own leader and its own agenda."
"If they hadn't been nearly wiped out by the Great Sheng back then, they would never have united as one."
"Now that the Khan is dead, the little prince is still a nursing baby."
A cold smile curved at the corners of He Zhuo's lips.
"A pack of vicious dogs without their leader, who have been recuperating for so many years, how could they possibly be willing to bow down and submit?"
A glint flashed in Guo Fan's eyes, "What does Young Master He mean..."
"Internal strife is the best weapon."
He Zhuo sheathed his long sword, which emitted a clear hum.
He took Song Jiyun away from Meng Shilan's ancestral hall, deliberately leaving clues along the way.
Those traces, just the right amount, were enough for those spies, each with their own ulterior motives, to follow the scent and find their way here.
A dilapidated temple on the outskirts of the city.
A chilling wind, like the wailing of ghosts, poured in from all directions through the holes, whipping up withered grass and dust from the ground.
Song Jiyun lay on the cold, icy ground.
She was still wearing that lake-blue autumn shirt.
The thin clothing was no match for the chill of the night.
She was so cold she was almost unconscious; her lips were bluish-purple, and her whole body was trembling uncontrollably.
Consciousness is torn between clarity and confusion.
She was not willing to accept it!
She hates it!
Meng Shilan! That bitch!
Instead of killing her, she tortured and humiliated her in this way!
What did she do wrong?!
She just fell in love with the wrong person!
She just wanted to take back everything that was rightfully hers!
Zhou Congxian...
That name, like a poisonous thorn, was deeply embedded in her heart.
She did nothing wrong! He was the one who was wrong! He had no heart!
He betrayed her!
Song Jiyun gritted his teeth and used the last bit of strength to lift his head.
A sliver of cold moonlight shone through a large hole in the roof of the dilapidated temple, falling on her pale, paper-white face.
She looked at the lonely moon, her eyes flashing with a frenzied hatred and determination.
As long as I don't die!
Meng Shilan! Zhou Congxian!
The humiliation I have suffered today, I will repay a thousandfold in the future!
Just then.
Outside the temple, a very faint sound came from the wind, like the rustling of clothes.
It's here!
Song Jiyun's heart clenched suddenly.
Several dark figures, like ghosts, silently sneaked into the dilapidated temple from different directions.
They didn't even glance at Song Jiyun on the ground.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the other, filled with vigilance and murderous intent.
The air froze instantly.
Tensions were high.
These people are all spies of Ule.
But they came from different banners and were loyal to different masters.
They were colleagues when the Khan was alive.
But now, they are each other's greatest enemies.
Song Jiyun lay motionless on the ground, even breathing as softly as possible.
suddenly.
She felt a faint chill coming from the roof beam above her head.
Song Jiyun's pupils suddenly contracted.
There are others lurking in the shadows!
At that moment, she understood everything.
They didn't want to use her to exchange for any information!
They want to use her life to ignite the fuse of internal strife in Ullei!
On what grounds?!
Why should she be destined to be a pawn on someone else's chessboard?!
She, Song Jiyun, will never be manipulated by anyone!
She refused to be a pawn for Meng Shilan, and even less to become a sacrifice for these barbarian tribes of the grasslands to fight for credit!
She has to live!
She's trying to escape!
Just as the delicate balance of power between the various factions was about to be broken.
A resolute glint flashed in Song Jiyun's eyes. With all his might, he rolled over towards the temple gate!
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