Ji Xinhe threw off her clothes and stood up, not looking at her again, and turned away.
Lady Ding slumped to the ground, her body aching and without any strength, only left with fear and panic in her heart.
The villagers were all stunned, seemingly frightened by Ji Xinhe’s aura.
"Xin He..." Ji Dong wanted to speak but stopped himself, not knowing what to say at this moment.
Ji Xinhe directly said, "I’ll go check the bridal chamber."
"I’d better go instead. If others see you going there alone, there might be gossip..." Ji Dong didn’t want to believe that Mu Houchu would really be such a person who would abandon his wife, but he also knew that today’s incident would bring disgrace to his sister.
He had no real abilities, but at least he could try to make her suffer less.
Ji Xinhe’s cold gaze swept over Lady Ding, who was still trembling in fear, and said coldly, "Who dares to say?"
Lady Ding quickly waved her hand, shaking, "No, no, I won’t say, I don’t dare to say!"
Ji Xinhe sneered at Lady Ding, thinking that if she wanted to humiliate her, she needed to see if she had the ability and the life to do so!
Was she going to let others manipulate her?
Ji Dong pursed his lips and reluctantly agreed, "I’ll go with you then."
Ji Xinhe nodded, then quickly turned and left the house, not caring about her bright red wedding dress. The veil lifted, and she knew that today’s marriage was over.
However, she was very lost, not knowing how to deal with it or what her true emotions were. It was too complicated, but she just felt uncomfortable.
When she wasn’t happy, who dared to make her unhappy? Lady Ding’s fate today was a warning.
He was gone. Why was he gone? Was there an accident, or did he regret it?
Either way, it didn’t seem to be a good thing, so she dared not think or guess but could only quicken her pace and run towards the bridal chamber, hoping against hope that perhaps she might find his figure.
The bridal chamber had long been chaotic, with guests arriving and villagers or business partners immersed in a stiff and awkward atmosphere.
When they saw Ji Xinhe’s stunning appearance, everyone gasped in amazement, then shook their heads and whispered what kind of groom could run away from such a beautiful bride?
"Miss Ji, this..." shopkeeper Wu said awkwardly.
Ji Xinhe pursed her lips, "If shopkeeper Wu has something else to do, please go ahead."
Upon hearing this, Wu Zhanggui hurriedly responded, "Ah! Right, then, I’ll go first."
The other guests also took their leave as no one wanted to stay in such an awkward situation. Besides, it would be embarrassing for Ji Xinhe.
Ji Xinhe entered the bridal chamber, her first time coming here, not expecting it to be like this.
With the guests gone, the house was suddenly empty. She stood in the courtyard, looking at the deserted house with red silk ribbons all around, mocking and hurting her.
"He’s gone." Ji Xinhe murmured.
Her solitary figure seemed even more desolate.
Ji Dong quickly said, "Xin He, there may be some unspeakable secrets or urgent matters. This marriage was his sincere request, so how could he leave at this critical moment?"
Suddenly a man in black came out of the house quickly and knelt down, saluting, "Greetings to the madam."
Ji Xinhe looked at him, somewhat puzzled, "Who are you?"
"I just came to deliver my master’s message to the lady. Suddenly, there was an urgent matter, so I had no choice but to leave the lady. I will apologize to her when I return another day."
Ji Xinhe’s eyes dimmed: "Did he say what the matter was?"
"This is..." Ling Feng hesitated.
Since Mu Houchu instructed not to say anything, if he revealed it now, he would be going against his master’s wishes.
Ji Xinhe softly said, "I understand."
Only then did Ling Feng salute and take his leave.
Ji Xinhe looked up at the festively decorated mansion, the bright red characters of happiness, the abundance of red silk, and even the tables adorned with plates of wedding pastries. She had looked forward to her wedding day but never thought it would end like this.
"Xin He, what’s wrong?" Ji Dong saw her standing there silently, seemingly without emotion, and became even more anxious.
Ji Xinhe lowered her eyes, unable to hide her disappointment: "I don’t know. I just suddenly feel a bit uncomfortable."
Ji Xinhe forced a bitter smile. She understood that the urgent matter must be important, but was it more important than their wedding today?
To her, their wedding today was the most important event.
But how did he see it? What could be more important than that?
Or, how much did their wedding matter to him?
She dared not think about it and couldn’t imagine the answer.
"Sigh, it’s his fault today. When he comes back, big brother will confront him personally!" Ji Dong was furious at this point.
Ji Xinhe just hung her head in silence, standing in the joyful yet empty courtyard, feeling utterly desolate.
----
At this time, the capital city was in chaos. The once bustling streets were now devoid of vendors, and the common people hid in their homes, afraid of being caught in the turmoil.
With the help of the defense layout map, Gongsun Yi had snuck his troops into the city and engaged the imperial guards in a bloody battle for nearly three days and nights. Corpses were strewn everywhere, and the Jade River, which ran through the entire capital, had turned red with blood.
Old Man Chen paced back and forth anxiously, his hands behind his back: "The defense map has been leaked. Now that Gongsun Yi, the thief, has found a loophole, he has even kidnapped Ning’er! With the new emperor’s shaky foundation, if the city falls and the Emperor is captured, everything will be over!"
To steal a piece of jade is to be executed; to steal a nation is to become a feudal lord.
Since ancient times, this has been the law of kings and emperors. If Gongsun Yi succeeds today, will not the country change hands!?
"Master, don’t worry too much. The imperial guard has already implemented a new defense layout map, and reinforcements from Cangzhou should arrive soon. In a few days, Mu Xiang will return, and things might still turn around. Gongsun Yi will not achieve greatness!" Lady Chen hurriedly consoled.
Master Chen, half-dead with anger, slapped the table: "Who is it? Who leaked the capital’s defense map? What a scoundrel!"
As soon as the words fell, a servant rushed in frantically: "Master, it’s terrible! Gongsun Yi’s men have surrounded the mansion!"
Master Chen shuddered with fear and hurried toward the inner room: "Let’s go, let’s use the secret passage to get out!"
At this moment, the capital had become a disaster zone of chaos and violence. Even the estates of prominent imperial court officials like Old Man Chen could not escape, let alone bystanders.
However, in a secluded courtyard, it was extraordinarily quiet.
Chen Yining sat calmly in the garden: "I gave you the defense layout map, and now you will help me one last time. With this, our transaction is complete."
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