Chapter 29: Spectator Ming

  A line of people entered the main gate of the Ling Wang Fu in an orderly manner, and saw Yuan Longqiao get off his horse. Zhou Song immediately rushed over to hold an umbrella for him to shelter from the rain.

  He turned and walked to the front of the carriage, Yuan Longqiao slowly clenched his right hand, the warmth that had held her before still lingering in his palm. After a moment of silence, his heart softened slightly, he stepped forward and personally lifted the curtain.

  The light inside is dim, and only by narrowing my eyes can I see the frail figure huddled in the corner of the carriage: legs curled up, arms wrapped around them, and a head bowed on their knees.

  He couldn't help but feel his heart soften completely.

  Feeling the light, Xia Tian timidly raised her head. As soon as she saw the person in front of her clearly, she immediately turned away.

  His gaze suddenly turned cold, his self-control, which he had always been proud of, lost again and again. With a flick of the curtain, he suppressed a low growl: "Lock her up in the woodshed for me, no one is allowed to let her out without my order."

  Zhou Song's lips moved slightly as he looked at Yuan Longqiao's face and could only respond with a soft "yes".

  Yu Longqiao took another look at the horse carriage and finally walked away.

  "Your Highness, the Seventh Highness, Yun and Yuwen are all waiting for you in the study." Zhou Song followed behind him with an umbrella, not even daring to breathe heavily.

  With a cold face, Yuan Long strode hastily towards Jing Mo Xuan.

  The woodshed was located in the most remote corner of the mansion, long abandoned, with a wooden structure without windows, and many gaps and holes were filled with years of neglect and rot. The woodshed was empty, full of dust and spider webs, with a musty smell filling the air. When the door was closed, the only light inside came from the faint light that seeped through those gaps.

  Summer stuck to the bright spot, sat down and wept. She was afraid of the dark, and had been since she was a child. At home, every night when she went to bed, she would leave a small lamp on; here, Feng Lui would also considerately leave a candle lit; even in that pitch-black cave, there was her elder brother's company. But at this moment, in the darkness, there was only her, only her crying voice echoing in the empty space. She wanted to go home, wanted her dad and mom, if she hadn't crossed over and was still by her parents' side, how would she have suffered such grievances.

  The wind and rain are dismal, making the faint sound of crying even more heart-wrenching.

  Yuan Longqiao passed by the outside of Jingmo Xuan, and Ba Wang jumped out from the doorway, staring at his slightly pale face, calling out repeatedly: "Third brother, what's wrong with you? Why is your face so bad? Has the new sister-in-law been rescued? Why didn't you bring more people out, I'm worried to death!"

  Upon hearing the noise, Yuwen Qiming and Yun Wuzi also came out to see Yuan Longqiao covered in mud and water dripping from his hair, which gave them a fright.

  "How did you get here?" Yuan Longqiao asked instead of answering, and Yuan Longbi didn't mind, still speaking to himself: "As soon as we heard the news that our new sister-in-law was assassinated, we rushed over immediately. Who knew that when we arrived, we would hear that you went to look for her yourself." His tone sank, and he frowned: "Third Brother, it's not Xiaoqi saying this, but how can you be so foolish? What if their target is you, and they lure you out of the cave only to ambush you? You'll be in danger then!"

  Yun Wuqi slightly raised the corner of his mouth, suppressing a smile as he glanced at Yuwen Xiangming, who had also relaxed his expression. He reached out and placed a hand on Yuan Longxiang's shoulder, speaking in a warm voice: "Seventh Highness, don't worry, as long as Third Highness returns safely, that's all that matters. For now, let's get you changed into some dry clothes first."

  "Oh." Yuan Longlin hastily made way and urged, "Third Brother, hurry up and change your clothes, be careful not to catch a chill."

  Yuan Long slowly raised his head, as if he had just realized that someone was speaking but didn't know what the other person said. His eyebrows furrowed, and in a glance, he seemed to have wandered off somewhere again.

  Yuan Longlin looked puzzled and pushed him: "Third Brother?"

  "Hmm." After calming down, Yuan Long took a step and left immediately, leaving the three people staring at each other in confusion.

  "Zhou Song." Yuan Longlin grabbed Zhou Song, who was about to follow up front, and asked with gritted teeth: "What happened? Didn't you save the new sister-in-law?"

  "Not necessarily..." Zhou Song blinked his eyes, thinking about how to respond.

  Yuwen Qiming also stepped forward, "I see that the Third Prince's face is full of anger and seems to be weighed down by worries. If you know what's going on, please tell us quickly so we can find a way to help the Third Prince resolve it."

  "This... Alas, I don't know either, all I know is that as soon as Your Highness returned, you ordered the queen to be locked up in the woodshed."

  "Why?" Yuan Longlin's eyes widened.

  Zhou Song waved his hand and hurriedly followed Yuan Longqiao's footsteps.

  Yuwen Qiming lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled like the ripples on a lake blown by the wind, saying lightly: "Let's go first, we can't help with this matter."

  Yun Wuji raised an eyebrow, and Yuan Longxiang looked at him as if he were a strange creature.

  "A gentle and refined lady, a good match for a gentleman."

  "What did you say?" A hint of delight flashed in Yun Wuqi's eyes.

  Yuwen Qiming smiled: "It seems that Your Highness is really moved this time."

  "You are the confidant of the Third Prince, at this moment my thoughts are naturally not as transparent as yours." Yun Wuqi spoke with a smile.

  His face slightly red, Yuwen Qiming turned his eyes and said he didn't understand.

  "What are you guys talking about? What's going on? What's the meaning of this?" Yuan Longlin listened from the side, completely bewildered.

  Yuwen Qiming and Yun Wuqi exchanged a smile, one on the left and one on the right, pushing him along the corridor towards the gate of the courtyard. "Let's go, Seventh Prince, if you're not at ease, come again tomorrow."