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墨書 Inktalez
Looking at the sparse memorial from Nangong Nuo, Xiao Luo felt as if he were reading a celestial script, concluding that it was pure nonsense.
In truth, Xiao Luo did not feel the slightest urgency regarding Mei Shuang's abduction; instead, he felt a sense of satisfaction. This was retribution, and it was likely directed at that self-righteous and shameless woman.
However, hold on!
Mei Shuang had been kidnapped immediately after leaving the palace, which clearly indicated that the perpetrators had a well-thought-out plan. For a moment, he even wondered if this incident was related to Mei Manor. If that were the case, wouldn’t Mei Manor be suspected of collusion?
He promptly signed an order to seal the ports and sent it urgently over eight hundred miles to various harbors, instructing strict inspections of merchant ships entering and leaving the ports. He also set up numerous checkpoints on land to ensure that all individuals from the Eastern Kingdom were captured.
Yet, despite the meticulously laid traps where even flies and mosquitoes could hardly escape, Mei Shuang and her group of villains seemed to have vanished without a trace.
Moreover, when he simultaneously ordered an immediate search for Eastern Kingdom nationals in the capital, those who had previously been common sights on the streets suddenly disappeared as if they had made an agreement.
It wasn’t until the third day that a vacant horse-drawn carriage and a long-dead driver were discovered by a remote riverside that there was finally a glimmer of hope.
Nangong Nuo rushed to the scene accompanied by local officials, gazing at the vast river surface, which appeared calm and serene.
The local officials, who usually would never encounter someone of such high rank as a prince, were particularly anxious in the presence of the legendary Zhao Prince, who was said to be elusive like a dragon.
At this moment, they stood nervously beside the grim-faced Zhao Prince, astonished that he was so young while also feeling deeply unsettled. After all, such a serious incident occurring within their jurisdiction without their knowledge was indeed a grave sin.
Yet each person harbored a question: why would Zhao Prince personally come for just a few assassins?
Although the river surface was calm now, a cold wind howled along the shore, causing their heavy cloaks to rustle ominously.
A crowd gathered around Nangong Nuo, all staring silently at the vast river surface.
Seeing this situation, Nangong Nuo's face darkened further as if water could drip from it. "What is going on here?"
A local official cautiously replied, "Reporting to Zhao Prince, this area is not only remote but also located at a treacherous point where the river splits. The swift currents and unpredictable waves make it rare for ships to dare enter or exit..."
No wonder they couldn’t find anything despite laying down such extensive traps; it turned out they had slipped away from the edges of the net.
"Please rest assured, Zhao Prince."
Another official beside him chimed in, his words sounding almost self-congratulatory. "The assassin took this route, clearly unfamiliar with the situation; it was a reckless move. Once they encounter a storm, their chances of survival are slim. Just the other day, dark clouds gathered over River Surface, indicating a storm. In that case, the assassin is surely doomed to meet their end in the depths of the sea..."
Nangong Nuo, whose heart felt like it was weighed down by a massive stone, suddenly ignited like a powder keg. He raised his riding whip with a swift motion.
A scream pierced the air as the official who had just spoken fell from his horse several yards away.
Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events, falling silent and afraid to speak.
Nangong Nuo's cold gaze swept over the group of inept officials before him. "Why aren't you going after them? I want to see them alive or dead!"
He then ordered his men to set up camp on the spot and wait for news.
This only heightened the fear among the local officials. What kind of assassin warranted such a response from Zhao Prince, compelling him to take personal action?
After anxiously waiting an entire day, Nangong Nuo finally received news early the next morning.
As expected by the local officials, several large ships sent out encountered rough waters at River Center. Fortunately, they had tied the ships together just in time to avoid capsizing.
They later discovered a small fishing boat that had been overturned by the storm. Judging by the length of the floating debris, it was not a large vessel.
In addition to that, they salvaged a torn Night Cloak and a woman's skirt near the wreckage.
Upon seeing that familiar skirt, Nangong Nuo's expression went blank; darkness clouded his vision as his hands turned icy and his heart sank heavily...
After a long moment, with eyes reddened and fury boiling within him, he pointed his whip toward River Surface and shouted angrily, "Search! Find them for me! Including along the riverbank! If you don't find anything, you'll pay with your heads!"
The people present were terrified by Zhao Prince's outburst, thinking to themselves that those lost at River Center were unlikely to be found onshore. Surely Zhao Prince had lost his mind!
---
The waves crashed violently against each other,
The howling was piercing,
cold to the bone.
Everything became blurry in an instant, and finally, nothing could be seen or heard...
Suddenly, a bright light appeared before me, like a messenger of light, guiding the way ahead. It felt as if sunlight had instantly poured over me, warm and comforting, as if someone was gently calling my name...
I struggled to open my eyes but only saw endless towering waves rushing toward me, pulling everything into their depths...
"Ahhh—help—"
Mei Shuang screamed as she opened her eyes. Still shaken and gasping for breath, she was blinded by the glaring light in front of her.
After a while, she adjusted to the brightness and scanned her surroundings, realizing she was in a simple room.
The room was small and sparsely furnished but clean and bright; although the table and chairs were old, the teapot and cups were neatly arranged on top. A few bound books were also neatly placed at the corner of the table.
It was clear that the owner of this place valued cleanliness and had some taste.
Especially the heated earthen bed beneath her; aside from the slightly hard mattress that felt uncomfortable when she shifted, everything else was very cozy.
Thinking back to those towering waves and the icy river water, and recalling how she had gulped down river water like a dying fish... Ah, now it truly felt like being in paradise. Only through contrast can one appreciate what happiness is; this saying is absolutely true.
Mei Shuang looked down at herself and realized her clothes had been changed to rough gray fabric.
She carefully got out of bed, feeling sore all over as she moved.
Lifting her wide sleeves revealed bruises and scratches on her arms. She touched her face and felt some slight scratches there as well.
Compared to surviving such a disaster, what did it matter if she had some scars?
What intrigued Mei Shuang were the books on the table. She walked over slowly, picked one up, and opened it to find vertical lines of scripture inside.
She had not looked closely yet, only hearing a surprised voice at the door, "Has the benefactor awakened?"
As she spoke, a young girl, about thirteen years old and dressed in coarse gray cloth of the same color, hurried over. Looking curiously at the book in Mei Shuang's hand, she asked, "Do you know how to read, benefactor?"
With her round face and big sparkling eyes, the girl exuded a cleverness that reminded Mei Shuang of her maid, Sugar.
With a slight sigh in her heart, she put down the book and smiled gently at the girl. "I was just browsing. Did you save me?"
The girl shook her head with a smile and explained, "No, it was my young lady... The day before yesterday, my young lady went out to gather firewood and found you by the river. At that time, you were unconscious, cold and wet all over, your clothes were frozen. My young lady carried you back despite the trouble, and fortunately, she knows acupuncture and saved your life..."
"By the river?" Mei Shuang's eyes widened.
Logically speaking, in such cold weather, after falling into the water, she would have almost frozen to death. How did she end up washed ashore? Some things truly cannot be explained by reason.
"Yes, even my young lady said you are very fortunate," the girl said while looking at Mei Shuang with her big eyes twinkling. "Looking at your clothing, you must come from a noble background. But why did you jump into the river? My young lady often says that one's body and skin are given by their parents; how can one casually waste it?"
"......"
Mei Shuang smiled bitterly and was about to explain when she suddenly heard someone outside reciting a Buddhist chant. Accompanied by soft footsteps came a gentle voice, "Amitabha. Peach, who are you talking to? Is the benefactor awake?"
Upon hearing this, Peach quickly replied, "My lady has returned."
She hurriedly ran outside while answering, "My lady, the benefactor has awakened. Come in and take a look..."
When Mei Shuang heard that her savior had returned, she quickly put down her book and went out to greet her.
Just as she reached the door, she saw a young woman dressed similarly in gray entering.
With a slightly slender oval face and fair delicate skin, beneath her willow-shaped brows were two ink-black eyes. Her long black hair was loosely pinned up with a wooden hairpin at the back of her head. She appeared simple yet clean.
Mei Shuang marveled inwardly at such an elegant and pure woman who seemed untouched by worldly affairs like an ethereal orchid in a secluded valley.
Captivated by the visitor's aura, for a moment Mei Shuang forgot to express her gratitude first.
At this moment, the woman met Mei Shuang's scrutinizing gaze, fell silent for a moment, clasped her hands together, and softly said, "I am called Jinghui, may I ask your esteemed name?"
Mei Shuang came to her senses and hurriedly stepped forward, mimicking Jinghui's respectful gesture and gratefully replied, "Thank you, Master Jinghui, for saving me. Um, my name is—Lin Yuxiang..."
"Oh, Lin Yuxiang?"
Clearly, a hint of surprise crossed Jinghui's delicate brows, as if she found it hard to believe or was puzzled by something. However, in an instant, her expression returned to normal as she nodded slightly, "I just wonder what troubles you? If I had arrived a moment later, it might have been too late."
Perhaps due to Jinghui's earlier astonishment, Mei Shuang felt a mix of confusion and nervousness. After all, she had taken the risk of leaving the palace and was trying to avoid encountering acquaintances.
So she cautiously asked, "What is it? Master, do you know me?"
Jinghui gazed intently at Mei Shuang, whose eyes were bright and unguarded. She shook her head, "I do not know you; it's just that you bear some resemblance to an old friend."
"Oh..." Mei Shuang smiled on the surface but felt a stir of unease within. It was important to note that the young lady of Mei Manor rarely left her home; if the other party was not an acquaintance, why would they have shown such an expression?
After expressing her gratitude once more for Jinghui's life-saving assistance, she smiled wryly and said, "It's not that I'm troubled; it's just unfortunate that I encountered bad people while traveling by boat. Then misfortune struck again when a storm capsized the vessel..."
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