On Gao Chenghao"s handsome face hung a ferocious smirk. Step by step, he forced Murong Zhining backward. "Do you feel particularly scared right now, Princess? Please rest a.s.sured, I will be very gentle."
Murong Zhining retreated to a corner, hearing her own heartbeats jump quickly in her fear. "Fourth Prince… What are you trying to do?"
Gao Chenghao coldly sneered. He propped his hands against the wall behind and leaned close to her. "Since Princess is so smart, you must have guessed it already. When a terribly lovesick man sees his beloved woman, what do you say he"ll do? Why do you even need to ask? In our country, a man, for his own dignity, will forcibly make a woman who doesn"t keep her promise into his own."
Murong Zhining turned her face away. "You dare? This is in my country, so Fourth Prince needs to think of the consequences before you act. Release Lan"er, and I"ll pretend like this never happened."
Gao Chenghao"s entire body emanated a dangerous aura. "You can"t even guarantee your own safety, yet still have the heart to threaten me? Princess, shouldn"t you be begging me meekly? If you keep being insincere like this, I might just get angry. If anger hinders me from finding the person you want to find and something bad happens to her, please don"t blame it on me. Or, I could kill Mister Tuoba and simply lock you up here. Who would know that you two ever came to my estate?"
Murong Zhining was terrified, but she quickly calmed down. Pretending to compromise, she said, "Fine, I"ll agree to your request. Hurry up and make your people release Miss Tuoba, then you can find my imperial father to discuss our marriage."
Pleased, Gao Chenghao lifted up her delicate chin with his hand. "Now that sounds much better. Princess is a sensible person. Since we"re about to get married soon, can I kiss you?" His eyes flashed with a dangerous glint as he stared at her like a hunter staring at his struggling prey in the trap.
Looking straight into his demented eyes, Murong Zhining acted gentle. "Your Highness has stayed in Nanjin long enough to know the customs of Shangxia. In our country, before the bride is officially married into the house, the groom cannot kiss his bride, or it will be unlucky."
Gao Chenghao laughed out loud. He was only trying to frighten Murong Zhining. "I know you"re shy, Princess. You look adorable when you"re shy. Remember, you are my fiance. If you dare go back on your promise again, I will just directly turn you into my woman."
Murong Zhining exited the study with a lingering fear while Gao Chenghao politely led her to her seat, neither wore their feelings on their faces. As Tuoba Zhi looked at Murong Zhining, his hanging heart finally settled down. Still, he regretted having let her take such a risk.
A while later, Gao Chenghao"s servants reported that Tuoba Lan had been found on a roadside haystack with her hands and feet tied.
Inside the carriage, Tuoba Lan sat there, not yet recovered from the fright. Murong Zhining hugged her close and gently comforted, "It"s okay, Lan"er don"t be scared! Blame it all on me for offending that b.a.s.t.a.r.d! It"s alright. Next time you visit the palace, I"ll send a carriage and guards to pick you up. We"ll be much, much more careful."
Tuoba Zhi was depressed. "I was muddled to let Princess take such risks. One false step and I nearly not only failed to save my sister, but also put Princess in danger. Gao Chenghao is a very dangerous character."
Murong Zhining"s heart ached as she stroked Tuoba Lan"s hair. "This happened because of me, how can I just sit by? We only need to be more careful next time. This is my father"s territory, he wouldn"t dare to act too wanton."
As Murong Zhining supported Tuoba Lan into the Tuoba house study, Tuoba Lan looked at her with piteous eyes and said, "Lan"er is not afraid, big sis doesn"t need to worry. My gut is very big, it"s no big deal."
Tuoba Zhi creased his brows. "Since the wolf has exposed his fangs to us, for Lan"er and your safety, I can only destroy him."
Murong Zhining was dumbstruck. She never knew that the ever-gentle Tuoba Zhi had such an imposing side to him. She hastily said, "You can"t. If anything, he"s still a prince of Wuli. If something happens to him in Shangxia, it will cause a dispute between the two countries."
Tuoba Zhi eyes flashed with an imperceptible cold glint. "What if he dies to an accident?"
Murong Zhining tensed up. "You can"t touch him, Mister Tuoba. He holds the secret to unlocking the treasure."
Tuoba Lan opened her eyes in shock. "Just how many more secrets are you two hiding from me? What treasure?"
Tuoba Zhi touched her forehead. "Is something wrong with your brains? Who said treasure? It seems you"ve been scared silly. Go back to your room and rest, I"ll take Princess to the palace. She snuck out in order to save you."
In his residence, Gao Chenghao was drowning in alcohol in a bad mood, with several seductive concubines surrounding him. His eyes were extremely cold, his hand clenched so tight as if wanted to crush the wine cup.
His most favored concubine, Yin Shu, was all sweet as she hugged him. "Your Highness, for what reason have you been so unhappy these days? Are you thinking of hooking up with some new young lady again?"
Gao Chenghao impatiently pushed her away. "Stop bothering me! Just get out of my sight!"
The frightened concubines all left in a hasty manner.
Gao Chenghao stared at the wine cup in his hand and squinted, his lips curved up in a sinister smile. He had requested to meet Murong Zhining three times, and three times she found an excuse to refuse. Her avoidance made him angry and helpless at the same time. On the other hand, her father actually agreed to see him. But the instant Han Yao knew that he came to propose, he said that Murong Zhining"s marriage was up to her. Towards Murong Zhining who he kept wishing for but unable to claim, Gao Chenghao"s heart blazed with an intense desire for conquest.
Early in the next morning when Murong Zhining woke up, she found a fresh phoenix tree leaf by her pillow. She was very puzzled, as there was no phoenix tree in the palace at all. Murong Zhining asked every maid and eunuch, but without exception, no one knew where this leaf might come from.
Murong Zhining was startled. She immediately a.s.sociated it with Chiyun Yuexuan, but quickly denied the idea. In the end, while she wasn"t sure if it had been Chiyun Yuexuan, she firmly believed that someone must have snuck into her sleeping chamber last night.
The maids helped Murong Zhining wash her face and do her hair, then changed her into a neat purple thin silk casual outfit, the kind that was most suitable for traveling. Today, Tuoba Lan was coming to take her out to play. Tuoba Zhi had promised to bring them to a secluded farm a little ways away.
Afraid to worry her imperial parents, Murong Zhining didn"t inform them of the plan. She only brought a maid and an armed guard in disguise. With her ident.i.ty waist tag alone, she smoothly exited the palace, outside of which the carriage that Tuoba Zhi had sent to pick her up was waiting.
The carriage traveled westward for roughly two hours before finally arriving at a remote farm. One could find all kinds of livestock and poultry here, as well as an expansive lotus pond that raised fish. Right next to the pond were several fields planting a variety of vegetables, and the end of the vegetable plot, trees of popular local fruits from everywhere formed an orchard. The goods produced from this farm alone were more than enough for the Tuoba Estate"s consumption.
Near the lotus pond, there was a small courtyard built of bamboo, providing a place to stay for the owners when they came for leisure time. Entering the yard, a winding path would lead one to sightsee a murmuring stream and a wooden bridge perfectly complemented by bamboo fences. It was truly a refreshing and pleasant residence.
The group walked to the bamboo tea table in the yard, sitting down on flexible and comfortable rattan chairs.
The servants of the farm delivered fresh fruits and exquisite snacks to the three masters. Tuoba Zhi personally brewed a pot of fine tea and urged, "Ning"er, try them. These are all produced by the farm itself. They are not only delicious, but also very healthy."
Murong Zhining quipped, "That"s the top clan in the capital for you. Even the palace can"t compare to your taste and standard."
Tuoba Lan chimed in, "Big sis you"re too flattering. You are just too bored staying in the palace. From now on, Lan"er will often accompany you here to stay for a couple of days."
Tuoba Zhi knuckled her forehead. "You think Princess is a wild girl like you?"
Tuoba Lan covered her forehead. "I just don"t know if Princess can come here again in the future."
Tuoba Zhi handed Murong Zhining a cup of tea. "Why not? This place is always open to Princess. By the way, what do you ladies want to do after lunch? Horse riding or fishing?"
Murong Zhining replied in high spirits, "I want to go fishing. When I was little, nanny often brought me to catch small fish and shrimps with bamboo cages. I really miss that time."
Tuoba Lan was stuffing her mouth with pastry. "Oohf… Fishing and riding are both fun. Our farm has Mongolian ponies, very suitable for girls to ride. We have to try both!"
Murong Zhining agreed happily, "Alright!"
Chiyun Yuexuan was riding Flash as he watched Murong Zhining from the distance. Yesterday, he arrived at Nanjin and snuck into the Tuoba Estate to see Tuoba Lan. He knew Tuoba Lan would help him. Indeed, Tuoba Lan encouraged Tuoba Zhi to bring them to the farm, while also disclosing their itinerary to Chiyun Yuexuan.
Tailing them all the way here, Chiyun Yuexuan concealed himself behind the trees, waiting for a chance to capture Murong Zhining. She was riding on a pony, which was carefully led by the reins by Tuoba Zhi slowly walking ahead. From afar, they looked like a beautiful couple.
Chiyun Yuexuan frowned, his heart jealous and bitter. He kept asking himself about what method to use to take Murong Zhining, knowing full well she"d definitely not cooperate with him.
On the pony"s back, Murong Zhining laughed heartily. "Mister Tuoba, let go of the reins, I"ll slowly ride on my own."
Tuoba Zhi turned around with a smile. "Be careful, hold the reins tight. Don"t blame me if you fall and hurt yourself." He then delivered the reins to her hands.
Tuoba Lan, who just fell off her horse, crawled up and yelled, "Bro you"re being unfair. Now that you have big sis, you don"t care about your little sister anymore!"
Tuoba Zhi hurriedly ran over to help her up and checked if she got hurt anywhere. They didn"t notice, from the other end of the pasture, a man dressed in black was racing towards Murong Zhining on horseback.
At this moment, Chiyun Yuexuan"s eyes happened to be on the Tuoba siblings as well. Everyone was distracted when the black-clad man grabbed Murong Zhining onto his horse and galloped away.
Upon hearing Murong Zhining"s screams, Tuoba Zhi looked over and paled in fright from what he saw. He instantly stood up, ran to the stable and led out a horse. "Lan"er, watch out for yourself, I"ll go after them."
Regaining his wits, Chiyun Yuexuan also rushed out from the trees and gave pursuit. Seeing him, Tuoba Lan covered her mouth and yelped, Oh heavens! The man who took big sis isn"t General Chiyun!"
Tuoba Zhi shot Tuoba Lan a glare before he sped off after Chiyun Yuexuan, chasing in the direction that the man in black had escaped to.