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墨書 Inktalez
"I, I," he said weakly, "don't hit me anymore, I, I."
Yang Yichen waved his hand, and A Dong finally stopped his actions.
The man had blood streaming from the corner of his mouth and stammered, "We paid to hire people to kidnap Madam Yang. Those robbers held off two guards while the rest took her away. Who knew in the dense forest..."
"So, where is she now?"
Yang Yichen was not here to listen to his useless ramblings; he wanted to know Liu Qingxi's whereabouts.
"We don't know." Just as A Dong was about to strike again, the man continued, "We really don't know. The person was rescued, and we only heard about it later from our subordinates. We didn't see it with our own eyes."
"Really, everything I said is true. Please don't hit me anymore; my life is at stake."
Yang Yichen knew that what they said was true. So be it; he would no longer waste time on these people, but he wouldn't let them go either.
These individuals were the culprits behind Liu Qingxi's disappearance; they would face severe consequences for their actions.
However, Yang Yichen felt aimless. Liu Qingxi had been rescued, and there was no immediate danger to her life, which relieved him somewhat.
But where exactly was she? Where should he go to look for her?
He knew nothing about the person who rescued her, and with Liu Qingxi still missing, he couldn't guarantee whether that person was good or bad.
A thousand worries filled his heart. Upon returning home and facing the empty room, with tears washing over the Wen Family's memories, Yang Yichen felt a chill deep in his bones.
Yet, he would not give up; he had never stopped thinking about finding Liu Qingxi.
Meanwhile, Liu Qingxi, who was constantly on the mind of her family, was in this unfamiliar courtyard, well-fed and well-cared for, yet she could not see anyone or find a way out.
Every time she attempted to leave the courtyard, a maid or servant would block her path.
"Miss, it's better for you to rest here."
"Then tell your master that I want to see him." Liu Qingxi had already confirmed that she was under house arrest.
For several days, she had been well attended by the servants, but she still could not meet the master they spoke of.
"I have a home, I have family. I am grateful to your master for saving me, but I want to go back now." Her expression was more determined than ever.
However, the guards seemed not to understand her words; they either avoided her gaze or smiled without speaking, leaving her with a sense of helplessness akin to hitting cotton.
This life of confinement was suffocating and painfully unbearable for her, yet no matter what she did, she could not escape.
Moreover, after these few days, Yang Yichen had not found him. The person who saved her had immense power and could easily hide someone away.
Liu Qingxi's mood shifted from calm to anxious and finally to unreasonable frustration, but none of it had any effect.
When a maid brought in food, she smashed it in frustration. Everything in the room that could be destroyed was destroyed, yet she still did not see the so-called master.
At the same time, in the shadows of the courtyard, a dark figure quietly watched the person he longed for.
Seeing the rich array of expressions on her face—even when angry, she was incredibly adorable—brought him great joy.
He quietly hid, silently watching Liu Qingxi's ever-changing emotions, observing her happiness and unhappiness, her joy and sorrow, and the melancholy in her gaze as she looked outside.
Yet, he lacked the courage to take that step; he did not dare to stand before her and openly express his love.
Bound by societal conventions, and more so by the genuine feelings between Liu Qingxi and Yang Yichen that everyone could clearly see.
His heart was lost each time he followed Fate's Whimsy, lost in corners he could not find.
So that every time in the court when those ministers petitioned him to expand his harem, his mind was filled with images of Liu Qingxi, flashing with her every smile and frown.
He was enchanted, stealing moments to follow her like a thief whenever he had the chance.
And then, when he saw Liu Qingxi being taken away, his heart stopped for a moment. Without regard for his own safety, he chased after them, using all his strength to rescue her from the hands of the assailants.
When he saw her safe and sound in his arms, he felt an emptiness in his heart filled to the brim.
Never before had anything or anyone made him rush forward without a second thought.
His experiences taught him that to obtain what he desired and achieve his goals, he could endure hardships and use any means necessary, but he would never joke with his own safety.
Because without life, everything else was meaningless.
Yet Liu Qingxi was the first and would be the only one to make him act recklessly.
He should have sent her home, returning her to Yang Yichen.
However, at that moment, he suddenly felt reluctant, unwilling to give her away. So, he quietly brought her back and arranged for her to stay in a hidden corner of the palace where she would not be discovered.
He instructed the Shadow Guard to handle the traces in the dense forest and erase any clues.
Then, every time court was dismissed, he would secretly hide in the shadows, watching her anxiously, seeing her desperately wanting to meet him.
Whenever she became agitated, he felt increasingly uneasy and dared not show himself.
Liu Qingxi truly did not know the purpose of this person behind the scenes; it left her scratching her head in confusion.
In the capital, she hardly knew anyone. Who could it be? In the end, Liu Qingxi had no choice but to threaten with her life: "Quickly call your master. If he doesn't come, I will not live."
With the shards of a broken teacup pressed against her wrist artery, Liu Qingxi widened her eyes, staring at the maid who was taking care of her.
The maid did not expect Liu Qingxi to be so resolute and panicked: "Miss, please don't do anything foolish."
If something happened to this young lady, none of them in this courtyard would survive.
Liu Qingxi did not respond, but the increasing pressure from her injury indicated her determination.
"Miss, please don't! I will send someone to fetch the master right away." The maid hurriedly ran out but did not dare to go far. She directly instructed the servant at the door to deliver the message and quickly returned to keep an eye on Liu Qingxi.
In the palace, a servant-like figure rushed towards the Imperial Study at breakneck speed. Without time to report properly, he burst in frantically: "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"
"How dare you! Is the Imperial Study a place you can just barge into?" The eunuch's sharp voice pierced through the air.
However, the attendant was too preoccupied to care. In recent days, he had noticed the Emperor's growing favor towards that girl. If something were to happen, it would surely lead to disaster.
Now, by intruding into the Imperial Study, there might still be a slim chance of survival.
Dugu Hao put down the memorial and turned to the person he had arranged to take care of Liu Qingxi, coldly asking, "What happened?"
The attendant trembled, "Your Majesty, Miss Liu..."
Before he could finish, Dugu Hao threw the memorial aside and vanished in an instant.
Only Liu Gonggong and another attendant remained, their expressions resembling those who had seen a ghost, with countless question marks hovering above their heads.
What on earth had happened? Why did the Emperor suddenly have such an expression? What could possibly cause the ever-icy facade to break?
In less than a moment, Dugu Hao appeared in the secluded Palace Garden.
However, as he approached, he hesitated. How could he appear before a subject's wife as the ruler of a nation? How could he express his feelings? Such behavior would be so contrary to propriety; how would she perceive him?
He halted his steps and turned to leave. When he returned, he had changed from his original bright yellow dragon robe into a plain black brocade robe. His sharply defined features softened slightly, and he concealed his usual icy demeanor, resembling Master Du instead.
Inside the room, Liu Qingxi clearly heard the sounds of someone bowing outside and the increasingly approaching footsteps, growing more tense with each step.
Surely, the owner of those footsteps was their so-called master—the one who would save her.
She anxiously gazed at the door, her eyes wide open and her lips pressed tightly together, not daring to let her guard down for a moment.
Suddenly, a corner of a black garment appeared at the door, followed by a face that was more rugged than Yang Yichen's. The newcomer smiled, and the chill in his cold eyes gradually faded: "I've been busy outside for the past few days. I just returned and heard from my subordinates that Qingxi is alright!"
Dugu Hao suppressed his wildly beating heart and feigned ignorance as he asked carefully, "The servants are unreliable; I'll deal with them later. How have you been these past few days?"
He looked bewildered, as if he were not the one who had imprisoned Liu Qingxi.
Hmph! Liu Qingxi put down the shattered tea cup and snorted coldly!
What ignorance? Did he think others were fools?
She just didn't expect that it would be Master Du who saved her, the man she had once saved.
"Oh dear, you've been in the capital for so long, and we haven't really seen each other. I just heard you got married after returning from out of town; it's such a pity I couldn't send my congratulations."
Liu Qingxi did not believe his nonsense at all and stared at him coldly.
However, Dugu Hao could not understand her anger and continued to chatter: "I happened to pass by outside the city and saw someone trying to abduct you, so I saved you. I've been busy with business and didn't have time to explain; please don't take it to heart."
Hmph! Didn't know? How could he not know how quickly she had come to this point by threatening to die? Who would believe such a coincidence? Just as she sought death, he returned from outside.
"Qingxi thanks Master Du for saving her life. I wonder when I can go home?"
Uh, Dugu Hao did not expect Liu Qingxi to be so direct, without any intention of engaging in conversation, immediately asking to go home.
This made his heart sink to the bottom, and an indescribable possessiveness suddenly surged within him.
"What is so good about Yang Yichen?" she thought, standing right in front of him, unwilling to say more.
Moreover, who would dare to show Dugu Hao a sour face now?
However, Liu Qingxi was different. The smile on his face slightly faded. "It's been many years since we last met. You saved my life, so let me repay you by treating you well."
"Is that so? I didn't know Master Du remembered that I saved you. But now you've saved me once too, so we're even. I think I'll just go home and not trouble Master Du any further."
At this moment, Liu Qingxi was certain he didn't want to let her go.
She couldn't help but wonder about his identity, being able to hide in such a secretive place without anyone noticing.
Dugu Hao's smile completely vanished, and his aura changed dramatically. He swiftly moved to Liu Qingxi's side. "What is it that I lack?"
The warm breath brushed against Liu Qingxi's face, causing her to instinctively take a step back. "Master Du, please be careful with your words. Qingxi is already a married woman. Being with Master Du might tarnish your reputation."
Yang Yichen's closeness made her blush and her heart race with sweetness, but Dugu Hao's proximity sent chills down her spine and filled her with a sense of disgust.
She never expected this person would have such thoughts about her. After all, it was just saving his life; how did it escalate to this kind of feeling?
A strange chill rose within Liu Qingxi; this Master Du was not as simple as he appeared.
"If Master Du remembers Qingxi's life-saving grace, please let me go back. I have my own home, my husband..."
"Enough!" Dugu Hao suddenly exploded in anger, especially at the mention of Yang Yichen by Liu Qingxi.
The bloodthirsty and possessive nature within him suddenly erupted, the gentle smile he had just shown was merely a facade.
Now was the true face of him.
"What if I want you?" He gradually moved closer, while Liu Qingxi slowly retreated.
"Master Du's status is extraordinary, and there must be countless women who admire you. Why must it be me?"
"But I like you." With this heartfelt confession, Dugu Hao suddenly felt fulfilled, a lightness spreading through his entire being.
It was a thousand times better than the previous oppression: "I like you. I am wealthier than Yang Yichen and have a higher status. Why can't you like me?"
In every aspect, he was no worse than Yang Yichen. Why couldn't he win the affection of the woman he liked?
Why did he have to watch them be affectionate? He was a Sovereign; why shouldn't he be able to have whoever he wanted?
Liu Qingxi, however, did not know that he was Dugu Hao, as he always disguised his face whenever they met, adopting a different appearance that looked incredibly lifelike.
The brutality on Dugu Hao's face made Liu Qingxi tightly shut her mouth, afraid to say anything more. The coldness emanating from him filled her with dread.
She slowly backed away, distancing herself from the enraged man.
The shard of porcelain earlier was merely a threat; she never intended to truly seek death.
She still wanted to be happy with Yang Yichen.
But what should she do now? In the midst of her rage, she ultimately lost her rationality and lowered her head in contemplation.
Until Dugu Hao strode away with great momentum, not forgetting to command, "Keep an eye on her, don't let her think."
After seeing this, Liu Qingxi's situation did not improve; she still had no freedom.
The only change was that during mealtimes, Dugu Hao would always arrive on time to join her.
Even if she didn't say a word, he remained in good spirits and sometimes even brought up the days of Ten Li Pu.
"Back then at Ten Li Pu, didn't we interact like ordinary people? Why can't you like me? Doesn't your saving me prove that you don't dislike me?"
Liu Qingxi remained silent; no matter what she did, he would not change his mind.
She never expected that her initial good intentions would lead to this disaster.
She also did not realize that her attendance at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was the catalyst for this situation, igniting Dugu Hao's inherent possessiveness and restlessness.
And she still did not know that Master Du and Dugu Hao were the same person, nor had she discovered his true identity.
She just didn't know how she would face the future and make her choices.
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