The Princess of the Lower East Palace: A Difficult Remarriage (Completed)

  The queen's guards left, and Qi Gang hastily went through the paperwork with Zhou Pei. He then let his son, Qi Ze, go and bring Xiao Congrong back. Heaven is pitiful! She had already suffered such severe torture and was drenched in rain for a whole day - did they not want her to live?!

  Qī Zé took Xiāo Cóng Róng from the horse carriage and hurriedly brought people back to the mansion. Qī had just realized that doing so would make the empress dowager and her group view him as a member of the Xiao family's 'rebellious party', but at this time, he couldn't care about these things anymore, only wanting to save Xiāo Cóng Róng's life, also considering it as doing one last thing for Old Master Xiāo.

  From Tianlao to the city and then to Qi Fu, there was a road, the horse cart had not walked halfway when it encountered Rong Guang, Rong Guang led a small team of soldiers to block the intersection.

  Qīn's heart skipped a beat, and before he could say anything, Qī Zé raised his whip and asked: "Deputy General Róng, what are you doing blocking the road? Has my family, the Qīs, committed some kind of crime?"

  Rong Guang jumped off his horse, cupped his hands in salute and said: "I dare not! Lord Qi, I am under the orders of His Highness the Third Prince to escort Princess Xiao back to the manor!"

  "Xiao Wangfei? Which Xiao Wangfei?" Qi Ze sneered, "There's only Xiao San Niangzi from the Xiao family in my carriage, no Xiao Wangfei you're talking about, you've got the wrong person!"

  Rong Guang said with a steady tone: "The one I'm going to receive next is Miss Xiao San, I hope Lord Zhe won't make things difficult for me and hand over Miss San to me to take away!"

  " Bah!" Qi Ze's son was also quite fierce, and with a mouthful of phlegm, he spat it out in front of Rong Guang's feet. He sneered coldly: "Third Highness, you've already let go of Third Miss, everyone knows that! When did she become the Third Princess again? During the great disaster that befell the Xiao family, why wasn't she the Third Princess then? I don't care what kind of tricks he's playing, but now that all the members of the Xiao family are dead, shouldn't you let go?! Not to mention that I wouldn't trust handing Third Miss over to him, even if Third Miss were awake, she probably wouldn't agree! If you still have some dignity, then step aside. If you want to snatch people, ask my sword if it agrees or not!"

  He drew his sword, glaring at Rong Guang, who furrowed his brow. In his heart, he was not entirely willing to take Xiao Zong back, but had no choice as he had received orders from Wu Mingyuan. Unless he wanted to give up his military position, he could not disobey!

  Turning his head to Qi Gang, he said with some difficulty: "Lord Qi, as fellow officials in the same court, I am also acting on orders. Please don't make things difficult for me!"

  Qī just glanced at him, waved his hand to let his son retreat, and saluted Róng Guāng saying: "Vice General Róng, Xiǎo Sān Niángzǐ is someone the Emperor has pardoned with a golden pardon, the Emperor has already allowed her to come and go as she pleases. Vice General Róng wants to invite her to the Third Prince's residence, but that depends on whether she is willing or not. If she is unwilling, does Vice General Róng plan to ignore the Imperial Decree and kidnap her?"

  Rong Guang Town said calmly: "Then please Miss Three speak!"

  "Qi Ze angrily said: 'Rong Guang, don't push people too far. You clearly know that Third Miss is unconscious and hasn't woken up, how could she be talking at this time?'"

  Rong Guang's sidekick, Ma Xiangye, was also Wu Mingyuan's trusted deputy general and happened to be He Dongcai's distant cousin. With his cousin's secret instructions, he waited for an opportunity to get rid of Xiao Congrong.

  Ma Xiang said with a sly smile: "Since Third Miss can't speak, how does Lord Qi know she doesn't want to go back? It's clear that Lord Qi has ulterior motives and wants to detain Third Miss. Brothers, come and help me snatch her back, so we can report to the Prince!"

  He didn't wait for Rong Guang to react, drew his sword and stabbed at Qi Ze's horse. The horse was frightened and jumped wildly, causing the carriage carrying Xiao Congrong to be startled and bounce up.

  Qī Zé was enraged, drew his sword and rushed at him to stab, in an instant they became a chaotic mess.

  Qing Gang had secretly called it a bad idea, they were just receiving guests, and since Shang Zuo Rong had let Xue Zhi Rong off the hook, no one would dare to make things difficult for her, so there were fewer people with them. At this time, being surrounded by the likes of Rong Guang and his fierce warriors made it very hard to escape!

  But if Xiao Congrong fell into their hands, it would be even more unbearable for him, feeling that he had failed to live up to the trust of Old Master Xiao. With a determined heart, he tightly hugged the unconscious Xiao Congrong and said to the coachman: "Fourth Brother, drive out!"

  As long as they rush into the city, Rong Guangyi doesn't dare to chase and kill them in the capital. Qi Gang is a high-ranking official of the imperial court after all, even if the emperor wants to kill him, he needs evidence. What can the troops of the third prince do?

  Lao Si, who was driving the carriage, had been a coachman for Qi Guang all his life. As soon as he understood what was meant, he grasped the whip and lashed it down fiercely, urging the horses to gallop wildly in an attempt to break through the encirclement.

  Unable to help himself, Ma Xiangye was not a fool and had been prepared. Two of his trusted men took out long horse spikes and stabbed them into the legs of the horses. The two horses were in pain and jumped wildly, throwing Qi Gang off the carriage as he held onto Xiao Congrong.

  Qī Zé took one look and got angry, this was no longer a robbery, it was clear that they wanted to kill the father and son here before they would be satisfied! The long sword swung out, fiercely stabbing towards Róng Guāng.

  Rong Guang subconsciously avoided it and was shocked. The situation had already gotten out of his control. Assassinating a high-ranking official of the imperial court, this crime could be either big or small!

  He was forced by Qi Ze and had no choice but to fight back after being stabbed in the hand, the two of them clashed together.

  The horse rushed towards the target, saw them fall to the ground, and rushed over. Halfway through, he was desperately blocked by Qi Gang's guards and could not approach for a while. Qi Gang saw the situation, hastily got up, hugged Xiao Congrong, and didn't care how much strength his old bones had left, running forward with all his might. Not far away, another group of horses rushed over.

  The person who was about to take the lead was surprisingly the third prince who had gone and returned. He had already taken off his armor, and his sky-blue brocade robe looked noble and imposing under the reflection of the firelight.

  "Your Excellency Qi, where are you taking our king's queen?"

  The third prince sat high on his horse, seemingly smiling as he gazed down at Qi Gang. Qi Gang was furious and trembling with rage, shouting at him: "Third Highness, do you still have any regard for the law? The Emperor has already pardoned Third Miss's crime, yet you're still trying to take her by force - are you not putting the Emperor in your eyes?"

  Wu Mingyuan's lips curled up slightly, and he asked strangely: "Who told you that I, the king, kidnapped someone? Rongrong is my concubine, with no family to return to. What's wrong with me taking her back to the mansion? On the other hand, Lord Qi is being strange, refusing to let her go. Is it because he has ulterior motives towards Rongrong?"

  Qī Gāng's face turned deep black with anger, staring at Wǔ Míng Yuán unable to speak, Wǔ Míng Yuán suddenly swung the whip in his hand, and the long tail of the whip flew towards Xiāo Cóng Róng in Qī Gāng's arms.

  Qī Gāng's hands were empty for a moment, and Xiao Congrong had already been swept up into the air. Zhōng Wǔmíng Yuán fell down, opening his arms wide to catch Xiao Congrong.

  Suddenly a sharp whistle came from the air, and another long whip flew in, wrapping around Xiao Congrong. With a strong pull, Xiao Congrong was flung out diagonally.

  Wu Mingyuan was shocked, and suddenly saw a person flying over in mid-air like a big bird. In mid-air, he wrapped his arms around Xiao Congrong, moved his hand, and the cloak on his body was torn off to wrap Xiao Congrong.

  He glanced down at the woman in his arms, then raised his eyelashes again. In those eyes, a blue flame suddenly appeared, which was deeper and more terrifying than the red flames, it instantly froze everyone in place, stunning them into forgetting to react...

  That person fell not far in front, wearing a white long shirt, with his head and face wrapped in a piece of white silk, which should be torn from his long shirt.

  He held Xiao Zongrong, standing tall and upright, the cold air emanating from his body made Wu Mingyuan inexplicably shiver. Who was he? How did Rongrong know such an unusual person?

  "Ah......!" The man suddenly let out a long, sharp cry that pierced the eardrums. Before the sound had even faded away, several swift horses came galloping over...

  Wu Mingyuan drew his sword cautiously and saw that the man had carried Xiao Congrong to a horse with no one on it, carefully placing him there.

  He turned around, and two long swords suddenly appeared in his hands. Wu Mingyuan had just thought that something was wrong when he saw him dancing with the long swords, drawing out one beautiful and icy sword flower after another.

  Like a ghostly apparition, that person swept over like the wind, and Wu Mingyuan tightened the reins, advancing to meet him.

  The person hadn't arrived yet, but the icy chill on his body could already be felt, that killing aura was even colder than the blue flames in his eyes, it made his cheeks ache!

  The sword was shaken off as soon as it was handed over, and he didn't see how the other party made a move. The horse lost its front hoof and fell into the mud, his right hand hurt so much that he couldn't bear to look at it, but he could only open his eyes and stare at the demon-like person who was rushing horizontally among his guards, with a pair of swords in his hand that seemed to have grown eyes, one by one, accurate, in an instant, dozens of people fell down, wounded or injured, lying on the ground...

  He's not human... He's a demon! A bloodthirsty demon!

  Wu Mingyuan was heartbroken to see his entire army defeated, and only then did he see the man looking up at the rainwater with a long sigh, not knowing whether he wanted to wash away the tears on his face or the bloodstains.

  Everyone was stunned, including his companions, all of whom were masked and gazed at him with complex eyes as he went on a killing spree unlike anything they had ever seen before...

  Wu Mingyuan trembled as he went to grab the sword, and only when his hand was in the firelight did he see that all the fingers on his right hand were gone, cut off cleanly at the joints. He stared blankly for a moment, then suddenly let out an incredulous and mournful cry, so shrill that Qi Gang thought he had lost his parents!

  That demon lowered his head and looked at him, his blue eyes slowly fading, dragging a pair of long swords over, coldly smiling: "You made her lose both legs, I'll take one of your hands, or are you making a profit?"

  "You devil......" Wu Mingyuan shrieked, striking out with his palm: "Either you kill me now, or I will definitely avenge this sword's grudge!"

  That demon, the rainwater and mud seemed to leave no marks on his white clothes. He laughed maniacally as he retreated: "I won't kill you today, let you slowly feel the pain of living without hands! Your Wu family owes Rongrong, owes me, it's not something that can be repaid with just one sword... I'll come to collect it slowly, bit by bit!"

  He retreated to the horse's side, mounted it, and gently picked up Xiao Zong from the ground, holding him in his arms. He turned around, looked deeply into Wu Mingyuan's eyes, and the deep blue color in his pupils had changed to a bright azure, like two sapphires shining with bright and enchanting light...

  As soon as he cracked the whip, he galloped away on horseback, his men quickly followed, and the group disappeared into the cover of the rainy night. By the time the city's security guards arrived, there was no trace of the group to be found, the rainwater had washed away all signs...

  Guo Xuan Yang didn't ask anything, the third prince refused to mention what had happened, and led the remaining defeated soldiers back to the mansion, closing the gate tightly and not allowing anyone to visit.

  Qi Ji then submitted a memorial half a month later, requesting to retire and return to his hometown.

  His son Qi Zhe took advantage of his old father's age and the need for someone to serve him by his side, also resigned from his official position in the Ministry of Justice.

  The Emperor Wu was unable to retain him and had no choice but to grant his request.

  The Qi family had already sold their property and left overnight as soon as they received the imperial edict.

  Some people say that the Qi family did not return to their hometown, but instead went to Shu, while others say they went to Jiangnan. There are many different opinions, but no one knows what really happened!

  Along with the second prince's return after dealing with the flood, the matter of selecting a princess for the fifth prince was brought up again. The people in the capital were all abuzz about whose daughter would become the fifth prince's consort, and the Qi family gradually faded from view as they followed the Xiao family's affairs...

  As for what happened that day, Xiao Zong was not entirely unaware. To everyone else, she seemed to be in a coma, but only she knew that she couldn't open her eyes, yet she was conscious.

  The heavy rain pouring down on her body was painful for others, but for her who was walking in the scorching heat as if she were in a steamer, it was comfortable.

  She lay in the rain, feeling as if she were in the bosom of Mother Earth, and could hear all the sounds around her, even the distant sound of horseshoes was clear. But she was also drowsy and powerless to open her eyes, without even having the strength to move her fingers.

  Xiao's family was beheaded, she heard the sound of the execution order plaque falling to the ground, and also heard the sound of human heads rolling to the ground, one by one, all knocking on her heart.

  Tears of sorrow flowed unconsciously, mixing with rain and blood, trickling down his face.

  Wu Jia, Zhou Pei... As long as I'm alive, I will definitely seek justice for the Xiao family, I swear...

  His consciousness was blurred by the intense pain in his heart, and the next thing he felt was being held by Qi Gang when they fell off the horse carriage.

  Wu Mingyuan's voice... the sound of fighting... was caught in mid-air... The warmth, still carrying a dry and familiar breath, enveloped her, evoking distant memories deep within her heart!

  It's like yet not... The familiar taste in memory seems not to be this voice... Who is it?

  In a daze, I was carefully held in someone's arms and walked for a while, got off the horse, and entered. The warmth of the house rushed to my face, and more fragrant scents soothed my exhausted nerves... Compared to the smell of blood and iron from the heavenly prison, this fragrance is heaven.

  "Sorry, Rong Er... I've made you suffer!"

  The familiar voice has lost its initial cunning, and the painful guilt is more soothing than warm water to relax the knotted muscles...

  Chu Qing Kuang...... It's really you!

  She sighed inwardly and let her mind wander for a long time, she was really too tired, just wanting to sleep well...

  The partner she chose will protect her, and from his performance just now, she has no doubt about this!

  This time, I hope she didn't misjudge him again!

  "My god... what kind of beast would lay such a vicious hand on a woman..."

  Wu Guanzhi saw Xiao Congrong's weak and feeble appearance under the lamplight, exposed in Chu Qing's crazy battle cloak, which shocked him so much that he almost bit his own tongue off!

  Chu Qing's face was expressionless as he looked at him and said only two words: "Save her!"

  "This is of course!" Wu Guanzhi was also one of the "Masked Knight" just now, and the evil spirit that Chu Qingkuang had just killed also fell into his eyes.

  Rushing back to the capital to save him, despite the risk of snake venom attacking his heart, and exhausting several good horses, it's obvious how important this newly sworn brother is to her; how could he not be wholehearted?!

  Chu Qing carefully lifted Xiao Rong onto the bed, but he frowned and said: "Why not give her a bath first? She's so dirty, she'll get your bed dirty..."

  Xiao Zongrong was just rolled into the muddy ground by Qi Gang, with mud and water all over his face and clothes.

  Chu Qingkong took a look and reacted, letting Mo Yu go fetch water for Xiao Congrong to take a bath. It wasn't that he was afraid of her getting dirty, but rather this set of clothes looked uncomfortable. Hua Junzi took the opportunity to go out and find a maid to bring over several sets of new clothes.

  Wu Guanzi poured some medicinal wine into the hot water, and Yaya came to hold Xiao Zongrong. Chu Qingcang's face was stern as he said, "No need!", personally holding Xiao Zongrong and passing him over to the next room, closing the door behind them, and then helped Xiao Zongrong bathe himself.

  Hua Junzi and Mo Yu looked at each other, but didn't dare to say anything more. Given their understanding of Chu Qing's temperament, he was still in a state of shock and anger, and whatever they said would only trigger his temper. It was better to say nothing at all.

  "Rong Rong...... Yong Er...... you've suffered!"

  At this time, Chu Qingkong had no reservations about men and women with Xiao Congrong. Seeing her covered in wounds already made his heart ache, how could he have so many thoughts!

  His hands trembled as he gently peeled off her prison clothes, he didn't have time to think about why he was so flustered, he just put her in the water and carefully helped her wash away the mud and dry blood stains...

  He had been avoiding her hands all along, until he finally lifted those hands after washing his entire body.

  When her gaze fell on the swollen hand, which looked like a small radish, tears finally couldn't help but fall... The fingernails at the tips of her fingers were gone... The flesh was blurred and not finger-like, but rather thick and swollen meat pillars!

  Hua Junzi roughly told the story of Xiao Congrong's execution on the way, so he couldn't control his anger when he saw Wu Mingyuan!

  At that moment, he had a mind to kill him, but at the last moment, he endured and only cut off his fingers...

  Now seeing Xiao Congrong's calm hand, he regretted it for just now - shouldn't have been soft-hearted! Wu Mingyuan didn't deserve his mercy...

  Rong Er, it's all my fault! All the pain you've suffered, if you want me to, I'll inflict it on them many times over... I swear!

  I won't be able to heal your leg, so let me repay you with this instead! This is all I can do for you!

  Believe me once again!