After Saving The Disabled Villain, I Was Attacked In Return! - Chapter 50

“I’m sorry…” Qi An stammered, her words tumbling over each other. She reached out instinctively to steady Jiang Yu, but Jiang Yu stepped closer and took her by the arm instead.

Under the moonlight, Jiang Yu gazed at Qi An with tear-filled eyes. Qi An’s heart tightened, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through her. She wanted nothing more than to keep looking at Jiang Yu like this.

After a bumpy journey, they finally reached the corner gate of the General’s Residence. The hidden key was still there. Qi An retrieved it with practiced ease, then stood at the gate with Jiang Yu, listening for any movement inside.

“Shift change!” The shout was what Qi An had been waiting for. Hearing the gatekeeper’s footsteps fade into the distance, she gently inserted the key and pushed the gate open a crack. Moonlight spilled onto the ground, confirming the area was empty. Only then did Jiang Yu follow Qi An inside. The moment they stepped back into the General’s Residence, Jiang Yu’s tension finally eased.

Their embroidered shoes padded softly across the courtyard as they made their way toward Shaoyue Pavilion. Qi An followed closely behind. Their journey to Shaoyue Pavilion was surprisingly smooth.

After a night of terror and flight, Jiang Yu entered the warm Shaoyue Pavilion and immediately felt drowsy. She quickly removed her hairpins and climbed into bed, scooting over to make room for Qi An when she arrived.

Qi An sat beside the bed, gazing at the space the girl had made for her. Her heart swelled with emotion. Late at night, after washing her face and changing into her undergarments, Qi An transferred from her wheelchair onto the bed, her slender legs stepping onto the mattress as she lay down quietly beside Jiang Yu.

By then, Jiang Yu was deeply asleep, her cheeks rosy and her mouth slightly agape, looking utterly adorable.

Qi An watched the sleeping girl, who radiated an irresistible allure, like a natural siren drawing one closer.

Slowly, Qi An leaned in, wrapping her arm around Jiang Yu from behind and gently pulling her into her embrace. The girl’s unique, delicate fragrance filled her senses. Qi An buried her face in Jiang Yu’s neck, her chin resting against the girl’s nape.

Their position resembled the intimacy of lovers, yet Qi An remained acutely aware that this was merely a warmth she was creating for herself.

“Madam, it’s time to rest…” In the Central Wing, Lülüo approached Shen Yun with a cup of clear tea. Shen Yun sat cross-legged on the bed, while Jiang Shengrong lay snoring beside her. When she quietly asked the time, she learned it was already late.

Shen Yun’s beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, but she finally sighed. “Did anything happen to them?”

Lülüo’s expression turned serious as she leaned close to Shen Yun’s ear and whispered the report from the Secret Guards who had been sent out.

“Nonsense! How could they possibly go to Fengmen Village?” Shen Yun couldn’t control her voice. Beside her, Jiang Shengrong slowly sat up, rubbing his sleepy eyes as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Madam, what’s wrong? What’s this about Fengmen Village?” Jiang Shengrong was still half-asleep, assuming his wife had had a nightmare and needing to comfort her quickly.

Seeing the General awake, Lülüo hurriedly knelt to pay her respects, unsure whether she should speak further. But Shen Yun blurted out that she’d had a nightmare. After telling Jiang Shengrong to lie back down and go back to sleep, she rose from the Inner Chamber and took her seat on the throne in the Central Wing Main Hall.

The Central Wing Main Hall was some distance from the bed, separated by a folding screen. Shen Yun knew Jiang Shengrong would be sound asleep, so she pulled Lülüo over to ask for details.

Lülüo first set the teacup on the tea table before repeating everything the Secret Guard had told her: “After Eldest Miss Jiang and Qi An left through the corner gate, they headed straight for the city gate. They stayed for a while in a small wooden hut there. After leaving, they entered the Capital and headed toward… Fengmen Village. Once inside Fengmen Village, Eldest Miss Jiang was nearly kidnapped by a man in black. When the Secret Guard moved to intervene, Qi An, who was sitting in a wheelchair and looked frail, protected her. Despite her sickly appearance, Qi An proved surprisingly agile and even managed to stand. Later, they emerged after tossing the corpse of the man in black into a coffin. They encountered no further incidents on their way back.”

Shen Yun’s heart raced with fear at the news. Thank goodness I sent the Secret Guard to follow Jiang Yu, she thought. Otherwise, she might not have told me about this dangerous night!

“This is outrageous!” Shen Yun rubbed her temples, a headache throbbing. “These past few days, Qi An has been constantly by Ningning’s side, coaxing her into all sorts of dangerous schemes. I suspect she’s using our Ningning!”

Lülüo fell silent. In her eyes, Qi An wasn’t so despicable, but she had no reason to bring up the Eldest Miss and Qi An’s conversation. She could only lower her head and listen to Shen Yun’s outburst.

Though Shen Yun claimed to be angry, her words carried more worry than anything else. She knew the people of Fengmen Village well enough, but the lack of information about the mastermind had kept her from acting. But now…

“Now that they’ve dared to offend my daughter, Jiang Shengrong’s daughter, don’t blame me for showing no mercy!” Jiang Shengrong had emerged from the Inner Chamber, his face flushed with fury.

Shen Yun had assumed Jiang Shengrong was asleep, never expecting him to have been listening to Lülüo’s account. Her eyes reddened slightly as she descended from her seat and hurried to his side.

She threw herself into his arms like a little bird, a hint of vulnerability in her voice. “But Fengmen Village… can we really move against them?”

“Why wouldn’t we? I’ve devoted half my life to seizing power and protecting my family. If the power in my hands can’t even protect my wife and children, then it’s all been for nothing!” Jiang Shengrong’s words shook the very foundations of the earth. In that moment, Shen Yun felt certain she had judged him correctly all along.

Jiang Shengrong had always been decisive and resolute. With his reassurance, Shen Yun could finally let go of her worries.

She thought that would be the end of it, but the next morning, when Lülüo opened the door, she was surprised to find Qi An waiting outside the Central Wing Main Hall. Considering the early hour, Qi An must have been there for quite some time, waiting while Lülüo was still preparing Shen Yun’s morning ablutions.

“Miss Qi An? What are you doing here?” Lülüo rubbed her eyes, still half-asleep. Qi An nodded slightly, about to speak, when the door to the Central Wing swung open. Shen Yun stood there, looking at Qi An.

Lülüo was bewildered. Given how late Shen Yun had stayed up the previous night, fretting over Eldest Miss Jiang, she should have been sleeping in.

Qi An showed no surprise at seeing Shen Yun, even smiling faintly. “Madam, might I speak with you privately?”

Shen Yun glanced inside. Jiang Shengrong was still asleep, and inviting an unmarried young lady into their chambers would be inappropriate. With a meaningful look, she signaled Lülüo to lead Qi An to the Central Wing Side Hall.

This side hall differed from the one in the East Wing. Though larger, its lack of visitors meant it remained unheated. Stepping inside, the perpetual absence of sunlight only amplified its chill.

Shen Yun didn’t let Lülüo follow her in, closing the wooden door behind her. Qi An and Shen Yun faced each other. Shen Yun was genuinely surprised. “Why are you here? What do you want?”

Qi An’s lips curved slightly as she tucked her hands into her sleeves and leaned back in her wheelchair. “As you know, Madam, last night I took Miss Ningning to Fengmen Village and encountered the Secret Guard. I’d noticed them earlier but didn’t tell Miss Ningning. Now that you know, what are your plans?”

Shen Yun frowned. She disliked the feeling of having her secrets exposed, but there seemed to be nothing she could do about it now.

“You should have known Fengmen Village wasn’t safe. Why did you take Ningning there? If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you personally responsible!” Instead of answering Qi An’s question, Shen Yun slammed her hand on the side hall table, her fury boiling over.

Qi An lowered her head, not daring to argue with Shen Yun. She truly didn’t know what else to do. If she had come alone, she wouldn’t have been able to borrow Jiang Yu’s identity at all.

Shen Yun seemed to see right through Qi An’s thoughts. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re scheming,” she scoffed. “You’re just using Ningning to gain power and advantages for yourself. But Ningning is naive and innocent, and she only wants to play with you. I didn’t stop you, hoping you’d show some restraint. But when she recklessly knelt in the Ancestral Hall to save you…” Shen Yun shook her head, her voice tinged with a mother’s helplessness. “I knew then that no one could ever sway Ningning’s heart.”

Qi An raised her head, meeting Shen Yun’s gaze with her beautiful eyes. “Madam,” she explained calmly, “you misunderstand. While Miss Ningning’s status does make things easier, I’ve never harbored any ill intentions or sought to exploit her. I genuinely care for her…”

Shen Yun didn’t want to continue this conversation and changed the subject. “Don’t worry about Fengmen Village. Ningning’s father will naturally lead the forces to intercept them.”

Is this already starting? Qi An frowned slightly. If they send troops without solid evidence, won’t it provoke a popular uprising among the villagers?

Shen Yun seemed to sense Qi An’s concerns. “Didn’t you find any compelling evidence last night when you went there?” she asked coldly.

This question struck a chord with Qi An. She recounted her encounter with the little girl from the village and the silver bells on her wrists.

Shen Yun, being astute, naturally took note of these details. However, she needed the girl herself to confirm the evidence.

Fengmen Village was indeed peculiar, and the Emperor had long sought an opportunity to eliminate it. If not for the fear of causing panic among the city’s populace, he would have eradicated them long ago.

Qi An wasn’t worried that this was a trap set by her “dear brother.” Even if they failed to uncover any evidence of the Bone Tribe, the Emperor would seize the chance to abolish Fengmen Village.

By lifting the shadow hanging over Fengmen Village, someone would inevitably act, even if Jiang Shengrong didn’t. Why not seize the opportunity for herself?

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