FBC – Chapter 100 Ji Xuanyu: Got the Wrong Person?

“A lot of people will definitely come asking around. Tell those going out to buy supplies early in the morning that if anyone asks, spread the word — say that something has happened to the young madam.”

Zhou Zhilan responded promptly, “This maid understands. I’ll issue the orders right away.”

The old madam swept a gaze across the tall walls. “Chunyu, guard the Duke’s residence well. Not a single mistake is allowed.”

Zhou Chunyu accepted the command and went to make arrangements.

Yiniang supported the old madam. “Old Madam, the night is deep and the dew heavy. You should return to your room and rest.”

“No need. I’ll wait in the main hall. I want to see which deity can’t hold their patience and dares to make a move on my Duke Yong’s residence!”

The old madam strode out with long, firm steps.

It wasn’t a peaceful night at Prince Ping’an’s residence either.

Jiang Ruoxi waited until deep into the night, but her brother still hadn’t returned. She ordered someone to go inquire at the Yichun Courtyard, only to find the place heavily surrounded by a dense group of Black Armored Guards.

When Jiang Ruoxi heard this, she was shocked. Could it be that the matter had been exposed?

But then someone else reported that the Patrol Office and the Black Armored Guards were searching the entire city, which slightly eased her anxious heart.

That meant the kidnapping had succeeded — though whether they managed to grab both targets was still unknown.

“Go check the Duke Yong’s residence. If two women were kidnapped, the place should be in total chaos.”

After issuing this order, Jiang Ruoxi still felt uneasy.

Soon, the person she sent to the Duke’s residence returned and reported that the gates were tightly shut, with no guards outside, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Jiang Ruoxi looked outside — dawn was near.

If things had gone according to plan and the Gu sisters were stripped and dumped on the street, the rest would be easy to manage.

She and her brother just had to adamantly deny knowing anything about it.

Once the storm passed, her brother could kill those thugs and clean up the mess.

But the question was — did they manage to kidnap both or just one?

If one was left behind, and it turned out to be Gu Wanru who got caught, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But if it was Gu Hua, the risk of being implicated herself was too high.

“Go back and keep watch on the Duke Yong’s residence. If anyone goes out early to buy groceries, find a way to ask them.”

The servant rushed off again.

In less than half an hour, they returned, excitedly reporting that a servant from the Duke’s residence had said it was the young madam who had been kidnapped.

Jiang Ruoxi felt as if she’d been struck by lightning.

How could they have taken that useless Gu Wanru instead?

“Hurry, help me change clothes. I’m going to the Duke’s residence!”

“County Princess, don’t be rash! This news hasn’t spread among the common folk yet. If you suddenly show up at the Duke’s residence like this, wouldn’t that practically confirm your involvement?” her personal maid quickly stopped her.

Jiang Ruoxi deflated.

“So I’m just supposed to sit here and wait for death?”

“The Duke’s residence can’t keep this under wraps forever — haven’t they already leaked some info? If that Gu Wanru really gets thrown out, it’ll prove you weren’t involved. You and the young madam have no feud. We can immediately release a rumor — say that her younger sister Gu Hua ignored her sister’s life and death…”

The maid whispered in her ear.

Jiang Ruoxi’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea. Even if that little bitch escapes, her reputation will be ruined. Go take care of it.”

The maid smiled. “Yes, I’ll handle it right away.”

A short while later, Jiang Ruoxi grew impatient again. She summoned a young servant who usually ran errands for her brother.

“Go see if you can find that person my brother usually contacts. Tell him they got the wrong person and that he must make sure his men keep their mouths shut!”

The boy hurried off.

But as soon as he stepped out the door, he stumbled back in terror.

A black-clad man wearing a silver half-mask had appeared silently behind him. Without a word, he grabbed the boy and tossed him inside. A swift knife-hand strike — and the boy collapsed limply to the floor.

Jiang Ruoxi was so frightened she nearly screamed.

Her throat was suddenly gripped, her face flushed red from lack of air, and she stared in terror at those sinister eyes.

“If you dare make a sound, you’ll be dead in the blink of an eye.” His thin lips parted slightly, his cold voice making Jiang Ruoxi feel like she had been plunged into ice.

She nodded with great difficulty.

Ji Xuanyu released her and pushed her onto the bed. Jiang Ruoxi hurriedly grabbed the blanket to cover herself, shaking as she shook her head, too afraid to make a sound.

Ji Xuanyu leaned in and sneered, “With a face like yours, you think I’d be interested?”

Jiang Ruoxi’s face turned livid with anger, but she didn’t dare lash out.

This man was her brother’s most capable subordinate. Anything the prince’s residence couldn’t handle openly was usually left to his men.

She had never seen him in person before, but she knew he was ruthless.

“Are you sure your men captured the young madam of the Duke Guo’s residence?”

Earlier, he and his men had tried to sneak into the Yong Duke’s residence, only to find it guarded like an impenetrable fortress—even a fly couldn’t get through.

So he had no choice but to come to the Ping’an Prince’s residence.

Given the trap set by Jiang Ruoxi and her brother, and her being the younger sister of the Yong Duke’s late wife, there was a chance she might know something.

Jiang Ruoxi shot him a glare. “You captured someone and don’t even know who it is? You idiots mess things up and then come question me!”

But when she met the sinister eyes behind that silver mask, she was instantly cowed and changed her tone.

“Whether or not you’ve caught Gu Hua doesn’t matter. But if you’re exposed, it’ll drag down my brother and the Prince’s residence with you. That little wench must’ve seen your men—she has to die. I can give you and your brothers another hundred gold pieces to kill her. How about it?”

Ji Xuanyu suddenly turned, his gaze as sharp and cold as a blade.

Being stared at like that, Jiang Ruoxi shrank back instinctively. “I’m doing this for your sake.”

Without a word, Ji Xuanyu drew his sword and slashed the neck of a servant lying on the ground. There was a crack—his neck snapped, his head rolled, attached only by a thin strip of skin.

Jiang Ruoxi was nearly scared to death. She yanked the blanket over her head, clenched her jaw, and didn’t dare make a sound.

But the blanket was suddenly yanked away, revealing a pair of cold, ruthless eyes.

“If you dare touch her—just try! If she loses a single hair, your entire family will die!”

A flash of cold light flew by, and a lock of Jiang Ruoxi’s hair was cut off. She opened her mouth to scream, but her voice failed her from the shock.

A warm stream flowed between her legs—she had wet herself. Humiliation and fury overwhelmed her, leaving her in silent despair.

Ji Xuanyu looked at her in disgust, stood straight, pointed a finger at her nose, and warned, “Don’t try anything. If I find out you’re scheming again, I’ll burn your Prince’s residence to the ground and feed you to my bloodthirsty brothers!”

Jiang Ruoxi curled up under the blanket, trembling, and watched him leave swiftly.

Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she shouted at his retreating figure, “Maybe the one you caught is Gu Hua!”

He froze in place and slowly turned around to stare at her.

Jiang Ruoxi, half mad with rage, shouted, “She climbed into Mu Junyan’s bed! That’s why he’s so protective of her. If you’d caught Gu Wanru, Mu Junyan would never scour the capital himself at night, causing such an uproar!”

As expected, the man stormed back like the wind and grabbed her by the neck.

His eyes were bloodshot, like a demon straight out of hell.

“You dare slander her?”

Jiang Ruoxi’s eyes widened. He was that protective of Gu Hua? Did he know her?

Suddenly, she felt her guess might be right and couldn’t help but gloat.

She laughed and said with all her might, “Slander her? Don’t you know why I want her captured? I’m the one who was supposed to marry Mu Junyan and become the Duke’s wife. But because he wants to take her as a concubine, he dared defy the Empress Dowager’s decree!”

Ji Xuanyu’s grip unconsciously tightened.

Jiang Ruoxi couldn’t breathe, her face turned red. She clawed at his hands, but it was useless.

“If—if you really caught the wrong person, then you’re the one who’ll get her killed. Day—it’s almost dawn, and that little whore’s reputation will be ruined!”

A bitter metallic taste surged in Ji Xuanyu’s throat. He flung her away violently and dashed out of the room.

Jiang Ruoxi coughed violently and pounded the bed in anger, screaming, “Somebody! Where the hell is everyone!”

She was absolutely furious.

Mu Junyan protected that little slut, and now even this cold-blooded man—who had nothing to do with her—was protecting her.

Just what kind of sorcery did Gu Hua have to captivate everyone like this?

Ji Xuanyu rushed out the door, leapt onto his horse, lashed the reins hard, and galloped back toward Xinghua Teahouse like the wind.