Our "elopement," Li Xiuze's and mine, naturally did not escape Huo Linyuan's omnipresent eyes. Or rather, perhaps this entire affair was within his calculations, even... orchestrated by him.
As we rode away from the Peach Blossom Forest, hearts full of the belief that we were finally heading towards freedom and a new life, a troop of black-clothed secret guards appeared like phantoms, silently surrounding us like a cast net, cutting off all escape routes.
Leading them was none other than Huo Linyuan's confidant, Ling Chen. His face was expressionless as he watched us, his eyes cold, devoid of any warmth, as if looking at two insignificant ants courting death.
"Young Master Li, my master requests your presence," his voice was flat, yet carried a chilling intimidation.
Li Xiuze's face instantly turned deathly pale. He instinctively pulled me tightly behind him, his voice holding an almost imperceptible tremor. "Guard Ling, what is the meaning of this? Does the General intend to go back on his word?"
"My master says," Ling Chen's gaze fell upon me like a cold blade, carrying an unreadable mix of pity? Or mockery? "The 'cousin' has had enough fun outside. It's time for her to come home."
Home? Back to that gilded cage that was more like a tomb? No! I wouldn't!
I clung desperately to Li Xiuze's sleeve, my eyes filled with utter terror and despair. The flame of hope, so recently ignited, was ruthlessly extinguished in this moment, leaving only cold ashes.
Li Xiuze patted my hand reassuringly, looking at Ling Chen, his tone still gentle but now laced with unprecedented firmness. "I will not let you take Tang'er. Unless... you step over my dead body."
Ling Chen seemed to expect this, showing no surprise, merely stating flatly, "Then forgive my offense." His voice remained calm, yet it sounded like a death knell.
The words had barely left his lips when the black-clothed guards surged forward like a tide, the glint of swords flashing coldly in the fine rain.
Though Li Xiuze was a scholar, he was not entirely defenseless. He drew a soft sword from his waist, shielding me behind him, and fought back fiercely. His sword flashed, his movements surprisingly agile. But two fists are no match for four hands, especially against Huo Linyuan's meticulously trained secret guards, each skilled and coordinated.
In just a few moments, Li Xiuze was clearly losing ground, several deep wounds appearing on his body, blood staining his green robe like stark red plum blossoms blooming on snow.
Watching him fight desperately for me, watching the wounds multiply on his body, watching his gradually weakening figure, my heart filled with endless guilt and... a pain that felt like being torn apart.
It was my fault. I had dragged him into this abyss from which there was no return.
"Stop!" I could bear it no longer. I rushed forward, spreading my arms to shield Li Xiuze, screaming hysterically at Ling Chen, "I'll go back with you! Don't hurt him anymore!"
Ling Chen waved his hand, signaling the guards to halt. The cold edge of a sword stopped just before my eyes, its chill palpable.
Li Xiuze grabbed my arm, breathless, yet still stubbornly shaking his head. "Tang'er, don't... don't go back..."
I looked at his pale face, at the deep worry and reluctance in his eyes, tears blurring my vision again. I pushed him away forcefully, turned around, and walked towards Ling Chen, each step like treading on knives.
"Take me away," my voice was terrifyingly calm, as if devoid of all emotion.
Ling Chen glanced at me, his expression unreadable, but finally nodded.
I was taken back to the General's mansion like captured prey, escorted directly to Huo Linyuan's study.
He stood by the window as always, hands clasped behind his back, his silhouette tall and aloof, as if detached from all worldly turmoil.
Hearing my footsteps, he slowly turned around. His face bore no expression, his deep eyes like ancient wells, showing no ripples, except perhaps for a flicker of... imperceptible pain deep within?
"You're back?" His voice was flat, betraying no anger or pleasure.
I lowered my head, unable and unwilling to look at him. In my eyes, he was no different from a devil now.
"Look up," he commanded, his voice carrying unquestionable authority.
I bit my lip hard, nails digging into my palms, slowly raising my head to meet his icy gaze. My heart was filled with hatred, yet also... helplessness.
"Tell me," he walked towards me step by step, each footfall seeming to land on my heart, heavy and oppressive, "why did you leave?"
I remained silent, merely staring back at him coldly.
"Was it for him?" A fierce light flashed in his eyes, his voice suddenly turning cold. "For that overreaching, defeated opponent who dared to snatch you from my grasp?"
"He is not a defeated opponent!" The pent-up anger and indignation finally erupted. I couldn't help retorting, "He was simply... outnumbered! If you hadn't used superior numbers, he would never have..."
"Heh." He let out a short, sharp laugh, reaching out to grip my chin, his force so great I felt my bones might crack. "Still defending him? It seems I've been too lenient with you, letting you forget your place, forget who your master is!"
A mad gleam flickered in his eyes, like a beast about to lose control. "Since you like him so much, care for him so much, then I shall... fulfill your wish."
Fulfill our wish? What did he mean?!
Alarm bells screamed in my mind. A premonition more terrifying than death itself enveloped me.
"Men," he called out coldly, his voice seeming to echo from the depths of hell.
Ling Chen entered from outside like a ghost, standing respectfully with lowered hands.
"Take Li Xiuze... to the West Courtyard," Huo Linyuan's voice was bone-chillingly cold, devoid of any warmth. "Give him a proper 'welcome,' let him know... the consequences of betraying me."
"No!" I screamed, the sound like a cuckoo spitting blood. "Huo Linyuan! You can't do this! He's innocent! It's all my fault!"
He looked at my terrified, desperate expression, yet showed no sign of compassion. Instead, a cruel, icy smile touched his lips.
"Why can't I?"
"He is my rival in love, someone who coveted my possession. Why can't I... make him pay the price?" His fingers traced my cheek, a chilling parody of 'tenderness.' "As for you..."
"You disobedient plaything, you too deserve punishment."
"You like him, don't you? Then I shall let you... watch with your own eyes how he is... destroyed by my hands, bit by bit."
"You devil! You're not human!" I shrieked with all my might, wanting to lunge at him, to fight him, to claw that handsome yet vicious face.
But he easily subdued me, like picking up a helpless kitten, and threw me onto the cold floor.
"Devil?" He looked down at me, his eyes blazing with cold madness. "You forced me to this."
"It was you who repeatedly tried to escape, repeatedly challenged my bottom line, repeatedly... reminded me that you never truly belonged to me."
"Since you are so disobedient..." He leaned close to my ear, his voice like a viper's hiss, cold and slimy. "Then I can only... use my own methods to make you remember me forever, etched into your very bones, remember... who your true master is."
He looked down at me condescendingly, as if observing insignificant dust, his eyes filled with cruel satisfaction.
"Take him away."
Ling Chen obeyed, dragging the limp form of Li Xiuze, like a dead dog, out of the study. The heavy wooden door slowly closed before me, shutting out the last sliver of light, plunging me completely into boundless darkness and despair.
I knew what awaited Brother Xiuze was torture worse than death.
And I was powerless, able only to watch helplessly as he... suffered unimaginable agony because of me.
I collapsed onto the cold floor, tears long run dry, my heart filled only with boundless despair and... a burning, bone-deep hatred like wildfire.
Huo Linyuan...
Between you and me, it's a fight to the death!
I swear, if I ever get the chance, I will make you... pay in blood!