On the tree-lined road ahead, three black-clad, masked riders sat astride black steeds, blocking the carriage's path. The man in the middle said coldly, "Leave the carriage, and we'll spare your lives!"
The coachman reacted at once, jumping down from the carriage to flee. Before escaping, he actually unhitched the two horses pulling it, vaulted onto one, wheeled it around, and galloped away. The other horse also fled in terror.
The two household servants escorting the carriage hurriedly turned their horses around, preparing to flee as well. Ziling pushed open the carriage door and rushed out, then leaped through the air onto the back of one servant's horse. Her movements were remarkably agile; anyone could see that she knew martial arts. All four chose to flee without putting up the slightest resistance, utterly indifferent to whether the Third Young Madam of the Wan Family lived or died.
Le Yao's lovely face paled. She pushed open the door and desperately jumped from the carriage, only to stumble and fall when she landed.
The three masked men exchanged glances, their eyes betraying an exceedingly lewd look, then burst into laughter almost simultaneously.
Enduring the pain, Le Yao climbed out of the mud, gathered up her mud-stained skirt, and desperately ran back the way she had come. She had no idea where she was; dense woods surrounded her. When she looked again at Ziling and the three servants, the four of them were already fleeing farther and farther away on three horses. Terror flooded her heart, and she pleaded, "Wait for me... wait for me..."
The four showed no intention of stopping. Seated behind a rider, Ziling turned to look back, a distinctly cruel smile on her face.
The sight of that smile plunged Le Yao into an ice cavern, chilling her to