Just as Cui Wan was crying, the figure on the ground suddenly moved!
He slammed both hands against the ground and seemed to expend tremendous effort just to raise his upper body a little. His long black hair spilled down in disarray, hiding most of his face, but Cui Wan could feel an icy, piercing gaze boring through the gaps between the strands, fixed squarely on her with undisguised scrutiny and... an almost beastlike wariness.
Cui Wan's heart leaped into her throat. This should have been a secluded rear garden of the Marquis of Ningyang's Residence, or somewhere near the hill behind it. Why was a strange man lying here in the pitch dark? Who was he? A servant? A guard? Or... a bad man who had sneaked inside?
What exactly did he want? Had he grabbed her ankle earlier... on purpose?
Countless questions and fears raced through Cui Wan's mind. She wanted to turn around and run immediately, to get as far from this dangerous man as possible.
But... he seemed unable to move.
By the faint moonlight, Cui Wan could vaguely see that the palms he braced against the ground seemed covered in mud, along with dark stains that looked like blood.
He looked... so pitiful.
Perhaps... he was not a bad man, only someone badly injured who needed help?
But no sooner had that thought emerged than another, more practical and frightening thought overwhelmed it-she was now the new bride of the Marquis of Ningyang's Residence!
Although the wedding had been humiliating and the marriage existed in name only, she was nominally Second Young Master Chu's wife. If someone discovered her alone in such a secluded place on her wedding night, together with a strange man... she could not wash herself clean even if she jumped into the Yellow River! Then, never mind preserving this marriage, she would probably be dealt with immediately as an unchaste, impure woman!
Run, or save him?
Cui Wan's fingertips were icy, a battle raging within her. She watched the man on the ground try to push himself up again, only for his arms to buckle from exhaustion, his head nearly striking the ground as he let out a stifled groan.
I can't let him die here...
In the end, the kindness in Cui Wan's heart overcame her fears and misgivings. She took a deep breath, summoned more courage than she ever had in her life, and cautiously edged a small step forward. Her voice was very quiet and distinctly trembling:
"Are... are you hurt? Shall... shall I help you up?"
The man on the ground gave no response, as though he had not heard, or perhaps simply disdained to answer. He merely tried to exert himself again, his arm muscles taut, but ultimately his strength gave out, and his whole body fell heavily back onto the cold ground. His breathing grew even harsher.
Seeing this, Cui Wan hesitated no longer. She hurried two steps forward, crouched, and reached out with her slender arms to try to support his arm. He was cold to the touch. Even through his clothing, she could feel the hardness of his muscles and... their faint trembling.
"Brace... brace yourself with your hands. I'll pull hard!" As she spoke, Cui Wan mustered every ounce of strength she had, trying to haul him up.
But she was simply too small and thin, her body not yet fully grown, her strength limited. Though the man on the ground appeared weak, his frame and stature were there for all to see, and he was very heavy. Cui Wan strained until her face flushed red, using all her strength, but she only managed to drag him a little. He could not stand at all.
"Are... are your legs hurt too, besides your hands? Can you push a little and stand up?" Cui Wan asked instinctively, so anxious that her voice took on a tearful quaver.
Those very words seemed to ignite something!
The man, who had been letting her move him without the strength to resist, suddenly stiffened. Then a suppressed, almost savage fury erupted! Drawing strength from somewhere, he flung out his hand and violently, mercilessly shoved away Cui Wan, who was still struggling to support him!
"Ugh!"
Caught completely off guard, Cui Wan was sent toppling backward by the sudden force. She landed hard on her bottom, a sharp pain shooting through her tailbone and making her vision darken. All her grievances, her fright, and the pain of that moment surged together, and tears spilled uncontrollably from her eyes.
"Ow..." she cried in pain. Frightened and hurting, she scrambled backward on her hands and feet, staring in terror at the man who had suddenly lashed out.
Would he... would he hit her? Would he kill her?
The man braced himself against the ground, his chest heaving violently, as though that shove had exhausted the last of his strength. He raised his head. Beneath his disheveled hair, his eyes shot toward Cui Wan through the darkness like blades tempered in ice. His voice was low and hoarse, yet carried an unmistakable viciousness:
"What little maid are you... get lost! If you dare breathe a word about tonight..."
A little... maid?
Cui Wan froze, even forgetting to cry. He thought she was one of the household's little maids? That made sense. She wore only her inner garments, her hair was disheveled, and she was young. In this pitch-dark place, she certainly did not look like a new bride.
This... this is just as well. At least he doesn't know who I am. It won't implicate my identity as the "new bride."
But judging by his tone, he really was someone from the residence. Who was he, then? Why was he so badly injured, lying here? And why did he have such a terrible temper...
Cui Wan's mind was a tangled skein. Whoever he was, he looked terribly dangerous now. The force of that shove still left her shaken. She had better run!
"S-sorry!" Cui Wan apologized tearfully, scrambling up from the ground without even caring about the pain in her bottom. "I... I'll go right now! I... I'll get someone! Wait here!"
With that, she turned to run toward the light. Never mind anything else-she had to get away from this frightening man and this frightening darkness first!
"Stop!" At the mention of fetching someone, the man's voice abruptly rose, carrying a barely perceptible trace of panic and deeper anger. "You're not going anywhere! Come back here!"
He tried to push himself up again to stop her, but merely swayed futilely before collapsing once more.
How could Cui Wan dare listen? He was already so vicious when he could not move. Once he recovered, might he kill her to silence her? Scared out of her wits, she no longer cared about getting lost or a new bride not being allowed to wander. There was only one thought in her head-get as far from him as possible and find someone!
"Help-! Here! There's someone here-!"
Picking a direction at random, Cui Wan ran desperately, shouting at the top of her lungs with all her strength. Her young, shrill voice cut through the deathly still night sky above the residence's rear garden, carrying boundless terror and an urgent plea for help far into the distance.
A commotion immediately rose in the distance. Chaotic footsteps, swaying lantern light, and voices rapidly converged in her direction.
"Over there!"
"Quick! The voice came from the rear garden!"
"Search carefully!"
Hearing those people approaching only made Cui Wan panic more. Earlier, she had been too occupied with fear and fleeing for her life. Only now did she abruptly remember her identity and circumstances-she was a bride who had sneaked out while no one was watching! If these people discovered her with her hair loose, wearing only her inner garments and shouting in a secluded place late at night, she would have no defense even with a hundred mouths!
I can't let them find me!
Her instinct for survival overwhelmed everything. Cui Wan hastily drew back the foot she had been about to set forward. Without bothering to get her bearings, she turned and plunged into a corner opposite the approaching people, where it looked darker and more secluded. Like a startled fawn, she darted frantically through the shadows of ornamental rockeries and trees, wanting only to get farther from those lanterns and voices, farther still.
She did not know how long she ran. As she fled blindly, her nose suddenly caught a familiar scent, a mixture of grease, spices, and lingering food aromas-the smell of a kitchen!
Delight stirred in Cui Wan's heart. Following the aroma, she approached cautiously and, sure enough, saw a building brightly lit all around, with faint voices coming from it.
She crept closer and saw several cooks and kitchen hands sitting around a small table outside, enjoying dishes left over from the banquet, eating as they chatted and laughed quietly.
Everyone had gone to look for the young master or deal with Cui Wan's earlier cry for help. This place had instead become temporarily safe.
Cui Wan observed for a moment, then, while no one was paying attention, swiftly slipped into a small room beside the kitchen used for storing sundries and temporarily keeping food. The moment she closed the door, she slid down against it into a sitting position, gasping for breath. Her heart was still pounding wildly, her hands and feet icy.
What had just happened was like a nightmare. That mysterious, frightening man... who exactly was he? Surely he had been found and rescued by now? At least she had... tried to save him, even though he had shoved her hard and made her fall. Surely he would not... would not bear a grudge against her, or even come seeking revenge?
At that thought, Cui Wan could not help shivering. She shook her head, trying to drive away those frightening thoughts.
Hunger assailed her fiercely again. Her gaze swept across the small room, and she noticed several plates of snacks on a low table nearby, evidently left for the servants on night duty. They were not particularly delicate, but looked substantial.
Cui Wan could no longer concern herself with much else. She tiptoed over, grabbed a piece of jujube paste cake that still retained a little warmth, and eagerly stuffed it into her mouth. Its sweet, soft, sticky flavor melted on her tongue, offering a little comfort to her empty stomach and still-frightened heart. Yet as she ate, her tears began to fall despite herself. She ate the snacks in small bites while wiping her endlessly welling tears with her sleeve, her heart filled with lingering fear, grievance, and uncertainty about the future.
She had only eaten two pieces of cake and had not yet caught her breath when hurried footsteps and a maid's anxious calls suddenly sounded outside:
"Second Madam! Second Madam! Where are you? Second Madam!"
They're looking for me!
Cui Wan was so startled she nearly choked. Cake crumbs caught in her throat, making her cough helplessly. She looked around in a panic, searching for somewhere to hide, but aside from some sundries and cupboards, the little room offered few hiding places.
Just as she was at a complete loss, the kitchen's door curtain was abruptly thrown aside. One of the cooks who had been eating outside poked his head in and immediately spotted Cui Wan hiding in the corner, her face streaked with tears as she continued to cough.
"Oh! S-Second Madam?!" The cook evidently recognized her red inner garments and her particular status. His eyes widened in shock, and he hurriedly turned to shout outside, "Quick! Someone come! Second Madam is here!"
Soon, two panting maids with anxious faces ran inside. At the sight of Cui Wan's state, they too were shocked and distressed.
"Second Madam! How... how did you end up in the kitchen?" The older maid stepped forward. There was reproach in her tone, but more than that, the relief of finally having found her. "If you wanted something to eat, you only needed to say so. We would naturally have brought it. Why come out yourself? It's so dangerous!"
The cook beside them hastily chimed in, "Yes, yes, Second Madam. If you're hungry, I'll make you something hot and fresh right away!"
Cui Wan had expected a severe scolding, perhaps even to be hauled before her mother-in-law for punishment. She had not expected that, though anxious, the maids and cook would remain reasonably respectful, even concerned. Her taut nerves eased a little, but her body still trembled faintly with lingering fear.
"I... I only..." Cui Wan faltered, not knowing how to explain.
"All right, all right, let's leave that for now." The maid seemed extremely anxious and interrupted her. Deftly tidying her hair, she lowered her voice and spoke urgently. "Second Madam, hurry back with me! Old Madam sent someone to say that Second Young Master will be heading to the bridal chamber shortly! Madam, you must hurry back and get ready!"
What?
Chu Moqi... was coming?
Cui Wan's mind buzzed as though struck by a heavy hammer, instantly going blank.
After this whole night of frights, getting lost, danger, and fleeing, she had almost forgotten Chu Moqi entirely!
Was he... willing to see me now?
Had Sister-in-law and Mother-in-law... persuaded him?
What... what was he like now? Was he still like he was in my memories... or had he really changed completely, as everyone outside said?
An immense surge of fear, apprehension, bewilderment, and a trace of suppressed, ill-timed anticipation overwhelmed her again. Could I... could I see him now?
"Quick! Let's hurry, Second Madam!" Seeing her dazed made the maid even more anxious. Without allowing any argument, she helped her up and practically dragged her outside. "We can't delay any longer!"
Surrounded by the maids, Cui Wan hurried on unsteady feet back to the bridal chamber she had escaped not long before. All along the way, her heart was as tangled as a skein of hemp.
When they reached the bridal chamber's door, it was still quiet inside. Chu Moqi clearly had not arrived yet.
"Quick, Madam, let's get you tidied up!" The maids briskly pulled Cui Wan into the room. Cui Wan pointed toward the back of the bed-where she had hastily stuffed her wedding outer robe and veil.
Understanding, the maids quickly seated her before the dressing table and restored those heavy jeweled ornaments as fast as they could. Though not as elaborate as before, they at least looked presentable. They then helped her into the heavy, sumptuous wedding outer robe and finally draped that bright red veil over her head again.
Her vision was once more shrouded in that suffocating expanse of red.
"Madam, just sit quietly and wait. Whatever you do, don't come out again!" the older maid cautioned one last time, lingering fear in her voice. Then, just as they had arrived, they hurried out, gently closing the door behind them.
Once again, Cui Wan was alone in the room.
Everything seemed to have returned to how it had been before she left, yet also seemed entirely different.
Cui Wan sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, her hands tightly clasped in her lap. She could clearly hear her own drumlike heartbeat, especially loud in the silent room.
That young general from her memories... he really was coming.
Every minute and every second of waiting became unbearably long and agonizing. Time trickled past in the silence. The red candles burned wordlessly, their wax tears accumulating as they illuminated great swathes of motionless red within the room.
Cui Wan maintained her rigid sitting posture, her ears pricked beneath the veil, catching even the slightest sound outside the door. Every distant footstep, the sound of the night breeze, even the rustling of leaves in the courtyard made her heart tighten.
Was he here?
Yet every hope came to nothing. The footsteps receded, the wind blew as before, and no one ever knocked.
Her initial nervous apprehension gradually became doubt and unease. Then a cold sense of having been fooled and forgotten slowly spread.
Didn't Sister-in-law say he would come soon? The maid said the same thing just now. Why... why was there still no sign of him?
Could it be... he had lost his temper again and wasn't coming?
Or had the maid in the kitchen simply made that up to coax me back?
Cui Wan dared not dwell on it. She only felt her chest growing colder and emptier. The humiliation of the wedding during the day, the frights that night, this hopeless waiting... all those emotions piled together, pressing down until she could hardly breathe. Her body had long since become utterly exhausted from sitting so long, hunger, and her earlier fright.
At first, she struggled to hold on, reminding herself that she must not lose her composure. But as time passed, sleepiness surged over her like an unstoppable tide. The ornaments on her head seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, her neck ached as though it might snap, and her eyelids began to battle uncontrollably.
Her little head nodded, the veil swaying slightly with her movements. Her consciousness struggled and hovered between wakefulness and drowsiness.
I can't sleep... what if he comes...
But I'm just too tired...
Just as the heavy drowsiness was about to engulf her completely, in the instant before her consciousness sank into darkness-
Bang-!!!
Without warning, an enormous crash erupted violently through the silent night!
It was the sound of the door being violently burst open! The force was so great that even the door panels slammed against the wall, groaning under the strain!
The sudden crash scared Cui Wan out of her wits! She jolted, startled completely awake from her drowsiness. Her heart seemed to stop abruptly before pounding in a wild, chaotic drumbeat!
She froze on the edge of the bed, both hands clutching the fabric in her lap in a death grip. Beneath the veil, all color instantly drained from her face, leaving it deathly pale.
Who was it?!
Had Second Young Master Chu come? But... but how was this the sound of someone coming to see his bride? It sounded clearly like... like someone kicking down the door in towering fury, coming to call her to account!
Or... or was it that bad man I met tonight? Had he found me? Had he come for revenge?
Boundless terror swallowed Cui Wan in an instant. She could even feel her faint trembling spreading from her fingertips throughout her body. She forgot even to breathe, merely staring with wide, terrified eyes at the narrow gap beneath her veil, awaiting the unknown, dreadful fate that might descend upon her.