Chapter 14: The Wang Clan

The moment the voice rang out, Yan Ling’s mind went blank. A loud buzzing filled her ears, her thoughts scattering—but after only a brief hesitation, she quickened her pace decisively.

Fan Yuning was close to Xie Ying. And since Yan Ling couldn’t speak, if Fan Yuning came any closer, she would surely notice something was wrong.

Without turning back, Yan Ling pretended she hadn’t heard anything and hurried on. The jade ornaments at her waist clinked melodiously as they struck against each other with her movement.

She had to move faster—escape to the Wang residence before anyone discovered her.

Although Wu Yi Lane had only two households, they belonged to the most powerful aristocratic families of the court—the Wang and Xie clans. Their residences stood far apart, one in the south and one in the north, both constantly bustling with visitors of rank and prestige.

Between them stretched a long alley of gray-blue brick walls, seemingly endless. The steady flow of people coming and going helped conceal her presence.

Yan Ling quickly slipped into the crowd.

Fan Yuning felt a flicker of doubt, assuming Xie Ying simply hadn’t heard her call.

“Miss, since Fourth Miss has already left, should we still go to Firefly Residence?” the maid beside her asked.

Fan Yuning hesitated. “Let’s wait here a bit. She might come back soon.”

They stood quietly at the entrance.

But in the next moment, a large number of Xie household guards suddenly rushed over from the western hall. Qingtao stepped forward and bowed slightly.

“Miss Fan, have you seen a young lady in red?”

Fan Yuning was puzzled. “Do you mean Xie Ying?”

“Yes—and no. That wasn’t Fourth Miss Xie, but Lady Yan in disguise. Fourth Miss is still at Firefly Residence. Please point us in the right direction.”

Fan Yuning’s expression changed. “I just saw her leave through here. No wonder she didn’t respond when I called her.”

Qingtao immediately began directing the guards. “Quick, go block the exits!”

The guards swiftly spread out.

Fan Yuning had never seen such a commotion before. Unease rose in her chest. “Isn’t Lady Yan the master’s concubine? Why is she leaving? And… why isn’t she allowed to leave the residence?”

Qingtao brushed her off hastily. “Orders from the master—she’s not permitted to leave the Xie residence.” Then she hurried away.

Watching her leave, Fan Yuning kept turning over those words in her mind—not permitted to leave—and a deep suspicion began to take root.

A mere concubine… yet her departure triggered such a large-scale pursuit?

Keeping her head lowered, Yan Ling held onto her veiled hat and walked forward. When she finally caught sight of the grand gate of the Wang residence, joy surged in her heart.

Just as she was about to run toward it, a large hand suddenly covered her mouth from behind.

Startled, she struggled.

Darkness fell over her vision. In the last moment before everything went black, she saw Wang Chen stepping out of the Wang residence—and the Xie guards pouring out behind him.

Fu Li quickly carried her away from Wu Yi Lane, skillfully avoiding the guards, and brought her into a hidden courtyard. Only then did he set her down, still wrapped in a cloak.

For days, he had lingered at a teahouse near Wu Yi Lane, listening to storytellers. Today, fortune had favored him—he had actually witnessed Yan Ling’s escape.

The moment her feet touched the ground, a flash of cold light streaked toward him—a sharp hairpin thrust straight at his face.

Fu Li caught her wrist with precision. “Your Highness, it’s me.”

Yan Ling froze.

Her gaze fell into his deep blue eyes, filled with concern—and in an instant, tears spilled down her cheeks.

With a soft clang, the hairpin slipped from her hand and fell to the ground.

Flustered, Fu Li raised his hand to wipe her tears. “I’m sorry I came late. Are you hurt, Your Highness?”

His voice was gentle—completely unlike his usual cold demeanor.

Only in front of Yan Ling did he not refer to himself as “this servant.”

Yan Ling shook her head. The relief after narrowly escaping danger left her body weak. She leaned lightly against his shoulder, steadying herself.

“How are my father and my brother?”

“Since Your Highness disappeared, I haven’t returned to the palace or seen the Eighth Prince or His Majesty. I’ve been staying at Qixia Mountain and only recently came back.”

“The imperial city is heavily guarded now. I can’t get in, so I don’t know what’s happening inside.”

Fu Li let her rest against him.

“Why did you stop me just now?” Yan Ling lifted her head, unwilling to accept it. “The Xie guards had already noticed I was gone—I was so close to seeing my uncle.”

Fu Li said urgently, “Your Highness, have you forgotten what His Majesty repeatedly warned you?”

Yan Ling paused, her lashes lowering. “I can’t worry about that now.”

“The Xie household has likely sealed off Wu Yi Lane. If I want to see my uncle again, it’ll be nearly impossible… I don’t even know how Father is doing…”

Her voice grew soft.

“Your Highness, change your clothes first.” Fu Li took out a prepared set of men’s clothing. “The Xie family won’t dare search too openly. At the very least, they won’t be putting up wanted notices with your face.”

Yan Ling nodded reluctantly. “You’re right.”

A genuine smile finally appeared on Fu Li’s weary face. “Let me help Your Highness with your hair.”

“Is this place safe? Will we be discovered?” Yan Ling asked, scanning their surroundings.

“Don’t worry. Please go change first.”

Inside the room, Yan Ling removed her jeweled garments and dress, bound her chest, and changed into the robe Fu Li had prepared—it fit surprisingly well.

She wiped off her makeup with a damp cloth, letting her thick black hair fall loose after undoing her elaborate hairstyle.

“Fu Li,” she called.

He entered and gently gathered her hair in his hands.

After half an hour, Yan Ling stared at her reflection, momentarily dazed—it was a familiar face, yet now disguised.

“Burn these clothes,” she said calmly.

“Understood.”

She picked up the token and jewelry from her discarded garments. “Find a place to bury these. Materials like these won’t burn easily.”

Fu Li carefully dismantled part of the jewelry, removing a valuable pearl—so it could be sold later without drawing attention.

“Your Highness, this.” He handed her a box. “Everything you asked me to keep—I’ve kept it safe.”

Yan Ling gripped the lacquered box tightly. “Good… with this, Uncle might be willing to help me.”

Meanwhile, Yuan Che paced anxiously at the gates of the imperial city. Evening fell, painting the sky in brilliant hues.

When Xie Chongqing finally appeared, Yuan Che rushed forward.

“Master, something’s happened.”

A quarter of an hour later, Xie Chongqing’s private guards were fully mobilized.

Though night had fallen, Jiankang City was just coming alive—its nightlife beginning to flourish.

The guards moved discreetly through the crowds, asking if anyone had seen a woman in red wearing a veil, claiming the Xie residence had lost the master’s beloved concubine.

No one had.

Back at the Xie residence, a heavy, oppressive atmosphere hung over everything.

Xie Ying paced anxiously outside Jingfeng Hall, her head still throbbing.

She had never expected that woman to harbor such intentions.

Her pride had led her to believe Yan Ling was merely trying to cling to power—refusing to leave the Xie household. Yet she had been deceived and used.

Her face darkened with anger.

Yuan Che came out and bowed. “Fourth Miss, please return. The master is not seeing anyone right now.”

She hesitated. “Is my brother blaming me?”

“Of course not. You’re a victim as well. Does your head still hurt? Have you seen the physician?”

Xie Ying rubbed her temples. “A little. The drug she used was too strong—the physician had to prepare something special to wake me.”

No one knew the fury she felt upon learning what had happened.

If I ever catch her, I’ll make sure she pays dearly.

“I’ll take my leave then. Tell my brother not to be too angry—he shouldn’t let his emotions affect his health.”

Yuan Che acknowledged her calmly.

The commotion at the Xie residence did not go unnoticed by the Wang household.

Wang Ke entered Wang Chen’s study. “Father, the Xie guards are out in force. It seems they’re searching for someone.”

The man behind the desk looked up, his calm expression unreadable in the candlelight.

After their previous mistake, Wang Ke didn’t connect this matter to the Twelfth Princess.

But Wang Chen didn’t respond directly. Instead, he asked leisurely, “How is the security at the entrance of Wu Yi Lane?”

“That’s the strange part. Normally no one guards it, but now it’s heavily watched. Why would they guard the entrance? It’s not like the person would come back.”

Wang Chen said nothing.

The next morning, both the Xie and Wang residence gates opened. Carriages rolled out one after another as the two family heads departed, one after the other.

Xie Chongqing lifted the curtain of his carriage and cast a cold glance at the carriage traveling alongside his. After a moment, he lowered the curtain again.

Across the street, Yan Ling and Fu Li hid in an inn, secretly observing.

She considered sneaking into the Wang residence disguised among its retainers.

But Fu Li firmly refused—Wu Yi Lane was heavily guarded. Clearly, Xie Chongqing had anticipated she would seek refuge with the Wang clan.

If anything went wrong and she was recognized, they could easily seize her under any pretext.

“Who would’ve thought Xie Chongqing would accompany my uncle to and from court like this? With him so close, how can I get near?”

Yan Ling stood by the window, looking down.

“No… I can’t wait any longer.” Her expression hardened.

Fu Li frowned. “What are you planning, Your Highness?”

Yan Ling calmly glanced at the two carriages moving side by side.

“I’ll stop them.”

“That’s too dangerous—you can’t!” Fu Li panicked.

“It’ll be fine. My uncle is there. Even if Xie Chongqing recognizes me, he won’t dare act rashly.”

Fu Li still hesitated. “Then let me go in your place.”

“No.” Yan Ling refused decisively.

She hurried downstairs, weaving through the crowd like a nimble rabbit.

At the entrance, the bustling noise seemed to fade. She took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and rushed forward.

The two carriages had just reached the entrance of Wu Yi Lane when Yan Ling stepped directly in front of them.

In truth, she had calculated the distance—she could dodge even if they didn’t stop in time.

The drivers reacted quickly, pulling hard on the reins.

One of them shouted, “Where did you come from? How dare you block Lord Wang’s carriage!”

Yan Ling immediately bowed. “Sir, I’ve come to the Wang residence to seek relatives, but I’ve been unable to enter Wu Yi Lane.”

At that moment, both carriage curtains were lifted.

Xie Chongqing’s gaze was deep and unreadable. Yan Ling’s heart trembled—just a glance at him made her uneasy.

His eyes were calm, almost still—but they carried a quiet, lurking danger.

She inwardly scolded herself—she had faced life and death before, yet she feared a mere official?

Straightening her back, she met Wang Chen’s eyes.

After studying her briefly, Wang Chen said gently, “If you’re here seeking relatives, then come with us to the Wang residence.”

Relief flooded Yan Ling.

But then—

“Lord Wang, I find this young gentleman familiar. May I visit the Wang residence to take a closer look and recall where I’ve seen him?”

Xie Chongqing spoke calmly—almost leisurely.

Yet Yan Ling felt a chill run down her spine.

Wang Chen glanced at him but did not refuse. “As you wish.”

Yan Ling could only console herself—her uncle and Xie Chongqing maintained a cordial relationship on the surface. Refusal would have been inappropriate.

She lowered her head and followed behind the Wang carriage.

Her slender, pale neck was exposed under the sunlight—fragile, as if it could be snapped with a single hand.

And she could clearly feel a gaze fixed on her back—sharp as thorns.