Chapter 716: Marriage

After the three words "Bai Xiaosheng" came out of Old Master Qin's mouth, Xiao Yin's killing intent suddenly surged.

Sure enough, it was Bai Xiaosheng; I had never been able to locate that brat before, but I didn't expect he was hiding in an oasis deep in the desert and even set a trap to abduct his wife and children.

Previously, he had been too merciful toward Bai Xiaosheng, leaving him a bloodline.

I never expected this brat would dare to do this to him?

This time he will surely have Bai Xiaosheng torn to pieces.

Ling Feng at his side also froze for a moment, then everything became clear.

Only those deviant sects in the jianghu could produce such puppets; Bai Xiaosheng has always felt extremely sinister.

Now that all these factors are connected, the Empress and the two young princes must have been abducted by this person.

After a long while, Xiao Yin coldly said: "Very well, considering you're still somewhat honest, Qin Clan, I will grant you a way to live—but you must do as I say."

Old Master Qin dared not entertain the slightest thought of resistance now, for the one seated before him was the current Emperor himself.

Even if he had ten thousand courages, he would not dare to oppose Xiao Yin.

Moreover, his three sons were still held by Xiao Yin; a mistake would doom the Qin Clan to extinction.

Now, if he follows Xiao Yin, although he would betray Bai Xiaosheng, his odds of success would be better.

He hurriedly knelt and kowtowed several times to Xiao Yin.

"Your subject respectfully listens to Your Majesty's orders."

Xiao Yin gestured to Ling Feng: "Go find Ghost Hand Seven."

All along, Xiao Yin had brought Ghost Hand Seven with him to conceal his imperial identity.

Ghost Hand Seven's disguise technique is unmatched in the jianghu; this time, to rescue Gu Jiu Ling, Xiao Yin has brought all kinds of extraordinary individuals with him, precisely so they can be used now.

Three days later, the manor on Lake Heart Island was hung inside and out with red silk.

The vivid red "double happiness" character pasted on the pink wall made this solitary island in the oasis brim with festive cheer.

Gu Jiu Ling busied herself helping Yun Duo tidy up, while Bai Xiaosheng had brought two matchmakers to do Yun Duo's hair and makeup, and Gu Jiu Ling sat to the side watching.

Yun Duo, all dolled up like that, was actually breathtakingly beautiful.

But at the moment she wore a cold expression, looking not like a bride but like someone attending a funeral.

The grandma on the side joked: "Today is the young lady's big day; she should smile a bit—she'll look even lovelier."

Yun Duo paid no heed to her words, keeping a stern face, her gaze even somewhat gloomy.

She gave the chatty old woman a cool glance, and the woman instantly shuddered—this young lady's gaze was too sharp.

By Yun Duo's side only Gu Jiu Ling was a relative; normally, when a woman marries, other noble ladies would come to accompany her.

After the grandmas finished tidying up and left the room, only Gu Jiu Ling and Yun Duo remained inside.

Gu Jiu Ling had not seen Tuo Ba Yu since their last meeting.

She understood in her heart that someone like Tuo Ba Yu, once he set his mind on something, would see it through to the end.

Since he intended to take her to Bei Di, this time he might already have a plan.

Gu Jiu Ling's strategy was to counter scheming with scheming; if Tuo Ba Yu could throw this wedding into utter chaos, she would welcome it.

If Tuo Ba Yu proved useless, she also had her own escape plan, albeit a bit riskier.

Gu Jiu Ling handed Yun Duo a pill and said: "When Bai Xiaosheng comes over later, just go along with him."

"After a while, once you're in the sedan, take this pill; after walking a few steps, say you want to speak with me a bit more—don't worry about anything else."

Although Yun Duo felt her mistress's words were somewhat incoherent and didn't know what she intended,

but she always believed in her mistress.

Yun Duo nodded, took the pill, put it into the pouch in her sleeve, and slipped a dagger into the other sleeve.

Gu Jiu Ling seized her wrist, blinked, and asked: "What are you doing?"

Yun Duo took a breath and said: "Although these days that beast Bai Xiaosheng has fed me many drugs, suppressing my martial arts somewhat, now under my mistress's conditioning I have recovered three-tenths of my ability."

"If my mistress's scheme proceeds smoothly, there's no need to say that we master and servant will escape alive."

"If it fails and my mistress doesn't worry about me, I will surely perish together with Bai Xiaosheng."

"Even if I don't die, I'll cripple him half to death; likely the whole manor will fall into chaos, and my mistress can seize the chance to leave and find the two young princes."

A flicker of pain crossed Gu Jiu Ling's eyes as she tried to snatch the dagger from Yun Duo's hand.

But Yun Duo did not comply with Gu Jiu Ling's wish this time; she kept the dagger hidden in her sleeve.

"Mistress, back in the Former Dynasty Third Prince's Mansion, you risked your life to save me."

"Jinzhi and I have received your great kindness, mistress, which we can never repay."

"If Yun Duo cannot escape this time, do not clear the way for my mistress; my mistress must surely find the two young princes."

Gu Jiu Ling could not prevail over Yun Duo, so she had to let her have her way.

Yun Duo had just put away her dagger when hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes flashed; without changing expression, she picked up a veil from the side and placed it on Yun Duo's head.

Then she stepped back a step, and the door was already pushed open.

Bai Xiaosheng strode in wearing red robes, his face full of joy, his steps noticeably lighter.

Bai Xiaosheng approached Yun Duo; according to custom the groom would carry the bride out, but instead he lifted her veil.

Gu Jiu Ling's heart twitched slightly; fortunately she reacted quickly, having previously considered hiding Yun Duo before her wedding.

Or find someone to stand in for Yun Duo, but finding a substitute was unrealistic, as everyone around was Bai Xiaosheng's confidant.

If she hid Yun Duo now, she feared she would never escape this island in her lifetime.

Bai Xiaosheng is extremely cautious; even before entering the bridal chamber he lifted her veil to finally confirm whether she was indeed the woman he intended to marry.

Yun Duo was also startled by Bai Xiaosheng's action—lifting her veil before entering the bridal chamber, which is inauspicious in itself.

At that instant Yun Duo's killing intent almost leaked out, and she hastily lowered her head.

This lowered head actually gave a feeling of extreme bashfulness; a flicker of joy passed through Bai Xiaosheng's eyes as he gently lowered Yun Duo's veil.

He grabbed Yun Duo's hand and laughed softly: "Yun Duo, you are finally mine."

Seeing Bai Xiaosheng about to move his hands and feet again, Gu Jiu Ling coughed.

Only then did Bai Xiaosheng sheepishly get up, noticing that there was still a person standing in the room.

He smiled without changing his expression.

Gu Jiu Ling laughed: "Congratulations, Your Highness, on winning the beauty."

However, the time is not early; don't delay the auspicious day.

Bai Xiaosheng rarely gave Gu Jiu Ling a solemn salute, then turned and lifted Yun Duo in a horizontal embrace, striding out of the warm pavilion.

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly followed, not expecting that the people watching her all around would also press closer step by step.

Outside the courtyard, a bridal sedan was parked; two wedding attendants stood before it, and ahead lay the procession for welcoming the bride.

Although on this manor, such a huge wedding procession was somewhat over the top, it was nevertheless very lively.

Bai Xiaosheng bent over to lift Yun Duo into the bridal sedan; then he mounted his tall horse, just about to move forward when Yun Duo shouted from inside the sedan, causing the carriage to stop.