Chapter 3 (1/2)

Chapter 3: Abduction

Early spring, the season of colors. The kingdom of Qiong Yue is thriving in prosperity, Huan Yang, its capital city is naturally impressive in all respects, even before entering the city, one can already hear the clamor inside the city which was bustling with noise and excitement, along the main road on both sides, there are many merchants and civilians busily entering and leaving the city of Huan Yang.

The cool breeze brushing softly the face, the song of the birds and the fragrant flowers, soon he will see the city gates of Huan Yang, Li Xu was both happy and fearful! Happy that after being on the run for more than ten days, encountering near misses, they are finally arriving; fearful because of the faces of the three ladies . . .

Inside the carriage, a slender arm is struggling to grasp the window frames which are not high, but unfortunately before it was able to reach them, it helplessly fell down.

Ah almost! Zhuo Qing once again tried to reach out her right hand, this time it was a little better, her fingers could touch the windowsill. Breathing deeply a few mouthfuls of air, Zhuo Qing shored up her body with as much strength left in her possible, it was a good toss, but she barely let herself sit up straight. The sweat on her forehead dripped to her cheeks, the pain caused by the wound on the right side of her face was terrible, but it also sobered up Zhuo Qing a bit.

She has been held in this small space for several days, and every day someone was feeding her with large amounts of sleep-inducing drug, a few days later, she pretended to be in deep coma, after pouring her with a few mouthfuls they had to give up. Her mind is now fairly clear, but her whole body is still limp.

Where is Gu Yun? After their office was attacked, were they taken away together, who are these people? What do they want? Why did they choose the carriage as a means of transport? Where is she right now? Zhuo Qing’s ever shrewd mind is running fast, hoping to find some clues, but unfortunately her mind is filled with a bunch of questions.

The traveling carriage suddenly stopped, outside the carriage, a familiar male voice sounded somewhat obsequious and respectful, “my Lord, the three ladies of the Qing family have been delivered to you . . . ”

She knew that voice, these days she often heard it in the carriage, he is the mastermind of the kidnapping. Outside the surroundings seemed a bit noisy, Zhuo Qing listened carefully, after a while, a slightly muffled male voice replied coldly: “The emperor has already passed an edict, the eldest young lady of the Qing family shall immediately enter the imperial palace, the second young lady shall be delivered to enter the Estate of Prime Minister Lou, the third young lady shall be delivered to enter the General Manor. Thanking Mister Li for your trouble, please reply!”

The emperor? The palace? Which country in the world is currently still practicing absolute monarchy? It turned out she had already been shipped out of China. She can glean from their conversation that she was kidnapped along with three other people, but where is Gu Yun? Zhuo Qing continued to eavesdrop with bated breath.

Outside the carriage, Li Xu immediately bowed and replied: “Many thanks to Qiong Yue emperor’s grace.”

The ritual official did not bother looking at Li Xu, his gaze swept across the three horse-drawn carriages and asked: “Which carriage is carrying the eldest of the Qing family?”

Li Xu, pointing to the carriage in the middle, hurriedly replied: “That one.”

Two men dressed in palace outfits rapidly approached the carriage, pulled the reins, and left together with the ritual official who said aloud, “back to the palace!”

A party of people entered the East Gate and went in slowly. Outside the city gates, there were two groups. Seeing the servants is knowing their masters, Li Xu, needed only a glance, already he knew, on his left donning a blue garment, refined and polite, must be the man from the Estate of the Prime Minister, on his right wearing a brilliant gray clothing, strong and tall build, of course, he must be from the General Manor.

Li Xu nodded politely, smiled and said: “The two misters, on this carriage is the second Qing young lady, on this carriage the third Qing young lady.”

Two men stepped forward and each pulled a carriage, they faced Li Xu and after cupping their fists in obeisance, they respectively moved and left in opposite directions, one headed towards south, the other to the north.

After the three carriages were led away, a soldier whispered: “Master Li, what do we do now?”