Chapter 1050: What happened? (1/2)

Faced with the guards’ demands, Bai Yuqiao had no other choice. But she dragged her heels as ever as she glared at the guard and turned on her heel. “Just wait!”

By the time Bai Yuqiao shut the door and walked behind the folding screen, she saw everyone in the room looking at her--except Ning Jing, who was still clutching her baby as their cheeks touched. Mother and daughter were exceptionally still as if nothing in the world could disturb them.

Mu Linger was sobbing soundlessly as she shook her head at Bai Yuqiao. Both the midwife and servant girl found it a pity as they too, shook their heads to say no. Bai Yuqiao ended up standing around for a long, long time. Even if it was a few more seconds, she wanted to fight for them for Ning Jing and the little baby’s sake.

Yet soon enough, the head guard was pressuring her again. “Miss Bai, it doesn’t matter if we wait, but don’t delay too long for His Highness Duke of Kang.”

“Miss Bai, you know His Highness Duke of Kang’s temper too.”

“Mu Linger, hand over the child and I promise it won’t come to any harm! Otherwise...heheh!”

Ning Jing’s head whipped up at the remark as killing intent flashed through her eyes. Mu Linger was so furious that she scrambled off the bed and screamed, “I’ll go kill that son of a b***h!”

“Are you seeking death?” Bai Yuqiao rebuked her.

Mu Linger pursed her lips before turning to burrow into the sheets. If she refused to look or listen, would none of this ever happen? Bai Yuqiao approached Ning JIng step by step. Ning JIng simply stared at her with a fierce look that had grown frightfully dark. She had no idea whether the birth had grieved her too much, but suddenly felt a lot, lot older despite being a young woman in her twenties.

Bai Yuqiao stopped short of her and said, “Ning Jing, I really can’t help you anymore.”

“I know,” Ning Jing’s voice was very low.

“I…” Bai Yuqiao didn’t know what else to say before reaching out her hands for the child.

“I...I’ll send her off…” Ning Jing murmured.

Before Bai Yuqiao could react, Ning JIng had picked up the baby and gotten off the bed. Bai Yuqiao hastened to support her, but Ning JIng avoided her hands. “No need, I can walk.”

She placed her daughter on the bed before changing into a different set of clothes and straightening up her hair. Then she quickly applied some makeup to hide her wan and exhausted features. After all that, she didn’t look like a new mother at all, but was as lofty and lovely as always. Yet it was impossible to hide the emotions in her eyes. She cradled her daughter and wanted to give her one last smile, but couldn’t bear to stir her from her sleep. She ended up walking all the way to the door before turning back to speak.

“Miss Bai, lead the way.”

“Sobsobsob…” Mu Linger finally lost it and lifted her head to sob, “I don’t want this! I don’t!”

Ning Jing smiled faintly. She picked the right time to cry. Of course. With her daughter about to be taken away, she should be sobbing her heart out. The guards outside heard Mu Linger’s cries and knew the baby had been picked up, so they stopped pushing them to hurry up.

If Ning Jing was so strong, why couldn’t they be strong as well? Bai Yuqiao sniffled once before adjusting her feelings and stepping forward to open the door. Mu Linger’s cries grew louder at the sound until they filled the entire courtyard and added an extra chill to the cold morning.

As soon as the head guard saw Bai Yuqiao’s empty hands, he grew unhappy. “Miss Bai, the child…” Then he saw Ning Jing striding out with an infant in swaddling clothes.

Bai Yuqiao glanced at the guard and stayed silent. Ning JIng swept her eyes across the guards before resting on their leader. In a cold voice, she said, “Sir soldier, this is Mu Linger and Gu Qishao’s child as well as Han Yunxi and Long Feiye’s niece. You should know better than I do what she means to Your Highness Duke of Kang.”

“Naturally!”

The guard moved to take the child, only for Ning Jing to demand, “Where’s the wet nurse?”

It would take days to reach the battlefields from here. How was the baby supposed to eat without a wet nurse after just being born?

“Miss Jing doesn’t need to worry. The wet nurse has been waiting outside for a while now. We’re even more nervous about this baby than you, Miss Jing, so please tell Mu Linger not to worry,” the guard smiled. “Heheh, it’s better if she looks after herself instead”!

He stepped forward and extended his hands for the baby. Ning JIng was so calm that it was painful to watch. Those who didn’t know the truth would never guess that she was the baby’s true mother.

“I’ll pass on the message,” she didn’t hesitate and handed over the child. As soon as she finished, she turned away. Although she had been nothing but self-possessed and aloof, her face broke down as soon as she looked away, flooded with tears!

She desperately wanted to see her daughter one more time, even if it was a glance. But that was impossible. She couldn’t do it! She couldn’t stop herself from crying, either.

Daughter, I’m sorry. Mother wasn’t strong enough to hold it together.

Not daring to tarry, she quickly walked into the rooms. But a fresh tiger roar soon filled the courtyard. Thanks to last night’s experiences, everyone was on high alert. Ning JIng whirled back and saw a giant tiger pounce down from the roof, heading straight for the guard and her daughter.

“NO!” Ning Jing screamed and threw herself at them. But it was too late! The guard was sent crashing to the ground while the infant in swaddling clothes went flying. For a moment, no one could react except for Ning Jing. She made a leap into the air to catch the baby, but didn’t make it. Instead, a figure dressed in black robes suddenly snatched it out of the air!

After catching the child, he landed on the roof and hollered, “Mu Linger, have you cried enough? If you want the baby, get out this instant!”

This…

What was going on?