Chapter 698: Chapter 699: Unfailing Retribution

A wave of dizziness washed over Xiao Jiayi.

But she had no time to worry about that now.

She wiped the blood from her face with her sleeve and struggled to her feet. Without a moment to check her own injuries, she pulled Xie Yulin into a tight embrace.

"Mama’s all right, Mama’s all right! Lin’er, don’t be afraid. Mama is right here with you."

Xie Yulin burst into tears in her arms.

Though normally mischievous, he had been spoiled and doted on his entire life. When had he ever witnessed a scene like this?

The sight terrified him instantly. His heart filled with fear and panic, he could do nothing but cry.

Xiao Jiayi took a deep breath, stroking his head. "Lin’er," she said, enunciating each word, "we can’t stay here. We have to go!"

Xie Yulin was bewildered, his eyes hazy with tears. He sobbed in confusion, asking, "Go? G-go where?"

’This is my home!’

’Where else can we go?’

Xiao Jiayi bit her lip.

’Of course, I can’t tell him I’m worried about Xie Anjun’s retaliation.’

’This all happened so suddenly, and Xie Anjun was caught off guard, but that doesn’t mean he has no other tricks up his sleeve!’

’If he guesses that I had something to do with today’s events, he’ll stop at nothing to eliminate me!’

’The Xie Family estate isn’t safe. I have to leave as soon as possible!’

"Don’t cry, Lin’er. Just follow Mama."

Xiao Jiayi carefully switched to her other, relatively clean hand to wipe the tears from Xie Yulin’s face.

Xie Yulin was still uneasy, but he nodded obediently, trying his best to suppress his sobs as his small body continued to shudder.

Xiao Jiayi scanned her surroundings.

The mansion was in utter chaos. It was every man for himself, and the servants had long since scattered and fled. Not a soul was in sight.

’That makes things easier for me.’

Xiao Jiayi took Xie Yulin’s hand, and they hurried off in another direction.

...

The Duke Zhongyong Mansion was vast. Xiao Jiayi led Xie Yulin toward the exit for what felt like an eternity, each moment an agony of suspense.

When they occasionally encountered a fleeing servant, the person would just shoot them a fleeting glance before continuing to run without pause.

The entire Xie Family estate was a whirlwind of chaos.

Just as she rounded a covered walkway, Xiao Jiayi heard a woman’s shrill, piercing cry coming from a room nearby.

Xiao Jiayi faltered, turning her head to look. She saw a maid run out, her hands covered in blood and her face a mask of panic.

"Someone, help! Help!" The maid looked quite young; Xiao Jiayi didn’t recognize her face. She must have been new to the Xie Family. "Our mistress is bleeding! Quickly, fetch a midwife!"

Her voice trembled with fear, on the verge of tears.

But no one paid her any mind.

People rushed in and out, busy gathering their gold, silver, and valuables to flee for their lives. Who had time to care about a woman in labor?

’This must be the mistress Xie Anjun brought home,’ Xiao Jiayi quickly realized, ’and her personal maid.’

’Counting the days... it seems she’s going into premature labor?’

At this realization, a flicker of vicious delight crossed Xiao Jiayi’s face.

’The heavens are just. This is retribution!’

The young maid stood at the door, shouting for a long time to no avail. From inside the room, the woman’s cries grew more piercing, then slowly faded into silence.

Xiao Jiayi let out a cold sneer and spoke slowly. "Stop shouting. No one is going to help you now. You’d best hurry back inside and see how your precious ’mistress’ is doing. After all... for a woman, childbirth is a trip through the gates of hell."

In her dazed panic, the young maid looked up and saw, from a distance, Xiao Jiayi’s blood-smeared face. Meeting those eyes, which were filled with mockery, she couldn’t help but shiver.

Xiao Jiayi was gaunt, her cheeks sunken from days of torment. That, combined with the crimson stains covering her face, made her look like a vengeful specter from the depths of hell, come to claim a soul.

The maid’s face went white with terror. She stumbled back on trembling legs, tripped over the threshold, and fell hard.

But she had no time to worry about her fall. She grabbed the doorframe to pull herself up, then turned and rushed back inside.

A moment later, a despairing cry tore through the air—

"My lady!"

Amid the clamor of the courtyard, the cry was quickly swallowed by the noise.

But Xiao Jiayi heard it. She heard it with perfect clarity.

She felt the knot of resentment in her chest instantly dissolve, a feeling of relief washing over her entire body.

Just moments ago, she’d felt her life was over. But now, she thought that perhaps the heavens hadn’t been so cruel to her after all.

Xie Yulin didn’t understand what was happening. He flinched at the cry and instinctively hid behind Xiao Jiayi.

He had always hated coming to this place. He knew that after the woman inside arrived, life had become difficult for him and his mother.

He asked timidly, "Mama, is... is she dead?"

Xiao Jiayi snapped out of her reverie and smiled, patting his head.

"That’s not for Lin’er to worry about. Let’s go."

Xie Yulin nodded, only half-understanding, and obediently followed her. Soon, the sound of crying was left far behind them.

However, as they walked on, Xiao Jiayi realized something was wrong.

She frowned, her steps slowing.

When she arrived at the front courtyard with Xie Yulin, her unease was confirmed.

The courtyard was packed with countless servants, standing shoulder to shoulder.

They were tense and fearful, clearly panicked, yet they all stood in eerie silence.

The scene was utterly bizarre.

Xiao Jiayi had a sinking feeling she knew what was happening. She took a few more steps forward and finally saw, through the throng of people, the Imperial Army standing guard outside the main gate!

—They had split their forces! One contingent had taken Xie Anjun to the palace to face the Emperor, while the other had stayed behind to seal off the Duke Zhongyong Mansion!

Panic began to set in for Xiao Jiayi.

’This means they won’t let anyone out!’

’Then I—’

Just then, the sound of horse hooves echoed.

It seemed someone was arriving.

Xiao Jiayi saw the Imperial Army guards at the gate turn in unison toward the sound, then bow respectfully.

’It must be someone of high station.’

Xiao Jiayi rose onto her tiptoes, trying to get a better look.

Finally, she caught sight of a snow-white hem.

—Shen Yanchuan!

Xiao Jiayi’s eyes flew wide with shock as a thousand thoughts raced through her mind.

’Why would Shen Yanchuan be here at a time like this?’

Just as she was struggling to understand, she saw Shen Yanchuan say something to the Imperial Army guards before turning his gaze inward.

In an instant, his eyes locked onto Xiao Jiayi, who was hidden behind the crowd.

The moment their eyes met, Xiao Jiayi felt as if he could see right through her.

She frantically lowered her head and turned to run, but Shen Yanchuan had already begun to speak.

His tone was calm, yet it permitted no refusal.

"By order of the Eldest Princess, I am to escort the Marchioness Zhongyong to the palace."

Xiao Jiayi froze.

As soon as he spoke, everyone seemed to realize something and turned in unison to look.

Only then did they remember that the Xie Family still had a "Marchioness Zhongyong"—Xiao Jiayi—who had all but vanished for a long time.

Xiao Jiayi felt as if she were being pricked by needles from all directions.

She bit her lip, a flicker of resolve in her eyes. Then, she slowly turned and spoke, her voice strained.

"...Since it is the Eldest Princess’s command, I shall obey."

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