PMM - 21

Yi Qiancheng felt like his heart was melting…

Xi Yu had a good eye. When the second young lady and second young master entered the courtyard, she had quietly sent Lu’er to find the person from Shaji City who was stationed at the City Lord’s mansion. At this moment, she merely responded and didn’t move.

Soon, Fang Mu arrived with the guards. This time, General had come to Yingdong without his trusted confidant, Song Yuan, but brought Fang Mu instead. Fang Mu was a highly skilled and honest man. Before the General left, he ordered him to protect the Madam well, and he carried out the order with single-minded dedication.

Seeing this situation, Fang Mu immediately glared and bellowed, “Throw these two… out!” After a moment of thought, he couldn’t think of how to address them. With only the General’s orders in mind, he naturally wouldn’t show much respect to them.

The guards he brought were all tall and imposing. Upon receiving the order, they expressionlessly dragged Lian Xitian and Lian Xiyue out.

“You bastards dare to touch me!” Lian Xiyue naturally resisted. He had learned martial arts for several years and immediately fought back. But the guards reacted even faster, quickly subduing him with just a few moves and dragging him away without mercy.

Lian Xitian felt like she was going mad. These rough men were actually grabbing her arm!

“Lian Sheng! You actually allowed these people to treat me like this, you’ll regret it sooner or later!”

Lian Sheng put down the pastry in his hand and found this scene somewhat amusing. If Lian Xitian and Lian Xiyue didn’t learn their lesson and continued being so reckless, the ones who would regret it in the future would be them.

“Madam, my men are guarding outside the courtyard. If you have any orders, please feel free to speak,” Fang Mu cupped his hands and said.

Lian Sheng nodded, thinking to himself that it was a good thing Song Yuan didn’t come. If Song Yuan had come and known someone was troubling her, as long as her life wasn’t at risk, he would certainly just watch from the sidelines.

“Thank you, sir. If you have any news from the General, please inform me immediately.”

“As you command.”

...

Fu Chengyu finished reading the letter in his hand and lightly curled his lips.

It was sent by the spies planted in Fengmu. He had stayed in Fengmu for a year, expanding many of his own industries and forces. Fengmu was the wealthiest of the five cities and especially skilled in trade. Grain, cloth, jewelry, and various commercial channels were well-developed.

A year ago, Fu Chengyu left angrily and received orders from his father to plant spies in Fengmu, intending to cause internal chaos when the time was right to help Yi Qiancheng take over Fengmu.

Now, he had successfully planted many spies and was just waiting for the right moment. Fengmu would soon be thrown into turmoil. Xiang Han had been yearning for Fengmu but had never succeeded. Fu Chengyu had been lying low for a year and finally saw the internal secrets of Fengmu. Soon, Fengmu would be in unrest.

Before Yi Qiancheng left, he had left Song Yuan to control him, but this obviously had no effect. To Fu Chengyu, there were many naive martial artists in the world. If he truly wanted to seize power, he could do it.

But he wasn’t interested in taking over right now. His mind was filled with thoughts of how to meet Yi Huan.

Since Yi Qiancheng left, Yi Huan had unfeelingly shut the City Lord’s mansion doors, and Song Yuan had stationed guards around the mansion. Even if Fu Chengyu grew wings, he couldn’t sneak in unnoticed.

Yi Huan, that heartless woman!

His mind spun, and looking at the letter in his hand, he came up with an idea. He went to the City Lord’s mansion, and when Song Yuan saw him again, he raised his weapon and blocked his path. “What do you want again? The young lady has said no one is allowed to enter.”

“Song Xiaodai, go tell the young lady I have news from Fengmu for the General, and ask if she has any message to send.”

Song Yuan saw the letter in his hand, with a large “seal” stamped on it. After some hesitation, he sent someone inside to inform Yi Huan. Soon, Yi Huan sent a message back: “Let Fu Chengyu ask about the situation in Yingdong.”

Fu Chengyu curled his lips. Was she trying to brush him off this easily? No way.

“I can’t hear clearly. The young lady must say it herself if she wants me to hear. If she doesn’t meet me, I’ll wait here. Anyway, the news from Fengmu isn’t urgent. The longer it takes, the harder it will be for Yi Qiancheng to take over.”

These words reached Yi Huan’s ears, and she bit her lip, frustrated. Fu Chengyu was like a cunning fox who clearly knew her weakness.

Yi Huan didn’t want the information to be delayed, so she reluctantly said, “Then, please let Fu Daren in.”

If Fu Chengyu dared to do anything to her, she would make him pay.

...

News of Yingdong’s great victory and the Western Qiang people’s retreat quickly reached them. Lian Sheng joyfully said, “Is the news correct? Yi Qiancheng and my brother are safe, right?”

“Lord Fang Mu said it himself. The Western Qiang forces suffered heavy casualties, and after retreating, they should no longer attack. General Yi has stationed people at Yingdong City and ordered that if the Western Qiang approach the city gate, they will be killed without mercy. As for the news of the eldest master and General Yi, don’t worry, I didn’t hear anything bad from Lord Fang, so they should be safe.”

Lian Sheng smiled, her eyes curving. After so many days of torment by a terrifying nightmare, she had been anxious every day. Now that the nightmare was finally ending, she truly did it! Yingdong was safe, and her brother should be fine!

After Yi Qiancheng arranged the defenses at the city gates, he led his soldiers back to the City Lord’s mansion. He clicked his tongue in admiration. Lian Qi was really lucky. With so many injuries, he had managed to survive. Yi Qiancheng had fished him out from the pile of dead bodies, but he had fainted immediately and had not yet woken up.

Yi Qiancheng had no mercy for Lian Qi. He ordered people to force him to take medicine and threw him onto a horse. Someone who couldn’t be killed by knives and swords wouldn’t easily be killed by the horse’s jolts.

As they neared the City Lord’s mansion, Yi Qiancheng thought for a moment and pulled the reins.

“Go prepare a litter to carry the eldest master back.” He needed to make sure to maintain appearances. If Lian Sheng saw how he treated Lian Qi, she might have objections.

He had been dragged along for the journey, and now, as they were nearly at the door, the stretcher would only take a few more steps... When General Yi became truly malicious, he could be very petty.

Lord Lian did not dare to neglect the situation. He knew that Yi Qiancheng had returned in triumph and was waiting at the gate of the City Lord’s residence early. As soon as Yi Qiancheng arrived, he saw a face he didn’t want to see. Yi Qiancheng’s expression darkened—where was the person he was expecting?

He dismounted from his horse, ignored Lord Lian, and stormed straight towards Lian Sheng’s courtyard with a foul expression.

“General!” Fang Mu immediately bowed in greeting.

Yi Qiancheng nodded. Seeing that Lian Sheng’s courtyard was completely surrounded, he guessed what had happened. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and an obvious murderous intent emerged. Before he could speak, a young woman in pink hurriedly ran out, lifting her skirt.

“Hubby!” Lian Sheng softly called.

Yi Qiancheng felt his heart almost melt. He hadn’t seen Lian Sheng in such a long time! He suppressed the smile forming at the corners of his mouth and raised his eyes to look at her coming toward him.

“Are you alright? What about my brother?”

At this, the smile at his lips completely disappeared. The first thing she asked was about Lian Qi? Yi Qiancheng really wanted to tell her that Lian Qi was already dead, and they couldn’t even find his body.

“Hubby, what’s wrong with you? You look so pale. Are you hurt?” Lian Sheng asked worriedly when she saw his bad complexion.

Yi Qiancheng’s eyes flickered, and a flash of pain appeared between his brows. “Yes.”

“Where are you hurt? Lord Fang, hurry and call for a doctor! Hubby, come inside and lie down.”

Yi Qiancheng was pulled inside and obediently lay down on the bed. Lian Sheng, worried about his injury, saw that he didn’t want to speak about her brother’s situation. Though she was anxious, she didn’t ask further. She quietly called for Lü’er, “Lü’er, go ask in the front yard about my brother’s condition?”

Just as she finished speaking, Yi Qiancheng let out a soft groan, feigning pain.

“Hubby, are you alright?” Lian Sheng hurriedly turned to look at him. Yi Qiancheng frowned, clutching his shoulder, appearing very weak. Lian Sheng suddenly recalled the deep injury he had on his shoulder when he fell off the cliff earlier. Could it have reopened?

Lian Sheng became flustered, mixed with guilt, and didn’t notice the satisfaction hidden in his eyes.

What was Lian Qi to him? He could die anywhere!

Lian Qi let out a muffled groan and opened his eyes. His whole body ached, and every bone seemed to be throbbing. He looked around and found himself back in the City Lord’s residence in Yingdong.

Back? Lian Qi carefully recalled his last memory. A man in black armor, with reinforcements, came to save Yingdong. He was...

His memory flashed back to five years ago when he had seen the rebellious young man from afar. Yi Qiancheng!

Why would he bring troops to save Yingdong? Lian Qi furrowed his brows.

“Qi’er, you’re finally awake.” Lord Lian spoke, his voice filled with pity. Despite Lian Qi being so injured, he was still his son.

“Father.” Lian Qi called, his throat sore and hoarse. His eyes swept around the room. Madam Sang stood stiffly nearby, but he didn’t see Lian Sheng.

“Where is A Sheng?”

Lord Lian’s expression stiffened. He knew he couldn’t hide the truth, but just the thought of telling Lian Qi made him feel guilty. “Qi’er, A Sheng... she... is taking care of General Yi.”

Lian Qi’s heart sank, and he sensed something was wrong.

“Father, tell A Sheng to come back. This is not proper. She’s an unmarried young lady; she shouldn’t be taking care of General Yi.”

“Qi’er, A Sheng has already married Yi Qiancheng. The situation was urgent at the time, and I didn’t have the chance to tell you.”

Lian Qi forced a smile. “Father, stop making such jokes.”

“I’m sorry, Qi’er, but A Sheng... she has admired General Yi for a long time. She voluntarily married him,” Lord Lian explained, repeating what Lian Sheng had planned to say earlier.

Lian Qi lowered his head, his emotions unreadable. Lian Sheng had feelings for Yi Qiancheng? What nonsense! He had raised his sister, how could he not understand her heart? She had never even met Yi Qiancheng. If it weren’t for Yingdong, why would she marry him?

All the storms in his heart were suppressed in his gaze, which became as still as dead water.

“Qi’er, what are you going to do? You’re still injured!”

What was he going to do? Of course, he was going to kill Yi Qiancheng!

The author has a message for the readers: What are everyone’s goals?

Yi Qiancheng: To get rid of Lian Qi, that eyesore.

Lian Qi: To kill Yi Qiancheng for daring to defile my sister!

Fu Chengyu: My goal is simple, can I just meet Yi Huan, please? (╯°Д°)╯︵┻━┻

Hahaha, little angels must have forgotten about Fu Chengyu by now, right? Let me bring him out for a spin. The progress is a bit slow, but in the next chapter, the husband and brother will clash. After all, both men are scheming boys.

A sneak peek for the little angels: Lian Qi will try to take back his sister, and Fu Chengyu will meet Yi Huan, then... well...