Hei Feng held his sword, "Originally, Marquis Jiang intended for you to fend for yourself, but you shouldn't have survived that great fire."
Su Yunmo sneered, "So you're here to eliminate all traces of me? Father is one thing, but I suppose Lin Yu Ning can't stand it either."
"But are you sure you can kill me?"
Hei Feng drew his sword, "Your powers are gone. Didn't Marquis Jiang already have his subordinate test it?"
A black shadow flashed in the darkness.
Hei Feng was startled and quickly turned around, but saw no one.
He thought he was being overly cautious, then drew his sword and thrust it at Su Yunmo, "Master, this subordinate is offending you!"
A cold wind swept in, and a punch struck the sword.
With a 'bang', the sword broke into two pieces.
Hei Feng was sent flying, crashing to the ground and spitting blood.
A man appeared before the carriage.
He was eight feet tall, bare-handed, with an iron hammer hanging from his waist. His square face was stern and imposing, radiating a cold, murderous aura.
Su Yunmo tilted her head, "Did Marquis Jiang tell you that Father assigned me a secret guard after I left the palace?"
"His name is Gui Sha. Make his acquaintance."
Hei Feng's expression changed. The man's aura alone was enough to make him breathless. He leaped up, intending to flee.
Gui Sha flashed in front of him, blocking his path, and delivered a punch like an iron hammer.
Hei Feng raised his hand to block, and with a crack, his bones shattered. He was smashed to the ground, the flagstones beneath him cracking.
Su Yunmo jumped down from the carriage and crouched beside him, "For so many years, Father has let me fend for myself. Why, all of a sudden, does he want to kill me now?"
Hei Feng gritted his teeth, refusing to speak.
Su Yunmo curled her lips, "Very well."
Gui Sha punched down again, and Hei Feng's insides churned with terror.
Clutching his chest, he managed to say, "They are coming… they are investigating you, and soon… they will reach the capital…"
Su Yunmo frowned, "Who are they?"
A dark arrow shot from a distance, piercing Hei Feng's head.
Su Yunmo was startled and quickly looked back, but the person had already vanished.
She immediately checked Hei Feng's breathing.
He was dead.
"Damn it!"
Who were 'they' he mentioned? What was Father hiding from her? Someone was looking for her?
Who? Friend or foe?
Was Father trying to silence her, or was he afraid of something else, which is why he wanted her dead?
Su Yunmo rubbed her head in frustration and looked up at Gui Sha, her eyes flickering, "Don't you want to ask anything?"
Initially, Father had asked him to protect her, but she hadn't been willing.
If he were to hear these words and report them to Father, it would only cause more trouble.
Gui Sha pursed his lips and looked at her, appearing to be in deep thought, "Are we just going to leave him here?"
Su Yunmo's eyelids twitched.
She could bet her life that this question was the result of his painstaking efforts.
"No need to mind him. Someone will take care of it."
Never mind, Gui Sha didn't seem like the type to relay messages. As long as he didn't interfere with her life in the General's mansion, she would let him be.
Su Yunmo, being quite carefree, left him there.
For the next few days, Gui Sha stayed peacefully in the courtyard.
Although he was a secret guard, he didn't always stay hidden and would often be seen by others.
Su Yunmo paid him no mind.
After nearly half a month, at the end of the month.
A message arrived from the Marquis's mansion: Lin Ze Qu had returned to the capital.
On the day Ye Jingcheng's wedding, Su Qingtian brought his family to the Prince of Lian's mansion to offer congratulations.
The Prince's mansion was filled with joy, decorated with lanterns and festive banners, making it a lively scene.
The new Princess Consort was welcomed into the mansion, walking the red carpet to the main gate.
As it was the wedding ceremony of a direct imperial prince, he had, according to custom, made a visit to the palace. The Emperor and Empress had already met the couple.
Therefore, only Lin Ze Qu was present in the Prince of Lian's mansion at this time.
The couple only needed to serve tea to Lin Ze Qu.
After serving tea, the officiating minister called for the three bows, and the banquet began.
As everyone was celebrating, an unexpected voice suddenly came from the sky.
"On the occasion of Prince of Lian's wedding, our master has sent his subordinates to deliver congratulatory gifts to Prince of Lian."
Everyone turned their heads and saw a procession carrying two very heavy items from outside.
These items were square and covered with red cloth, their contents unknown.
The guests assumed it was a new way of presenting gifts and all curiously gathered in the courtyard to see.
Su Yunmo squeezed through the crowd and, looking at the two items, a hint of amusement flashed in her eyes.
Ye Jingcheng, dressed in red, emerged. His gaze swept over the group, his eyes flickering, "May I know who your master is?"
The leader was a man named Chi Yan.
"Our master prefers to remain anonymous. She has a connection with the Princess Consort of Lian and had previously received a gift from her. She has returned it today."
As he finished speaking, the red cloth was pulled away, revealing two coffins.
Lin Yu Ning, almost lifting her veil, exclaimed, "Today is the wedding day of this Princess and Prince of Lian, what is the meaning of this!"
Was this an attempt to disrupt the ceremony!
Chi Yan sneered, "It is merely a gift. Why is the Princess Consort in such a hurry? The Princess Consort will surely be pleased with this gift."
He raised his hand, and someone behind him lifted one of the coffins, revealing Hei Feng's decaying body within.
Lin Ze Qu, standing at the doorway, a faint glint in his eyes, instinctively looked at Su Yunmo.
Su Yunmo met his gaze, her expression mocking.
The guests were instantly shocked and dismayed.
Some could not bear the stench and vomited on the spot.
The scene descended into chaos.
Lin Yu Ning clenched her sleeves tightly, glaring at Su Yunmo with hatred, and was about to rush forward, "You actually…"
"This gift is delivered with a unique flavor," Ye Jingcheng blocked Lin Yu Ning's words, pulling her behind him.
"Go back and tell your master that this Prince accepts this gift."
Everyone was astonished and looked at Ye Jingcheng, yet they couldn't help but admire him.
These people were clearly here to cause trouble. If the Prince of Lian had become enraged and ordered their execution, it would have ruined the auspicious day. It was better to accept it gracefully.
Even if the coffins were an eyesore, once the ceremony was over, they could be chopped up and burned. It wouldn't mar the wedding feast.
Chi Yan, as if he had anticipated this, did not linger. He simply clasped his hands in a bow.
"Our master asked me to convey to Your Highness that the next time you send gifts to our master, do so as openly as today. Otherwise, being stingy and secretive is rather laughable."
Ye Jingcheng's gaze, with a hint of killing intent, swept over Su Yunmo. "Thank you for your master's advice. This Prince will certainly remember it!"
Chi Yan bowed again and, with his retinue, departed grandly.
Only the two coffins remained, as if foreshadowing something.
Lin Yu Ning bit her lip until it bled, her heart churning with resentment.
Their actions on her wedding day were clearly meant to bring bad luck and make her future life as Princess Consort difficult!
Su Yun Mo!
Lin Yu Ning glared at her hatefully.
Ye Jingcheng first restrained Lin Yu Ning from her angry glare and entered the hall to continue entertaining guests.
Today's wedding ceremony was extremely important, and it could not be ruined no matter what!
The ceremony continued, and the banquet became lively once more.
However, the two coffins were so conspicuous that they could not be ignored.
As the banquet progressed, someone delivered a message to Su Yunmo, asking her to meet in the backyard.
Su Yunmo folded the letter and went. Lin Ze Qu was already waiting for her in the courtyard.