Who would have thought that the former emperor had stripped the Ruan family of their military power, and now the current emperor wants to re-employ them.
Following the five hundred iron cavalry was the honor guard, and behind them, a magnificent steed adorned with red flowers, carrying the spirited Duke Ruan Zimo, who was beaming with pride and radiating charm.
He frequently nodded to the people lining the street from his horse. He was very happy today, as was everyone in the Ruan family.
It wasn't because he was marrying a princess, but because the Ruan family was about to be re-employed. The Ruan family's elder, who had been ill, suddenly recovered. A person in good spirits at happy occasions.
Ruan Zimo's eyes gazed at the luxurious imperial carriage behind him. Its sides were shrouded in sheer gauze, revealing a glimpse of a delicate figure.
The princess was playful and adorable; he had seen her long ago and was very satisfied with her.
However, the princess was still of noble birth, and the Ruan family was not a prominent household. He never dreamed that a sweet bun would fall from the sky, and he would actually be able to pick up such good fortune.
But Ruan Zimo's pride did not last long before someone disrupted the harmonious wedding march.
On the street, dark, oppressive clouds covered the sky. Dozens of figures dressed in black drifted down and landed on the eaves of the houses. Those figures wore black capes, their faces expressionless as they stared at the wedding procession that had halted on the street.
Seeing this display, Ruan Zimo wondered if it was a bride-snatching incident. He became enraged, not wanting to lose the power he had obtained. If the princess could not marry into the Ruan family as planned, why would the emperor re-employ them?
With this thought, he roared, "Guards! Someone is snatching the bride! Protect the princess."
Ruan Zimo, exuding righteous indignation, waved his hand from his horse, signaling the iron cavalry in front to protect Her Highness the Princess.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing the commotion outside, Xingzhu had already reached out and removed the phoenix coronet from her head. Her pupils, visible through the veil, shone brightly as she gazed at Hua Lige on the opposite eaves.
He was clad in enchanting red robes, his hair tied with a jade hairpin, exuding an aura of seductive charm. His eyes curved into a sinister, cold smile. With a swift movement, he unleashed a barrage of hidden weapons, as fine as silver threads, from his hand.
Ruan Zimo, who had been gesturing wildly, was knocked off his horse by him. He rolled twice before struggling to his feet, only to see that both his hand and shoulder blade had been struck by silver needles. In pain, his face changed drastically, and he yelled at the iron cavalry.
"Catch the thief! Catch the thief!"
"Yes, Duke Ruan," the leader of the iron cavalry bowed and lunged forward. However, Hua Lige did not make a move. Dozens of black-clad figures behind him had already leaped up to intercept, blocking the five hundred iron cavalry.
Screams erupted on the street. Those who had gathered to watch the spectacle were already fleeing in all directions in terror.
In the blink of an eye, many had fled and disappeared. In the restaurants and tea houses, everyone retreated to a safe distance, warily yet curiously watching the events unfolding below.
Hua Lige's figure flickered, drifting like a piece of evening cloud, leisurely landing on the imperial carriage. He extended his long, slender hand, and his clear, resonant voice rang out, "Princess."
"You've come?"
Xingzhu's eyes were as beautiful as a painting, and a smile graced her lips as she emerged from the imperial carriage. Anyone with eyes could see how much the princess adored the man before her. It turned out she did not like Ruan Zimo and wanted to marry this person who was snatching her.
"Yes, I've come."
As Hua Lige finished speaking, he scooped her into his arms and leaped up abruptly, soaring into the air. He then stretched out his long arm and ripped off the red flower from Ruan Zimo's chest, saying leisurely, "We're off to our wedding."
The vibrant red silk ribbon, like blood, fluttered through the air and in an instant wound around his body. The two of them soared away, and his deep, magnetic voice could still be heard in the air, "Brothers, thank you."
"You're welcome."
Lin Simiao spoke, then suddenly waved his hand. Today's objective was to snatch the bride, not to engage in a fierce battle with these iron cavalry. Now that the person had been snatched, was there any need for them to remain?
"Go."
Seeing everyone leaving, the little maid, Lan Yi, anxiously jumped up, "Miss, what about me? What about me?"
Someone suddenly turned around, reached out, lifted her, and leaped up, closely following the figures in front.
Dozens of people, like dozens of black roc birds, disappeared from sight after a few leaps. The street was empty, with no one left except the wedding procession.
Ruan Zimo crouched down in despair. Only at this moment did he suddenly come to his senses. The princess was gone, and the Ruan family would not be able to rise again. Was all of this destined?
"Heavens, why must you play with the Ruan family like this?"
People in the tea houses and restaurants had witnessed all of this. It was presumed that soon the streets and alleys would be abuzz with lively discussions. The Ruan family, which could have made a comeback, had once again fallen, and it was likely the former emperor's decree, everything being fated by unseen forces.
The princess was snatched on her wedding day, and Hua Lige was abducted. This news soon reached the Liuli Palace. The emperor's face was dark and extremely displeased, and he flew into a furious rage.
"How could such a thing happen? Weren't a thousand iron cavalry guards assigned to protect the princess?"
The leader of the iron cavalry, startled, immediately knelt down.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the people who came intended to snatch the person, not to confront us directly. Moreover, each of them was very skilled, coupled with Hua Shiwei's already formidable martial arts skills, which allowed them to escape."
A group of people knelt on the ground in the main hall, all believing that the emperor was heartbroken solely because the princess had been abducted, and they did not consider any other possibilities.
The man at the head of the hall glared coldly at those below, his pupils sinister, his brow furrowed in deep thought. Who had secretly interfered? Only her?
That person was rescued, Hua Lige was abducted, and the princess was injured.
It was highly likely that all of it was the work of that woman. Who else in the world possessed such capability to do such a thing? Shangguan Hao's gaze was deep and unfathomable. In fact, he truly hesitated to kill her immediately, but now he truly could not let her stay.
"Guards, prepare my carriage to Fengluan Palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The emperor's personal eunuch, Xiao Linzi, immediately called out, "Your Majesty is proceeding to Fengluan Palace."
Inside Fengluan Palace, Qingyao was listening to Mochou's report. Her father already knew the truth of the matter, but she was unsure if that man had sent people to monitor the Mu residence.
If that were the case, they might not be able to escape easily. She hoped her father would be clever enough to dismiss the servants in the mansion, thus reducing their targets and making their escape easier.
And the Zhao family, her sister's husband's family, might also be implicated in this incident. This was truly not what she wished to see, but everything was irreversible.
"I can rest assured knowing that Lige was able to take the princess away."
"Yes, Your Highness. What do we do now?"
Mochou pondered. The emperor was rescued, Hua Lige was abducted, and the princess was snatched. It was likely that the man would soon think of Your Highness, and would therefore act against her.
"He has some reservations about me, so I will be safe for a short time. Moreover, he must know the whereabouts of the emperor. Without news of the emperor, he cannot eat or sleep well."
Qingyao snorted coldly. The hall was quiet and cold. At this moment, a voice sounded from outside the door: "His Majesty has arrived."
"He's arrived so quickly. It seems he received the news."