Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

Chapter 1255: Chapter 1235: Abducted

When Luo Qianqian handed over the inconspicuous little wooden puppet carved from wood to Hua Nianyi, her tears flowed like a faucet turned on, completely unstoppable, leaving Luo Qianqian somewhat at a loss.

”Shiqi, come with me.” Hua Nianyi, unlike her father and brother, did not hold Luo Qianqian in high regard, but treated her as a friend, making Luo Qianqian feel more at ease.

Upon entering Hua Nianyi’s boudoir, Luo Qianqian was surprised to find her dressing table filled with various small wooden puppets. Some were rough, some were delicate, reflecting a gradual improvement in craftsmanship.

Looking at the varied woods with curiosity, Luo Qianqian raised an eyebrow: ”Is he really that unromantic? If he carved you, you could say it’s undying love, but these round ones...”

At a speed visible to the naked eye, Hua Nianyi’s face turned into a ripe tomato, making one really want to take a bite.

”That was when I was young...” Hua Nianyi twisted the silk handkerchief in her hand, her voice almost inaudible, yet it still reached Luo Qianqian’s ears, suddenly surprising her as she looked at the wooden puppets on the table, and then at the poised Hua Nianyi before her. Is this really one person? She was utterly incredulous.

Hua Nianyi felt even more embarrassed under Luo Qianqian’s gaze and could only sit shyly with a flushed face before the bronze dressing mirror.

Luo Qianqian pondered with her head lowered for a moment, aware that even if these two couldn’t say they were made for each other and wouldn’t marry anyone else, their mutual affection was undeniable. How could she watch them pining for each other but unable to be together?

After a long silence, she asked, ”So, what does Miss Hua think?”

Hua Nianyi quickly waved her hand: ”It’s best to call me Yiyi, it’s awkward calling me Miss Hua.” Then, after a prolonged silence, she glanced at Xiao Rou beside her. Xiao Rou silently gave a salute and withdrew, not forgetting to close the boudoir door before leaving.

”Shiqi, if there’s nothing wrong at home, I would naturally be willing to marry Brother Yun, but...” Hua Nianyi sighed, her face full of confusion: ”Yesterday, the Crown Prince visited the General’s Mansion as if to console my father on sick leave... hehe.”

Hua Nianyi gave a bitter smile: ”Doesn’t everyone know what his plan is? He’s just here to check on the General’s Mansion.”

Luo Qianqian nodded repeatedly, no wonder she saw the Crown Prince on the road yesterday.

”So, how did the Old General handle it yesterday?” Luo Qianqian was very curious about the matter now.

”Father didn’t show up because he’s resting due to illness, naturally unable to meet people. Second brother didn’t show up either. When the Crown Prince arrived and saw my eldest brother, he directly asked him to send for the Imperial Physician, saying second brother was critically injured and near death, and that the General’s Mansion is highly dangerous now. The Crown Prince’s honorable status mustn’t be at risk, so he sent him away.”

Hua Nianyi seemed amused recalling this: ”Later, the Imperial Physician came but didn’t see second brother. He was harried out with various things thrown at him, even got injured, and you could hear second brother’s spirited voice throughout the entire General’s Mansion.”

”He said... ’I’m a General! A crippled General is nothing!’... Eldest brother also feigned injury to apologize to the Imperial Physician and escorted him out.”

”By now, the entire court should know, right?” Hua Nianyi smirked: ”Eldest brother said, after this, besides him, our mansion has no one left capable, so we won’t be sent elsewhere.”

Luo Qianqian frowned, gently shaking her head: ”I think otherwise, and fear someone will come to investigate.”

Hua Nianyi nodded, placing the puppet on the table, seriously looking at Luo Qianqian: ”Thus, second brother has now turned into a mummy...”

”Huh?” Mentioning a mummy, Luo Qianqian’s first thought was a black donkey hoof, but she quickly understood Hua Nianyi’s meaning, nodding: ”Just afraid someone won’t give up, originally aimed at you.”

”Therefore, I usually stay with eldest brother and father, if not for Shiqi coming, father and eldest brother wouldn’t have allowed me back to my room.” Hua Nianyi gave a bitter smile: ”If not for being unwell since childhood, I regret not having practiced martial arts with elder and second brother.”

”Do you have trusted guards?” Luo Qianqian brightened, suddenly coming up with a new idea.

Before Hua Nianyi could speak, Luo Qianqian’s expression changed, pulling Hua Nianyi under the bed, handing her a dagger, her face serious, whispering: ”Quiet.”

Hua Nianyi nodded quickly, gripping the dagger tightly. Despite only knowing each other for two days, she trusted Haan Yun’s judgment in friends.

”Miss, Master wanted me to deliver pastries.” A deep male voice sounded.

”Come in.” Luo Qianqian lowered her voice, almost resembling a timid young lady afraid of speaking loudly.

The door was pushed open, Luo Qianqian sat at the dressing mirror, combing her hair, seemingly unaware of any anomaly, and even the visitor felt it was quite normal.

”Miss, please come with us.” The male voice sounded again, this time from behind Luo Qianqian, making her feel a sword hilt against her waist, startling her, causing the wooden comb to fall to the ground with a crisp sound.

”Who are you? Why are you in my room?” Luo Qianqian did not turn back, her voice trembling.

”Miss Hua wouldn’t want to see the Old General and Junior General in trouble, right? Then be a good girl and come with us.” The deep voice continued.

Luo Qianqian obediently stood up and followed the man out of Hua Nianyi’s bedroom, never turning back, fearing she’d be recognized as not being Hua Nianyi.

Seeing Xiao Rou, knocked out at the door, she sighed in relief.

”Apologies!” Upon reaching the courtyard gate, the man heavily struck Luo Qianqian’s neck, and she softly fell forward.

The man sighed in relief, carrying Luo Qianqian over his shoulder, taking a leap, unaware of the black light flashing over Luo Qianqian’s body.

If not for Luo Qianqian offsetting the weight with Spiritual Energy, how could this man carry her?

Squinting slightly, watching the roofs below swiftly retreat, she felt dizzy, obediently closing her eyes.

She didn’t want to feel dizzy from the movement as well after feeling carsick.

Within moments, Luo Qianqian sensed the man’s speed slowing, evidently no longer jumping over rooftops. Opening her eyes and looking at the ground, she sighed in relief.

”Lay her on the bed, Xixi, Fufu, tidy up the place...” A matronly voice sounded, Luo Qianqian dared not open her eyes, feeling herself being carried in a cradling embrace, slowly placed on a hard wooden board, though there was padding, it still irked her somewhat.

A household that could afford to hire people for such abductions couldn’t provide a softer bed?