Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 768 - 766

Chapter 768: 766

Upon hearing this, Du Zhongkai looked over and saw that it was Gu Hongxia!

The opinions of everyone present about Shangguan Ruixi changed once more. The young lord was truly remarkable. Even when the bride was veiled, he had recognized that the woman was not his intended bride and had boldly ejected the imposter with a swift kick!

"How could Gu Hongxia have assumed Yijin’s place! Where is Yijin?" Du Zhongkai asked in astonishment.

"Where is Yijin?" On noticing Du Zhongkai’s genuine surprise, Shangguan Ruixi asked the matchmaker anxiously.

The matchmaker was equally startled. How could she have mistaken the bride? She had been a matchmaker for so many years but never encountered such a situation!

"I don’t know! The maiden I brought from the chamber was this young lady!" The matchmaker was trembling uncontrollably out of fear as the prince’s expression made it appear like he wanted to kill her. She was terrified. She only prayed he wouldn’t kick her too!

"It must have been Gu Hongxia who harmed my sister!" Du Chunkang, thinking of the infamous Gu siblings, dropped this comment loudly before running off towards the backyard.

Having heard these words, Shangguan Ruixi’s face turned as white as a sheet, and he hurriedly rushed after him.

Nothing must have happened to her! He would rather that someone had replaced her intentionally than for her to have met with any harm! Shangguan Ruixi bellowed in his heart.

When Du Zhongkai recovered from his shock, he too hurried to the backyard. Everyone soon discovered that Du Yijin was not in her room, and no one knew where she was!

Gu Hongxia, once again under the boot of Shangguan Ruixi, was rendered unconscious and could provide no answers.

Du Zhongkai quickly coordinated everyone to help with the search.

Eventually, Shangguan Ruixi, while passing the rockery in the back garden and attentive to the slightest sound, found Du Yijin in a cave within the rockery. She was gagged and her body bound tightly with ropes.

When Shangguan Ruixi found Du Yijin, she was frantically rubbing her hands against a stone, trying to cut the ropes that bound her. Her wrists were rubbed raw against the stone, blood oozing from the wounds, and a layer of skin had been peeled off. The sight caused his heart to ache severely with each beat!

He had never known that his heart could hurt so much!

"Yijin." Shangguan Ruixi went forth and took her into his arms, his heart aching. He then noticed that she was only wearing a red undergarment and her entire body was as cold as if she had been thrown into an ice pit!

It was evident that her wedding dress had been forcibly removed! And then she was bound and left in the cave within the rockery.

It was the bleak midwinter! A heavy snow had just fallen a couple of days ago! The cold was unbearable! How could she, a delicate girl who was also inherently cold-natured, withstand such conditions?

Without giving it a second thought, Shangguan Ruixi removed his groom’s robe and bundled Du Yijin in it, lifting her up and running like the wind towards her chamber.

On hearing that Shangguan Ruixi had found Du Yijin, Du Zhongkai heaved a sigh of relief. When he arrived at his daughter’s room and discovered her bloody hands and pallid face, he became horror-stricken.

Then they brought in the imperial doctor, prepared hot water, commenced a series of hectic activities. Shangguan Ruixi personally used his inner strength to warm her, apply the medicinal treatment and didn’t delegate these tasks to anyone else.

"Young Lord, about this marital union..." Seeing his daughter injured to such an extent, Du Zhongkai felt it impossible to proceed with the ceremony.

"Continue!" Shangguan Ruixi interrupted him.

"What?" Du Zhongkai couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

"I said ’continue’!" Shangguan Ruixi repeated impatiently, yet his hands gently applied the medicine onto Du Yijin’s wounds.

Today, he was determined to take her into his household, come what may!

If the Du Mansion failed to protect her, then he would do it himself!

"My Lord, how can I be married in this condition?" Du Yijin finally spoke, making her first comment. Which bride had ever taken the marriage vows while injured?

"Today, no matter what, I am taking you home! I’m afraid of having too much time and having dreams!" Shangguan Ruixi looked into Du Yijin’s eyes deeply, each word accentuated, declaring his determination to her.

Hearts are made of flesh, not steel. Du Yijin was not blind nor was her heart incapable of feeling. Could she be unaware of Shangguan Ruixi’s feelings for her? Could she not be moved?

No one had ever treated her this way before.

She looked into his eyes and unconsciously nodded faintly, whispering, "Okay."

Seeing the two of them in this state, Du Zhongkai’s worries were inexplicably dispelled. He retreated in relief, for there were still many people waiting in the main courtyard!

...

Under the corridor, Shangguan Ruixi thought about Du Yijin’s previous consent, which was her first response to him. His heart was sweetened, and he pledged utmost protection towards her from now onwards!

He wouldn’t let the person who hurt her, off the hook! It was absolutely despicable!

At this moment, Shangguan Ruixi’s servant came over and bowed, "Young Master, the dowry of the Young Mistress has just been carried out from Du Mansion."

Shangguan Ruixi came back to his senses, nodding, "Have everyone prepare. The Young Mistress will be able to leave very soon. Everyone should try to move faster on the way and return to the mansion before the auspicious time!"

"Yes!" The servant immediately went down to arrange.

Soon, Du Yijin was re-dressed, put on her wedding dress, said goodbye to her parents, and was carried out by her elder brother, Du Chun’an, to the sedan chair.

Shangguan Ruixi also carefully observed before Du Yijin went into the sedan chair, to make sure that the bride was indeed his!

Du Zhongkai didn’t let Mrs. Gu receive the bow from Du Yijin and Shangguan Ruixi. He directly brought out the nameplate of Du Yijin’s mother.

This move touched Du Yijin’s heart, and Shangguan Ruixi was also pleased.

He indeed needs to pay tribute to Du Yijin’s mother, to thank her for giving birth to Du Yijin, bestowing him a beloved woman.

...

In the Wang Mansion of Prince An, the wedding procession hadn’t returned yet, which made Princess Consort An impatient!

Why haven’t they returned yet even after all this time?

Could it be that Ruixi has reneged halfway and decided not to marry?

Pondering this, Princess Consort An almost broke out in a cold sweat!

That just can’t happen!

She quickly signaled a maid to arrange someone to find out what’s going on.

Xiao’er was also somewhat surprised and worried that something might have gone wrong.

The ladies and young ladies present were whispering, it was unheard of for the bride to be so late.

They say the Crown Prince is macho, could he have changed his mind halfway and eloped? Or did his lover come out to stop it?

Everyone had different speculations but dared not show them.

When the auspicious time came, Princess Consort An got increasingly unsettled! If Shangguan Ruixi dared to elope, she would dare to kick him out of the house and never want him again! Princess Consort An was seething!

Xiao’er also wanted Yang Liu to go and find out, it was too unusual.

At this point, the people that the Princess Consort An sent to inquire had returned, and the maid by her side walked up to her and whispered in her ear, feigning calm.

"What!" Princess Consort An screamed in shock upon hearing this.

He kicked the bride away! How dare that impudent brat! He wants to infuriate me till death!

"Princess, don’t panic, I haven’t finished yet!" The maid comforted.

How can she not be agitated! What else is there to say! Did he kick the person to death? How dare he!