Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 245 - 229: Learn a Lesson

Chapter 245: Chapter 229: Learn a Lesson

"Someone?"

Bai Qingchen’s gaze shifted sharply toward the tightly shut door with a vigilant expression. "Chang Teng."

The Miaojiang guard addressed as Chang Teng walked forward and pulled open the door, revealing the inn’s waiter carrying a tray, delivering wine to another guestroom.

The waiter turned his head as soon as he heard the door open and looked at Chang Teng. "Sir, is there anything you need?"

Chang Teng closed the door again.

-

When Meng Qianqian learned that Bai Yuwei had knocked out the guards in the courtyard, she immediately searched the entire Governor Mansion, even combing through the Book Collection Pavilion outside the estate.

"Not in the mansion."

She furrowed her brows. "Did she act like this back in Miaojiang as well?"

Aman lowered her head guiltily. "Miss... She does sneak out now and then."

Meng Qianqian closed her eyes.

This spoiled behavior should have been strictly forbidden the first time it was discovered, punished so she wouldn’t dare do it again.

Bai Yuwei held a distinguished status in Miaojiang that brought untouchability, but here in the Capital City, setting aside whether her identity as a Miaojiang heiress mattered or not, she’d traveled without proper documentation and had no guards by her side. Who would care who she claimed to be?

Hopefully, she was just wandering nearby and hadn’t gone far.

"Cen Steward."

"Young Madam."

"Dispatch people to search the area nearby."

"Understood."

Cen Steward didn’t dare delay and quickly set off.

The wayward behavior of the cousin was indeed troublesome, but ultimately she was the Grand Commander’s relative, and if anything happened to her, it could damage his reputation.

Meng Qianqian went to the main courtyard and woke Liu Qingyun, explaining Bai Yuwei’s disappearance, including the details of their argument that morning.

"It’s my fault for not keeping an eye on my cousin."

"If my brother and sister-in-law can’t manage her, then neither can you."

If there was blame to bear, it was on her as the aunt. She’d been too preoccupied catching up on sleep earlier to deal with Bai Yuwei.

But then again, even if she had intervened, what could she have done?

She wouldn’t have scolded Meng Qianqian on Bai Yuwei’s behalf anyway. Bai Yuwei would have run off regardless.

Liu Qingyun sighed. "She’s most likely gone looking for her brother."

Liu Qingyun summoned the Miaojiang guards from Bai Qingchen’s courtyard to inquire about Bai Qingchen’s whereabouts, but they indeed had no idea where he had gone.

"It doesn’t seem like something he would do."

Bai Qingchen and Bai Yuwei had been born from the same womb, but their personalities were worlds apart. Bai Qingchen, from a young age, had always been mature and dependable, never the type to leave home on impulse.

"Has he met anyone unusual these past few days?"

Liu Qingyun asked the Miaojiang guards.

The guards shook their heads.

Liu Qingyun frowned. "Are you certain he hasn’t, or were you just unaware?"

"Well..."

The guards were caught off guard by the question.

Impatiently, Liu Qingyun waved them off. "Enough! All of you, follow me to find them!"

Meng Qianqian said, "Mother, I’ll join you."

Liu Qingyun replied, "Stay home and accompany Bao Shu."

Just then, a maid came to report that Bai Qingchen had returned to the mansion.

Liu Qingyun and Meng Qianqian headed out of the main courtyard and bumped into Bai Qingchen in the small garden.

"Aunt, Sister-in-law." Bai Qingchen greeted them both before speaking again. "Aunt, I heard you were looking for me."

Liu Qingyun glanced behind him. "Where’s your sister? Did she not come to find you?"

Bai Qingchen replied oddly, "No, she didn’t."

He froze momentarily, as though realizing something. "My sister’s gone missing?"

Liu Qingyun said flatly, "I ignored her this morning. She likely came to find you, and when you weren’t there, she incapacitated the guards in her courtyard and ran off on her own. If she hasn’t gone looking for you, then she might be headed to find my father."

Meng Qianqian believed Bai Yuwei likely wouldn’t seek out the Miao King, but to be cautious, she instructed Cen Steward to visit the Imperial Palace personally.

"Where have you been today?"

Liu Qingyun asked Bai Qingchen.

Bai Qingchen glanced at Meng Qianqian.

Meng Qianqian spoke first, "I’ll go tend to Bao Shu."

"No need." Liu Qingyun stopped her and addressed Bai Qingchen. "She’s your sister-in-law. There’s no secret she shouldn’t hear."

Bai Qingchen hesitated for a moment before answering, "The workshop."

-

In a dimly lit guestroom, the faint glow of the oil lamp resembled a bean sprout. Bai Yuwei’s consciousness drifted into clarity.

Her body was bound tightly, lying on a bed, weary and debilitated, barely able to open her eyes.

In her hazy vision, she saw two men seated in chairs across the room.

Seemingly sensing her awakening, the two looked in her direction.

Terrified, she quickly shut her eyes again.

One of the men approached her, looming over her. "Stop pretending. We know you’re awake. Want something to eat?"

It was then that she realized her stomach was indeed ravenous. Struggling, she gradually opened her eyes and saw a table filled with delicious dishes, causing her to swallow unconsciously.

The man chuckled and said, "Behave, and we won’t give you trouble."

Bai Yuwei stared at him, then glanced at his accomplice behind him. Panic surged within her voice. "Who are you? What do you want from me?"

The man replied, "You’re the Miao King’s granddaughter, and your brother is the Miaojiang Young Master. How could we dare harm you? Simply write a letter to your brother, asking him to relinquish the Miao King’s title. Then we’ll release you."

Bai Yuwei stared blankly. "Ask my brother to give up the Miao King’s title... You’re with Lu Yuan! Lu Yuan sent you! Shameless cowards!"

She struggled fiercely, attempting to throw herself toward the man.

The man effortlessly pinned her down. "Little girl, don’t make any reckless moves. Otherwise, we can’t guarantee what’ll happen next."

His accomplice brandished a knife and swiftly approached her. "What’s the point of wasting time? Make her write the letter! If she refuses, we’ll chop off her fingers and send them to her brother!"

Bai Yuwei gritted her teeth. "I won’t write it!"

The second man seized her finger and raised the knife high!

"Ah—"

Bai Yuwei abruptly woke up.

Only then did she realize it had all been a nightmare.

The terrors of the dream were too lifelike; she genuinely thought her fingers would be severed.

But... where was she?

The room was pitch dark, the kind of darkness where her hand couldn’t be seen in front of her face.

Wait—what about her hands?

She couldn’t feel her hands.

She couldn’t feel her feet either... She couldn’t move at all...

"Hey, you didn’t poison that girl to death, did you?"

"One bag of Knockout Drug, one bag of Soft Bone Powder—a mix like that won’t kill her."

"That girl’s delicate skin and slender waist make her irresistibly enticing, though."

"Shut it! Don’t get any ideas! Judging by her looks, she easily fetches this price!"

Price?

Were they planning to sell her? Sell her to where?

Creak—

The door slowly opened.

Two men entered the room, both with faces covered, followed by an elderly woman, also hooded.

The old woman approached the bed.

Bai Yuwei, unable to move, could only scream in terror. "What are you doing? Stay away from me!"

"Shut up, brat!"

One man rushed forward and slapped Bai Yuwei hard, making her see stars.

The old woman examined her, nodded at the men, and left the room.

One man raised his hand to strike her again but was stopped by the other.

"She’s a virgin. Her price doubles. If you ruin her face, they’ll lower their bid!"