The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 319: Yet Another Disastrous Romance

Chapter 319: Yet Another Disastrous Romance

Ye Siheng raised an eyebrow, understanding that these families were more concerned about the scandal than the safety of their daughters. Even if the girls were rescued, they would face a loss of reputation and value, making them less worth saving. Such is the law of karma.

He couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow for the unfortunate girls.

The officials and family heads soon departed.

Ye Siheng pondered briefly, his brow slightly relaxed.

When Qing Feng returned with the carriage prepared, he noticed Ye Siheng’s expression and asked, "Your Highness, are we going to rescue them?"

"They don’t deserve to lose their lives over this," Ye Siheng replied. "Take a squad of covert guards and handle it quietly."

Qing Feng understood Ye Siheng’s intention.

A lesson must be taught, but if the girls were to be violated or killed by the bandits, it would be too cruel. Handling this discreetly would prevent the officials and family heads from thinking Ye Siheng could be easily swayed, avoiding future troubles.

"Understood," Qing Feng said.

Ye Siheng’s lips twisted slightly as he muttered, "Turns out they’re useless."

He needed to hurry back and inform A’Li.

Outside the Capital

Qing Feng, armed with the command token, effortlessly led a squad of covert guards out of the city.

They had received intelligence that the bandits were hiding in the Tianliang Mountain area.

It seemed the bandits had learned in advance of the high-born ladies’ outing and set up an ambush to abduct them.

Qing Feng fired two signal flares, summoning nearby covert agents, and quickly pinpointed the bandits’ location.

However, as they approached, he heard the sound of clashing swords and noticed smoke rising from the small mountain stronghold.

Qing Feng squinted, refraining from immediate action.

He ordered the covert guards to stay put while he and two others went ahead to investigate.

What he saw made him laugh in disbelief.

It was Chu Ye, leading elite soldiers, fighting the bandits.

Clearly, the well-trained elite troops from the Jingji Garrison easily overwhelmed the third-rate bandits, who were swiftly defeated.

Qing Feng said, "Return the way we came. Our intervention is unnecessary."

At his command, the covert guards withdrew with Qing Feng.

The small mountain stronghold was in chaos.

Chu Ye had nearly subdued the bandits, his armor stained with blood.

A soldier called out, "General! We’ve found something!"

Chu Ye followed the voice and discovered several finely dressed young ladies, all pale with fear, inside a small straw hut.

Leading them was Xue Shengnan, holding a bloodstained dagger.

Chu Ye recognized her; she was named Xue Shengnan.

Before her lay the corpse of a bandit, already cold.

Xue Shengnan’s face was filled with terror as she raised her teary eyes to Chu Ye, sobbing uncontrollably, "I... I killed someone... I killed someone."

Chu Ye noticed that her dress was torn, exposing her shoulder. Without hesitation, he removed his cloak and draped it over her. "Miss Xue, you were defending yourself. No one will blame you," Chu Ye said gently. "This cloak is a bit dirty, please excuse that."

Xue Shengnan, feeling lost and surrounded by darkness, suddenly heard this warm and soft voice, like a ray of light penetrating her gloom. Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look pitiful. "Chu...Young Master Chu?"

"It’s me. It’s all over now. There’s no need to be afraid anymore," Chu Ye assured her.

Only then did the other high-born ladies regain their composure, huddling together and weeping.

Chu Ye needed to take inventory and ordered the soldiers to escort the captured bandits back to the Capital.

Xue Shengnan remained stunned until a soldier approached and said, "Ladies, please don’t worry. I heard you were originally going to Tianfo Temple. The General said we will now take you there. If anyone asks, just say you were at Tianfo Temple."

Xue Shengnan asked in a weak voice, "Is everything arranged at Tianfo Temple?"

"The General has already sent people ahead," the soldier replied. "Remember, as long as you keep quiet, no one will know what happened tonight."

The high-born ladies, now veiled, were escorted out of the stronghold.

They boarded two carriages. Since Xue Shengnan’s dress was torn, the soldier handed her a set of clothes, saying, "This was meant for the General’s wife. It’s new. Please wear it for now."

Xue Shengnan took it, feeling moved. She asked, "Your General brought a dress for Lady Xiao while coming to fight bandits?"

"The General was on his way back to the city. When he saw fleeing servants and learned of the bandits, he immediately rushed over with a few soldiers," the soldier explained.

Xue Shengnan pursed her lips, "Thank you."

As the carriages headed for Tianfo Temple, the high-born ladies, having escaped danger, began to chat.

Xue Shengnan changed into the new dress, with some help from the others due to the confined space in the carriage.

Touching the embroidery, one lady exclaimed, "This looks like Lady Hua’s craftsmanship!"

"Which Lady Hua?"

"The one from Ye City. Her embroidery is exquisite, and it’s hard to get her to make a dress. Now I understand why Young Master Chu brought new clothes back to the capital."

"Xiao Wanyi is really fortunate. Her in-laws are kind, her husband is loving, and she’s pregnant. She’s the happiest woman in the capital," another lady said, with a hint of envy.

Each high-born lady in the carriage wished to marry into the Marquis Anyang’s family, but the Chu family paid them no heed. At gatherings, Mrs. Shen would only exchange pleasantries with their families. When their families hinted about their children’s marriageable age, Mrs. Shen would change the topic.

After a few such encounters, their families understood the Chu family’s stance and stopped trying to ingratiate themselves.

Listening to their conversation, Xue Shengnan felt dazed. She touched the fabric of the dress. Though not luxurious, it was soft and comfortable, likely carefully chosen by Chu Ye.

Once, she too had dreamt of marrying a brave and loving husband like this.

Lowering her eyes, she murmured, "Yes, Lady Xiao is married to a good man."

A high-born lady nudged her, teasing, "Your future husband isn’t bad either. Though from a humble background, he’s the current second place in the imperial exams. With the Xue family’s support, he has a bright future ahead."

Xue Shengnan lifted her head and smiled faintly, "That’s not for certain."

The others thought she was being modest and didn’t continue the topic.

As the soldier had said, Chu Shuo had arranged everything. The ladies entered Tianfo Temple via the rear mountain and stayed in the meditation rooms by midnight, without attracting much attention.

Xue Shengnan finally noticed the embroidery on the dress—a design of pomegranates and bats, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.

She folded the cloak and, sniffing it, noticed a lingering scent of Chu Ye.

Her expression softened.

With her mother deceased and her stepmother unkind, she had long hidden her true self, pretending to be docile and useless.

But now, she knew what she wanted.

She no longer intended to simply obey.