Chapter Fifty-Six: Jiang You'an Is Abducted

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It was certainly not a good sign. Jiang You’an forced a smile at Li Zhengfu. “Young Lord.”

Li Zhengfu glanced at her carriage. “The carriage is broken? Where are you headed? I can give you a ride.”

“I’m just going back to the Lu residence, it’s only a street away. I can walk back. No need to trouble you, Young Lord.”

Li Zhengfu looked regretful. “Miss Jiang, you’re truly unkind. I’ve tried several times to get close to you, yet you’ve always rejected me.”

Jiang You’an forced a laugh and denied it, but Li Zhengfu had already stepped down from the carriage and was walking toward her.

“I won’t harm you. Why do you avoid me like I’m a venomous snake?”

As he approached, Jiang You’an noticed the smell of alcohol on him. She endured her discomfort and said, “Young Lord, you must be joking.”

Li Zhengfu had planned to wait until Su Mingxiu had died before seeking her out again. Unexpectedly, he ran into her here today. Her delicate face, radiant and enticing, stirred a restless desire within him, likely fueled by the two taels of strong liquor in his stomach. He couldn’t help but reach out to take her hand.

Startled, Jiang You’an asked, “Young Lord, what are you doing?”

Li Zhengfu touched her soft hand, his lascivious smile impossible to hide. “Why fear? I just want to escort you back.”

Jiang You’an tried to pull her hand away. “No need, please let me go.”

Li Zhengfu clicked his tongue. “Miss Jiang, you’re being so ungracious; I might actually get angry.”

With that, he forcibly pulled Jiang You’an into the carriage.

“Young Lord, let me go!”

On the street, Jiang You’an dared not shout too loud. If anyone came, even if nothing happened, rumors would spread that would disgrace her.

Qiulan was frightened and panicked, trying to stop him but to no avail, unsure of what to do.

Unable to resist, Jiang You’an quickly gave Qiulan a meaningful look.

Qiulan understood and dashed back to the Lu residence to get help.

Li Zhengfu gripped Jiang You’an’s wrist tightly, dragging her into the carriage.

She felt her wrist twisting painfully, furrowing her brows tightly.

Li Zhengfu released her, looked at her reddened wrist, and quickly rubbed it. “Ouch, my bad. Miss Jiang, don’t be angry. I’m usually very gentle and protective of women.”

Jiang You’an withdrew her wrist uneasily and glanced toward the carriage’s direction. “Young Lord, you said you’d send me back to the Lu residence. That’s not this way.”

Li Zhengfu raised an eyebrow. “The Lu residence? You’re so concerned about that place—is it because of Lu Xuanheng?”

Jiang You’an was taken aback, her voice turning cold. “Young Lord, what do you mean by that?”

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“You’ve lived at the Lu residence so long, haven’t you had quite a few private dealings with Lu Xuanheng? That day, you two met secretly at the tavern…”

Jiang You’an’s face darkened. “Young Lord, be cautious with your words. Lu Xuanheng and I are merely distant relatives.”

Li Zhengfu smiled. “Alright, alright. I’ll believe whatever you say.”

“Young Lord, I still have matters at the Lu residence. Please kindly send me back.”

“Don’t be like that. Last time you came to the prince’s manor, you left in a hurry. Today, I’ll take you there again and show you around properly.”

“That would be improper.”

Jiang You’an’s expression hardened as she clearly stated, “Young Lord, I am already betrothed. I must avoid any impropriety with other men. Please don’t put me in a difficult position.”

Li Zhengfu raised his hand and wrapped it around Jiang You’an’s waist. “How could I cause you trouble? You’re so beautiful that I can barely contain my affection.”

Jiang You’an’s hairs stood on end; she suddenly shoved him away.

Li Zhengfu didn’t dodge, his head striking the carriage window with a “thud.”

He sneered, “My beauty, you really shouldn’t behave like this.”

At that moment, the carriage had stopped in front of the Xianwang Manor.

Without a word, Li Zhengfu pulled Jiang You’an down.

She struggled but couldn’t break free; he dragged her inside the prince’s residence.

…

Meanwhile, Qiulan ran swiftly back to the Lu residence.

Passing through the front hall, she happened upon Madam Zhao and hurried over. “Madam, our young lady was taken by the Young Lord of Xianwang. Please save her!”

No sooner had she spoken than Li Lianzhu emerged from a side chamber.

Li Lianzhu was visiting the residence out of boredom; Madam Zhao was entertaining her. Hearing Qiulan’s words, she was puzzled and looked at Li Lianzhu with questioning eyes.

Li Lianzhu said nothing but her expression betrayed no surprise, as if she already knew the situation.

Madam Zhao began to suspect. Could it be that the Young Lord had taken a liking to Jiang You’an?

In front of the princess, she couldn’t say much, so she sternly scolded Qiulan, “You servant, what nonsense are you spouting? If the Young Lord wants to befriend her, that’s a favor. Why make such a fuss? Now get out!”

Qiulan pleaded urgently, “Our young lady was forcibly taken away. Madam, please send someone to inquire with the Young Lord!”

Madam Zhao coldly ordered, “Drag her out!”

Qiulan was chased out. She thought again—going to the Rongshou Clinic was impossible. Wang Momo and some maids blocked her path. “The old madam is resting now. No one is allowed to disturb her.”

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Qiulan gritted her teeth. Getting reinforcements from the Lu residence was impossible. Lu Xuanheng? He was in the west part of the city, too far!

Wait, Young Master Su! He would surely rescue the young lady! Although it wouldn’t be good for the Su family to know about this, who else could save her now but the Su family?

Without hesitation, Qiulan left the Lu residence again and hurried to the Yong’an Marquis Manor.

After Qiulan left, Madam Zhao cautiously asked Li Lianzhu, “Princess, why did the Young Lord suddenly take Jiang You’an away?”

Li Lianzhu sighed helplessly. “My brother has always been a rake. He saw You’an at my flower-viewing banquet and took a fancy to her. He said he wanted to take her as a concubine. I told him You’an was already betrothed and urged him to drop the idea. I didn’t expect him to make such a move today. It seems improper.”

Madam Zhao understood now. Li Zhengfu wanted to force Jiang You’an into being his concubine. Li Lianzhu was uncomfortable with the matter between Jiang You’an and Lu Xuanheng and wanted to go along with this.

It was somewhat unscrupulous, but they were the prince’s household. The Su family couldn’t do anything about it.

Moreover… she was also troubled by Jiang You’an’s investigation into her father’s old case. If Jiang You’an was suppressed inside the Xianwang Manor, she certainly wouldn’t be able to uncover anything.

Better to go along with Li Zhengfu’s wishes.

“To be favored by the Young Lord is her fortune. If it truly works out, I’ll go to the Su family and break the engagement.”

Li Lianzhu smiled faintly at Madam Zhao.

…

Elsewhere, Qiulan had arrived at the Yong’an Marquis Manor. She rushed in, demanding to see Madam Su.

Madam Su had been waiting outside Su Mingxiu’s room, expecting Jiang You’an to come at this hour, but Jiang You’an never showed. Her maid came in a flurry.

“Madam Su, please save our young lady! She was taken by the Young Lord of Xianwang!”

Madam Su was very surprised and asked, “What happened? Please explain clearly.”

Qiulan said, “Our young lady was on her way to the Marquis Manor when she was intercepted by the Young Lord of Xianwang. Without a word, he forcibly took her away! The young lady was terrified and sent me to find help.”

Though Qiulan did not say everything outright, Madam Su immediately understood that the Young Lord of Xianwang had ill intentions toward Jiang You’an.

Inside, Su Mingxiu also realized this. He hurriedly got out of bed, his pale face flushing with anxiety.

The attendant supported him, as fragile as paper. “Young Master, you must rest properly now!”

Su Mingxiu’s steps were unsteady as he rushed out. “I must find her…”

He had barely taken a few steps when a violent cough overtook him. The attendant patted his back to help him breathe. He coughed fiercely, and a few drops of blood splattered on the white curtain.

His vision darkened, and he fainted.