In the isolated courtyard, the architecture possessed the practicality and simplicity of the northern regions, unlike the intricacy and opulence of the south.
The lines were simple, the decorations plain, yet it was not without its grandeur.
The greatest simplicity is the ultimate complexity.
What Su Xiaoqi cared about most was Shen Yun's injury.
As the thought crossed her mind, she voiced her concern.
Chu Yunwei must have believed that everything had settled by this point.
Therefore, he did not hide anything from Su Xiaoqi, truthfully telling her, "He is fine. That was just a trap."
A trap specifically designed for Su Xiaoqi.
Su Xiaoqi breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Shen Yun was unharmed, that was all that mattered!
Then he would soon discover her disappearance.
No wonder Chu Yunwei dared not use his own men to escort her; instead, he had employed two deaf and mute individuals for the task.
Even knowing they were incapable of leaking information, he had silenced them, demonstrating the meticulousness of his security measures.
Or, to put it another way, his actions revealed his fear of Shen Yun finding out.
"Since you fear my husband, why would you do such a thing?" Su Xiaoqi's tone was resolute, causing Chu Yunwei to frown subtly.
He gestured, dismissing Gu Ti, who had already cleaned the cinnabar from his body.
There were matters he needed to explain to Su Xiaoqi himself.
This was because he required Su Xiaoqi's cooperation.
"He is not worthy of you. Furthermore, you were originally a princess of Northern Chu, and I am merely restoring order, returning you to where you belong."
Chu Yunwei spoke, feeling no sense of wrongdoing.
He told Su Xiaoqi that he had grown up in the palace, but he had also known from childhood that he was not a true royal descendant.
He was the nephew of the King of Northern Chu, and his mother was also a princess of Northern Chu.
If the King and Queen were unable to produce a suitable heir for an extended period, he believed he should be the rightful successor.
Moreover, over the years, serving as a hostage in Da Liang, he had contributed significantly.
Chu Yunwei spoke at length with Su Xiaoqi, explaining his identity, his affection for Northern Chu, and his pity for the current King and Queen's inability to produce an heir.
He also proudly declared that by marrying her, he would possess sufficient legitimacy to ascend to the throne of Northern Chu.
With his capabilities, he would lead Northern Chu into a new era.
The day Northern Chu dominated the entire continent of Jiuzhou would be within reach.
Chu Yunwei spoke with such soaring ambition.
If Su Xiaoqi had not possessed strong willpower, she would have almost been swayed by him.
However, her conviction and willpower remained steadfast, and she was not intimidated by his words, simply looking at him calmly.
She watched as he became moved by his own pronouncements.
She left him with only one statement: "You had best release me now, or you will regret it immensely."
Chu Yunwei smiled proudly, "I admit Shen Yun is a formidable person, but I do not fear him!
Moreover, this is Northern Chu; if he dares to come, I will ensure he never returns."
With that, Chu Yunwei flicked his sleeve and departed.
This time, Su Xiaoqi did not call out to him again. She merely watched his retreating figure for a moment before entering the room herself.
She needed to bathe and change, feeling as though her entire being was soiled.
Old Madam Guan was quite diligent in her duties.
As soon as Su Xiaoqi asked for something, she would bring what was needed.
After a thorough cleaning, Su Xiaoqi finally felt presentable, emerging feeling refreshed.
She waited for Old Madam Guan to bring Zhang Yu over.
However, after a long wait, she did not arrive.
She harbored a suspicion, but she was unwilling to give up, calling out loudly.
"Your Highness, is there anything you require?" Old Madam Guan arrived quickly, politely inquiring of Su Xiaoqi.
"Where is my maid, the one who came with me?" Su Xiaoqi asked directly, demanding the person.
Old Madam Guan's heart fluttered, and she quickly explained, "That, that young lady was injured and has already been sent to the capital of Northern Chu for treatment."
"Lies! Lord Chu just told me that there are more than a dozen doctors and poison masters living in the manor next door. She was merely dehydrated and weak from your actions. How is it that she needs to be sent to the capital of Northern Chu?"
Old Madam Guan had not anticipated this information, nor did she know much about it.
She was merely a servant, and it was normal for her not to know certain things.
The words she had spoken were indeed taught to her by Lord Gu before he left.
However, she had not expected Lord Chu to reveal the matter of the doctors to the woman before her.
Her lie exposed by Su Xiaoqi, she felt a pang of despair and was unsure of what to do.
Her eyes darted around nervously.
"Bang..." Su Xiaoqi slammed the table forcefully, causing the entire table to overturn.
Old Madam Guan was startled, stepping back three paces and leaning against a pillar to steady herself.
"Ah..." Old Madam Guan clutched her chest, looking at Su Xiaoqi.
She couldn't comprehend it.
This person, whom Lord Chu referred to as a princess, looked so delicate and lovely, yet she possessed such a fiery temper.
And her gaze was so terrifying.
With just a glance from her, Old Madam Guan felt completely silenced.
"Tell me, where have you hidden her?
I'm telling you, she may appear to be my maid, but she is, in fact, my sister.
If you dare to disrespect her, I will never forgive you."
Su Xiaoqi issued a stern warning.
She could sense that Zhang Yu had not genuinely been sent to the capital of Northern Chu.
She was likely still within this very manor.
She raised her eyes and looked into the distance. The surrounding pavilions and towers stretched beyond her sight, but she could sense that the place was vast, large enough that she might not find the person she was looking for.
Old Madam Guan lowered her head, unwilling to speak.
Su Xiaoqi then realized that the woman likely genuinely had no knowledge of the matter.
Thinking about it, Chu Yunwei knew of her capabilities and would naturally worry about Old Madam Guan being coerced by her.
Having figured this out, Su Xiaoqi calmed herself, dismissed Old Madam Guan, and quietly sat down to eat.
She wasn't worried about poison in the food.
Since Chu Yunwei had shown his hand, he wouldn't resort to such petty tactics.
After eating her fill, Su Xiaoqi stretched her limbs. Her body had been restrained for days, thankfully not too tightly, but she hadn't dared to struggle.
However, due to the lack of movement since leaving the carriage, her legs and arms now felt weak and uncomfortable.
Simultaneously, she carefully considered Chu Yunwei's objective.
He had stated that he was certain Yu Jing and the King of Northern Chu would never produce a suitable heir in their lifetime.
Thus, he, their nephew who had dedicated over twenty years to Northern Chu, was becoming restless.
Of course, he constantly claimed it was to prevent the King of Northern Chu's personal desires from ruining the nation's foundation.
But in reality, it was merely his own desire for the political power of Northern Chu.
After all, who wouldn't desire power?
Su Xiaoqi harbored no particular affection for Northern Chu.
Therefore, even knowing Chu Yunwei's ambition, she didn't react strongly.
However, he should never have set his sights on her.
Wanting to marry her!
Absolutely not!
Su Xiaoqi tossed and turned for a long time, unable to sleep. She got up.
She retrieved several items from her spatial realm and arranged them in the room before finally settling down to sleep.
She awoke to daylight.
Harsh light streamed through the gaps in the windows, directly hitting her eyes.
Judging by the time, it was at least late Chen Shi.
She had slept for so long.
She sprang up and scanned the room.
Good, the bolt was still secured, and the bell alarm she had designed was still in place.
She dressed and went to open the door, yawning.
A young maid was already waiting by the door. Upon seeing her, she quickly curtsied in greeting.
After washing up, it was time for breakfast.
Su Xiaoqi heard movement and saw Chu Yunwei enter, wearing a sky-blue brocade robe.
His hair was tied high, adorned with a golden hairpin, his face beaming with joy, indicating a very good mood.
Su Xiaoqi glanced at him lazily before lowering her head and focusing on her porridge.
Chu Yunwei had made a special effort to dress up this morning.
He believed that while he wasn't as handsome as Shen Yun, he looked quite dashing when tidied up.
Furthermore, having grown up on horseback, his posture was upright, and his facial features were sharp, lending him a more imposing demeanor.
When he was in Da Liang, he was the dream lover of many young ladies.
However, seeing Su Xiaoqi merely cast a glance at him, without even properly looking, he felt a slight disappointment. He sat opposite Su Xiaoqi, making conversation:
"How is it, do the food and drink suit your taste?"
Su Xiaoqi remained silent.
Chu Yunwei knew she was in a bad mood but wasn't angered. He smiled and said, "If it doesn't suit your taste..."
Su Xiaoqi interrupted him, "And if it doesn't suit my taste, what then? Will you finally be willing to send me back to Da Liang?"
Chu Yunwei laughed, "You are indeed interesting. No wonder someone like Shen Yun is willing to dote on you." His thought process differed from others.
Su Xiaoqi rolled her eyes silently, "Return Zhang Yu to me, otherwise, don't appear before me to annoy me."
"Once you agree to marry me, I will have her returned," Chu Yunwei seized the opportunity to bring up the matter again.
Su Xiaoqi was so angered she laughed, "So, if I don't agree, you won't marry me?"
It seemed that from beginning to end, Chu Yunwei had never given her the right to choose.
Chu Yunwei chuckled, "It's different. Whether you agree or not, you will be my wife.
However, if you do so willingly, I believe we will be more harmonious.
I don't want to spend my life facing someone who won't even move... Hiss... Fighting is affection, arguing is love; no fighting, no arguing is not love."
Chu Yunwei said this while rubbing his shoulder, which Su Xiaoqi had struck, and he was smiling quite happily.
Su Xiaoqi frowned; she had underestimated Chu Yunwei's shamelessness.