When Ming Chaotang heard this, he said, "Since Your Highness has analyzed it so thoroughly, this subordinate will not hide anything."
"Speak," Xue Xingyue said.
Ming Chaotang nodded, "When I first arrived, I encountered several assassination attempts. Later, in order to save my life, I had to give up some things."
Xue Xingyue knew that things were not as simple as Ming Chaotang described. What he gave up must have been something Ming Chaotang cared about, otherwise how could the Jiang family feel at ease leaving Ming Zhao here?
"Ming Chaotang, you have worked hard all these years," Xue Xingyue said.
Ming Chaotang was stunned by her words, his expression somewhat agitated, "Your Highness, you are too kind. This subordinate did it willingly."
"Let's dispense with these pleasantries. What do you think the Jiang family will do next?" Xue Xingyue asked.
Ming Chaotang said, "Your Highness, as you just said, this might be the Jiang family's test of me. I would like to find someone to impersonate Your Highness and then see what the Jiang family intends to do."
"No, that would be too dangerous," Xue Xingyue said.
Ming Chaotang replied, "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch the tiger's cubs?"
"I mean the person impersonating me would be too dangerous. It's better for me to go with you."
Ming Chaotang quickly refused, "Absolutely not, Your Highness. This trip will be extremely perilous. If anything were to happen to Your Highness, how would this subordinate explain it to His Majesty? Your Highness must absolutely not accompany me."
"Ming Chaotang, have you considered that if the impersonator is exposed, or shows any flaws, then not only you, but even I may not be able to escape? Moreover, even if I went, the Jiang family might think it's an impersonation. Therefore, my accompanying you is the only clear path."
"But..."
"No 'buts.' Ming Chaotang, it is decided. You will reply to the Jiang family, saying that you have captured me and will send me back to the Jiang family starting today," Xue Xingyue commanded.
Seeing that he could not persuade Xue Xingyue, Ming Chaotang had no choice but to agree, "This subordinate will go and prepare."
After Ming Chaotang left.
Feng Wu came to Xue Xingyue's side and whispered, "Your Highness, this is too dangerous. This subordinate will go in your stead." Fearing refusal, Feng Wu added, "Others may not understand you, but this subordinate does. It will be seamless."
"Feng Wu, do you think I alone am enough?" Xue Xingyue looked at Feng Wu.
Feng Wu was slightly startled and asked Xue Xingyue, "Your Highness, what do you mean..."
"You are my capable assistant, and the Jiang family will not forget you. It is not enough for only me to go; you must also go, Feng Wu." Xue Xingyue said.
Feng Wu heard this and replied, "Your Highness, what you say is true, but is that Ming Chaotang reliable?"
Xue Xingyue said, "I don't know if he is reliable or not, but if he harbors any intention of betrayal, I will show no mercy."
Feng Wu nodded, "If Your Highness cannot bear to do it, this subordinate will do it for you."
Ming Chaotang had his confidant deliver the letter to the Jiang family. Before dusk, the Jiang family sent a reply, instructing him to bring the imposter Princess Xingyue and her guards back to the Jiang family.
In the evening, Ming Chaotang prepared a carriage. Xue Xingyue and Feng Wu got into the carriage, and Ming Chaotang rode his horse ahead.
The journey out was slow, but the return was very fast. In less than two days, they arrived at the Jiang family.
Before reaching the Jiang family, Ming Chaotang stopped the carriage. He dismounted and walked to the side of the carriage, whispering, "Your Highness, I may have to ask Your Highness to alight from the carriage first."
Xue Xingyue did not hesitate and alighted from the carriage. Ming Chaotang bowed and said, "Your Highness may have to suffer a little."
Xue Xingyue cooperatively extended her hands and said, "It is as it should be."
Ming Chaotang nodded, took out ropes, and tied Xue Xingyue and Feng Wu. However, although the ropes appeared tight, they could be easily broken with a bit of force. This was also Ming Chaotang's way of ensuring Xue Xingyue could escape the Jiang family quickly if things took a turn for the worse.
The Jiang family was finally reached.
This time, no one greeted them at the entrance. They didn't even enter through the main gate of the Jiang family, but through the back door.
Upon reaching the back door, Ming Chaotang stepped forward and knocked. The door opened to reveal a young servant.
Ming Chaotang stated his purpose. The servant went inside to report. Soon, the servant returned, opened the door, and said, "Old Master Jiang requests your presence."
Ming Chaotang signaled for Xue Xingyue and Feng Wu behind him to follow. Two people came out behind the servant. Ming Chaotang asked, "What is the meaning of this?"
The servant said, "Sir, this is as Old Master Jiang instructed."
Ming Chaotang was about to refuse when Xue Xingyue stopped him with a look.
"Then you had better watch closely. If they are allowed to escape, you know I will not let you off lightly," Ming Chaotang said angrily.
The servant said, "Sir, rest assured, this little one has noted it."
Someone blindfolded Xue Xingyue and Feng Wu, and they were led into a room. The door opened, and Xue Xingyue was roughly pushed inside.
"Master," Feng Wu's voice sounded in her ear.
Xue Xingyue stood up and said, "I am fine."
Feng Wu whispered, "Master, this seems to be a storeroom."
Xue Xingyue nodded and said, "There are at least ten people outside the door."
Feng Wu replied, "Yes, Master."
After the Jiang family confined Xue Xingyue and Feng Wu here, they did not appear again. At noon, someone came to deliver food, which contained a knockout drug. However, to make it convincing, Xue Xingyue still consumed it.
The drug's effects slowly took hold. Xue Xingyue had not anticipated its potency, and soon lost consciousness.
"Your Highness, wake up, wake up," Feng Wu's voice could be heard, followed by a puff of smoke. Xue Xingyue's eyes snapped open. She struggled free from the ropes, removed the blindfold, and gasped. Outside, the room was being consumed by fire, like fiery serpents.
Feng Wu asked, "Your Highness, is the Jiang family trying to kill us?"
"Let's go quickly," Xue Xingyue said, darting away and escaping through a window that had not yet been completely engulfed by flames.
Upon reaching the courtyard, she discovered that it wasn't just their room, but the entire Jiang mansion that was engulfed in flames, like fiery serpents coiling in the sky.
Cries of anguish echoed throughout the Jiang mansion.
Xue Xingyue narrowed her eyes and said, "Feng Wu, come with me."
Xue Xingyue flew up, and Feng Wu followed closely.
Reaching Old Master Jiang's room, Xue Xingyue kicked the door open. She saw Ming Chaotang lying unconscious inside. She said, "Feng Wu, take Master Ming out."
Feng Wu replied, "This subordinate must follow Your Highness."
"Then what about Master Ming? Should he be burned to death here?" Xue Xingyue asked Feng Wu.
Feng Wu was taken aback and said, "But..."
"Go quickly, this is an order." Xue Xingyue opened a secret passage and walked inside.
Feng Wu stamped her feet in frustration, dragging Ming Chaotang out.