kvmb Chapter 242 Fake Child
Chapter 242 Fake Child
"What does Consort Ning mean by this?" Murong Xuewei keenly sensed the hidden meaning in the words.
“This jade pendant is probably…” Consort Ning was about to speak.
Xiao Wan Ning abruptly interrupted, "Consort Ning! As a concubine, you are not allowed to interfere in politics!"
"Oh?" Consort Ning raised her eyes, her tone calm yet carrying a hint of authority. "Does she think that since she herself can act as regent, I can't even say a few words?"
Xiao Wanning's expression froze. Before she could answer, Gu Ye seized the opportunity and suddenly shouted, "Attack!"
The guards, who had been lying in ambush, sprang into action instantly. Zhang Jing led his men in like arrows, heading straight for the wet nurse.
Although Xiao Wan Ning's guards reacted immediately, they were distracted by the previous conversation and were a step too slow.
"Protect the princess! Retreat!" someone shouted.
"Want to leave? Not so easy!" Zhang Jing sneered, subduing the wet nurse with a few swift movements and taking the child from her.
The situation reversed instantly. Seeing the tide turning against her, Xiao Wan Ning suddenly drew a gleaming short blade from her sleeve: "Since that's the case, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Stop!" A sharp shout pierced the night sky.
Gu Ye appeared like a ghost, his right hand accurately gripping Xiao Wan Ning's wrist as she held the knife. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, his voice low and menacing: "Why take your anger out on a baby?"
Xiao Wan Ning remained calm, her left hand already gripping the baby's neck. A cold smile curled at the corner of her lips: "General Gu, are you sure you want to do this?"
Gu Ye's heart tightened. He knew Xiao Wan Ning's personality all too well; this woman was always a woman of her word, and if pushed too far, she was capable of anything. He loosened his grip slightly and said in a deep voice, "Damn it, an innocent baby, why go to such lengths?"
"Innocent?" Xiao Wan Ning scoffed. "Is there anyone truly innocent in this world?"
Gu Ye's eyes darkened. Xiao Wan Ning's words seemed to have a hidden meaning; did she already know something? Just as he was pondering this, several figures suddenly darted out from the shadows. Zhang Jing led his men to surround the artificial hill.
Xiao Wanning clearly hadn't expected reinforcements. In her panic, the dagger in her hand slipped. Gu Ye reacted swiftly, snatching the baby from her and retreating several steps.
Under the moonlight, Murong Xuewei's face was as pale as paper. Seeing the unharmed infant, her heart finally eased slightly. But her gaze towards Xiao Wanning grew even sharper: "Xiao Wanning, today is your death day!"
"Is that so?" Xiao Wan Ning suddenly laughed, a laugh tinged with madness. "You think you've really won? That child is nothing but a fake!"
These words shocked everyone. Gu Ye looked down for a closer look and indeed found that the baby in his arms was nothing more than an elaborately crafted doll. His eyes darkened, and he strode forward, grabbing Xiao Wan Ning by the neck: "Tell me! Where is my child?"
"Gu Ye!" Murong Xuewei exclaimed in surprise. She had never seen Gu Ye so distraught. His eyes, usually gentle and refined, were now bloodshot.
Xiao Wan Ning's face turned blue from being choked, yet she maintained her arrogance: "Heh..." she managed to say, "...can't find it..."
"You!" Gu Ye increased the pressure on his hand.
"Gu Ye," Zhang Jing suddenly called out, "there's movement in the distance."
Everyone listened intently and, sure enough, heard the sound of orderly footsteps approaching. Clearly, it was Prince An's troops arriving.
Gu Ye made a decisive decision: "Withdraw!" Although he was unwilling to let Xiao Wan Ning go like this, it was obviously unwise to confront the court head-on at this time.
Murong Xuewei wanted to say something, but Gu Ye grabbed her arm. He said in a low voice, "Let's go first, we'll investigate the child's matter later." With that, he pulled her quickly into the night.
As Zhang Jing was leaving, he glanced at Xiao Wan Ning and met her smug gaze. A chill ran through him; he had a feeling that things weren't so simple.
The group fought and retreated, quickly disappearing into the night. When Prince An arrived with his troops, he only saw Xiao Wan Ning and Jiang Ling Yun in a disheveled state.
"***!" Prince An rushed forward, "Are you injured?"
Xiao Wanning straightened her clothes and said calmly, "It's nothing. It's just..." She looked in the direction where Gu Ye and the others had disappeared, "I didn't expect Gu Ye to be so bold as to dare to kidnap people."
Prince An's face darkened: "Should we send troops to pursue them?"
"No need," Xiao Wan Ning waved her hand. "Tonight's performance is over."
Back at their temporary lodgings, Murong Xuewei could no longer control her emotions. She slammed her fist against the wall, blood instantly seeping from her knuckles. "It's all my fault!" she choked out, "If I hadn't been so careless, how could the child have..."
"Don't do this." Gu Ye held her hand and gently wiped her wound. "Hurting yourself won't help in finding your child."
Murong Xuewei looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes: "But..."
“Listen to me,” Gu Ye said firmly, “the child is definitely still alive. Since Xiao Wan Ning set this up, it means she has ulterior motives. And…” He paused, “what she said tonight was also very suspicious.”
"You mean..." Murong Xuewei tried to calm herself down, "Did she discover something?"
Gu Ye didn't answer immediately. He walked to the window and gazed at the night outside. After a long while, he slowly said, "Perhaps. But the most important thing now is to find the child."
"I'll go get some hot water," Zhang Jing said at the opportune moment. "Madam's hands need some treatment."
After Zhang Jing left, the room fell silent. Murong Xuewei watched Gu Ye's retreating figure, her heart filled with mixed emotions. How many secrets still lay between them?
Inside the princess's mansion.
"Useless!" Xiao Wan Ning slammed her teacup to the ground. "You can't even handle something this simple!"
Jiang Lingyun knelt on the ground, cold sweat beading on his forehead: "This subordinate knows his mistake..."
"Admit your mistake?" Xiao Wan Ning sneered. "Do you know that if anything goes wrong tonight, our entire plan will be ruined!"
"Please calm down," Jiang Lingyun said cautiously, "We almost caught Gu Ye tonight..."
"Shut up!" Xiao Wan Ning interrupted sharply. "Do you think Gu Ye is someone so easily fooled? If Prince An hadn't arrived in time..." She suddenly stood up, looking down at Jiang Ling Yun, "I'll give you one more chance. Go, thoroughly investigate Gu Ye's recent movements."
“Yes…” Jiang Lingyun responded, but did not get up for a long time.
"What is it?" Xiao Wan frowned. "Is there something else?"
Jiang Lingyun gritted her teeth and finally asked, "***, what should we do with that child? After all..."
"After all what?" A cold glint flashed in Xiao Wan's eyes. "Jiang Lingyun, have you forgotten your place?"