Fall into Darkness II

Zhou Ming, Zhou An, and Wang Hu slipped in through the back entrance. The moment A Cai and the other servants noticed their return, they rushed to help, making sure no one saw them.

Wang Hu, severely wounded, collapsed the moment he stepped into the mansion. A Cai panicked and immediately fetched a trusted physician. After a quick examination, the physician explained—Wang Hu's condition was critical, and he might not wake up for a long time.

A heavy silence filled the room. As soon as A Cai heard the tragic news, he broke down in tears. The elite forces had died in the miserable way. But even worse—Young Master was missing without a trace. Now, how were they supposed to tell Madam?

With trembling hands, A Cai gathered his courage and knocked on Su Qing's door.

Su Qing opened the door immediately. Her eyes were swollen—she hadn't slept all night because Lang Huan had not yet returned. But the moment she saw A Cai's pale face, and Zhou Ming and Zhou An standing behind her, battered and bruised.

Her legs went weak, and if not for her maid supporting her, she would have collapsed.

"W-Where is Lang Huan?" Her voice trembled. But no one answered. She could only see A Cai's lips quivering as he tried to hold back his tears.

A Cai couldn't hold it in any longer. His sobs broke the silence, and his shoulders shook violently as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Y-Young Master... is missing..." His voice was hoarse.

Zhou Ming and Zhou An, who had been trying to stay strong, felt their eyes burn with unshed tears.

Su Qing clutched her head. The world felt like it was spinning. She should have stopped Lang Huan. How could they ever have believed that such a plan would fool the well-trained Black Tortoise soldiers?

"Should we report to the Duke of Huguo?" Zhou Ming asked Su Qing. 

Su Qing shook her head. "The situation in the north is heating up right now. If the Duke's attention is divided, it will be very dangerous. I believe Lang Huan is still alive. We must not act recklessly."

Though Su Qing remained strong, she couldn't hide the deep worry in her heart.

---

That morning, a burly man bowed to the Second Prince and handed him the weapon found the night before. He also reported that around forty soldiers had been torn apart by wild beasts in Shang Yue Forest.

"Wild beasts?" The Second Prince cursed, "idiot!!!... We've been in Shang Yue Forest for a long time. Have you ever heard of wild beasts there? It could be that bitch's trap"

The Second Prince's voice was filled with disbelief and anger.

"File a complaint with the Ministry of Justice, tell them to arrest the person who killed our soldiers." He gripped the weapon, then laughed evilly and shouted, "You lose, bitch!!"

Suddenly, he gasped, his hand instinctively reaching for his still-aching lower body. "Ahh..." He remembered what Qing Meier had done.

Furious, he stormed into the room, Threw the door open, and without mercy, slapped Qing Meier's face, unleashing all the anger he had been holding back.

"If I can't have you, I'll destroy your face!!" His voice was full of hatred.

He slapped Qing Meier's face again, this time hard enough to make her lose consciousness, satisfying his thirst for revenge with each blow.

All the women in the room trembled in fear, clinging to each other. The Second Prince warned them, "If you don't obey, you'll end up like her."

A few burly men dragged Zhou Xun, who had been captured the day before, and threw him into the room without mercy.

The Second Prince glanced at Zhou Xun for a moment, as if considering something, before turning around and leaving without a word.

Zhou Xun lowered his head. As soon as the burly men followed after him, he moved toward Qing Meier, who lay unconscious, her face swollen and red.

Carefully, he shook her body. "Miss Qing... Miss Qing..." he called softly.

Qing Meier's eyelids fluttered open. "Hiss..." She winced in pain.

"It's me... Do you remember me?" Zhou Xun asked.

Qing Meier looked at him, her lips parting slightly. "You..." She stopped herself from speaking further.

---

After receiving the complaint from the Second Prince, officials from the Ministry of Justice immediately entered Shang Yue Forest to clear the scattered bodies. Upon arrival, they were shocked by the horrific state of the corpses. Their body parts were torn apart, scattered all around the area. Some of the officials couldn't hold it in and immediately vomited.

The news of the incident quickly spread through the city, only strengthening the old stories about Shang Yue Forest. People began to believe that the forest was inhabited by supernatural beings, and anyone who dared to enter would meet their death. They became more convinced that the Mu Lian case was caused by evil spirits.

"Hahahahaha!" Inside the carriage, the Second Prince laughed at the foolishness of the officials and the people. He felt satisfied with the situation. and ordered the driver to take him to the Eldest Princess's mansion.

The Second Prince wanted to mock the Eldest Princess, who he believed had lost in this game. He was certain the victory was his, and at that moment, nothing could stop him.

Feng Yao sat in front of the mirror, casually picking up a hairpin and a pearl. Today, she was about to attend the Prime Minister's banquet.

A Li hurried in. "Your Highness, Second Prince has arrived at the mansion."

As soon as Feng Yao heard the name "Second Prince," her expression changed. Her beautiful face instantly turned cold, marked with deep hatred. Feng Yao walked toward the door, smoothing out her skirt, and with a flat expression, she said, "Tell him I'll be there shortly."

The second prince was soon led into the grand reception hall, his eyes taking in the grandeur of the Eldest Princess's mansion. Despite being an unfavored princess, she was able to enjoy all the wealth and luxury. How cunning this woman was, he thought. With her beauty and intelligence, she had managed to control everything, wielding power she had no right to possess. A sinister smile appeared on his face as he imagined witnessing Feng Yao's downfall.

When Feng Yao arrived, the Second Prince stared at her with burning eyes. "My royal sister is truly beautiful, hahahaha... Aren't you happy to see your elder brother?" he said with a mocking tone.

His gaze lingered on her, making Feng Yao feel uncomfortable. "What brings Second Brother to see me?" she asked, still maintaining a polite smile.

Cling…The Second Prince threw the weapon onto the table in front of him.

Feng Yao glanced at the iron rod, recognizing it as Lang Huan's.

"What do you mean?" Feng Yao asked calmly.

The Second Prince stepped closer, his eyes filled with anger. "Now you're working together with that pretty boy to trap me. Do you think I'm a fool?' He snorted. 'If it weren't for Father Emperor believing my lies, I would have fallen into your trap long ago. You've ruined my plans again and again."

Feng Yao remained calm, though a storm began to stir in her heart. The Second Prince continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Don't think I don't know. You want to rely on the power of the Duke of Huguo, that's why you got close to Ye Langhuan."

Seeing that Feng Yao showed no sign of fear or concern, the Second Prince grew even angrier and threatened her, "What if I tell our Father Emperor that you're cooperating with the Duke's son to rebel?"

With a relaxed tone, Feng Yao replied, "Why don't you do it now? What's the point of telling me?" She chuckled lightly. Feng Yao knew exactly how to play the game of power, and the Second Prince's threat didn't shake her.

Feng Yao, don't be arrogant... Do you know why Father Emperor hates you?" The Second Prince moved even closer to Feng Yao. Lowering his voice, he continued, "He suspects that you're not his daughter. Your mother is a bitch—she cheated on him."

Hearing the Second Prince insult her mother, Feng Yao clenched her fists beneath the wide sleeves. Her eyes flashing with anger, she stared at him with a murderous gaze.

The Second Prince knew he had touched her weakness. Smirking, he leaned in closer to Feng Yao's ear and whispered, "Since we're not real siblings, why not become my queen when I take the throne?" He gave her an obscene look and laughed loudly.

As he indulged in his dark pleasure, his mind drifted back to that night. He had overheard their Father Emperor, drunkenly mutter that Feng Yao might not be his daughter. From that moment, a dangerous desire took root in his heart. If she wasn't truly his sister, then nothing could stop him from having her.

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, his excitement quickly turned to pain. Shit! Cold sweat spread across his body as he walked out. The pain between his legs felt like being bitten by a thousand insects.

A Li had just returned with the fur coat when she was startled to see Feng Yao fell into the mahogany chair behind her. She rushed forward to support the Eldest Princess.

Carefully, A Li helped Feng Yao back to her room. The Eldest Princess was filled with a murderous aura, and even the room's usual peace couldn't calm it.