Sludge suction system

"Miss, Miss, are you up yet? We're going to Qingniao Temple to offer incense today!" The maid Xiao Cui entered the room, preparing to help Hua Yu change clothes and get ready.

"Okay..." Hua Yu replied with a yawn.

"Miss, today Madam is taking you to Qingniao Temple, saying she's going to pray for a good marriage for you! Do you remember the Fourth Prince that Minister Shangshu was so eager to introduce to you last time? I wonder if you're satisfied with him?" The maid looked at her mistress with a hopeful expression.

Upon hearing the words "Fourth Prince," Hua Yu, who had been leisurely and carefree, suddenly froze, a barely perceptible hint of tension flashing across her face. She thought to herself, "Fourth...Fourth Prince! Could it be that even though I've tried so hard to change the course of my fate, I still can't escape this predetermined ending?"

At this moment, Hua Yu's heart was in turmoil. She knew she bore the mission of winning over the Fourth Prince, but at the same time, she was truly unwilling to marry into the royal family and become a princess. After all, being a scheming woman was no easy task! She simply wanted to quietly admire the handsome men's charm, and didn't want to invite a bunch of trouble upon herself, or even face potential personal danger. Thinking of this, Hua Yu couldn't help but sigh, lamenting why things in this world were always so difficult to have both ways.

Just then, the maid noticed that her mistress hadn't responded for a long time, so she couldn't help but gently nudge her and ask with concern, "Miss, Miss, what's wrong? Are you thinking about something? You're going to the temple to pray for blessings today. What kind of hairstyle do you plan to have, and what kind of headdress do you plan to wear?"

Hua Yu was pulled back to reality by the maid's words. She subconsciously touched her hair, inwardly groaning. These ancient women's attire was far too cumbersome and complicated! Just thinking about those incredibly heavy headdresses made her head ache. So, she casually waved her hand and said, "Never mind, no need for all that. Just a simple bun will do. No need for those heavy headdresses; a simple hairpin will suffice. We're going to the temple to sincerely pray for blessings, so it's more appropriate to dress simply and elegantly."

Xiao Cui quickly dressed Hua Yu in a blue emerald green blouse, a pleated skirt with scattered floral patterns and misty green grass, and a light blue emerald green gauze shawl. Her shoulders were like those of a sculpted figure, her waist slender and graceful, her skin like solidified cream, and her fragrance like a delicate orchid. She moved with delicate steps, her fair wrists peeking through the light gauze. What a peerless beauty, a sight to behold! Adding to this was a flying apsara hairstyle, making her resemble a fairy descended from the Jade Pool of the Ninth Heaven. A phoenix tassel hairpin adorned her head, and Hua Yu couldn't even recognize herself in the mirror.

"Xiao Cui, your skills are simply superb! Look how exquisitely you've styled this hair bun, how beautiful it is! How come I never realized my Xiao Cui was so skilled before?" Hua Yu praised with delight.

"Miss, you flatter me. It would be my greatest honor if you could like it. But it's getting late, so we should hurry and set off with Madam." Xiao Cui replied with a smile and gently helped Hua Yu up.

And so, the two, mistress and servant, hurried to the front of the Hua mansion. There, a lavishly decorated carriage was parked steadily, and beside it stood a beautiful woman with an elegant and noble air. This woman was none other than Madam Hua.

"Mother, I am late. I hope you will not be angry." Hua Yu stepped forward quickly and bowed slightly.

"Oh, my dear Yu'er, come quickly and let your mother take a good look at you. Hmm... you look absolutely beautiful and charming today, truly a fine daughter of the Hua family! Alright, don't delay any longer, come with me to the carriage. Today we are going to Qingniao Temple to pray for my son's safety and well-being." Madam Hua, with eyes full of affection, took Hua Yu's hand and led her towards the carriage.

Then, everyone filed into the carriage and took their seats. The driver cracked his whip lightly on the horse's back, and with a crisp snap, the carriage slowly started moving, heading towards Qingniao Temple. Throughout the journey, laughter and cheerful conversation filled the carriage, creating an extremely harmonious atmosphere.

However, no one could have foreseen that a sudden change would occur midway through the journey! A group of masked, mysterious figures suddenly sprang out from the road ahead. Without a word, they brandished their gleaming weapons and charged towards the caravan. These men were agile and incredibly swift, quickly overwhelming the guards. Then, several of them moved like ghosts towards the carriage, unleashing several powerful palm strikes that instantly knocked everyone inside unconscious. Finally, without hesitation, they hoisted the unconscious Hua Yu onto their backs and vanished into the vast forest in a flash.

Just then, General Ning and the Fifth Prince's convoy passed by and discovered the attacked Hua family convoy. Ning Yuan quickly shook the servants on the ground awake and asked about what had happened. At this moment, the maid Xiao Cui also woke up and shouted loudly, "Miss is missing! Miss is missing!"

Upon hearing the news, Ning Yuan rushed over like an arrow. He anxiously inquired of those around him about Hua Yu's general appearance, then followed the clues. With his keen observation and agile skills, he soon caught up with the group of mysterious men in black.

Just then, Hua Yu, who had been unconscious, slowly opened her eyes. She gradually regained consciousness and realized that she had been kidnapped by these men in black of unknown origin! Taking advantage of the moment when the men in black were not paying attention to her, Hua Yu made a quick decision, secretly reached into her bosom, took out a pill of immense strength, and shoved it into her mouth with lightning speed.

The moment the magical pill entered her throat, Hua Yu immediately felt a powerful surge of energy coursing through her body, as if she had been granted divine powers. With a sudden burst of strength, she broke free from the black-clad men's restraints. Without hesitation, Hua Yu unleashed her martial arts skills, engaging the group of men in a fierce and brutal battle. The two sides exchanged blows, neither giving an inch, and for a time, it was impossible to determine a clear winner.

"Who are you? Why are you helping me?" Hua Yu shouted at the stranger who had suddenly appeared before her, while struggling to resist the attacks of the man in black.

"My name is Ning Yuan. I have been entrusted by Madam Hua to rescue you, young lady." Ning Yuan answered Hua Yu's question while continuing to fight the man in black with his moves.

"You little brat, I'm about to be beaten to death, and you're not even here to help me!" Hua Yu cursed inwardly.

However, at this moment, a voice echoed deep within her mind: "Host, it's not that I don't want to help, it's just that I can't expose myself to outsiders. Don't worry, the Fifth Prince Ning Yuan beside you is highly skilled in martial arts and will definitely protect you. I'd better retreat first!"

"Hmph! That wretched little bastard, what an unreliable guy! He only knows how to hide when it comes to crucial moments!" Hua Yu complained indignantly, but she didn't dare to slack off in her work and continued to do her best to deal with the group of troublesome men in black in front of her.