Repeatedly broken branches

"master."

Looking at Bai Jiaoyu, who was tied to the torture rack and on the verge of death, You felt a strange sense of joy. This was the first time she had seen her master in such a wretched state, tortured to the point of being unrecognizable.

The once arrogant Bai Jiaoyu now has a dull and lifeless look in her eyes.

The water dungeon's punishments truly lived up to their reputation, torturing a once arrogant and domineering princess into this inhuman and ghostly state.

"You, take me away..." Bai Jiaoyu looked at her weakly, having used up all her strength to say these words.

You said with difficulty, "How can I take you away in your current state?"

“…Take me back, and I will…reunite you all.”

"After you get out... you... you... will be free."

Was she talking about freedom?

You's heart was struck hard. Freedom—wasn't that what she longed for? If she could regain her status as an ordinary person, wouldn't she be able to be with Wei Hao?

No, no, he's getting married soon, and Jiang Qi is already by his side.

"it is good."

This was the last time You believed her.

Bringing someone out of the water dungeon is no easy task; it would certainly mean the deaths of several people.

The thought of taking Bai Jiaoyu back meant that she could live with her mother and the others forever, never to be separated again.

You felt that nothing was impossible.

My martial arts skills are not bad, but the problem lies with the guards of the water prison and the palace guards outside. If I can handle these, then nothing is impossible.

Her family was her only hope. She longed to climb out of the mire and return to her former life, even if it was hard.

……

With the wedding date approaching, the Jiang family mansion was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. Red lanterns were hung high, red ribbons fluttered in the courtyard, and the windows were covered with "double happiness" characters and beautiful paper-cut decorations.

Everyone was smiling and busy. The steward directed the servants to hang red silk, and the nanny told the maids to clean the courtyard and hall.

In five days, it will be the day that the youngest daughter of the Jiang family will get married. Jiang Jie and his wife had three sons, and only had Jiang Qi as their daughter in their old age. So they doted on her and she never suffered any grievances. Therefore, the dowry was also very generous.

Jiang Jie's wife, Lan Zi, was a wealthy woman from Jiangnan. Her father was the richest man in Yuancheng, Jiangnan. He only had one daughter and no other children, so he gave all his properties, shops, and land in Yuancheng to his daughter as her dowry.

Today, Jiang Qi's dowry consists of fifteen houses in the bustling streets of Yuancheng, almost as large as three streets, more than twenty shops, hundreds of acres of farmland, and a considerable amount of gold, silver and jewels. The dowry carriages are second only to those used during the emperor and empress's wedding. It is said that the Jiang family is richer than a country, and this is not an exaggeration.

Even if Jiang Jie didn't hold an official position in the palace, his family could live a life of luxury for generations without having to work hard, thanks to his father-in-law's assets.

Lan Zi was gentle, and Jiang Jie was easygoing, so Jiang Qi had an extremely carefree childhood. Although he was carefree, they still taught him what he needed to be taught.

"Qi'er, although General Wei is only one person and you have no parents-in-law to take care of, you still need to act like a good wife. You must not be as spoiled as you are in the mansion, understand?" Jiang Jie said, looking at his daughter who was sitting at the dining table in a daze.

Jiang Qi did not respond, looking at the white rice in the bowl, but his mind was on his own things.

She should let Wei Hao and that palace maid named You be together.

The separation of lovers is the most painful thing in the world. She didn't want to break them up, and she didn't want to interfere in their relationship.

Knowing that the two were in love, she would never force herself into it.

Like Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law? Third Brother was in love with a woman from a poor family. His parents disagreed and forced Third Sister-in-law to marry him. Even though they treated each other with respect on the surface and there was no flaw in their relationship, he had seen Third Sister-in-law cry many times in private, and he had also seen Third Brother cry.

Jiang Qi had never seen his third brother cry. His tears were so restrained. What a tragic fate they had.

She didn't want to be like the third sister-in-law; she wanted to be the eldest sister-in-law. She and her eldest brother were mutually in love, eventually walking hand in hand. Even after having children, they remained affectionate, making everyone envious.

"Father, I want to annul the engagement."

Lan Zi looked at Jiang Qi with gentle eyes and said, "Qi'er, has something happened? Weren't you all happy just a while ago?"

Jiang Qi shook his head and said in a low voice, "Wei Hao and I are not suitable for each other. I am destined to have no future with him. He is a general and will be leading troops into battle in the future. I don't want to live in constant fear. I want a peaceful life, like my elder brother and sister-in-law. Do you understand me, Mother?"

"Nonsense." Jiang Jie raised an eyebrow and said seriously, "The wedding invitations have been sent out, and people have been sending gifts one after another. Now you say you want to call off the engagement, what will become of our reputation?"

"Father, Wei Hao is not the right man for me! Besides, what's wrong with breaking off the engagement? Do we have to wait until we're unhappy after the wedding and then get divorced?" Jiang Qi said with a heavy heart.

Lan Zi gently comforted him, "Qi'er, don't be willful. General Wei is a man you can entrust your life to. Your father and I have already inquired about him, and he is very reliable. I am at ease with him. Qi'er has never disappointed his mother, has he?"

Looking into Lan Zi's tender eyes, Jiang Qi was speechless for a moment. They had such high hopes for him and Wei Hao.

They were extremely satisfied with Wei Hao.

But only she knew that Wei Hao had someone else in his heart and would never treat her well, and she didn't want to be the bad guy.

"Mother, but I don't like Wei Hao!" She pouted at Lan Zi as usual, her round eyes looking at Lan Zi.

But Lanzi wasn't having any of it this time. Instead, she comforted her, saying, "You'll grow to like him eventually. Feelings take time to develop. I believe you'll develop feelings for General Wei over time."

“No, I can’t.” Jiang Qi said with a sense of loss, “I can’t bring myself to develop feelings for someone I’ve never met. Father, Mother, I beg you, please go and tell the Emperor to annul the engagement, okay? I really don’t want to marry Wei Hao, please.”

Jiang Jie said firmly, "Impossible. Forget about it. I've been too lenient with you... Lan Zi, tell the nanny who serves Qi'er that Qi'er is not allowed to leave Fang Shi Ge without my permission."

"Daddy!"

"Father, where are you going? Mother, Mother, don't go."

And so, the door to Fangshi Pavilion slammed shut, and for the first time, she lost her freedom.

She leaned against the window for a long time, thinking that if she could forget everything, she might be able to marry Wei Hao with a clear conscience.

But I just can't forget it.

The scene from that day kept replaying in my mind.

Perhaps Wei Hao was also extremely annoyed with it.

……

This time, You took the initiative to find Wei Hao.

Let her use him one last time. After tonight, they'll never see each other again.

"Wei Hao, let's elope."

You stood by the lake where they often met, the wind blowing her skirt and making her hair disheveled, her deep green eyes captivatingly beautiful.

Wei Hao couldn't help but lose himself in You's eyes.

He couldn't bring himself to say a single word against her.

"You, what exactly are you thinking?" Wei Hao couldn't help but ask.

With a charming smile, she said, "Don't you want to be with me? Have you fallen in love with your fiancée? Or have you already decided to choose her over me?" As she finished speaking, her fingers hooked onto Wei Hao's belt.

Wei Hao's heart raced, his face flushed as he looked at her and whispered, "I want to. I want to be with you, but I want you to be my wife rightfully, not to elope with me."

You has never been so proactive as she is today.

Wei Hao was both delighted and apprehensive. You's personality had changed so much. In his memory, You was a quiet and taciturn woman, but today, she actually said something like eloping. Wei Hao felt that she must have been hit hard.

It was my fault; I shouldn't have listened to the general and married him. But now that the die is cast, what will happen to Miss Jiang if I run away with Youyuan?

Her reputation would probably be ruined, and it might even affect the entire Jiang family. How could he do such a terrible thing? Although he had no feelings for Jiang Qi whatsoever.

But she is innocent.

"I don't care, let's go together, to the Western Regions, to the Southern Frontier, to Ruoyang, anywhere is fine, okay?"

Wei Hao's rationality told him that he couldn't be so reckless. Even if they were to be together, they had to resolve everything first and ensure that everyone had their own place in the world.

Wei Hao calmly said, "You, don't rush. Let's discuss this properly, okay? Eloping isn't something you can just say casually. If I leave with you now, the Jiang family will bear all the public criticism. I'm fine with being alone and not afraid of being criticized, but Miss Jiang is a woman..."

You glanced at him and said in a low voice, "You feel sorry for her? What about me? You clearly said you loved me... why did you get engaged to someone else? She's pitiful, but what am I?"

“That’s not what I meant. I just didn’t want her to be harmed innocently. Of course I love you, but that day you said you wanted to break up with me, and then the general suddenly proposed to marry me. At that time, my mind went blank and I let him have his way. But who knew…” Wei Hao knew he couldn’t defend himself.

It was indeed his fault; he shouldn't have agreed to the marriage when his heart and mind were completely blank. All of this was too cruel and cruel.

You's expression turned cold. "So what are you thinking? Are you leaving? Or are you staying here to marry Jiang Qi?" Her words were undoubtedly putting pressure on Wei Hao, even though she knew he didn't have feelings for Jiang Qi.

She had to exploit this psychology only for her fools.

Wei Hao lowered his head, his mind racing with thoughts. He didn't know what to do. He had never encountered anything more difficult than going into battle.

You had no patience to wait any longer. Bai Jiaoyu couldn't wait, and neither could she. When the Empress gave birth, she wouldn't be able to stay here unharmed either.

"I'll give you a day to think it over. Tomorrow, at the same time, I'll be waiting for you here. If you don't come, then we're truly done."

You finished speaking and, before Wei Hao could even look up, she had already disappeared into the moonlight, leaving Wei Hao with only a faint, indistinct silhouette.

A day is enough time to consider, Wei Hao. If you don't have me in your heart, then marry Jiang Qi. If you do, then I'm sorry, I used you.

……

The sun is shining brightly today, the first time it's been this sunny since the beginning of winter, making my skin feel warm and cozy.

Therefore, Yu Yanjing and his entourage prepared to go hunting, which was the first time he had gone on such a grand hunt since ascending the throne.

"Your Majesty, Miss Jiang has arrived." Shuangru looked at the petite beauty walking towards them from not far away.

Fearing that Jiang Qi would be bored alone in the mansion, Xiao Mu asked her to go to the hunting grounds together. Anyway, she had no one to talk to, and at least Jiang Qi could talk to her.

Yu Yanjing didn't want her to go, but she couldn't resist her persistent pleading. She said that staying in the palace all day would make her grow weeds, and it would be better to go out and bask in the sun.

The condition was that she was only allowed to stay in the camp and not leave, otherwise she would be sent back to the palace immediately.

Now that she's about to become a mother, her body is getting heavier and heavier, she can't fly as high as she used to, and she doesn't have the energy to cause trouble anymore. She's done what she wanted to do, and from now on, being with Yu Yanjing is all she wants in this life.

You and Shuangru went outside to see if there were any wild rabbits or anything to catch. Actually, the two girls also wanted to go out and play, so Xiao Mu didn't think much of it and agreed. Anyway, there were quite a few palace maids and servants in the camp.

Everything was too calm, so calm that she suddenly thought of Xie Huai.

He was a very sociable person. I once heard him say that he liked hunting. Because his master, Lin Bo'ou, liked to eat roasted pheasant, he would often go hunting to please him.

Where is he now? He probably can't go back to the Western Regions. Bai Jiaoyu is currently imprisoned in the water dungeon. His maternal grandfather should find out soon, right?

What will the maternal grandfather do? Will he start a war between the two countries because Yu Yanjing detained Bai Jiaoyu without authorization? Will their relationship as grandfather and grandson be severed because of this?

She and Jiang Qi were usually the two who loved to talk, but today they sat together in silence.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty...Something terrible has happened! Shuangru...she has fallen off a cliff!"

The person who entered the tent was You, who rushed in in a panic. Her eyes were filled with tears, and she looked at Xiao Mu with a flustered expression. Her hair was also in a mess.

"what happened?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mu couldn't help but slam her hand on the table in shock. Ignoring her pregnancy, she ran to You, stared at her in disbelief, and asked again, "How could Shuangru have fallen off the cliff?"

Tears streamed down You's face as she choked out, "Shuangru and I found a wild rabbit and followed it to a cliff. The rabbit... it was right at the edge of the cliff. Shuangru lunged to grab it, but as she stood up with the rabbit in her arms, the stone under her foot slipped, and she fell. I didn't have time to grab her hand before she fell."

"What should we do? Your Majesty, Shuangru... the cliff is very high and the bottom is unknown."

You's tears kept falling, and her expression was full of self-blame.

Xiao Mu felt her head spinning. She had just been laughing and going rabbit hunting with You, how could she have fallen off a cliff? She tried to suppress her fear. The most important thing was to send someone to find Shuangru, instead of standing there dumbfounded.

She first told the palace servants and guards outside the door to go to the bottom of the cliff in You Shuo to search, and then sent a few more people to look for Yu Yanjing and the others. If they couldn't find them, she would have to send more people from the palace.

Jiang Qi watched silently, feeling a strange unease in his heart, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Soon Yu Yanjing and his men received the news and returned to their camp. They hadn't been out for long, so they hadn't caught much prey.

Wei Hao and Zhou Tingxi hunted a wild deer, but the accompanying imperial physician said it was pregnant, so they released the deer.

Yu Yanjing and Shen Ruoxuan hunted a white fox. The white fox's pelt was of the highest quality and would be the best for making collars and wristbands.

But Xiao Mu had no interest in looking at these things; she just kept staring outside the tent, hoping that the people who went to find Shuangru would return.

Yu Yanjing held her hand tightly and comforted her, "We've already sent people to look for it, we'll find it soon."

He knew that Shuangru had little chance of returning alive. The cliff was high up, and if someone fell, they would likely be smashed to pieces. But she probably wouldn't fall. There were many trees on the cliff, and she might be hanging on a branch, but that would be very difficult to find.

"You, go back and rest first. You must have been scared too, right?" Xiao Mu looked at You, who was hanging her head and blaming herself, and forgot that You must have been scared too. She must have been very upset, after all, she and Shuangru were very close.

“But…” You hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

You obediently walked out of the tent. The cold wind was biting, but she was no longer afraid. Instead, she nodded in response.

Wei Hao's gaze fell on her back, knowing that she was probably feeling very bad right now, but when he thought that tonight was the final deadline, he told You about eloping tonight.

She probably doesn't care about these things now. After what happened to Shuangru, would she still want to elope with him?

Jiang Qi looked at him with a wry smile. Sure enough, as long as You was around, Wei Hao wouldn't notice him. What was the point of such a marriage agreement?

Xiao Mu watched as wave after wave of guards returned to search for Shuangru. They all said that they had searched the bottom of the cliff for a long time but had not found Shuangru.

How could that be? If she had fallen, how could she not be found?

There is only one answer now: she is most likely hanging on a tree branch on the cliff, but the terrain there is treacherous, so how can we find her?