From cannon fodder villain to superpowered queen

Blood dripped down, but the box remained completely still.

Jiang Ruiyuan frowned. Could there be some kind of mechanism in this box?

Ignoring the stinging pain in his fingertips, he focused even more intently on manipulating the tools in his hands.

Bi Yao's heart was in her throat. The noisy sounds outside the stable gradually faded away, but the eerie silence was even more unsettling, like the calm before a storm.

With a soft click, the lock opened!

The box lid popped open, revealing an antique bronze key that gleamed with a faint luster.

Bi Yao grabbed the key and held it tightly in her hand. This feeling was even more exciting than touching an ultra-rare (SSR) card!

"It's done!" she said in a low voice, looking at Jiang Ruiyuan with delight.

Jiang Ruiyuan put away his tools, casually wiped the blood from his fingertips with a handkerchief, and looked somewhat pale.

"Where is your money?" he asked.

Bi Yao pulled a heavy money bag from her bosom and waved it in front of Jiang Ruiyuan: "It's all here! The escape fund is ready!" The money bag clinked together, making a crisp sound, like a song of freedom.

This money bag contained not only what she had saved up through frugality these past few days, but also what she had withdrawn from the Jiang family's accounts—of course, the means of "withdrawing" were not exactly honorable, but for the sake of freedom, Bi Yao said she could temporarily be a "bad girl".

“Okay.” Jiang Ruiyuan nodded, tucked the handkerchief back into his sleeve, but his eyes were fixed on the direction of the stable door. “We…” “Let’s go!” Jiang Ruiyuan shouted in a low voice and took the lead towards the stable door.

Bi Yao followed closely behind, clutching the keys and purse tightly in her hands, her heart pounding like a drum.

Freedom is right before my eyes, so close it seems I can almost touch it.

However, as soon as they stepped out of the stable, a figure blocked their way.

"Hey, isn't this Big Brother and... Miss Bi Yao? Sneaking around like that, where are you headed?" Jiang Ruiming crossed his arms and blocked their way with a sarcastic look, followed by two burly servants.

Bi Yao thought to herself, "Oh no!" Why is this unlucky kid so persistent?

Jiang Ruiyuan's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Get out of the way."

"Tsk tsk tsk, what are you saying, elder brother? I'm just concerned about your whereabouts, it's only out of kindness." Jiang Ruiming said with a forced smile. "However, in the middle of the night, elder brother is with a maid and carrying a package... could it be that you're planning to elope?"

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Ruiyuan's eyes: "Ruiming, my affairs are none of your business."

“Brother, you’re mistaken.” Jiang Ruiming’s smile vanished, his tone turning sinister. “You’re taking things from the house and bringing along the maids; this isn’t just your business! If I tell the old lady about this, what do you think…”

"Do you think the old lady will believe you?" Bi Yao suddenly interrupted Jiang Ruiming.

She pulled a stack of papers from her sleeve and waved them in front of Jiang Ruiming. "Third Young Master, your spending at Cuixiang Pavilion seems a bit high lately. I wonder if the Old Madam would be distressed if she knew?"

When Jiang Ruiming saw the stack of papers, his face turned deathly pale.

Those were all evidences he had secretly recorded of Jiang Ruiming's frequenting of brothels!

He never imagined that this inconspicuous maidservant would hold something on him!

"You...you..." He pointed at Bi Yao, unable to speak for a long time.

"Third Young Master, a good dog doesn't block the way." Bi Yao sneered, put the paper in her hand back into her sleeve, pulled Jiang Ruiyuan around him, and strode towards the back door.

Jiang Ruiming stood there, his face turning pale and then flushed, but in the end he didn't dare to stop him anymore.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, a glint of resentment flashed in his eyes…

After exiting the back door of the Jiang family's residence, Bi Yao breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling much easier to breathe.

"Finally out! It felt like playing an escape room game, so exciting!"

Jiang Ruiyuan glanced at her and said indifferently, "Let's go."

The two arrived at the market, intending to buy some items they would need for the journey.

however……

Bi Yao suddenly stopped and looked ahead warily.

A nonchalant figure was slowly walking towards them.

“This young lady looks unfamiliar…” Wang Gou’er rubbed his hands together, leering at Bi Yao. Even her coarse linen clothes couldn’t hide her beautiful face.

His henchmen behind him joined in the jeering, letting out lewd laughter.

Bi Yao thought to herself: What bad luck! I didn't check the almanac before I went out!

Jiang Ruiyuan stepped forward, blocking Bi Yao's path, exuding a chilling aura.

"Get out." He spoke sparingly, but his words carried weight.

Wang Gou'er was momentarily intimidated by this imposing manner, but he immediately retorted with his neck stiffened, "Oh ho, you've got quite the big mouth! Do you know who I am? I'm the one who calls the shots in this area!"

"Wang Gou'er, have you gotten too cocky lately?" Jiang Ruiyuan's tone was icy, his eyes sharp as knives. "You even dare to mess with the Jiang family?"

Wang Gou'er's arrogance immediately diminished by half.

The Jiang family is one of the most prominent families in the city. How could a small-time hoodlum like him possibly afford to offend them?

But he was unwilling to let go of the easy prey that was already in his mouth. His eyes darted around, and he pretended to be calm, saying, "The Jiang family? Don't try to fool me! Which young master of the Jiang family doesn't live a life of luxury, surrounded by servants? Look at you, dressed like..." He looked Jiang Ruiyuan up and down, "...like a down-on-his-luck scholar, and you dare to pretend to be a young master of the Jiang family?"

Jiang Ruiyuan sneered, took out a jade pendant from his sleeve, and waved it in front of Wang Gou'er.

"Open your dog eyes and see clearly what this is!"

Wang Gou'er looked closely and saw that the jade pendant was exquisitely carved and was obviously a valuable item. More importantly, the jade pendant had a clear "Jiang" character engraved on it!

He was so frightened that his legs went weak. This...

It really is the young master of the Jiang family!

"I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness! I deserve to die! I'll get out of here right now!" Wang Gou'er hurriedly nodded and bowed, and ran away with his henchmen in a flash, faster than a rabbit.

Bi Yao couldn't help but laugh as she watched Wang Gou'er flee in disarray.

"Impressive, young master! I didn't know you had this trick up your sleeve!"

Jiang Ruiyuan put away the jade pendant and said calmly, "Let's go."

The two finally got rid of all their troubles, and with the key and money in hand, they stood at the crossroads of the market, gazing into the distance.

The dawn of freedom was just around the corner, and their hearts were filled with hope, but they also knew that the road ahead was long and full of unknown challenges.

“Let’s go,” Bi Yao took a deep breath and looked at Jiang Ruiyuan, “Our journey has only just begun…” However, just as they turned to leave, Jiang Ruiyuan suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowed, and he grabbed Bi Yao’s wrist.

"Wait..." he whispered.