Chapter 230
Chapter 230
When Gu Yan entered the crude room, Ji Hanyi had fallen beside the bed. Still dressed in splendid brocade and gold-and-jade ornaments, she looked up at him in disarray, curled like moonlight spilled upon muddy ground.
His heart twisted. Even if he took her away, would a life of wandering truly be good for her?
She belonged to a life of comfort.
He had allowed an obsession to master him.
Gu Yan strode over and knelt beside her. “The antidote should not take effect so quickly.”
Looking into her eyes, he said, “Cousin Yi, I will take you back-to your husband.”
He lifted her from the floor and returned her to the bed.
At least he could be grateful that he had discovered the plot and saved her from those who hated Shen Si.
But Ji Hanyi knew something was terribly wrong. Her breathing was uneven, her body weak, and her vision blurred. As Gu Yan set her down, she summoned enough strength to grasp his sleeve. “Cousin…”
“The antidote is wrong…”
“It feels like an aphrodisiac…”
Heat burned through her, and warm currents gathered low in her abdomen. She knew what they meant.
She had always trusted Gu Yan, the cousin who had cared for her since childhood. Even if he had entertained wicked thoughts, she did not believe he would give her such a drug. If he had, he would not look as he did now.
Her last words were faint, but Gu Yan heard them. His face changed.
The person who gave him the medicine had called it an antidote. Why was it an aphrodisiac?
Only then did Gu Yan notice the subtle heat within his own body. Ji Hanyi’s face was growing flushed and her eyes watery. This was clearly no antidote.
His thoughts raced. Why had someone who sought revenge on Shen Si surrendered Ji Hanyi to him so easily?
A terrifying realization struck: he had been deceived.
He snatched a cloak from a rack and wrapped it around Ji Hanyi. Before the drug could overwhelm him, he carried her to the carriage outside.
Though he had drunk less than half a bowl, weakness was already spreading through him. He bit his tongue until blood filled his mouth, then forced himself to place Ji Hanyi inside.
The dim oil lamp swayed, throwing Gu Yan’s terrified face in and out of shadow.
He looked at Ji Hanyi curled in misery. “Don’t be afraid, Cousin Yi. I will take you back to Marquis Shen.”
“Don’t be afraid…”
Tears gathered involuntarily in Ji Hanyi’s eyes. “That person used you, Cousin Yan, didn’t they?”
“Who is it? What have they arranged?”
“Cousin Yan, tell me…”
“We must think together. Acting rashly may place us in greater danger.”
Gu Yan closed his eyes, lips pressed tight, then lowered the curtain. “Don’t worry, Cousin Yi.”
Without further delay, he climbed onto the driver’s bench and set out toward the capital.
It was deep night, dark and sparsely starred. Every sound the carriage made rang clearly through the darkness.
Gu Yan’s heart pounded, and his hands shook upon the reins. He stared fixedly ahead, alert to the slightest disturbance.
Less than a quarter-hour later, his hands abruptly stilled. Hearing a faint sound in the distance, he leapt down, lifted Ji Hanyi from the rear of the carriage, and stumbled with her into the fields.
He placed her in a sheltered corner beside an embankment, knelt, and thrust all his money and valuables into her hands. “If I don’t return, do not wait for me. Stay here.”
“When the sun rises, nearby farmers will come to the fields and find you.”
“Pay them to take you to Marquis Shen.”
His hands shook violently. Warm liquid fell upon the back of hers, and the scent of blood accompanied his words.
In the darkness, Ji Hanyi could not see his expression, but she sensed something was wrong. Forcing herself calm, she asked, “They have found us, haven’t they?”
“Where are you going?”
Gu Yan said nothing. He merely gripped her hand, trembling.
His mouth was full of blood and his eyes were wet. He spoke quickly and softly. “When I did not want you to leave, I drugged your mother so you would stay.”
“I didn’t want you to leave me. I wanted to marry you. I always wanted to marry you…”
“Hate me, Cousin Yi.”
“It would be best if you hated me forever…”
He released her abruptly and ran toward the carriage before she could answer.
Every extra instant he stayed placed Ji Hanyi in greater danger. He knew how deeply that person hated Shen Si.
He himself was only another piece upon their board.
Gu Yan climbed onto the carriage, looked once toward Ji Hanyi, then tightened the reins and turned back.
He had traveled only a short distance when a sword split the silence and buried itself in the carriage.
His face changed. He lashed the horse, urging it faster, but approaching torchlight filled his eyes with fear.
More than ten mounted figures emerged within the flames.
Blood filled Gu Yan’s mouth. He pulled the reins, trying to retreat, but hoofbeats closed in from every direction and surrounded the carriage.
One rider approached.
Firelight revealed the cold gleam of a long saber and a pair of ruthless, scarred eyes.
Gu Yan swallowed the blood in his mouth and forced himself calm. He climbed down and raised his hands to speak, only for the rider to kick him squarely in the chest.