Laiyue turned around and frowned. He shook the reins in his hands and moved closer to He Changdi. He whispered, "Marquis, it's Brother Zhang." He Changdi obviously knew that Laiyue was referring to Zhang Mai. His expression changed slightly, and he ordered Laiyue to guard the carriages with the guards. He rode his horse to the side of the carriage and headed in Zhang Mai's direction. Chu Lian was chatting with Countess Jing 'an in the carriage when she heard He Changdi's words. Countess Jing 'an frowned. "Why is Third Lang busy at a time like this?" Chu Lian didn't get angry. Instead, she smiled and comforted Countess Jing 'an. "Mother doesn't know. There's been a lot of commotion lately, and Husband is very busy. Let him go take a look. Since Brother Zhang Mai has personally come, it must be urgent." Countess Jing 'an sighed. She thought of the past and said ruefully, "We're really in the same boat. When I was pregnant with Third Lang and Third Lang, your father was also very busy and rarely stayed by my side." However, her third daughter-in-law was luckier than her. She was pregnant at the time, and Countess Jing 'an had already returned to Ming Province. Now, even though He Changdi was busy all day, he was still by her side and could often find time to accompany Chu Lian. Chu Lian's smile brightened. In reality, she wasn't as calm and composed as she appeared on her face. Not long after, Laiyue's voice could be heard from outside the carriage. "Madam, Third Madam." "What is it?" "Third Madam, Third Young Master has been called away by Brother Zhang Mai for an urgent matter. He asked me to inform him." "Understood. Let's continue on our way." Countess Jing 'an naturally heard the conversation between Laiyue and Chu Lian. "Third Lang's wife, Third Lang has urgent matters to attend to. Why don't we go back first and go another day?" Without He Changdi, Countess Jing 'an couldn't be at ease with her pregnant daughter-in-law. Moreover, the entire family was full of expectations for Chu Lian's pregnancy, so they had to be even more cautious. Chu Lian shook her head and comforted her mother-in-law. "Mother, there's no need. The guards were all selected long ago, and there are two guards with them. It's just that Husband isn't with them. There are so many of us, so it won't be that easy for something to happen. Moreover, I can't delay this any longer. I have to return today, and I don't know when I'll leave again." In the end, Countess Jing 'an was still convinced by Chu Lian. A group of people followed the original plan and headed towards the Da An Temple. After an hour, they finally arrived at the foot of Blue Fragrance Mountain. Originally, it shouldn't have taken so long, but Chu Lian was pregnant and the carriage moved slowly, so it took twice as long. At the foot of Blue Fragrance Mountain, there was a special path for the nobles to ascend the mountain. He Changdi had already arranged for his subordinates to receive them. Wenqing and Mu Xiang got out of the carriage at the back and came to the side of Chu Lian and Countess Jing 'an's carriage. The curtains were lifted, and Countess Jing 'an got out of the carriage first. Mu Xiang quickly helped Chu Lian out of the carriage. Wenqing could only stand aside. Lai Yue walked over with two guards. "Madam, Third Madam, the palanquin has been prepared." Although the Blue Fragrance Mountain wasn't tall, the roads weren't as smooth as the official roads. Even the mountain roads that were specially opened for the nobles weren't as smooth as the official roads. Whether it was a horse or a carriage, it was not easy to travel. It was precisely because of this that there were many sedan bearers at the foot of Mount Blue Fragrance who made a living. Chu Lian held her stomach as she didn't have the strength to climb the mountain. Wenqing and Mu Xiang helped her onto the palanquin. The palanquin they were carrying was made of rattan. The two ends were for people to carry, and in the middle was a rattan chair with a canopy to block the sun. Although it was simple, it was light. It was several times lighter than a normal palanquin and was perfect for climbing the mountain. After Chu Lian and Countess Jing 'an got onto the palanquin, Lai Yue ordered them to ascend the mountain. Mu Xiang followed beside Chu Lian's palanquin. She said to Wenqing, "Wenqing, go take care of the madam. I'll take care of Third Madam." Countess Jing 'an's head maidservant sprained her ankle when she got off the carriage. She was left at the foot of the mountain along with the horses and carriages, so there was only an elderly wet nurse by her side. Wenqing paused, then nodded and walked to Countess Jing 'an's palanquin in a few steps. The weather was scorching hot. After walking for fifteen minutes, everyone was sweating profusely. They were in a mountain forest and were surrounded by green trees that blocked the wind. However, the trees on both sides of the road had been chopped down. The sun shone down directly, making it even hotter and hotter. Chu Lian waved the circular fan in her hand and used a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off her forehead. She took out a thin white porcelain bottle from her waist and poured out a brown pill. Mu Xiang, who was following beside her, had been paying attention to her. When she saw her swallow the pill, she frowned and pretended to be worried. "Third Madam, Miracle Doctor Miao said that pregnant people shouldn't take medicine indiscriminately." Chu Lian turned to look at her and suddenly smiled slyly. Under the sunlight, her smile was dazzling in Mu Xiang's eyes. "Mu Xiang, thank you for your concern. This is the medicine Uncle Miao prescribed for me." Mu Xiang's face stiffened slightly. She suppressed the anger in her heart and squeezed out a smile. "Since Miracle Doctor Miao prescribed it himself, then this servant doesn't have to worry anymore." After this small interlude, Chu Lian sat in the palanquin and didn't speak to Mu Xiang for the rest of the journey. Halfway up the mountain, Mu Xiang noticed a sign somewhere and suddenly made a hidden hand gesture. On both sides of the dull path up the mountain, a small group of masked men suddenly charged out. In an instant, they were fighting with the Anyuan Marquis Estate's guards. A masked, muscular man dressed in short sleeves was about to stab Countess Jing 'an with his sword. Wenqing, who was about to leave to protect Chu Lian, could only turn around and use the soft sword hidden at her waist to block the man's attack. When the weapons clashed, a clanging sound rang out. While Mu Xiang was yelling to protect Chu Lian, Lai Yue and a few skilled guards were blocked halfway up the mountain. Chu Lian's palanquin was quickly snatched away by two men in gray. Even Mu Xiang's mouth was gagged and taken away. This group of people didn't seem to be in the mood to fight. After snatching Chu Lian away, they quickly retreated with a hand gesture. In just a little more than fifteen minutes, the path up Blue Fragrance Mountain was littered with injured people and Countess Jing 'an, who had a stunned and terrified expression on her face. When Countess Jing 'an discovered that Chu Lian had been snatched away, she was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground. She yelled angrily, "Hurry and chase after them! No matter what price we have to pay, we have to bring Third Husband's wife back safely! " Her voice trembled as she instructed Lai Yue, "Hurry and send someone to inform Third Young Master, Count, and the Prince of Wei! Hurry! " The family general, Huang Zhijian, had already chased after them. Lai Yue hurriedly ordered someone to inform them, but he himself didn't dare to leave. After all, Countess Jing 'an was still here. Something had already happened to one of the mistresses of the estate, so he couldn't allow anything to happen to the other one. Chu Lian sat on the palanquin as she was carried away. She held her stomach and didn't dare to move. It turned out that the two bearers carrying her were already arranged by someone else. She looked around at the surrounding path, but this was the forest of Blue Fragrance Mountain. Aside from shrubs and trees, there was nothing else that stood out. She pursed her lips and carefully shook the pouch at her waist. Some crumbs fell out. In such an urgent situation, no one would notice the light colored powder that fell out of the pouch. Chu Lian's gaze fell on Mu Xiang, who was tied up and carried on someone's shoulder. Her head was covered by a cloth bag, so she couldn't see her expression. What Chu Lian found strange was that other than struggling with all her might at the beginning, when they were taken away and out of Lai Yue's sight, she didn't move at all, as if she had fainted. The two men carrying the palanquin were running wildly. Chu Lian held onto the palanquin tightly and didn't dare to move. Finally, the group of bandits managed to shake off the marquis's estate guards who were chasing after them. They circled the forest again and finally stopped in front of a thatched hut. Chu Lian and Mu Xiang were pushed into the only thatched hut. There was a rusty old table and chairs in the thatched hut. There was a pile of hay in the corner, but there was nothing else beside it. There was only a narrow door to enter the thatched hut. There were no windows, so the entire room was dark and damp. Chu Lian held onto the muddy wall to steady herself and leaned in the direction of the pile of hay. The group of bandits actually retreated after throwing Chu Lian and Mu Xiang into the thatched hut. They guarded the thatched hut from a distance of more than ten meters. Chu Lian frowned. Her gaze quickly fell on Mu Xiang, who was sitting on the ground with her face covered. Mu Xiang, who seemed to have fainted, suddenly moved. She quickly untied her hands and pulled down the cloth bag covering her head and face. A moment later, her face, which usually gave people the impression of kindness, was revealed. However, it was completely different from the usual gentle and obedient Mu Xiang. Her expression was evil and the corners of her mouth were raised high. Her eyes were filled with malice, as if she was a completely different person. There was no trace of Mu Xiang at all. Chu Lian's brows furrowed even more tightly. Her red lips were slightly parted, clearly still in shock. She subconsciously gulped. "Who … who are you?" Chu Lian's mind worked quickly. This group of people kidnapped her and only left her and Mu Xiang in the thatched hut. Could it be that Mu Xiang had arranged all of this? Otherwise, how could this group of people only kidnapped her and Mu Xiang? Mu Xiang stood up and walked a few steps towards Chu Lian. The Mu Xiang in front of her now looked nothing like the obedient servant girl she used to be. She walked with her chin slightly raised and her entire face was filled with arrogance. She curled the corners of her mouth and stared fixedly at Chu Lian, who was leaning against the wall. Then, she bent down slightly and moved closer. Mu Xiang was tall. Standing next to the petite Chu Lian, she was half a head taller. This time, Mu Xiang also experienced what it felt like to lower her head and look at someone else. She laughed strangely. Her tone was filled with mockery and hatred. "Huh? Who am I? I should be the one asking you that, Marchioness Anyuan! Who are you? Don't you feel the slightest bit ashamed of taking over this body? You stole someone else's husband for yourself and even hid the truth from him. Don't you feel the slightest bit guilty? You monster, I want to see how long you can keep up the act today! " Chu Lian: … Chu Lian was slightly shocked. Her eyes widened as she stared at Mu Xiang, whose face was twisted in anger. End of chapter content — >