C10 Impudent and Audacious

The North Peace Marquis issued an order, and Ruan Qingge's small courtyard was surrounded layer upon layer. Besides Wenxuan and Wenrong, many more maids and attendants were added, all keeping a close eye on Ruan Qingge every day, afraid she might cause some kind of upheaval.

Ruan Qingge had planned to escape in the coming days, but with someone even guarding the bathroom, she was left feeling utterly helpless. After enduring three days of this, she was eventually bound and placed into the bridal sedan chair.

The main street was packed with people eager to catch a glimpse of the Sixteenth Master's supposedly foolish bride, making it impossible to move through the crowd.

Xiao Rongjuan didn't come to escort the bride. Instead, the bridal sedan was surrounded by a lone troop of black-armored soldiers, moving forward. Only the occasional festive music and the long procession of dowries made it resemble a wedding parade.

Bored, Ruan Qingge lifted the sedan curtain to peer outside. The wind caught her veil, and she flashed a toothy grin. The onlookers closest to her caught sight of her expression, and their faces turned pale with fright, causing them to stumble back into the crowd.

Pleased with her little prank, Ruan Qingge lowered the curtain, a sly smile on her lips.

They wouldn't let her marry Xiao Ling, yet they were forcing her to marry Xiao Rongjuan. It seemed the royal family was toying with her, Ruan Qingge. Although she sensed something was amiss behind the scenes, she couldn't stand being used as a pawn or treated like a fool.

Beneath the red veil, her eyebrows were drawn crookedly, her blush was smeared like a monkey's behind, and her lips were painted black, with several large moles dotted on her cheeks. With such a bizarre appearance, it wouldn't be long before the whole city knew just how shockingly ugly the Liang King Consort was!

If they wanted to use her, she wouldn't make it easy for them!

Anyang was shaking her leg, feeling quite pleased with herself, when suddenly a gust of wind blew open the embroidered curtain in front of the carriage. Out of nowhere, several figures dressed in black descended, barging in and grabbing her without a word, dragging her outside.

Kidnapping in broad daylight? Who could it be?

The sudden appearance of these intruders caused chaos. Under the glaring sunlight, the swords of the black-clad figures gleamed menacingly, their swift movements making the light sting the eyes.

The hilt of the sword was etched with intricate patterns, a coiled azure dragon resting in the center. A blue tassel hung from the scabbard, matching the design.

The masked intruders, faces covered with cloth, revealed only a pair of eyes as cold and deep as a winter pond. There was a hint of surprise in those eyes, but after seeing Ruan Qingge clearly, a trace of disdain flickered across them. One of them grabbed Ruan Qingge's sleeve, only to be met with a sudden burst of powder, releasing a choking scent.

"What is this?" The man in black was blinded by the powder, instinctively raising his sleeve to wipe his eyes. A fiery sensation spread across his face, causing him to cough repeatedly. He saw Ruan Qingge lift her veil, revealing a face that was hard to describe, with an expression that was almost asking for trouble.

"Chili powder," Ruan Qingge said, noting his comical appearance with a click of her tongue. "You've got some nerve, trying to hijack a wedding carriage."

Outside, the clash of weapons and the terrified cries of the townspeople echoed. The carriage jolted violently before crashing to the ground, likely abandoned by the bearers in the chaos.

As the burning sensation subsided, a subtle, dark glint flickered in the man's cold eyes. He spoke with a hint of irritation, "So, the Anyang County Princess isn't a fool. Or perhaps, you're not Ruan Qingge at all?"

Surprised that he saw through her so quickly, Ruan Qingge's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself and chuckled softly. "Calling the princess by name, you've got quite the courage."

It was said that King Liang, Xiao Rongjuan, commanded the Blazing Army left by the late emperor. The black-armored soldiers escorting the bride today were selected from this very army. Because of these troops, the emperor was wary of King Liang, and the brothers had been at odds for a long time. Yet, with foreign threats at the border, the most valiant warriors hailed from the South Suppressing King's lineage.

The Emperor had a complicated relationship with the South Suppressing King Mansion, feeling both admiration and resentment. He couldn't openly challenge them, so he repeatedly promoted the current Great General, Ouyang Weiyuan, to counterbalance their influence. Unfortunately, Ouyang Weiyuan's power was limited, and the majority of military and political authority still rested with the South Suppressing King and his followers.