042 Moonlit Peril

"But has she ever truly regarded you as her daughter? She locked you away here, then produced a corpse claiming I murdered you. Are you willing to let me bear the crime of murder?" Chen Yage met Dujuan's gaze, her voice rising in intensity until she was almost shouting.

Dujuan wept, whispering "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" over and over. Chen Yage examined the iron locks binding her, realizing it would be nearly impossible to open them. "Wait here for me," Chen Yage said, "I'll go find the key!"

"Sister Yage!" Dujuan called after her, slowly pulling a silver needle from her clothes. She poked at the lock a few times, and it opened. Chen Yage stared wide-eyed in astonishment, unable to believe what she saw.

Dujuan said, "I could have opened the lock myself, but I didn't want to go against Mother’s wishes..."

Remembering that Yueji and Dujuan were mother and daughter, and that her own words had perhaps been too harsh, Chen Yage gently took Dujuan's hand and smiled, "Let's go!"

"Just leave like this?" Yueji's voice sounded behind Chen Yage. Dujuan's expression changed dramatically. "Mother!" she cried, then urged Chen Yage, "Sister Yage, hurry, go!"

Dujuan shoved Chen Yage aside. Yueji glared coldly at her daughter, who lowered her head. With a flick of her water sleeves, a red silk ribbon lashed out at Chen Yage, who leapt back, agilely dodging it.

Yueji then flung both sleeves, and the ribbons shot forward like twin swords, straight at Chen Yage. Chen Yage rolled and snatched up the iron chain from the ground, swinging it toward Yueji. Yueji caught the chain in her hand, and the two stood off, Yueji sneering, "There’s a road to heaven yet you refuse it; you force your way into hell even though it has no door! You’d rather not be the Young Mistress and insist on courting death—don’t blame me for what comes next!"

"Young Mistress? What Young Mistress?" Dujuan stood stunned as if struck by lightning.

Yueji said, "Do you still want to help her? She stole your young lord. Tomorrow is their wedding day. This woman pretends to be kind to you, but she’s only using you to get close to the young master. And yet you still want to protect her!"

"Is it true, Sister Yage?" Dujuan stepped toward Chen Yage, her helpless eyes making Chen Yage feel like a criminal, as if weighed down by guilt not of blood but of betrayal. Chen Yage shook her head, "Dujuan, let me explain..."

Yueji seized the chance and struck Chen Yage in the chest, sending her flying several meters into a stone wall. Hot blood surged in her throat, and she coughed up crimson. Yueji then darted forward and clamped her hands around Chen Yage’s neck with a merciless grip. Injured and weakened, Chen Yage struggled desperately, slapping at Yueji’s hands, her mind reeling at how such a beautiful face could harbor such cruelty.

Death's shadow loomed. Chen Yage reached out to Dujuan, unsure whether she would help, but it was her only hope.

Dujuan stood frozen, visions of Ziye marrying Chen Yage flashing before her—the resplendent red wedding dress, and yet beneath the veil, the bride was not herself. In a frenzy, Dujuan rushed at Yueji, catching her off guard and forcing her back a few steps. Chen Yage seized the opportunity to break free from Yueji’s grasp.

Yueji kicked Dujuan aside and slapped her hard across the face. Dujuan clutched her cheek, silent tears streaming. Chen Yage slowly picked herself up, watching Yueji warily.

Murder gleamed in Yueji's eyes. Suddenly, she drew a short sword from her sleeve and thrust it at Chen Yage. There was no time to dodge; Chen Yage squeezed her eyes shut as the blade neared, but the pain never came. Instead, she heard a metallic clang, and the sword dropped to the floor. Out of nowhere, Li Bai appeared and helped Chen Yage to her feet.

"Brother Bai!" Chen Yage exclaimed, astonished. She never expected Li Bai to arrive at such a critical moment. Suddenly, she pushed him away. "Go, it's dangerous here!"

Li Bai stepped forward, shielding Chen Yage. He turned to look at her. "I will protect you," he said—a promise more than a statement.

"Hmph! Since you’re here, I’ll rid Peach Blossom Valley of you two outsiders!" Yueji scoffed coldly, flicking her water sleeves to pick up the fallen sword and then whipping it toward Li Bai.

Li Bai grabbed Chen Yage and rolled left, then sprang to his feet. Chen Yage barely regained her balance before Yueji's sword stabbed toward her again, and the red silk swung at Li Bai like a whip. Li Bai seized the ribbon with his right hand, but seeing the sword about to strike Chen Yage, he could do nothing else. With a mighty shove, he knocked Chen Yage aside; the sword grazed his arm, staining his white robe with blood.

As the sword threatened Chen Yage once more, Dujuan grabbed Yueji's arm, pleading through her tears, "Mother, please let them go!" Then she shouted at Chen Yage, "Run! Go!"

Chen Yage stared at Dujuan, hesitated for a moment, then helped Li Bai up, gritting her teeth as they hurried away.

"Dare to betray me? Get out!" Yueji glared furiously as Chen Yage and Li Bai escaped the secret chamber. She shoved Dujuan aside and chased after them.

Dujuan scrambled to her feet, stumbling and following in a panic.

Out in the night, Chen Yage in blue pulled Li Bai in white as they ran under the pale moonlight, the evening wind sweeping their hair behind them.

At that moment, all that filled Chen Yage’s mind was escape, while Li Bai’s thoughts were resolute: he could not let Chen Yage be harmed.

They ran until Li Bai collapsed to the ground. "Brother Bai, are you alright?" Chen Yage anxiously helped him up.

Li Bai forced a bitter smile. "I’m fine, let’s hurry!" He knew that if Yueji caught up, they stood no chance; their only hope was flight.

He struggled to his feet, step by painful step, blood still pouring from his wound, but he never uttered a word of complaint.

Running, they came once again to Moon Lake. Perhaps too many events had unfolded here, for Chen Yage always felt uneasy each time she returned. Li Bai saw the worry in her eyes and took her hand, meeting her gaze. "Let’s leave Peach Blossom Valley," he said.

Chen Yage was moved by the determination in his eyes. She nodded vigorously, "Yes!"