Chapter 37: Where Is Mu Changxiao?
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The reason Song Wei had dared to take such a dangerous gamble and switch bridal sedans with Song Tang was, ultimately, that she feared Mu Ziyu’s position as heir would be taken away.
After all, Mu Changxiao was the true Marquis of the Mu estate. How could he possibly refuse to let his future son become heir merely because of a promise made to his elder brother?
Even if he had made that promise sincerely at the time, no one could predict how circumstances might change. Song Wei did not want to take the risk.
Only by becoming the marchioness could she guarantee her position.
Most importantly, she absolutely refused to become Song Tang’s junior by marriage and let Song Tang trample her beneath her feet!
At that moment, Song Wei sat inside the sedan, somewhat tense. Her palms were damp with sweat, and the fists she clenched kept loosening and tightening again and again. She was deeply unsettled.
Xue’er approached the sedan and lifted one corner of the curtain. In a low voice, she said, “Miss, everything has been arranged. Chunhan is already following behind the other sedan. You can rest assured.”
Song Wei murmured in acknowledgment. A trace of ruthlessness flashed through her eyes. The position of marchioness would be hers!
She was confident she could win Mu Changxiao’s heart. Men all fell for such tricks. As long as she employed a little strategy, was there any reason Mu Changxiao would not become utterly devoted to her?
A smug smile curved Song Wei’s lips. In order to catch up with Song Tang’s sedan, the bearers deliberately quickened their pace.
The entire wedding procession was carried along by the change of rhythm and sped up as well. Music and gongs rang out along the road, creating a lively spectacle.
At last, as they neared the intersection, Xue’er spotted Song Tang’s sedan in the distance.
The crowd was packed tight, and the drums and music thundered through the air. It was the perfect moment to make their move.
Chunhan, who was following behind Song Tang’s sedan, also saw Xue’er.
Xue’er made a hand signal. Chunhan understood at once and immediately whistled.
The next moment, the people standing by the roadside were inexplicably shoved toward the center of the road, causing instant confusion.
The bearers of Song Wei’s sedan exchanged a meaningful glance with the bearers of Song Tang’s.
Then the bearers on both sides swiftly altered their steps.
The two sedans were forced together in an instant, their frames swaying violently.
Song Wei’s heart leaped with delight at the rocking motion, while Song Tang remained perfectly composed, steadying herself so she would not be thrown down.
Taking advantage of the crowd’s distraction, the bearers deftly switched positions.
Caidie and Zishuang exaggeratedly staggered about as though they had been knocked dizzy. Once the crowd settled slightly, they returned to their places beside the sedans.
The switch had succeeded.
Song Wei’s sedan was now heading toward the main gate of the Mu estate, while Song Tang’s bearers were moving toward the western courtyard.
Caidie continued following the sedan headed for the main gate.
Zishuang, however, slipped away from the procession and secretly followed behind the real Song Tang’s sedan, ready to await Song Wei’s orders at any moment.
Song Tang was also somewhat tense inside the sedan. She had given Zishuang two signals. One meant that at the western courtyard gate, Zishuang was to help her leave the sedan and escape immediately.
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But Song Tang was worried that there would be too many people on the wedding day and Zishuang might not be able to handle them. The second signal meant that they should wait until they had entered and act once there were fewer people around.
—
Song Wei lifted a small corner of the curtain again and secretly glanced at the direction of the road.
Sure enough, the sedans had truly been switched.
Song Wei was so overwhelmed with joy that tears sprang to her eyes. She clasped the handkerchief in her hand, tears circling in her eyes.
She had done it. She had really done it. No one could stop her from becoming the marchioness!
The next step was to add the aphrodisiac to the wine and make Mu Changxiao drink it.
During this period, Song Tang had secretly learned how to please a man in bed. She firmly believed that tonight she would make Mu Changxiao utterly unable to tear himself away from her.
Song Wei silently cursed Song Tang for being a fool. Song Tang probably still had no idea that she had already become prey.
A fool who wanted to fight her was dreaming!
The clamor outside the sedan sounded like a cheer celebrating victory. Song Wei gently closed her eyes and calmed the excitement surging through her heart.
Suddenly, her sedan began rocking again. A commotion erupted outside, accompanied by the screams of the crowd.
Song Wei’s eyes flew open. Shouts of alarm rose one after another.
She had no idea what had happened and was just about to pull open the curtain to see when—
With a loud crash, the sedan slammed heavily onto the ground.
Song Wei pitched forward and landed face-first in the dirt.
The chaos outside grew louder and louder. Forgetting her pain, Song Wei scrambled to her feet in panic.
In that instant of terror, the sedan curtain was suddenly yanked open.
A masked man dressed in black appeared before her, a gleaming longsword in his hand.
Song Wei’s face turned deathly pale. Just as she was about to scream, the man seized her around the waist, pressing the sword against her throat.
“Who… who are you?” Song Wei asked in a trembling voice.
The man ignored her completely and forced her forward.
The crowd outside the sedan scattered in every direction, leaving only the Mu estate’s guards behind.
They surrounded the man in black and Song Wei.
The bride had been taken hostage by a masked man, and no one dared act rashly.
The man in black did not speak at once. He waited for a while, but Mu Changxiao was nowhere to be seen.
He had clearly seen Mu Changxiao riding at the front just moments ago. Now that his bride had been taken hostage, why had he still not come?
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A trace of impatience flashed through his eyes as he swept a cold gaze over the surroundings.
“Where is Mu Changxiao? Come out and face me!” the man shouted.
“Isn’t that the second daughter of the Song family, Song Wei?” one of the guards blurted out.
Only then did Song Wei remember that her bridal veil had fallen to the ground when the sedan crashed. Before she could pick it up, the man in black had already taken her hostage.
On her wedding day, the veil that should have been lifted by the groom had instead been torn away in full view of everyone, exposing her in the most humiliating manner imaginable.
Song Wei felt utterly mortified, terrified, and frantic all at once.
She instinctively shifted her body.
The man behind her immediately barked in a low voice, “Don’t move. Move again and I’ll kill you!”
The sword in his hand pressed even more tightly against her throat.
Song Wei froze completely. She could feel the blade resting against the delicate skin of her neck, cold enough to pierce her bones.
“Why is the Second Miss Song in this sedan? Shouldn’t this be the First Miss Song’s sedan?”
“Could the sedans have been mixed up?”
“Which one is marrying our marquis—the First Miss Song or the Second Miss Song?”
“Of course it’s the First Miss Song!”
“…”
The guards talked among themselves, their discussion growing louder and louder, yet no one moved to rescue Song Wei.
Song Wei bit down hard on her lower lip. Her body trembled faintly. She did not dare make a sound, much less move. She was terrified.
If she had known something like this would happen, she would never have switched sedans with Song Tang!
“Silence!” A cold glint flashed through the masked man’s eyes. Only then did he understand that the woman in front of him was not Mu Changxiao’s bride at all.
“Where exactly is Mu Changxiao? If you do not tell me, I will kill this woman!” the man threatened angrily, tightening his grip on the sword.
Song Wei’s breathing grew rapid. She could feel the icy blade seemingly cutting into her skin.
Fear spread wildly through her heart.
“Save me! Hurry and save me!” Song Wei cried out in terror, having completely forgotten to preserve her dignity.
She did not want to die.
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