85 Near

"YuYing Jiejie, will XiaoJie be okay?"

YuShang was feeling anxious as she kept on looking at the closed door. Although YuShang was a hardheaded person, she genuinely cared for XuanRong and was very close with her since both of them only had three months gap in age. Although she was only one of XuanRong's maidservants, XuanRong always pampered YuShang since she treated them as her sisters and not her servants, which made YuShang a stubborn person.

"No! I can't stand it anymore! I must see XiaoJie! What if something bad happens? Who would help XiaoJie when we are all outside the room? I must look for her.. Huhuhu… My Poor XiaoJie.."

YuShang moved forward, wanting to enter the room and accompany XuanRong inside but YuYing pulled her hand and shook her head while glaring at YuShang. They were only XuanRong's servants. Although their XiaoJie were very close with them, still, there were things that they should always remember, and that was 'total obedience'. Since XuanRong already ordered them to leave the room and guard the entire courtyard, as her maid servant, they should follow her order even if they were against of it.

YuYing pulled YuShang back to the large tree at the center of the inner garden. The room where XuanRong was staying was at the left wing of the courtyard, just at the opposite side of the tree. Standing under the tree, they could clearly see the entire left wing. If something bad happens to XuanRong, they could immediately ran forward and aid her. They had been standing there for almost a shichen[1] already. When the night came, XuanRong ordered YuShang and the rest to leave and guard the courtyard, not allowing them to accompany her inside the room. Without any other choice, YuYung and the rest could only stand under the big tree. Although they were against of XuanRong's order to stay away from her during full moon, YuShang and the rest could only obey their XiaoJie. Ever since that night when XuanRong first experienced the torturous pain from the female Gu, she had never allowed YuShang and the rest to take care of her again during every full moon, not because she was ashamed of her wretched state but because she felt sorry for them. At that time, although XuanRong's consciousness had been unstable and she could not see her surroundings due to being partially blind, she could still hear YuShang and the other's voices. They were crying, especially YuShang who was the loudest among them. Although YuShang and the rest knew the reason why XuanRong did not allow them to see her being tortured in pain, they could not help but insist on staying with her. How could they allow their XiaoJie to experience those things alone? Unfortunately, XuanRong was adamant to send them away. It had been three years since then, and XuanRong was still obstinate to forbid them in accompanying her during full moon.

"Hah.. YuShang, can you stop worrying too much? XiaoJie has been experiencing this in the past few years. Why are you still anxious? Do you know the reason why XiaoJie forbids us to accompany her during full moon? It was because she did not want us to see her in her weakened state and make us worry. The thing you are doing right now is basically the reason why we are here outside and not inside the room with XiaoJie." Although YuYing was also worried, she had been suppressing herself since she knew that their XiaoJie would feel sad if she knew that they were still worrying about her even when they were not with her.

Being reprimanded by YuYing, YuShang's face blushed. She was angry at YuYing.

'I am only worrying for XiaoJie ah! What is wrong with that?'

"Enough, both of you! Why are you bickering like seven-year-old children? Have you forgotten XiaoJie's order? We have to guard the entire courtyard until morning. Remember, this is not Lu Shan! This is not our territory! Why are you slacking off? Do not feel at ease and think that nothing will go wrong! XiaoJie was almost assassinated and we were not able to defend her. what if another batch of assassins will come here and will once again try to harm XiaoJie? She is now weak and could not defend herself! are you just going to stand there and do nothing? Or what if that golden masked man comes back and once again try to abduct XiaoJie? Can you stop him?"

YuShen glared at YuYing and YuShang who were arguing. All of them were anxious and wanted to be by XuanRong's side but they had duties to uphold. The night was still young, many things could still happen. They must be vigilant! There should be no rooms for errors.

Hearing YuShen's angry voice, both YuYing and YuShang went silent, especially YuShang who could only pout to show her discontentment.

*swish!*

The three maidservants simultaneously turned their head when they felt that someone was standing behind them. When they turned their head, they saw An Wei leaning on the tree trunk, looking at the moon.

"Master An Wei.. How's the back of the courtyard?"

YuShen asked An Wei. An Wei shook his head, telling her that nothing suspicious were found at the back of the courtyard.

"I will stay here with you."

Looking at An Wei's lonely silhouette, YuShen knew that An Wei was the most anxious one among them. An Wei's feelings for their XiaoJie was not a secret among XuanRong's subordinates. Even Shu Yi and the rest[2] knew that An Wei harbored deep feelings towards their XiaoJie. Only their XiaoJie was oblivious to An Wei's deep love. Although YuShen and the rest knew that based on their XiaoJie's status, she had to marry someone who had the same standing with her, they still could not help but silently root for An Wei.

*rustle!*

*rustle!*

An Wei's body stiffened and disappeared in an instant. He was very fast that it felt like he suddenly teleported. Seconds later, YuShen and the rest heard the clashing of swords near the left wing of the courtyard.

"YuShen Jiejie, what is happening?!" YuShang was startled and could not help but ask YuShen.

YuShen was also taken aback when she saw Master An Wei suddenly disappeared. Someone must have sneaked inside the courtyard and An Wei noticed it.

'Weird, why was I not able to notice that someone has entered the courtyard?'

Although she was not on par with Master An Wei's skills in qinggong and a level lower than their XiaoJie, YuShen was proud oh her own skills in qinggong.

Would that mean that the person who sneaked inside the courtyard was a high-level master?

YuShen's eyes widened when she suddenly remembered the golden masked man who once abducted their XiaoJie. She could not help but shiver when she recalled the murderous intent coming from him.

'This can't be! Why was he here?! Is he planning to abduct XiaoJie again?!'

"Move!! We must help Master An Wei!!!"

Without looking at YuYing and YuShang, YuShen immediately ran towards the source of the heavy clashing of swords.

---------

*huff*

*huff*

*huff*

'Pain… so painful.. Ahhh!! AAHHHH!!'

XuanRong was lying on the bed as she twisted and turned. She was full of sweat and her entire inner garments were already soaking wet.

'Master… Master…'

XuanRong repeatedly called Yue Xiao Xiao inside her mind.

"Urrgh… Ahhh.."

XuanRong curled herself as she tried to press down her hand on her chest. She felt like something was clawing her heart, eating her alive. XuanRong forcefully bit her lips in order to suppress the scream wanting to escape from her mouth. Her soft lips were already bleeding none stop due to being injured. Her lower lip was full of bite marks coming from her teeth as she bit it hard.

"Hahh… Hahh…"

XuanRong rolled on the bed a couple of times, trying to find a stable position but no matter what she did, the pain inside her body kept on increasing. She rolled and rolled until she fell on the ground.

*baaam!!*

"Uurghhh.."

XuanRong leaned forward and puked. Black blood was scattered on the floor while some were still dripping from her mouth. if YuYing and the rest saw her, they would definitely worry.

XuanRong weakly raised her hand and wiped the blood on her mouth. She tried to support her body, wanting to stand up but no matter how many times she tried, she was not able to support herself. she could only weakly crawl towards the dresser and slowly pulled herself up with the support of the chair. She could still see the shapes of the furniture inside the room, but it would still appear blurry.

*ziiiit!*

Suddenly, XuanRong felt like her body was being electrified. A word unexpectedly appeared on her mind.

Near.

What 'near'?

Who's 'near'?

XuanRong felt like the female Gu was frantically trying to urge her to leave the room and go outside.

But why?

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[1]. Two hours in modern time

[2]. The six slaves XuanRong bought at the slave market.

[Unedited Chapter]