C47

"Since you've invited This King over, why don't you come out and meet This King?" Xiao Jiu'an stood in the middle of the garden with a calm expression, as if he was standing in Prince Yanbei's Mansion.

The gentle light shone upon the fiery-red figure, illuminating the rooftop and allowing Ji Yunkai to clearly see his appearance. He was a very beautiful man with delicate features and fair and delicate skin.

The person who came was grand and his aura was strong enough, but Xiao Jiu'an was unfazed and asked: "Who are you? Why did you kidnap This King's sister?"

"Ye Cang Qiong, the owner of the Tranquil Water Tea Garden." The red-clothed Ye Cang Qiong very straightforwardly introduced himself, yet he ignored Xiao Jiu'an's second question.

"Cang Qiong Mountain Villa's Master? This King has no enmity with you." After knowing the other party's identity, Xiao Jiu'an was even more confused.

In recent years, although the Imperial Government would intervene in the struggle for the martial-arts world from time to time, it had nothing to do with Xiao Jiu'an. Xiao Jiu'an only cared about leading the troops for the war and never paid attention to the struggle for the martial-arts world.

"There are indeed no grievances nor enmity between us. However, since this Villa Master has been entrusted by others, it is only natural that I remain loyal to others. Leave your Princess behind, and you can bring your sister away." Ye Cang Qiong raised his hands and snapped his fingers. Two men in grey soon brought out Xiao Shiqing, whose hands were tied and whose mouth was blocked.

Xiao Shiqing looked to be in a sorry state, the clothes on her body were torn to shreds and she had wounds on her face and arms. However, her back was ramrod straight, unlike an ordinary woman who would panic and cry whenever she met with danger.

Xiao Shiqing and Xiao Jiu'an looked at each other. Xiao Shiqing did not ask for help, she was only angry and embarrassed. When she saw Ji Yunkai, she immediately turned her face away.

However, Ji Yunkai laughed silently. Her laugh was filled with sorrow and helplessness.

She had always known that it would definitely not be a good thing for Xiao Jiu'an to bring her out, but she had never thought that Xiao Jiu'an would use her in exchange for Xiao Shiqing who had been kidnapped.

His sister, Xiao Shiqing, was a human, but wasn't she, Ji Yunkai, human also?

Why can Xiao Jiu'an control her life and death?

Ji Yunkai looked at Xiao Jiu'an's back, flames of fury flickering in her eyes.

How bad was her luck that she married a man like Xiao Jiu'an?

"It looks like your Princess didn't know beforehand?" Ye Cang Qiong's gaze fell on Ji Yunkai's body, his face full of interest.

"Is that important?" Xiao Jiu'an did not turn back as he asked with a cold expression.

"It really isn't important." He glanced at Ji Yunkai, then said with a smile. "Let your Princess walk into the house, and I will release her."

"No, let her go first." Although he was threatened, Xiao Jiu'an refused to budge even half-a-step.

However, Ye Cang Qiong was also not an easy person to talk to. Seeing that, he laughed: "What? Your Highness, you're not willing to part with her?"

"How could the Prince be unwilling?" Without waiting for Xiao Jiu'an to speak, Ji Yunkai took a step forward and said, "This is your place. Is Villa Master Ye worried that I will run away?"

Xiao Jiu'an would definitely take her to exchange for Xiao Shiqing. She may not be able to count on Xiao Jiu'an, but she would need to borrow his help to leave Tranquil Water Tea Garden alive.

"Could it be that Prince Yanbei's Wife does not wish to escape?" Ye Cang Qiong did not expect Ji Yunkai to speak, so he raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Shut up." Just as Ji Yunkai opened her mouth to speak, she was interrupted by him, "Shut up, you don't have the right to speak here."

Ji Yunkai's expression was startled, the smile on her face stiffened, and her mouth opened slightly. In the end, she did not say anything, but bit her lips and retreated back into her original position.

Xiao Jiu'an did not care about her life and death, so he naturally would not let her cause too much trouble, so as to not delay her rescue.

But knowing was one thing. Emotionally, she could not accept it.

She did not regard Xiao Jiu'an as family, and also had the intention to leave him. However, she had never hurt Xiao Jiu'an, nor had she hurt Xiao Shiqing. So, what right did Xiao Jiu'an have to use her life in exchange for Xiao Shiqing's life?

Xiao Shiqing was the precious Infanta of Prince Yanbei's Mansion, if nothing could happen to her, wouldn't she, Ji Yunkai be a human? Should she be pushed out?

Ji Yunkai looked at Xiao Jiu'an's back, and felt both anger and hatred. She hated herself for being so powerless against Xiao Jiu'an.

Xiao Jiu'an did not care about what Ji Yunkai thought at all, and coldly said: "Ye Cang Qiong, let her go. This King will let Ji Yunkai go in, if not, there's no need to speak any further."

"Alright, but can you guarantee that your Princess will obediently go in?" Ye Cang Qiong was like a naughty child, and the smile on his face was extremely bright.

"That's This King's business, so there's no need for you to worry." Xiao Jiu'an's tone of voice was slow and low, carrying obvious anger within.

Unfortunately, Ye Cang Qiong did not take it seriously at all, and continued to provoke: "Tell your Princess to take three steps forward, and this Villa Master will release her."

"Ji Yunkai, go!" Xiao Jiu'an said coldly. That natural tone of his was as if Ji Yunkai was a soldier under his command and she could not disobey his orders.

"Your Highness, what right do you have to do this?" Ji Yunkai took a step forward and stood behind Xiao Jiu'an. Her tone was filled with unquenchable anger.

Xiao Jiu'an used her, without saying a word to her, for an exchange for Xiao Shiqing. Why should he ask her to take the initiative to cooperate? Why did he think that she would cooperate in the first place?

What did Xiao Jiu'an think of her?

"This King does not like to repeat the same words twice." Xiao Jiu'an spoke up again, his tone as cold as ever.

Ji Yunkai clenched both of her hands into fists, only then did she suppress the urge to beat Xiao Jiu'an up, and said with a voice that only two people could hear: "What if I don't go?"

"This King does not mind the death of a wife." Xiao Jiu'an lowered his voice as well, his tone softer than ever before. However, Ji Yunkai felt chills down her spine.

Three steps forward and the path ahead was not clear, yet she may have a chance to survive. If she did not, she would be doomed immediately. She was experienced in life and knew what she had to choose.

Ji Yunkai released her hand and slowly exhaled. She forcefully suppressed the anger in her heart and said: "Prince, after this, I hope that you can give me the most basic of respect."