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The wedding date of Xin'er and Leng Yixuan was drawing closer. In just five days, they would be tying the knot.
As the days passed, Cold Manor became increasingly lively, with servants bustling about from early morning.
Seeing this, Xin'er felt her heart tighten with anxiety.
Perhaps it was the impending wedding that made her so nervous.
Even at night, she found herself restless and unable to sleep.
Noticing her distress, Leng Yixuan understood her tension and suggested that she should spend time outside the manor each day instead of staying cooped up inside.
Without the atmosphere of the manor surrounding her, she might feel less anxious.
Moreover, seeing Xin'er struggle with sleepless nights pained Leng Yixuan as well.
Taking Leng Yixuan's advice to heart, Xin'er decided to leave the royal residence with Xiao Huan for a shopping trip, just five days before the wedding.
It was already May, and the weather was becoming increasingly hot.
However, the capital city, being the emperor's domain, remained bustling with activity. Even at this time of year, the streets were filled with people and luxury carriages coming and going.
On the cobblestone road, six or seven carriages moved forward side by side without feeling crowded.
Looking down the main street, one could see it stretching endlessly into the distance.
On both sides of the street, shops lined up, with two rows of towering trees planted along the way.
The branches were lush and green, blocking out the sunlight from outside.
A gentle breeze blew, bringing a refreshing coolness.
Xin'er and Xiao Huan had been shopping for the whole morning and were feeling tired.
So, Xiao Huan suggested they stop by a nearby inn to sit down and grab something to eat.
Upon hearing this, Xin'er thought it was a good idea.
After all, after a whole morning of shopping, she was exhausted.
Her stomach was also growling with hunger.
Thus, Xin'er followed Xiao Huan into an inn named 'Yue Lai'.
At that moment, it was noon, the busiest time for the inn.
As Xin'er and her companion entered the inn and looked around, they saw that the first floor lobby was already packed with people, with no empty seats available.
Seeing this, Xiao Huan frowned and spoke up.
"Ah, it's peak dining time now. It seems this inn has no seats left. Madam, why don't we try another place to eat?"
"Well, it seems this is the only option."
Upon hearing Xiao Huan's words, Xin'er nodded and prepared to leave for another place.
However, just at that moment, a waiter hurriedly approached Xin'er. Bowing slightly, he flashed a professional smile and addressed them.
"Are these two young ladies here to dine?"
"Yes, we are. But I thought you were out of tables?" Xin'er replied.
The waiter immediately responded, "Not at all! How could we be out? You two are quite lucky; a table just became available as someone finished their meal. I'll clean it up right away so you can sit."
"Ah, thank you for your help," Xin'er said, exchanging delighted glances with Xiao Huan. They followed the waiter to a window-side table and sat down.
After ordering several dishes and a pot of Longjing tea, Xin'er and Xiao Huan settled in to wait for their food.
Although Xiao Huan referred to Xin'er as "madam" in public, their relationship felt more like that of friends or sisters. So at this moment, they sat together comfortably, sharing whatever food was brought to them.
As they waited for their meals to arrive, both Xin'er and Xiao Huan quietly surveyed their surroundings.
In the middle of the inn, there was a stage where a thin, small man with a handlebar mustache held a folding fan in one hand and spoke animatedly.
At first glance, it was clear that he was a storyteller.
Below him, several patrons were enjoying their meals while listening intently.
Xin'er, feeling a bit bored, decided to join the others in listening to the storyteller's tale.
"You may not know this, but in the martial world, there exists a nefarious group known as the Evil One Sect. They commit heinous acts, engaging in robbery and violence, and are utterly unforgivable. They oppose the imperial court, which has led the Emperor to issue an edict to eradicate the Evil One Sect. Anyone associated with them is to be punished severely. However, every member of the Evil One Sect possesses formidable martial skills, so the Emperor has ordered that anyone seen from this sect must not be spared!"
As the storyteller spoke, some patrons began to jeer from below.
"Old Nine, we all know about this already! Can you tell us something new?"
"Yeah, yeah! Share something fresh! If it's good, this meal is on me today!"
Hearing the crowd's uproar, the storyteller known as Old Nine chuckled and made a gesture for everyone to calm down before addressing them.
"Everyone, please listen to me, Old Nine! I am famously well-informed. While I know you are all familiar with these matters, what I want to share today is the most thrilling insider information about the Evil One Sect!"
"The most thrilling insider information!? Hurry up and tell us!"
"Yes, yes! Let’s hear it!"
The crowd's curiosity was piqued by Old Nine's words. Seeing this reaction, a smug smile crept onto his face, but he did not immediately continue speaking.
He picked up a cup of tea from the table and took a sip, furrowing his brow as he spoke.
"This tea is terrible."
Upon hearing Old Nine's words, those below understood immediately. Someone, impatient, quickly called for the waiter to bring a pot of fine tea.
At that moment, Old Nine finally took a satisfying sip of the tea and continued speaking.
"What I’m about to share is some exciting insider information regarding the Evil One Sect Leader! It is said that the Evil One Sect Leader has a daughter who has been missing for sixteen years. He has only this one daughter and has been searching for her whereabouts all this time. Despite searching for a full sixteen years without success, he still hasn’t given up. I also heard that the Evil One Sect Leader's daughter has a butterfly-shaped birthmark on her shoulder."
"A butterfly-shaped birthmark!?"
Upon hearing Old Nine's words, the crowd began to murmur among themselves.
"No wonder they can’t find her; with that birthmark on her shoulder, who would notice? Are those from the Evil One Sect going to tear off the girl’s clothes one by one to look for it!?"
"Exactly..."
As people continued to discuss, the conversation gradually turned into crude jokes.
However, while everyone was engrossed in their discussion, no one noticed at the table by the window—
"Madam, what’s wrong!? Why does your face look so pale all of a sudden? Are you feeling unwell!?"
Xiao Huan, who had been listening intently, turned around and was startled to see Xin'er looking so pale. He quickly exclaimed in concern.
Yet at that moment, Xin'er seemed not to hear Xiao Huan at all; she just sat there in a daze.
In her mind, the words of the storyteller kept echoing.
—It is said that the Evil One Sect Leader has a daughter who has been missing for sixteen years. The Evil One Sect Leader has only this one daughter, and he has been searching for her whereabouts all this time. Despite searching for a full sixteen years, he still hasn’t given up. I also heard that the Evil One Sect Leader's daughter has a butterfly-shaped birthmark on her shoulder.
A butterfly-shaped birthmark...
How could this be!?
She was clearly the child of her mother and father, wasn’t she!?
But why does she also have a butterfly-shaped birthmark on her shoulder!?
And why is it such a coincidence that she is also sixteen years old, just like the Evil One Sect Leader's daughter!?
Could it be!?
No, it can’t be! It can’t be like this!
Xin'er felt a whirlwind of confusion in her heart, and her emotions were in turmoil, causing her face to turn as pale as paper, looking frightening.
Seeing this, Xiao Huan was even more alarmed.
She immediately rushed to Xin'er's side, grasping her hand and anxiously asking, "Madam, what happened to you!? Oh my, your face..."
Hearing Xiao Huan's exclamation, Xin'er, who had been lost in her own thoughts, was startled back to reality.
The teacup in her hand suddenly slipped and fell to the ground.
With a loud crash, the clear sound echoed through the room.
In an instant, the once bustling inn fell into complete silence.
All eyes swiftly turned to Xin'er.
As she met their gazes, Xin'er's heart leaped into her throat.
A wave of fear and panic surged within her.
Before Xiao Huan could respond, Xin'er shot up from her seat like an arrow released from a bow, racing toward the inn's exit.
At that moment, she had no desire to stay there any longer.
The stares of the crowd felt terrifying, as if they could see right through her!
Xin'er, feeling flustered and pale, dashed out of the inn without caring about the strange looks from those around her.
Xiao Huan, coming back to her senses, felt her heart race as she followed after Xin'er.
However, she was stopped midway by someone.
"Hey, hey! Miss, you haven't paid your bill yet!"
"Here, here!"
Upon hearing the Waiter's words, Xiao Huan immediately pulled out some silver from her pouch and threw it to the Waiter before rushing out of the inn.
However, when Xiao Huan burst onto the street, she was met with a sea of people, and there was no sign of Xin'er anywhere!
Seeing this, Xiao Huan was completely panicked.
"Madam, where are you!? Madam..."
Xiao Huan was so flustered that she didn't know what to do. She quickly plunged into the crowd, searching for any trace of Xin'er.
Her heart raced with anxiety.
What if something happened to the Madam!?
If something were to happen to her, she would have to face her master with her head held high, wouldn't she!?
Thinking of this made Xiao Huan's face turn bitter.
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