After faking my death, the male lead’s cousin went crazy - Chapter 3

Shengjing, General’s Manor.

The afternoon sunlight was at its most brilliant, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. When Madam Wei woke from her nap, two plates of snacks and her favorite Biluochun tea were already waiting on the table. Wisps of white steam rose from the teapot, the bitter fragrance of the tea dispelling the last of her lingering sleepiness.

Taking tea and pastries in the afternoon was a staple habit of the noble ladies in Shengjing.

Madam Wei did not come from a prestigious background. Back then, she was merely an unfavored second daughter. Because her concubine mother died early, she was recorded under the First Madam’s name, barely clinging to the title of a “legitimate” daughter.

Legitimate or not, it was a title in name only. In her natal home, her food, clothing, and lifestyle were of the lowest grade; even the personal maids of her eldest sister dressed more decently than she did.

Fortunately, she had fought for a bright future. At that time, Master Shang was only a Deputy Commissioner. Over the years, he had risen through the ranks to become today’s Great General of the State. She had followed his ascent, becoming the General’s Madam.

Speaking of Shang Huaian, although he was somewhat cold toward her, he hadn’t brought home any flighty women over the years, nor did he keep a single concubine. In all of Shengjing, everyone envied her good fortune.

But that year, Shang Huaian returned from a victorious campaign carrying a swaddled infant. He claimed he had drunkenly fathered the child with another woman. Unfortunately, the woman had passed away after giving birth, so the child was to be recorded under Madam Wei’s name. Like her own daughters, the girl entered the clan registry and was named Rongyue.

Gradually, Madam Wei realized that her husband’s attention was entirely focused on Shang Rongyue. She had given him two sons and a daughter, yet he favored that “wild woman’s” child above all. Every time he returned from war, he visited that child first. Since her appearance, her husband spent even less time with her.

Slowly, Shang Rongyue became a thorn in Madam Wei’s side.

But it didn’t matter. Now, that thorn would never hurt her again.

At this thought, Madam Wei’s appetite opened up. The tea and pastries on the table seemed even sweeter. Taking the teacup from her maid, she instructed: “Go to the Eldest Young Master’s quarters. Ask if Wang Wu, who was sent to deliver the ‘package,’ has returned yet.”

Back on the mountain, Wang Wu, having recaptured Shang Rongyue, was beaming with joy. He clasped his hands toward Gu Wan and laughed. “Is that so! As the saying goes, ‘Better to destroy ten temples than to break one marriage.’ What you’ve done today, Young Master, is truly an act of great merit!”

Gu Wan didn’t reply. She turned her back silently, appearing as though she no longer wished to involve herself in this mess.

Wang Wu chuckled awkwardly. Seeing that the “Young Master” had no intention of entertaining him, his smile faded. He signaled his subordinates to drag the struggling Shang Rongyue down the mountain.

Shang Rongyue fought with all her might, but the two drivers were weathered laborers. Their rugged strength was not something a pampered lady could overcome. Tears streaked down her face. Is this really how it ends today?

The wedding carriage was parked at the foot of the hill. Shang Rongyue saw herself being forced back toward that red wagon—a vessel that symbolized the end of her life. To her, the red silk draping the carriage looked as though it had been dyed in her own blood.

Flaming. Piercing.

“No!”

Just as she was about to be shoved into this red “hearse,” Shang Rongyue used the last of her strength to struggle. Her sleeve tore with a harsh, rasping sound. Seeing the wedding dress damaged, the drivers hesitated for a moment, fearing they’d have to pay for the garment if it was ruined.

Wang Wu cursed them for being “useless” and stepped forward to pin her down himself.

At that split second, a sharp whistle cut through the air.

A signal arrow pierced the sunset and buried itself squarely into Wang Wu’s arm—the one pinning Shang Rongyue’s shoulder.

It happened in a flash. When Shang Rongyue looked back, the female bandit hadn’t even lowered her recurve bow. A second arrow was already notched and aimed.

It wasn’t aimed at her, but at one of the drivers.

As the burly man collapsed in pain, the other driver saw the arrowhead pointed directly at his forehead. Forgetting all about Shang Rongyue, he yelped in terror, tripped over himself, and scrambled away to save his own skin. For a measly two silver coins, risking his life wasn’t worth it.

Shang Rongyue collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air.

I did it. I won the bet.

A dark crowd of armed men surrounded them. Seeing his subordinates flee and his arm injured, Wang Wu realized things were going south. He drew a curved blade hidden in the carriage and swung it around, pressing it against Shang Rongyue’s throat.

“Did the Fourth Miss really think a wild brat you just met could change your fate?”

“Think about it, Miss. If you marry into the Zheng family, you are the legal wife. You only have to serve Old Man Zheng. But if you follow these bandits… I’ve heard there are no rules in a bandit’s den. What’s the difference between you and a prostitute then?”

The cold blade against her skin said more than his words ever could. “I suggest the Fourth Miss thinks carefully. It’s better to get in the carriage quietly.”

Wang Wu figured if he drove fast enough, he might still break through. But the people surrounding the mountain were efficient; in the blink of an eye, they had him trapped.

“You aren’t going anywhere,” Gu Wan said, stepping out from the crowd. Her hand behind her back still gripped the bow. In a flat, detached tone, she declared his fate: “Leave the person and the goods behind.”

The “bandits” closed in, pinning Wang Wu down. Finally free, Shang Rongyue let out a breath of relief.

But at that moment, the restrained Wang Wu suddenly looked up with a feral glare at Gu Wan. “You pretty-boy brat! I was roaming the underworld while you were still wetting your bed!”

Wang Wu wasn’t ready to give up. He had one final trump card. Before leaving, the Madam had told him: the world is chaotic. If any accident happens on the road, ensure one thing—leave no survivors.

Shang Rongyue could marry into the Zheng family, or she could die on the road. But the moment she stepped out of the Shang gates, there was no turning back. Madam Wei would never allow her to set foot in the manor again.

Hidden under Wang Wu’s tongue was a tiny bamboo tube. With a sharp puff of air, a poisoned silver needle could be fired.

He didn’t want the bandit leader to win. Originally, this hidden weapon was meant for Shang Rongyue, but Wang Wu changed his mind. If the leader died, Shang Rongyue’s fate would be miserable. Simply killing the girl would be too easy on the bandit who had gone back on his word.

Wang Wu took aim at Gu Wan.

In that instant, a sharp glint of silver reflected the sunset, flashing across Shang Rongyue’s clear eyes. She saw Wang Wu tilt his chin, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Sensing his intent, Shang Rongyue panicked. The woman standing before Wang Wu was her only protection. If anything happened to her…

As the needle flew, Shang Rongyue didn’t think. She lunged in front of the woman in the black silk robe.

“Watch out!”

A sudden breeze gusted, causing the projectile aimed at Gu Wan to flutter and veer off course. The needle shifted, plunging into Shang Rongyue’s shoulder instead.

The cold, sharp point pierced her skin. The festive red wedding dress began to darken as it grew damp with blood.

It hurt. It hurt so much. Like ten thousand ants gnawing at a wound—a bone-deep, heart-piercing agony.

Shang Rongyue collapsed. Luckily, a pair of arms caught her before she could hit the ground.

In that same moment, Gu Wan had realized Wang Wu’s trick. Her arm snapped up, and a hidden sleeve-arrow flew out, piercing Wang Wu’s throat. He died instantly.

If not for that gust of wind, Gu Wan might not have been able to dodge in time. But in that moment, the girl in the wedding dress had already thrown herself forward to take the blow for her.

Amidst her shock, Gu Wan held the falling girl. The wound was already a dark, bruised red. The girl’s beautiful face lost its color, turning deathly pale. Her long lashes fluttered as if they weighed a thousand pounds, finally closing tight.

But just before she lost consciousness, Gu Wan heard her murmur with her final bit of strength:

“Good…”

“I’m glad… you’re okay…”