Chapter 43: Faking His Death to Escape

Hearing these words, Zhang Zihe was naturally overjoyed. Knowing that his beloved would no longer have to suffer this ordeal meant more to him than anything else in the world.

However, Sun Liancheng stood up at that moment, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Zihe, although our two families are of a longstanding friendship, some boundaries must still be respected. My daughter must be married into your family properly, with a formal matchmaker and a grand procession stretching for miles. If even a single thing is missing, I will not agree to it."

As Sun Liancheng spoke, Zhang Zihe clearly sensed a hint of a threat. Yet, upon reflection, it was entirely reasonable. While he was no longer destitute, he was still not quite a social match for the Suns.

Loving someone sincerely does not mean simply deceiving everyone and running away with them; it means affording the other person the respect they rightfully deserve.

Zhang Zihe immediately dropped to his knees and swore an oath, "Everything I have done is solely to help Qingyu escape. Until I meet your requirements, Uncle, I swear I will never overstep the bounds by even the slightest margin."

Sun Liancheng nodded with satisfaction. "I am already consoled just knowing you harbor such thoughts. Remember the words you have spoken. If you fail to deliver, I might just turn hostile and refuse to recognize any ties."

With this matter largely settled, Zhang Zihe and Ning Ye prepared to leave the Sun residence, while Sun Qingyu still had to play the part of a corpse a little longer.

News of the event spread by that very evening, and by early the next morning, the Sun estate was draped in the white mourning garments of the dead.

Despite such a tragedy having occurred, the young prince showed no intention of showing his face. Instead, the one who came was his scholar subordinate, Chu Yuesheng.

After going through the formal rituals of offering condolences, Chu Yuesheng went straight to find Sun Liancheng.

"My condolences to the Family Head Sun. My prince never expected such a tragedy to occur and specifically sent me here to express his apologies."

Sun Liancheng replied with a cold, expressionless face, "I accept Mister Chu's apology. If there is nothing else, I must go and keep my daughter company."

Chu Yuesheng then said, "I have also come bearing another command from the prince, which is to personally verify whether your young lady is truly dead, so as to prevent any suspicion of faking her death to escape."

"Audacious! Chu Yuesheng, do you take the Sun family for a house of nobodies? To desecrate my daughter to this extent—do you have a death wish?"

Following Sun Liancheng's angry roar, a dozen estate guards rushed out, each wielding a club. It was abundantly clear that Sun Liancheng's temper today was foul beyond measure.

Chu Yuesheng narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew that acting this way was indeed improper, but he had no choice; his master's commands had to be carried out.

"Family Head Sun, I merely wish to take a single look, and I shall do nothing else. If you refuse, and the prince is angered, you surely know the consequences."

Emerging from who knows where, the Third Great-Uncle immediately stepped forward and said, "Mister Chu, you are indeed going too far with this. We will allow you just one look, but once you have looked, you must leave the Sun residence immediately."

Sun Liancheng said with bitter resentment, "Since when did I ever need you to make decisions on my behalf?"

The Third Great-Uncle grabbed Sun Liancheng tightly by the arm. "I know you are furious, but you must endure this now. We have reached the final stretch, and I do not wish for you to drag the Sun family into utter ruin."

Gritting his teeth, Sun Liancheng muttered, "Through this ordeal, Third Great-Uncle, I have finally realized that there is not a shred of genuine family affection left among you people. Today will be the very last time I make a concession."

With the obstructions removed, Chu Yuesheng walked up to the coffin and looked down at Sun Qingyu lying inside. He gently pressed his hand beneath her nose, confirming there was not the slightest trace of breath, and then felt her skin, which remained chillingly cold.

At this point, Chu Yuesheng was completely convinced that the vibrant young lady of the Sun family was truly dead, with no trace of deception.

Sun Liancheng said coldly, "My daughter will be buried tomorrow. I wonder if Mister Chu intends to come and verify it once more then?"

Chu Yuesheng cupped his fist and said, "I have offended you today, but I will find a way to make amends in the future. This was also the will of my prince. I shall take my leave now, and as for tomorrow's affairs, there will be no need for me to return."

With matters having progressed this far, the subsequent steps would naturally fall into place without the slightest hitch.

By the evening of the next day, Ning Ye had already led Zhang Zihe and several guards out from the forest. They had slipped out of the city on the very day of the funeral, and now, to avoid detection, they had no choice but to dig up the Sun young lady in the dead of night.

There had only been two pills of suspended animation; if they exceeded the time limit, even someone of Ning Ye's medical prowess would be powerless to save her.

After unearthing the entire grave, they promptly pried open the coffin lid. Sun Qingyu, lying within, still bore no outward signs of life, though Ning Ye knew very well that, according to the timing, she should awaken in about an hour.

As Ning Ye lifted Sun Qingyu out of the coffin, he noticed two large bags of gold and silver treasures placed inside—evidently left behind by Sun Liancheng as funds for his daughter's new life.

Leading Sun Qingyu, the group prepared to head straight back to Qingyuan County. Zhang Zihe carried Sun Qingyu on his back the entire way, his face fraught with anxiety, as she had been unconscious for quite some time now and still showed no signs of waking.

Ning Ye reassured him, "Rest assured, I am never unreliable. Just wait a little longer, and I guarantee your beloved will wake up without the slightest problem."

Zhang Zihe nodded and said, "Since Young Master Ning has said so, of course I believe you."

Just as Ning Ye and the others were about to step onto the main road, Ning Ye suddenly made a hand gesture signaling a halt, and every member of the group froze in their tracks instantly.

In the distance, the newly risen sun cast a faint ray of light, yet it was utterly powerless to dispel the surrounding darkness.

Ning Ye raised his voice and called out, "I presume you gentlemen have been waiting here specifically for us. Since you've already been spotted, why not step out and talk?"

"To think that a single person could possess such sharp senses. Truly impressive."

Soon enough, figures began to emerge from behind several large trees. A dozen men dressed in black stealthily formed a loose formation, surrounding Ning Ye and his party right in the center.

Ning Ye asked calmly, "Are you gentlemen blocking the road for wealth, or are you acting on someone's orders? Can you at least let me die with some clarity?"

"My boy, what a pity—I cannot grant you that chance. But I promise that when we kill you shortly, we will be quick about it and won't let you feel any pain."

Ning Ye swept his gaze across the group. There were fifteen men in total. He had four guards with him, alongside Zhang Zihe and Sun Qingyu, both of whom needed protection. If Ning Ye himself had to engage in direct combat, complications were bound to arise.