Chapter 697 - 698: Breaking the Cage

Chapter 697: Chapter 698: Breaking the Cage

Xiao Jiayi pushed hard against the window, trying to get a better look. But the servants had already partially boarded it up with wooden planks, and it wouldn’t budge an inch.

She went straight to the door and started pounding on it.

"Someone! Let me out! Let me out now!"

The guards in the courtyard heard the commotion and glanced back, but they had far more pressing concerns than Xiao Jiayi. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

—News had already spread throughout the entire mansion! The Marquis had been taken away by the Imperial Army!

The implication was self-evident.

For the magnificent Marquis Zhongyong to be escorted to the palace by the Imperial Army... it could only mean that the great house of the Xie Family was on the verge of collapse!

"What are you standing around for? Run! If we get dragged into this, it’ll be our heads on the chopping block!"

"Exactly! If the Marquis can’t even save himself, what chance do we have?"

"Sigh... I have no idea what’s happening. How could the fortunes of the Marquis Mansion change so drastically overnight?"

The chaotic, panicked voices drifted over, and Xiao Jiayi caught bits and pieces of their conversation.

Her suspicions grew stronger—’It must be that Xie Anjun’s deeds have been exposed!’

For the Imperial Army to come and "escort" someone away so openly, there was no other explanation.

Xiao Jiayi felt a rush of excitement and vindication. She hammered on the door a few more times, but still couldn’t get it open.

She bit her lip, a wave of anxiety washing over her.

Ever since she was locked up here, her health had deteriorated day by day. If not for the deep-seated desire for revenge that sustained her, she might not have made it this long.

’She’d waited so long for this moment. How could she be satisfied if she couldn’t enjoy the show!?’

Besides, and more importantly, there was—

"Mother—!"

Suddenly, a crying voice called out from outside.

Startled, Xiao Jiayi ran back to the window and looked out. The next moment, she saw Xie Yulin running toward her, his face streaked with tears.

His clothes were in disarray, as if he hadn’t even had time to dress properly.

Xiao Jiayi’s heart leaped into her throat. "Lin’er!"

Hearing her voice, Xie Yulin finally made out the familiar face behind the narrow crack in the window.

She was far more haggard, but it was undoubtedly his mother, whom he hadn’t seen in so long!

"Mother!"

Xie Yulin ran forward, crying harder. His small chest heaved violently, the picture of panic and distress.

"Mother, I’ve finally found you! I... I—"

Xiao Jiayi instinctively reached out to hug him, but the gap was too narrow to even fit her arm through.

Helpless, her eyes red-rimmed, she could only comfort him in a gentle voice. "It’s alright, Lin’er. Mother’s here. Why did you come here all by yourself? Where is everyone else?"

Wiping his tears, Xie Yulin sobbed, "They... I don’t know where they went... I... I heard they arrested Father. Mother, I’m so scared!"

Bitterness and rage welled up in Xiao Jiayi’s heart, but she forced it all down.

"Don’t be afraid, Lin’er. Mother’s here, alright?"

With that, she turned and scanned the room. Mustering strength from who-knows-where, she grabbed a chair and smashed it violently against the door!

CRASH—BANG!

The locked door actually burst open!

But the effort exhausted all of Xiao Jiayi’s strength. Her body swayed, and she pitched forward!

Xie Yulin cried out in alarm and rushed over. "Mother!"

The crying in his voice grew more frantic.

"Mother, Mother, are you okay?"

Xiao Jiayi felt a warm stream trickling silently down her forehead.

She slowly raised a hand to touch it. It felt sticky, with the coppery-sweet smell of blood. Her hand came away bright red.

Her forehead had struck a splintered piece of the broken door, opening a large gash.

In the blink of an eye, blood was pouring from the wound.