Oops! My Inner Thoughts Are Ruining The Plot

Chapter 176: Chapter

By early evening, Grand Duke Xi Jianyu had already mounted his horse and ridden out toward the Northern Pass with his army.

Shortly after his departure, Old Madam Xi called all the women of the estate to the family ancestral hall. Incense smoke filled the cool air as the matriarch led the Duchess, Aunt Ronghua, and the young ladies in quiet prayers—begging the ancestors to protect the Grand Duke and return Wenzhe home safely.

Yueqing, however, did not join them in the ancestral hall.

While the family prayed, she went straight to her courtyard and ordered the stable master to prepare a sturdy carriage and horses.

Lu Yue hurried behind her, her face filled with anxiety as she watched the footmen hook up the horses. "Madam! Where are we going at this hour? Old Madam expects everyone in the ancestral hall!"

"Prepare the carriage, Lu Yue," Yueqing said firmly, her voice leaving no room for argument. "We are going to my family’s estate. I am going to see my father."

Lu Yue blinked in surprise. "The Su family estate?"

Yueqing nodded. Though she had never met the original Su Yueqing’s father and older brothers in person, she remembered the web novel’s script clearly. Her father was the Grand Chancellor, holding immense political sway over the court. Her two older brothers were known throughout the capital as powerful, ruthless maniacs whom nobody dared to cross. Yet, both of them, along with their father, had completely doted on Su Yueqing since she was a baby. If anyone had the private resources, influence, and sheer ruthlessness to search for Wenzhe without caring about the Emperor’s restricted military orders, it was her maiden family.

"They have the power and the men," Yueqing explained softly, her eyes set. "They can help us look for Wenzhe while the Grand Duke holds the pass."

Lu Yue understood instantly and nodded quickly. "I will tell the driver to move as fast as possible!"

Before Lu Yue could run off to arrange the footmen, Yueqing caught her arm and handed her a tightly folded paper, sealed with red wax.

"Take this letter," Yueqing instructed, her tone dropping low. "Have a trusted messenger ride out tonight and deliver it directly to the Third Prince, Xiao Chen. He is still near the northern border. Tell him he must use his personal guards to search for Wenzhe secretly."

Lu Yue took the letter, but her eyes filled with deep worry as she looked at her mistress’s pale face.

"Madam... please," Lu Yue pleaded gently, holding Yueqing’s cold hands. "You haven’t eaten a single bite of food all day, and your ribs are still healing. You are going to collapse if you keep pushing yourself like this. Let me bring you a warm bowl of soup before we leave."

Yueqing gently shook her head, pulling her fur cloak tighter around her chest.

"I am fine, Lu Yue," Yueqing said, her voice steady despite the faint pain in her side. "Food can wait. Just focus on the tasks I gave you. Send the letter immediately, and get the carriage ready."

Lu Yue bit her lip, knowing she could not change her mistress’s mind. She tucked the letter securely into her sleeve and hurried away to carry out her orders.

....

The carriage rolled through the quiet streets, stopping before the grand gates of the Su estate. Tall red pillars and heavy iron doors stood under the dark evening sky, guarded by men in sharp black robes who carried themselves with deadly quietness.

When the head guard recognized the carriage emblem and saw Yueqing step out, his strict face softened instantly. Without asking a single question, he ordered the gates thrown open and sent a servant running inside to inform the master.

Yueqing pulled her thick cloak tighter around her waist, wincing slightly as a dull ache shot through her ribs. Lu Yue hovered close beside her, holding her arm to steady her steps.

As they crossed the main courtyard, heavy footsteps echoed along the wooden walkway. Three tall figures hurried out to meet them.

At the front was Grand Chancellor Su, a man with sharp, dark eyes and an imposing aura that made court officials tremble. Walking closely behind him were her two older brothers, Su Feng and Su Yu, men known across the capital as unpredictable, ruthless maniacs who handled the Chancellor’s darkest private matters.

Yet, the moment their eyes fell on Yueqing’s pale face, all three men lost their cold, dangerous expressions.

"Yueqing!" Chancellor Su called out, his deep voice filled with immediate concern as he rushed forward, gently taking her by the shoulders. "My daughter! What are you doing out in the cold night? Why didn’t you send word first?"

"Little sister!" Su Feng, the eldest brother, stepped in, his sharp eyes quickly scanning her from head to toe. "Look how pale you are! Who dared to let you travel in this state? Where are the Su family guards I gave you?"

Su Yu, her second brother, narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping into a dangerous, icy tone. "Did the Xi family mistreat you? Did someone in that mansion make you cry? Give me a name, sister, and I will tear their gates down before midnight."

Yueqing looked at the three powerful men surrounding her, feeling a sudden wave of warmth in her chest. The original novel was right, these three terrifying figures really did adore her completely.

"Father, First Brother, Second Brother," Yueqing said softly, her voice raspy as she shook her head. "Nobody mistreated me. I came here tonight because I need your help."

Chancellor Su frowned, gently patting her hand. "Whatever you need, child, it is yours. Come inside out of the wind first."

"There is no time to rest, Father," Yueqing pressed, her eyes looking directly into his. "News from the Northern Pass reached the capital today. The advance unit was ambushed, and Wenzhe is missing. The Emperor has ordered the Grand Duke to take over the border defense, which means the Xi family cannot send out their own troops to search for him."

The three men froze, exchanging a quick, sharp look.

Su Yu let out a low, cold scoff. "That old fox on the throne... using the border crisis to keep the Xi family’s hands tied."

"Father," Yueqing continued, her voice tight with quiet desperation. "The imperial army will not search for my husband, but you have private shadow guards and networks across the northern territories. I am asking you to use them. Please... find Wenzhe and bring him back."

Chancellor Su looked down at his daughter’s pale, determined face. He cared little for the Xi family or the General, but seeing the deep distress in his precious daughter’s eyes, his expression softened completely.

He placed a heavy, reassuring hand on her head.

"Say no more, Yueqing," Chancellor Su said calmly, his sharp eyes gleaming with absolute authority. "If you want him found, he will be found."

He turned his head toward Su Feng and Su Yu, his voice instantly turning cold and commanding. "Feng, Yu. Gather our best shadow trackers tonight. Dispatch two hundred men to the Northern Pass immediately. Move quietly, avoid the imperial army, and search every inch of that valley."

"Understood, Father," Su Feng replied, a dangerous grin spreading across his face as he adjusted his sword belt.

"We will bring the General back, little sister," Su Yu added gently to Yueqing, though his eyes burned with ruthless energy. "Dead or alive, no one hides from the Su family."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!