The Birth of a Villainess

"What are you planning to do?" Yu Fangzhu could not help himself from asking.

Lin Xiaofei, however, did not turn around and give him the answer he was looking for as she continued to walk forward. Tied up with a rope tightly and guarded by Gu Yan, the duke's henchman, Yu Fangzhu could not do anything even if he wanted to.

The henchman was seen beside Qu Xing Xu every single time and the prince doubted that that old man was an ordinary one. He should be at least an expert in military arts and knew how to suppress countless men. And with him guarding the prince - not to protect him, but to prevent him from doing anything foolish - one could say that Yu Fangzhu could tell that the henchman would undoubtedly butcher him if he even slightly did something to Lin Xiaofei.

"Is it in this corner?" Lin Xiaofei suddenly asked, stopping as they reached their destination.

Gu Yan stared at the metal door before them, "Yes, milady. You should be able to find that 'thing' inside that room."

Nodding in delight, Lin Xiaofei was definitely looking forward to what was behind that door. 

Flashback. 15 minutes earlier.

"Why would Qu Xing Xu go there alone? Why didn't he take you and the others along with him?" Qu Xing Xu had gone to the Bai family according to what Gu Yan told her just now. Lin Xiaofei was confused why he had gone alone.

It was not because she underestimated his abilities and strength. She was just worried that the Bai family would do something, a trick, or perhaps, they have already seen this coming and hence, they were prepared for his retaliation and gathered a few hundreds of men to attack him. And with no one to support him, even Qu Xing Xu, the man proclaimed God of War by many, could not easily get out alive without getting severe wounds after the heated battle.

"You need to send your men now! Qu Xing Xu might be facing the Bai family's armies inside their mansion and needed your help." She strongly ordered him. 

Gu Yan stared at her. Surprised that she had the knowledge of the armies stationed inside the Bai mansion. Not even most of the royal family members knew of this fact and only important figures knew and overlooked it. Even Emperor Yun let them be after knowing it and didn't say a complaint seeing how the Bai family supported him from behind the scene.

That was why it was shocking and confusing how a young lady, barely passing her second decade living in the world would know of this truth. Did General Lin trust his granddaughter so much so that he even told her about this?

"How did milady know that there are armies inside the Bai residence? Not even your uncles knew about it." Gu Yan asked out of curiosity.

Lin Xiaofei glared at him. Was it even important? She thought before she finally answered, "I accidentally overheard my grandfather in the past." Seeing how he still wanted to know more, she further and detailedly added, "It was a few years ago, when the emperor came to our Lin residence and went to personally ask a favor from grandfather to battle against the Xiong'nu army in the West. The emperor mentioned the Bai family will join the battle. My grandfather was shocked to know that they actually had their own army inside their residence."

What Lin Xiaofei said was not a lie. She may not possess any memories that the previous owner have, but the small locked box that she got from Bai Lu before she went to the Qu residence contained a very important item where the memories of the real Lin Xiaofei were stored. Everything she has done, what the people around her have said and did to her, to the things she's seen and heard and felt, everything was written there. It was a simple diary but a very comprehensive one too.

"Anyway, the Bai family's army should have multiplied its numbers since it has been a few years and I doubt they wouldn't take this chance to gain more people to their side." Lin Xiaofei added. "That is why, you need to send someone or even bring out the Qu family's army! He needs your support!"

Gu Yan finally believed her and said, "Milady, you don't have to worry. My lord will not be harmed by anyone and he has enough help as he could get by now. He doesn't need the Qu army nor his own personal armies."

"But…" Lin Xiaofei sighed exasperatedly. What could a lone man do anyway against hundreds upon hundreds of enemy soldiers with their swords? 

Glaring at the old man before her, Lin Xiaofei wanted to strangle the old man. She wondered if it would ease the worry of swimming inside her and diving deep in her stomach.

"If anything happens to my husband, I shall have your and your men's head on a pike." She leveled her eyes to his, warning and threatening the old man.

She turned around, her long black hair that was let down to fall behind her back almost slapped Gu Yan to the face if he hadn't evaded it. 

"Take me to the underground bas.e.m.e.nt. I wish to see how our royal dog is doing." 

Gu Yan knew that Yu Fangzhu was kept inside the dungeon underground. Although he didn't wish for the duchess to come to such a dirty and dark place, if he dared to lecture her about it and stop her, Lin Xiaofei's threat and promise shouldn't be too far.

"Yes, your highness."

"With a door above?" Gu Yan repeated.

"Yes."

Gu Yan furrowed his brows, thinking of such a cage or prison room. Then, he found his answer, "There is one such a cage, but it's not for hu-... it's not usually used. Master hasn't even tried to put anyone inside that." Well, there are other and more scary cages that his master still hasn't used, Gu Yan thought to himself.

Lin Xiaofei nodded with satisfaction and smiled mysteriously, "That is good enough and I think that cage will be put into good use now."