The rumbling thunder roared continuously, exploding outside the skylight. Then came the sound of heavy rain pouring down.
The dungeon was damp, and the rotten straw on the floor emitted a musty smell.
"Lady Peisina's retrieval of her biological son has almost thrown the entire Aslan court into chaos."
"It's strange. How could Lady Peisina lose her own son?"
A large cell was filled with former acquaintances from the underground palace. Perhaps out of boredom or due to people's gossipy nature, they often whispered when the jailer was absent, discussing the possible outcome of this matter.
Listening to their chatter, I yawned repeatedly. What was there to discuss? It wouldn't lead to any definite conclusion. It would be better to find a nice corner and get some sleep. Maybe when I woke up, they would have clarified the truth and released those of us who were wrongly suspected as spies.
Thinking of this, I unconsciously touched the money bag in my pocket. Fortunately, the bag of gold coins was still there.
With the thought of having money, my mood relaxed a great deal.
"I heard that Lord Yalunde was poisoned dozens of times as soon as he returned to the Count's mansion," a sleazy man said with a gloating tone. "It seems that being the son of a count is not that easy."
"Who were the poisoners?"
"Who knows?" The sleazy man said nonchalantly. "I heard that more than a dozen of his maids have been replaced and also executed."
Everyone gasped.
I was also startled and thought that perhaps my imprisonment this time could be considered a blessing in disguise. Not being his maid anymore, at least I escaped a deadly fate.
Just as everyone was engaged in lively discussion, suddenly a series of orderly footsteps were heard outside the cell, approaching from afar and coming in our direction. Instantly, everyone fell silent. The dozen or so people who had been gathered together quickly dispersed and hid in the dark corners.
Generally speaking, the darker the place, the more people gathered. The place where I hid was the most crowded. Everyone thought it was the safest.
The cell door clanged open, and a guard shouted, "Li Yuexi."
"Yes," I replied in a trembling whisper.
"Come out."
I was startled and then staggered to my feet, taking small steps and walking out. Outside the cell, a dozen guards surrounded me. The tall leader looked me up and down. I was covered in dirt and had a few straws in my hair. There was a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Li Yuexi?"
"Yes." I was as deferential as a servant, answering with great respect.
"Follow me."
I followed the lead guard, with a large group of guards following behind. My heart was in turmoil, not knowing whether this journey would bring good or bad fortune.
The guards led me to the ground outside the cell. The rain was pouring down. We walked through the rain. In the hazy rain and fog, I saw a vast expanse of green lawn, a beautiful and vivid garden with the fragrance of roses and roses wafting towards me. I wondered if I had arrived in heaven or a world in an oil painting.
Not far away, several tall, creamy-white villas stood. The spires and domes intersected, somewhat resembling ancient medieval churches. Beneath the long French windows of these "churches" were blooming pink roses and Chinese roses, mixed with purple flower buds. From a distance, it looked like a beautiful European oil painting, so beautiful that it took one's breath away.
There was also a lake in front of the villas, and a very delicate wooden suspension bridge was built over the lake. The sides of the suspension bridge were engraved with exquisite patterns and some curvy words. I followed the guards across the bridge and entered a domed villa.
As soon as I stepped into the house, the luxurious and beautiful hall immediately made me feel small and ordinary. It was truly magnificent! The high ceiling, the wide walls covered with purple wallpaper, the soft pink carpet that made one want to lie down and sleep soundly, and the golden, shiny, and tall fireplace with purple-red flames burning inside. I felt as if I had suddenly traveled through time and space and arrived in the French court in a history book.
A chubby, pure-white Persian cat scurried past my feet with a meow. Its long tail swept across my leg, making me step back a few paces. I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead. This cat was probably a precious breed. If I accidentally stepped on it, I might have to pay for it.
The guards left me here, and I stood alone in the hall, feeling uneasy.
At this moment, a silver door on the left side of the hall opened, and a large group of beautiful maids walked out gracefully. They all carefully surrounded a noblewoman in a magnificent purple robe.