Chapter 19: (19) Encountering Bandits on the Road

"How bold! Do you know who is inside this carriage? You bunch of bandits actually dare to waylay us; you must be tired of living."

Just as Leng Lingxue turned a page of her book, a delicate female voice rang out from outside the carriage, scolding the burly men who were blocking the path with swords and blades in hand.

"Big Brother, another carriage has arrived. Although it looks plain and unremarkable—not exactly a fat sheep—the owner must still have some money on them." Ignoring the woman standing atop the carriage, who was pointing at them and scolding them with an arrogant air, the man turned his gaze toward the other carriage that was slowly approaching.

And the person sitting inside this plain, unremarkable carriage was none other than Leng Lingxue.

"Hahaha, what good luck today! Two carriages arrived at once. Now we can eat and drink to our hearts' content," the leader, a burly man with a face full of whiskers, said with a loud laugh.

"Hey, did you hear what I said?" Seeing that the group of bandits had no intention of moving, the young girl, dressed in the green attire of a maid, stamped her foot and pointed at them again. "This is the carriage of the Prime Minister's Estate! The person sitting inside is the Prime Minister's daughter. You must have grown guts of steel to dare intercept a carriage from the Prime Minister's Estate. If you know what's good for you, get out of the way, or you will surely regret it."

"The Prime Minister's Estate?" As soon as the girl's voice fell, the leader exchanged glances with his men. He frowned slightly; if they provoked someone from the imperial court, they might not have any good days left, especially since the carriage before them belonged to the most powerful Prime Minister in the current court.

But if they let the carriage pass now, the imperial court would send troops to hunt them down anyway. Since that was the case, why not rob them first?

After a moment of thought, the leader made his decision. Not only did he not clear the path, but he also ordered a portion of his men to intercept Leng Lingxue's carriage as well.

"So what if it's the Prime Minister's Estate? Hand over all your money and valuables immediately! Otherwise, even if you are the Prime Minister's daughter, we will rob you all the same. And as it happens, I am still missing a wife for my mountain stronghold," the leader said, looking at the girl with a wicked grin as he urged them.

"You... you are shameless and vile!" The girl was clearly flushed with anger at his words. She pointed at the man, stamped her foot, and turned to retreat into the carriage.

"Miss, what should we do?" Upon entering the carriage, she looked at the woman sitting inside, who appeared somewhat nervous, and asked anxiously.

A blue peacock-patterned dress accentuated the woman's curvaceous figure, and tiny beads of sweat had broken out on her stunningly beautiful face. Even though she was the daughter of the Prime Minister, she could not help but feel her heart pounding in the face of such a situation. These bandits were all reckless; if she were truly dragged up the mountain by them, her reputation would be ruined for life.

What was most dire was that she had only come out today to offer incense at the royal temple, bringing only Ling'er with her and no other attendants. How could she possibly contend with that gang of bandits?

"Forget it, Ling'er. Give them our belongings."

"Yes." The girl known as Ling'er bowed respectfully, turned, and exited the carriage, tossing their belongings to the leader.

"We have already given you our things. Will you move aside now?" Ling'er scolded.

"What about the carriage? I'm afraid the Prime Minister's daughter will have to get out and walk back," the leader said, handing the items Ling'er had thrown to his men behind him, then smiling at her.