Yu Wuxiang
This chapter is machine-translated by AI, with ongoing community review. Quality may vary between chapters.
“Second Miss Kou has fallen into the hands of kidnappers?” Lin Hao stood up, casually tucking the comb into Lin Xiaohua’s hair. Unfortunately, the little donkey's fur was too smooth; the comb only held for an instant before falling to the ground.
Lin Xiaohua nudged the comb with its donkey lips, then nudged Lin Hao’s hand.
Its comb had fallen on the ground!
Lin Hao rubbed Lin Xiaohua’s head, her full attention on the news brought by A-Xing: “It’s better not to report this to the officials.”
The character of bailiffs was inconsistent; they wouldn't necessarily intervene just because they heard a young girl was in danger. Furthermore, once news spread that Kou Wan had fallen into the hands of kidnappers, it would be a significant blow to her reputation.
“Then should we find someone to go to her house and give them word?”
Lin Hao thought about it and felt it was inappropriate: “What if the Marquis of Weiwu’s manor interrogates the messenger and traces it back to you?”
Those beggars who were not under the protection of the Lin residence were, at most, in a mutually beneficial relationship with A-Xing; there was no real loyalty to speak of.
She wanted to help Kou Wan, but she didn't want to involve A-Xing, or even herself. A-Xing collecting information through street beggars was, after all, a bit sensitive and could draw the attention of certain people.
A-Xing eyed Lin Hao suspiciously: “You don't mean we should go rescue her directly, do you?”
Lin Hao blinked: “Is that not allowed?”
A-Xing found it hard to understand: “But didn't you say you aren't friends?”
“Even if we aren't friends, we are both girls.”
What a girl might endure if she fell into the hands of kidnappers, and what hardships she might face even after being rescued—as a fellow woman, she could empathize more deeply.
Looking into the young girl's clear eyes, A-Xing's hardened heart was suddenly touched, and she set aside her indifferent attitude: “Then what do you plan to do?”
“Now that we know where the kidnappers are staying, to be safe, we should first scout them out to see how many accomplices there are.”
This plan met with A-Xing's approval: “Then I'll go scout.”
Lin Hao stopped her: “A-Xing, don't go. We don't even know if it's dangerous yet. I'll go ask the Prince of Jing's Heir to lend me someone...”
Originally, Uncle Liu would have been suitable, but he was busy every day training the promising youths selected from the beggars, so she didn't want to cause him more trouble.
A-Xing hadn't even had time to feel warmed by the first half of the sentence before she was blocked by the second half.
Was she being insulted as being less capable than the Prince of Jing's Heir's subordinates?
Looking down at her own slender frame, A-Xing sighed.
Fine, she would just train with Uncle Liu for an extra hour in the future.
After discussing it with A-Xing, Lin Hao instructed Baozhu to deliver a letter to Qi Shuo.
Shortly after, the two met at a teahouse outside the General's Manor.
“Xuan Yi has gone with your sworn brother. Don't worry, news will come soon.”
Lin Hao held her teacup, her tone quite relaxed: “So you just needed to lend me someone; there was no need to make a trip.”
She had been sitting in the teahouse waiting for Xuan Yi to return with news, but unexpectedly, Qi Shuo arrived before she had even finished a few sips of tea.
Qi Shuo said somewhat helplessly: “It just so happened that we could meet.”
Lin Hao froze for a moment, then smiled: “True.”
She had to admit, the moment she saw Qi Shuo walk in, she felt a little happy.
“A-Hao.”
“Hmm?”
“In Qiong'er's eyes, you are now a profound and mysterious fortune-telling master.”
Lin Hao didn't know whether to laugh or cry: “I didn't mean to coax her; I just really had no way to explain it.”
The little County Princess was clearly a dignified and steady lady of a great family; why did she believe in such things?
Xuan Yi returned faster than expected: “It's been scouted. There are three people in total. One middle-aged man and woman should be a couple, and there is also an old woman. The three of them don't look like they have any martial training. Besides them, there are four young girls, none of whom are old.”
“Four?” Lin Hao was startled.
“Yes. They are all gagged and locked in a side room. One of them, a girl dressed quite exceptionally, should be the person you are looking for. The other three are not in good condition; it looks like they have been locked up for a while.”
“Have you arranged for someone to keep watch?” Qi Shuo asked.
“Arranged.”
Qi Shuo signaled for Xuan Yi to withdraw and asked Lin Hao for her plan.
Lin Hao pondered for a moment before making a decision: “Since it's just three ordinary people, let's just charge straight in and cut the knot quickly.”
Hearing the details from Lin Hao, Qi Shuo asked with a smile: “Do you want me to lend you one more person?”
“No need, just taking the people from the General's Manor will be enough.”
Without delay, Lin Hao quickly led seven or eight servants to the location.
In an alleyway that led to the main street from both ends, there was a house with its gates tightly closed, appearing as if no one was home.
Baozhu took a sharp breath and stepped forward to knock on the door.
Hearing the knocking, the old woman who was feeding chickens in the courtyard looked toward the door warily but made no sound.
A crisp voice came from outside the door: “Is anyone there?”
Hearing the clear voice of a young girl, a sturdy middle-aged man emerged from the house and said to the old woman, “Go see what the situation is.”
The old woman walked slowly to the main gate and peered through the crack in the door, seeing a pretty young girl standing outside.
She turned her head and made a gesture to the man.
The man's eyes lit up, and he walked over.
“Who is it?” the old woman's aged voice rang out.
“Just a passerby, looking for a sip of water.”
The old woman looked at the man.
The man leaned toward the crack in the door to look, and his breathing instantly quickened.
It was actually another exceptionally beautiful young girl!
Was this a windfall from heaven?
To be cautious, he looked out again. He saw the pretty girl's cheeks were flushed and covered in sweat, looking as if she had been traveling for a long time.
Looking further back, the restriction of the door crack prevented him from seeing a wide area, but he could confirm there was no one else around the girl.
Those capable of human trafficking were black-hearted and bold; the man truly could not refuse such a delicious windfall. He stepped aside and gave the old woman a meaningful look.
The old woman stepped forward and pulled the door open.
“Auntie, could I have some water? I've been walking for so long, I'm really thirsty.” Baozhu raised her hand to wipe her sweat, revealing a smooth, full forehead.
The old woman glanced left and right, then stepped aside: “Come in.”
Baozhu waved her hands: “I won't trouble you by coming in; I'll just wait here.”
Hearing her say this, the man hiding to the side felt relieved.
The little girl was quite vigilant.
“Then wait a moment.” After the old woman finished speaking, she hobbled toward the interior.
Seeing that Baozhu's attention was on the old woman, the man decisively reached out and pulled her inside, while his other hand skillfully moved to gag her.
A piercing scream rang out. The man hopped around in pain, clutching his groin, yet he still remembered to shout: “Don't let her run!”
Hearing the commotion, a middle-aged woman rushed out from the side room, and the old woman, holding a water ladle, also rushed back.
Baozhu, who had been acting out a fleeing posture, breathed a sigh of relief.
The girl had specifically instructed to lure all three people out to prevent them from acting desperately and harming the trapped girls.
Baozhu ran outward with a look of terror, but her foot tripped on the threshold. This delay allowed the middle-aged woman to reach the doorway.
Baozhu allowed the woman to grab her arm and shouted: “Help! Someone—!”
As the three people were dragging Baozhu inside, a group of men and women rushed toward them.
(End of Chapter)