What on earth is going on with this Wei family girl?
Huang Ying watched Song Yi'an, who was inside the room, taking large bites of a hard flour cake while not forgetting to break off a small piece to throw to the little black dog at her feet. Her brow furrowed tighter and tighter.
This girl is not right at all.
Except for a few dry wails when she first woke up, she hadn't managed to squeeze out a single tear. In the days that followed, she didn't cry or make a scene; she ate when given food and drank when given water. She was so at ease that she didn't look like a kidnapped hostage, but rather like someone staying here for a short visit.
Could they have kidnapped the wrong person? This absurd thought floated into Huang Ying's mind, uncontrollable.
Song Yi'an was focused on eating when her lower leg was suddenly kicked, not too lightly and not too heavily.
Huang Ying squatted down, staring at her with sharp eyes, and grew suspicious: "Hey, are you really the youngest daughter of the Wei family?"
Song Yi'an rubbed the spot where she had been kicked, lifted her small face, and feigned innocence: "I am my father's daughter, Wei Jingjing."
"Then what is your father's name? Where in the Capital City does your family live?" Huang Ying pressed, trying to find a flaw.
This did not stump Song Yi'an; on the road, that little chatterbox Wei Jingjing had long ago spilled all the details of her family background.
Song Yi'an: "My father is Wei Qingtian, the Minister of Rites, and our home is in the Capital City..."
To dispel Huang Ying's suspicions, she listed Wei Qingtian's official position, the general location of the residence, and even the specific features in front of the gate.
After hearing her finish, Huang Ying's doubts lessened slightly.
Most of the information matched up; it seemed this girl was indeed Wei Jingjing without a doubt.
But if that was the case, why did Wei Qingtian have no reaction? Was the letter not delivered, or was the information in the letter not accurate enough?
The Wei Family in the Capital City.
Seven days ago, Wei Qingtian received a threat letter, which stated clearly.
His beloved daughter had fallen into their hands. To ensure her safety, he was to prepare ten thousand silver notes immediately. Seven days later at the hour of the Rat, he was to place them under the incense burner at the Desolate Temple thirty miles west of the city. Once the silver and the goods were exchanged, his beloved daughter would be returned unharmed. If he reported it to the authorities or played any tricks, he should not blame them for killing the hostage.
Although the Wei family was a Minister's household, they were actually a family of integrity and were not wealthy.
Ten thousand silver notes could be considered a huge sum, and most of it would likely require using the dowry that his wife had brought with her years ago.
However, before the seven-day deadline had even arrived, Jingjing had returned home safe and sound.
Wei Qingtian was completely confused.
Was this kidnapper specifically writing a letter to toy with him?
Seeing his long-lost precious daughter looking unhappy, the slight suspicion Wei Qingtian had felt because of the letter was instantly thrown to the back of his mind, and he turned to coax his daughter.
……
Song Yi'an was slowly breaking off that hard flour cake, which was tough enough to chip a tooth, and chewing it in small bites.
Her previously clean appearance had become dirty after being locked up for several days; her small face and dress were covered in dust and hay.
Half of the reason was intentional; she deliberately rolled in the hay pile to cover up her striking appearance so that the human traffickers wouldn't notice her.
She was clear-headed about the situation.
Ten thousand silver notes? Huang Ying and her lot would never get their hands on that in this lifetime. She wasn't the Young Miss Wei at all, so how could the Wei residence possibly come to pay?
She had originally held a glimmer of hope that if the Wei family noticed something unusual, they might be able to send word to the Song Family, but now it seemed that path was blocked, and she could only rely on herself.
Song Yi'an had been looking for a chance to escape, but the two burly men at the door kept watch very strictly, taking turns on guard, and didn't give her a single opportunity.
On the other side, Huang Ying, whose hopes had been completely dashed, had a face so gloomy it could drip water.
With the person held in her hands, she had become a hot potato. Letting her go was impossible, as it would only increase the risk. Killing her would be a waste of all this effort without earning a single cent; it was truly a loss.
Huang Ying paced back and forth in the small room, her gaze sweeping over the dirty girl in the corner several times. Even so, she could still see that the girl's features were quite good, and a thought sprouted from the bottom of her heart.
She walked over, reached out her fingers to pinch Song Yi'an's chin, and forced her to lift her face.
The skin under her fingertips was smooth, and her features were exquisite. Although she was young, she had a good appearance, especially those large eyes, clear and bright, full of spirit. If she grew up, she would definitely be a beauty capable of being the top attraction in a brothel.
The ten thousand silver notes from the Wei family could no longer be counted on, but this girl herself was a living bank note.
Huang Ying calculated in her mind: if she cleaned her up properly, based on this face and this spirit, she could resell her to a discerning Madam and earn at least ten thousand silver notes. It would be a bit of a loss, but it was better than letting her rot in her hands.
The thing Song Yi'an feared most had finally happened.
After ten days, Song Yi'an was taken out for fresh air for the first time. This was by no means a kind gesture; Huang Ying clearly intended to sell her.
To prevent her from causing a scene, Huang Ying held her hand personally, posing as an ordinary mother and child walking on the street.
The two burly men walked one in front and one behind, like two moving walls, not giving Song Yi'an any chance to contact outsiders.
Looking at the stalls on the street and the clothing of the passersby, Song Yi'an knew this was not the Capital City; it seemed to be a small town not far from the Capital City.
As she walked, she scanned the pedestrians on the street calmly, looking for someone who could help her.
But no matter how she looked, there was no suitable candidate. As far as her eyes could see, there were only common people, mostly women, children, and the elderly, who could not save her from Huang Ying and the two burly men.
Imperial guards were nowhere to be seen.
Just as Song Yi'an was about to give up on this method, a commotion suddenly broke out at the street corner ahead.
The crowd automatically parted to both sides, and she saw more than a dozen imperial guards wearing uniform attire and carrying long swords at their waists, escorting a carriage as it slowly drove by.
That formation was either wealthy or noble, and they were clearly of high status.
Huang Ying's intuition was always accurate. She immediately gave a look to her two subordinates behind her, signaling them to take a detour and avoid this place of trouble to prevent any issues.
But this variable was exactly what Song Yi'an had been waiting for. This was her good chance to escape the human traffickers; how could she obediently listen and let Huang Ying take her away?
The opportunity was fleeting.
Song Yi'an suddenly turned her head and bit down hard on the hand Huang Ying was using to hold her. Her canine teeth instantly pierced the skin and flesh, and the taste of rust spread between her teeth.
"Ah!" Huang Ying was caught off guard, and under the intense pain, she loosened her grip.
The street was crowded with people watching the excitement, and the space became very cramped. Song Yi'an took the opportunity to break free from Huang Ying. Being small and short, she was like a slippery loach and instantly dove into the crowd.
"Damn girl." Huang Ying clutched her hand, both shocked and angry, her face becoming ferocious. "Quick, catch her! Don't let her run away!"
She knew this girl was not someone to be trifled with; she had been harboring bad intentions these past few days.
Since her transmigration, Song Yi'an had never run so fast. Her heart was pounding like a drum in her chest, and all she could hear was her own heavy breathing. The three people behind her were chasing her relentlessly like ghosts.
She could not stop; she absolutely could not be caught and taken back here. If she were caught and taken back here, it would be very difficult to escape again in the future.
"Help! A child is being kidnapped! Human traffickers are kidnapping a child!" she shouted loudly while squeezing forward with all her might.
Huang Ying, who was behind her, heard her shouting and her eyes turned sinister. This stinky girl.
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