Zhu Mingqing immediately returned outside, only to see in the pitch-black night, several pairs of glowing green eyes staring in their direction.
Wolves!
Trouble!
The night watch officers immediately roused everyone. The prisoners' faces turned pale as they trembled, searching for places to hide.
Chang Wu, sharp-eyed, immediately said to Liang He, "Boss, I'd estimate there are seven or eight of them."
Liang He's face tightened. "We can handle them, but it's going to be a fierce battle. Everyone grab your weapons and protect yourselves."
It wasn't that they didn't want to run—it was that they simply couldn't outrun the wolves.
Awooo…
With several howls, the pack of wolves charged down from the mountainside.
"Third Brother." Luo Fu's legs went weak with fear, and she hid behind Luo Huai together with Luo Xiao.
Luo Huai wanted to go to his mother's side, but Luo Xiao grabbed him tightly. "Second Brother, while it's still dark, let's run."
Luo Huai frowned. "Shut up!"
His mother was still here. If they truly ran, once the officers finished dealing with the wolves, they would certainly not let the Luo family off.
Luo Xiao muttered, "But we really might die."
Zhu Mingqing had sharp ears and keen eyes. She glanced over at them indifferently, her expression perfectly calm.
See, she'd said it herself—no expectations, no disappointments.
The wolf pack charged over frantically, and the officers formed groups to fight them off.
But one wolf still broke through and charged toward the prisoners.
Everyone scattered and ran.
"Ah!"
Luo Fu was slow to run. Luo Dan, beside her, shoved her hard from the side, and she fell to the ground.
The wolf's head was right in front of her. She had no time to get up and screamed in despair, "Third Brother, save me!"
Luo Xiao saw this, his breath caught, and he stomped his foot hard before turning back to run—but there was no way he'd make it in time.
Just as Luo Fu thought she was about to die in the wolf's jaws, she was lifted up by her whole body and flung to the other side.
Zhu Mingqing's gaze was firm. She gripped the dagger tightly and drove it into the wolf's head with force and speed.
Squelch—
Blood splattered across her face.
The night was thick, the moonlight bright, and Zhu Mingqing in her white robes stained with blood looked like a ghost.
"Ah—" Luo Fu screamed in terror.
The Luo family members in the distance were also stunned.
Was this still that cowardly young madam?
They knew Zhu Mingqing had changed, but they never imagined she'd dare to kill a wolf.
"Mother." Luo Huai rushed over immediately.
Zhu Mingqing thought of something, and a look of fear immediately appeared on her face. Her body went limp, and she sat down on the ground.
Everyone was enlightened: That's more like it.
Bang—
The wolf's body collapsed to the ground as well.
"Mother, are you alright?" Luo Huai looked at his mother covered in blood. He wanted to help her up but didn't dare move her carelessly, afraid of hurting her.
Zhu Mingqing gave a light cough, casually smeared some dirt on her face, and looked up weakly. "I'm fine."
Damn it, she couldn't help but go too hard.
If this kid discovered something was off, she'd be in big trouble.
She didn't want to be burned at the stake as a monster.
The smell of blood drove the wolf pack even more frenzied.
Liang He's arm was raked with a bloody gash. Caught off guard, he was knocked to the ground.
His neck was exposed to the air.
"Grrr—" The wolf was excited.
His arms tensed as he struggled against the wolf's head. Blood ran down his arm and dripped beside his eye, and his vision began to blur.
In his mind flashed the image of his elderly mother, his wife, and his young son at home. Liang He felt despair—was tonight the night he died?
"Boss!" The other officers were surrounded by the wolves and couldn't break free, shouting in desperation.
Seeing this, Zhu Mingqing moved. As if knowing what she intended to do, Luo Huai immediately pulled out the dagger and handed it to her.
Zhu Mingqing blinked. This kid—why was he so eager to hand her the dagger?
"Lieutenant Liang, catch!" she shouted loudly.
Liang He watched the dagger fly toward his head, his soul nearly leaving his body in terror.
Was he going to die today not by the wolves, but by his own people?
Thud—
Another sound of a blade piercing wolf flesh.
A moment later, the wolf's body crashed to the ground with a bang.
Liang He's eyes were wide, his hands still raised in the air, a hint of bewilderment appearing in his usually fierce gaze.
Luo Huai turned his head, looking at his mother in astonishment.
Zhu Mingqing's mouth twitched, and she immediately explained, "Accident, accident…"
…
After a bloody battle, the officers finally disposed of all the wolves.
Afraid of attracting more wild beasts, Liang He immediately ordered everyone to pack up and leave the area quickly.
They traveled all night and only reached the nearest post station when dawn broke.
The officers were all injured to varying degrees, and two members of the Luo family's collateral branches had died to the wolves.
After registering at the post station, Liang He arranged for everyone to rest. Looking at the dwindling food supplies, they'd need to go shopping for more in the afternoon.
Chang Wu volunteered: "Boss, I just got a scratch. I'll go with you this afternoon."
Liang He nodded, then looked at Zhu Mingqing, seeming to want to say something but hesitating.
Shopping?
Zhu Mingqing's eyes lit up. She wanted to go too.
"Lieutenant Liang—"
"Madam—"
The two spoke at the same time, then both stopped.
Zhu Mingqing asked with a sincere expression, "Does Lieutenant Liang have something to instruct?"
Liang He covered it with a cough. "Thank you for last night, Madam."
Zhu Mingqing smiled brightly. "It was only right. Lieutenant Liang is an upright man and deserves a long life. I'll be counting on you for the rest of the journey."
Liang He put on a stern face. "As long as the lady follows the rules, I will not be overly harsh."
Zhu Mingqing smiled even more brightly. No matter what, Liang He would remember the life-saving favor she had done for him yesterday.
"Wait." Seeing him turn to leave, Zhu Mingqing immediately pleaded with utmost sincerity, "Lieutenant Liang, I heard you're going to purchase supplies. Would it be possible for me to come along and help?"
Liang He thought it over for a moment and agreed.
Whether she wanted to help or buy something, she couldn't run away anyway.
Besides, she had saved his life—this small matter was well within his authority to decide.
Watching Liang He's retreating figure, Zhu Mingqing smiled and snapped her fingers.
Done!
She was just about to turn and leave when a startled cry came from the room on her left.
"How can there be no money?" The Old Princess Consort looked shocked.
Luo Wenhong said frantically, "Wasn't it you who hid the money, Mother?"
"With the situation at that time, how could I have had time to hide money?" The Old Princess Consort said urgently. "And the confiscation found nothing—are you sure it wasn't you?"
Luo Wenhong was in despair. How could he have such ability?
The only reason they hadn't worried at all along the way was because of that silver.
Now they were telling him there wasn't a single copper coin?
Thud—
He collapsed to the ground.
"Say something! Is there any silver or not?" The Old Princess Consort shook his shoulders forcefully, hoping to get the answer she wanted.
"No! There's nothing!" Luo Wenhong was completely losing his mind, shouting loudly, "We're all finished!"
The Old Princess Consort's eyes rolled back, and she fainted again.
Outside the room, Zhu Mingqing felt utterly refreshed.
…
In the afternoon, upon learning that his mother was going to purchase supplies with the two officers, Luo Huai's usually indifferent face showed a trace of concern.
"Are you sure you don't need me to come along?"
"Stop being so fussy. I'm just going to buy a few things." Zhu Mingqing frowned. There wasn't a trace of the great villain left in him.
She emphasized again, "And don't forget what you promised me!"
Luo Huai assured her, "Don't worry. Leave it all to me."
Zhu Mingqing smiled in satisfaction, climbed onto the flatbed cart, and looked out at the open surroundings, feeling a rare sense of ease in her heart.
The Spatial Storage was in the process of Restoration, and she had become Liang He's lifesaver. She wouldn't have to worry about food and clothing from now on.
All that was left was the family division.
She hoped that when she returned from town, she would hear good news from Luo Huai.
The cart slowly made its way toward the town.
Zhu Mingqing lay leisurely on the cart, gazing at the sky and daydreaming about her future life, when a familiar scent drifted past her nose.
Following the wind, she turned her gaze backward.
There, in an inconspicuous crevice behind her, were scattered traces of yellow powder.