Chapter 9: Indecent Assault"Don't speak, someone's coming," Ji Shuhuai whispered.Jiang Yiyue turned her gaze toward the window.Wisps of green smoke drifted inside.She looked at Ji Shuhuai in astonishment."Let's go," Ji Shuhuai released her hand and said softly.Jiang Yiyue had already encountered shadowy figures and black wolves in the mountain forest.Her reaction was quite swift; she got out of bed decisively.Ji Shuhuai went to the door and slowly pulled it open.Jiang Yiyue stepped out lightly and quickly.Ji Shuhuai followed immediately, taking her hand and heading toward the outside of the courtyard.But Jiang Yiyue suddenly stopped. "Auntie Qi and Uncle Qi…""They're asleep," Ji Shuhuai said."What if the shadowy figures—""They won't. Once we leave, those shadowy figures will chase us, and Auntie Qi and the others will be safe.""How will the shadowy figures know we've left?""They'll come after us right away.""Over there." Sure enough, someone spoke in the darkness.Ji Shuhuai pulled Jiang Yiyue and hurried outward.Jiang Yiyue looked back worriedly.A group of shadowy figures wielding large knives ran out from Auntie Qi and Uncle Qi's courtyard.Uncle Qi emerged from the outhouse at that moment, drowsily returning to the house to sleep.Completely unaware of the unusual activity around him.Jiang Yiyue finally felt relieved and followed Ji Shuhuai at a quick pace.The two moved swiftly.But the shadowy figures were even faster.They stood directly in front of Jiang Yiyue and Ji Shuhuai.Ji Shuhuai's right arm was bound with a splint, and his left arm had not yet fully healed, limiting his movements.Although Jiang Yiyue was stronger than the average person, she couldn't fight off so many shadowy figures.The shadowy figures gave them no chance to react, raising their knives and slashing forward.Ji Shuhuai lifted his leg and kicked a stone out.One shadowy figure fell to the ground with a "thud."Ji Shuhuai kicked another stone.Another shadowy figure fell.Seeing this, Jiang Yiyue bent down, picked up two large stones, and hurled them fiercely.The shadowy figures hadn't expected the renowned Ji Shuhuai to engage in such childish fighting tactics.Chaos ensued instantly.Ji Shuhuai turned his head and saw Jiang Yiyue still continuously picking up stones and throwing them at the attackers.It was the first time he had seen a noblewoman from a prestigious family behave like this.Before he could react, Jiang Yiyue grabbed his hand and said, "Let's go.""Where to?" Ji Shuhuai asked."Follow me." Jiang Yiyue ran very fast.Ji Shuhuai watched as she ran, constantly scanning her surroundings.Fortunately, the moonlight was bright that night, filtering through the gaps in the leaves and illuminating the ground, making everything clearly visible.But he didn't notice anything particularly unusual.Jiang Yiyue seemed to have discovered something and suddenly pulled Ji Shuhuai, saying, "Step over it!"Ji Shuhuai didn't understand but instinctively followed her lead, taking a large step forward and continuing to run.Suddenly, they heard a cry of "Ah!" from behind.He turned around and saw several shadowy figures fall into a large pit.He asked in amazement, "How did you know there was a pit there?""Xiaohua and Xiaoshu told me!" Jiang Yiyue said as she ran.Ji Shuhuai asked, "Those two children?""Yes, they said there are fierce beasts in the mountain forest that attack people."Some villagers have died because of it."So the villagers set up some obvious traps in the forest."If any villagers accidentally encounter a fierce beast, they can save themselves a little."We're now using the methods meant for dealing with fierce beasts to deal with them."As they spoke, more shadowy figures caught up.Jiang Yiyue pulled Ji Shuhuai into a sudden crouch, and a wooden log flew over their heads, crashing into the pursuers behind.A shadowy figure was instantly knocked flying.Jiang Yiyue kept pulling Ji Shuhuai along, making use of the traps set by the villagers.They knocked down one shadowy figure after another.Yet two figures—one tall and one short—still managed to block Jiang Yiyue and Ji Shuhuai's path.Jiang Yiyue and Ji Shuhuai abruptly halted.Both were panting heavily.The two shadowy figures, wielding large blades, held the upper hand.However, having just witnessed Jiang Yiyue's methods, they couldn't help but feel wary.For a moment, they dared not approach.Jiang Yiyue and Ji Shuhuai noticed this and seized the chance to catch their breath.Sensing the two figures slowly drawing closer, Jiang Yiyue suddenly pointed ahead and shouted, "Watch out!"The two figures turned around together.Jiang Yiyue grabbed Ji Shuhuai and turned to run up the mountain.The two figures saw nothing and, turning back, realized Jiang Yiyue and Ji Shuhuai had fled."Take out the woman first!" the tall figure suddenly hurled a throwing knife.Ji Shuhuai heard the whistling sound and pulled Jiang Yiyue into his embrace.The knife thudded into a tree trunk.Jiang Yiyue glanced at it, then turned to Ji Shuhuai. "Are you alright?"Ji Shuhuai pushed Jiang Yiyue away. "You go first. I'll deal with these two."Jiang Yiyue ran without hesitation.The two figures tried to give chase, but Ji Shuhuai swiftly intercepted them.The two figures and Ji Shuhuai became entangled in a fierce struggle.Though Ji Shuhuai's right arm was immobile, his left arm could still move a little.But with years of martial arts training, he still held the advantage over the two figures.Dodging and weaving, he kicked both figures to the ground.Just then, other injured figures caught up.Two fists were no match for four hands, let alone so many opponents.In a moment of carelessness, Ji Shuhuai took a kick to the chest and slammed heavily against a tree trunk.He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood."Lord Ji, don't move!" Jiang Yiyue suddenly shouted.Ji Shuhuai turned to see one stone after another rolling down from above.Some struck the figures directly.Others crashed into the midst of the group.Some simply tumbled chaotically.In any case, the shadowy figures were thrown into disarray once again.Jiang Yiyue, appearing from nowhere, wrapped an arm around Ji Shuhuai's waist and said, "Let's go!"Ji Shuhuai took advantage of the chaos and followed Jiang Yiyue.The two wound their way through twists and turns until they entered a cave.Jiang Yiyue helped Ji Shuhuai sit on a rock and asked, "Are you alright?""I'm fine." Ji Shuhuai looked around. "Did Xiaohua and Xiaoshu tell you about this place too?""Yes." Jiang Yiyue released Ji Shuhuai and quietly moved to the cave entrance.She crouched among the bushes, observing the situation outside.A group of figures was searching again.Only after they had passed the area did Jiang Yiyue dare to speak. "There are even more figures this time.""Yes, they know I'm nearby and will send more people," Ji Shuhuai said."Will they harm Auntie Qi and the others?" Jiang Yiyue asked."No." The group of figures was focused solely on dealing with Ji Shuhuai.There was no need for them to expend effort harming people in the village again."That's good." Jiang Yiyue let out a sigh of relief.Ji Shuhuai asked, "Do you care about them that much?""Of course."They saved us."They treated our wounds, gave us food and water."Such immense kindness."We must remember them."Otherwise, what kind of people would we be?" Jiang Yiyue spoke naturally, then sighed.Hearing this, Ji Shuhuai asked, "What's wrong?""If we just leave like this, they'll surely worry when they wake up in the morning.""I left them a note.""When did you leave it?""He left it while you were still asleep.""You're truly wonderful, Young Master Ji!" Jiang Yiyue began praising him again.Ji Shuhuai lowered his gaze and saw a patch of fresh blood on her hand. "You're injured."Jiang Yiyue looked down. "Oh, indeed. I was so focused on escaping earlier that I forgot the pain.""Does it hurt now?" Ji Shuhuai asked."It hurts, it really hurts." Jiang Yiyue pulled a roll of gauze from her bosom, answering as she bandaged herself.Ji Shuhuai said, "Let me bandage it for you.""How can you bandage it with only one hand?" Jiang Yiyue continued wrapping it herself.Just then, a beam of moonlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, falling upon Jiang Yiyue.She wore the coarse cloth clothes prepared by Auntie Qi.Her hair was loosely tied into a bun.However, due to the constant fleeing, the bun had tilted askew, with a strand of hair falling onto her fair cheek.Yet she remained completely unaware, intently bandaging her wound.Without her usual pretense.Without her usual affectation.Without her usual petty schemes.Through her "reputation," Ji Shuhuai seemed to glimpse another side of her.A side unlike any other."He's here!" Suddenly, a dark figure appeared at the mouth of the cave.

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried