A bandit stronghold, littered with corpses.
The killer had been ruthless, yet efficient…
A young woman inside claimed her husband was about to return…
This was a clear hint that the husband she spoke of was the one who had slaughtered everyone in the stronghold…
In other words, he was actually being threatened by a young woman?
After a moment’s thought, Young Master Feng cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.
“In that case, I shall not make things difficult for you, Madam.
However, the forest path is treacherous at night.
Our group has been lost for two days already.
Not only have we lost our merchandise, but several of our retainers and guards were also killed.
To set out again now…”
Wei Jingxian gritted her teeth.
So, he’s just going to refuse to leave?
But buying time is the priority right now.
Lanting might already be on her way.
I need to keep them calm for now.
Her eyes darted around as she made a decision.
She softened her voice, speaking in a gentle tone, “Very well, Young Master.
Please, make yourselves at home.”
Though the stronghold was a charnel house, it was still far better than sleeping rough in the forest.
The guards didn’t hesitate to make themselves comfortable.
They immediately began gathering firewood to start a fire, only to realize a rather awkward problem: they had nothing to light it with.
Their flints were all gone, and their fire-starters had been soaked in water…
Were they really going to have to rub sticks together to make fire?
Turning his head, he saw the light glowing through the paper-covered windows.
They’d surely let me borrow a fire, wouldn’t they?
“Madam, might I be so bold as to borrow a fire?”
Wei Jingxian pressed her lips together.
Is this scoundrel trying to sneak in again?
If they had guards with them, she wouldn’t mind agreeing.
But now, they were just a bunch of defenseless women.
The bandits from earlier that day had terrified them so much that they would instinctively recoil at the sight of any man.
How could they possibly open the door for a strange man?
They had finally escaped the bandits’ clutches.
For their safety and their reputations, they would rather fight than open the door!
“My husband will be back soon, young master.
Perhaps you could wait a moment?
Otherwise, I fear I will be in trouble if he finds out.”
Wei Jingxian tightly shut her eyes in anxiety.
Why isn’t she back yet?
At that moment, Young Master Feng crossed his arms and asked with a smile, “An unmarried lady speaking of a husband…
Aren’t you afraid of ruining your reputation?”
Wei Jingxian instinctively gasped, then quickly realized she’d been tricked.
She covered her mouth with both hands, thinking, Oh no, I’ve fallen for his bluff!
Young Master Feng narrowed his phoenix-like eyes and made a gesture.
His guard understood immediately and prepared to force his way in.
Elsewhere, Jiang Pengji returned with her prey.
However, the relaxed expression on her face didn’t last long, quickly replaced by a solemn one.
The System asked, “…What’s wrong, Host?”
“Strange footprints.
They’re fresh, not from the bandits we saw earlier…
The group is heading toward the stronghold.
There’s blood on the ground; someone’s injured, but the wounds can’t be severe.
Judging by the depth of the prints, they’re struggling…
Six pairs of footprints, so there should be seven people…
Jing’er and the others are still at the stronghold.
This is bad.
I need to hurry back.”
Jiang Pengji’s eyes narrowed as a stream of information flooded her mind.
She immediately quickened her pace.
Orchid May Wither, Jade Remains Unbroken: Streamer, did you say that wrong?
Six pairs of footprints, but seven people?
“One pair of prints is medium-sized, not from someone heavy, but the impressions are the deepest.
That means they’re carrying someone on their back.
I’d guess two of them have arm injuries, and another has a leg wound…”
Wujiang Pickled Mustard Vegetable: Am I the only one who thinks this streamer is super cute?
But seriously, it’s pitch black out there…
I know your night vision is amazing—you proved that half an hour ago—but you just glanced at the ground.
How did you figure all that out?
Unlucky Stowaway: This streamer’s mouth is magic.
Whatever she says, it’s true…
Bro above, trust me on this.
“It’s obvious.
Nothing to brag about.”
Jiang Pengji replied as she raced back, her feet practically flying.
As she neared the bandit stronghold, she spotted the group of seven outside the brightly lit building.
Without slowing down, she drew her bow and notched an arrow.
Thwip—
“If I were you, I wouldn’t be so reckless.
If you don’t want to die, get away from that building!”
Before the guard could even reach the door, a piercing whistle tore through the air.
The arrow struck the doorpost, grazing his nose.
Young Master Feng’s expression froze.
Jiang Pengji already had a second arrow nocked.
She sneered, “If you don’t comply, the next arrow will be aimed right at the back of that precious young master you’re carrying.
Now, immediately, get away from that building!”
The positioning of the hired thugs revealed everything.
The most important targets were the man being carried and that scrawny pole of a man.
Unlike the group outside, the noblewomen inside were on the verge of tears of joy.
The past few hours had been an absolute nightmare.
“Jing’er, how are you all doing inside?
Have these bastards behaved?”
Wei Jingxian had been speaking in a strained whisper earlier, and her throat was still itchy.
After a few coughs, she cleared her voice and tried to respond as loudly as she could.
“Lanting, the gentleman outside hasn’t done anything improper.
He just wanted to come in and borrow a fire, but I didn’t have a chance to agree yet.”
Jiang Pengji snorted in cold amusement.
They dared to step forward before I even agreed?
It looks like they tried to bully a group of maids and just force their way in.
Hearing Wei Jingxian’s reply, Young Master Feng felt a dull ache in his temples.
This complaint is so subtly worded.
He cupped his hands toward Jiang Pengji and apologized earnestly, “There was a misunderstanding just now.
Our group meant no offense to the Madam.
It’s just that the night is deep and the dew is heavy, and we hoped to borrow a fire.
We only wished for the Madam inside to grant us a favor and did not want her to misunderstand.”
Hypocrite!
Knocking on someone’s door in the dead of night, a group of men dressed in strange clothes and wielding sabers—who wouldn’t be on guard?
“It’s just borrowing a fire, isn’t it?
Perhaps other rooms have flint and such; you should have looked for it yourselves.
Why did several grown men have to scare my Madam outside?” Jiang Pengji shamelessly seized the opportunity to climb the ladder of his apology, throwing in a sarcastic jab.
She held a bow and arrow in one hand and shouldered her prey with the other—a string of dead snakes coiled around the wild boar’s leg.
By the firelight, Young Master Feng took in her appearance.
A flicker of confusion crossed his clear, bright eyes, then he raised an eyebrow.
“Husband?”
Jiang Pengji also took a good look at him, instantly drawing a conclusion—
He’s got a brain, but his fighting ability is on par with Liu Lanting—a total weakling.
A useless, pretty-boy white-meat chicken who’s a threat in no way other than his intellect.
But…
Jiang Pengji frowned inwardly.
He’s already figured out my gender, and now he’s using it to mock me?
At this thought, Jiang Pengji’s lips curled into a smile.
Her gaze turned flirtatious as she looked at the young man, her voice laced with sarcasm.
“Young Master, your beauty is truly unparalleled, and your looks are indeed a feast for the eyes.
But…
you haven’t washed in seven days, and you’ve been hunted for a thousand miles.
I imagine these past few days have been a nerve-wracking ordeal, leaving you no time to maintain your dignity…
The incense on your person is precious, but the scent is…
quite pungent.
Even if you’re so eager to offer yourself to my bed, please burn some incense, bathe, and get clean before you come to me again.”
Young Master Feng: “…”
Isn’t Hejian Commandery known for its spiritual land and gentle waters, nurturing countless gentle and quiet ladies of noble birth?
A gentle and quiet lady who’s like a tigress?
Seeing their young master being openly flirted with by a youth, the loyal guards couldn’t help but draw their swords, only to be stopped by Young Master Feng raising a hand.
“Do not be rude.
All of you, stand down.”
Judging by her clothes, she was clearly no peasant hunter.
But why was she out here in the middle of the night, and how was she so skilled?
That was a question that demanded an answer.
Could it be that yesterday was the Third Month’s Third Day, and a group of noble young ladies slipped out for a different kind of spring outing?
Jiang Pengji had no interest in his behavior.
She approached the door and knocked.
“Jing’er, it’s me.
Go to the campfire and bring me a torch.
Open the door and hand it to me.”
Young Master Feng cupped his hands in a gesture of thanks.
“Thank you—”
Jiang Pengji gave a somewhat mischievous smile.
“You’re thanking me too soon.
I only need the torch to boil water and prepare this food.”
Damn it, coming up with names and courtesy names for ancient characters is so hard!
I really want to just use some cheesy Mary Sue style ones(:з」∠) By the way, in ancient times, men received a courtesy name upon reaching adulthood.
However, the protagonists and supporting characters in the book are still a few years away from their capping ceremony at this stage.
I’ll just use the courtesy names for now QWQ, just consider it a big bug.
PS: I almost misread a line as “Jing’er…
open the door, the delivery is here…”