CH 37

Facing the mountain bandits’ hazy eyes, Zhou Qing frowned. The hand hidden in her sleeve clenched into a fist. This time with her visit to the Puji Temple to light incense, Princess Zhaowei had only brought two maids, and two guards with her. The coachman was still waiting outside the mountain gate. There were only four people, and if they wanted to fight the mountain bandits recklessly, it would be tantamount to a fool’s dream.

After getting closer, the mountain bandits saw Zhaowei’s protruding belly. Although the woman was raised with tender skin, her large belly was really disappointing. If they were careless, it was very likely they would lose their lives. If the “goods” were lost, the boss would certainly not let them go.

The bandit’s eyes slightly deviated. When he saw Zhou Qing’s gorgeous, peach-plum face, the mountain thief felt his mouth turn dry. He licked his lips and his eyes turned scarlet as he decided to change his target.

Luo Xinyue was as timid as a mouse. Seeing this scene, she was not only incontinent, but she was almost frightened. Suddenly, she reached out her hand, and pushed Zhou Qing, shouting, “You take this woman away! Do not touch us!” She also smiled proudly at Zhaowei, thinking that her act of protecting her could please the golden girl.

Unexpectedly, the pregnant woman not only did not appreciate her gesture, but she also glared at her with murderous eyes. Luo Xinyue flinched and desperately shrank back, but none of them were willing to stay with her.

Unrepentant, she would not hesitate to push her sister-in-law out, one could imagine her malicious nature. Zhou Qing was good to people and had a gentle nature. But she was pregnant now. If she was taken away by mountain bandits, even if she could save her life, she would lose her reputation when it came to her purity. How would she live the rest of her life?

The two guards whose duty was to protect the County Princess were now holding the hilt of their swords and standing opposite the mountain bandits.

The mountain thief just wanted to find a woman to vent a bit. It didn’t matter who she was. He creepily glanced at Zhou Qing then placed a knife against Luo Xinyue, laughing, “You will not concern yourself with this vicious woman, right?”

Zhaowei did not speak as she pulled Zhou Qing back. Luo Xinyue stared wide-eyed, her beautiful face filled with panic, “Help me, sister-in-law! You have to save me. Otherwise, after we get home, I’ll have my brother divorce you!”

Hearing the woman’s increasingly sharp screams, a trace of coldness flashed through Zhou Qing’s eyes, and she rubbed the dull pain emerging from her shoulder. Just now, Luo Xinyue pushed her fiercely. If not for Zhaowei’s help, she feared that – by now – she would be taken away by the bandits. If she really went forward and stopped the bandits, how was she different from a fool?

Pretending not to see Luo Xinyue’s miserable condition, Zhou Qing knelt on the futon, eyes fixed on the Buddha statue in the hall, dazed, and did not know when the officials would arrive.

***

At this moment, Xie Chong was interrogating someone in the Imperial prison. It was said there was no need for the Commander to take action and torture them personally. But the prisoners were tight-lipped. If not prone to ample punishment, the secret would be hidden in their hearts, and they would never confess; one must be quick and ruthless. As soon as the prisoners saw him, they could not help but be frightened. Once their stubbornness shriveled, the person would not last long.

Xie Chong was covered in viscous blood. Even his handsome face was not spared. Seeing the overwhelming fury in the Commander’s eyes, Xie Yi’s heart chilled as he rushed to speak, “Lord, a group of mountain thieves broke into the Puji Temple. They took hold of the pilgrims inside as hostages and are asking for 50,000 taels of silver in exchange for them.”

A sneer appeared on his thin lips. The man wiped away the blood on his face and sarcastically said, “The Guards in the Capital are becoming more and more useless. A mob of bandits could even easily enter the Puji Temple. If they want the silver, they have to see if they can live to get it!” In the end, a bitter cold glint of light flashed in his eyes; it was a terrifying sight to see.

A group of Jin Yi guards followed behind the Commander and galloped out of the city. The horses’ hooves sounded as they rushed straight to Puji Temple.

After a little more than half an hour, Zhou Qing smelled an awful stench in her nose. She turned around and found that Luo Xinyue had returned. Her clothes were still neat, and her gait was smooth. It did not look like she had been harmed.

Against the woman’s resentful gaze, Zhou Qing was impassive; but in her heart, she felt strange. She did not understand how Luo Xinyue returned unscathed.

Before she could even think about it, the mountain bandits from before appeared again. But this time, they were followed by two swarthy men who uttered, “She said the two women were of high status, and both are Princesses of the Imperial court. A group of Jin Yi guards surrounded the mountain gate outside. Even if they have thousands of means, they will not dare joke about the lives of the members of the Imperial family. As long as we hold them captive, we will be safe.”

Hearing this, the bearded man narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhaowei and Zhou Qing, finding that the two women were born with a delicate and tender appearance. It was not impossible to say they were County Princesses.

With this in mind, he knocked the two guards to the ground in two or three blows, and placed his sword on Zhou Qing’s neck, his voice cold and hard, “County Princess, right? Come with me. If the surname Xie does not give us a way out, you will not live either.”

The blade was close to her skin, and Zhou Qing could clearly feel the cold touch of steel and the faint blood around her as she was pushed toward the mountain gate.