Chapter 44
Someone Is Coming to Capture You
Before Qi Zheng could say anything, he saw Ying Jiuque shudder violently, her face a picture of disbelief.
“Uh, why does that line sound so familiar? But it’s really strange coming from you.”
“What do you mean?”
Mr. Yi had not a shred of good impression of this woman who had ruined his plans. If not for her, he would have been long gone by now, not a captive like this.
However, Jiuque had no intention of answering his question. She just shook her body vigorously, as if trying to rid herself of something that shouldn’t be there. Then, she walked straight past Mr. Yi towards the group of rescued women and children.
She hadn’t forgotten Old Lady Lin’s plea. Finding her grandson was the very reason for all the commotion tonight. As she approached the children, who were huddled together like frightened rabbits, Jiuque’s heart ached to see most of them instinctively take a step back, likely due to sheer terror.
It’s all the fault of those damned traffickers.
Forcing a gentle smile, Jiuque spoke as softly as she could.
“Children, is there anyone among you named Mingde? His grandmother is terribly worried and has been looking for him all day. Don’t be afraid, I’m not a bad person. Look, I’m wearing an official’s robe. I’m an official, here to help you…”
The children were still very scared. However, upon seeing the imposing official robe—which seemed mighty and authoritative to their eyes—a few of the braver ones tentatively took a few steps towards her.
One child, dressed in ragged hemp cloth without a single adornment, stepped forward. Despite his poor clothing, he was exceptionally lovely, like jade and snow, and didn’t seem timid at all. He approached and asked quietly,
“Elder Sister, are you looking for Lin Mingde?”
Jiuque’s first glance was at his left earlobe. Sure enough, there was a red mole there, the size of a mung bean, vivid and striking. Studying his face more carefully, although he was far more handsome than the Lin couple she had met, she could still faintly discern some resemblance.
When Old Lady Lin had earlier described her grandson as ‘bright and intelligent,’ Ying Jiuque hadn’t had a concrete image in mind. But seeing him in person now, she understood; this was indeed a clever child.
“Yes, I’m looking for Lin Mingde. You’ve certainly been hard to find. Come back with me, your family is terribly worried.”
Lin Mingde remained cautious. He stared intently at Ying Jiuque, then looked over at Qi Zheng, who had charged in earlier like a god to rescue them. He was the picture of wariness. Only after Qi Zheng gave him a nod, and another equally impressive boy beside Qi Zheng also nodded at him, did Lin Mingde finally seem reassured and agreed to leave with Jiuque.
Just before they left, however, Qi Zheng assigned a full ten guards to escort them personally. He firmly requested that she come to the palace to report on the events after delivering the child, as the Emperor was deeply concerned about this matter. Even Chunyu Shuang and other acquaintances, who had witnessed the power of the ‘Pietili’ fire, strongly agreed, given what they had seen.
Left with no choice, Jiuque agreed. She had originally wanted to speak with Sister Xiaosheng, but she seemed to be injured and hadn’t been seen since earlier, so Jiuque had to let it go. Riding back on horseback, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was like the fox borrowing the tiger’s terror…
“Chirp! Chirp!”
A sudden burst of bird calls sounded. Jiuque lifted her eyes to look by the roadside and was surprised to spot several small figures.
Wasn’t that Little Niba?
Little Niba’s face was flushed red as he waved frantically at Ying Jiuque. He even dashed out from the roadside, desperately trying to stop Jiuque’s horse.
Ying Jiuque’s horsemanship was still unrefined. She could only barely haul on the reins to stop, struggling to protect the child in her arms. As the horse halted, its hooves nearly passed right over Little Niba’s head!
The guards behind her, seasoned veterans retired from the battlefield, each battle-hardened, easily avoided Little Niba, though they were visibly shaken.
“…Little Niba, what’s wrong?”
Dismounting, Jiuque helped Little Niba up and asked gently.
Little Niba, barely recovering from the fright, caught his breath and urgently warned Jiuque not to go back.
“Don’t go home! Someone has set an ambush on your way back to capture you!”
Before Jiuque could react, the guards protecting her frowned deeply. This was a rare female official that even the Emperor held in high regard! Moreover, the reason Boss Xiao had caused such a stir earlier was entirely because of the divine weapons Ying Jiuque had produced! Their power, like that of the Thunder God descending to earth, was enough to earn their utmost respect!
And now, someone actually dared to ambush such a once-in-a-generation weapons genius? The audacity!
If they weren’t tasked with protecting Ying Jiuque, these guards would have charged out to kill someone already! But, was this true? This child who had suddenly rushed out seemed a bit strange. When they got a clear look at Little Niba’s maimed hand, they sighed softly. Another child mutilated by those traffickers.
Just then, Jiuque voiced the question on everyone’s minds.
“Who wants to harm me? How did you know? Why are you here alone? Aren’t you in danger yourself?”
Little Niba’s originally cold face seemed to warm slightly from Jiuque’s body heat. He looked at Jiuque and smiled, seemingly unconcerned about his own safety.
“Official Ying, you’ve probably already guessed, right? I’m a little beggar from the Carefree Caverns. The older beggars force us to do bad things. Those of us who refuse… end up like this. Official Ying, I know you are a good person. Good people shouldn’t be kidnapped. They know you’re an official, but they don’t care. They even think an official woman is better, can fetch a higher price. So you absolutely must not go back. They aren’t afraid at all…”
Jiuque pulled the child, who was so nervous he was rambling, into her embrace. She gently patted his back, soothing his taut nerves.
“Don’t be afraid. I won’t go back. Do you see these people behind me? They are all guards from the Marquis of Weiyuan’s estate. Each is more mighty and formidable than the last, and exceptionally skilled. Don’t worry, they can protect me.”
Looking towards the other children hiding in the dark corners, Jiuque waved them over.
“Come, all of you, come here. Follow me for now. I’ll take you to an inn first. It’s too cold at night. You need a full meal and a good night’s sleep.”
The children hesitated, all looking at Little Niba. Little Niba resolutely refused.
“We can’t go. Even though they don’t pay us much mind, those from the Carefree Caverns are forbidden from setting foot on the surface for life, unless it’s to do bad deeds. No one would willingly take us in because they would face retaliation. Official Ying, I just wanted to tell you that, that’s all. As for the rest… let it be. And also, I’m really sorry… I didn’t mean to push you that time, I…”
As he spoke, large glistening tears welled up in the child’s eyes and began to fall, pat pat, down his cheeks.
