Chapter 120: Little Mute

Seeing Ghost fall to the ground with a thud, dead, the bandits’ morale completely collapsed.

The Murong father and daughter, now reinforced, fought with increasing strength. The bandits who had already climbed over the wall were all killed, and the siege ladder was pushed down.

However, Pear Blossom felt uneasy. She turned to Lin Ping and said, “Lin Ping, take the Wuyin Army and help my master and senior sister clear the remaining enemies. I’ll go back to the village to check.”

Lin Ping quickly took his orders, and Pear Blossom turned her horse sharply, heading in the direction of Daliushu Village.

However, halfway there, a sudden system notification sounded in her ear: “Host, be cautious within ten miles to the south. Daniu is chasing someone.”

Pear Blossom’s heart tightened as several thoughts flashed through her mind. She gritted her teeth and decisively changed direction, heading south.

Her speed was swift, and her horse was strong. In less than fifteen minutes, she caught up with Daniu.

Hearing the sound of hooves, Daniu turned around and joyfully shouted, “Sister—!”

Pear Blossom looked at her younger brother, who was covered in blood. His face was marked with horrific lash scars, and the cloth wrapped around his arm was soaked with blood, turning him into a blood-soaked figure. A pair of binoculars hung from his neck.

She urgently asked, “What happened? How is the village? How did you end up here?”

Daniu quickly answered, “The village is fine now. All the bandits have been wiped out. But then, a team of over 500 men appeared from the east, and they took Sister Dong away in a carriage—”

Upon hearing this, Pear Blossom felt as if the world was spinning, almost falling off her horse.

She gripped the reins tightly and almost shouted, “Sister—who took her?”

“She was taken by someone named Zhang—Zhang Xiaoshi, and also—also the former leader of the Baihu Villa bandits, someone named Bai—what was it—”

“Bai Choushen!” Pear Blossom ground her teeth and asked, “How long ago did they leave?”

The system no longer sensed their direction; they were already ten miles away.

“About a quarter of an hour ago. I rode my horse and followed them, but I couldn’t get too close. After a while, I lost them…”

Pear Blossom trembled all over and asked, “Which direction did they go?”

Daniu pointed to a low mountain peak to the south and said, “That way! I just saw their carriage go through that gap with my binoculars.”

Pear Blossom, without saying a word, slapped the horse’s back, and the big black horse instantly galloped out.

Daniu urgently shouted behind her, “Sister! The thousand-mile eye, take it—”

Pear Blossom did not turn her head and said, “I don’t need it, you keep it.”

With that, she sharply cracked the whip, and the big black horse sped up, disappearing from Daniu’s sight in the blink of an eye.

…

Outside the city gates of Jincheng, the bandits scattered and fled.

Lin Ping quickly ordered the archers to string their bows and fire arrows, and in an instant, several fell with cries of agony echoing in the air.

At that moment, the city gates suddenly opened with a loud bang, and Murong Jiutian led three hundred men charging out.

Lin Ping hurriedly led his men to surround them from behind, attacking from both sides. The bandits were trampled and scattered, their heads harvested on both fronts.

Out of the two thousand bandits, only a few lucky ones managed to escape. The rest all perished in this siege.

The area in front of the city gates was in ruins, piled high with corpses.

Murong Jiutian rode his horse closer and asked, “Where is Pear Blossom?”

Da Linzi quickly replied, “The leader, after slaying the Ghost-Seeking Sword on horseback, worried about the villagers, and went back alone.”

Murong Jiutian nodded, knowing his apprentice’s capabilities. He then addressed the crowd, “I ask all brothers to follow me into the city, and we will wipe out the remaining bandit scum lurking in the city, bringing peace to the citizens!”

Da Linzi recalled Pear Blossom’s instructions before leaving and immediately responded, “We will follow Master Murong’s arrangements.”

He then ordered Xiao Linzi to hurry back to the village to report the battle’s outcome.

Soon, a large group followed Murong Jiutian into the city.

Meanwhile, in Daliushu Village, Dagen was leading the villagers to clean up the battlefield. When he saw Daniu and Xiao Linzi running back one after the other, the villagers hurriedly gathered to inquire about the battle in the city.

Xiao Linzi, out of breath, said, “Ghost-Seeking Sword has been slain by Leader Pear Blossom. Except for a few small bandits who managed to escape, the rest were wiped out. Now, everyone is following Master Murong into the city to deal with the remaining bandit remnants. We should be able to return before dark.”

Daniu also reported on his side, “I met with my sister halfway; she’s already chasing after the princess’s carriage.”

Hearing that the battle in the city was over and that Pear Blossom was with the princess, everyone sighed in relief.

Only in the corner, Xia Xunyan stood expressionlessly. When he heard that Pear Blossom was chasing after Dong Yun, the weight on his heart slightly eased.

The villagers, recalling Bai Choushen’s words before he left, began to suspect the identities of the people involved. Their eyes turned unfriendly as they whispered and discussed, with some even advising their children not to go to school anymore.

Xia Xunyan felt the strange glances around him but said nothing, turning and heading straight back to the study.

…

The carriage jostled forward, with Dong Yun sitting upright, eyes closed, resting.

Inside the carriage, there was another woman, a concubine of Zhang Xiaoshi named Liu Ji.

Taking advantage of Dong Yun’s sleep, Liu Ji’s eyes roamed over her without restraint.

Outside, Zhang Xiaoshi’s coarse voice could be heard: “Speed up, we must reach Liuzi Town before dark, or we’ll have to spend the night in the wilderness.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage sped up.

“Go check if there’s a tail behind us,” Zhang Xiaoshi instructed one of his subordinates.

Bai Choushen replied, “General, tomorrow our forces will split up in Liuzi Town. With over ten squads heading out at once, even if there is a tail, they won’t know which squad the princess is with.”

Zhang Xiaoshi’s voice was calm: “Better to be cautious.”

Bai Choushen smiled awkwardly and said, “The general is right. It is because of your caution that we were able to successfully bring the princess.”

“You know it’s best,” Zhang Xiaoshi replied.

After nearly three hours of jolting, nightfall slowly descended, and the convoy finally arrived in Liuzi Town.

The town was small, and the sudden influx of people made the villagers panic, fleeing in fear.

There were no inns in the town, so Zhang Xiaoshi paid for two courtyards to stay in, while the rest of the troops set up camp outside the town.

Dong Yun did not have a servant girl with her, so Zhang Xiaoshi had Liu Ji attend to her.

Liu Ji had been with Zhang Xiaoshi for many years and was accustomed to having others serve her. Now, being assigned to serve Dong Yun, she was deeply reluctant.

Dong Yun could easily see the woman’s unwillingness but chose not to address it, ignoring her presence and going about her meals and rest.

In another room, Bai Choushen paced restlessly, occasionally glancing toward the room where Dong Yun was staying.

His attendant, aware of his thoughts, flattered him: “Master, are you thinking of speaking with the princess?”

Bai Choushen shot him a glare and muttered, “The general is very cautious and would never allow me to meet the princess alone.”

The attendant complained, “The general is really something. He knows that Mrs. Li doesn’t want the princess to leave alive, yet he protects her like a treasure. If you ask me, he must have feelings for the princess!”

The attendant then muttered, “He’s not one to shy away from women, so I don’t believe he wouldn’t be moved by such a beautiful princess.”

Hearing this, Bai Choushen swallowed hard, “They say women are trouble! It was because I was framed, with people claiming the princess was in my Baihu Villa, which brought those imperial dogs to destroy my life’s work! But who would have known that I never even touched a hair of hers? I’ll make sure the princess pays for this.”

The attendant quickly agreed, “Exactly, Master. You’ve exchanged the great estate of Baihu Villa for a night with the princess. It’s not too much to ask.”

Encouraged by the attendant’s words, Bai Choushen’s heart stirred. He turned around and stepped out of the room.

However, just then, the door across the room slowly creaked open, and the tall figure of Zhang Xiaoshi appeared at the doorway.

“General—” Bai Choushen quickly bowed in greeting, but inwardly he was lamenting his luck.

“It’s so late, where are you going?” Zhang Xiaoshi asked casually.

“Nothing… nowhere, just… going out for a walk. It’s too stuffy inside, I just wanted to get some fresh air,” Bai Choushen stammered, trying to explain.

Zhang Xiaoshi’s gaze was sharp, and he gave a slight nod. “Get some fresh air and rest early. We depart early tomorrow.”

Bai Choushen quickly nodded in agreement, secretly sighing with relief.

He hurriedly led his subordinates toward the main gate, pretending to be casually out for a walk.

Once they had walked a bit farther, a subordinate could not help but speak up: “Master, why are you so afraid of the General? Everything is being taken care of by Lady Li.”

Bai Choushen furrowed his brow. “But do you see him paying any attention to Lady Li’s words?”

“I clearly see him guarding against me. He may have already planned to take Princess Mingyue for himself. The Eldest Princess and the Li family are equally powerful now, so even if he doesn’t side with the Li family, if he becomes the Eldest Princess’s nephew-in-law, he would still gain significant benefits.”

The subordinate’s eyes gleamed. “Since he’s going to be the Eldest Princess’s nephew-in-law anyway, why shouldn’t you? If you could use the Eldest Princess’s influence, you could regain everything you lost.”

Bai Choushen was moved by the words but soon became downcast. “How could I compete with General Tianbao? Right now, I’m just a stray dog. How could I become the Eldest Princess’s nephew-in-law?”

The subordinate quickly stepped forward with a suggestion: “Master, why belittle yourself? After all, we were once the mighty Baihu Villa. When have we ever feared anyone? In my view, if Master can make Princess Mingyue fall in love with you, the Eldest Princess will have no choice but to accept. After all, Lady Li doesn’t want Princess Mingyue to succeed, so this way, we’ll be fulfilling her wishes and killing two birds with one stone.”

Bai Choushen was delighted by these words. “It’s worth bringing you over from Baihu Villa, you really are clever.”

He stroked his chin and asked, “So, what should we do?”

The subordinate whispered into Bai Choushen’s ear, speaking briefly.

After listening, Bai Choushen smiled. “Let’s do as you said.”

The next morning, the 500-person group split into smaller teams as planned, with groups of ten to dozens setting off. They quickly dispersed in all directions from the town.

Dong Yun was instructed to disguise herself as one of Zhang Xiaoshi’s subordinates, blending into one of the small teams. She abandoned the cart in favor of riding a horse and continued south.

The plan was to first head south, bypass Lin City, and then turn west.

Zhang Xiaoshi’s carefulness shattered the last bit of hope left in Dong Yun’s heart.

Even if Pear Blossom caught up, with the teams scattered, would she even be able to recognize which group Dong Yun was in?

Even if Pear Blossom found the right group, how could she rescue Dong Yun when facing dozens of skilled guards and a master like Zhang Xiaoshi?

Realizing this, Dong Yun gave up all hope.

She couldn’t help but wonder how frantic Pear Blossom would be if she couldn’t find her.

As these chaotic thoughts swirled in her mind, she rode on her horse under the scorching sun, swaying with the team.

Thankfully, after years of fleeing and working in villages, her body had become tougher, and the travel didn’t feel too tiring.

But as for Liu Ji, after a short while, she began complaining of pains.

They rested for a bit.

Bai Choushen occasionally approached, trying to befriend her, which only made Dong Yun feel repulsed.

She didn’t want to even speak to him, let alone send him away.

So, she turned to Zhang Xiaoshi and said, “This trip to the west will take at least ten days or more. As a princess, it’s not fitting to be traveling with a bunch of men. You should at least find me a maid to attend to me.”

Zhang Xiaoshi frowned and replied, “Hasn’t someone already been assigned to serve you?”

Dong Yun snorted, saying, “You’re being generous, having your own women serve me, without asking if they want to. I need a maid who can do the work. I can’t bear to order around such delicate ones.”

Zhang Xiaoshi seemed to agree that Liu Ji wasn’t suitable, but still said, “We’ll discuss it when we reach Lin City.”

Dong Yun felt helpless.

That evening, the group finally reached Lin City.

After settling in an inn, Zhang Xiaoshi went out with his men.

After a short time, they saw a young girl kneeling by the street, with a piece of grass in her hair and a cloth covering half her face.

Thinking about Dong Yun’s comment earlier about needing a maid, he sent his men to ask her.

It turned out she was mute and could only gesture. After some time, they learned that she was selling herself cheaply.

Zhang Xiaoshi approached and roughly pulled off the cloth, startling the girl, who stepped back and fell to the ground. She looked up at him, terrified, revealing a red birthmark on her chin.

At first, she appeared like an innocent young girl with her face covered, but the birthmark added a certain unattractiveness to her appearance.

Zhang Xiaoshi’s subordinates didn’t like her, but he was quite satisfied, especially with her ugly face and silent demeanor. Seeing her tall figure with thick calluses on her hands, it was clear she had worked hard as a child.

She seemed like someone who could serve.

So, he tossed her some silver and took her away.

Dong Yun looked at the girl kneeling in front of her, then glanced up at Zhang Xiaoshi. “The General is indeed a man of his word, but he specifically got me a mute. Seems like he’s afraid of me being disturbed.”

Zhang Xiaoshi said expressionlessly, “It’s not easy to find a strong servant girl in this poor little town. Princess, you should make do with her.”

Liu Ji, standing to the side, couldn’t help but secretly snicker. She understood Zhang Xiaoshi’s intentions very well.

It wasn’t hard to see that he was worried that the princess’s niece might have the same weakness as the princess and Lady Li—an obsession with women. That’s why he found such an unattractive girl, fearing that something inappropriate might happen between the princess and her maid.

Dong Yun snorted and then tilted her chin, signaling for the girl to leave.

The newly arrived servant girl was diligent, immediately starting to fetch water for her bath.

Seeing the girl wash the bath tub three or four times, Dong Yun felt quite satisfied. At meal time, she even gave her leftover food as a reward.

The little maid silently finished the meal with the bowl Dong Yun had used, cleaning it all up without saying a word.

Liu Ji, seeing this, couldn’t help but sneer, “Really a country bumpkin, happily licking someone else’s bowl like a stray dog fighting for scraps by the roadside. It’s just unbearable to watch.”

The mute maid couldn’t respond, of course, but she stared at Liu Ji with eyes full of dissatisfaction, expressing her displeasure.

Dong Yun, however, didn’t get angry after hearing Liu Ji’s words. She only smiled, her laughter almost causing her to tremble.

In the evening, while the maid was massaging Dong Yun’s waist to relieve the fatigue from horseback riding, Liu Ji lay nearby, when the sound of the guards knocking on the door came.

“Princess, Lord Bai seeks an audience.”

Before Dong Yun could respond, the hands on her waist suddenly increased in pressure, and she let out a sharp cry in surprise.

Liu Ji looked over at the sound.

The mute girl quickly knelt down, prostrating her head to the ground in apology.

Dong Yun glanced at her impatiently and said, “You’re too rough. This is your first offense, so I’ll let you off this time.”

The maid bowed twice more to indicate her understanding.

The guards outside knocked again, “Princess, Lord Bai seeks an audience.”

At this point, Liu Ji elegantly stood up, her voice carrying a touch of coquettishness, “Since Lord Bai has come, I’ll take my leave to avoid disturbing the private conversation between the two of you.”

Her words contained a subtle implication that was open to interpretation.

Dong Yun’s expression remained unchanged, even with a smile on her lips. However, what Liu Ji couldn’t understand was the coldness in her eyes.

But Liu Ji didn’t care about Dong Yun’s attitude. She didn’t care about Bai Choushen either. What she cared about was Zhang Xiaoshi.

She knew what Lady Li’s intentions were, but Zhang Xiaoshi didn’t seem to have plans to kill anyone, which made her uneasy.

She didn’t know whether Zhang Xiaoshi had any interest in Dong Yun, but she understood men. With a beauty like Dong Yun before them, how could any man not be moved?

Of course, Liu Ji didn’t want Zhang Xiaoshi to take an interest in Dong Yun. Even though that man had never mentioned making her his official concubine, it didn’t stop her from being jealous of Dong Yun, even wishing to make things difficult for her.

After all, if Dong Yun was around, what would there be left for Liu Ji?

She secretly hoped that Bai Choushen would fan the flames and take Dong Yun down, so that even if Zhang Xiaoshi had any thoughts, he would have no way to act on them.

So when Bai Choushen came to her for cooperation the night before, she agreed without hesitation.

Hearing the sound of footsteps now, she immediately became excited, hurriedly offering to step out and give them space.

As Liu Ji disappeared from the door, Bai Choushen’s figure appeared, and Dong Yun suppressed the annoyance and disgust rising in her chest, speaking coldly, “Lord Bai, at this hour, what brings you here?”

Bai Choushen smiled obsequiously, “I feared the princess might be bored, so I brought a game of Yezi to help pass the time.”

His white face was smooth, looking nothing like a bandit leader. In fact, Baihu Villa wasn’t even something he conquered—it was his family’s inheritance, so he lacked the viciousness typical of a bandit.

Even Ghost seemed more like a bandit than him.

Dong Yun narrowed her eyes and sized him up, suddenly asking, “May I ask, Lord Bai, how old are you this year?”

Bai Choushen was momentarily taken aback by the question. His smiling face instantly dropped, but he quickly regained his composure and said calmly, “A man at forty is in the prime of life, capable of great accomplishments. What does the princess mean by that?”

“Then why don’t you go and achieve greatness? Why come here to me?”

Bai Choushen was momentarily stumped, awkwardly clearing his throat a few times before shamelessly saying, “By day, I work diligently, but when night falls, I wish to help the princess ease her worries.”

His words were frivolous and shameless, making one feel disgusted.

Dong Yun didn’t spare him another glance, allowing the mute girl to trim her nails as she spoke with increasing coldness, “I’m only twenty-four this year, and I’m not interested in old men. I only like younger ones. Lord Bai, if you have no important business, it would be best not to linger around me.”

Bai Choushen, repeatedly insulted by her that day, and now hearing her direct rejection, a flash of malice appeared in his eyes. He struggled to suppress his anger, and his gaze turned cold as he said, “Princess, do you still think this world is your father’s? You may not know, but this trip to Xisai was optional. If not for the general and I showing you mercy, you would have been decapitated the moment you left Daliushu Village!”

Dong Yun let out a cold laugh, her eyes flashing with cold light. “Lord Bai, are you trying to threaten me?”

Bai Choushen’s expression shifted unpredictably, but he eventually forced a smile and said, “Princess, you misunderstand. I was merely reminding you to see the situation clearly.”

Dong Yun smiled as well, “I have sharp ears and eyes, and I can see the situation clearly. But Lord Bai, with your age, having no family, no career, and living in solitude, aren’t you more pitiable than I am?”

“You—” Bai Choushen was so enraged by these words that his anger seemed to be radiating from all his orifices. He wanted to step forward to argue, but unexpectedly, the mute girl had already stepped in front of him. The hostility emanating from her made him take two steps back involuntarily.

Dong Yun watched with satisfaction as Bai Choushen faltered, waving her hand and saying, “Master Bai, it’s late. I need to retire for the night. Please, feel free to leave.”

Bai Choushen, filled with fury but unable to vent it, could only angrily toss his sleeves and storm out of the room.

Dong Yun watched his retreating figure disappear into the darkness, a smug smile curling at the corners of her lips.

She turned her gaze to the mute girl beside her, her eyes filled with admiration and affection. “Go close the door, it’s time for me to sleep.”

The mute girl obediently went to close the door and locked it.

She then returned to the room, bringing over another blanket and spreading it out in front of Dong Yun’s bed.

Afterward, she turned off the light and lay down.

The room was pitch black. Dong Yun lay on her side near the edge of the bed, reaching her hand down to feel the girl’s face.

The mute girl gently held her hand, caressing it before bringing it to her lips and giving it a soft kiss.

Then, in a voice that only the two of them could hear, she said, “Sleep, I’ll watch over you.”

Dong Yun gave a soft hum in response, then withdrew her hand, turned over, and lay flat, closing her eyes to sleep peacefully.

Outside the room, with the lights out, Liu Ji could no longer see anything through the paper hole. She thought of Bai Choushen’s frustrated expression earlier and, feeling somewhat disappointed, straightened up. She turned and walked toward Zhang Xiaoshi’s room.