A group of imperial soldiers stood guard outside, completely surrounding the small village.

“Your Highness, this village is called Shiwa Village. It consists of thirty households, with a total of 156 residents.”

After gathering intelligence, they had locked onto a large mansion as their primary target.

Jiang Fengyuan immediately stepped forward. “Then what are we waiting for, Your Highness? We should send men in to search immediately!”

His precious little one had been stuck in this wretched place for two days.

Who knew how those animals had been treating her?

Had she gone hungry?

Had she been cold?

A few years ago, he had led a mission to destroy a human traffickers’ den.

The children inside were emaciated, barely clothed, and tortured beyond recognition.

For the past two days, Jiang Fengyuan had been so worried he couldn’t eat or sleep.

Even Madam Chen had dark circles under her eyes and a blister on her lip from stress.

The Crown Prince looked at the exhaustion in Jiang Fengyuan’s eyes and said, “General, calm yourself.”

“I worry about Yuanxi just as much as you do, but we don’t know the situation inside. If we act rashly, we might alert the enemy.”

For now, they would apply pressure. If the kidnappers had any sense, they would release Yuanxi without a fight.

Jiang Yuansheng furrowed his brows and stepped forward.

“Your Highness, since we are uncertain of the situation, we should send scouts to investigate in secret.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes lit up.

“Yes, I had not considered that.” If they forced their way in and the enemy panicked, they might kill the hostages. That would be too late.

“In that case, I will go personally with Jiang Yuanwu.”

..

Jiang Yuanxi was happily munching on the roasted meat Qin San handed her.

She clutched a large lamb leg in both hands, her small mouth covered in grease.

[I haven’t had meat in two days. I’m starving!]

[Wow, so delicious!]

Beside her, Li Lan occasionally wiped the little one’s mouth with a handkerchief.

On the rooftop, two figures were left stunned.

The Crown Prince was puzzled. Since when were kidnappers this kind-hearted?

A whole roasted lamb was one thing, but they even had someone waiting on her?

Jiang Yuanwu, on the other hand, was furious.

These bastards must have realized how valuable she is and decided to fatten her up before selling her at a high price.

He gripped his sword tightly. They must all die.

In the pitch-black courtyard, the glow of the roasting fire stood out the most.

Jiang Yuanxi enjoyed her meal, glancing occasionally at the two people beside her.

That day, she had subtly hinted to Li Lan that Qin San was different from the other bandits.

I wonder if this big sister is touched to the point of tears.

Qin San tore off another lamb leg and handed it to Li Lan, who was curled up in the corner.

With his naturally fierce face and his cold expression, Li Lan didn’t dare get close.

Seeing this, Qin San asked softly, “Do you need something to put it on?”

Li Lan stammered, “T-Thank you, young master.”

The courtyard was filled with rough men.

Qin San found a large tree leaf, placed the lamb meat on it, and then used his knife to cut it into bite-sized pieces.

Li Lan watched him, suddenly feeling that although this man looked scary, he wasn’t actually that bad.

She had observed over the past two days—Qin San never laid hands on the women. On the contrary, he even looked after them.

Her impression of him improved slightly.

Now, watching him carefully cut meat for her, she found herself feeling less afraid.

After finishing, Qin San walked to the small pond in the center of the courtyard to wash his knife.

Li Lan picked up a piece of meat and swallowed it.

At that moment, Jiang Yuanxi leaned over.

She grinned and pointed at Qin San.

“Big sister, that’s the same knife he used to kill the bad guys who bullied you.”

[Let me see if she’s so touched that she cries.]

Li Lan’s hand trembled.

The piece of meat slipped from her fingers.

A knife used for killing was being used to cut her food.

Qin San was threatening her. Disobey, and you’ll end up like meat on a chopping board.

Li Lan’s face turned pale.

Whatever goodwill she had felt for him vanished instantly.

[She really cried!]

On the rooftop, the two men watching the scene shook their heads in unison. That’s not moved to tears, that’s terrified to death!

Just then, Wang Pozi arrived with a group of people.

She stepped up to Jiang Yuanxi and stared at her for a long moment.

“What’s your relation to Princess Xihe?” Wang Pozi asked.

Jiang Yuanxi blinked and replied, “I look like her.”

Wang Pozi’s legs nearly gave out.

Her heart, which had been suspended in anxiety, finally shattered.

Li Lan’s eyes widened in shock.

Qin San’s mouth twitched. “Wang Pozi, how could she be a princess?”

A princess who could devour an entire lamb leg in one sitting—what kind of royal upbringing was that? She was more like a little piglet!

And besides, the Xihe Princess was deeply cherished by the Emperor, constantly surrounded by layers of guards.

How could she have ended up here?

Wang Pozi’s heart pounded like a drum.

“Shiwa Village is surrounded by imperial soldiers. Our master has learned that the Crown Prince himself is here.”

“Clang!” Qin San’s knife slipped from his fingers, hitting the ground with a heavy thud.

This can’t be real… can it?

Wang Pozi quickly issued orders. “Move the girls immediately!”

“Yes!”

Her gaze turned cold as she stared at the child in front of her.

“Kill this girl!”

Qin San’s eyes widened. “Killing a royal princess means losing our heads!”

Wang Pozi sneered. “Hah! She’s just a bastard princess, not truly royal blood. Even if the Emperor finds out, he won’t care.”

“If we let her go, we’ll all be exposed!”

Knowing Qin San’s soft heart, she pointed at another subordinate.

“Wait!”

Jiang Yuanxi stood up and locked eyes with Wang Pozi.

“You cannot escape the weight of 22 lives.”

Wang Pozi’s pupils shrank.

A chill spread through her body.

How… how does she know?

It must be a coincidence.

She forced herself to stay calm.

“Take her away! Quickly!”

For some reason, just looking into this child’s eyes made her shiver.

So what if she was a princess?

As long as she was dead, no one would ever know the truth.

Jiang Yuanxi opened her mouth to speak, but someone grabbed her by the collar and lifted her up.

The little girl struggled. “Let me go! Stop grabbing my collar—I can’t breathe!”

On the rooftop, the two men watching finally moved.

Jiang Yuanwu and the Crown Prince leapt down, slashing the enemy’s throat in a single stroke.

With a soft thud, Jiang Yuanxi landed on the ground.

Li Lan rushed over to shield her.

Qin San, seeing this, cut down Wang Pozi’s guard with a single strike.

“You dare betray your master!” she screamed, eyes bloodshot.

Qin San sneered. “Betray your damn master! I’ve had enough of you.”

“You’d even kill a kid? You deserve to die alone with no sons to send you off!”

Wang Pozi trembled with rage.

“Men!”

Dozens of brawny fighters emerged, surrounding them.

“Kill them all! Including that traitor!”

Qin San roared. “Damn it, I’ve had enough!”

He charged forward, swinging his blade furiously.

Jiang Yuanwu hesitated for a second. This guy is surprisingly straightforward. I like him.

As the battle erupted, Wang Pozi tried to slip away.

But as she turned a corner, a small figure blocked her path.

Jiang Yuanxi stepped forward, her gaze eerily calm.

“Harming innocent people—you die.”

“Condemning 3,286 children to suffering—you die.”

“Killing your own child—”

Her soft voice carried an icy finality.

“Die.”