A Scumbag Marrying A Second Wife? Then Let’s Empty Out His Family’s Estate!
A Scumbag Marrying A Second Wife? Then Let’s Empty Out His Family’s Estate! Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Golden-Threaded Soft Armor

This was Wei Yunlan’s first time seeing Mount Yueheng with her own eyes. Though it was her first encounter, she had long heard of this mountain range—ranked as the second largest in Dayong territory.

Mount Yueheng stretched from Hanzhou in the west to the junction of Linzhou and Pingzhou in the east, spanning more than eight hundred li. Its arc-shaped formation created a natural semi-enclosure, firmly shielding the northern and eastern flanks of the Capital.

It served as the second line of defense for the Dayong Dynasty against invasions from the Northern Barbarians.

It was precisely because of this formidable range that, in her previous life, the Emperor and the Second Prince had never imagined the Northern Barbarians could ever reach the Capital.

Wei Yunlan remembered it clearly—in her past life, the reason the Northern Barbarian cavalry managed to cross Mount Yueheng was that someone familiar with the terrain led the way. They deceived the court’s surveillance and hid an entire army of one hundred thousand Northern Barbarians within the mountains.

It wasn’t until this force burst forth from Mount Yueheng and stormed into Zhuozhou that the imperial court finally realized the threat—but by then, it was far too late for any preparations!

To assist the Northern Barbarians in pulling off such a feat meant that there must be a formidable power hidden within Mount Yueheng.

What remained uncertain was whether this force had only risen after those events, or if it had already begun developing quietly in the present.

A trace of unease surfaced in Wei Yunlan’s heart. Taking advantage of the midday break when the group had stopped to rest, she called her Father into the mule cart.

The wooden cangue made it especially awkward to crawl in and out, and Wei Maolin had initially wanted to suggest they talk outside instead. But when he caught a sharp glare from Madam Gao, he promptly shut his mouth and obediently climbed into the mule cart.

Madam Gao called everyone over to eat the flatbread they had baked that morning with the vegetable broth. “Lan’er, take a portion to your father, let him eat inside the cart.”

Wei Yunlan carried the broth in one hand and the flatbread in the other as she entered the mule cart.

Only then did Wei Maolin speak up, puzzled, “Lan’er, what is it you want to say to your father?”

Wei Yunlan placed the food to the side, then reached behind the seat cushion to retrieve the soft armor she had stashed there not long ago.

It was the very one she had purchased from Tianshu Pavilion before leaving the Capital.

“Golden Thread Soft Armor?” Wei Maolin, having come from a ducal household, naturally recognized it.

“That’s right.” Wei Yunlan nodded and handed the soft armor over. “Father, put this on close to your body.”

“I’m not going to the battlefield. What use is this for me?”

“You walk at the front of the convoy, far ahead of us. If anything happens, I’m afraid we won’t be able to reach you in time.” There was only one piece of Golden Thread Soft Armor. If she had more, Wei Yunlan would gladly have her whole family wear it. But with only one, she could only prioritize her father.

“Better safe than sorry. If you wear this, we’ll all feel more at ease.”

“Alright, I’ll put it on later,” Wei Maolin agreed, seeing it as something to ease his daughter’s worries.

Besides, the Golden Thread Soft Armor wasn’t particularly heavy. Once they reached Beiguan, he could take it off and have his daughter store it properly. This was a treasure fit to be part of her dowry!

“Don’t brush me off. I’m going to have Mother check later,” Wei Yunlan said warily.

“I know, I know. I’ll definitely put it on,” Wei Maolin replied with a helpless chuckle. Ever since his daughter had returned after the divorce, her temperament seemed livelier than before. She even knew to invoke her mother to keep him in line!

“……”

With the hope that it would cool down after entering the mountains, the convoy had been moving especially quickly these past two days.

Conflicts among the families had also lessened significantly, largely because the Feng Family’s children had quieted down. Of course, the most likely reason was that they’d been roasted limp by the sun and had no energy left to cause trouble.

The mountain outline they had once seen in the distance was now right before their eyes.

To reach Beiguan, one had to pass through the Yueheng Mountains. Detouring either west or east would take far too long. The route designated by the court followed a mountain crevice just wide enough for two carriages to pass side by side, winding northward.

This was the fastest route through the Yueheng Mountains, mostly along the base of the mountains, though there were still plenty of sections with steep slopes to climb and descend.

At this moment, the shortcomings of the carriage became apparent. On such rugged mountain paths, traveling by mule cart was far more efficient. After entering the mountains, the convoy had to stop several times because of the Liang Family’s carriage, and their pace had slowed down to more than half of what it had been before they entered the mountains.

However, it wasn’t all bad news. At least, the mountain crevice brought a cool breeze, and all the scorching heat from outside was swept away by the refreshing wind.

Having just endured the intense heat and sun, walking in this pleasant environment felt incredibly soothing. No one was willing to voice any complaints or rush the journey.

After all, no one could be sure whether, after passing through this mountain trail, they would still feel as cool when exposed to the scorching sun again.

The convoy came to a halt once more during the descent.

One of the Liang Family’s carriages had overturned and lost a wheel. The servants were scrambling to make repairs.

Seeing the delay, the convoy leader decided to rest for a quarter of an hour. After this brief rest, they would speed up the pace and try to make it out of the Yueheng Mountains before nightfall.

The Liang family’s servants worked hurriedly, while the masters sat on horse saddles taken from the carriage, enjoying some sheep milk curd chilled with stream water by the maidservants.

Not far off, the young boys of the Feng Family watched eagerly, saliva practically dripping from their mouths. However, due to being held back by their fathers and uncles, they didn’t dare approach and ask the Liang Family for some.

Seeing their grandsons staring longingly, their mouths watering, Old Madam Feng felt a pang of sympathy.

Turning her back to avoid her sons’ gaze, she gave a discrete signal to a few of her grandsons.

“Father, Second Uncle!”

“We’ll go get some water!”

With Feng Da Qiang leading the way, a few of the older Feng boys grabbed water pouches and ran toward the back.

By the time the Feng boys were headed this way, Wei Yunlan had already sensed their intent and quietly leaned in to whisper a few instructions into Suihe’s ear.

As expected, the Feng boys didn’t have any good intentions. They went straight for the wooden barrel that held the sheep’s milk.

Just as Feng Da Qiang’s right hand was about to grasp the handle of the barrel, a hemp rope suddenly shot out from the side and wrapped tightly around his arm.

Suihe tightly gripped the other end of the hemp rope and swiftly stepped forward, expertly binding Feng Da Qiang with just a few quick moves.

The other Feng boys, seeing what was happening, tried to flee, completely disregarding their bound brother.

But Wei Yunlan wasn’t about to let them escape. She had already instructed Dong Da and Liu Quan to block the path back, and not far from them, Bai Si, who was seated with the Bai Family, raised her wooden stick, ready to act if needed.

However, there was no need for her intervention. The mischievous little boys couldn’t possibly compare to the agility of Dong Da and Liu Quan, or the strength of Suihe. In no time at all, the group was securely tied up.

“You bastards! What are you doing tying up my grandsons?!”

Old Madam Feng, seeing the situation, rushed over like a madwoman. She pointed at the Wei Family members, shouting angrily, “What gives you the right to tie them up? Let go of my grandsons!”

“Because they’ve got itchy hands,” Wei Yunlan said, stepping out from behind Dong Da and Liu Quan. Her eyes swept over the direction where the convoy leader, Xie Guan, sat on a large stone. It was clear that Xie Guan had no intention of intervening.

In truth, aside from the Liang Family, Xie Guan had ignored any of the minor squabbles between the other families. He only spoke up when the travel pace was affected, cursing a few words before retreating.

Wei Yunlan had no intention of being polite with the Feng Family. With such a family, if they weren’t dealt with once and for all, there would be endless trouble in the future.

“According to the laws of Dayong, thieves are to be punished with a beating, and repeat offenders have their hands amputated. These grandsons of yours have long been caught stealing before,” she continued, her voice cold and unyielding.

Having been a young lady from a noble family and the wife of a marquis for many years, Wei Yunlan knew how to exert her authority. Her imposing demeanor at that moment could make anyone shrink back. The frost on her face mirrored the look of an executioner standing outside the court.

“Y-You… what are you going to do?”

Old Madam Feng, who usually roared with confidence, now trembled, her voice faltering in fear.

Wei Yunlan ignored her and, under the terrified gaze of the Feng Family, spoke coldly, “Do it.”

In the next instant, Suihe lifted Feng Da Qiang’s right hand.

With a loud crack, his struggling right hand immediately dropped limply.

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