Font Size:
Shen Yu’an hadn’t even reached the side of the cellar when she heard a series of knocking sounds on the door from outside.
The sounds grew louder, as if the person outside was impatient. After shouting a couple of times, they couldn’t wait any longer and began to forcefully kick the door.
The small wooden door couldn’t withstand the repeated onslaught and with a loud bang, it collapsed to the ground.
“General, there are people lying all over the yard.”
Soon after, a commanding voice followed, saying, “Go in and investigate the situation.”
Shen Yu’an listened to the sounds outside and cautiously leaned against the door, peeking out.
“Who’s there?” The individuals entering the yard raised their weapons and cautiously moved towards the house, pointing them in its direction.
Shen Yu’an saw that these people were dressed in official attire, and she thinks that they must have come running upon hearing the commotion.
Soon after, Shen Yu’an spotted a familiar face in the crowd.
She curved her finger and tapped on the doorframe, loudly shouting, “Don’t act rashly, we’re allies.”
The stern voice spoke again, “Who is it? Step out on your own!”
Such a loud voice was also heard by those inside the cellar.
They immediately halted their violent actions and listened quietly to the commotion outside.
The individuals outside urged once more, “Hurry up!”
Shen Yu’an opened the door and walked out confidently.
Meanwhile, down in the cellar, Zhu Zhu also heard that authoritative voice and excitedly shouted, “Uncle, Uncle!”
As soon as Shen Yu’an walked out, Qi Wenqin recognized her, and the next moment, he heard the voice of Zhu Zhu coming from inside the house.
Qi Wenqin said to the tall man standing beside him, “Elder brother, it’s Zhu Zhu!”
And the man addressed as “elder brother” by Qi Wenqin was none other than General Qi Wenzhen of Xiangnan.
Qi Wenzhen stared at Shen Yu’an and said, “Go inside and check if Zhu Zhu is alright.”
Qi Wenqin hurriedly walked towards the house. When he reached Shen Yu’an, he paused and turned to Qi Wenzhen, saying, “By the way, elder brother, this is the girl I told you about, the one who saved Zhu Zhu on the road.”
Only then did Qi Wenzhen ease his suspicious and wary expression, but his gaze towards Shen Yu’an remained assessing.
Shen Yu’an didn’t pay attention to his gaze and, after Qi Wenqin entered the house, she turned and followed suit.
This was because she had heard Zhu Zhu, that little girl, calling for her.
The officials who followed Qi Wenzhen also entered the house and lit the lamps inside.
With the room illuminated, Qi Wenzhen held a candle and walked behind Shen Yu’an and the others. Shen Yu’an and Qi Wenqin both half-crouched at the entrance of the cellar, peering inside.
The first thing that caught their eyes was Yun niang, her hair and clothes in disarray, her face sporting bruises and cuts, with blood flowing from under her nose.
Shen Yu’an scanned the ground and asked, “Did you beat her up?” Originally, when the girls saw the officials arrive, they were excited; they had finally waited for someone to rescue them.
Upon hearing Shen Yu’an’s words, they felt a bit embarrassed. They had indeed seen this troublesome woman fall in, and they wanted to teach her a lesson. But in the darkness, they ended up beating her so badly.
Before they could reply, Shen Yu’an smiled and said, “Good job.”
“Father! Sister!” Qi Wenqin saw Zhu Zhu’s flushed face down below, her hand raised towards them. Without hesitation, he reached down and pulled her up.
Qi Wenzhen gestured to the people behind, commanding, “Two of you, go down and bring up the others.”
Qi Wenqin carried Zhu Zhu to the side, and she peered at Shen Yu’an from his shoulder.
“Sister, you’re all wet. Are you cold?”
Shen Yu’an approached and ruffled her hair affectionately.
Qi Wenqin paused and looked at Shen Yu’an, asking, “Miss, did you subdue those people outside?”
“Yes.”
All the people from the cellar had been brought up. It was deep into the night, well past curfew, making it impractical for them to return. Therefore, they had no choice but to settle them here for the time being.
Until tomorrow, the families who lost their children will come forward to claim them.
These people, aside from being frightened, didn’t suffer any major injuries. However, a few of the children were running high fevers.
Qi Wenzhen arranged for his subordinates to bring the court physician from the General’s Residence.
As for food, they had just found supplies in the kitchen of this courtyard, so they were allowed to fill their stomachs first.
Qi Wenqin and his brother Qi Wenzhen naturally noticed that Zhu Zhu was also running a fever.
Qi Wenzhen assigned a few officials to accompany Qi Wenqin and Zhu Zhu back to the residence along with Shen Yu’an. Although Qi Wenzhen wanted to inquire about the situation in the courtyard, he could tell that she wasn’t feeling well.
Considering that Shen Yu’an had saved Zhu Zhu twice and had contributed this time as well, he allowed her to head back first.
The rain was heavy on the way back, and the group walked silently to the General’s Residence, with no words exchanged along the way.
The wife of the General of Xiangnan was Lady Wen. True to her name, she was a gentle-looking woman.
In the main hall of the Xiangnan General’s Residence, Lady Wen and Xin Rui sat anxiously together, looking outside from time to time. They would occasionally ask the servants by their side if there was any news coming in from outside.
However, each time the response they received was negative.
After waiting anxiously for a while, a gatekeeper hurriedly came to deliver a message, “Madam, Second Madam, Second Master, and Miss have returned.”
Xin Rui’s heart sank suddenly. When she stood up abruptly, she felt her vision darken for a moment. Anxiously, she asked, “Has Zhu Zhu been found?”
The gatekeeper’s messenger continued, “According to Second Madam’s inquiry, it’s absolutely certain. I personally saw Second Master carry Miss back just now. They’ve gone to the rear courtyard, and the estate physician was summoned.”
The heart that Xin Rui had just dropped suddenly leaped again, and she cried out, “Summoned the estate physician? My Zhu Zhu, could something terrible have happened to her!”
The gatekeeper’s messenger stood with his head down in his original spot. When Miss came back, she was bundled up in Second Master’s clothes, so he hadn’t seen what was happening. He only heard the Master shout for the estate physician.
Xin Rui almost couldn’t stand steady, and Lady Wen quickly supported her.
Lady Wen consoled Xin Rui in a soothing voice, “Don’t be too anxious. At least we’ve found her now. Let’s go see her quickly. Zhu Zhu might be frightened.”
After returning to the General’s Residence, Shen Yu’an was led to a guest room by a servant arranged by Qi Wenqin.
Hot water and fresh clothes were brought over in no time.
Shen Yu’an quickly washed up a bit, and as soon as she changed into the clean clothes, she heard a maid outside softly calling for her.
“Miss Shen, the young lady is insisting on seeing you. Second Master has sent me to inquire if you’re available.”
Shen Yu’an opened the door directly and said, “Let’s go, lead the way. I’ll come with you.”
“Ah, Miss Shen, please follow me,” the maid said.
The maid led the way, and Shen Yu’an followed closely behind. In no time, they arrived at a door illuminated by a light.
Zhu Zhu’s voice came from inside, “I want Sister, I want Sister.”
Outside the door, the maid knocked softly and said, “Second Master, Miss Shen has arrived.”
Qi Wenqin called out, “Please come in!”