Shen Jiazhen met the second-in-command of Dawangzhai on the very first day he was arrested.

This person is now fighting with Yi Huan. Judging from their conversation, Yi Huan doesn't seem to be a bandit from Dawang Village.

"Shen Jiazhen, find a place to hide."

"Oh~"

No one knows where this river bandit found so many helpers. This time on the river, Yi Huan and the others were completely unprepared.

The bandits numbered over fifty, while Yi Huan only had thirty.

Nevertheless, even though the bandits outnumbered and outmatched, they were no match for Yi Huan's well-trained subordinates.

Yi Huan doesn't need to worry about the safety of her subordinates; at most, they might damage some goods.

Most of the bandits were dead, and the second-in-command was furious, wanting Yi Huan to pay with her life today.

"You're not from the Shen family, you're from the military?"

The entire ship was filled with men personally trained by Prince Yu. Even if they weren't soldiers, their skills were no different from those of soldiers.

"Guess..."

Yi Huan sneered, but her hands never stopped moving.

She was nimble and light-footed. Grabbing the rope of the sail, she jumped and kicked the second-in-command in the jaw.

The second-in-command tilted his head to the side, and two of his teeth fell out.

"Ah... I'll die with you..."

The burly man raised his broadsword and charged at Yi Huan with a hoarse voice. Seeing this, Shen Jiazhen noticed a rope spanning the bed and ran over to pull it up.

The second-in-command of Dawang Village was so focused on killing Yi Huan that he didn't expect to trip over the rope after only a few steps.

"Guards, protect the young lady."

Most of the pirates on the ship were dead, but five of the merchant ship's men arrived.

Looking at the helpers he had invited, so many of them couldn't take down this boatload of people, and he knew he had no way out tonight.

"Just surrender obediently, and I might give you a quick death."

Although Yi Huan was not injured, judging from the look in that bandit's eyes, the fact that he was able to run back to seek revenge shows that he was not even afraid of death.

"Hmph! Even if I die, I'll take someone down with me..."

Yi Huan's expression was sharp, and she ordered her men to surround the second-in-command.

In the blink of an eye, neither Yi Huan nor the other five were able to kill the second-in-command in an instant.

He was covered in blood and seriously injured, but he didn't give up and kept fighting towards one spot.

Knowing full well that this fighting style would worsen his injuries, he still did it.

Yi Huan originally thought he was coming towards her, but after two moves, she moved behind him.

When I looked back, I realized I had fallen into a trap.

This bandit was able to become the second-in-command not because he was stupid or incompetent.

He wasn't trying to kill Yi Huan. Even though he was injured all over, his only target was Shen Jiazhen, who was originally standing behind Yi Huan.

Without Yi Huan's protection, Shen Jiazhen inevitably fell into the hands of the second-in-command.

He held a large knife to Shen Jiazhen's neck, his body covered in blood, and grinned sinisterly.

"I'll kill anyone who touches me again..."

Yi Huan raised her hand to stop everyone from moving. The entire merchant ship was covered with the corpses of the pirates. Even those who were not dead were seriously injured and unable to get up.

“Okay, we’ll stay put. You calm down first…” Yi Huan said.

Even if Shen Jiazhen was slow to realize what had happened, he would know.

He had already been rescued by Yi Huan and the others, and Dawangzhai was no longer the territory of the river bandits.

If that's the case, then everything makes sense.

They wiped out the river bandits, and since their merchant ship needed repairs, they settled in Dawangzhai and rescued him along the way.

The government sent them food and medicine to thank them for eliminating the river bandits.

No wonder he had been treated so well after being rescued. Yi Huan had only lied to him; she had never done anything to him.

Shen Jiazhen belatedly realized that he was too stupid to not even see something like this.

Although he was deceived, Yi Huan was still his savior. Even if his own life was in danger, he would never let his benefactor be put in danger.

"Um... Second Master, listen to me, I don't know them. Even if you kill me, you can't threaten them. Don't be impulsive..."

The second-in-command glanced at Shen Jiazhen, then spoke to Yi Huan and the others in front of him.

"The man in my hands is the only son of the Shen family, the number one merchant family in Nanning. If you don't want to save him, I'll kill him to be buried with my niece."

Yi Huan calmly put her hands behind her back, and Shi Shuang handed her the hidden arrow from behind and helped her put it on.

"Tell me, what conditions do you want?"

Yi Huan stalled for time, trying to figure out how to save Shen Jiazhen without hurting him.

The bandit's eyes flashed with ferocity as he glared at Yi Huan through gritted teeth: "If you want to save him, you'll have to give your life in return."

Although Shen Jiazhen was frightened, he hurriedly said, "Second Master, kill them if you want. I don't know them. Don't make unreasonable demands."

The knife pressed against Shen Jiazhen's neck tightened slightly, and blood was drawn from her neck.

"If you save the only son of the Shen family, your family will never have to worry about food and clothing again. Listen up, everyone on the boat, if anyone kills this woman to avenge my elder brother and niece, I will release the young master of the Shen family."

"At that time, you will be the benefactors of the Shen family. The wealth that the Shen family dangles between their fingers will be enough for you to live on for several lifetimes."

Despite the tempting offer, no one on the merchant ship was interested; they were already living a life of luxury with the young lady.

Yi Huan took a step closer to Shen Jiazhen. The second-in-command of Dawang Village felt a chill run down his spine. He had already witnessed Yi Huan's methods and knew that he was no match for her.

"Don't come any closer, or I'll kill him."

Yi Huan only took a couple of tentative steps, but the second-in-command didn't think so. With a flick of his wrist, he threw Shen Jiazhen off the edge of the boat.

"Ah...help..."

Shen Jiazhen was suspended in mid-air, his body only ten feet above the river surface, with the second-in-command holding his left hand.

If he releases it, he will drown in this vast river.

"Stop! I'll agree to your terms!"

Yi Huan replied to Uncle Shen, promising that she would protect Shen Jiazhen and ensure his safe return to the capital. She would keep her word.

The bandits chuckled maliciously, telling Yi Huan to end her own life.

"Miss, you mustn't..."

Yi Huan picked up the sword, and Shi Shuang and the others didn't even dare to breathe.

Compared to Shen Jiazhen, their status as princesses was far more noble, and they absolutely could not lose their lives for Shen Jiazhen.

Shen Jiazhen was also incredulous when he heard Yi Huan agree to the bandits' request.

They had only known each other for a few days, yet she was willing to risk her life for him.

Shen Jiazhen was frail from childhood and lived a life of comfort thanks to his family's business. When did he ever deserve someone to give their life for him?

At this moment, Shen Jiazhen felt conflicted, but he also knew that no matter how useless he was, he could not let anything happen to his savior.

"Yi Huan, don't worry about me. When you get to the capital, tell my parents that I've wronged them and that I've done my best to be their son in this life..."