Chapter 35 Unwilling to Leave

The explicit words made Wang Mingfu feel embarrassed. Her heart beat faster, her cheeks turned red and white, and her hands unconsciously twisted the corners of her clothes.

“How could it be…”

She whispered, her voice trembling.

She just didn't want to hear Tinglan being humiliated again.

The man seemed to be in a very good mood, with a smile on his lips. He raised the folding fan in his hand, lifted her chin, and forced her to look at him.

Wang Mingfu's pupils shrank, the color drained from her face, and she froze in place. The man leaned closer, his breath brushing her cheek...

Just then, footsteps were heard outside the secret room.

"Second Young Master."

A servant stopped at the passage, bowed his head respectfully, and did not dare to enter the inner room rashly.

The man paused, then stood up and said.

"What's up?"

"Someone just reported that the Second Young Mistress accidentally fell down the stairs and is now suffering from severe abdominal pain. I'm afraid she may have miscarried. Second Young Master, do you want to go back and check on her?"

The attendant reported in a low voice.

The man frowned, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes, but he immediately followed the attendant and left.

He always knew what was important. Even though his affection with that woman was just a show for others to see, she was his wife after all, and the child she was carrying was his own.

As soon as the man left, Wang Mingfu suddenly relaxed all over, collapsed on the edge of the couch, and couldn't stop breathing rapidly.

Song Qianzhao came out from behind the screen, walked forward silently, and picked up Wang Mingfu horizontally.

The girl's body was surprisingly light, and he could hardly feel her weight when he held her in his arms.

Wang Mingfu's fingers tightly grasped his sleeves, as if this could bring her some peace of mind.

She raised her head and saw that the man had long eyelashes as black as ink, his lips were naturally beautiful, but his jawline was extremely taut.

"Brother Song, he's the second son of Li Ge Lao's family," Wang Mingfu said, her voice tinged with uneasiness. "Can we... really escape?"

Just a moment ago, she thought she would be trapped in this devil's cave forever, and she didn't even dare to hope for escape in her dreams...

The second son of Li Ge's family? Song Qianzhao's heart suddenly shuddered—it turned out that the person who instructed Lawrence Lu behind the scenes was him!

She collected her thoughts, looked down at the girl in her arms, her tone gentle but firm.

"It's not about running away, it's about going home."

This dark and gloomy place was not her place to be, so how could she "escape"? It was just a return to the world that originally belonged to her.

Wang Mingfu was stunned.

Song Qianzhao carried the girl out of the inner room, but did not leave directly. Instead, he turned and walked towards the next room.

"Brother Song..." The girl shrank in his arms and shook her head repeatedly, "Don't go..."

She didn't want to go in, and she didn't dare to look at the situation inside.

Song Qianzhao suddenly stopped and looked towards the entrance of the secret room.

At this time, footsteps came from far away and someone else walked in.

She didn't need to guess to know that it must be Ruyue who came.

Ruyue walked over quickly and saw that Song Qianzhao was safe and sound, and she finally felt relieved.

Not long after the man and his men left the house, the night watchman yawned and went back to his room to rest. She saw this opportunity and immediately slipped in.

"Guard Miss Wang well."

Song Qianzhao handed the girl in his arms to Ruyue, turned around and walked to the next room.

When Song Qianzhao stepped into the room, although she was mentally prepared, the scene before her still made her breath stop.

This room is almost identical to the one where Wang Mingfu was imprisoned, and there is also an iron cage in it.

A skinny woman was leaning against the cage, with a pale and pale face revealed between her messy hair. She raised her deep eyes and looked quietly at the approaching Song Qianzhao.

The moment their eyes met, Song Qianzhao stepped forward quickly.

"Who are you……"

The caged woman's voice was hoarse.

Song Qianzhao squatted in front of the cage and took out a dagger from his sleeve.

"I'm Song Qianzhao, a good friend of Mingfu's father."

As he said this, he was about to use a dagger to pick the lock.

A hand suddenly held her hand.

"Young Master Song..." Zhao Tinglan shook his head. "I appreciate your kindness, but I can't leave. If I leave, no one will be able to prove that Li Lin'an, the second son of the Li family, is such a beast in disguise, imprisoning and humiliating this woman."

"The Li family is so powerful that without real evidence, we can't touch them at all. Then wouldn't all the suffering I've endured these days be in vain?"

Song Qianzhao remained silent for a moment. She understood this logic. She was anxious to take them away, both because she couldn't bear to see them suffer any longer and because she couldn't decide for them whether to stay here as "evidence."

"Only by letting the officials and the people witness this scene with their own eyes can we make this matter a big deal... Mingfu is still young and unmarried, so we must protect her reputation... Young Master Song, please take her away. I have my own plans for my own affairs."

When Song Qianzhao heard the word "getting married", her heart sank.

Zhao Tinglan's husband...

Zhao Tinglan had a deep affection for her husband. Even after being abducted by Li Lin'an and tortured, she always treated him coldly. This made Li Lin'an jealous, and he eventually killed her entire husband's family.

But seeing the person in front of her so weak, she couldn't say it out loud. How could she bear such a blow now?

Seeing Song Qianzhao still standing there, Zhao Tinglan said again.

"If Mr. Song really wants to help me, just report it to the government office in secret... If it's really inconvenient, I have other ways."

She forced a smile, not wanting to embarrass the kind-hearted man.

The Li family is powerful, and Young Master Song originally came to save Mingfu, so there is no need to risk offending the powerful Li family for her.

But she herself would never leave like this.

Holding on until now wasn't just a matter of survival. She wanted to see that beast's crimes exposed to the world, to see him get his comeuppance.

After hearing this, Song Qianzhao looked at Zhao Tinglan and said worriedly, "But if I take Mingfu away, it will be too dangerous for you to stay here alone."

"Don't worry," Zhao Tinglan sneered, "He won't kill me. This madman can't stand anyone escaping his control. I've already become his inner demon. If he kills me, his inner demon will never be eradicated... That would really drive him completely insane!"

Song Qianzhao frowned and slowly shook her head. She simply couldn't agree with this statement—more precisely, she absolutely couldn't accept Zhao Tinglan risking his life on the tiny bottom line of a madman.

Granted, Li Lin'an might not kill Zhao Tinglan right now, but if he discovered Wang Mingfu had been rescued, who could guarantee he wouldn't take his anger out on her? Furthermore, he would undoubtedly have moved Zhao Tinglan elsewhere, making it incredibly difficult to find him.

Although people often say "let people do as they wish", and Song Qianzhao also knows that she should respect other people's choices, she can't just turn around and leave. Even if they have never met before, this is still a living life, a person who deserves to live well.

Zhao Tinglan couldn't have failed to think about these interests. The reason she said "don't worry" in a casual manner was simply to make herself feel at ease when she left with Wang Mingfu.

Just as Zhao Tinglan was about to speak, Song Qianzhao no longer hesitated.

"Since Miss Zhao has made up her mind, I won't try to persuade her any further. Tomorrow at the latest, I will bring officials to rescue you, no matter what means are used."

Tomorrow at the latest, otherwise something unexpected will happen.

Zhao Tinglan looked at her and nodded solemnly.

"If I can spare my life, I will serve you like a dog and a horse for the rest of my life to repay your kindness."

She knew exactly what kind of madman she was facing, and she also understood that staying here might cost her life.

But she won't look back.

Because this decision was never just for myself.

"When will the servants of this mansion come to inspect?"

Song Qianzhao asked.

She had to bring the officers and soldiers here before the servants discovered Wang Mingfu's disappearance and reported the news to Li Lin'an.

"They come twice a day, bringing food and daily necessities. I can't tell you the exact times, but I estimate it's once in the morning and once in the evening."

Li Linan deliberately blurred her perception of time. All the objects in the house were there except for a clepsydra.

She could only make a rough guess based on her feeling.

"Mr. Song... can you do me a favor..." Perhaps because he had said too much, Zhao Tinglan's voice became weaker and weaker. "I haven't had a good sleep for a long time. My injuries hurt so much. Can you knock me out so I can get some sleep?"

Song Qianzhao did not agree to this request.

"It's the last night, Miss Zhao, please be alert and be prepared for any eventuality. I will return home and arrange for personnel to guard the perimeter of this residence. If there is any unusual movement, we will be able to protect you in time. If anything unexpected happens, I hope you will prioritize your own life and not act rashly."

Seeing Song Qianzhao's serious expression, Zhao Tinglan nodded.

"Thank you for taking the risk to save me..."

The torture of the past few days had not made her cry, but now, looking at the stranger who extended a helping hand without hesitation, she couldn't help but feel a sore nose and slightly red eyes.

"I may not be able to really help you, so there's no need to thank me."

Song Qianzhao stood up and said goodbye.

"I'm leaving first, please take care of yourself, young lady."

"Please take care of yourself, sir."

Song Qianzhao nodded slightly and turned to leave. She could feel the gaze behind her following her.

She understood that the other party did not want to burden her, but since the moment they first met, this heaviness had quietly weighed on her heart and could no longer be shaken off.

Walking out of the house, I saw the bright moon in the sky and the vast sky and earth.

But her heart could never relax.

The night breeze was cool. Song Qianzhao stood outside the courtyard gate, staring at the bright moon in the sky in a daze.

Ruyue walked closer, holding the already asleep Wang Mingfu in her arms, and said, "Sir..."

Song Qianzhao didn't turn around, still gazing at the hazy moonlight. Her profile reflected the faint night light, and the corners of her mouth drooped slightly. Her eyes reflected the cold stars, but her gaze seemed to be fixed on something far away, as if weighed down by something invisible, heavy.

Ruyue noticed that he was in a bad mood and comforted him, "Don't worry, sir. We are here to rescue people! With you here, what is there to worry about? We will definitely be able to get them out smoothly~"

"That makes sense." Song Qianzhao's brows relaxed as he heard this, and he nodded and smiled. "Then you will escort Miss Wang back to the Wang family. Remember to go around the main gate and enter through the small door. And give a message to Sister-in-law Wang for me - don't spread the news about Mingfu's recovery for the time being."

Before rescuing Zhao Tinglan, Li Linan must not be allowed to have any suspicion.

Ruyue nodded solemnly and accepted the order.