Chapter 32 A Rabbit's Third Burrow: Her Legs Should Be Broken

After Lin Shutang was separated from her by the crowd, she met the woman who had come to Jiuli Mountain to deliver a letter to her that day.

She led Lin Shutang through the bustling market, turning left and right until they arrived at a dark alley and boarded the carriage that had been arranged in advance.

Lin Shutang asked her where she was being taken, what Shen Xiuyan's plans were, and what about her identity documents and travel permit.

The woman did not answer, but focused intently on driving the carriage, her eyes fixed sharply ahead, showing no trace of the timidity she had displayed that day.

Lin Shutang glanced down at her hand holding the reins; it was strong and powerful, with calluses visible between her fingers, indicating she was a trained fighter.

She lowered the carriage curtain and quietly entered the carriage.

The woman was sent by Shen Xiuyan, and her mission was to take Lin Shutang out of the city.

Shen Xiuyan did not give her any identity document or travel permit, so he was not really going to let Lin Shutang go, but to lock her in the other courtyard.

The matter of the military review platform has not yet been definitively resolved. As long as Shen Yun is not convicted, Shen Xiuyan will not be able to rest easy for a moment.

With Lin Shutang in his hands, he had the biggest trump card. He was confident he could crush Shen Yun this time.

Therefore, Lin Shutang cannot leave yet.

The woman quickened her pace, knowing that Shen Yun's men were not to be underestimated and might not be able to stop her for long. She had to get Lin Shutang to the other courtyard as soon as possible.

The rain was drizzling, stinging my face as it hit.

The horse-drawn carriage sped through the mountains and forests, splashing up large amounts of mud that landed on the wooden shafts.

The mountain road was uneven, and occasionally a few huge rocks would knock the carriage off course, only to be straightened by the woman's strong pull.

The next instant, a sharp arrow flew straight out of the woods and pierced the carriage, only a finger's width away from the woman.

They've caught up!

The woman gripped the reins tightly with one hand, drew her long sword from her waist, and slashed down the arrows that came flying from all directions.

But the rain of arrows, like a barrage of raindrops hitting her head, blurred her vision. In the end, the woman could not dodge in time and was struck in the shoulder by an arrow, falling off the carriage.

With the momentum of the fall, the woman rolled on the ground, the arrow tip broke off, but she caught it and threw it forward, where it disappeared into the horse's back.

With its front hooves raised and a neighing sound, the horse galloped forward like a madman.

Yingxiao, without hesitation, spurred his horse and galloped away. Shen Yun swiftly drew her short sword and threw it, the sharp blade flashing with dazzling sword light as she severed the rope connecting the carriage and the horse.

The carriage landed, Yingxiao dismounted, lifted the curtain, and found it empty!

Startled, Shen Yun turned his head, his face grim.

-

Lin Shutang has known the wisdom of "a cunning rabbit has three burrows" and "don't put all your eggs in one basket" since he was a child.

She had been traveling the world as a merchant with her father since she was a child. For a merchant, trust is the most important principle of cooperation. Once Shen Xiuyan lost her trust, it would be impossible for her to trust him completely again.

Especially since Shen Xiuyan and Shen Jun had a deep-seated grudge, and she wasn't a three-year-old child, did she really believe his words?

No one helps others for no reason. As my senior brother said, it is precisely because Shen Yun is behind her that the people of Yujing will not let her go.

Whether it seems like they're trying to help her, get closer to her, or please her, it's all essentially about using her.

Get close to the person behind her, or hurt that person.

Lin Shutang didn't think she had done anything wrong. Since they could use her, why couldn't she use them in return?

Therefore, Lin Shutang felt no remorse whatsoever for jumping off the carriage halfway without a word.

Shen Xiuyan's gullibility in believing her was simply a sign of his naivety and lack of skill. This time, he had to admit defeat.

Lin Shutang limped along the mountain forest, leaning on thick trees for support. Finally, he picked up a thick tree trunk from the ground and used it as a walking stick.

It has been more than two hours since we rode from Jiuli Mountain.

Judging by the horse's speed, we should be entering the next large city.

Based on her past experience as a merchant, there would be a grass market only a few dozen miles outside the city.

She still had some silver on her, enough to buy a set of coarse linen clothes, and then find out where to take a boat from the nearest ferry. That would be enough.

-

The evening river wind howled, carrying dampness and a faint fishy smell that seeped in everywhere. The temperature difference between day and night in early summer was still significant, especially with the recent continuous rains bringing a damp chill.

One by one, the dim yellow fishing lights were lit, swaying on the rod tips, casting a pale light that couldn't even illuminate a person.

Because of the heavy rain, there were very few boats at the ferry crossing, with only one trip. Fortunately, there weren't many people taking the boat. Lin Shutang pulled his clothes tighter and squatted down by the ferry crossing to wait.

Luckily, she bought a change of clothes; otherwise, with those wet clothes sticking to her body, she would have frozen to death.

Lin Shutang rubbed his hands together, gazing at the faint fishing lights that were constantly approaching on the distant river.

-

Shen Yun didn't rest all day, riding her horse without stopping. Her robes were soaked by the rain and dried by the wind.

He had already been without sleep for several days because of the Dianbingtai incident, and now he hadn't eaten for a whole day.

Yingxiao saw all this and could only hope that his wife would have good fortune.

The group hurried to the riverbank.

As they rounded the reeds, an inconspicuous wooden carriage came from the front and nearly hit Shen Yun, who was at the front.

Shen Yun glanced to the side, then looked away and hurried toward the riverbank.

During the day, they searched almost the entire route, including the surrounding towns and villages.

Finally, they found traces of the lady in a grass market.

The owner of the clothing store said that a woman had come to her store to buy a change of clothes.

It's been raining a lot lately, so there aren't many customers in the store.

The woman was quite beautiful, so I couldn't help but take a second look and pay more attention to her.

The woman was wearing clothes made of the finest fabric, clearly from a wealthy family.

Although it was unclear what had happened, the woman's clothes were soaked, and her ankle appeared to be injured, making her look quite disheveled.

She was going to recommend the best dress in the store to the woman, but the woman refused, saying that a set of coarse cotton clothes would be fine, and even asked her for directions to the nearest ferry.

Although the shopkeeper found it strange, he couldn't refuse a customer's business, so he gave her a new set to change into and told her where the ferry was.

After the woman left, she took the long silk dress with her.

Later, government officials arrived, saying that they were looking for someone and that anyone who harbored such a person would be punished. The shopkeeper was frightened and immediately led the officials in pursuit, but unexpectedly, he found the dress in the bushes.

Shen Yun held the scarlet silk dress and smiled softly.

She didn't bring many clothes from Jiuli Mountain, and this scarlet dress was her favorite, which she could now throw away without a second thought.

Despite his ankle injury, he can still run so fast.

It seems like it's time to break her legs.

...

The towering torches quickly surrounded the entire riverbank, illuminating it as bright as day. The people who had been gathered in small groups were immediately startled and stood up, staring at the newcomers with fear on their faces.

The fishing boats had already docked, and everyone who had boarded them was pulled off.

In the firelight, Shen Yun, dressed in a bright white robe, seemed to float in the moonlight, but her face was hidden in the darkness, and the chilling aura surrounding her made people afraid to even breathe.

He held the torch to his face and examined each person, but none of them were Lin Shutang.

Shen Yun's suppressed anger was about to burst out of his chest.

"Are all the people here?" Yingxiao saw Shenyun's expression and knew something was wrong, so he quickly turned around and asked.

The servant below bowed and replied affirmatively, "Sir, everything is here."

That's it...

That was the only thought in Yingxiao's mind.

He silently glanced at Shen Yun, the torchlight flickering on his frosty face, his dark eyes churning with uncontrollable turmoil.

The young master has been toyed with by the madam twice today. If he can't find her, that's fine, but if he does... the madam will be in deep trouble.

"Send men to stop that carriage," Shen Yun suddenly spoke from beside him.

Yingxiao, quick-witted, also realized what was happening. He immediately led his men in pursuit.

The cold wind howled even more fiercely over the river at night, penetrating people's ears like the low growl of some wild beast.

The wind blew the hair at Shen Yun's temples, revealing his deep-set eyes as he gazed at the river. He slightly parted the corners of his lips, his ambiguous smile carrying a sharp, piercing edge.

A knowing sigh escaped his throat, and he tilted his head with a hint of regret, his dark eyes reflecting shimmering light, as if he had thought of some interesting game.

Ah Tang, you really are very disobedient...

-

"Senior brother! What are you doing here?"

Lin Shutang was shoved into the carriage. Before he could struggle, he saw Song Ying and immediately froze on the spot.

She had been squatting by the river until her legs went numb. Just as she was about to get up and stretch, someone covered her mouth, dragged her into the reeds, and quickly shoved her into a car.

She thought she had encountered a notorious thief, but even that wouldn't warrant kidnapping someone dressed in tattered cotton clothes. She was finally relieved when she saw that it was Song Ying.

Looking at her like this, Song Ying removed her gold hairpins and gorgeous clothes, and put on a blue cloth dress, with her long hair braided and hanging down in front of her left chest.

Her body was damp from the riverbank, her nose was red from the cold, but her bright eyes were fixed on him, and in a daze, she seemed to resemble the charming young girl she once was.

Song Ying took off his cloak and draped it over her shoulders, his tone slightly reproachful, "How did you get yourself into this state?"

Lin Shutang shrugged, took the ribbon from Song Ying's hand, and wrapped it around her arm, her eyes lowered. "I..."

She was unsure how to begin or where to start.

"Why didn't you listen to Shen Xiuyan and stay in the carriage?" Before Lin Shutang could think of an answer, Song Ying asked another question, her tone even more stern.

Lin Shutang exclaimed "Huh?" before realizing what was happening. She looked up in disbelief and asked, "Senior brother, you and Shen Xiuyan are in cahoots?"

Meeting Lin Shutang's shocked gaze, Song Ying felt a little guilty for some reason. He turned his head away and explained, "It's just a collaboration."

"Cooperation?" Lin Shutang was a little confused.

Isn't Shen Xiuyan just trying to send me away? Why is he cooperating with his senior brother?

"Shutang, you don't need to worry about these things. Just know that your senior brother is doing this for your own good. Once this is over, your senior brother will take you home, okay?" Song Ying held her shoulder, as if giving her some kind of assurance.

Lin Shutang became more and more confused as she listened, and a vague guess formed in her mind, but she still refused to believe it and asked, "Where is Senior Brother taking me?"

“Shen Xiuyan’s people will take care of you, so you don’t need to worry,” Song Ying said.

Lin Shutang's last shred of hope shattered. Looking at Song Ying, she frowned, and something gradually surfaced, connecting the dots. "So, your sudden appearance here isn't a coincidence. It's because Shen Xiuyan told you I was missing, and you came specifically to find me? To help Shen Xiuyan find me and prevent me from falling into Shen Yun's hands first?"

Song Ying neither agreed nor disagreed.