Chapter 152 The child in her womb is mine

After catching his breath, Shen Ci'an continued, "Since you've arrested me, I have nothing to say. Release the other villagers."

“How could that be?” Half-Ear laughed. “They were all eyewitnesses, so naturally they couldn’t be spared.”

"Tian Yan, bringing me back is enough to satisfy your mission. If you were to indiscriminately kill so many innocent villagers and report this to the higher-ups, ruining that person's plans, do you think he would spare you?"

Shen Ci'an spoke too hastily, his chest heaving violently, and his vision blurred in waves.

He clung tightly to the tree trunk, the veins on the back of his hands clearly visible.

Tian Yan remained silent with a gloomy face.

Previously, he and his brothers had been burning, killing, looting and plundering in other villages without restraint, which had already aroused the dissatisfaction of the higher-ups.

Now that Shen Ci'an has already shown up, the lives of the others are not that important. Besides, there are a few troublesome people around. It's more important to get down to business.

He raised an eyebrow, signaling his men to stop. "Then please come with us, Lord Shen."

Jiang Zhi watched helplessly as Shen Ci'an was taken away.

At this moment, one of the bandits spoke up, "Boss, should we take this fat girl with us? When I found the cellar, she was calling him 'husband,' so she must have a close relationship with this guy surnamed Shen."

Tian Yan glanced at Song Erya, curled his lip and sneered, "Lord Shen has a fiancée in the capital, who is said to be a rare beauty. How could he be interested in someone like this?"

He narrowed his eyes, his gaze suddenly falling on Jiang Zhi beside him, and his eyes quickly lit up.

He walked over with his knife in hand, his sinister gaze sweeping up and down like a venomous snake. Then he chuckled, "I almost misjudged her. She's actually a woman disguised as a man."

Jiang Zhi had been trying to minimize her presence since the beginning, but she still managed to be noticed.

Being scrutinized like a piece of merchandise made her feel the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, and her whole body stiffen like iron.

"Look at this face, even with the dark makeup on, she's still so beautiful," he said, his rough fingers pinching Jiang Zhi's chin, forcing her to turn her head left and right to look at herself. "She must be a little beauty, take her away!"

At his command, the people around him shouted, "I haven't had any meat in ages!"

"The girls I kidnapped last time were all just average-looking, this time I can finally have some fun."

Lu Yuan, who was standing next to him, had already gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.

Gao Xi whispered, "Commander, should we make our move now?"

Lu Yuan thought for a moment and gestured for him to hold back for now.

Now that Jiang Zhi is in their hands, taking rash action will only put her in a more dangerous situation.

Jiang Zhi's hands were already tied, and she was about to be taken away by the bandits when Song Erya suddenly spoke up, "Wait, she's pregnant and it's inconvenient for her. If you're going to take her, take me instead."

Jiang Zhi was stunned, looking at Song Erya with some surprise.

Song Erya snorted, "If it weren't for the fact that you're pregnant, I wouldn't have helped you."

However, Tian Yan didn't buy it at all. "If I take you back to the village, the brothers there won't be able to eat. Killing you would be too dirty for my knife!"

"Bullshit!" Song Erya retorted angrily. "I wouldn't even look at your skinny body that could be crushed by your butt!"

"grass."

Tian Yan cursed and raised his knife to strike.

"Don't kill her!" In desperation, Jiang Zhi could only stand in front of Song Erya. With her hands tied, she could do nothing but stare at him helplessly.

"Heh, she's a loyal little beauty," Tian Yan paused, the tip of his knife lightly grazing Jiang Zhi's lower abdomen. "Pregnant woman? I've never had one before, perfect for a taste."

He lightly hooked the tip of his knife around her belt; with just a little force, he could cut it open.

Jiang Zhi's face was pale, but she didn't dare to move at all.

Before her stood a ruthless bandit who killed without blinking an eye. It was only on impulse that he had blocked Song Erya's path. She bit her lip tightly, trying not to let the person in front of her see her fear.

"Wait a minute." Shen Ci'an suddenly spoke up at this moment.

Tian Yan stopped what he was doing and turned to look at him. "What, is Lord Shen now showing some chivalry towards women?"

Shen Ci'an ignored his teasing and said coldly, "You can't touch her."

"The child in her womb is mine."

"If you still want that thing, stay away from her."

The scene fell silent.

Uncle Wang and Aunt Li exchanged a glance, both seeing shock in each other's eyes.

What exactly happened has confused them all.

Isn't she that Brother Lu's wife? How come she has a child with this Lord Shen in the blink of an eye?

Behind Jiang Zhi's back, Song Erya secretly gave her a thumbs up.

This woman is not simple.

She was able to have two such outstanding men at the same time.

When will this kind of good thing happen to her? *sobs*

Tian Yan looked at Jiang Zhi with some surprise, then at Shen Ci'an, and then said fiercely, "Do you think I'm easy to fool? You can't just grab anyone and say they're your woman?"

Shen Ci'an said in a low voice, "She is the Princess of Qinghe County, personally appointed by the Emperor, the legitimate daughter of Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Rites, and my fiancée. I advise you to think carefully before you take action."

Now, neither he nor Lu Yuan has a foolproof way to protect her.

The only way to deter these bandits was to bring up her identity.

As long as they can't find that thing, they won't dare do anything to her.

As for the child she was carrying with Lu Yuan...

Let's reluctantly accept it for now, and then decide what to do after we've ensured her safety.

If Jiang Zhi really wants this child in the future, the Shen family is not incapable of raising it.

Tian Yan was full of doubts, but looking at Jiang Zhi's demeanor and appearance, she really didn't seem like an ordinary country woman, so he couldn't help but believe her a little.

"Tsk, a scholar indeed, getting someone pregnant before marriage," he sneered. "When you first arrived in Sizhou, you acted all high and mighty, but it turns out it was all an act. You're nothing special."

Shen Ci'an remained unfazed by his sarcasm.

On the other hand, Lu Yuan's face was extremely ugly, and he almost crushed the hilt of his knife.

"Alright, whether they are or not, take them all away. Since they are engaged, we should invite them back as guests." With a wave of his hand, the group, along with Shen Ci'an and Jiang Zhi, were about to set off.

"Wait a minute." Lu Yuan suddenly spoke up at this moment.

"What, you have a problem with that?" Tian Yan asked impatiently.

Lu Yuan chuckled softly, "Didn't you just want us to join you? I agree."

Tian Yan immediately became interested. "Oh? Why the sudden change of heart?"

“You dare to arrest even imperial envoys and county princesses, your strength must be considerable,” Lu Yuan said, raising a slight brow. “I’m the kind of person who loves seeking thrills.”

"Haha, not bad, you have good taste!" Tian Yan laughed along, but his face immediately turned cold. "Who exactly are you? I wouldn't dare let someone with an unknown identity join me so easily."