The aroma of roasted meat and taro filled the dilapidated temple when suddenly a series of chaotic footsteps came from outside.
Amidst the rough shouts, before anyone could react, a group of people surged in, each carrying a rusty knife, strong and burly, dressed in tattered clothes.
With a lewd smile on his face, he looked like a vagrant who had been wandering around for years.
"Don't move! Hand over your valuables!" The leader of the refugees brandished his knife, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, especially lingering on Su Xiuniang and several other women, his gaze filled with ill intent.
The officials tried to resist, but the refugees held knives to their necks and had no choice but to surrender.
Soon, everyone, including the Shen family and the Pei family, was involved.
They were all tied up with rough hemp ropes by the refugees. Even Pei Nian'an was so frightened that she shrank back next to Shen Qingtang, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes.
Out of the corner of her eye, Shen Qingtang caught a glimpse of the black-clad figure she had sensed earlier still lingering in the shadows outside the temple.
But when they saw the refugees break in, they showed no intention of taking action.
Instead, they quietly stepped back, clearly observing the situation.
She instantly understood.
There are at least two forces operating in the shadows: one is the men in black who tried to kill her, and the other is this group of refugees who suddenly appeared. Moreover, these two forces seem to be wary of each other and neither is willing to reveal themselves first.
"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!" Shen Qingtang suddenly screamed, clutching her head tightly with both hands, her body trembling slightly, pretending to be terrified, her voice even trembling with tears, "We don't have anything valuable, please don't hurt us..."
Her appearance instantly made the refugees lower their guard, in their eyes.
She was just an ordinary, weak woman; she posed no threat whatsoever.
The leader of the refugees sneered and reached out to grab Shen Qingtang's collar: "Nothing of value? With your delicate skin, you could sell yourself to a brothel for a good amount of money!"
Seeing this, Pei Nian'an mustered her courage and lunged forward, biting the refugee's hand: "Don't touch Auntie!"
"You little brat!" The refugee cried out in pain and raised his hand to hit Pei Nian'an.
Shen Qingtang reacted quickly, seemingly flustered, and dodged to the side.
In reality, he secretly tripped the refugee, causing the refugee to lose his balance and fall to the ground with a "thud," landing face-first in the mud.
"Useless! Can't even handle a woman and a child!" The vagrants nearby mocked, not giving it much thought, assuming that their leader had simply tripped and fallen.
Shen Qingtang lowered her eyes, concealing the cold light within them; she would continue to feign fear.
We'll find the right opportunity to deal with these refugees all at once.
And incidentally, lure out the men in black hiding in the shadows.
Shen Qingtang huddled in the corner, seemingly trembling, but her mind was perfectly clear.
These refugees were not ordinary bandits; they were pioneers sent to scout ahead.
Behind them lies the small state of "Beisho," which split off from the Great Jin Dynasty.
She had been taken advantage of by this group of people in her past life.
The Northern Desert was ambitious and had always wanted to annex the border of the Great Jin Dynasty.
The purpose of sending these refugees was to ascertain the strength and weaknesses of the exiled group and prepare for a subsequent surprise attack.
In their past life, it was this group of people who trapped them in the dilapidated temple.
To protect themselves, Lu Jin and Lin Peirou pushed her out to take the blows, making her a prisoner of the Northern Desert people.
She suffered endless torment in the Northern Desert military camp and barely escaped with her life.
However, Lu Jiaojiao believed Lin Peirou's instigation and said that she had been "defiled" by the people of Beimo.
Her innocence was tarnished, and rumors about her were spread throughout the capital, making her unable to hold her head high for the rest of her life.
Thinking of all this, Shen Qingtang dug her nails deep into her palms, suppressing the surging hatred.
"Mother! Please think of something!" Lu Jiaojiao, who was tied up to the side, suddenly screamed.
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