Chapter 37 Ambush in Furong Town
Furong Town is a small town dozens of miles away from the official post station.
When the generals arrived, their attention was drawn to the street vendors hawking their wares. Everywhere was a scene of prosperity, and women no longer had to cover their faces like in the capital. Instead, they could be seen chatting openly and buying cosmetics and powder.
"Master Xu, should we put on the shackles right here?"
Qin Xiangnuan was afraid that Xu Jian would be in trouble, so she took the initiative to propose.
Xu Jian looked around, shook his head, and replied with mutual consideration, "It's okay, we can change it at the official post station."
"Big sister, there are cakes being sold on the street. They look delicious."
Qin Xiangning pointed to the shop selling candied cakes and clay figurines, tugged at Qin Xiangnuan's finger, and begged with blinking eyes. Her soft, chubby face had become much thinner, which made her two watery eyes look even more distinct and pitiful. I'm afraid no one would be able to refuse Beibei's request now.
"Wait for big sister to think of a solution."
It is true that Qin Xiangnuan has some money in her arms, but she cannot take it out openly. Although Xu Jian and they are of the same mind, people are fickle and profit is the most important thing. Who can guarantee that they will not have other ideas?
"Master Xu, could you allow me to go to the pawnshop up ahead and pawn this hairpin?"
Qin Xiangnuan touched the small pearl earrings hanging from her temples. She had worn them since the General's Mansion. It was said to be a birthday gift from the General to the original owner. Even though the Seventh Prince, Gu Mingqi, had tried so hard to stop her, she had refused to give them up. When Liu heard this, she felt distressed and wanted to stop her. Qin Xiangnuan shook her head, smiled faintly, and rubbed Beibei's head, saying, "Jewelry is inanimate, but people are alive. After all this time, there's no telling when it will return."
What's more, she just wanted to go into the pawnshop and pretend to pawn something.
Half an hour later, Qin Xiangnuan came out of the pawnshop with a few copper coins. She looked around at the surrounding stalls, held Beibei in her arms, and pointed to a noodle stall in front. "Beibei, you don't want sugar cakes, how about dragon beard noodles? Be good, and I'll give you other good things later."
"good."
Qin Xiangning thought of the chocolate and marshmallows that melted in her mouth, and nodded like a chick pecking at rice.
Qin Xiangnuan turned to look at Xu Jian and said loudly, "The adults, please come too. I have enough copper coins. I'll be grateful for your help. Please take good care of me when we get to the post station." She made her request clear upfront, and in exchange, Xu Jian naturally didn't refuse, let alone stop the people from the general's residence from having lunch. Everyone helped Madam Qin sit at the long table in the middle, while the others squatted on the ground, each of them receiving a bowl of clear noodle soup.
"Do you want spicy food?"
"Light or strong?"
The shopkeeper, spoon in hand, asked without even looking up. Qin Xiangnuan answered twice, but she felt something was amiss, like murderous eyes gazing at her. As a former spy, she was acutely aware of murderous intent. Qin Xiangnuan paused and glanced at the vendor next door, noting that the cake vendor's movements were a bit stiff.
"It's so hot. I haven't eaten it in a long time. The shopkeeper's cooking skills are really good."
Madam Qin savored the food in small sips and spoke with sincere admiration. Everyone in the general's mansion also gradually relaxed their guard.
As everyone was immersed in their soup, the shopkeeper across the street, who was making clay figurines and sugar cakes, pulled out two sharp blades from under his cart. His eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he immediately rushed towards Qin Xiangnuan. Their attack was too sudden, and Xu Jian and the others had no time to react. Qin Xiangnuan tilted her head and dodged sideways. The sharp blades grazed her nose and passed over her body. She raised her left leg and kicked the attacker fiercely. The attacker had obviously underestimated her strength and took two steps back.
"Protect Grandma."
Qin Xiangnuan turned and shouted to Qin Feng, picking up two wooden chopsticks from the long table. Holding them in her palms, she rushed over to the thugs, stabbing them in the face with her sharp chopsticks, exuding a fierce aura. Xu Jian also drew his sword and engaged in a scuffle with the others. The sudden onset of the battle frightened the surrounding vendors, causing them to abandon their stalls and retreat.
Only then did everyone in the General's Mansion realize that seven or eight shops on this street were actually disguised as assassins.
"Who sent you?" Qin Xiangnuan, already having some suspicions, asked anyway. She raised her hand, grasped the man's elbow, and with a slight pressure of her thumb and index finger, she dislocated his arm. The assassin wailed, and Qin Xiangnuan stepped on his knee, forcing him to kneel. "Speak!"
The assassin looked up, gritted his teeth, and refused to reveal a word.
Qin Xiangnuan sneered and bent down to pat the assassin's face. Seeing a little glimmer of hope in the depths of his eyes, she asked with a funny yet sympathetic tone, "With your abilities, what are you still expecting? Could it be..."
Any accomplices?!
"Uncle, be careful!" Qin Xiangnuan's mind flashed with inspiration, and she shouted loudly. Sure enough, several sharp arrows gleamed from the distance, nearly piercing Old Madam Qin and Qin Feng's shoulders. Fortunately, Qin Yi heard her warning and pulled them down to a crouch, barely dodging them. "Damn it! Is this all Gu Mingqi can do?" Qin Xiangnuan, enraged by their actions, showed no mercy, twisting his jaw with both hands and breaking it.
Qin Feng saw this scene from a distance and his heart skipped a beat. He was terrified but he didn't say anything.
"If you split up, they won't get any more support!"
Qin Xiangnuan knew Gu Mingqi's personality. This was the best he could do. Although it was difficult, it was not without chance of success.
"Who are those people?"
Gu Mingqi had sent only the most skilled of the Imperial Palace, far superior to Qin Yi and the others in martial arts. Protecting the entire family was inevitably a struggle. As Qin Yi was losing ground, a group of masked men in black suddenly burst in from outside Furong Town. Without a word, they charged towards Gu Mingqi's men, engaging in a fierce battle of swords and sabers, resolving the urgent need for the General's Mansion.
Qin Xiangnuan looked at their sharp and methodical sword moves and thought they must be masters.
She didn't make a sound to interrupt them, but instead silently signaled to Qin Feng. The two of them walked to either side of the Furong Town intersection, blocking their likely exit route. The men sent by Gu Mingqi were clearly no match for the group, and were quickly dispatched. Soon, as Qin Xiangnuan had predicted, they attempted to leave. As they exchanged glances and tried to retreat, Qin Xiangnuan stepped out from the corner, raised his foot, and stopped them, saying, "Shouldn't a good man leave his name? Such a great favor will be forever remembered by the General's Mansion."
"Seeing injustice on the road, I draw my sword to help. Why bother?"
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