Chapter 16 Telepathy
"Master Cui," Qian Deng said, looking at the burned and collapsed ruins of the temple before him after Ling Tianshui and his soldiers left. He then whispered to Cui Fufeng, "I couldn't catch up with Feng Yi and Lan Xiurong. It seems we need to clean this place up as soon as possible. Perhaps there are still people alive who we can get some information from."
"Okay. But this temple caught fire and collapsed. I'm afraid it will be difficult for the people below to survive." Cui Fufeng agreed and looked back at the soldiers behind him, wanting to find someone to come and search the ruins to see if there were any survivors.
"I'm afraid it's useless. The roof is heavy. The people below will be crushed to death or suffocated."
A strong voice came from behind them. They turned around and saw Ji Linyou and a few others rushing over. The person who spoke was an energetic old man behind him.
"I happened to be at Uncle Wei's house in Shanaokou outside. I saw that there seemed to be a fire in the valley, so I came with Uncle Wei to put it out. You guys..." Ji Linyou was speaking when he saw Qian Deng in men's clothing in the dim light. He was stunned for a moment before recognizing her. He asked in surprise, "County Princess? Why are you here too?"
"There are rebels here who have kidnapped Aunt Qi from Jintang, so we came here to look for her." Qiandeng pointed at Jintang and said briefly, "I want to see if the people down there are still alive and find some clues."
"Damn it! These rebel soldiers are so endless!" Ji Linyou slapped his thigh and turned around and said, "Awei, please go to the Imperial Guards and call a few more people to help. Uncles, let's work together with the brothers from the Northern Court to get those who are trapped here out first!"
A thin young man in the group responded, turned around and ran. However, as the sky grew darker, he missed a step and almost tripped, but he quickly regained his balance, borrowed a torch, and continued walking at a rapid pace, one foot deep and one foot shallow.
Qiandeng recalled what Captain Ma had said before, and realized that this "Awei" should be the son of Old Wei who failed to be accepted when he took the exam for the Shen Ce Army.
She turned to look at the men, her gaze settling on a tall, thin, middle-aged man who bore a resemblance to Ah Wei. "Is this Uncle Wei? I heard you were once a member of my grandfather's staff?"
"Yes, the county lady actually knows me?" Old Wei hurriedly saluted her, "County lady, don't worry, since you have given the order, whether there are living people or corpses down there, we brothers will dig them out as soon as possible!"
"Yes, we are all soldiers under the old prince, and we owe a lot to the county lady. The old buddies who are still in the army are spared from rotation and replacement of generals, and those who are not in the army often receive help. We are all grateful. Now that the county lady is in trouble, we will do our best!" Others also echoed, "Although the county lady is a woman, she has the style of her father and grandfather. We old brothers will always remember the county lady's kindness!"
"I dare not. You were all under the command of my father and grandfather. I am just trying my best to help you." Qian Deng stood up in pain and saluted them, thanking them for coming to help in time.
After Cui Fufeng finished assigning the men, he looked at the sky and asked her, "It's getting late. County Lady, you should stop waiting here and go back to the farm first."
Qian Deng was nodding when he heard a strangely voiced curse: "That adulterous couple! When I catch them, I'll chop them into pieces to vent my hatred!"
Everyone looked back and saw Ming Jiu, accompanied by Ling Tianshui and the soldiers, walking out of the woods cursing while holding a torch in one hand and wiping the blood on his face with the other.
Ji Linyou said with a smile: "Cut it into eight pieces, where did the ten pieces come from?"
"Hmph, my sword is fast, I'll chop them down a couple more times!" Mingjiu said, looking up at Qiandeng and her left foot, still stained with blood. He immediately shook off the others and rushed to Qiandeng's horse, "Xianzhu, are you injured too?"
"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious." Qian Deng said, looking at his disheveled appearance, "How about you? Are you okay?"
Mingjiu shook his head vigorously, pretending to be pitiful: "No, no, Xianzhu, look, my handsome face is broken!"
"Go away!" Ji Linyou held his face and pushed him aside.
Ling Tianshui said to Qian Deng, "The slope below is covered with fallen leaves, so it's not very steep. He had already climbed up by himself when we approached. The most serious scratch on his body is the one on his cheek."
Seeing Mingjiu jumping around, Qiandeng finally felt relieved. But when he turned around and saw Jintang, he immediately jumped up in anger: "Jintang, neither I nor the fifteen Huihe tribes will forgive you and your Jin family!"
Jin Tang looked at Qian Deng's injured foot, touched the wound on his thigh, and said hesitantly, "Don't worry, our Jin family will never forgive Qi... Lan Xiurong and that Feng Yi."
"Humph, this isn't the only debt I owe you. I'm also going to take revenge on my eldest cousin. Wait for me to investigate and settle the score with your family!"
Jin Tang's face flushed red as he tightly gripped the jade at his waist. "Don't worry, I will definitely find out the origins of this jade. Anyway...anyway, your cousin won't die inexplicably, and I won't be wronged in vain."
Mingjiu glared at him angrily. Qiandeng gave the pitiful Jintang a soothing look and turned to look at Ling Tianshui.
After returning from the forest, he ignored the noise here and went to the temple ruins with a torch to check the progress of the cleanup.
As if they had telepathic connection, when she was stealing a peek at him, he also took the time to turn around and meet her eyes.
Then he turned and walked to her side, naturally pulled the horse over, and held out his hand to her.
Without any hesitation, Qiandeng put his hand on his arm and used the force to get on the horse.
Although one of her feet was unable to touch the stirrup due to severe pain, fortunately the horse was docile and obedient. She managed to sit on it steadily by lifting one foot.
Cui Fufeng's gaze paused on them, and just as he was trying to look away calmly, he heard a voice behind him -
It was the veterans who had swum with Ji Lin, and they were talking in low voices.
"Captain Ji, is that pretty boy surnamed Jin also a candidate for the County Master's husband?"
Ji Linyou said casually: "Yes, he is the young master of the Jin family, the richest family in Chang'an."
"How old is he this year? He looks quite similar to me..." Someone was muttering, and Old Wei winked at him. Several people looked at Cui Fufeng and Ling Tianshui, then turned to the pillar on the other side of the ruins.
Cui Fufeng only vaguely heard words like "that jade pendant... is... keep a close eye on it." He wanted to move closer to listen more, but the other party had already stopped talking and dispersed.
He frowned slightly, his eyes falling on the jade pendant on Jin Tang's waist. After a pause, he sighed softly, "He really is causing trouble everywhere."
Seeing the county lady coming back injured, the people in the village immediately became busy.
After cleaning the wound that had been hastily wrapped and bandaging the foot injury properly, Qiandeng changed into clean and soft clothes, drank the medicine in one breath, took the candied green plum and held it in his mouth, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
Wei Fengyang, who was staying at the manor, had recovered from his rash. As a guest, he couldn't help but come to offer his condolences to his host, who had been injured.
When he learned that she was in trouble because of the rebel soldiers, his eyes lit up and he asked repeatedly where the soldiers and bandits were. He immediately led his men to the ruined temple and said that he would search the mountain all night and catch the escaped soldier and bandit.
How could Qiandeng not understand that Wei Fengyang was promoted to the position of Commander of the Left Guard of the Eastern Palace, firstly because he had worked diligently for many years without making any mistakes, and secondly because he happened to have protected the prince during the war, but in fact he had no real merit.
This time, this group of soldiers and bandits kidnapped the families of wealthy families in the city and injured the county princess of the imperial court. If he could get involved and get a share of the profits, it would be considered an excellent achievement to add to his resume.
Qian Deng smiled and said nothing. Turning back, he saw Daimao wiping her tears with a look of self-blame and discomfort. He patted her arm and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I'm back safely, aren't I?"
Daimao cried, "County Lady, it's all my fault. I shouldn't... shouldn't..."
"Why shouldn't you? You should tell me, otherwise how can things progress?" Qian Deng said, and then thought about it and said, "But after we go back, you have to help me keep it a secret from Aunt Xuanji, otherwise if Aunt Xuanji finds out, she will definitely nag me again..."
"Not only do I have to complain, but I also have to blame the county lady!"
Aunt Xuanji's voice came from the door. Qiandeng looked up and saw Aunt Xuanji rushing in angrily and anxiously. After glaring at her, she hurried up to check the injury.
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