Cao Shangfei looked at He Yi, then at Zheng Yu, feeling somewhat hesitant.
One of the bandits beside him leaned forward and whispered, "Brother, this kid might be lying to us. Let's take this delicate beauty up the mountain first. If she really is a femme fatale, we can reward the brothers with her."
Grasshopper thought for a moment and realized the little bandit's words made a lot of sense, so he shouted again, "You brat, stop lying to me! I'm taking this woman today. If you keep arguing, don't blame me for being impolite!"
With that, he waved his hand, signaling his henchmen to come forward and arrest the people. Zheng Yu, seeing that his lie had been exposed, knew that things would not end well today, so he steeled his heart, stood in front of He Yi, and prepared to fight the bandits to the death.
【Oh no, this is bad!】
[Young Master Zheng, think of something quickly! You're the male lead!]
[Heyi, run!]
Is there anyone who can save them?
Grasshopper's gaze swept over the two faces a few times before he chuckled.
He Yi noticed that Grasshopper's lecherous eyes were looming over her, like a slimy snake, and she felt disgusted.
She also noticed that these guys were secretly looking at her private parts. He Yi hurriedly tried to block them with her hands, but it didn't work. The more fierce and probing their eyes became, the more they looked at her.
At this moment, the little bandit behind Grasshopper chuckled, "This girl has such delicate skin and is so pretty! She looks like a lady from a wealthy family. Take her back to warm your bed; she's a hundred times better than those vulgar beauties in the mountain stronghold!"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Yu naturally tensed up. He quickly pulled He Yi behind him again, staring at the flying grass, his mind racing.
Suddenly remembering the land deeds and the silver stored in the storeroom, Zheng Yu gritted his teeth and said, "Boss, all you want is some money! Release my sister, and I'll give you five hundred taels of silver, plus fifty mu of paddy fields!"
[Male lead! Darling! You understand the meaning of going bankrupt.]
Five hundred taels of silver? Is he planning to empty the Zheng mansion?
Oh no, the villainous female supporting character is going to owe someone a huge favor again!
Upon hearing this, He Yi abruptly looked up at Zheng Yu, her eyes filled with shock. Five hundred taels of silver? Fifty mu of paddy fields? Are you kidding me? Where would he get so much money?
Zheng Heyi was about to retort when she heard Cao Shangfei sneer, "Kid, do you think I'm a three-year-old? You think you can fool me into releasing them with just empty words?"
"I'm not lying to you!" Zheng Yu exclaimed anxiously. "I'm Zheng Yu, the son of the Minister of Rites! You can send someone down the mountain to inquire. I keep my word!"
The Ministry of Personnel?
Grasshopper raised an eyebrow, seemingly unfamiliar with the name, but then sneered, "Even in the Minister's mansion, five hundred taels of silver is no small sum! What if you go back and default on the debt or run away? What will I do if the brothers starve?"
He Yi felt a surge of warmth in her heart as she watched Zheng Yu offer such a significant sacrifice for her.
She stepped forward, blocking Zheng Yu's path. "Chief, I have no interest in being a bandit's wife. Release him, and I'll give you a thousand taels of silver and a hundred acres of paddy fields!"
[The villainous female supporting character delivers a powerful speech! This is truly remarkable!]
[A thousand taels of silver? Where did she get the money? Is the princess's private stash of money that large?]
[Zheng Yu: I think I'm being rejected?]
"Zheng Heyi! You're insane!"
Zheng Yu grabbed her arm, "What nonsense are you spouting? Where did you get so much money?!" He Yi ignored him, staring at Cao Shangfei, "I am Princess Zheng He Yi. If I break my word, what kind of princess am I? You can go down the mountain and find out. One thousand taels of silver and one hundred acres of paddy fields in exchange for him leaving. Master, this is a good deal!"
Cao Shangfei looked at Zheng Yu, then at He Yi, and suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahaha! This is really interesting! Absolutely hilarious! You two are both so generous, do you think I'm a fool?"
The smile on Cao Shangfei's face vanished completely—"Damn it, do you think I'm a three-year-old? No matter how much you offer, I'm taking this woman today, and I'll get the man too!"
[Grasshopper: I only want people, not money; my perspective has broadened]
[It's over, the negotiations have fallen apart! They're about to take action!]
【Zheng Yu, please protect He Yi!】
At that moment, several henchmen rushed up wielding knives and clubs.
Zheng Yu pulled He Yi back, picking up a thick tree branch from the ground for self-defense. Although He Yi didn't know martial arts, she knew she couldn't hold them back at this moment, so she picked up a stone and held it tightly in her hand.
"Take care of yourself!" Zheng Yu whispered in her ear, then swung the branch at one of the henchmen. The branch clashed with the broadsword, and with a crisp "crack," it snapped in two.
Zheng Yu dodged the blade, punched the man hard in the stomach, and kicked him to the ground as he bent over. But the bandits outnumbered them, and soon more men surrounded them.
Zheng Yu protected He Yi as they fought and retreated, having already taken a blow to the back, which made him groan in pain. He Yi was frantic and threw a stone at one of the bandits, but the bandit easily dodged it.
"Grab that woman! They've gone too far!"
Grasshopper shouted loudly.
Immediately, countless henchmen bypassed Zheng Yu and pounced on He Yi. He Yi took off running, but unexpectedly tripped over a stone and was about to fall. At the critical moment, Zheng Yu shoved aside the bandits beside him and rushed over to shield He Yi with his body.
"Bang!"
A wooden stick slammed into Zheng Yu's back.
[Ahhh! Male lead, you can't die! Get up!]
[Don't be afraid, villainous female supporting character! The male lead still has plenty of health!]
【The knife is coming! The knife is coming!】
"Zheng Yu!" He Yi exclaimed, reaching out to help him. Zheng Yu gritted his teeth and stood up, his face covered in sweat, but his eyes remained firm: "Don't be afraid!"
However, even with their reckless and suicidal actions, they were still outnumbered and the two were bound and brought back by the bandits, who took them to Black Wind Stronghold.
The mountain path was rugged, and He Yi's wrists ached from the rope. Zheng Yu walked ahead of her, glancing back at her from time to time, his eyes filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry, Heyi, it's my fault for not protecting you." Heyi shook her head, her voice dry and hoarse: "Brother, it's not your fault. I insisted on coming here to relax, and I insisted on leaving Yunhuang Temple at this time. What does this have to do with you?"
The guilt of going to someone in the same boat! I love it!
[The villainous female supporting character shouldn't blame herself! It's just that the bandits were too evil.]
[Male lead: It's all my fault for not being strong enough.]
Upon arriving at Black Wind Stronghold, Grasshopper threw them into a dilapidated prison cell.
The cell reeked, with only a tiny hole, no bigger than a palm, letting in a sliver of light. Several bandits stood guard at the door, looking menacing.
"Damn it, you dare to negotiate with me? I'll starve you for two days first! Once I've rested, I'll naturally send someone down the mountain to inquire. By the way, you woman, I'm going to make you my wife. I love watching you guys act like you're trying to kill yourselves, hahaha."
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