Chapter 172 The Plan Succeeds
Yang Liu was naturally unwilling to follow Zhang Yi. After all, what good future could she have with a bandit who was constantly on the run? Although he was quite wealthy and treated her fairly well, she didn't think much of him. However, she couldn't say this directly, or she would offend the bandit leader.
"I...I actually wanted to follow the leader, but I'm just a weak woman, and I'm afraid I'd be a burden to you on the road, and that wouldn't be good."
Zhang Yi sneered: "Is that so? Are you afraid of being a burden, or do you think I'm a bandit and you won't have a good life with me? Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. I've been around for so many years, I'm not some naive kid you can fool. You've been loyal to me these past few days, and I'm satisfied with you. Get up and come with me now, no need to pack your things."
Yang Liu was shocked. She hadn't expected Zhang Yi to not abandon her. But then she thought, she had been kidnapped by bandits for so long, everyone already knew. Even if she went back, she would face gossip and rumors. Maybe those people would hate her. Her family didn't like her to begin with, and after this incident, they would probably just beat her out with a stick and never let her back into the house.
Thinking of this possibility, Yang Liu dared not go back to Qingyun Village. She said to Zhang Yi, "Boss, I have never met anyone who has treated me better than you. I am willing to follow you, no matter what kind of life we live, I am willing to follow you."
Seeing how decisive she was, Zhang Yi was quite surprised. He nodded and said, "Okay, let's go!"
Hearing the commotion outside, Jiang Mi hurriedly tried to come out to check, but the people guarding her stopped her and said, "Our second-in-command said you are not allowed to wander around or go out. Stay here obediently."
Jiang Mi wasn't in a hurry and asked, "Aren't you curious about what it's like outside? It's so noisy; the government might be looking for us. Shouldn't you run away quickly?"
The group was already feeling uncertain, and upon hearing this, they immediately panicked.
"You two go out and take a look. If anything happens, come back and report immediately. Don't wander off. Remember the Second Master's instructions."
One of them spoke, and the other two responded with a "yes" and went outside together. The remaining people stared at Jiang Mi. Jiang Mi didn't say anything or move around. She just sat there without showing any sign of panic. They found it strange and felt that something was wrong.
Just then, the two men who had gone out to investigate rushed in and said in a panic, "The government officials have really arrived and have started arresting people. Our men are still struggling, and many have already been taken away. Should we run or surrender?"
The henchman slapped him: "Are you crazy? Surrender now? Are you planning to spend the rest of your life in jail? Of course you're running away! What about the boss and the second-in-command?"
"I...I didn't see anyone. They probably ran away too." After all, no one dared to go against the government.
Upon hearing this, these people were even more at a loss, so they all turned and ran. As soon as they got out, they were caught red-handed by the government officials who had rushed to the door. These people were just small fry who only knew a little bit of martial arts. They were subdued in a few moves and could only be tied up and taken away.
At this moment, Zhao Decai walked over from behind. Seeing that Jiang Mi was unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief: "It seems I arrived just in time. Are you alright?"
Jiang Mi shook her head: "Of course I'm fine. I don't even consider these petty bandits a threat. Even if I were to fight, they might not be a match for me. I always have a way to escape. But you guys arrived really fast."
Zhao Decai pointed to the bound Xiao Maozi and said, "I can still tell that the letter you wrote to him contained an acrostic poem."
Just then, someone came to report: "Sir, the second-in-command of the bandits has been captured, and the rest have surrendered. But their leader, Zhang Yi, is missing, along with Yang Liu."
"What?" Zhao Decai exclaimed hurriedly, "Where did she run off to? Go after her quickly and catch her! Why did Yang Liu run off with her? Could she have been kidnapped by Zhang Yi?"
Jiang Mi recalled Yang Liu's expression; she didn't seem to like Zhang Yi. However, if she didn't leave and returned...
She could no longer stay in Qingyun Village. A woman's reputation was completely ruined, and this was what the Yang family cared about most. Yang Liu could not stay in the Yang family any longer. Following Zhang Yi might be a way out, but it was unknown how well that path would go.
"No matter what, we must bring Zhang Yi back. As for Yang Liu, if we find her and she is willing to come back, we will bring her back; if she is not willing, we will let her go."
Jiang Mi didn't speak. She used to hate Yang Liu the most. Now that this person was going to disappear from her world, it would be a relief. If things had gone according to the course of her previous life, Yang Liu would probably be living a good life now. But she had come to her senses in this life, so Yang Liu could only suffer the consequences of his own actions.
“Miss Jiang, I’ll take you back to town. It’s getting late, so you’ll probably have to sleep at the inn.”
Jiang Mi didn't mind: "It's okay, I'll just go home tomorrow morning. You've worked hard too, sir."
Zhao Decai felt both grateful and guilty towards Jiang Mi. Jiang Mi had helped him several times, and this time she had done a great service, but because she was a girl, it couldn't be made public, which was a real pity.
Jiang Mi sat in the carriage. She remembered the noodle stall she had eaten at before. When she passed by, she found it was closed. So she asked someone to slip a silver ingot into it. Hard work deserves encouragement, especially since he had helped her in such a dangerous situation.
Halfway there, the carriage suddenly stopped. At that moment, someone slashed at the carriage with a knife, causing it to sway violently. Jiang Mi, who had been drowsy, was instantly awakened.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Mi was about to lift the curtain when she heard someone outside shout.
"Miss Jiang, don't come out! There are escaped bandits! Be careful!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mi knew that the person outside must be Zhang Yi. She just didn't expect to run into him so coincidentally. After such an incident, even a fool would realize that Jiang Mi must be involved.
"Jiang Mi, how dare you harm me! I'll drag you down with me even if I die!" Zhang Yi roared angrily. He had originally planned to flee with Yang Liu overnight, but unexpectedly, a carriage came from behind. When he turned around, he saw that it was the government officials.
As they passed by, the horseman said that Miss Jiang was tired and asked her to slow down the carriage. He was immediately filled with anger!
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