"You brat, you finally know how to come back? Running around outside in this cold weather every day, how come you don't freeze to death?" Seeing that it was already dark and no one had made dinner yet, Old Mrs. Lin almost fainted from anger.
Back when her third grandson's family worked like slaves for her, the old lady felt that her eldest granddaughter was so considerate, always thinking of them.
But after the third son passed away, and his wife moved out with her daughter, there was no one to do most of the housework. So, Grandma Lin felt that her eldest granddaughter was all looks and no use.
"Where is my mother?" Lin Lian was puzzled when she returned home and did not see her mother.
Of course, she was also a little uneasy, afraid that those people would discover her mother's previous identity.
Now, the identity document in her mother's hand is the only thing she can rely on.
In the future, their family could use this identity to receive two thousand taels of silver from the capital and leave this godforsaken place!
Grandma Lin across from her rolled her eyes: "Who knows where she ran off to? She hasn't cooked a single meal yet. I think she doesn't want to live like this anymore!"
At this point, Old Mrs. Lin also had some doubts. Her eldest daughter-in-law would disappear for a while every few days. Where could she go? Could it be that she was secretly going to find another man?
This eldest daughter-in-law comes from the capital and is unfamiliar with the place. What is there for her to do here?
It's so cold outside, who would want to stay outside except for those hooligans who are firing kilns?
Old Mrs. Lin's face turned even uglier, and she almost jumped up and started cursing.
Seeing her grandmother's appearance, Lin Lian understood that her mother had probably gone to Hongyao Village again.
She bit her lip, feeling a bit disappointed. The Ning family in Hongyao Village only knew how to leech off others and ask for money from here. When had they ever given any help?
But her mother remained obstinate and would always go over to check on things every few days.
A fierce glint flashed in Lin Lian's eyes. If all else failed, she would find a way to have those bandits loot Hongyao Village again after the barren mountain was occupied!
Only by making that group of people disappear completely can her mother's identity be preserved, and only then can she safely obtain the silver!
"Lian girl, Lian girl? Hurry up and cook! Do you want everyone in the family to go hungry?" Old Mrs. Lin was still shouting there.
"Father, what brings you here?" Lin Lian turned around and shouted dramatically.
Grandma Lin immediately showed a look of surprise and ran out.
However, in the blink of an eye, Lin Lian, who was just nearby, disappeared again!
Grandma Lin then realized what had happened, and she was so angry that her teeth chattered. Her loud cursing could be heard clearly even by the refugees who were firing kilns nearby.
"Has Old Mrs. Lin gone mad again?" Someone wiped the sweat from their forehead.
"Who knows? I heard the eldest son of this family is a scholar. Don't you all take care of your own mother and let her howl here all day long?" someone said with a puzzled look.
Lin Lian, who had just run here: "..."
"Little girl, why are you here again? It's dangerous here with fire burning all day long!" Niu San, who was firing bricks, saw Lin Lian and quickly tried to dissuade her.
"It's warm here, I'm here to warm myself by the fire." Lin Lian's eyes looked very innocent.
"Then you should stay away, and definitely don't get too close," Niu San said cheerfully.
Having worked here for a while, he was well-fed and content, living a very comfortable life. He had long forgotten about the magistrate of Zi County and wished he could stay in Linjia Village every day from now on.
As his material life improved, he lost his former hostility towards those around him and was cheerful all the time.
Lin Lian nodded, but in reality she was secretly observing the surrounding situation.
As darkness fell completely, only the people at the earthen kiln were still working enthusiastically, some even shouting slogans, creating a lively atmosphere.
Lin Lian felt puzzled. The county magistrate of the previous life had never taken in refugees and made them fire kilns!
It's alright, as long as we can get everyone from Linjia Village back, and Lin Anniang and Ning Xiangqiao bring the children back, everything can get back on track!
She bit her lip hard, and a trickle of blood appeared at the corner of her lips.
Even so, Lin Lian didn't care, instead staring intently in the direction of the barren mountain.
Before long, a commotion came from nearby. Lin Lian's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly took out the wooden whistle from her bosom and played a melody in the darkness.
Guangping and a group of bandits have arrived near Linjia Village. Their initial plan was not to disturb the refugees who were burning kilns there.
After all, these people are all very strong men. If they discover something is wrong and run to the barren mountain to help, it will be more difficult for them to occupy the barren mountain.
Therefore, Lin Lian was responsible for stalling the people here, while Guang Ping led Lin Erluo and a group of bandits to quickly climb up the barren mountain.
Lin Erluo was originally from Linjia Village, and he was very familiar with that area of refuge in the barren mountains.
"Don't worry, Brother Guang, our ancestors definitely live there, because that's the only place in the barren mountains where they can live. It's impossible for them to build a lot of houses in other places in such a short time!"
"Let's go under cover of darkness and catch them off guard!"
At this point, Lin Erluo's eyebrows and eyes lit up.
In Linjia Village, he always lived in the shadow of his eldest brother. Even when he was learning from Wu the carpenter, he was always looked down upon by his fellow apprentices.
Today he'll show these people who's really the best!
Lin Erluo is determined to make them pay back all those past humiliations!
"I didn't expect you to be so clever, knowing how to plan things out." Guangping was somewhat surprised.
Lin Erluo is a ruthless guy; when he gets ruthless, he doesn't even care about his own family and ancestors!
Guangping's eyes flickered, and he had already made up his mind that he couldn't let this guy live.
If Lin Erluo can lead them to slaughter their own people today, will he bring the imperial army tomorrow and arrest everyone?
Guangping doesn't just want to be a bandit leader; he plans to gather more people and fight against the imperial court! This kind of person absolutely cannot be allowed to live!
Lin Erluo, unaware that the Grim Reaper's blade was already at his neck, was still excitedly searching for a way out.
"This is it. When we went up the mountain to take refuge, we often took this path. After crossing this path and walking through a forest, we could reach the refuge in Linjia Village!"
"Let's go!" Guangping waved the knife in his hand.
This time, they launched a surprise attack in the middle of the night, and they didn't light any torches; they just charged forward blindly.
However, just as they were about to cross the path and reach the forest, they heard shouts of fighting and killing coming from behind them.
"It's them! Don't let these bandits find the real Lin Family Village!" Niu San, the leader, roared at the front, carrying an axe and leading a large group of men in cotton-padded clothes.
The bandit leader, Guangping, was startled. His first thought was that the imperial army had arrived. Otherwise, how could this group be so imposing, looking even more powerful than the imperial army!
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