“If the Zhang family had even half your wisdom, they wouldn’t have ended up in this abyss.” Shen Wei’s gaze was cold and sharp.
How could the Shen family's empire be controlled by a mere relative of the emperor?
Ning Yao smiled gently: "Uncle."
"The girl is very smart, I like her!"
Ning Yao remained silent. Those in positions of power dislike having their authority challenged, especially in an era with a strict feudal system.
"I heard from your father that Zhilan has been rescued, so we can act without any worries. However, we still need to meet up with An'er first. Time waits for no one, so let's set off immediately!"
Without lingering, the group quickly headed out of the city.
However, the road out of the city was not smooth, with soldiers searching along the way. Fortunately, Prefect Wen Yuan was with them, and they were able to reach the city gate.
However, the soldiers at the city gate had long been replaced by confidants of the city lord Lin Licheng, and even though Wen Yuan showed his identity, they still refused to let him pass.
The two sides reached a stalemate.
At this moment, the post station outside the city has been completely surrounded by Lin Licheng's men.
"Heh, we're surrounded!" Hua Yan smiled, her face showing no concern whatsoever, only a hint of mockery.
Lin Qingyu peered out from the doorway: "Is that the city lord of Nanjiang City? He looks so refined, I never expected him to be such a corrupt official!"
Zhilan went out of the city first to meet them. She stared at the bound Lin Lixuan and said, "Serious? I was trapped in the manor for three days. I heard that he tortured and killed two maids. Young Master Lin, you'd better not judge a book by its cover."
Lin Qingyu immediately said confidently, "I would never judge a book by its cover, Miss Zhilan, please rest assured!"
Zhilan turned her gaze to Shen Ci'an: "Young Master, what should we do now? The enemy has a large number of people. If we confront them head-on, we may suffer losses."
Shen Ci'an said, "No rush, wait for news from your young lady."
Outside the post station, with Lin Lixuan in their grasp, Lin Licheng dared not make any rash moves.
"Sir, a group of people has been spotted not far away, they look like they're fleeing from disaster."
Lin Licheng was annoyed, feeling that his subordinates were all good-for-nothings and that he shouldn't have to concern himself with such matters.
"Are you fucking bored? There are already plenty of refugees in the city, aren't they enough for you to worry about?"
The messenger felt a chill run down his spine and forced himself to say, "The other party claims to be from the Ling Yuejiang family..."
Lin Licheng frowned: "The Lingyue Jiang family? Lingyue is a thousand miles away from Nanjiang, what are they doing here?"
"Never mind, bring the person over for questioning."
Before long, Jiang Shilin appeared in everyone's sight, riding a horse followed by a carriage.
"Tsk, what's this kid up to? He's even striking up a conversation with this corrupt official. Didn't he hear what was said earlier?"
Lin Qingyu said coldly, "Let's see!"
"City Lord!" Jiang Shilin said with a tense face. If he hadn't been discovered, he would never have wanted to run into this group of people.
Lin Licheng glanced at him up and down, his tone dismissive: "Young Master Jiang, Ling Yue is a thousand miles away from Nanjiang, what are you doing here?"
Jiang Shilin replied, "Passing through Nanjiang, I head south to Licheng."
Lin Licheng chuckled upon hearing this: "Licheng? It is indeed a good place, but the journey is too long. You must be exhausted from your long journey. Why don't you go to Nanjiang to rest for a while first?"
Jiang Shilin frowned, about to refuse, when Chen Xuanrong intercepted the offer.
"The city lord's kindness is appreciated, and Brother Lin will naturally agree," Chen Xuanrong said with a smile as she poked her head out of the carriage.
"Grandmother and Yan'er urgently need a doctor. Lord City Lord's actions have been a great help to us, haven't they, Brother Lin?"
Lin Licheng's gaze deepened upon seeing such a beautiful woman inside the carriage.
For the first time, Jiang Shilin felt that Chen Xuanrong was being unreasonable. How could she act so presumptuously?
"Xuanrong, you mustn't be rude!" After reprimanding Chen Xuanrong, he said to Lin Licheng, "Please forgive Xuanrong's rudeness, City Lord. The journey to Licheng is indeed long, and we need to hurry on our way, so we won't bother you any longer, City Lord."
Lin Licheng's smile faded slightly: "It's rumored that the Lingyue Jiang family values etiquette and manners the most, but I feel that the rumors are unfounded. They're not even as sensible as a young lady."
Chen Xuanrong frowned, feeling very uncomfortable with Lin Licheng's way of addressing her.
"The Lingyue Jiang family values rules and etiquette, but we always believe in repaying kindness with kindness. Lord City Lord, you must have misunderstood. Li City is a long way away, so we won't bother you any longer. Farewell!"
Jiang Shilin's words meant he had completely broken ties with Lin Licheng.
Lin Licheng never intended for them to leave from the beginning, and now that Jiang Shilin isn't giving him any face at all, it's even less likely that he'll let them leave.
"Please invite Young Master Jiang into the city and into the mansion!"
The soldiers immediately blocked their path, and Jiang Shilin was filled with anger.
"Lord Lin, this is a matter of mutual consent. Are you trying to force me into a sale?"
Lin Licheng's face was icy cold: "What can you do to me? Take him away!"
Jiang Shilin's face turned green. For the first time, he felt that a scholar was no match for a soldier, and that reason was useless.
Chen Xuanrong panicked when she was forcibly taken away in the carriage.
“My lord! Is this another lord in the post station? We met him during the day, and we even spoke up for him. Could you please consider…”
"Shut up!" Jiang Shilin growled.
"You encountered this?" Lin Licheng narrowed his eyes. "So, they captured my second brother, and you just stood by and did nothing?"
Chen Xuanrong quickly shook her head: "No, the Lingyue Jiang family are not the kind of people who turn a blind eye to injustice! Unfortunately, none of us know kung fu, and the other party is highly skilled in martial arts. If we say anything more, we will be insulted and told not to meddle. We really have no way to help them!"
Jiang Shilin was pale and speechless, and could only watch helplessly as Chen Xuanrong turned the tables on him.
Who is Lin Licheng? Why would he believe her nonsense?
"Is that so? Then I must thank you both for speaking up for me."
Chen Xuanrong nodded quickly: "No need to thank me, it's what we should do. The woman leading them was stunningly beautiful, and the other woman with them was even more breathtakingly beautiful. It was those two who did the dirty work!"
Lin Licheng's lips curled into a smile: "Young lady is so righteous. To express my gratitude, please come to my residence for a chat. Men, please invite Young Master Jiang and his party into the city and into my residence as guests!"
Looking at the soldiers around him, Jiang Shilin felt like strangling Chen Xuanrong.
"Dismount and get in the carriage!" a soldier ordered.
Jiang Shilin gripped the reins tightly, then suddenly let go, and dismounted to get into the carriage.
When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. He gave up resisting and let them take him away.
“Brother Lin, I…” Chen Xuanrong reached out and tugged at his sleeve.
As if finding an outlet for his anger, Jiang Shilin grabbed her hand and asked, "Is the legitimate daughter of the Chen family really this stupid?"
Chen Xuanrong's face turned pale: "Brother Lin, what do you mean?"
"You witnessed the whole thing—what kind of people did Bai Rining and her team catch?"
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