Chapter 48

On the small bridge over the Su River, a woman with a cold expression stood, dressed in a black robe with red trim, her brows revealing a hint of disgust.

"Wan'er, what are you looking at?"

"Oh, nothing, Master, let's go!" Mu Wanqing turned her head somewhat awkwardly. She had just seen the villain, but how could she tell her master? If her master found out, she might go and kill the villain.

Qin Hongmian knew that Mu Wanqing was not telling the truth. She looked around the river but found nothing unusual.

"Let's go. I heard that the Wang family's wench has already returned to the manor. This time, we must take her life!" Qin Hongmian's temper was always fiery, and her possessiveness was strong. She would not feel satisfied until she killed Li Qingluo.

They found an inn, and the master and apprentice took a room. Over these days, Mu Wanqing had gradually grown to like this extravagant lifestyle. Money was indeed a good thing. Should she kidnap the villain again to get some more money?

Sitting by the window, even with a veil covering her face, she could not hide the smile on her face. Thinking of the villain made her feel incredibly sweet. Stirring her delicate fingers, Mu Wanqing was completely lost in her memories, not even hearing what Qin Hongmian was saying.

Living together for over a decade, how could Qin Hongmian not understand her daughter? Her daughter, who used to be poised and exude a heroic aura, had become so easily distracted, and every movement was filled with a feminine grace.

Qin Hongmian sighed deeply. Her daughter now resembled her from over a decade ago, but unfortunately, she had met that heartless Duan Erlang.

In fact, Qin Hongmian had never thought of possessing that man alone. She hated that the heartless man dared not take her back to Dali, and that Dao Baifeng was equally hateful.

"Wan'er, Wan'er..."

She called out several times before Mu Wanqing finally snapped out of it. She blinked her beautiful big eyes and said somewhat absentmindedly, "Master, what is it?"

"What is it? What were you thinking so deeply about? I warn you, don't believe the sweet talk of men. All men are the same, they are good at deceiving us women!"

How did Master guess so accurately? The villain was indeed good at sweet talk, but she still liked to hear it.

"I know, Master. I haven't even asked you yet, was the daughter of the Wang family's wench taken by you?"

"Of course not. If I had taken her, would I let the Wang family's wench off so easily!" Qin Hongmian said with some resentment, then looked at Mu Wanqing with suspicion, "Wan'er, why are you asking these questions?"

"Curiosity, I guess. I thought it was you. Who else would kidnap the Wang family's little wench if not us?"

"Why think about it? It has nothing to do with us. It must be that the Wang family's wench has some powerful enemies. You should be smart and not fall for their tricks!"

Qin Hongmian's tone was strange, and Mu Wanqing could tell. She wrinkled her nose and said, "What are you talking about, Master?"

"You little girl, are you still lying to me? Tell me, what's the deal with that broken prince? If you caught him, why not just kill him? Why let him go? Isn't that just asking for trouble?"

"Didn't I already explain? It's to get some money. We've been out for so long, and we don't have much money left! Otherwise, should we become highway robbers?"

Hearing Mu Wanqing say this, Qin Hongmian's face showed a hint of awkwardness. Although they were both children of the江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry), she felt somewhat guilty for making her daughter live such a hard life for so many years. Well, no need to dwell on it. As long as Wan'er returns safely, that's all that matters. "If you're going to exchange, why not ask for more? These officials in Jiangnan are all fat and rich. A prince should be worth at least two or three thousand strings of coins!"

Mu Wanqing was genuinely surprised. She thought the villain's offer of five thousand strings was already astonishing, but her master was even greedier, asking for two or three thousand strings. If the Wuxi county office didn't pay, she would be in a difficult position.

"I don't know. Besides, five thousand strings are enough for us to spend for a while!"

Mu Wanqing was easily satisfied. She had never carried so much money in her life. Seeing Mu Wanqing's contented look, Qin Hongmian poked her forehead with a finger, "You little girl, you're easy to please. If it were me, I would make those officials cough up more, and if they don't, I would just kill the broken prince."

Only today did Mu Wanqing realize how righteous and vengeful her master was. She really couldn't let the villain meet her master, or it would cause chaos.

That night, Zhao Yougong, accompanied by Zhu Mian, indulged in revelry and then rubbed his dizzy head as he went to rest. According to Zhu Mian's suggestion, he should have arranged for two maids to accompany him, but Zhao Yougong, for once, acted like a gentleman, "Zhu Manager... uh... look at me... can I still serve the beauties?"

Zhu Mian smiled knowingly and said seriously, "Shall the prince rest? I will arrange it better tomorrow!"

Closing the door, Zhu Mian walked away happily. Zhao Yougong was indeed tired and lay down, closing his eyes. He had a reason for not letting the women accompany him. Mu Wanqing would likely come tonight, and if she saw women in his bed, she would probably stab a few to death on the spot.

It was probably around the second watch of the night when a faint breathing sound came from the window, and soon a figure flew in.

The moon was bright that night, and the moonlight illuminated the room, making it not too dark. Mu Wanqing was still dressed in black, sitting on a stool by the bed, tapping her black boots on the quilt.

"You villain, still pretending to sleep? If you don't wake up, you'll taste the power of my fists!"

"Ha ha, stop it!" Zhao Yougong couldn't keep up the act and turned to face Mu Wanqing, winking at her, "Wan'er, I knew you would come tonight. Haven't seen you for a few days, did you miss me?"

"Pah, you villain, what's good about you? Why would I miss you?"

Her voice was so weak, but Zhao Yougong didn't mind. He sat up and pulled Mu Wanqing's delicate hands without hesitation. Her hands were soft and smooth, and he didn't want to let go.

"Wan'er, are you and your master still going to Manhua Manor?"

"Yes, we came back to take the Wang family wench's life!"

Hearing Mu Wanqing's fierce words, Zhao Yougong shook his head lightly.

"Villain, why are you shaking your head? Is there something wrong?"

"Of course there is. Wan'er, listen to me, don't go. Murong Fu has already returned to Yanziwu. If you go, not only will you not kill Wang Fu, but you might not even escape!"

"Hmph, so what if it's Murong Fu? I'm not afraid!"

Zhao Yougong smiled bitterly, knowing that it was useless to say more. Qin Hongmian and her daughter both had fiery tempers, and it was hard to change their minds once they were set.

"You're not afraid, of course. Who is afraid of our heroine Mu? But can you do it for me? Murong Fu is not easy to deal with. North Qiao Feng, South Murong, it's not just a saying."

"But, it's hard to change my master's mind!"

Mu Wanqing knew Zhao Yougong was right, but she understood her master's temper too well. If they didn't try to go to Manhua Manor, her master would never leave. She smiled and pulled her hand back, placing one foot on Zhao Yougong's legs. If it were another woman, she wouldn't do such a pose, but Mu Wanqing didn't care. She did as she pleased, regardless of what others thought.

"Villain, I warn you, don't have any lecherous thoughts. I heard you have a crush on Murong Fu's little maid? Her name is Zhu, right?"

"Cough, cough, who told you that nonsense? I'll tear out his mouth!"

"Ha ha, look at you, so scared. Just remember, if you dare to flirt with those women, I'll kill them and leave them unburied!"

What a domineering woman. Zhao Yougong decided not to continue this topic. He waved his hand and whispered, "Wan'er, will you help me with something in a few days?"

"Sure, what is it?"

Zhao Yougong then explained the plan to dig up the Xiao family's tomb. Even Mu Wanqing, who had killed many people, frowned and glared, "Hmph, I knew it wasn't a good thing. Digging up someone's ancestral tomb, such a despicable act, and you're involved!"

It was indeed despicable, but what could he do? He was now that dissolute and licentious young man. If he didn't do despicable things, wouldn't Emperor Huizong be worried?

The next day, the sun was bright, and the birds and flowers in the city were fragrant. A group of people marched grandly out of the city toward Meili Town. Others would hide when robbing graves, but Zhu Mian wanted everyone to know.

People on the road pointed and whispered, but most of the comments were not good. Zhao Yougong didn't care, as Zhu Mian was in front, and even if the Xiao family came to cause trouble, he wouldn't be afraid.

At the first watch of the morning, the group arrived at Meili Town. Outside the town, a crowd was blocking the road. These people were old and young, male and female, all with fierce eyes, as if they wanted to eat someone.

An old man in his seventies stood at the front, holding a deer-head cane, trembling as if a breeze could knock him down.

The old man was the current clan leader of the Xiao family in Suzhou, Xiao Guicheng, who was ninety-six years old. If it weren't for someone digging the family tomb, he wouldn't have come personally.

Without waiting for Zhu Mian's order, a soldier stepped forward and said, "The government is doing its job, move aside quickly!"

"What are you? Don't show off in front of me. This is Xiao family land, why can't we stay?"

The old man had once been a high-ranking official and was not intimidated by these people. He stood at the front, his white beard fluttering in the wind, and the soldiers didn't dare to do anything to him.

Zhu Mian gave a signal, and dozens of soldiers with knives lined up in two rows. The Xiao family was not afraid, and for a moment, hoes, shovels, and knives clanged together.

Zhao Yougong's face turned white. Zhu Mian was really ruthless, starting with full force. He was scared, scared. Was this still the elegant and refined Jiangnan?

Steel, steel, steel

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