Chapter 124: Chapter 124: Fallen into the Net
Hanshan Temple forbids killing, but this only applies to people with a conscience.
Therefore, neither Heir Pei nor Prince Xiao dared to act rashly, fearing that the Thousand-faced Monster Hand would kill the child.
At this moment, both sides were in a standoff, and the Thousand-faced Monster Hand was hiding in the small pavilion in the forest, surrounded outside.
Neither Pei Ji’an nor Xiao Shiqing agreed with the one-for-one exchange proposal.
The housekeeper in charge of watching the young master saw her own master being captured and felt like the sky had fallen, worried about being blamed when she went back, not knowing what to do next, but then the other side proposed a condition to exchange with another person.
This was like clearing after the rain; as long as it wasn’t her own master in trouble, it didn’t matter who was exchanged.
The housekeeper immediately knelt before the two princely heirs, her eyes brimming with tears, earnestly pleading, "I beg the two princely heirs to save my young master, he’s only seven years old. If the two agree to save my master, the Chen Mansion will surely visit to thank you in the future, I beg you."
Pei Ji’an showed no reaction, while Xiao Shiqing frowned but said nothing.
The housekeeper saw this and felt bitter, having long heard that these two heirs were greatly favored, each with a peculiar temper, very difficult to deal with. Now she saw for herself, having pleaded for so long but to no effect, it was truly heartless.
Though resentful, she still worried about her young master, continuing to plead tearfully.
Pei Ji’an grew impatient with her whining and had her carried out, then exchanged a glance with Xiao Shiqing, though they were rivals, they could consider the bigger picture at crucial moments, which was why the emperor trusted them to work together.
Xiao Shiqing understood Pei Ji’an’s look, the two staged a diversion, attacking quietly from the front and back, seizing the chance to rescue the child.
But this plan required a distraction, someone to attract the Thousand-faced Monster Hand’s attention so they could combine forces seamlessly.
This was why the four guards explained to Qu Fulan.
In Pei Ji’an and Xiao Shiqing’s plan, as long as Qu Fulan appeared and let the Thousand-faced Monster Hand see her, it would be enough, then during Fulan’s walk past, they could succeed by joining forces.
Regrettably, humans plan, but destiny interferes.
Ji Nishang saw the housekeeper was from the Chen Family; Madam Chen was currently the biggest client of "Tingya Building," not only visiting herself but often bringing other friends along. How could a business-savvy person like Ji Nishang not maintain such guests?
If they helped the Chen Family this time, Madam Chen would surely strongly support the Chen Family’s milk tea shop in the future.
She discussed her plan with her aunt, and Mrs. Xiao felt it made sense.
"But how do we help?" Mrs. Xiao asked.
Ji Nishang thought for a moment, then said, "When that person arrives, if they are unwilling to make the exchange, we can say a few words for the Chen Family."
Of course, when speaking kindly, Madam Chen must be present to hear it, or how would she remember the favor?
So unbeknownst to the housekeeper, their family’s madam arrived, and hearing her precious son was captured, nearly fainted before crying heart-wrenchingly.
Ji Nishang went over to comfort her softly, saying the criminals wanted someone for exchange and would release the young master Chen.
Madam Chen seized the crucial point, the villains wanted another person, and her son was implicated!
Hastily asking who would be used for exchange.
Before Ji Nishang could answer, she heard her aunt murmur, "Why is it her..."
Ji Nishang turned and saw Li Jirou, who, despite wearing a veil, had such a distinctive appearance that once seen could be recognized even behind a veil. If turned to ashes, she would still be recognizable.
She glanced at her aunt again, did her aunt know not only of Li Jirou’s existence but also that she was with the Pei Family?
"Aunt knows her?" Ji Nishang walked over, feigning curiosity.
Mrs. Xiao’s gaze was evasive before she muttered ambiguously, "I don’t know her, but I know she’s a maid of the Pei Family."
Ji Nishang’s eyes widened, a maid?
She thought she was at least a concubine to ride out so extravagantly in a carriage, but she turned out to be a servant?
So not even half a master, just a serving maid?
Ji Nishang could not say what she felt.
If Li Jirou were someone else’s concubine, even if her cousin found out, it would be of no use.
But if she is a maid, her cousin would risk everything to have her back if he knows.
Ji Nishang’s hand at her side clenched unconsciously.
Soon she realized she was overly worried, if her cousin had seen Li Jirou, why would he search for her desperately? Clearly, he hadn’t, yet why was the portrait in his study drawn to resemble her so closely?
This question ultimately remained unanswered; indeed, the portrait was just a portrait, and now with the veil, her cousin would surely not recognize her.
Indeed, Xiao Shiqing glanced briefly before averting his gaze.
Ji Nishang breathed a sigh of relief, while a plan floated in her mind.
Soon, the rumor that Qu Fulan was merely a maid spread swiftly.
This was a serious matter; the child was the son of noble families, exchanging a maid for a noble child’s welfare, did this trade need any consideration?
The housekeeper, possibly under someone’s instruction, directly knelt before Qu Fulan, "I beg the girl to save my master, please have mercy, he’s only seven."
Most of these temple guests were from wealthy homes; naturally, they sided with nobility, why would they empathize with a maid?
Seeing an elderly person kneel before a young maid was hard to watch.
"Saving a life surpasses the merit of constructing a seven-story pagoda; girl, please be kind and gather some virtue."
"Exactly, and the person originally wanted is you; the child was implicated because of you."
"So it was her they were after? The poor child is truly pitiful, girl, one should be accountable for one’s actions, and a person must have a conscience; since they are after you, you should willingly go in and exchange the child."
Seeing everyone speak for the Chen Family, Madam Chen also tearfully lamented, "Pitiful my child has to pay for someone else’s fate; if anything happens to him, I won’t live..."
Amidst the crying and lamenting, Qu Fulan had already begun to cooperate with the rescue.
Curiously, she hadn’t spoken with Heir Pei but understood his meaning just from the look he gave her.
Yet, the Thousand-faced Monster Hand wasn’t foolish, having suffered twice at Qu Fulan’s hands, knew this girl wasn’t simple, likely carrying some medicine. Thus, he added a condition of tying her up before she went over, ensuring safety.
Qu Fulan showed no objection, cooperatively allowed herself to be tied, then walked toward the pavilion.
Seeing Qu Fulan enter, the Thousand-faced Monster Hand tossed aside the frightened-to-the-point-of-wetting-himself child and reached to grab Qu Fulan’s hand.
"Damn woman, finally in my grasp, today I’ll..."
He said halfway before choking as if someone had gripped his throat, suddenly kneeling over, desperately clutching his neck as if unable to breathe, his face and neck turning redder than red, as he collapsed, his eyes bulging in disbelief at Qu Fulan.
Xiao Shiqing, who was preparing to strike, saw this and timely halted.
Yet during his surprise attack, the wind blew Qu Fulan’s veil off.
Qu Fulan reacted quickly, immediately lowering her head.