Lin Yang spoke slowly and deliberately, taking out a small porcelain bottle from his chest and pouring out two pills.
He touched Yang Chun's jaw, and the latter's mouth instinctively opened. Lin Yang popped the pills in, and with a gulp, they were swallowed.
Watching Lin Yang's actions, the young girl asked nervously, "Senior brother, where did you get this antidote? Will it work?"
Lin Yang chuckled.
"Of course, it will work. This is our Lin family's ancestral antidote. My father often escorted goods through dangerous territories, so he naturally had to prepare against all sorts of poisons. Therefore, an antidote was naturally prepared."
He then stood up and clapped his hands. "Don't worry, Brother Yang is not in mortal danger. However, this snake venom is extremely potent. To fully recover, he'll need to be confined to bed for a few days. He won't be able to get out of bed within three to two days."
Chen Xiaobei stood up and bowed to Yang Chun, "Thank you, brother, for saving him. May I ask your esteemed name?"
"Oh, my name is Lin Yang, and I am..."
Before Lin Yang could finish, the young girl beside him chimed in, "Oh, it's like this. Lin Yang is my senior brother. It's thanks to him that we were able to find you."
As she spoke, she cast a look of approval at Lin Yang.
Hearing the young girl's introduction, Chen Xiaobei quickly thanked Lin Yang again.
"Thank you, Young Master Lin."
"Brother Chen, you're too kind. Let's leave here first," Lin Yang said, glancing outside.
"Yes, yes, let's leave," Liu Kai, standing nearby, quickly called to the guards outside to help carry Yang Chun.
Everyone hurried back to the manor along the small path. The entire way, Liu Rumei tightly held Chen Xiaobei's arm, not daring to let go for a moment. As they walked, she briefly recounted the events that had transpired since Chen Xiaobei's disappearance.
After listening to Liu Rumei's account, Chen Xiaobei frowned.
"No, something is wrong here. Those villains never intended to use me to exchange for that Ding Lao San."
Liu Rumei also felt a pang of fear. "Yes, if Brother Yang Chun hadn't gone down, you would have also fallen victim to their treachery."
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "That's not what I mean. Think about it, if they don't see me tomorrow, will the Crown Prince hand over Ding Lao San? Definitely not."
Hearing this, Liu Rumei suddenly realized. "You mean they want to kill him to silence him."
"Yes, that's the only possibility. They want to kill Ding Lao San, so they set up this trap."
"Then we'll tell the Crown Prince first thing tomorrow morning to cancel the plan."
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "By dawn, it will be too late. The Crown Prince's manor is likely still under their close surveillance. Therefore, we cannot go and tell the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince must not make any moves, otherwise, it will easily alert the enemy."
"But there are only a few of us." Liu Rumei looked at Liu Kai behind her, along with a few guards, and the young girl.
At this moment, the young girl spoke up. "Sister Rumei, do you need manpower? Tell me how many, and I'll arrange it."
Liu Rumei could vaguely guess that the young girl had no manpower of her own, and was likely relying on Lin Yang. However, considering how much they already owed Lin Yang, she felt a bit hesitant to ask.
Chen Xiaobei said with a serious expression, "At this point, we have no choice but to trouble Young Master Lin again."
The young girl chuckled. "Brother Xiaobei, how did you know I would go find him? Oh right, he's covering our retreat. I'll go call him now."
The young girl ran off, while Liu Rumei let out a light sigh. "We owe the Lin family too much gratitude!"
"We'll find a way to repay the favor later. If we don't catch these villains and avenge Brother Yang Chun, I'll feel so stifled."
Liu Rumei certainly understood Chen Xiaobei's anger. If it weren't for Yang Chun's caution, they would have likely perished in the cellar long ago.
Fortunately, Lin Yang had the antidote. Otherwise, Yang Chun would have undoubtedly died. Therefore, Chen Xiaobei's anger was understandable.
Soon, Lin Yang was dragged in front of them by the young girl.
Chen Xiaobei finished explaining his deductions and bowed to Lin Yang. "Since the exchange is arranged five miles outside the South Gate, I believe we can set up control and encirclement there before dawn. Even if the other party makes any moves after daylight, they won't be able to escape our grasp."
After hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Lin Yang gave him a thumbs up. "Brother Xiaobei is right. This plan is brilliant. I'll go back and make arrangements now. Before dawn, I'll bring two hundred men to hide at their exchange point, ensuring not a single one escapes."
"Your great kindness is beyond words. In the future, Chen Xiaobei will never forget Young Master Lin's great benevolence and virtue."
Lin Yang smiled calmly. "Brother Xiaobei, you're too kind." He then cupped his hands in farewell and left.
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei led their men back to the manor with Yang Chun. Yang Chun had regained some consciousness. Seeing Yang Chun's weakened state, Chen Xiaobei felt a pang of heartache. He stepped forward, held Yang Chun's hand, and said emotionally, "Brother Yang, rest assured, when we catch the culprits tomorrow, I will chop off his head for you!"
Yang Chun shook his head slightly. "These people are insidious and cunning. Tell the Crown Prince not to go tomorrow."
His words reminded Chen Xiaobei. Yes, if they intended to silence him, then anyone from the Crown Prince's manor who went tomorrow would likely be in danger. They might even act before reaching five miles outside the South Gate. Given the potency of such a venom, contact meant death.
At this thought, Chen Xiaobei could no longer sit still.
"Okay, okay, I've noted it down. I'll go make arrangements now."
After comforting Yang Chun, Chen Xiaobei went out to meet Liu Rumei and the young girl.
"Brother Yang Chun's reminder is correct. If the other party intends to silence him, they might not wait for us to exchange hostages before acting. Therefore, we must remind the Crown Prince to make preparations early."
"What should we do then?" Liu Rumei asked.
Chen Xiaobei nodded and looked at the young girl. "Little girl, please make a trip for me. Before dawn, go to the Crown Prince's manor."
Liu Rumei immediately interjected, "Brother Xiaobei, let me go."
Xiaobei shook his head. "It must be the little girl who goes. If you go, you might be targeted by their people again."
"Because we're not sure if they already know that I've been rescued."
"Yes, sister, let me go. They won't be able to catch me even if they try," the young girl said with a smile.
Chen Xiaobei, however, said with a solemn expression, "Little girl, go tell the Crown Prince that he doesn't need to pay attention to their exchange request, nor should he think about capturing them. Pretend this never happened. Don't send anyone out tomorrow."
The young girl nodded. "I've noted it down. I'll get ready and go when it's dawn."
After arranging everything, Chen Xiaobei returned to his room and lay down fully clothed. He couldn't sleep, but he lay down to rest his somewhat sore and stiff body.