Hearing Chen Xiaobei's shout, the villagers spontaneously took a few steps back, while inside the house, Shen Ziyan also came out upon hearing the noise.
"Village Head Chen, I am about to start my lesson. Please do not be loud."
Upon hearing her words, Chen Xiaobei rubbed his nose with a hint of embarrassment. "Easily said, easily done."
Seeing Chen Xiaobei being chased away, the villagers let out a knowing chuckle.
Chen Xiaobei, however, felt relieved. His being sent away meant Shen Ziyan was unyielding, and the villagers would not be able to take advantage of her in the future.
Just then, a village guard ran over in a hurry. "Village Head Xiaobei, someone from the township is here."
Chen Xiaobei then remembered that he had arranged for Geng Sheng to accompany Cui Dana for a walk in the mountains yesterday. He presumed that person was here today to report on his work.
As expected, when he arrived under the big locust tree, Geng Sheng was already waiting there.
Upon seeing Chen Xiaobei, Geng Sheng stepped forward, cupped his fists in greeting, and then took out a stack of papers from a cloth bag he carried.
"Sir, this is the boundary survey map from yesterday's trip to Qingniu Mountain with Cui Dana. Please review it."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, took the papers, and said, "Once I've reviewed it and found no issues, I will affix my seal. You may return now."
Geng Sheng nodded, then pointed at the three tigers. "Village Head Chen, I have an audacious request. Could these three be moved elsewhere? Seeing them every day is too terrifying."
Chen Xiaobei smiled faintly and saw Geng Sheng off. He began to ponder. Geng Sheng's words made sense; if these tigers managed to break free from their chains, it would be no laughing matter.
But where could they be moved to? Chen Xiaobei suddenly slapped his forehead. Chen Yutian's house! It was empty now, wasn't it?
Returning home, Chen Xiaobei discussed moving the three tigers with Cui Hongyu.
Cui Hongyu strongly advised, "Husband, why not release them?"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head. "That's not advisable. As the saying goes, releasing a tiger back into the wild brings endless trouble. We are going up the mountain more frequently now, and we cannot let the tigers return."
Mentioning going up the mountain, Cui Hongyu seemed to recall something. "Sister Ru Mei has been on the mountain for three days now, and there's been no news."
This made Chen Xiaobei a little surprised. When had Cui Hongyu become so concerned about Liu Ru Mei?
"Miss Liu has her reasons for going up the mountain. Once her tasks are done, she will naturally return."
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Cui Hongyu suddenly chuckled. "Husband, what do you think of Miss Liu?"
Chen Xiaobei didn't quite understand. He scratched the back of his head. "What do you mean, 'what do I think'?"
"Oh, you know, what I told you a few days ago. You, you should take another wife."
Chen Xiaobei nearly fell off his stool.
Seeing his astonished expression, Cui Hongyu smiled calmly. "Husband, Miss Liu has even come all the way to Hetou Village. What do you think her intentions are? You should understand!"
Chen Xiaobei found Cui Hongyu's words both amusing and frustrating.
Come to think of it, he couldn't entirely blame Cui Hongyu. He had never told her Liu Ru Mei's true identity.
Therefore, Cui Hongyu likely always assumed Liu Ru Mei was just a young lady from a wealthy family in the county town.
Cui Hongyu thought Liu Ru Mei had come to Hetou Village looking for her, but it was clearly not the case.
"Hongyu, Miss Liu's visit to Hetou Village has nothing to do with me. Besides, her father is a high-ranking official in the court. How can commoners like us compare to her?"
Hearing Chen Xiaobei's words, Cui Hongyu could only sigh. "Miss Liu is gentle and virtuous, and we get along very well..."
"Enough, no more talk. Help me pack the apples. I need to make a delivery to Xiaojia Town," Chen Xiaobei quickly steered the conversation away from this perilous topic.
Meanwhile, Liu Ru Mei was busy on Qingniu Mountain with Liu Ce and others.
They walked back from the iron chain bridge, meticulously inspecting every fork in the road for potential ambush spots. If they found any, they would mark it on the map.
They walked and observed for more than a day before reaching a steep slope.
The cliff, several zhang high, was almost sheer.
Upon seeing this, Liu Ru Mei frowned. She pointed to the top of the slope and said to Liu Ce, "You go up first. Stand there and see if there are any hiding places around."
Liu Ce agreed, called for ropes to be thrown, and climbed up first. Standing on the steep slope, he scanned the surroundings and soon spotted a patch of trees in the distance.
"Miss, the only possible ambush point is that patch of woods to the left rear, about thirty zhang from here!"
Upon hearing it was thirty zhang away, Xiao Qing, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh. "Miss, at such a distance, let alone repeating crossbows, even the strongest bow would be at the end of its range here, posing no threat."
Liu Ru Mei, however, shook her head slightly. "No, caution is paramount. Even if arrows cannot reach here, the woods provide cover. Mark this spot as a priority."
Xiao Qing stuck out her tongue and quickly made a heavy mark on the map.
And at this very moment.
A torrent of iron swept through Qingniu County like a whirlwind.
Hundreds of cavalry stopped in front of the Liu residence.
The two guards at the gate quickly walked down the steps and approached a white horse in the center, kneeling on one knee and announcing loudly, "Greetings, Second Young Master."
The person on the horse, in his twenties, with a handsome, beardless face, wearing a golden crown and a black cloak, was none other than Liu Ru Mei's second brother, Liu Yuanwu, who was exceptionally dashing.
Liu Yuanwu raised his horsewhip and pointed at the closed door. "Is Ru Mei here?"
"Reporting to Second Young Master, Miss left many days ago!"
Liu Yuanwu frowned. "Quickly send word for her to see me. I have something to tell her."
The two guards bowed again. The one on the left took out a map from his懷 and offered it forward.
"Second Young Master, this is the map of Qingniu Mountain that Miss left. She also said that she does not wish to return."
"What?" Liu Yuanwu leaped off his horse with a whoosh, raising his whip to advance. At this moment, a middle-aged man in green clothes next to him also jumped off his horse and stepped forward to block Liu Yuanwu. "Young Master, let's go inside and rest first."
Liu Yuanwu looked at him, then at the two kneeling guards, and snorted. "If it weren't for Advisor Ma begging for mercy today, you'd have had your share of whipping."
The middle-aged man quickly gestured to the two kneeling guards. "Hurry and open the gate."
"Thank you, Advisor Ma," the two said, thanking him as they quickly got up and opened the main gate of the Liu residence.
Liu Yuanwu strode into the mansion.
Soon, the people he brought with him took control of the Liu residence.
Liu Yuanwu walked into the reception hall, where someone brought tea.
He took a sip of tea and looked up at the people before him. "Everyone, what do you think we should do next?"
Advisor Ma understood his intention, smiled slightly, and pointed to the map in Liu Yuanwu's hand. "First, we go to Qingniu Mountain to verify the authenticity of this topographical map."
"Find the Dragon's Eye and Dragon's Head of the dragon脉 as soon as possible. This way, we can gain an advantage for the Prince."