"Qiao'er, where has your sister-in-law gone?"
Chen Qiao'er thought they were looking for Cui Hongyu and casually replied, "Sister-in-law is out. She'll be back soon. You can wait."
Upon hearing this, a sneer flashed across Chen Sanqiu's lips. He suddenly raised his hand and struck Chen Qiao'er on the back of the neck.
Chen Qiao'er fell to the ground.
When Cui Hongyu returned after her rounds, she didn't see Chen Qiao'er and assumed she had gone out to play, so she didn't pay it much mind.
However, when dinner was ready and Chen Qiao'er was still nowhere to be seen, Cui Hongyu realized something was wrong.
Cui Hongyu started shouting Chen Qiao'er's name repeatedly and loudly.
Hearing the commotion, Shen Ziyan also rushed over. After understanding the situation, she helped search.
Just then, the Old Ancestor heard the noise and came out. Upon hearing that Chen Qiao'er had suddenly disappeared.
The Old Ancestor's heart tightened. He immediately said to Chen Xiaobo, Chen Xiaowen, and the other village defense team members, "Quickly check every house, see if anyone is missing."
Chen Xiaobo and Chen Xiaowen led the team to search house by house and then rushed back.
"Old Ancestor, Chen Sanqiu and his wife are both gone. We found this in his room."
As Chen Xiaowen spoke, he handed over the wanted poster.
The Old Ancestor frowned as he looked at it. "This is bad. They might have taken Qiao'er to claim the reward."
Chen Xiaobo couldn't help but pound his chest upon hearing this. "Alas, it's all my fault. If only I hadn't brought this poster back."
Cui Hongyu, however, shook her head. "This is not your fault. Even if you hadn't brought it back, he would have known eventually and taken this step sooner or later."
Shen Ziyan clenched her fists in anger. "I'll go down the mountain right now. I'll beat them half to death when I catch them."
The Old Ancestor looked at Shen Ziyan, then at the two maids, Xiaohua and Du Juan, behind her. Huang Ying had left Du Juan to help care for the village when she came up the mountain.
Now they were useful. "You three are the only ones in the village who know martial arts. You will go down the mountain and split up to pursue. If you can catch them, that's best. If not, come back quickly."
Under everyone's expectant gaze, Shen Ziyan led the two down the mountain. However, they didn't know that Chen Sanqiu was very cunning. As soon as he descended the mountain and walked a short distance, he hid in the roadside woods and stopped.
Because he knew that even if he rushed overnight, Zhu Meng might not receive him.
It was better to wait until morning. The people from Wugongling would not dare to act openly then, and he would be safer.
Therefore, Shen Ziyan and the others' pursuit naturally yielded nothing. Shen Ziyan returned at the third watch. Facing everyone's anxious gaze, she sighed helplessly, "I chased all the way to the edge of the county town and found no trace. They must have entered Zhu Meng's camp."
Upon hearing this, Cui Hongyu burst into tears.
"If Qiao'er is lost, how can I face my husband!"
Shen Ziyan stepped forward and hugged Cui Hongyu. They held each other tightly, neither speaking.
The Old Ancestor pondered for a moment, then thumped his cane, making a decision. "This matter needs to be known on the mountain. We must find a way to notify Chen Xiaobei."
"But Chen Xiaobei is on the mountain, and it's guarded by government troops. We can't get up there," Chen Xiaobo said helplessly.
Chen Xiaowen also sighed. "Yes, I wish I could fly up the mountain."
At this moment, Cui Hongyu suddenly raised her head. "I have an idea."
"When I came out, I brought a few firecrackers made by my husband. As long as we light the firecrackers and let him see, he'll know something has happened down the mountain and will find a way to come down."
Everyone cheered at this. However, Chen Xiaowen immediately shook his head. "No, no. If we set them off down the mountain, at most they'll be seen at the Mountain God Temple. If we go further up, they won't be visible. They're on the mountaintop now..."
At this moment, Shen Ziyan spoke, "That's not difficult. Isn't it just about going up the mountain to set off a couple of firecrackers? I'll go."
Cui Hongyu was not very familiar with Shen Ziyan's martial arts, and she looked worried. "Don't go, don't go. It's too dangerous. Let's think of another way. Or, when it's dawn, I'll go directly to Zhu Meng and exchange Chen Qiao'er."
The Old Ancestor quickly intervened. "Miss Hongyu, you cannot go. If Zhu Meng knows your relationship with Chen Xiaobei, he won't let you return. You'll be walking into a trap."
After speaking, he turned to Shen Ziyan. "Miss Ziyan, this matter will trouble you. You must find a way to notify those on the mountain."
Chen Ziyan turned to Cui Hongyu and said with determination, "Sister, please rest assured. I will do this well."
Cui Hongyu silently returned to her room, took out three firecrackers, and carefully taught Shen Ziyan how to light them.
Shen Ziyan took the bundle, carefully wrapped the firecrackers, and slung them over her back.
"Alright, I'm going to Qingniu Mountain now. I'll enter the mountain before dawn."
"By tomorrow night, I should reach the Iron Chain Bridge."
Chen Ziyan had been to Qingniu Mountain with Chen Xiaobei before, so she was familiar with the route. Thus, she was very confident in her plan.
Watching Shen Ziyan disappear into the night, Cui Hongyu's heart sank again. She returned to her room and sat under the oil lamp, tears flowing silently once more. She prayed silently, "Qiao'er, Qiao'er, please be alright."
The next day, as dawn broke, Chen Sanqiu and Liu Shi, along with Chen Qiao'er, arrived outside Zhu Meng's camp.
Zhu Meng had not yet eaten breakfast when someone reported that someone outside had a sacrifice that could break through Qingniu Mountain. He was overjoyed and quickly ordered them to be brought in.
Seeing Chen Sanqiu carrying Chen Qiao'er in, Zhu Meng was completely bewildered.
"Who are you? What do you mean by bringing a child here?"
Chen Sanqiu placed Chen Qiao'er on the ground, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "Marshal, it's like this. This girl is called Chen Qiao'er. She is the sister of our village head, Chen Xiaobei, from Hetou Village."
"This Chen Xiaobei is currently on Qingniu Mountain with Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun."
"Also, all the villagers of Hetou Village are hiding in Wugongling."
Zhu Meng instantly understood Chen Sanqiu's intention, but he didn't show his hand, his brows furrowed into a deep line.
"You must have had a difficult journey. Go down and rest, have something to eat."
Zhu Meng gestured to a nearby guard. The guard immediately stepped forward and led Chen Sanqiu out of the tent.
After seeing Chen Sanqiu off, Zhu Meng immediately summoned Zhang Liao and others.
After Zhu Meng explained the situation, Zhang Liao showed a pleased expression.
"Marshal, this is a good idea. It's worth a try."
Zhu Meng raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What do you mean?"
"Marshal, the situation is currently at a stalemate. We can't attack, and they can't come down. With this Chen Qiao'er, we can negotiate with Xiao Jingyun. Moreover, there are over two hundred villagers from Wugongling. Xiao Jingyun claims to govern the world with benevolence and righteousness, doesn't he? Let's see if he will save this Chen Qiao'er or not!"