Chapter 1188 – Targeting Xu Pei, First Kill by the Lords (Five-Eight)
“Don’t be afraid, Miss Xu.”
Qin Gong let out a sigh of relief, raising his hand to help Xu Yansiao up, respectfully maintaining a distance.
Xu Yansiao couldn’t articulate her feelings. The moment she saw Qin Gong, all the negative emotions swelling in her chest dissolved like mist.
She nodded, lowering her gaze, and spoke with determination, “Those river bandits outside—are they from you?”
Qin Gong responded vaguely.
“Yes, I was ordered to capture the household of Lord Xin Zhao, but there are some things I can’t do under my true identity.”
Like looting people’s wealth.
Xu Yansiao held a grudge against Xu Pei, yet she was still a Xu family woman, and such words were hard to utter.
Fortunately, Xu Yansiao didn’t pry too much into what those “things” were. She just felt the fear enveloping her dissolve into a warm sense of security.
“So you… you won’t get into trouble appearing before me like this, right?”
Though young, Xu Yansiao had matured rapidly amid the upheaval.
After Yang Si’s guidance, she felt a pang of guilt toward Qin Gong.
Qin Gong had been more attentive to her out of loyalty to her former master, but she was still a burden to him.
Being grateful and repaying kindness, she wasn’t heartless; she saw all his sacrifices.
Hearing his words, Xu Yansiao couldn’t help but worry for him.
“Normally, you shouldn’t show up to avoid being recognized. It wouldn’t be good if you attracted trouble for the Lord…” Qin Gong earnestly said, “But I really worried about you. You looked so unwell, and I was scared you’d do something foolish…”
Qin Gong had noticed Xu Yansiao early on, but revealing himself openly was tricky.
Just moments ago, he had observed from the shadows, seeing her face as pale as death, making it hard for him to stand by.
He simply covered his face, made an excuse to drive away the nearby river bandits, and stealthily pulled Xu Yansiao aside to say a few comforting words.
Don’t worry, he was still there.
Xu Yansiao’s cheeks flushed, her pallid complexion gaining a hint of rosy warmth.
An undefined excitement swelled in her chest, a sensation she couldn’t quite place.
She had never thought Qin Gong looked so handsome—she couldn’t get enough of him, and coincidentally, Qin Gong felt the same.
“I’m fine—” Xu Yansiao said, “You, don’t delay your important matters because of me.”
Although she knew Qin Gong wouldn’t compromise his duties for personal reasons, she couldn’t help but warn him, the warmth in her cheeks stubbornly remaining.
“Yes, Miss Xu, don’t worry.”
Qin Gong had little time; he couldn’t chat too much with Xu Yansiao.
Though there were no other people nearby, the river bandits stationed on other ships had seen them.
Young crushes and budding feelings, the sweet atmosphere around the two was palpable even across the two boats.
“Miss Xu—”
Just as Xu Yansiao was about to sneak back to the main troop, Qin Gong, almost unconsciously, called her. She turned back, leaving him speechless.
After a long pause, Qin Gong stammered, “In the future, I will protect you completely—”
Before she could take a step, Qin Gong’s face had already turned beet red as he nimbly rolled off the ship’s edge.
Feeling blessed, Xu Yansiao suddenly thought of something, a deep flush rushing to her face, the warmth lingering.
The river bandits had thoroughly ransacked several ships, transporting boxes after boxes of goods onto their own vessels in an orderly retreat.
Having calmed her worries, Xu Yansiao was no longer afraid of those river bandits.
In fact, the river bandits looked at her as if she were a cat eyed by a mouse, eager to sneak away against the wall.
Occasionally, a daring bandit would try to sneak a glance at her, but hadn’t even gotten a good look before being schooled by an old hand nearby.
Seeing this, Xu Yansiao couldn’t help but chuckle, revealing a smile not seen in a long time.
The river bandits didn’t raid people or touch women; they simply seized all the valuables, leaving not a morsel of food or water behind.
Unfortunately, the survivors of the theft could only return home with bitter faces.
Without water or food, they couldn’t escape too far.
Just as they hadn’t reached the shore, a battalion of armored soldiers, exuding murderous intent, surrounded the dock completely.
Everyone was caught in a dilemma.
Xu Pei’s wife had a grim expression that could drip water.
These large ships held not only Xu Pei’s wives and children but also many high-ranking officials’ families.
If they landed now, it would be like walking into a trap; if they didn’t dock, she feared the enemy might crazily attack their ships.
A group of pampered noblewomen, who among them could swim?
All were like ducks out of water.
Qin Gong had swiftly suited up in armor, rallying his troops at the dock to await the enemy’s approach.
He cupped his hands toward the decks of the ships, appealing to reason and emotion, hoping those on board would disembark willingly.
We are all civilized people, let’s try to solve this problem in a civilized way.
Many ships had women and children aboard, facing Qin Gong’s coaxing and threats, unsure how to respond.
A young and beautiful lady spoke, “Everyone is exhausted, the river brings cold winds, it truly isn’t wise to linger. If we stay on, we might fall ill. It would be better to dock early. I believe Liu Xi wouldn’t dare defy propriety and massacre us.”
This era still had principles; there were unwritten rules on the battlefield.
Lords could fight among themselves, but it was shameful to target families.
If men were defeated, that was their affair; the women in the household shouldn’t be dragged into it.
Had Xu Fei not crossed paths with the bandits, they likely wouldn’t have faced such a fate.
No matter how much Xu Pei detested Xu Fei, he had to care for the widow of his cousin, ensuring she wouldn’t suffer disgrace.
Xu Pei’s wife hesitated, truly unwilling to disembark.
Staying aboard at least granted them a moment of peace. If they landed, wouldn’t they become prisoners, subjected to life and death?
“This… this doesn’t seem right; let’s wait and see a bit longer.”
Xu Pei’s wife declined, but the beautiful lady didn’t show discontent, turning back to her own circle.
This woman was Han Yu’s wife, coming from a noble family, her calm demeanor surpassing even Xu Pei’s wife.
The two parties faced off for a long while, and ultimately, it was the people on the ships who relented first.
They had no water or food and couldn’t hold out much longer.
Qin Gong sneered, sending everyone back to their homes, then added,
“Recently, with the frequent wars and rampant banditry disrupting the neighbors, ladies, unless it’s urgent, it’s best not to leave your nests, to avoid bandit encounters. I will do my utmost to capture those bandits swiftly to ensure your safety.”
Qin Gong spoke neither too humbly nor arrogantly, yet it fell on deaf ears.
Many had been scared witless; upon stepping onto solid ground, they struggled to adjust, nearly collapsing.
Qin Gong dispatched people to escort them, and when his gaze landed on Xu Yansiao, warmth filled his eyes.
Cheng Yuan teased, “Young lovebirds, it truly makes others envious.”
Qin Gong grinned awkwardly, “It’s too early to say that; let’s talk about other things when she comes of age.”
Cheng Yuan sighed.
The world was filled with the stench of love, while only their Lord and a certain bronze iron frog still floated with the scent of singlehood.
What a pity.
In the distance, Wei Ci sneezed, and Jiang Pengji rubbed her nose.
Jiang Pengji mumbled, “Is Huang Bogao still thinking about me?”
Was it just because he won a few battles, killed a few more people behind her back that he kept mentioning her?
