The Return of the Seventh Young Lady-Chapter 18 - 17

Chapter 17

Auntie Yang swallowed hard, cautiously eyeing the sharp tip of the sword at her throat, fearing that any slight movement might result in the blade slicing her and causing blood to flow.

"Bind them all together," ordered the imposing man in black, who seemed to be the leader of this mysterious bandit group, to his subordinates.

The remaining men in black complied, herding all the servants from the convoy to be tied up under a tree by the roadside. As they finished securing every servant, the rhythmic sound of approaching horse hooves grew louder and clearer.

The Mu family’s people harbored hope in their hearts, believing a carriage convoy would inevitably pass this way.

Should there indeed be passersby, they nurtured the hope of escaping from these bandits’ grasp!

However, while the Mu family’s servants were excitedly anticipating rescue, they failed to notice the indifference of the black-clad group. They continued to offload the carriage’s valuables onto the roadside as if deaf to the approaching sound of horse hooves.

While Auntie Yang initially harbored hope like the other servants, her suspicion grew upon observing the bandits’ nonchalant behavior, sensing that something was amiss.

Typically, in a robbery, the bandits would act swiftly to avoid confrontation with any following carriages, minimizing losses and ensuring their escape.

Yet, in this perilous situation, the bandits appeared utterly unconcerned about the oncoming horse hooves sound, seemingly indifferent to any forthcoming confrontation.

Why was that?

Deep in thought, Auntie Yang furrowed her brows and peered toward the direction of the advancing sounds, brimming with anticipation.

"Hehe, you’re doomed! Hurry up and release us. Can’t you see people are coming? If you don’t flee now, the authorities will surely capture you!"

A sharp voice taunted confidently. The speaker was none other than Xiang Zi. She mockingly challenged the black-clad men, convinced by the nearing horse hooves sound that a large convoy, likely comprising six to seven carriages, was approaching.

With a large convoy, there would undoubtedly be many guards. If the Mu family’s people and the newcomers were to cooperate, this band of thieves would hardly stand a chance.

The surrounding servants all hoped that Xiang Zi’s threats would work, wishing for their freedom. Even Auntie Yang secretly hoped that the bandits would fear the threats and flee swiftly.

Yet, they were bewildered once more when they caught the undisturbed gaze of the men in black, who looked at them as if they were fools, then turned back to continue their looting, disregarding the Mu family entirely.

Xiang Zi clenched her jaw tight. Since threats had no effect, all they could do was wait for this approaching convoy and find a way out later!

The vague shadows of the incoming carriage convoy became clearer, and the smiles on the Mu family’s servants’ faces began to fade as they noticed the coachmen were all dressed in solid black, their faces covered just like the robbers.

This new convoy was of the same ilk as the bandits who had ambushed them!

Auntie Yang, who had been observant all along, felt her heart sink. Judging by the number of carriages the bandits had prepared, they could transport all of the Mu family’s assets.

She hoped the bandits would not be overly greedy!

Auntie Yang gritted her teeth, praying for fortune to favor her, for passersby to aid them, or for something to inspire the bandits to take only a small portion of the assets. Given the Mu family’s already stretched resources and the need to support their status in the capital, these assets were vital.

If everything were stolen, where would the Mu family find the funds for their expenses?!

No!

She couldn’t let this happen!

Overcoming her fear in the face of a grim future, Auntie Yang exclaimed, "Stop right now!”

“Do you know whose convoy this is?"

She shouted, hoping to intimidate the bandits, but the men in black remained indifferent, continuing their theft.

"This is the Mu family’s convoy! The Mu family, I tell you!"

As her threats were ignored, Auntie Yang’s anger flared again. She yelled, oblivious to the bandits’ disregard, "You might not know, but Mu Patriarch has just been appointed as the Left side Deputy Chancellor!”

The closest man in black casually stuck a finger in his ear, seemingly baffled by the old woman’s vocal power. Her voice was like the sound of thunder!

Auntie Yang glared at him and continued her tirade, "If you release us now and return the goods, I will plead with Mu Patriarch to spare your lives. But if you do not comply, do not think you can escape from the hands of Mu Patriarch, a high-ranking official!"

After Auntie Yang’s outburst, it seemed her threat had an impact. The apparent leader of the bandits paused, turning to approach her.

Auntie Yang smirked triumphantly, believing that the bandits were finally intimidated upon realizing they were robbing a noble’s caravan. Just her threat should instill fear in them, she thought.

"So, are you afraid now?"

She taunted with a sneer, convinced of her victory. However, her triumph froze as she heard the response from the bandit.

"Hah! Since we are doomed anyway, killing all of you would simply end our problems. Better dead to silence any witnesses."

The man in black spoke coldly, his eyes gleaming maliciously from beneath his dark hood, exuding a murderous intent that weakened the knees of the nearby servants, making them collapse in terror.

Undeterred, Auntie Yang glared and challenged, "You think I am scared?!"

"Good if you’re not..." The man smirked slightly, signaling his men to encircle them, trapping the Mu family’s servants like prey surrounded by predators.

"Wait, wait, brother!"

A sweet voice interjected, stopping the massacre that was about to take place. Luo Hai stepped forward, pushing herself through other people to implore the man in black, "Please calm down, brother. Let’s not be hasty. Auntie Yang was just jesting."

"Ye...Yes, exactly! Auntie Yang was merely jesting. Pay her no mind," Xiang Zi added, supporting Luo Hai despite their usual quarrels. They cooperated remarkably well under the circumstances.

The man in black furrowed his brow slightly, observing the women who were putting on a show in front of him quietly.

Seeing that he did not respond and also exuded not as much murderous intent as before, Luo Hai smiled, thanking him, "Thank you, brother, for your kindness. Please proceed with your business. We will stay quietly and peacefully here."

"Exactly, Brother. Don’t let us waste your time for nothing," Xiang Zi added with a flattering smile.

The man in black, who had no intention of carrying out a massacre initially and only threatened them out of irritation with Auntie Yang, exhaled deeply and led his men to continue moving the goods.

Once the group of men in black dispersed, the servants collectively sighed in relief, contrasting sharply with Auntie Yang, who was thoroughly agitated.

"Why did you flatter them? They are bandits!"

"Oh, Auntie Yang, please stop arguing with those bandits. They won’t be scared," Xiang Zi advised wearily, her voice tinged with desperation.

"And what? Do you expect me to just watch them plunder all these assets without doing anything?"

Auntie Yang glared fiercely at Xiang Zi. Luo Hai then interjected, trying to reason with her, "Auntie Yang, Xiang Zi is right. Don’t exchange your life for this. We can always report to the authorities later. It’s better than losing your life here."

"But by the time we report to the authorities, these people will have taken all the goods far away! Don’t try to stop me!"

"Auntie Yang! They’re not just after your life! They’ll kill us all! If you want to die, I won’t stop you, but we don’t want to die with you," Xiang Zi declared earnestly.

Auntie Yang shot Xiang Zi a glare, irritated by her forthrightness. However, when she was about to scold Xiang Zi, she realized she was being stared at by dozens of pleading eyes.

It was as Xiang Zi said, they didn’t want to fight to the death like Auntie Yang!

It was true that they were the servants of the Mu household, but they still had families waiting for their return, so they were unwilling to meet their end there!

Unable to bear the collective pressure, Auntie Yang turned away, sitting down frustratedly. She was filled with anger and stress, pondering over an escape plan that must somehow salvage their assets back to the capital!

Seeing Auntie Yang calm down, everyone sighed in relief. At least a massacre was avoided...

Meanwhile, the men in black continued to relocate the Mu family’s assets to their prepared carriages, emptying over three-quarters of the valuables. The Mu family’s carriages which were once packed with valuables suddenly became empty.

Watching this, Auntie Yang lost her patience, unwilling to let the bandits take everything.

If they took it all, what would they return to the capital with?

Auntie Yang stood up quickly, shouting angrily, "Enough! Are you going to take everything? People shouldn’t be so greedy. Too much greed can lead to unexpected losses!"

The people of the Mu family all felt their hearts pounding as they couldn’t stop her in time. They could only look at the enemy with pleading eyes, hoping that the other side would be kind and merciful and not come back to massacre them again because of Auntie Yang’s words.

Luo Hai, standing by, frowned in displeasure. Why was this old woman so stubborn?! Using what part of her brain did she think it was a good idea to scold the bandits as if they were mere servants in their manor? Did she think they would be scared?

If they were really scared, they wouldn’t be bandits in the first place!

The black-clothed bandit leader, overseeing his subordinates loading the goods almost to completion, only needed to load the valuables from one last carriage, and their mission would be successful. He glanced at the old woman briefly before sighing with irritation.

From beginning to end, it was only this old woman who had been causing trouble and being annoying. If it weren’t for the order to avoid bloodshed, he would have killed her already...

"Oh, is that so?"

The man in black clothes responded indifferently, his eyes suddenly sparkling strangely. He walked toward the group tied up, saying, "Initially, I thought to leave immediately after loading the goods. But since you reminded me, I’ll indulge in greed to the fullest.”

“Hand over all valuables on your body now. Anyone who disobeys will be killed!"

Auntie Yang’s eyes widened in disbelief. It wasn’t enough that they robbed the carriage; now they were extorting them further. It was too much!

"You’re going too far! I won’t give it to you. Even if it kills me, I won’t give in!" Auntie Yang shouted, stepping back several steps.

"Then kill them all,"

He declared, releasing a murderous intent. The remaining servants panicked, cooperating with the black-clothed men searching for valuables. They didn’t resist, allowing the search to proceed smoothly.

Meanwhile, Xiang Zi and Luo Hai were unbound to take over the task of searching other maids for valuables instead of the men in black clothes. Both methodically searched each person for valuable items with focus.

"You are heartless! You won’t die a good death!"

Auntie Yang cursed her enemies relentlessly, being fearless because her greed for wealth had dominated her mind. The man in black was so annoyed that he gagged her mouth with a cloth to silence her.

She glared with rage, but still tried to make noises of protest.

After Xiang Zi and Luo Hai finished searching all the maids, they surrounded Auntie Yang. "Auntie Yang, please don’t blame us. If we don’t do as they say, it seems we will never return to the capital."

When the word ended, the two women immediately began searching Auntie Yang for any valuable jewelry or money on her body, ignoring the hateful glare she directed at them.

The extortion was soon over, and the valuables they found on the Mu family’s people amounted to a significant sum. However, the man in black seemed more pleased to see the distorted face of the old woman rather than the loot.

"This road is frequented by travelers. Although it might take a while, perhaps several hours or even a day, someone will eventually come by and help you,"

He said with a slight laugh, commanding his men to cut the ropes tying the Mu family’s carriages, sending the horses scattering and disappearing from sight.

Afterward, the group of men in black mounted their carriages and quickly departed, leaving behind the empty, horseless Mu family’s carriages and the tied-up group by the roadside. They all sighed in relief, finally free from the bandits’ threat.

Xiang Zi and Luo Hai, who weren’t tied up, came to Auntie Yang’s aid, untying her and removing the gag from her mouth. Auntie Yang took a deep breath through her mouth and then spat on the ground.

"You are nothing but disloyal dogs! You are servants of the Mu household, yet you let them rob us of everything! When we return to the capital, I will ensure none of you are spared!"

Auntie Yang shouted at all the servants furiously before casting a scornful look at the hired guards and family’s guards who had been tied up nearby. “And you too! The Mu family hired you to protect the caravan from bandits, and look at you now! Useless, utterly useless!”

The Mu family’s people all lowered their heads, avoiding confrontation with Auntie Yang for fear of her wrath. They chose silence, allowing her to rant alone while they helped each other untie their bindings.

Exhausted from her tirade, Auntie Yang gasped for air and surveyed the empty carriages in despair. She now truly understood the feeling of wanting to cry without any tears to shed.

The vast wealth of the Mu family was entirely plundered, leaving nothing behind.

From now on, the Mu family would undoubtedly face hardship!

It seemed like an endless curse of misfortune!

She had traveled to Qingyun City intending to retrieve the manor’s and the deceased’s dowry for the capital, only to suffer severe injuries and lose even more than she had come for.

Overwhelmed by the dire circumstances and unable to endure any further distress, Auntie Yang slumped onto the ground, exhausted. She hoped that she would no longer have to face any more misfortune; otherwise, she felt she might truly die of a heart attack!

"Auntie Yang...what shall we do now? The horses have escaped, and it seems no one will pass by here."

Xiang Zi approached her, full of concern. The sun was about to set, and if no one came by, they would have no choice but to spend the night in the wilderness.

But who would dare to do that?

In the heart of the valley, it was unknown how many dangerous animals might lurk. If they stayed there and a predatory beast approached seeking food, would they not become a sumptuous feast for it?

"Whom should I ask if you’re asking me!" Auntie Yang snapped back irritably. She was too weary to devise any plan and could only sit and rest.

Eventually, the Mu family’s people decided to stay there for the night. They divided themselves to keep watch for any dangerous animals. The men slept outside the carriages, while the women huddled together inside the eight carriages. They all tried to sleep, praying that the harsh night would pass quickly.

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