“You really went through the trouble, Ma Sao.”
Another voice followed—a young “Master,” clear and bright, but with a deliberate politeness.
Niu Xingwang’s ear twitched, and he immediately became alert. He shot a glance at Niu Xingfa, who then slowly sat up straight and kicked the curled-up youth again into the corner.
Footsteps grew closer. The latch of the courtyard door was pulled open, followed by the wooden door creaking open from the outside.
Sunlight poured in from outside, shining on the backs of the newcomers, casting three long shadows on the ground.
Ma Sao walked in front, stepped aside, and waved to the two behind her.
“Come in, here it is. Don’t just stand outside. Come in.”
As she moved aside, a handsome “boy” in a white robe, head slightly lowered, stepped over the threshold. Behind him followed a young girl carrying a basket, her hair in double buns, face tight, but her eyes couldn’t help glancing toward the cage.
Niu Xingwang squinted, sizing up the newcomers without moving.
Inside the cage, the bound youth was still “mmm-mmm” whimpering. Niu Xingfa stomped on his shin, and the muffled sound stopped immediately.
“Stay still!”
Ma Sao walked to the cage and patted the wooden bars. Then she turned and looked at the “boy” who was now looking back.
“Master Lu, come and take a look. But don’t get too close. It wouldn’t be good if you accidentally got hurt.”
“Don’t worry, madam. I’ve had some training after all. I won’t get hurt…”
Liu Yao shook her head, speaking with a slightly helpless tone. First, she swept her gaze over the surroundings, then walked forward with steady steps.
To tell the truth, the girl didn’t really expect to find any clues from this prison visit. After all, though it was supposedly for Miss Wang’s matter, it was really more to investigate the number of prisoners the horse gang had taken in.
And also to confirm with some prisoners whether anyone was genuinely wronged. That way, when the opportunity came, Liu Yao could rescue them all together.
‘Speaking of which, Xiao Hua actually believed such an obvious lie about investigating Miss Wang’s husband. How could exiled prisoners from Lin’an include someone who disappeared only recently?
Hmm… people really need to think more, otherwise they’ll end up like Xiao Hua, believing nonsense spoken right to their faces!’
“Wow! Master Lu, look! There seems to be a big worm in there!”
While the girl was lost in thought, Xiao Hua tugged at her sleeve and whispered. Liu Yao stumbled from the pull, snapping back to reality.
She followed Xiao Hua’s pointing finger and looked into the cage. Sunlight leaked through the gaps in the bars, illuminating a young man lying curled on the ground, bare-chested.
His mouth was gagged with a cloth strip, his hands and feet tightly bound. He was writhing on the ground like a worm, making muffled “mmm-mmm” sounds.
“Worm” wasn’t quite the word, but he really didn’t look human.
Liu Yao’s mouth twitched, but before she could speak, she immediately sensed something off. She narrowed her eyes and looked in another direction from the bound youth—there, besides a few people staring at her with numb eyes, there were two people with their backs to her.
But the key wasn’t their orientation—it was their silhouettes… One fat, one thin, two people… Why did the backs of those two prisoners look so familiar?
The girl stroked her chin, craning her head to look at them, feeling a strong sense of familiarity. Ma Sao, noticing Liu Yao’s expression, also looked in that direction. Immediately, she understood Liu Yao’s intent and spoke.
“Hey, you two over there! Turn around! This Master just wants to ask a few questions…”
Unfortunately, before Ma Sao could finish, Liu Yao interrupted her. The girl stretched out a hand to stop Ma Sao from continuing, her previously doubtful expression instantly turning serious.
Because these two prisoners, locked up with wooden handcuffs and iron chains, were none other than the fat and thin killers who had escaped from her earlier. They thought they could hide by turning their backs to Liu Yao.
But in truth, the girl had memorized the backs of those two fleeing figures vividly. Of course, it wasn’t at all because she held a grudge over that kick earlier!
Liu Yao withdrew her hand. Under the puzzled gazes of the two, she let out a cold laugh, then spoke.
“Oh, isn’t this the two brothers who ran away before? Long time no see, how come you’re so down and out?”
However, the girl’s sarcasm didn’t seem to affect the Niu brothers. Niu Xingfa remained lying on his side, bored. Niu Xingwang kept his head down, covering his ears, acting like he was shutting himself off.
Seeing them like this, Liu Yao was in no hurry. She crossed her arms and tilted her head, looking them over.
“Keep pretending, keep pretending,” she sneered. “Last time at Dawn Spring Courtyard, you ran faster than rabbits. Now you’re playing silent?”
Niu Xingwang’s back stiffened almost imperceptibly, but he still didn’t turn around. Niu Xingfa twitched, as if wanting to turn his head, but his older brother secretly stepped on his foot, forcing him to hold still.
Ma Sao stood aside, looking from Liu Yao to the two in the cage, full of confusion.
“Master Lu, you know them?”
“Know them? Of course I do.” Liu Yao immediately came back to herself, smiling. “Old acquaintances. We met once before. These are the two idiots who tried to assassinate Second Master Wang back at Dawn Spring Courtyard.”
“What?! These are the killers from that widely talked about incident!” Xiao Hua covered her mouth, astonished. “How did they end up here? Weren’t they said to have escaped?”
“Who knows? Maybe some passing hero caught them while they were fleeing?”
Seeing that these two were still holding their composure despite all her provocations, Liu Yao began to lose interest. Although enemies always meet on a narrow road, between them it was just a bit of personal grudge.
She had done her mocking, and these daytime thugs had been caught. There wasn’t much need to keep staring at them.
The only thing worth being happy about was that her promise to that old geezer Wang Chengle about safety had been indirectly fulfilled.
“Who would have thought these two rough-looking ones had such a history.” Ma Sao was also surprised, covering her mouth.
“Good thing they’re locked up tight, otherwise something might happen! No, later I’ll have my husband call some people to tie them up with an extra layer of rope!”
Then she turned her gaze to the girl and Xiao Hua.
“Ah, right! Master Lu, do you want to see anything else? If not, let’s go back. The smell here is really bad.”
Liu Yao was about to say she’d like to look around some more, but then she had another idea.
“Thank you for your trouble, Ma Sao. Let’s stop here for today.” She withdrew her gaze and turned to leave.
Xiao Hua picked up the basket and trotted after her. When she reached the courtyard gate, she couldn’t help turning back for another look—the two figures still seemed unmoved.
The courtyard gate closed again, the latch falling with a dull, heavy sound.
“Big Brother…” Niu Xingfa leaned in, lowering his voice. “That little brat…”
Niu Xingwang gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath. Then he took a deep breath and instructed Niu Xingfa.
“Don’t mind that wet-behind-the-ears brat. We’ll stay here and wait for Lord You to come pick us up.”
“Alright, alright…”
Niu Xingfa shrank his neck, not daring to ask further, and lay back down.
Outside the courtyard, Liu Yao followed Ma Sao with light steps, a hint of a smile on her lips. Xiao Hua caught up and tugged at her sleeve, asking quietly.
“Master, why are we leaving already? Didn’t you want to ask more questions?”
To this, Liu Yao could only shake her head helplessly and lower her voice.
“No choice. There don’t seem to be any clues here. I’ll have to find another way.”
“Oh, okay… Ah! I have to hurry back! Otherwise, today’s work won’t get done!” Xiao Hua, who had been mumbling, suddenly remembered something and rushed.
Seeing Xiao Hua’s flustered hurry, the girl couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Under the eaves, the two walked away down the path.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.