Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2207: Chapter 2205: Escape

”No way! What if you go back on your word, how can I ensure my safety?” Zhou Shibin said angrily.

”Aren’t you the most untrustworthy one here? Besides, given the current situation, do you have the right to negotiate with me?” She said, flicking the dagger and cutting another line on Zhou Shibin’s neck.

Zhou Shibin was about to cry; it was his neck, how could she just cut it casually?

Fortunately, he was immobilized after his acupoint was struck; otherwise, he feared he might move uncontrollably, and Bai Ruozhu might accidentally sever his artery with an unsteady hand.

He had no choice; he was afraid of death, had ambitions and desires, so he couldn’t die before obtaining everything. Even after obtaining it, he would be reluctant to die.

”All of you withdraw to outside the city, and do not act without my orders!” Zhou Shibin instructed his subordinates.

”Young master, no!” one of his aides exclaimed.

Bai Ruozhu glared over, ”Why not? You want to provoke me, force me to kill him now? Zhou Shibin, can’t you see there’s a spy eager to harm you right beside you?”

The aide’s face turned red, wanting to shout profanities but fearing Bai Ruozhu genuinely harming Zhou Shibin. In the end, he could only retreat disgracefully with the group.

Bai Ruozhu had Jianqi toss Zhou Shibin into the house, and she took up the dagger to interrogate him.

”You untrustworthy scoundrel, how should I punish you?” Bai Ruozhu waved the dagger.

Terror flashed in Zhou Shibin’s eyes, but he quickly calmed down, angrily saying, ”Bai Ruozhu, don’t overdo it. Even if you kill me, you won’t escape!”

”Not killing you is fine; I have plenty of ways to torment you. For instance, carving four characters ’loyalty, serving the country’ on your back, or using some itchy powder to make you unbearably itchy. You should know, itchiness is more unbearable than pain. Or I could hand you over to Zhou Jue; he’s certainly harsher than me, and he likes pretty boys like you.”

Zhou Jue was almost fuming; why drag him into an interrogation? He had already turned over a new leaf. He hurriedly glanced at Ji Ziyan, thankful his partner wasn’t angry—indeed, scholars are reasonable.

”What do you want me to say? It was my father who sent me to catch the criminal to earn more merit, also to have an explanation before Chengshui’s officials.” Zhou Shibin, frustrated, confessed, surrendering to his fate.

”Besides these people you’ve brought, are there others coming to capture us?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

”My father only sent me, but my good-for-nothing elder brother always competes with me; who knows if he secretly brought people to steal the credit. Don’t blame it on me,” Zhou Shibin hadn’t finished speaking when Bai Ruozhu tapped his face with the blade’s back, startling him.

”He’s your brother; I can only blame it on you.” Bai Ruozhu said coldly.

”Are you being reasonable, woman? I’ve already told you. What more do you want? I’m just playing along, not really planning to catch you.”

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh, then looked at the others, ”Do you believe this?”

Everyone laughed disdainfully, knowing Zhou Shibin just wanted to capture them to claim merit, disregarding any initial alliance agreements.

”Alas, you’d better run quickly. If my brother finds out, he’ll surely hunt you down mercilessly. He doesn’t care about my life and will push you to the brink to kill me.” Zhou Shibin’s demeanor was somewhat bleak as if he hadn’t had a good time at the King Ying Residence.

Everyone discussed and decided to take Zhou Shibin northward. Although entering Danliang Country from the north was a longer route, the south would definitely be heavily guarded, so it was better to bypass.

This yard had only been lived in for a few days, so packing up was quick. Everyone was ready in less than a quarter of an hour.

Bai Ruozhu called Little Dengdeng into the Space, and had Xiaomao follow Jiang Yichun. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him, but she feared Achun might hide again.

Yizi adjusted the Array, blocking outsiders from noticing the yard’s situation, or deducing the direction of their retreat.

Zhou Shibin, noticing Yizi’s proficiency in arrays, looked at her warmly.

”What are you looking at, you despicable man? Don’t look at me; it’s nauseating!” Yizi, now a feisty little pepper, was very impolite to Zhou Shibin.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at Zhou Shibin, ”I only said I’d let you go after leaving Chengshui, but I didn’t say I’d send you back intact. If you don’t want to be a man anymore, go ahead and keep looking!”

Zhou Shibin felt a chill down his spine and dared not look at Yizi again.

Others suppressed their laughter; given Zhou Shibin’s nature, he dared pursue Yizi, unaware that not every girl could be swayed by tender gazes.

Leaving the alley, Bai Ruozhu threw a piece of silver to the coachman and took the horse carriage, with Zhou Shibin also thrown inside.

At this moment, not only was he immobile, but his mute acupoint was also hit, preventing him from speaking.

Upon reaching the City Gate, the guards inspected each person and even checked those inside the carriage.

Zhou Jue quickly jumped onto the carriage, pinched and prodded Zhou Shibin’s face until he became unrecognizable.

He then tossed Zhou Shibin’s Sword and waist badge into a nearby Alley. Zhou Shibin was very pained as that badge had special uses.

With everything sorted, Zhou Jue and Muyu led the carriage to the city gate, while Bai Ruozhu’s group dispersed to exit the city.

The guards wanted to inspect the carriage’s occupants, so Zhou Jue handed over some silver, smiling and offering the officers tea, though guards accepted the silver, they insisted on checking.

”Inside is my son, afflicted by a strange illness, becoming gradually paralyzed. The doctors at Fushou Hall couldn’t cure him; I’m planning to seek renowned doctors down south. Officer, please be gentle; my son can’t take a draft.” Zhou Jue played the part of an honest man.

The guard opened the carriage curtain, failing to recognize Zhou Shibin inside. Seeing him indeed unable to move, he hastily closed the curtain, fearing contamination.

”All right, hurry on; don’t block the way!” the guard said.

The carriage smoothly left the city gate, heading south for a while before diverting onto the northern official road, traveling northward.

For several days, all went smoothly, with no signs of pursuit. It wasn’t known if they truly feared Zhou Shibin being killed, or simply didn’t care about his life, or perhaps there was an ambush along their path.

Bai Ruozhu suggested that Zhou Jue and Ji Ziyan part ways, as they intended to live in seclusion in the mountains, where the Imperial Court wouldn’t easily find them, whereas staying with them would invite unknown dangers.

On the other hand, Bai Ruozhu didn’t wish to leave Chengshui territory too soon as she hadn’t got news of her second brother and was unsure what brought him to Chengshui.