Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2210: Chapter 2208: Hostage Exchange (5 Updates)

Zhou Shibin knew that his elder brother would definitely not rush to save him, and might even delay the rescue effort, allowing him to die outside. But his subordinates would surely come to rescue him, provided he could find a way for them to locate him.

Bai Ruozhu and the others deliberately didn’t tell Zhou Shibin about their findings, watching him getting more and more excited recently. Everyone was secretly amused; if Zhou Shibin kept waiting without anyone showing up, would he go mad?

Over these days, Tang Feng had basically quit the Five Poison Powder. However, now his resistance to temptation was still a bit weak. If someone were to place the Five Poison Powder in front of him now, it would be the greatest temptation for him.

It would take at least half a year for him to return to normal, and only then could he walk away from the Five Stone Powder without hesitation.

As for Tang Feng’s situation in that regard, Gao Zhou privately said there wasn’t much improvement.

Tang Feng just wouldn’t mention it to others. Gao Zhou was secretly treating him as well. After all, which man would want too many people to know about such matters?

In no time, the group had reached the northern border of Chengshui Country, but Bai Ruozhu still hadn’t heard any news about her second brother, which made her increasingly anxious.

”Don’t worry. We can escape and lay low for a while, and then sneak back into Chengshui to find out about your second brother. It might make things easier,” Jiang Yichun noticed her worry and patiently comforted her.

Bai Ruozhu nodded, ”Right, the people of Chengshui will think we have escaped the country and won’t expect us to strike back. When the time comes, we’ll disguise ourselves well, making it easier to move around.”

What they didn’t know was that Bai Zepei was in the prison of Wangxiang City, not far from them, and he had just agreed to Zhou Shixuan’s proposal.

”Brother Bai, you’ve suffered these days. Once this is done, I’ll immediately have you sent back to Chengshui Country, guaranteeing your safety,” Zhou Shixuan assured with a pat on his chest. Yet, Bai Zepei saw the greed in his eyes. Would he really give up such a great accomplishment?

”I only hope to reunite with my little sister. Thank you, your highness, for helping with this,” Bai Zepei said respectfully.

Zhou Shixuan laughed loudly, ”No problem, no problem.”

Outside the prison, two women cautiously passed by, each sneaking a glance but too scared to act recklessly.

When they returned to the inn room, the woman who had styled her hair like a married woman looked anxious and said, ”No, you shouldn’t risk it. I’ve already contacted Ruozhu through the Commerce Association, just waiting for their reply. When Ruozhu arrives, it won’t be too late to rescue my husband.”

The other woman frowned, ”This is Chengshui Country. Why would Bai Ruozhu trust any Commerce Association here? If we keep dragging on like this, aren’t you afraid your husband will be killed by them?”

She made a throat-slitting gesture, causing Si Yihuan to shiver.

These two women were Si Yihuan and Fo Lanying. If Bai Ruozhu saw this scene, she would certainly be surprised how they ended up together.

That day, Bai Zepei used all his strength to protect Si Yihuan’s escape. Si Yihuan herself had learned some small techniques to use Divine Sense, so the journey had been safe. She intended to inform Bai Ruozhu through the Commerce Association, urging her for a quick rescue, but unexpectedly met Fo Lanying on a leisure trip here.

She was surprised Fo Lanying hadn’t gone to the Quanrong Clan, but Fo Lanying nonchalantly said, ”I’m not interested. I don’t care about any Quanrong or not. I was born and raised in Jiuli, and I’m a Jiuli person.”

Fo Lanying knew about Bai Zepei’s capture and offered to help, saying she owed Bai Ruozhu a favor and was looking for a chance to repay it.

However, after observing the prison for a few days, they not only failed to find a suitable opportunity but also discovered that King Ying’s heir had arrived with a lot of men.

This made taking action even tougher.

”Let’s wait and see. King Ying’s heir coming all this way isn’t normal. We should keep a close watch and wait for Ruozhu’s support,” Fo Lanying said.

Little did they know the message handed to the Commerce Association never reached Bai Ruozhu. On one hand, Bai Ruozhu was always on the road in the wild, and on the other hand, Zhou Shibin had long controlled the Commerce Association, quickly forwarding the message to his confidants.

The next day, Si Yihuan and Fo Lanying continued monitoring the prison, only to see King Ying’s heir’s men escorting Bai Zepei into a horse carriage. They exchanged a look and quietly followed the convoy.

The convoy was clearly heading out of the city. It couldn’t be for an execution; otherwise, why put Bai Zepei in a horse carriage? He’d be paraded through the streets instead.

The two women quietly breathed a sigh of relief, but dared not get too close, staying at a distance.

After traveling for two days, the convoy finally stopped. Zhou Shixuan then ordered Bai Zepei to be taken down and had his subordinates head towards the nearby mountains. His stratagem advisor had arranged numerous things, indicating a plan to capture someone.

By the following evening, a group of people appeared in the distance. They had only one horse carriage, while the rest were on horseback.

A woman in a green gown stood out strikingly. Si Yihuan nearly cried out in surprise; it was Ruozhu, Ruozhu was here!

The opposite side was clearly prepared. How should she warn Ruozhu to be cautious and not get captured?

As she contemplated, Bai Ruozhu had already noticed the people encircling ahead.

She signaled Jianqi with her eyes, and Jianqi turned around, dragged Zhou Shibin off the horse carriage, and held a sharp sword to his neck.

Zhou Shibin initially thought it was his subordinates, feeling very excited, but when he realized the leader was his dim-witted elder brother, his eyes filled with despair.

He had no subordinates by his side, no one to protect him. If he fell into his elder brother’s hands, could he return alive?

In that moment, he suddenly wished Bai Ruozhu and the others were stronger, able to break through the encirclement, or even kill his dim-witted brother.

On the other side, Zhou Shixuan had also had someone bring a person down from their horse carriage, causing Bai Ruozhu to widen her eyes. Their hostage was actually her second brother!

”Exchange hostages!” Bai Ruozhu shouted loudly.

Zhou Shixuan’s eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s. He glanced at Zhou Shibin and loudly said, ”Very well, but don’t try any tricks, and don’t harm a single hair on my brother!”

Zhou Shibin rolled his eyes. Today’s heir was truly fake.

Suddenly, he widened his eyes. His elder brother wouldn’t act for no reason, unless...

He turned to Bai Ruozhu and quickly whispered, ”Bai Ruozhu, since you haven’t left Chengshui Country yet, don’t hand me over, or he won’t spare you. Take me away first, you can still find a way to rescue your brother later. There’s no need to lose military force here.”

Bai Ruozhu glared at him, ”Shut up. If we take you away now, will you spare us? It’s the same difference.”

After saying this, she shoved Zhou Shibin, and finally simply picked him up, heading towards the exchange point.

Jiang Yichun followed behind, but Zhou Shixuan shouted, ”Only one person can come.”