RWNEFE -Chapter 120 Two Fools—How Did the Shen Family Ever Give Birth to…

At the sound of Liu Laohu’s voice, the expressions of Shen Congwen and Zhang Zifen both changed.

As soon as Liu Laohu stepped inside, he didn’t waste a single word before ordering the constables to act.

“Throw all of them into the bottom hold. Since they have so much energy, they won’t need to eat or drink until we disembark!”

“Yes, sir!”

Four constables rushed forward at once.

“Master—!”

“Father—!”

Terrified, Zhang Zifen and her daughter Shen Yuanhe hurried to hide behind Shen Congwen.

After living comfortably in cabins these past days, they absolutely did not want to return to the bottom hold—that place was simply unfit for human habitation.

“What are you still standing around for? Forgot what our job is?” Liu Laohu barked, his eyes cold and fierce.

They were constables; these people were exiled criminals. Even beating them to death would not be excessive.

The constables immediately moved in.

Seeing that this was for real, Zhang Zifen and Shen Yuanhe screamed nonstop in terror. They tried to have Shen Congwen protect them, but he couldn’t even protect himself. Two constables seized him by the arms and dragged him out.

Impatient, Liu Laohu said, “Gag them. If they dare make another sound, slap their mouths!”

When Zhang Zifen and her daughter heard they would be slapped, they were so frightened that they didn’t dare cry out anymore and hurriedly begged for mercy.

“My lord, we were behaving ourselves—we didn’t cause trouble, really!”

Liu Laohu didn’t even glance at her.

Zhang Niu spoke up, “They still owe me ten taels of silver for the consultation fee.”

Liu Laohu’s attitude toward Zhang Niu was very respectful. For one thing, Zhang Niu wasn’t a prisoner; for another, he was the only doctor on the ship.

“What? They even dare to default on the consultation fee? Do they really think they’re the Heavenly King himself?”

“They’ve only lived a few peaceful days and already forgotten what they are!”

“Physician Zhang, don’t trouble yourself. Please go back and wait. I’ll have the Shen family personally deliver the money to you later!”

Only then did Zhang Niu feel a bit better.

“Fine. The Shen family really is something else. In times like these, they still can’t keep themselves under control and keep spreading their seed. They might not even make it to Dongchuan before playing themselves to death!”

Liu Laohu nodded repeatedly. If not for Young Master Lan, they’d probably have already had their bones smashed to pieces!

When the constables informed the Shen family to go pay Zhang Niu, the entire Shen household was stunned.

“What kind of medical visit costs fifty taels of silver? Even eating an elixir of immortality wouldn’t be this expensive!”

The other members of the Shen family were indignant.

The constable darkened his face and shouted angrily, “If you don’t pay, then get the hell down to the bottom hold! Your family’s master couldn’t keep his three legs in check and committed sins, causing us all this trouble!”

“Now it’s not just fifty taels—even five hundred wouldn’t do! Get lost, all of you—down to the bottom hold!” The constable raised his hand, about to lash out with a whip.

Each member of the Shen family turned pale, cursing Shen Congwen hundreds of times in their hearts.

What idiotic thing had that fool done this time to anger the constables?

Hadn’t they told him again and again to behave himself until they reached Dongchuan?

Old Madam Shen suddenly thought of a possibility, and her face sank at once.

Two fools—how did their Shen family ever produce such brainless creatures?

“My lord, we’re not refusing to pay. We just didn’t know what had happened and couldn’t react in time!” Seeing the constable really about to strike, Old Madam Shen quickly put on a smiling face and took out the silver.

Looking at the gleaming white silver in her hands, Madam Shen felt so distressed she could almost vomit blood.

After sending the constables away, the Shen family began to grumble indignantly.

“On this ship, everything costs money—eating, drinking, even using the toilet—and the prices are outrageous. We paid out so much at once; how are we supposed to continue the journey?” Madam Tian complained.

Shen Conglian tucked his hands into his sleeves and said indifferently, “Fourth sister-in-law, don’t forget—this money was earned by the eldest branch in the first place.”

Madam Tian stiffened and curled her lips unhappily. “What do you mean the eldest branch earned it? We haven’t even split the family yet.”

Shen Congyi tried to smooth things over. “Alright, we’ll be disembarking soon. Let’s think about what to do next first.”

Old Madam Shen looked at the shriveled bundle of money and sighed again and again.

All the way until they disembarked, no one mentioned Shen Congwen or Zhang Zifen and her daughter.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at Xiguan Pier. The bustling scene there instantly lifted everyone’s spirits.

Compared to the desolation of Huijiang Pier, this was what a real port looked like.

Ships came and went without end. Shops lined the streets. Hawkers carrying shoulder poles wandered through the alleys, shouting their wares, while women with vegetable baskets bargained loudly, sounding almost like they were quarreling.

There was no sign of hardship here at all—only a scene of peace and prosperity.

After the ship docked, they didn’t all disembark at once.

Wei Dongzhu took people to the carriage yard to buy horse-drawn carts, while the boatmen helped unload the ship. Once the carts arrived, everything could be loaded and they could leave immediately.

Liu Yanhui went to settle accounts with the boat owner. Along the way, the owner had been constantly on edge, risking life and limb with them—it hadn’t been easy for him either.

There was still plenty of grain and other supplies on the ship, all of which needed to be taken along. The treasure chests confiscated from the bandit lair were rather eye-catching, so Shen Lanxi planned to deal with some of them later.

Once the carts arrived, the people on board disembarked one after another. Liu Laohu directed the prisoners to load the goods onto the carts.

Twenty carts were lined up in a neat row. After the first one was fully loaded, she left ahead with Feng Wu and two shadow guards.

“Brother Wu, pick a few good items from these and send them to Ghost Valley. Convert the rest into silver and grain and transport them to Dongchuan!”

Thinking of the message he had received, Feng Wu scratched his head and said awkwardly, “Master was worried about you. He swallowed his pride and went to Peach Blossom Valley to ask for twenty female guards. They’ve probably already reached Xiguan by now!”

At the mention of Peach Blossom Valley, Shen Lanxi froze, her face full of disbelief. “Master really dotes on me—he’s gone all out, hasn’t he?”

If one were to be precise, the Valley Master of Peach Blossom Valley should be called her martial aunt.

Unfortunately, the couple had separated due to a misunderstanding before she became a disciple. Even so, it didn’t affect the friendship between Peach Blossom Valley and Ghost Valley. The disciples below still regarded the two as master and mistress.

Every time she returned to Ghost Valley, she would stay at Peach Blossom Valley for a few days. Her martial aunt treated her extremely well.

“Master wants to use me as an excuse to get closer to my martial aunt, doesn’t he?” she said, hitting the nail on the head.

Feng Wu blinked. “Can’t say it, can’t say it! Master is very concerned about his dignity!”

Shen Lanxi: “……”

“Twenty guards following me would be too conspicuous. Let them find their own chance to join us. I’ll look for an opportunity to keep them with me later.”

Master had already sent her many people before, all protecting her from the shadows. Now he was sending more. Shen Lanxi felt a bit more warmth spread in her heart.

By the time they returned, everything on the carts had already been taken care of.

“Young master, we’ll take this carriage!” Chunxue and Qiushuang had already tidied up the carriage assigned to them.

Shen Lanxi glanced at the lifted curtain of the carriage and was very satisfied with their arrangement.

“Find an inn. We’ll rest in Xiguan for one night!”

“Yes!” Chunxue immediately went to inform Liu Yanhui.

Originally, the prisoners all thought they would have to hurry along without rest and were listless. Hearing that they could rest for a day, they all perked up with renewed energy.

They found an inn not far from the pier. Liu Yanhui booked superior rooms for Shen Lanxi and the constables. When those weren’t enough, he also booked several mid-tier rooms.

As for the prisoners—

“If the prisoners want to stay at the inn, they’ll have to pay for it themselves! Those unwilling to spend the money can go sleep in the stables!”