RWNEFE -Chapter 33 I’m Always Generous to Those Loyal to Me!

Liu Laohu returned quickly, and Liu Yanhui immediately reminded him about the spoils of war.

“Take whatever you want! As much as you can carry—it’s all yours!”

The undergarment-stealing woman’s eyes lit up, her expression clearly showing her joy. She practically leapt toward the biggest, most luxurious room!

Shen Lanxi looked at Liu Laohu: “Aren’t you going?”

Liu Laohu replied, “I’m a constable; I can’t break the law!”

Shen Lanxi: If it weren’t for Nu Bai’s live updates, she probably would have believed him!

Liu Yanhui respectfully presented the rings, gold crown, and jade hairpin to Shen Lanxi: “Young Master, this is…”

“Consider it a gift!”

Liu Yanhui blinked in surprise—he hadn’t even finished speaking yet!

Shen Lanxi said: “I’m always generous to those loyal to me!”

Liu Yanhui’s heart skipped a beat, joy flooding through him. Did this mean she trusted him?

“Your clothes and shoes? You don’t have to return them either!”

Liu Yanhui glanced down at his filthy clothes and shoes, embarrassed to even lift his head.

If this weren’t on the exile route, he’d have thought she was mocking him for getting the clothing dirty, humiliating him by refusing them.

But on the exile route, even a few coins could save a life. The gold-threaded brocade he wore was worth hundreds in gold; if pawned, it could easily fetch over a hundred taels—enough for his family to travel comfortably to Dongchuan and start a modest livelihood there.

If this counted as humiliation, let it come stronger!

Watching Liu Yanhui float on cloud nine, Shen Lanxi remained calm and methodically directed her people to take advantage of the situation.

While everyone else busied themselves, they stood still—how could they be so aloof?

Shen Lanxi herself got to work, picking dried vegetables hanging under eaves, salted vegetables drying on windowsills, and other edible grain and water supplies!

Soon someone noticed her, snickering at her for only taking food. But before long, they realized the food was more valuable than they thought and hurriedly joined in.

Damn! That Young Master Lan is clever! With the current drought, even if they found gold, it might not buy food!

Soon, many joined the scramble for water and food.

Liu Laohu drove all the women and children of Black Wind Fort into the courtyard. Some wore gold and silver, others were scarred, their social statuses worlds apart.

With Liu Laohu’s tacit approval, the women in gold and silver had all their jewelry stripped off and were beaten.

“Young Master Lan, what should we do with them?” Liu Laohu asked Shen Lanxi.

Shen Lanxi said: “The women and children are innocent. Once we leave, give each of them some food, and let them flee!”

Liu Laohu: “Good idea!”

The constables were used to asking Shen Lanxi before acting. In this world, whoever provides milk is mother, whoever provides money is father. Young Master Lan let them profit—they were closer than their own father.

Even if their real father got in trouble, they would rush to help. Now, for someone they trusted more than a father, they followed blindly. A few questions from the boss? They pretended not to see or hear!

Shen Lanxi said: “We didn’t rest well last night. I suggest we stay at Black Wind Fort for two days, eat and rest, then continue our journey.”

Coincidentally, Liu Laohu had the same idea.

“Very reasonable, Young Master!”

Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow: “Then I’ll go rest. Brother Liu, you’re the highest-ranking official here. Handle the fort while I rest.”

Liu Laohu straightened up: “Of course, Young Master, go rest!”

Shen Lanxi had Chunxue and Qiushuang prepare a livable room. The two maids were efficient—they cleared out the bedding, replaced it with items Shen Lanxi was used to, and cleaned the room thoroughly.

“Chunxue, Qiushuang, you can rest too. The fort is safe now. I’ll sleep deeply; don’t let anyone disturb me. I’ll come out when I wake naturally.”

Once they left, she locked the door and entered her space.

Inside, birds sang, flowers bloomed, the air was fresh, and her dream-bed measuring three by 2.8 meters was far superior to any clay bed she’d slept on before.

Meanwhile…

“It’s already dawn. What’s happening at Black Wind Fort?” The constables huddled together, discussing.

Shen Congwen and his wife were extremely anxious. Zhou Xinrou especially—her children had gone into the lion’s den. If not for Shen Congwen holding her back, she would have gone after them last night.

“Master, shall we go check the fort? I beg you!” Zhou Xinrou had never begged anyone like this before.

Grandmother Shen had anticipated this and had been watching her since last night.

She hadn’t expected Zhou Xinrou to actually encourage her son to risk his life. Grandmother Shen’s face darkened, and she scolded: “Zhou, yesterday you couldn’t control your children. I spared you because of your health. Today, you urge my son to risk his life at Black Wind Fort—what’s in your heart? Do you want the entire Shen family dead before you’re satisfied?”

Zhou Xinrou stared in disbelief. Her mother-in-law actually said this? Right, she was no longer Princess Minrou—Grandmother Shen didn’t have to pretend. Previously, flattery was due to her royal status.

Now she was just a criminal’s wife. Those who once fawned over her surely now wished they could trample her for past servility.

Shen Congwen, seeing his wife’s face darken, frowned: “Mother, Xinrou didn’t mean that. She’s worried about the children!”

Grandmother Shen’s expression remained cold: “She worries about her children; I worry about mine! Congwen, if something happens to you, do you want me to bury my black-haired children and grow old in sorrow?”

Shen Congwen: “Mother, they are also my children!”

Seeing this, Grandmother Shen thought he was defending Zhou Xinrou and fainted immediately.

“Mother…”

Shouts erupted.

Shen Congwen’s brothers rushed over and scolded him.

“Brother, how can you disobey and make mother faint?”

“Brother, you’re a scholar! Mother only spoke a few words out of concern, and you angered her so much! Do you want her dead?”

The scolding was relentless. Even if Shen Congwen wanted to investigate Black Wind Fort, the rebuke had already thrown him off completely.

By noon, the constables arrived from Black Wind Fort on horseback.

“Brothers, get on! Lunch is almost ready!” they shouted.

As the Shen family helped Grandmother Shen and Grandfather Shen onto the carriage, a whip cracked dangerously close to them, nearly hitting the elderly lady.

Startled, Grandmother Shen leaned back—if not for her children supporting her, she would have fallen to the ground.