RWNEFE -Chapter 40 Rumors!

Chunxue said: “Shen Yuanruan is ruthless. Not only did she push Miss Yuanxin, she also used the push to knock the refugees off the cart. If that one refugee hadn’t taken the fall, Miss Yuanxin would have been even more seriously injured!” She might even have been killed.

Chunxue didn’t exaggerate further, worried that her lady would get angry.

“Those refugees swarmed forward. If Liu Laohu hadn’t immediately led people to fight them back, the consequences would be unimaginable!” Even so, thinking of Miss Yuanxin’s dazed state throughout the journey, Chunxue couldn’t help but feel sympathy.

Although they weren’t biological sisters, they shared the same grandmother; half their blood was the same. How could anyone put their own life above others so recklessly?

Shen Lanxi watched the departing figures, her gaze deep and thoughtful.

She had thought that without her escort, certain members of the Shen family would learn to see reality clearly. Obviously, they hadn’t.

They had become even more self-serving!

If the silver used to enter the city made Liu Laohu hesitate a bit, the cost of food, lodging, and living in An Town gave him an even sharper lesson. Everything was expensive—meals and accommodations were several times costlier than in the capital. If Shen Lanxi hadn’t planned ahead, Liu Laohu would have taken everyone to the inn. At this rate, the benefits they had gained at Black Wind Village would have been spent in just a few days.

Liu Laohu immediately went to discuss matters with Shen Lanxi while supervising the prisoners.

“Master, shouldn’t we just stay at the inn to save money?”

Shen Lanxi: “You’ve seen the dangers on the way here. Someone wants members of the Shen family dead. Even if you have money, it won’t save your life if your movements are exposed!”

Liu Laohu was momentarily speechless. He felt some resentment; they were being dragged into this because of the Shen family.

At this point, Shen Lanxi no longer held back.

“Just follow my instructions, and I guarantee you can safely deliver the prisoners to Dongchuan. Only when all the prisoners arrive will your mission from the court be considered complete, and only then can you disengage!”

Liu Laohu felt like he was riding a tiger—he couldn’t back down. He had already had a premonition when the constables were shot. Shen Lanxi’s explicit explanation made it even clearer.

Those who wanted the Shen family dead didn’t care about the lives of the constables. They intended to kill the entire escort team!

Shen Lanxi said: “Just make it look convincing. Disguise yourselves as bandits or refugees, come up with any excuse to rob food or valuables. In the current situation, the court won’t pursue it!”

A chill ran down Liu Laohu’s spine. He didn’t want to admit it, but it was true.

“Master, just tell us what to do. My brothers, the constables, have elderly and children depending on us!”

Shen Lanxi was satisfied with Liu Laohu’s flexibility: “Treat the prisoners the same way you always have. The Shen family members are no exception.”

Liu Laohu asked: “You’re afraid someone might see through it?”

Shen Lanxi didn’t answer immediately, then added: “From now on, unless there’s a special circumstance, use the household registrations I prepared. Don’t reveal your constable identities!”

Liu Laohu nodded.

“When you deliver the prisoners to Dongchuan, I will give each of you a thousand taels as payment for this trip!”

Liu Laohu felt joy, though he didn’t show it on his face. His words carried a hint of refusal:

“That’s unnecessary—we’re just doing our duty!”

Shen Lanxi: “This is compensation for being dragged into this by the Shen family! Keep it secret—don’t let anyone gossip and reveal our movements!”

Liu Laohu immediately focused on the last part: “Understood, understood!”

So many people couldn’t just loiter on the street. She also didn’t want to pay unrelated people, leaving them thinking she was a fool.

“Many people gained a lot at Black Wind Village. Let the prisoners handle their own food and lodging. After warning them of the stakes, you can allow them some freedom to buy supplies. Have Liu Yanhui arrange that.”

Liu Laohu nodded.

Shen Lanxi: “I plan to stay in An Town for three days. After three days, we depart.”

Liu Laohu hurried to find Liu Yanhui, worried he might forget Shen Lanxi’s instructions if delayed even a little.

An Town gathered merchants from all over, and all kinds of news circulated. The hottest topic was the divorce between the War God Zhou Ruyuan and Shen Lanxi. Even the total destruction of the Wei army and the Shen family’s exile to Dongchuan were secondary.

“The Shen family committed heinous crimes. Their daughter deserves to be abandoned! Poor Zhou Ruyuan, the War God of Da Zhou, is demoted because of them.”

“That woman doesn’t deserve Zhou Ruyuan. If they hadn’t divorced, who knows how much trouble she’d cause him…”

“The divorce is mild. In my opinion, she should have been exiled along with the Shen family!”

“If the Shen family hadn’t married the princess, it wouldn’t have been just exile…”

Chunxue and Qiushuang were furious listening to the gossip.

“Why don’t they mention that Zhou Ruyuan already had a mistress and spent his wedding night with her? Everyone just flatters Zhou Ruyuan…”

Shen Lanxi’s phoenix-like eyes darkened. No one cared to discuss the Wei army’s destruction, the loss of the city, or the foreign invasion. Instead, they gossiped about the Shen daughter, and lamented Zhou Ruyuan’s demotion?

Were they defending Zhou Ruyuan while belittling her?

She hadn’t been certain until she saw a familiar person—a guard from the Zhen Nan Prince’s mansion.

In her previous life, that same person had acted when Chunxue and Qiushuang died.

He had come to spread rumors on Zhou Ruyuan’s behalf.

Since he came, he wouldn’t be leaving!

Following Shen Lanxi’s instructions, Liu Yanhui arranged the prisoners. The happiest was Song Niangzi!

“Can we really go out and trade freely?” she asked anxiously.

Liu Yanhui: “Remember, don’t reveal you are prisoners. If the authorities find out, no one can save you!”

Song Niangzi quickly nodded: “Got it, got it! I’ll remember!” Her eyes darted around, uncertain whether she really listened or just pretended.

“So I can sell the things I brought?”

Without saying a word, Liu Yanhui gestured for her to go ahead.

Other than Song Niangzi, the only ones benefiting at Black Wind Village were a few others. After a quick discussion, they left together.

Shen Congwen felt humiliated. He had to pay for lodging for his children—he was utterly ashamed.

The old matriarch of the Shen family had already spent all the money she had collected from the main house. She had expected her eldest son to cover lodging, and she, along with the other children, sat waiting by the door.

Seeing the eldest son’s family about to enter, others grew anxious.

“Father, mother, why does elder brother only care about his own household?”

“Even if he ignores us, he should care about you! What does elder brother mean? Does he refuse to acknowledge father and mother?”

The old matriarch, incensed by her sons’ words, abandoned her status and rushed forward to confront him: “Congwen, how did you arrange lodging for me, your father, and your brothers?”