RWNEFE -Chapter 77 The Shen Family’s Main Branch Is Captured!

After hearing everything, Grandmother Shen stepped forward and kicked Zhang Zifen.

“Useless trash! Eldest son, I wanted her to take your place. Who would’ve thought this spineless thing—acting aloof when she’s not needed, but turning into a pile of mud the moment she is—completely useless. If I’d known it would be like this, I would never have let you take her into the household!”

The more Grandmother Shen spoke, the more regretful she became. Zhang Zifen was the daughter of her natal family’s cousin. She had once seemed filial and respectful, always trying to please her. Who would have thought it was all an act—that inside she was so selfish and self-serving, unable even to endure hardship alongside her husband. Grandmother Shen felt she had truly been blind.

Burning with hatred, she slapped Zhang Zifen across the face again and again—ten times in a row—only stopping when her hand began to hurt.

With her mouth gagged, Zhang Zifen’s face was nearly ruined from the beating. She clenched her teeth fiercely; as long as she didn’t have to go die, she was willing to have her looks destroyed!

Seeing his mother staggering as if about to fall, Shen Congwen hurriedly stepped forward to steady her.

“Mother, don’t ruin your health with anger. If we go as bait, that’s fine—it means most of the Shen family can remain safe!”

That was exactly what Grandmother Shen had planned, but Shen Congwen was flesh of her flesh. Watching her own son walk into danger felt like knives cutting into her heart.

The more critical the moment became, the more she thought of her eldest son’s virtues. Grandmother Shen tightly grasped his hand.

“Eldest son, must you really go be the bait? Can’t we split up and flee separately?”

Shen Congwen gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “If we don’t block them, they’ll capture all the Shen family.”

Grandmother Shen opened her mouth as if to speak, but in the end said nothing—only pounding her chest again and again.

“If Mother could go in your place… Mother would be willing to go for you…”

Hearing his mother’s words, Shen Congwen was deeply moved.

“If sacrificing a few of us can keep Father and Mother safe, then it’s worth it!”

Liu Yanhui didn’t believe Shen Lanxi had no preparations at all.

“Hurry up—Liu Laohu is urging us!”

Wei Rulan stepped forward. “I’m willing to be the bait, as long as my two sons and one daughter can leave safely with Old Madam.”

Grandmother Shen looked at Wei Rulan with emotion. “You’re a good one. If you can return safely, I’ll personally promote you to honored concubine.”

Wei Rulan smiled bitterly in her heart. At a time like this, who still cared about status?

But aloud she spoke with gratitude. “Thank you, Old Madam!”

Grandmother Shen said emotionally, “From now on, call me Mother.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she shot a fierce glare at Zhang Zifen.

“You wretch—never call me Mother again! As long as I live, you will forever be the lowest, most despicable concubine!”

Shen Yuanjing and his siblings said, “Father, Grandmother, we’re also willing to be the bait.”

Shen Yuanxin, Shen Yuanzhao, and Shen Yuanqing—the three siblings—also spoke up. “Father, Grandmother, we’re willing too!”

When Wei Rulan heard her children say this, she became frantic.

She was sacrificing herself precisely to protect her children—why couldn’t they understand her sacrifice? Why were they joining the chaos like this?!

Liu Laohu hurried over. “Have you decided yet?”

Liu Yanhui replied, “It’s settled, it’s settled!”

“Hurry and split up! If we don’t leave now, it’ll be too late!” Everyone else among the refugees had already been arranged—only the Shen family remained.

The Shen family immediately ran toward the constables.

Zhang Zifen’s two daughters rushed over to untie her and helped her leave. Her son had already abandoned her and run ahead long ago.

Shen Yuanjing glanced in the direction Shen Yuanxin had fled and snorted coldly. “Spineless!”

The other younger members knew exactly who he meant. All of them kept their faces tight and said nothing.

Liu Laohu left them one carriage, some food, and water. After making the arrangements, he departed at full speed with the others.

Shen Lanxi had Nanny Li’s family leave with Liu Laohu, keeping only Chunxue and Qiushuang by her side.

Seeing that Liu Yanhui still hadn’t left, she urged him, “Why aren’t you going yet?”

Liu Yanhui said, “Young Master still needs someone to handle purchasing and manage the carriage.”

Shen Lanxi asked, “Liu Laohu agreed?”

Liu Yanhui replied, “I handed over half the money I have on me to him for safekeeping!”

Shen Lanxi still refused. “I have a task for you…”

After hearing it, Liu Yanhui’s eyes lit up.

“Rest assured, Young Master. Before you return, I’ll definitely clean up the entire convoy!”

Shen Lanxi personally saw Liu Yanhui off back to the group.

The Shen family’s main branch had already set out. They had only gone a short distance when a troop of soldiers appeared ahead!

In the blink of an eye, the soldiers completely surrounded the carriage!

“Is it them?”

One of the men unrolled a portrait.

“Yes—these are them!”

“Why are there only this many people? Where are the others?”

Shen Yuanjing used the excuse they had discussed beforehand, pretending to panic. “Officer, we ran into refugees on the road. When we fled, we got separated!”

The officers didn’t believe him.

“Search everywhere!”

The hearts of the Shen family members in the carriage pounded like thunder!

The searchers dismounted at a fork in the road and examined the tracks. “There are carriage ruts, hoofprints, and footprints in several directions. They must have fled in different directions!”

“Split into two teams and pursue two of the routes first!”

“Yes!”

“Put them into prison wagons and send them to Jinmen!”

“Yes!”

Wasn’t the Third Princess looking for them? Then they would deliver themselves right to her doorstep—give her a nice surprise!

“Young Master, they’ve left. Let’s follow them!” Chunxue urged.

After confirming that her family would not be in immediate mortal danger, Shen Lanxi wasn’t in a hurry to catch up.

“If we chase them now, we’ll only walk into an ambush.”

Chunxue felt at a loss. “Then what should we do?”

Shen Lanxi said, “First find a place to swap the carriage for a mule cart. Then enter the city, rest for a night, and replenish supplies.”

Carriages were too conspicuous.

The Wei family soldiers could no longer figure out this “Young Master Lan.”

She had taught the Shen family martial arts so they could protect themselves, provided money, food, and medicine, and made so many arrangements—it clearly looked like she was protecting them.

Yet today there was bait, city lodging, and all this maneuvering, as if she didn’t care about the Shen family’s lives at all.

What on earth was this person thinking?

Entering the city again, security was noticeably more relaxed. Though there were still people holding portraits to compare faces, it was done perfunctorily—probably without even clearly seeing their faces.

They found an inn and settled in. Chunxue and Qiushuang went to replenish supplies; everything they had brought earlier had been taken away by Liu Laohu and Nanny Li.

Shen Lanxi drank a cup of tea, then also went out.

~

“Big Brother, Young Master Lan went to the pharmacy and bought a lot of medicine, then to the dried goods shop and bought plenty of dried goods. After that, he went to clothing shops and grain stores… He’s bought a huge amount of stuff—already made six trips delivering goods to the inn, and he’s still buying!”

“He really does seem to be replenishing supplies!”

Wei Dongzhu thought for a moment, then issued instructions. “You two quietly follow the Shen family. Don’t let anyone discover you!”

“Big Brother, if those people intend to harm the Shen family, do we save them?”

After a moment of silence, Wei Dongzhu said, “Save them—but don’t let yourselves get hurt because of them. You are more important than they are.”

“Yes!”

“Recall the people keeping watch and have them go purchase supplies as well.”

“Yes!”

Zhang Niu came over carrying a bowl of dark, murky medicinal paste.

“Time to apply the medicine. Your injuries are healing very well. I estimate that before winter, the scars on your body will completely recover.”