RWNEFE -Chapter 90 Abandon the Horses, Board the Ship!

At the dock, dozens of ships were either preparing to sail or already leaving.

Two merchant ships had long hoisted their sails and weighed anchor, yet hadn’t moved an inch.

The decks were crowded with people, some even climbing the masts to get a better view.

“Can you see them?”

“No.”

“Why aren’t they here yet? Did something happen?”

“Bah! Shut your crow mouth. Since they haven’t arrived, who else will disembark to buy things? Hurry and get what you need.”

Who would disembark?

This conversation had repeated dozens of times since before dawn. They weren’t just stocking up on food—they had already made several trips for toilet paper too.

There wasn’t anything left to buy; they were just afraid that if they returned to the ship too late, the young master might arrive and they wouldn’t have time to board.

Suddenly, a cheer rang out from the mast:

“They’re here! They’re here~”

Several carriages came thundering from afar, reaching the dock in the blink of an eye.

Shen Lanxi had already changed out of her flashy clothing inside the carriage. When the carriage stopped, it was Young Master Lan who stepped out.

“Abandon the horses! Board the ship!” Her first command after leaping from the carriage.

Liu Luohu felt a pang of regret—carriage plus horses cost a lot of silver. Selling them would have easily earned a few taels!

Just as he thought of sending someone to sell the horses, Shen Lanxi strode aboard the ship and shouted to set sail.

“What a pity!” Liu Luohu stomped and glanced back, then followed onto the ship.

Liu Yanhui asked: “Young master, if we leave the carriages at the dock, won’t it leave a trail?”

Shen Lanxi walked toward the cabin, replying: “No. The docks are a place where all sorts of people gather.”

Without anyone needing to touch them, within an hour, the carriages could have changed hands multiple times!

Once the command to sail was given, the two merchant ships departed simultaneously, quickly leaving the harbor.

“Master, Fifth Brother brought back many severely injured people. I’ve already instructed Zhang Niu to treat them,” Wei Dongzhu said respectfully.

Liu Yanhui raised an eyebrow as he heard the title, glancing at Shen Lanxi.

Shen Lanxi sat in the high seat, her gaze deep and restrained, exuding authority without raising her voice.

“Take them all to Dongchuan.”

“Yes!”

Liu Yanhui felt his position subtly threatened once again.

“Master, the women from Liu Zhao Village haven’t yet been settled properly. Should we bring them to Dongchuan as well?”

Shen Lanxi asked: “Have they been obedient on the journey?”

Liu Yanhui reported honestly: “They have been training alongside the Shen family, diligently every day. A couple of days ago, they even helped eliminate spies hiding in our group.”

Shen Lanxi replied simply: “Keep and observe.”

Liu Yanhui understood: anyone unfit would be dismissed.

“I’ll place them on the ship carrying grain at the rear, together with those Fifth Brother brought back.”

Shen Lanxi: “Good.”

Wei Dongzhu had another concern: “The Second Prince and the Third Princess—won’t they be followed?”

Shen Lanxi: “I’ve already bought us time. As long as we sail out of Zhou Qiwu’s fief, they won’t dare use troops openly against us.”

Her earlier suggestion to go to Jiangnan wasn’t idle talk. Today, a few merchant ships were bound for Jiangnan, departing just after them. Even the most calculating minds wouldn’t expect these “fugitives” to intentionally head into Dongchuan, walking straight into their trap.

By the time Zhou Ru’an and Zhou Qiwu’s people catch up to the Jiangnan ships and return to pursue them, Shen Lanxi’s group will already be out of the Third Princess’s fief.

Even if they divided their forces, there’s no way they could immediately identify them among the ships heading north!

Once outside the Third Princess’s fief, openly moving troops into another prince’s territory is tantamount to rebellion. This is the ultimate goal of the deception—real and fake, truth and lie.

Liu Yanhui, seeing that Shen Lanxi allowed him to call her “Master” without rebuke, felt reassured and continued his report.

Old Liu watched the two reporting on either side of Shen Lanxi, opening his mouth several times. He had plenty to say before, but now his mind went blank; not a single word would come out.

Realizing he was unnecessary here, he quietly stepped aside, also escorting Shen Yuanjing and the others away from the room.

Children don’t need to interfere!

While Shen Lanxi methodically arranged matters, some of the Shen family began whispering among themselves.

“Mother, Big Brother is back, yet he didn’t bring the people from the house to greet you and Father. Does he resent us for having been sent away before?”

“Nonsense. If they didn’t come, should Father and Mother—or our entire family—go to them?”

“Father and Mother act for the good of the Shen family. Must we die alongside them for Big Brother to not resent us?”

“Fourth Brother, you go call Big Brother. I want to see how he could resent me as a mother!”

“…Second Brother, you go. Big Brother already complained about the children in my room talking nonsense. If I call him, he won’t come!”

Shen Conglian frowned: “Why don’t you go? You angered Big Brother and want me to deal with it. You’re clever at plotting!”

Shen Congyi: “Second Brother, ask Third Brother—among us, are you closest to the eldest?”

Shen Congli: “Second Brother, you go. Among us, you’re closest to Big Brother. Every day, you get one more piece of cake than the other brothers!”

Shen Conglian had no face to argue; that was the children in his room showing filial respect.

“Mother didn’t call me anyway. Whoever wants to go, go!” Shen Conglian turned back to his room.

No way he’d abandon comfort to provoke the eldest branch.

Unlike some who eat and then curse, he knew who protected the family and ensured he ate well.

Shen Lanxi had made things clear: when she sent the eldest branch fishing, she didn’t even blink. Those were her blood relatives! If she treated her closest kin like that, her uncles and cousins were even less significant.

Shen Congyi glanced at his second brother’s back, a shadow of concern passing in his eyes as he thought of the valuables on the two ships. His expression shifted to worry.

“Big Brother and his family must have suffered terribly while being held by the Third Princess. Lanxi is truly heartless~”

The matriarch’s face darkened.

“Mother, let Big Brother and his family rest first. He is filial. Once he recovers, he will surely come to see you with the household.”

Recalling the eldest son leaving, the matriarch felt a pang of heartache.

“Your eldest brother and his family suffered. You all should go with me to see him!”

Shen Congyi’s eyes gleamed. “Mother, the valuables on these two ships were arranged by our Shen family. Big Brother is unwell; even if he wants to manage them, he would be unable. Let us help ease his burden!”

Shen Congli brightened, chiming in: “Mother, no matter how capable Lanxi is, she’s still a woman. Managing the household is one thing, but traveling outside, she needs men to help.”