Chapter 1713: Chapter 1713: Taking Out Anger on Others
"What’s the situation in the city now?" Ye Shikai inquired further.
"To be honest, today the city is buzzing with rumors that the lord’s groom ran away overnight, taking everyone from Ye Mansion with him out of the city. The lord was furious and dispatched all thirty thousand guards in the city and another hundred thousand troops outside to search. Now, only twenty thousand soldiers remain to guard the four gates of Linxiang City."
"Additionally, the lord has put a bounty on you all. Anyone who can capture you alive, or Miss He alive, will be rewarded with ten thousand taels, a title, and a fiefdom. Those who capture Lord Shangguan and Lord Man Cang alive can receive five thousand taels. If they bring back bodies, the reward is halved. So now, not only are the troops looking for you, but also many citizens, who have even stopped farming to search for you." Manager Chen detailed the current situation in the city to Ye Shikai, understanding that thousands of taels in reward, an amount most people couldn’t earn in a lifetime, was very tempting.
"Alright, thank you, Manager Chen. Without you, we wouldn’t have escaped the city. Additionally, I hope you continue to care for the orphans in the city. There have been too many wars in the past year, and many men in Linxiang City have died, leaving countless children orphaned and women widowed." Ye Shikai took out a bag of gold and silver from his Storage Ring and handed it to Manager Chen.
"Mr. Ye, what’s this? I can’t accept this money, but rest assured, I will do as you say."
"Alright, thank you again."
He took He Linghan’s grandfather back to the "fortress," found him a quiet place to settle. Although most house servants were dismissed when they fled Linxiang City, He Linghan had brought a few maids with her, so the old man would not be unattended.
Ye Shikai counted the people: two hundred personal guards and over a hundred Hidden Guards. Plus, with the close officers brought by Man Cang and Shangguan Jian, they totaled three hundred ninety-seven people in the fortress, which was designed to hold five hundred, leaving many rooms unoccupied.
Three days later.
"Shangguan, come in and take a look." Ye Shikai led Shangguan Jian and Man Cang into a large warehouse. As they opened the door, a strong "wooden" smell wafted out.
"This place...it’s full of weapons!" Once everyone saw it, they gasped. Spears, bronze halberds, bronze swords, daggers, crossbows, throwing darts—nearly every weapon of the era was inside, in abundant quantities. Even large military equipment like bed crossbows were there, dazzling everyone’s eyes. Deeper in were helmets and the most common bronze armor, along with three-layer heavy iron armor of the Iron Armor Army.
"Specifically, military equipment," Ye Shikai said lightly, picking up a sharp sword and swinging it about casually.
"Old Ye, when did you move all this here? I didn’t even know." Shangguan Jian exclaimed excitedly.
"Mainly for secrecy," Ye Shikai certainly wouldn’t tell them these were transported with the Storage Ring; otherwise, even a hundred horses wouldn’t suffice to drag so many weapons here.
"Although we don’t have many people now, the fortress defenses must be secured; relying solely on forest traps isn’t enough—we need to organize patrols." Ye Shikai continued, "While cultivation is possible here, iron smelting isn’t, but these weapons will last us quite a while."
"I agree with Old Ye. Although this place isn’t large, it can accommodate three to four hundred people. Our safety here is because Mi Wen doesn’t know about it, and forming patrols is a preventative measure."
.....................
Linxiang City.
"Reporting to the lord, we have searched towns and villages within a hundred miles, but found nothing."
"Get out! If you can’t find him again, bring your head as an apology."
"Yes...yes."
On the elevated throne, Mi Wen’s face was icy. A murderous aura and scent of blood faintly emanated from her, matching the vivid red dress she wore, as if stained with blood itself. Ye Shikai’s runaway on the wedding day hit her hard. Overnight, she seemed a different person—unstable and capricious. But mostly, she remained cold, so much that even her confidant, Huo Ziqing, often felt chills.
"Lord, those spreading rumors and speaking recklessly have been captured," a rough general bowed as he entered from outside.
"Decapitate the serious offenders and hang their bodies in the marketplace for three days." Mi Wen suddenly shouted, this time using her Inner Strength, causing everyone present to step back.
"The others..."
"Cut out all their tongues."
"But... my lord, some of them are children."
"Are you defying my orders?" Mi Wen coldly said, fully displaying her ruthless nature.
"No, no, I obey."
"If anyone dare gossip again, they will be severely punished."
"Yes."
The groom’s runaway on the wedding day left Mi Wen alone in her room. Naturally, high-ranking officials dared not gossip, keeping silent, but rumors soon spread among citizens, becoming widespread. In this era, such an event was intolerable even for an ordinary woman, let alone for Mi Wen, a royal of Chu State and a noble lord of Chu Territory, breeding much discussion.
Mi Wen, inherently proud, couldn’t tolerate anyone gossiping or laughing at her behind her back. Thus, she issued strict orders: anyone daring to discuss this would face severe punishment—at least flogging, possibly execution.
Ah, ah, ah.
Mi Wen suddenly stood, sweeping fruit and pastry plates off the table, screaming hysterically, with a "miserable" sound echoing throughout the entire official residence. Her mental state was on the brink of collapse these days, her heart filled with anger, unwillingness, and pain.
Although several maids beside her were frightened, they still stepped forward to clean up the fallen fruit and pastries.
Mi Wen slumped despondently in a chair, watching the maids tidy up, when a flash of insight struck her. She rushed forward, pushing aside the maids, and picked up a pastry from the floor.
"When were these pastries bought?" Mi Wen turned to ask.
"Reporting to the lord, these pastries were... were bought by you and Mr. Ye at the market," a maid nervously replied, fearing Mi Wen’s wrath.
"Send word, prepare the carriage; I am heading to the market."
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