sbdcsierra Chapter 256 Dead
Chapter 256 Dead
a few days later.
An County, located dozens of miles away from Mengzhou Prefecture.
The group of people, Lin Shu and her entourage, were traveling in a grand procession along the official road. They were the Nanli delegation.
The delegation was guarded at both ends by Ling Huanan and his deputy, who led their personal guards to protect the members of the delegation closely in the middle.
"Clatter, clatter..." Suddenly, the lieutenant spurred his horse to Ling Huanan's side. The two exchanged a few words, but soon the lieutenant turned his horse around and loudly gave orders to the troops:
"Rest here! Continue on our way in half an hour! We'll stay at the Mengzhou Prefecture post station tonight!"
Upon hearing that they could rest, the guards of the Prince of Dingbei and the escorts of the delegation, who were on foot, immediately sat down on the ground, picked up their assigned rations, and swallowed them in large gulps, not caring whether they would choke. They then gulped down several mouthfuls of water, grabbed their weapons, and took the opportunity to close their eyes and rest.
It must be a habit formed in the military. Having seen it so often these past few days, Lin Shu and the others have gotten used to it!
Zhu Yu did not get out of the carriage; he had spent most of his time in the carriage these past few days.
The night before Lin Shu set off, she discovered that her space still existed. Although it had shrunk, all the original items inside were still there, and there was even an extra jar of spiritual spring water.
It's obvious without even thinking that it was Xiao Shui, that two-faced girl, who put it in.
She originally wanted this spiritual spring water for Zhu Yu's use, so every day when Lin Shu fetched and changed the water, she would hand Zhu Yu a water bag filled with spiritual spring water.
She planned to use the time on her way back to the capital to help Zhu Yu recover, and then consider how to remove the two iron hooks after returning to the capital.
At this moment, Lin Shu went over and chatted with Zhu Yu for a few words, handing her the water pouch, before walking towards Xu Jingyun, who was tying up her horse.
The two found a secluded spot not too far away and sat down. Xu Jingyun gently rested her head on Lin Shu's left shoulder and then closed her eyes.
"Ah Yun, eat something before you rest." Lin Shu reached out her right hand and gently patted the little head on her shoulder, speaking softly.
After saying that, she felt the head on her shoulder move, and Xu Jingyun's slightly tired and lazy voice came: "I don't want to eat! We'll eat when we get to Mengzhou Prefecture."
Xu Jingyun had been riding horses with Lin Shu and the others these days, and had not taken a carriage, so she was a little tired.
Lin Shu was about to say a few more words of persuasion when Xu Jingyun suddenly raised her head, looking at her expectantly, and changed the subject: "A-Shu, when we arrive in Mengzhou Prefecture, would you like to come with me to see my mother?"
Given Xu Jingyun's status, even if she marries Lin Shu, her mother, Xu Yun, cannot attend as an elder.
Lin Shu nodded: "Of course we should pay them a visit."
Moreover, she also planned to visit Su Mu's father. Half a year ago, she overheard A Mu mentioning that Su's father wanted a divorce, and she didn't know how he was doing now, but she really should go and see him.
As the two were talking, Ji Wan rushed over in a flurry of activity. Before she even got close, she pointed behind her and started shouting loudly:
"Lin Shu, something terrible has happened! There's a dead person in the woods by the roadside."
Upon hearing this, the guards and bodyguards who were resting with their eyes closed immediately stood up and went on high alert.
Ling Huanan strode over and asked Lin Shu, "What happened?"
Lin Shu first shook her head, then looked at Ji Wan, signaling her to explain more clearly. At the same time, she pulled Xu Jingyun and took the lead in walking in the direction Ji Wan had come from: "Let's talk as we walk."
Ji Wan then patted his forehead and, while leading Lin Shu and the others over, explained:
"Just now, Shen Lin, Ye Feng, and I went to relieve ourselves in that wood over there. But as soon as we squatted down, a bloodstained hand reached out from the bushes, scaring me so much that I... instantly held it back..."
Parting the grass, wow! Good heavens! Two people covered in blood were lying there stiffly...
Shen Lin and the others were watching there, so I rushed back to find you.
After saying that, they soon arrived at that place.
Shen Lin and Ye Feng first greeted Lin Shu, then respectfully bowed to Ling Huanan, saying, "Prince Dingbei."
Ling Huanan nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the bloodied figure on the ground, indicating that he should explain the situation first.
Shen Lin quickly recounted what they discovered after Ji Wan went to find someone:
"There were three people in total, two dead and one injured. There were two adults and one baby. The baby was only a few months old. The adults were a man and a woman. The dead were the child and the woman. Judging from the multiple stab wounds on their bodies, it should be a revenge killing."
However, the man's injuries were not serious; he was still breathing. He will understand once he wakes up.
As she spoke, Lin Shu had already crouched down and carefully examined the blood-soaked figure in the grass. Apart from a short knife that had pierced both the child and the man, no other weapons were left at the scene.
"Did you do anything to them before we came?" Lin Shu asked, puzzled.
Shen Lin scratched his head, somewhat confused as to why he was being asked that: "No, Ye Feng and I just checked their auras."
Lin Shu nodded: "Let's carry this man over first, and then we'll trouble the imperial physician who accompanied Nan Li to examine him."
Xu Jingyun nodded.
Ji Wan, Shen Lin, and the others all looked bewildered and had no idea what was going on.
It seems only Ling Huanan and Xu Jingyun at the scene knew Lin Shu's intentions.
The man on the ground survived only because the knife that was meant to deliver the fatal blow was blocked by the infant child in his arms.
If Shen Lin and the others hadn't touched the person on the ground, that would be interesting! Using a baby only a few months old as a shield!
About half an hour later.
The man's wounds had been treated and he was placed on dry grass in the shade. Since his injuries were not serious, he soon woke up.
He slowly propped himself up on the withered grass and saw that he was surrounded by the Dingbei Prince's personal guards, all dressed in armor and exuding righteousness. His eyes flickered, and then he quickly looked around for the person in charge.
Sudden--
"You're awake! Lin Shu! Come quick, this person is awake!"
A deep, resonant voice rang in the man's ear, like a thunderclap. He trembled and quickly suppressed his emotions.
Lin Shu was discussing the next steps with Ling Huanan when she heard this, and the two of them immediately walked over together.
The man was initially a little guilty, but when he saw Ling Huanan and Lin Shu, two women who looked like fairies, walking towards him, he was momentarily mesmerized.
Ling Huanan noticed his blatant gaze, his face showing disgust. He turned his head away, his aura suddenly becoming sharp. Lin Shu also disliked this kind of look, but she felt that she had seen this person somewhere before, so she couldn't help but take a few more glances.
Xu Jingyun, noticing Lin Shu's gaze, angrily reached out and twisted Lin Shu's waist forcefully, turning her 360 degrees. Seeing Lin Shu avert her gaze and bite her lip in pain, he then frowned and looked at the man—
The bloodstains on the man's face had been wiped away, revealing a somewhat pale face.
Although his brows carried a hint of restless charm, he was still quite handsome with bright eyes and white teeth; most importantly, his striking phoenix eyes looked exactly like someone else!
Thinking of this, Xu Jingyun angrily turned back to look at Lin Shu, and seeing that she had returned to her usual cold and aloof demeanor, her anger subsided slightly.
However, while they were scrutinizing the man, he was also observing them.
The man gazed at the women before him and saw that they were all outstanding individuals. Compared to these women, the gentry and county magistrates he had met before were simply incomparable, and could even be said to be far inferior.
Especially those two 'sisters' who look so alike!
If I could get close to them, wouldn't I rise to the top in the world? Why would I need to be a servant to the county magistrate anymore?
But that 'older sister' had a gloomy expression, and I'm afraid she would be difficult to approach;
Although the younger sister also had a cold face, it was clear from the casual glances she exchanged with the gaudy gold-robed man beside her that she was definitely more humane and caring than her older sister!
As for Ji Wan and the others, with Lin Shu as a shining example, he naturally ignored them!
The gloomy 'older sister' Ling Huanan: "...".
The more humane 'younger sister' Lin Shu: "...".
Xu Jingyun, dressed in a tacky style: "..."
The neglected trio of Ji Wan: "..."
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