"What the heck, seriously? We've already spotted them, and now there are bandits robbing us?" Yao Jinsheng clutched his bundle tightly and scrambled into the carriage with a 'whoosh.'
Yun Jinhe and Murong Qing had also been walking. Upon hearing the commotion, Jinhe immediately told Murong Qing to get into the carriage. "Hurry inside..."
"What about you?" Murong Qing asked.
Yun Jinhe narrowed his eyes. "We don't have anything valuable on us anyway. If they want to rob us, let them!"
After speaking, he looked at Murong Qing again, his heart pounding wildly...
It was fine for boys their age, but Miss Murong was so delicate and lovely. If some bandit took a liking to her, the consequences would be unimaginable.
With this thought, Yun Jinhe quickly smeared some charcoal dust on Murong Qing's face and messed up her hair.
"Ugh, cough, cough, Jinhe, what are you doing? You're suffocating me, cough, cough..."
The dark charcoal dust instantly turned Murong Qing into a little black person. Seeing this, Yao Jinsheng couldn't help but giggle.
Jinhe, Jinhe, do you really think the bandits won't know she's a beauty just because of this?
Sun Tianxiu sat on the carriage shaft, gripping the reins tightly. "Why don't we... why don't we just escape quickly?"
Yun Jinhe shook his head. "We can't escape. Wait a moment, everyone, stay quiet. I'll deal with the bandits..."
While they were talking, the group of horsemen had already charged over and surrounded the carriage.
The leader of the men wore a satin brocade robe that was completely out of character for him. He wore a sheepskin felt hat and had a pipe clamped between his lips.
Yun Jinhe curved his lips. He didn't need to guess to know that the satin brocade robe was something the bandits had looted...
The leader glanced at the carriage, then coldly at Yun Jinhe, and asked in a deep voice, "Hey, kid, what's in the carriage? Why are you loitering in this forest?"
Hmph, you've got guts, daring to wander around on my territory. It's like you've eaten bear's heart and leopard's gall...
It was understandable. The Great Liang Kingdom was at war, with constant conflict that left the common people destitute and miserable. Thus, the number of villagers turning to banditry in the mountains had increased in recent years.
Moreover, judging by the bandits' attire, they were likely from the surrounding villages.
Yun Jinhe took a few deep breaths and said calmly, "Esteemed sir, we are students from Bocai Academy. The New Year is approaching, so we were planning to return to our village for the festivities. We are passing through your esteemed territory, and we apologize for any disturbance. We beg for your forgiveness..."
This speech was quite good, and the bandits seemed receptive, but the leader caught a key word.
Bocai Academy.
"Almost all the students at Bocai Academy are from wealthy families, either rich or noble, with coffers full of gold. Do you poor children have the right to go there?" the leader retorted sternly.
Yun Jinhe's heart suddenly jolted, and a thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead...
Yao Jinsheng and Sun Tianxiu also became tense.
Murong Qing lifted the curtain and peeked outside, then slowly opened her pouch and began to rummage through it.
Since she had agreed to be Jinhe's study companion, she had to protect him and ensure he wouldn't be harmed in any way.
In this situation, even if Murong Qing were pushed into a corner, she would have to find a way to help Jinhe turn the tide...
"My family... my family has been frugal and worked hard to support my studies, so it's not strange for me to attend Bocai Academy, is it?" Yun Jinhe explained weakly.
Upon hearing this, the leader chuckled twice and gestured with his chin towards the carriage. "Forgive my ignorance, but you, a poor student, can afford such a luxurious carriage? Good heavens, even the wheels are wrapped in copper, and the canopy is made of deerskin. It's truly a fine carriage with a protected roof. Look at it! Who would believe you're a poor student, huh? Heh heh!"
Yun Jinhe: "..."
The bandits were right. This carriage was indeed too conspicuous. It was originally Young Master Xiao's carriage, given to him to make his return home easier. He hadn't expected it to cause so much trouble now.
"S-sir!"
Yun Jinhe looked up, about to explain, but was angrily interrupted by the leader. "Don't call me 'sir' anymore, damn it! Do I look that old?"
"N-no, you look very young!" Yun Jinhe twitched his lips.
The leader sneered. "Call me handsome, let's hear it!"
Yun Jinhe: "..."
Are all bandits this narcissistic now?
Look at you, with your broad back and burly physique, your face full of rough flesh, like a big sow. How are you related to handsome in any way?
After a moment of hesitation, Yun Jinhe forced a smile and said against his will, "H-handsome, hello!"
The leader grunted and extended his hand. "Hand over everything valuable. Also, have everyone in the carriage get out. This carriage belongs to me from now on..."
Upon hearing this, Sun Tianxiu was dragged down from the carriage shaft before he could even jump off.
"Thump!"
"Ouch..."
He fell headfirst into the snow, seeing stars and feeling utterly miserable.
Then, two more bandits rushed to the carriage curtain and pulled Murong Qing and Yao Jinsheng out one after another.
"Well, well, there's a girl here too?"
As soon as Murong Qing appeared, the leader's eyes fixated on her, looking her up and down several times...
"Haha, boss, it seems we've hit the jackpot today! Not only did we rob a carriage, but we also found a girl!" one of his subordinates shouted.
Seeing this, Yun Jinhe rushed forward and shielded Murong Qing behind him, grinning sheepishly. "Handsome, this girl is so dark and ugly. We never let her out at night, afraid she'll scare people..."
With that, Yun Jinhe took out his travel provisions. There were only a few dozen copper coins, and with Yao Jinsheng's, it amounted to no more than one or two taels of silver. He respectfully presented them to the leader.
"Look, this is all the money we have. Take it all if you want it. We'll give you this carriage too, alright?" Yun Jinhe pleaded.
The priority now was to stay alive...
A bandit searched the carriage, looking disappointed. "Damn it, it's all books! There isn't a single valuable item!"
The leader took the silver, tossed it to his subordinate without even looking, and continued to stare at Murong Qing.
Seeing that he remained silent, Yun Jinhe pulled Murong Qing back a couple of steps. "Look, we've given you the money and the carriage. Can we leave now?"
After speaking, he exchanged a look with Yao Jinsheng and Sun Tianxiu, signaling them to run.
However, as soon as they took a step, the leader frowned. "Stop! You can go, but the girl must stay!"
Yun Jinhe: "..."
It's all over, it's all over.