Creak—
The dungeon door was pushed open.
Wang Zhilan, stooping, walked into the dungeon, tilting her head up.
She looked at the men trembling inside, feeling an inexplicable sense of comfort.
Bai Qingqing hid in the middle of the crowd. He was dishevelled now, and even if he stood before the Bai family, no one would recognize him.
"You, come out!"
Wang Zhilan looked down at these lambs awaiting slaughter, extended a finger, and casually pointed at a man in the crowd.
Having witnessed the "precedent," the man pointed at, though fearful, still trembled as he walked out.
Wang Zhilan was very pleased with his cooperation.
It seemed her previous "killing the chicken to scare the monkeys" tactic had been effective.
Bai Qingqing, seeing the man pointed at was right beside him, first felt fortunate, then his back broke out in a cold sweat, chilling him to the bone.
How could he be so unlucky!
He hadn't found a suitable wife in Shanshui Town.
Those he fancied didn't fancy him, and those who fancied him, he disdained.
So, he had a sudden inspiration and came to Fengcheng.
But before he could find a suitable candidate, he was brought to the dungeon by the City Lord's Mansion guards.
After Wang Zhilan left with the pointed-at man, the sobbing of the men in the darkness could be heard.
Gazing at the sunless prison and the suppressed cries around him, Bai Qingqing finally broke down and began to cry.
…
Two days later.
It was the academy's break again.
Seeing that Yu Chuan had been in low spirits for the past two days, Nian Jiaojiao decided to take everyone out for some fresh air.
Xuan Yi and Nan Qing didn't want to go out.
Xingyun, however, was engrossed in painting.
So, she prepared to go out with Yu Chuan.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of the house!"
Hu Rui acted like the mistress of the house.
Nian Jiaojiao: …
I'm more worried about you…
After instructing everyone, especially Hu Rui, not to wander off, Nian Jiaojiao took Yu Chuan into the carriage she had rented.
"Where are we going?" Yu Chuan asked curiously.
"There's a lake on the outskirts of Fengcheng where we can row boats. The scenery is quite nice," Nian Jiaojiao replied.
In fact, there were several lakes within Fengcheng, but to avoid encountering that pervert Wang Zhilan, she thought it safer to go to the outskirts.
The carriage had been traveling for about half an hour when Nian Jiaojiao suddenly said to the coachman driving the carriage,
"Pull over."
Then she said to Yu Chuan,
"Chuan'er, I'm going down to buy some food."
After receiving his reply, she got out of the carriage and went to the restaurant opposite.
However, as soon as Nian Jiaojiao stepped through the restaurant's entrance, she saw Wang Zhilan, surrounded and protected by guards, "inspecting" the restaurant.
Nian Jiaojiao: !!!
This is ridiculous, after all the planning, they still met.
No, don't panic!
Nian Jiaojiao noticed that the group's target was men, and her heart settled slightly.
She almost forgot, the other party had already become "straight"!
So, she calmly approached the owner and said,
"One portion of peanuts, osmanthus cake, a small crisp, two bowls of lotus soup, to go."
The shopkeeper gave her an admiring glance and then asked someone to prepare the order.
At this moment, Wang Zhilan also saw Nian Jiaojiao. She was stunned at first, then seemed to remember something and walked up to Nian Jiaojiao, saying,
"Nian Tongshou?"
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
Wang Zhilan looked Nian Jiaojiao up and down.
Even now, she's still so beautiful…
It's just a pity that even such a beauty no longer piques her interest.
Wang Zhilan now found women completely unappealing.
If it weren't for that bitch…
Thinking of that day, Wang Zhilan's expression turned extremely foul. She glared fiercely at Nian Jiaojiao and turned to leave.
Nian Jiaojiao found the other party somewhat inexplicable.
But since Wang Zhilan was a pervert, it was normal for her not to understand.
Nian Jiaojiao shrugged indifferently and continued to wait.
A few minutes later.
"Let go of me, let go of me!"
Hearing the commotion, Nian Jiaojiao knew another innocent man was about to be harmed. She frowned and looked over, but froze when she saw the man being grabbed.
Xu Ruoliu!?
Why is he here?
Xu Ruoliu was struggling desperately, but under the restraint of two tall women, it was useless.
Soon, he was brought before Wang Zhilan.
Wang Zhilan lifted Xu Ruoliu's chin and nodded with satisfaction.
"Take him away!"
Nian Jiaojiao's brows furrowed deeply.
Xu Ruoliu, struggling, encountered such a situation for the first time and couldn't help but shout loudly:
"Do you have any law? How dare you abduct a civilian man in broad daylight!"
After speaking, he also called out to the people around for help,
"Save me, help me report to the officials!"
"Wait a moment."
Wang Zhilan stopped and said to Xu Ruoliu,
"Hahaha, report to the officials? You're really amusing!"
Saying that, she pointed to the people dining around the restaurant, "Ask them, do they dare to report to the officials? Is reporting to the officials useful?"
The surrounding people buried their heads in their food, pretending not to hear.
Xu Ruoliu understood. The arrogant woman before him was a powerful figure in Fengcheng. He resigned himself to silence, only shedding silent tears.
Just then, a man walked into the restaurant, "What are you doing? Let go of my fifth brother!"
Seeing the person who arrived, Nian Jiaojiao was stunned again.
This man was the fourth young master of the Xu family, Xu Nan.
What was going on with the Xu family?
All the young masters had come to Fengcheng and were wandering around the streets.
And this Xu Nan had come to deliver himself to them…
Seeing Xu Nan, Xu Ruoliu felt a warmth in his heart.
After the great change in his family, his previous petty thoughts were insignificant.
"Fourth brother!"
This call was full of deep emotion.
Xu Nan stepped forward and stood in front of Xu Ruoliu.
Wang Zhilan was delighted by this:
"Oh ho, today is truly a great harvest. Seeing that you are not from Fengcheng, since you've come to our Fengcheng, I naturally have to offer you a warm—'welcome'!"
Thus, Xu Nan was also easily restrained.
After all, the two were Yu Chuan's younger brothers. Although the Xu family had been ungrateful later, they had indeed provided help before.
Thinking this, Nian Jiaojiao sighed and stepped forward to block their path.
She cupped her hands towards Wang Zhilan and said,
"Miss Wang, these two happen to be my husband's younger brothers. I hope you will show mercy."
Nian Jiaojiao's words not only surprised Wang Zhilan but also left the two Xu brothers bewildered.
They had never seen the lady before them.
Their elder brothers were only the eldest brother Xu Sheng and the third brother Xu Yuchuan. When they sought refuge with their eldest brother two days ago and were refused entry, they had seen their eldest brother's wife, and she hadn't changed…
Could it be…
As the two were lost in thought, Wang Zhilan smiled and said,
"Nian Tongshou, calling you Tongshou makes you think you're someone important? Show mercy? Of course, I'll show mercy, but in other places…"
Wang Zhilan dragged out the last four words and smiled lewdly, and her guards behind her also burst into laughter.
Nian Jiaojiao looked directly at her and said,
"Miss Wang, although I am only a small Tongshou, please don't forget, above Fengcheng, there is Qingzhou…"
Wang Zhilan narrowed her eyes:
"Are you threatening me?"
After speaking, she seemed to have thought of something amusing and said,
"Alright, I'm not an unreasonable person. How about this, I'll give you a chance!"