Chapter 91: Xin Shiniang (Part One)

The two men below the hall trembled all over upon hearing this, their faces instantly turning pale. They hadn’t expected matters to escalate to this extent. The elder brother deeply regretted having reported his younger sibling; if he had known it would come to this, he would never have told on him. He had only intended to scare him a little, hoping to quell his rebellious spirit and perhaps even seize the extra farmland in the process.

Who would have thought it would now lead to imprisonment?

Once thrown into jail, even with a fortune, they would be extorted clean, subjected to cruel tortures, and perhaps come out maimed, if they survived at all.

The fear grew with each thought. “Your honor, noble magistrate, this humble man will not press charges anymore, I won’t.”

The county magistrate’s anger flared. “Do you think this county office is a place where you can come and go as you please, or choose whether to report or not?”

He was about to order his attendants to drag the two men away, but seeing them slap themselves so pitifully, his heart softened. He glanced secretly at the girl in purple.

“My little fairy, what do you say?”

The purple-clad girl pursed her lips. “If they no longer wish to report it, then let it be. Isn’t it the principle that if the people do not accuse, the officials do not investigate?”

“Well said, Your Grace.”

The magistrate nodded at once and addressed the two men below, “Since the little fairy has spoken, I will let you off. Now be gone quickly.”

The elder brother, ignoring his bruised and nearly broken body, kowtowed fiercely several times. “Thank you, noble magistrate. Thank you for your mercy, little fairy. This humble man will leave at once.”

Without waiting for the scholar beside him, he ran out, half stumbling, half crawling.

The scholar, frail in health and bruised from the beating, bit his lip in defiance. He struggled to his feet, dusted himself off, cupped his hands, and then walked out.

Seeing them leave, the magistrate wiped his sweat and cautiously asked, “Little fairy, are you satisfied with this outcome?”

The purple-clad girl’s lovely face turned cold. “Why do you ask if I am satisfied with your handling of the case? I merely happened to pass by and saw your injustice, so I spoke up.”

The magistrate’s heart trembled, almost causing him to collapse with grievance. After all, who was truly unjust? At worst, he had extorted some money, but she wanted to imprison them.

With everyone gone and the matter dull, the girl in purple strode away. The curious onlookers all stepped back and made way, watching her retreat with awe.

Once this little goddess finally left, the magistrate threw aside his dignity and slumped to the ground. “Advisor, help me back to rest.”

The advisor hurried over to support him. Seeing the attendants had returned to normal, he barked, “Worthless lot! Why haven’t you chased these ignorant peasants away yet?”

...

Yi Fan gathered himself and followed behind the girl in purple as she turned several corners, passed a few streets, and arrived at a secluded spot. There, two or three men sat on the ground, idly picking at their feet.

Upon seeing the girl in purple, the men immediately stood. “Lady Jiao’er, you’re back! Did you have fun?”

Jiao’er?

Yi Fan’s mind stirred. The bandits he had encountered a few miles away also mentioned a Lady Jiao’er. Could this be the same demoness? And these men must be the bandits themselves.

Interesting—this demoness was entangled with mortals, and judging by the respect these bandits showed her, this was unusual indeed.

The girl said a few words to them before asking, “Have you uncovered any leads on the matter I asked about?”

One man nodded quickly. “We’ve been investigating these days. The most famous in Changyu County is Young Master Yan Lin. He’s handsome and writes poetry—a true prodigy.”

Another added, “He’s a rare talent, skilled in poetry and couplets—quite the figure.”

“Bandits calling someone ‘quite the figure’? Sounds like you’ve listened to too many stories.” The girl in purple was too lazy to correct these men, whose crude words made her teachings sound terrible.

She waved her hand. “Then it’s settled. We’ll snatch him back and make him the mistress of our stronghold.”

The men puffed up their chests and cupped their hands. “Rest assured, Lady Jiao’er. Brothers never fail. Just wait for good news.”

Without another word, they turned and disappeared around a corner.

Yi Fan was puzzled. This was a kidnapping, and the victim was a scholar? Mistress of a stronghold? The words sounded awkward somehow.

Seeing no one nearby, the girl kicked a stone and wrinkled her nose. Muttering, “Fifth sister married a great talent as her husband. I must snatch one too, so I’m no less than you. That’ll drive you mad.”

She stomped her foot, worried about the bandits, and followed after them.

Fifth sister? Could she have many sisters?

Yi Fan thought it best to stay hidden for now to observe what the girl in purple intended and what power she truly wielded.

They headed north, arriving at a residence with a signboard that read “Xiao Mansion.” The bandits hid in a corner, skulking, while the girl kept her distance, unseen.

After over half an hour, a middle-aged man in flowing robes appeared with a servant, heading toward the mansion. The bandits surged forth. “Seize him—that’s Yan Lin!”

The man’s face drained of color. “Who are you people?”

“No need for words. Our boss fancies you. Don’t resist, or don’t blame us for sharp blades.” One bandit sneered as he bound the man’s hands and feet.

The man paled, heart tightening in despair. Which powerful figure had taken an interest in him? What was he to do?

The servant was stunned. In broad daylight, someone dared to commit violence? Before he could shout, a fist knocked him unconscious.

“Move, move—get out of town quickly!”

As they spoke, another brought a sack. After a glance at the man, “You’re surely not honest. Knock him out first.”

“I’m honest!” The man’s face was full of misery. Before he could protest, he was struck unconscious and stuffed into the sack, then carried swiftly down an alley.

The girl in purple smiled with satisfaction and turned to leave, with Yi Fan close behind.

Leaving town was easy; the lazy guards at the gate didn’t check. The bandits somehow found a wheelbarrow and pushed it openly out of the city.

After traveling six or seven miles, they reached the foot of a mountain, hiding the cart in the grass. They carried the sack up the mountain, crossing several ridges until they reached a cluster of wooden houses halfway up.

This was the bandit stronghold.

The guards recognized them and emerged from the grass. “Crooked Head, is the job done? What’s inside? Let me see.”

“That’s Lady Jiao’er’s stronghold mistress. Not for you to just look at. You’ll have to ask Lady Jiao’er first.” One man pushed him aside and told the others, “Take her to the woodshed first.”