A savory aroma wafted from the usually stingy Zhu Auntie's home today.
She was beaming, greeting everyone with a cheerful countenance.
"Zhu Auntie, have you struck it rich? Why are you so delighted today?"
The villagers' curiosity was instantly piqued, and someone boldly approached to inquire.
"Hmph." To their surprise, Zhu Auntie didn't offer an explanation. Instead, she let out a contented "hmph" before waddling away with her plump waist swaying.
She wouldn't divulge the source of her newfound wealth to the entire village.
That would invite misfortune; she wouldn't breathe a word.
However, she felt incredibly gratified thinking about it—earning a few silver taels just by answering a question. This was a fortune she could relish for a lifetime!
Recalling the visitor who came from the Gu Family Second Son's workshop earlier, inquiring about her, Zhu Auntie couldn't help but think the person was foolish.
She had held up three fingers, requesting thirty copper coins, but the person foolishly handed her three taels of silver instead!
It was a windfall, a stroke of luck, and she was overjoyed!
For a question known to the entire village, she had unexpectedly profited, doubling her delight!
As she walked, she noticed an approaching carriage and decided to flag it down.
"From the Gu Family's workshop."
Upon drawing back the curtain and seeing the village's notorious Zhu Auntie, Luo Ge visibly paused.
However, recalling that Zhu Auntie had been among those who helped locate the missing iron eggs, she pondered for a moment before instructing Dong to halt the carriage.
"Auntie, what brings you here?"
Eyeing Luo Ge's carriage and the two delicate, fair-skinned children, Zhu Auntie pursed her lips.
"Nothing much, just letting you know that someone from the town came to the village today, inquiring about your workshop and the head shopkeeper of the Fuxin Shop."
The visitor had asked her whose workshop it was and whether the Fuxin Shop shopkeeper procured goods here.
She didn't see any harm in sharing that information, so she told them, earning three taels of silver! Why wouldn't she take it?
But since she profited from them, she figured she should inform them as well.
Otherwise, the old man might scold her if he found out.
Upon hearing Zhu Auntie's words, Luo Ge immediately recalled the matter mentioned by Li Shopkeeper earlier, realizing it was likely the Spring Bloom Pavilion investigating the situation. She nodded in acknowledgment.
However, she was still surprised that Zhu Auntie had come to warn her.
"Thank you, Auntie, for the heads-up. I understand."
Hearing Luo Ge's gentle words of gratitude, Zhu Auntie tilted her chin, gave her a glance, and walked away.
After some distance, she turned back to look at Luo Ge's carriage once more.
Subconsciously mimicking Luo Ge's tone, she felt an instant distaste for her own voice, shuddering with discomfort.
"We're both women, yet her voice is so different." It was strangely pleasant.
Just as the village gossips claimed, she sounded like a noble and refined young lady.
Muttering to herself, she turned and headed home.
...Meanwhile, upon returning home, Luo Ge learned from Wang Sister-In-Law about the Spring Bloom Pavilion's visit to gather information.
"We could tell they weren't good people, so we didn't engage with them."
Luo Ge was their benefactor; they wouldn't discuss her affairs or gossip about them.
Hearing this, Luo Ge nodded. "I understand, Sister-In-Law."
Considering Wang Sister-In-Law's account and the village gossip she had overheard earlier, Luo Ge had a general idea of why Zhu Auntie had been so kind as to warn her today.
It seemed the Spring Bloom Pavilion had likely already learned the situation from Zhu Auntie, but this wasn't something that could be kept hidden anyway, so Luo Ge wasn't surprised.
When trouble comes, one must face it head-on.
As she pondered, someone suddenly arrived from the local magistrate's office, delivering a message for Gu Jinchen to Luo Ge.
They informed her that there would be action tonight, and Gu Jinchen would likely not return home, so she needn't worry.
At the same time, a contingent of guards was left behind to ensure the safety and protection of Luo Ge and her household.
This matter had resulted in a significant achievement for Luo Ge and her companions, as they had captured several bandits and rescued the young master, uncovering crucial clues.
The previous night, while rescuing those children, they had also apprehended several bandits, allowing Gu Jinchen to make a valuable contribution.
The officials feared that the bandits' associates might seek revenge against Luo Ge and her vulnerable household members upon learning of this incident.
After all, those individuals were desperate souls, prone to retaliation.
Hence, additional protection was assigned to Luo Ge's household to prevent any untoward incidents.
Of course, this also ensured that Gu Jinchen could focus on his duties without distractions.
Witnessing this situation, Luo Ge couldn't help but feel concerned.
"The Second Son is a capable man. Don't worry, Sister." Noticing Luo Ge's expression, Wang Sister-In-Law understood her apprehension and tried to reassure her, not wanting her to fret excessively given her condition.
Luo Ge nodded and smiled at Wang Sister-In-Law. "I understand, Sister-In-Law. Don't worry about me."
......On Gu Jinchen's side...
The previous night, while rescuing the children, they had also apprehended several of the bandits' accomplices.
After a night of intense interrogation and torture, they had obtained valuable leads from these bandits.
Following the leads, they had trekked a long way, eventually arriving at this remote village.
Had they not witnessed it with their own eyes, they would never have imagined such a place existed deep within these mountains.
The entire village resembled a heavily fortified military stronghold, with stringent defenses surrounding it.
From their current vantage point on the mountain ridge, they could observe the eerie scene within the village.
In the center was a large sacrificial altar, where bound children were thrown onto the altar, surrounded by a massive wooden pyre.
Strangely dressed individuals in white robes were dancing and chanting, occasionally tossing alcohol onto the flames to intensify the blaze.
Cries of terrified children echoed from the village houses, causing the group of hardened men to clench their fists.
As the white-robed figures continued their peculiar dance and chanting in an unfamiliar language, more and more children were brought out from the village and bound on the sacrificial altar, with the massive pyre already prepared in the center.
"Your Highness."
Witnessing this scene, the men realized what was happening—this group seemed to be preparing to conduct some sacrificial ritual ahead of schedule!
Noticing this, they all turned to look at the Prince of Nanyang, who had been crouching alongside them.
The Prince of Nanyang, in turn, glanced at Gu Jinchen and lowered his voice.
"Jinchen, are you and your men prepared?"
"Your Highness, rest assured." Gu Jinchen nodded, and alongside Hu Jun and his troops, they stealthily made their way down.
Taking advantage of the night shadows, ghostly figures silently infiltrated the ranks of the patrolling bandits below.
A blade sliced across a thief's throat, muffling any sound, as he crumpled limply to the ground.
