However, when those words came out of Mo Jiuye's mouth, Li Rou'er found it difficult to accept for a moment.
This was the man she had once liked. How could he say such things?
"Mo Jiuye, do you know how much this woman didn't want to marry you?
She was worried that marrying into the Mo Family would turn her into a widow like your eight sisters-in-law. She didn't hesitate to come to me for strategies to annul the marriage.
Also, she has always been selfish and irresponsible. Such a woman doesn't deserve your protection."
Although Mo Jiuye hadn't spent much time with He Zhiran, he already had some understanding of her character and how she treated the Mo Family.
"As Mo Jiuye's woman, it is only natural for me to protect her even at the cost of my life. It has nothing to do with you."
Li Rou'er was completely provoked by Mo Jiuye's words.
She slowly stood up, pressing the pointed part of the stone against Xie Lin's neck.
Her still swollen face looked even more ferocious.
"Since that's the case, I don't intend to waste any more words. I'll give you two choices.
First, let me leave. Once I'm in a safe place, I will spare this kid's life. Second..."
"No need to say it. We will never let you leave," He Zhiran coldly interrupted Li Rou'er.
At that moment, several government officials arrived at the scene.
Seeing Li Rou'er holding Xie Lin hostage, they reprimanded her.
"Li Rou'er, do you know what awaits a fugitive?"
Li Rou'er no longer felt any fear in her heart at this moment. She realized clearly that if she couldn't escape successfully today, she would only face death.
"Hahaha... I don't care what awaits me. I haven't committed any crimes. Why should I endure all this?"
As she spoke, she forcefully scraped the pointed part of the stone against Xie Lin's neck.
Blood flowed down Xie Lin's collar.
Xie Lin was still just a child. Feeling the pain, he instinctively struggled.
However, the more he struggled, the harder it was for Li Rou'er to control her strength, causing his wound to grow larger and larger.
At the same time, Li Rou'er, holding Xie Lin, was gradually retreating.
Seeing this, He Zhiran and Mo Jiuye disregarded the presence of the government officials. They both raised their arms and shot two hidden arrows toward Li Rou'er's forehead.
In the blink of an eye, Li Rou'er's forehead was pierced by the two feathers, and she fell backward instantly.
With his swift lightness skill, Mo Jiuye swiftly caught the little guy and then turned around to carry him away.
Back at their original positions, Zhang Qing stepped forward to remove whatever was stuffed in Xie Lin's mouth.
But when he saw what he had in his hand, he immediately became repulsed.
"Where did Li Rou'er find this stinky sock? It's making me sick..."
The Eighth Old Zhou felt that the smell was somewhat familiar. He then looked down at his own foot, which was not wearing a sock.
"This seems to be my sock."
"Ugh..." Zhang Qing couldn't control his urge to vomit anymore.
"Cough, cough, cough... Zhou Lao Ba, your socks are definitely poisonous..." Zhang Qing coughed while venting her dissatisfaction.
Having her stinky socks exposed, especially in front of He Zhiran, Zhou Lao Ba felt a deep sense of embarrassment.
Fortunately, everyone's attention was not focused on Zhou Lao Ba at the moment.
Looking at Xie Lin's flushed face, He Zhiran couldn't determine whether it was due to difficulty in breathing or the stench of the socks.
Regardless, the child was definitely not feeling well.
Moreover, there was a wound on his neck caused by a stone scratch. Although it didn't look too serious, it needed to be treated promptly.
So, He Zhiran quickly untied the hemp rope binding Xie Lin's hands and feet, then took out a water pouch from her waist and fed him some water.
"Officials, we have found the person. Let's hurry back!" she said.
In front of so many people, she couldn't use spatial items to help Xie Lin with his wound.
Besides, they had already promised Peng Wang that they would return before dawn, regardless of whether they found the person or not.
With this in mind, He Zhiran didn't want to stay for even a moment. She picked up Xie Lin and started walking back.
Mo Jiuye and Zhou Lao Ba almost simultaneously rushed over, intending to take Xie Lin from He Zhiran's arms.
Zhou Lao Ba was a beat slower than Mo Jiuye, and Xie Lin had already been embraced by Mo Jiuye.
Then, without looking back, he continued walking side by side with He Zhiran.
Watching the beautiful couple ahead, singing and accompanying each other, Zhou Lao Ba intentionally slowed down his pace and refrained from disturbing them.
However, the inexplicable sense of loss in his heart was known only to himself.
Leaving two officials to handle Li Rou'er's body, the rest of the people hurried back to the camp.
Throughout the journey, He Zhiran thought about how Li Rou'er, such a malicious woman, had died. It was really letting her off easy.
But it was also good, sparing herself from unnecessary trouble. It could be considered as avenging the original owner of the body.
The group quickly returned to the camp.
Seeing Xie Lin being carried back by Mo Jiuye, the Xie family members crowded around.
When Xie Lin saw his relatives, tears welled up in his eyes again, and he reached out his little hand towards Lv, wanting to be held.
Lv, crying, approached and reached out her hand to take Xie Lin.
Just as she was about to inquire about what had happened, Lv turned her head and happened to see the wound on Xie Lin's neck.
"Lin'er, how did you get hurt? Quickly tell Mother, who hurt you... sob, sob, sob... my poor child," Lv exclaimed in shock.
Upon hearing Lv's exclamation, all the Xie family members ran to check on Xie Lin's condition.
He Zhiran pushed through the crowd and said, "Everyone, don't worry. I have some medical supplies with me. Give the child to me, and I'll take care of his wound."
Upon hearing this, Lv couldn't care about other things. She grabbed He Zhiran's arm and was about to leave.
"He Zhiran, let me go with you," Lv said.
He Zhiran planned to use the spatial items to treat Xie Lin's injuries. How could she let an outsider come along?
She spoke softly, "The space inside the tent is small, and it will be crowded for the three of us. Besides, treating external wounds won't take much time. I will return Xie Lin to you soon."
After hearing He Zhiran's words, Lv also found them reasonable.
She cautiously handed Xie Lin over to He Zhiran.
"Then I'll trouble you," she said.
"No trouble at all," he replied.
He Zhiran took Xie Lin back to his own tent.
Xie Lin had always been a well-behaved and sensible child. Despite being frightened by Li Rou'er, he didn't cry or make a scene in front of his family.
Furthermore, he understood that Aunt He was treating his wounds, so even though it hurt, he didn't cry and endured the pain.
With Xie Lin facing away, He Zhiran quickly tended to his wounds and bandaged them.
When she came out of the tent with Xie Lin, Zhang Qing had already recounted the incident to everyone.
Upon hearing that Li Rou'er had kidnapped Xie Lin and escaped, Li Liang was so angry that he nearly fainted.
He slapped Zhu in the face and angrily reprimanded her, "It's all because of you! You can't even keep an eye on a person and let her escape."
After learning that Li Rou'er had been killed by Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran working together, Zhu had been crying non-stop, even contemplating following her.
Despite being slapped by Li Liang, she remained indifferent, shedding tears without any reaction.
