Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 30

30:

Yu Lu strode up to Zeng Laosan, reached into his collar, and pulled out a money pouch.

Zeng Laosan’s face paled instantly, and he shook his head vigorously, muffled protests escaping his gagged mouth.

Yu Lu ignored him, untying the pouch and removing the silver coins and notes.

Zeng grew frantic, struggling to stop him, but with his hands bound and mouth gagged, he was powerless.

Yu Lu turned the pouch upside down, catching its contents in his other hand, then shook it.

Within moments, a thin layer of black powder fell into his palm, visible even in the darkness.

When Yu Lu had searched them earlier, he hadn’t thought much of it. Several officers hadn’t presented their pouches, so he’d only felt them, confirming they held silver and notes before returning them.

But that fleeting sensation had left an impression, powder. Yes, only Zeng’s pouch felt dusty.

It was iron filings.

Now it was clear: the masked figures had followed the iron filings left as markers, using magnets to track them.

Zeng Laosan had initially clung to a sliver of hope. When called out, he’d anticipated this and dumped the iron filings in a hurry, but he hadn’t had time to empty the pouch completely.

Now, his face turned ashen with defeat.

Though defeated, he showed little fear. Instead, a trace of mockery grew in his eyes.

Yu Lu removed the gag and raised his blade, demanding, “What do you have to say?”

With the knife at his throat, Zeng Laosan laughed.

“Yu Lu, a mere eighth-rank jailer like you dares to go against me?”

Yu Lu froze, his anger seeming to solidify, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Yes, he couldn’t afford to cross the person behind Zeng Laosan…

The group reacted with surprise, understanding, or resignation, and the atmosphere grew eerily silent.

Zeng tilted his head arrogantly. “Hurry up and release me. You want to touch me? Weigh your own worth first.”

Yu Lu remained still, a struggle flickering in his eyes.

“Traitor, die!” Sensing Yu Lu’s hesitation, Shiniang stepped to Xiao Gao, drew his sword, and charged at Zeng Laosan.

Yu Lu blocked her with his blade, his eyes flashing a warning. “Stop.”

Shiniang gritted her teeth. “He’s colluding with outsiders to take all our lives!”

Leaving such a person alive was like having a sword hanging over their heads.

Especially now that the truth was out—what if Zeng Laosan, cornered, lashed out?

If anything happened to the Princess, Shiniang was certain Yu Lu would fare no better.

Yu Lu stood between Shiniang and Zeng, shaking his head firmly. “Don’t act rashly.”

Zeng Laosan couldn’t be killed yet.

Shiniang was furious at his attitude. “If you’re too scared to kill him, why stop me?”

With that, she sidestepped and swung at Zeng Laosan again.

Yu Lu, face stern, moved to block her once more.

Before departing, his superior had repeatedly warned him not to act impulsively or cross that person. He couldn’t betray his superior’s trust.

After a few exchanges, Yu Lu shouted, “Stop it! Keep fighting, and you’ll draw them right to us!”

Reluctantly, Shiniang sheathed her sword, spitting out, “Cowardly turtle, pah!”

“Hahaha, smart move. Now untie me!” Seeing Yu Lu cowed by his words, Zeng Laosan strutted forward arrogantly.

Yu Lu’s gaze turned cold, but instead of untying him, he stuffed the gag back into Zeng’s mouth.

Zeng’s eyes widened, and he struggled again.

Shiniang shifted, her killing intent flaring anew.

“Shiniang, come with me.” Frustrated, Yu Lu decided to have a serious talk with her.

Shiniang tossed the sword to the ground, shot a meaningful glance at Shi Song, and followed Yu Lu.

Sensing the weight in Shiniang’s look, Shi Song turned to Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju, puzzled. “What did Shiniang mean by that?”

Had she misunderstood, or was there truly deeper intent?

Shi Mei, Shi Lan, and Si Zhu shook their heads, equally confused.

Only Shi Ju’s heart jolted. Staring at the sword on the ground, she took a few steps back, stunned.

“Ju?” Shi Song noticed she was the only one who didn’t shake her head and asked.

Shi Ju snapped out of it, pulled Shi Song aside, took two deep breaths, and whispered, “Those masked figures…”

She revealed the collusion between Zhenshan County’s yamen and Mao Family Village, her mind growing clearer. “Shiniang knows I’m steady but not as bold as you. I think she meant for me to tell you…”

“I get it.” Before Shi Ju could finish, Shi Song turned decisively. So, it was people colluding with Mao Family Village—they deserved to die, to be hacked to pieces.

But someone else was faster, picking up the sword from the ground.

Old Censor Zhou straightened up, his face expressionless. “I’ll hold onto this sword. Young lady, you’d best avoid such sharp weapons.”

Shi Song froze, glancing at the other bound officers, who still had their swords at their waists.

The officers quickly huddled together, warily watching her. After Shiniang took Xiao Gao’s sword, they weren’t going to let anyone else near them.

Zeng Laosan, sensing something, hurried to join the officers. He wasn’t afraid of Yu Lu, whose superior feared Zeng’s backer.

But these women of unknown origin, ignorant of the stakes, scared him. What if they actually attacked him?

Shi Song glared at Old Censor Zhou but could only swallow her anger.

Old Censor Zhou stroked his beard impassively and turned toward Ye Xuejin.

Seeing him approach with the sword, Yun Chi instinctively stepped in front of Ye Xuejin. “What do you want?”

No way, this old man couldn’t be that cunning, could he?

Old Censor Zhou paused, looking past her to Ye Xuejin.

Ye Xuejin steadied herself, took Yun Chi’s hand, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her.

“What guidance do you have, sir?”

Old Censor Zhou didn’t approach further, asking gravely, “Do you two know why that young lady said he wants all our lives?”

Yun Chi watched him warily, unsure of his intentions.

Ye Xuejin glanced at the sword in his hand and understood. Old Censor Zhou had misunderstood, thinking the Emperor wanted them all dead.

For a fleeting moment, Ye Xuejin considered nodding. Old Censor Zhou was still weighing his options, not yet committed to their cause.

But if she stooped to despicable means for the sake of power, was it worth it?

Sighing inwardly, Ye Xuejin said slowly, “The people he’s colluding with want the lives of all the men, because their target is the women.”

The group turned to Zeng Laosan in unison.

This traitor was conspiring with the masked figures to kill all the men!

Zeng Laosan, hearing this, looked at Xiao Gao and the others, mumbling through his gag, urging them to intervene and stop the conversation.

Xiao Gao rolled his eyes. After Ye Xuejin’s words, he wanted to kill the bastard himself.

All the men’s lives included his own.

With Yu Lu gone and the officers bound, how could they intervene?

Among the rest, the young women followed Shiniang’s lead, the Mu brothers stayed aloof, and the Zhou family obeyed Old Censor Zhou. So, not only did no one interrupt, but they listened intently.

Old Censor Zhou was silent for a moment before addressing Ye Xuejin. “I believe this traitor deserves death. What do you two think?”

Ye Xuejin glanced at him, surprised, and said softly, “You’re absolutely right.”

Zeng Laosan deserved to die.

Old Censor Zhou gave her a deep look, turned, and declared, “Zhou family men, follow me to kill this traitor.”

“Kill the traitor!”

“Kill the traitor!”

Zhou Qishan and the servants shouted in unison.

Zeng’s legs buckled, and he collapsed, sobbing and kowtowing toward Old Censor Zhou. He didn’t want to die, he hadn’t yet returned to the capital to report and claim his rewards.

The other officers quietly stepped back, avoiding the inevitable splatter of bl00d.

Old Censor Zhou asked, “Who will do it?”

The Zhou family fell silent. They were ordinary people, who among them had ever killed someone?

Yun Chi was baffled. “What’s he doing?” Was he going to kill him or not?

Ye Xuejin’s eyes flashed with disappointment. “He wants to pledge loyalty but is too hesitant.”

“So lacking of determination,” Yun Chi muttered.

Ye Xuejin smiled faintly. “Well said, Consort.”

Old Censor Zhou was wise but lacked the resolve to be a capable minister in chaotic times, though he could serve well in a peaceful era.

“What’s happening?” The commotion and delay reached Yu Lu and Shiniang.

Yu Lu, no longer bothering to debate with Shiniang, hurried back, keeping an eye on her to prevent another impulsive move.

The Zhou family exchanged glances but stayed silent. Old Censor Zhou frowned, also saying nothing.

He wanted to take a stand, but at the critical moment, he couldn’t muster the courage to gamble…

As everyone watched, one person quietly slipped toward the bound officers. While they were distracted by Yu Lu, she drew a sword and struck at Zeng Laosan, two steps away, with clean, decisive precision.

His head rolled, and the officers, reacting belatedly, let out muffled cries.

Yu Lu looked over, feeling the sky collapse.

The Emperor’s man had died in his exile convoy, right under his nose. How could he explain this to his superior? He’d caused a disaster.

Everyone stared at the sword-wielding young woman, dumbfounded. She’d really killed him! Just like that!

“Cowards.” Shi Song spat at the severed head. “Come at me if you dare.”

Those colluding with Mao Family Village deserved death, and this traitor was no exception. She’d finally vented her anger. At worst, she’d pay with her life.

“Well done!” Shiniang clapped and laughed. She hadn’t misjudged, Shi Song was fierce.

Yun Chi blurted out, “Nicely done!”

Ye Xuejin’s gaze deepened as she looked at Song, then at Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju behind her, finally settling on Shiniang’s laughing face.

In chaotic times, those with courage and strategy could become great generals.

Her eyes flickered, and before Yu Lu could react, she approached Shi Song.

Yun Chi followed without thinking, worried for her safety.

Ye Xuejin walked straight to Shi Song, smiled at her, then turned to Yu Lu. “If you must punish someone, punish me alongside Miss Song. I’m willing to stand with her.”

“Count me in,” Yun Chi chimed in immediately.

Shiniang raised an eyebrow. “And me.”

“And us!” Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju stepped forward, tightly embracing Song.

“You… you all…” Yu Lu stammered, at a loss for words.

At that moment, Old Censor Zhou signaled his son and declared loudly, “This traitor deserved death. We stand with Miss Song.”

As events unfolded, he felt a pang of regret, as if he’d missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Zhou Qishan quickly led the others to echo, “We stand with Miss Song!”

“Mmph, mmph!” Xiao Gao and the other officers shuffled over, joining them.

The Mu brothers exchanged a glance. Mu Er whispered, “Big Brother, should we join them?”

Mu Da glanced at Ye Xuejin and grunted, “Shut up.”

Yu Lu spoke slowly, “You… you’re all something else.” His heart caught, and he clutched his chest, saying helplessly, “What are you standing around for? Move!”

At his words, the group erupted in cheers.

“Quiet! You think this isn’t loud enough?” Yu Lu snapped, turning to the officers. “Untie them, and let’s go!”

“Wait.”

“What now, what’s the matter?” Yu Lu was on the verge of losing it, ready to snap back, but realizing it was Ye Xuejin, he forcibly softened his tone.

Suddenly, he felt this assignment was utterly miserable. He wanted to cry.