Chapter 2819 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 24

Ruan Shutong's heart sank little by little.

He had planned ahead for years, going to great lengths to get close to and guide Gu Fanghe, in order to leave an impression and pave the way for the future. It wasn't to become what it is now.

Ruan Shutong's mind raced, but she showed no sign of it on her face. After delivering the news, she looked up at Gu Fanghe.

“No matter what the final outcome in the palace is, whether the Crown Prince’s faction succeeds or fails, or which prince ascends to the throne…” He softened his voice, “Please believe me, Brother Gu, Shu Tong will definitely stand by your side.”

Chen Xiaoshan and Liu Mianfeng simultaneously looked up, glancing at Ruan Shutong and then at Gu Fanghe.

Liu Mianfeng looked on with great interest, eager to see how his elder brother would respond.

If that comes true... hey, he'll go complain to Jin Chen later, and maybe he can even extort a jar of good wine from his older brother.

Gu Fanghe glanced coldly at Ruan Shutong, "If what you say is true, the brothers of Black Mountain Stronghold will reward you handsomely."

Ruan Shutong: "..."

He opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything for a moment, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

With the matter nearly settled, Gu Fanghe stood up first and walked straight out the door, clearly not intending to stay any longer.

"Brother Gu!" Ruan Shutong immediately got up and chased after him to the door, looking somewhat anxious, as if she wanted to say something more.

Gu Fanghe didn't stop walking, only saying, "Chen Xiaoshan, you arrange for people. After that, whether he wants to gather herbs or do something else, you can handle it."

Ruan Shutong stood at the door of the council room, watching the departing figure without any hesitation. Her eyes darkened, and she seemed oblivious to the rain that was blowing in the wind and wetting her clothes.

Many petty thieves who were passing by or on duty nearby witnessed this scene.

The group exchanged glances, all knowing perfectly well that the leader truly held Young Master Jin in high regard.

Look at that attitude, towards Young Master Ruan... tsk.

However, seeing Ruan Shutong standing alone under the eaves, his plain clothes slightly damp from the wind and rain, looking thin and lonely, the bandits who had received his kindness in the past couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him.

Alas, it's pitiful for Young Master Ruan. Three years have passed, and everything has changed.

Ruan Shutong stood at the door for a moment, then nodded slightly to Chen Xiaoshan, who had a complicated expression, and said in a low, hoarse voice, "Thank you for your trouble, Second Master."

-

The secluded courtyard was quiet and deserted, and the rain made it seem even more desolate.

Ruan Shutong pushed the door open and went in, then bolted it shut behind her.

Inside the house, Chu Yi and Chu Ming, having removed their disguises, came forward to greet them.

Chu Ming, being a bit impulsive, noticed Ruan Shutong's unusual expression and immediately stepped forward to take his hand, finding it icy cold. "Shutong, why are your hands so cold? You don't look well either. Did Gu Fanghe upset you?"

Although Chu Yi did not speak, his cold and stern expression darkened.

Ruan Shutong let Chu Ming hold her hand, looked up at the two of them, forced a smile, and gently shook her head, "It's nothing."

"But... in three years, the people in the village have changed a lot."

His voice lowered, filled with melancholy and grievance, "Although Second Brother Chen was serious before, he still took care of me. Third Brother Liu was witty, and Yan Qi was lively... and Brother Gu, although he didn't talk much, wasn't like this before..."

Ruan Shutong didn't finish her sentence, but Chu Yi and Chu Ming both understood what she meant.

"Is it because of that Jin Chen?" Chu Ming gritted his teeth. "He's just a fake who looks somewhat like you. Does he deserve to make you, Shu Tong, suffer? Is Gu Fanghe blind?!"

Chu Yi's eyes grew even colder. "Shu Tong, don't worry. She's just an arrogant stand-in. We'll teach her a lesson."

Ruan Shutong quickly shook her head and reached out to grab Chu Yi's sleeve, "Don't... don't cause trouble for me. Young Master Jin probably didn't mean it. After all, I've been gone for too long. It's only natural that the village has new people and has forgotten about me, an old friend."

His words were like adding fuel to the fire for Chu Yi and Chu Ming.

Shu Tong, a person of such brilliance and integrity, was forced to accept her fate by a despicable substitute.

Chu Ming's eyes reddened with anger, and he pulled Ruan Shutong into his arms. "Shutong, you're just too kind. Does that kind of person even deserve your support?"

Chu Yi: "We know what we're doing and won't make things difficult for you."

Ruan Shutong leaned against Chu Ming's chest, her eyes slightly lowered, and hummed in agreement, "You...be careful, and don't cause trouble for the village because of me."

“Brother Gu is currently doting on Young Master Jin, and I’m afraid you’ll suffer the consequences.”

Chu Yi and Chu Ming exchanged a glance, both seeing killing intent in each other's eyes.

The two men spoke to Ruan Shutong gently for a few more minutes, promising that they would not act impulsively and would handle the situation properly. Only then, under Ruan Shutong's worried gaze, did they change into the coarse cloth clothes of ordinary mountain bandits and quietly leave the side courtyard.

The door closed again.

Only Ruan Shutong remained inside.

His fragile expression vanished completely. He walked to the window, pushed it open halfway, and let the cold wind blow in, fluttering his plain white clothes.

Suddenly, a multicolored snake dangled down from outside the window, its vertical pupils staring at him.

Ruan Shutong subconsciously took half a step back, her eyes turned cold, stared at the snake for a few seconds, and then grabbed the snake by the neck.

Ruan Shutong remained expressionless as the snake's neck was snapped in two.

He released his grip, and the dead snake fell to the ground, splashing up a few drops of muddy water.

Ruan Shutong took out a handkerchief and wiped her fingers, which she had just used to pinch the snake, with great care, before casually tossing it next to the dead snake.

"Jin Chen..." he murmured the name, "You actually came after all."

-

After having breakfast, Jin Chen was wearing a thin cloak trimmed with silver fox fur. His dark hair was half-tied up with a jade hairpin, with the rest draped over his shoulders. A Yan held an oil-paper umbrella to shield him from the rain and mist. The two of them were searching for something in the village.

The mountain stronghold was much quieter than usual on a rainy day. Only the patrolling bandits, wearing raincoats, stood guard at various key locations. They would stop and greet Jin Chen whenever they saw him.

"Young Master Jin, why are you out here? The rain has lessened, but it's still chilly. Be careful not to catch a cold," the patrol captain said with concern.

Jin Chen stopped in his tracks. "A few days ago, I kept two small snakes near the warm pavilion. They're quite interesting to look at, and they're usually quite docile. I play with them in my spare time, and they keep me company."

"But when I woke up this morning, I found they were gone. Perhaps the cage wasn't closed properly because of the heavy rain last night, and they escaped."

He paused, then raised his hand to adjust the thin cloak over his shoulders. "I was thinking of coming out to look for it."

The squad leader immediately said, "Young Master Jin, don't worry, we'll help you find them! Two snakes, right? Our brothers have sharp eyes, we'll definitely find them!"

“Yes! Young Master Jin, please describe it to us, and we’ll split up to search!” The other bandits chimed in.

Jin Chen caught a glimpse of two figures wearing raincoats hurrying past, and the corners of his lips curved into a smile as he pointed towards the fork in the road where the two had disappeared.

"Can you help me look for it? Is it around there?"

"Alright! Don't worry, Young Master Jin! We've got it covered!"

The squad leader patted his chest and immediately called to his four or five men, "Let's go! Be careful!"