Divorced woman with child travels through time

The more people there were, the more chaotic things became. Wang Erniu asked Wang Xiaoguang to send all the children back to Wangjiazhuang, leaving Lü Xiong behind.

Downstairs, Chu Yi told Lü Xiong, who had just come in, about the situation. Then, under Wang Erniu's arrangement, he went out. Lü Xiong went upstairs with a solemn expression and asked, "Second Brother, what do you need me to do?"

"No need to rush, let's wait a little longer," Wang Erniu said again. "I sent my fourth brother out to scout as well. We'll know the situation soon, and we can act when it gets dark."

Not long after, Wang Hanyang sent a message through someone saying that the owner of Zhongji Grain Shop had not seen anyone leave the shop from when it opened in the morning until they arrived at noon, and the shop assistants also started work at that time, proving that he was not lying.

Hu Chengxin also sent word back that someone had indeed seen Chen Wenfang on the street, but no one had seen how she disappeared. He was now guarding the back door to prevent anyone from sneaking out. Wang Erniu nodded, outwardly calm, but inwardly he was extremely anxious.

Time ticked by, and Wang Erniu paced back and forth in the room, wringing his hands nervously. Finally, half an hour passed. A messenger from Boss Qi brought news that there was no one there, but they had recently received reports of kidnapping and extortion attempts. Wang Erniu understood the situation.

Another cup of tea's time passed, and Chu Yi returned.

"Uncle, I've had someone investigate. Zhong's Grain Shop does indeed have a tunnel. The tunnel is in the wall next to the woodpile in the kitchen, where there's a water vat. If it's connected, it leads to the moat outside the city wall under the willow trees, which is quite far," Chu Yi said, panting heavily.

"Let's go!" Wang Erniu didn't waste any words, picked up the gloves on the table and went out, with Lü Xiong following closely behind. "Dazhuang, you stay at home. Keep an eye on things if your godmother comes back."

"Okay!" Chu Yi nodded.

"Second brother, do you think sister-in-law will be transferred away?" Lu Xiong asked nervously as they walked.

Wang Erniu's expression remained calm and composed. He mounted his horse and said, "It won't be that fast. The tunnels here are usually not dug very large, especially since it's just a small shop. Your sister-in-law has fainted again, so they're probably even less lucky. They'll likely be secretly taken away after dark. They won't know we've found out so quickly. Let's go outside and take a look, and find the tunnel entrance that Chu Yi mentioned."

"Sigh!" Lü Xiong mounted his horse and followed closely behind Wang Erniu out of the city. The two quickly arrived outside the city and found the several large willow trees by the moat.

Wang Erniu dismounted and searched around for the tunnel entrance. He quickly found it under a half-dead old tree, checking for any signs of anyone having climbed it. Finding none, Wang Erniu finally breathed a sigh of relief. The two of them found a secluded spot along the riverbank and hid, keeping a close watch on the area and waiting quietly.

In the dim light, Chen Wenfang slowly woke up, her forehead throbbing, especially her neck, which felt as if it weighed a ton and she couldn't straighten her head. Chen Wenfang moved her hands and feet and found that they were tied. She blinked and finally saw where she was. It looked like a cellar. Had she been kidnapped? She moved her body. Fortunately, the kidnappers had some conscience and had placed straw under her.

"Madam Chen, you're awake?" A sudden male voice slowly spoke. There was a table in the cellar, and a middle-aged wealthy merchant with a broken left eyebrow, a fat head and big ears, raised his right eyebrow and smiled ingratiatingly at her.

Chen Wenfang looked up, not recognizing him. "Who are you? Why are you arresting me?"

"Who I am is not important, Madam Chen. All you need to know is that our master values ​​you highly and invited you here hoping you can do something for us. Of course, you will definitely receive plenty of benefits. Don't even mention Wangjia Village, you could even have the entire Lijia Town." The man revealed a confident smile.

Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Your master is too kind. What would I, a weak woman, need Lijia Town for? I don't know how to manage it, nor can I live in such a big town. I'm not an official."

The man raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "What does Madam Chen want? Just tell us, and we can make it happen."

Chen Wenfang smiled speechlessly, "Then what does your master want me to do?"

The man fiddled with the skewers in his hand and said, "Just come with us obediently. As for what the master wants you to do, just do as he says. If you do, I think you'll be rewarded handsomely."

Chen Wenfang thought to herself, "Damn it, all they do is make empty promises. They've been talking nonsense for so long, not a single useful word." But she didn't show it on her face and smiled slightly, "Alright then, as long as you don't hurt me, I don't need to be rich or powerful. I just want to be safe and sound. I can make some pastries. If you want me to make pastries later, I'll do it, okay?"

“Alright, your temperament suits my taste,” the wealthy merchant chuckled readily. “Mrs. Chen truly lives up to her reputation, so straightforward… Don’t worry, as long as you obey, I guarantee you’ll arrive safely, okay?”

"Okay, I'm a little hungry. Could you get me something warm to eat? This is a bit cold." Chen Wenfang obediently made her request, her voice deliberately soft and delicate, making her seem quite pitiful.

Seeing how obedient Madam Chen was, the wealthy merchant couldn't help but feel pity. He couldn't bear to see such a beautiful woman suffer, so he said softly, "I'm afraid that won't work. Madam Chen, please bear with it. When we get out of the cellar, I'll cook you a bowl of hot mutton soup. I guarantee you'll drink it comfortably."

Chen Wenfang knew when to stop and smiled sweetly, "Thank you very much, brother."

"Ah!" The wealthy merchant man exclaimed excitedly as he chatted with Chen Wenfang about making pastries. Chen Wenfang generously offered her money and explained her recipes to him step by step in detail. She told him when to make what, what to add, and that since these recipes could be bought for twenty taels each, she was happy to share her knowledge. After all, when you're under someone else's roof, you should at least be safe first.

The two talked back and forth until their throats were dry. Chen Wenfang finally couldn't help but say, "Brother, I've said so much, at least give me a drink of water."

The wealthy businessman smiled and said, "That's right, Madam Chen, please wait a moment." He then turned a corner and went inside.

Chen Wenfang immediately checked her body. Her hands and feet were tightly bound, and she couldn't move at all. She couldn't shout here either, because no one outside could hear her if she did. She could only obediently lie in the pile of straw.

A moment later, the man brought over a bowl of water. Chen Wenfang smiled and said, "Brother, why don't you let go of my hand and I'll drink the water myself? Is that alright?"

"Oh, Madam Chen, it's nothing. Here, let me feed you some water..." The man smiled and refused, then looked at her with a lecherous grin and fed her water. Chen Wenfang smiled awkwardly and reluctantly drank the water. Fortunately, he did not make any presumptuous moves.