Divorced woman with child travels through time

Chapter 297 To Escape or Not to Escape?

Wang Erniu was thinking about something.

Chu Yi looked at the doorway again and said, "Uncle, they're leaving."

"It's alright, she's gone, she's gone~" Wang Erniu had calmed down. "You pretend to be a peddler and knock on her door to ask if she needs any goods. We can get them for her. The people who kidnapped her should know me, otherwise why would I always come up empty-handed in every place I go? You're different, they've never seen you before."

"Okay!" Chu Yi went without hesitation.

"Boom boom boom!"

"Who is it?" Chen Wenfang answered as she opened the door, and froze the moment she saw Chu Yi.

Chu Yi, both excited and restrained, politely inquired, "Madam, we are peddlers from the south. Would you be interested in seeing the spices and seasonings we brought?" He patted the backpack on his horse as he spoke.

Upon hearing his words, Chen Wenfang realized what he meant and said with a smile through her tears, "I just happened to need to buy some seasonings, please come in and let me take a look."

"Okay~" Chu said, glancing around as he pretended to be a proper merchant.

Chen Wenfang looked outside and, not seeing anyone familiar, left the door open after confirming that no one was there. Wang Erniu glanced at her figure from afar and felt a dull ache in his heart.

Chu Yi led the horse inside, placed the spice stall on the table, and Chen Wenfang pretended to look at the various spices, taking the opportunity to squeeze his hand and point to the room.

Chu Yi understood and said, "I wonder what my wife needs? Do you have anything suitable here? If not, you can tell me and I'll keep an eye out and send it over."

Chen Wenfang looked around carefully and picked out some star anise, herbs, and fennel that she needed. "It would be best if there was chili powder. If so, it can be delivered tomorrow. The price doesn't matter."

Chu Yi smiled and said, "I just happened to contact someone in Linxia who has some. I'll send it over to you tomorrow." She winked meaningfully as she spoke.

Chen Wenfang immediately understood, and smiled as she saw him off, "Okay, okay, then remember to bring it to me tomorrow, young man." As she spoke, the girl came out.

Chen Wenfang picked out some pepper and other seasonings, paid the money, and watched Chu Yi lead the horse away.

The girl asked curiously, "Is this chili powder really that delicious? You've been craving it so many times, my lady."

Chen Wenfang felt inexplicably sad as she watched Chu Yi leave. She said casually, "Of course it's delicious. I'll cook a dish for you to try when I have some."

"That's great!" The maid was delighted to hear there was something to gain, and her eyes darted around as she asked, "Wife, do you know this young man?"

Chen Wenfang came to her senses and explained, "I don't know him, but he looks a bit like my son. I miss my son."

The girl nodded, "I see, I see." and didn't ask any more questions.

Chen Wenfang turned back and started cooking.

Chu Yi walked quite a distance before explaining to Wang Erniu, "Uncle, I saw clearly that there was only my godmother and a little girl inside. The other two women probably weren't home; they just came over at night."

Wang Erniu nodded. "Okay, you go back to the inn first. I have a small packet of chili powder in my bag. Go find a place to watch over that courtyard later and make sure you know when those two women are gone. I'll go with you to deliver the goods tomorrow morning. Once we see her, we'll decide what to do."

"Okay!" Chu Yi left briskly for the inn, and Wang Erniu led the horse for him to walk with, then turned and headed towards the Wang Mansion from last time.

It was the same old soldier, the same back door. Wang Erniu entered the bamboo forest and stood waiting for a full hour before a gentle and refined old man finally emerged from the bamboo house.

"Why did Erniu arrive early?" The old man was in high spirits, smiling and chatting, exuding an air of refined elegance.

"Thanks to Your Highness, I have found my wife. I plan to take her back tomorrow. However, if there are any issues with Qinglan's situation, I hope Your Highness can help me put in a good word for her." Wang Erniu respectfully kowtowed and pleaded.

"Go with peace of mind. Since I have already promised you, they will naturally not pursue the matter any further. However, you have suffered a great loss by using this favor to settle this matter. I promised you that one day you could use my help to rise to prominence, conquer all directions, and be able to reconcile with Tiancheng and work together for our Great Song Dynasty." Prince Gong Zhao Su did not let him get up, but just kept saying.

After a long pause, Wang Erniu finally spoke, “I was young and ignorant at the time and had a conflict with Tiancheng. However, I have no regrets about exchanging this merit for my wife’s safety. If I have the opportunity in the future, I will serve you.”

"Alright, alright..." Zhao Su got the answer he wanted and then told Wang Erniu to get up. "Get up quickly, I'm waiting for you to help me."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Wang Erniu readily got up and left. In fact, he had risked his life to save the prince, but the credit was given to He Tiancheng. It was because He Tiancheng was more obedient and useful than him. He was so angry that he returned to his hometown. Now, with his support, He Tiancheng was a great general guarding a region, while he was just an ordinary man with a wife, children, and a warm bed. He wouldn't have stooped to beg for credit if he had no other choice.

Chen Wenfang prepared a large table of delicious dishes, including roasted lamb skewers, braised chicken, steamed fish, braised pork that Qian'er had specially requested, stir-fried beef, stuffed tofu, and more.

The group of people were all very full and stuffed, and the two sisters did not suspect anything.

That evening, Wang Erniu took all the things he had prepared with the silver, ready to see his wife the next day. He was quite excited.

The next morning, Wang Erniu led Chu Yi to wait early. After the deliveryman left, Chen Wenfang found an excuse to send her maid out to buy the soy sauce jar that had been accidentally broken the day before. Ru'er had specifically told her that she was not allowed to go out, but for some reason, she had a feeling that Wang Erniu would come with Chu Yi.

Sure enough, as soon as the girl left, Wang Erniu came with Chu Yi. They used the same excuse as yesterday. After going through the motions, Wang Erniu rushed inside. The two held hands tightly and poured out their hearts to each other, while Chu Yi went to the door to keep watch.

Wang Erniu hugged her tightly and said, "Wife, are you alright? Have you been wronged? Did they bully you? Come with me, let's go home."

Chen Wenfang hugged him back excitedly and said, “Husband, you don’t understand them. They kill people whenever they want, and no one cares. I can’t leave. They said that if I leave, they will kill everyone in our village. They know where I live and where the children are. I can’t take that risk.”

Wang Erniu reassured her, "My wife, trust me, trust me. I've dealt with them, and they definitely won't chase us anymore."

Chen Wenfang looked at him in disbelief, "Really?"

Wang Erniu looked into her eyes, cupped her face, and said earnestly and firmly, "Really, I won't joke about your lives."