A Farm Girl: Three Acres of Fertile Land Can Be Exchanged for a Country

Chapter 99: Too Much Bullying

The guard locked the door, noticed it was crooked and uneven, cursed "damaged door," kicked it, and turned to leave.

Wutong remained silent, waiting patiently until the footsteps faded away. Only then did she take out the gold hairpin that had accompanied her through many storms and slip it under the door.

She had seen it; the wooden door was inlaid, with a recessed hole in the floor, and the edge of the door frame was fitted into that hole for opening and closing.

There was still a small gap at the top of the door, left from the original installation. Now, she only needed to pry the gold hairpin upwards with force, using the principle of leverage, and she could…

With a soft click, the wooden door was pulled out of its slot and wobbled as it fell forward.

Wutong quickly reached out to support it, gently placing it against the side. She then slipped out through the gap with the gold hairpin in her hand, before turning back to put the door back in its original place.

Of course, the wooden block was still there; she knew she would need it again.

Although the door was open, escape was impossible. A person without a penny could not travel more than two thousand miles, and the guards of the Eastern Qi Palace were not blind.

She looked around and saw a spacious courtyard under the night sky, with trees and flowers, their leaves and petals illuminated by the moonlight.

A gentle breeze, carrying a touch of chill, swept by. The sycamore tree took a deep, blissful breath; it was the taste of freedom.

She chose a direction that looked less populated and walked forward stealthily, her palms clasped together.

She used too much force when she pried open the door, and the wound reopened. If she hadn't done that, the dripping blood would have given her away.

Walking briskly through the night, Wutong followed the information Yinling had given her and proceeded according to the map in her mind.

If nothing unexpected happens, Yinling should have been taken to Mengbaobao's palace and won't be back for at least half an hour.

Wutong also wanted to go there. The Eastern Qi King's palace was obviously the most important place in the palace. She had to go and see if there was anything she could use. If not, she would steal some valuables so that she could carry them with her as travel expenses when she escaped one day.

The people of Dongqi were rough and unrefined, and their palace was crudely built, not even half the size of the Southern Frontier Royal Palace, though it occupied a large area.

Wutong carefully avoided the area, and after half an incense stick's time, she finally found the palace that Yinling had described.

The palace was built of brick and stone, and its shape was very much like a huge tent. It was round with a pointed top, and its exterior was golden yellow. The edges were painted with lace and patterns, and many round pillars were attached, which was full of the style of the Eastern Qi Dynasty.

Numerous windows were opened in the roof of the palace, from which light shone, making it appear resplendent with gold. Even from this distance, Wutong could hear the decadent music emanating from within, with drums and music playing incessantly.

The guard who took Yinling away earlier is now standing guard outside; Yinling must be inside.

The sycamore tree, hidden in the darkness, peered around, its heartstrings taut.

She finally found a breakthrough point in a corner behind the palace, where the guards were slacking off and drinking. She silently crept over, circled behind them, grabbed a pillar, and climbed onto the roof.

Carefully climbing towards a window, the sycamore tree peeked out with its two eyes and saw the scene inside.

Directly opposite was a grand hall, which was brightly lit by countless candles, as bright as day.

But within this bright light sat countless drunken generals and a haphazard feast of delicacies.

A dancer dressed in a red veil swayed seductively in the center of them, her slender waist exposed and her white skin gleaming. The silver bells on her wrists jingled softly with her movements, making her more alluring than a fairy.

Wutong had never seen any of these people before, so she quickly glanced at them and focused her attention on the top of the main hall.

There was a throne that appeared to be made of pure gold, radiating a dazzling light. The throne was covered with countless precious animal hides, and sitting in the middle of those hides was a mountain-like body—who else could it be but Meng Baobao?

Meng Baobao drank heartily from the wine jug, not caring that the wine dripped down his chin onto the carpeted floor. Not far in front of him stood a thin figure, none other than Yinling.

Wutong only knew that Yinling was beautiful before, but after comparing her with those dancers, she realized that she was not only beautiful, but also had an outstanding temperament, as pure as a magnolia.

When faced with the beast-like Meng Baobao, she was afraid; even the petals trembled, but she never bowed her head.

Meng Baobao finished a pot of wine, but she still didn't answer. Finally, he lost his patience and slammed his hand on the table.

The dancers were so frightened that they stopped dancing, and the soldiers also came to their senses and dared not remain in a daze any longer.

Through the crowd, Meng Baobao's strong voice reached Wutong's ears.

"Aren't you going to jump? Do I have to send someone to grab your hand and make you jump?"

Silver Bell glared at him resentfully, her anger blazing: "I am a princess of the dynasty, how can I dance for such lowly people as you? Don't push your luck!"

Wutong could understand her painful feelings at this moment, but she also knew very well that her words were undoubtedly pushing her to the brink of despair.

Sure enough, Meng Baobao sneered, waved his hand, and the empty wine jar wobbled and rolled off the table, down the steps, and shattered at the dancer's feet.

"Hmph! There's a saying in the Central Plains: 'If you don't listen to a polite toast, you'll have to drink a penalty shot.' I think that applies perfectly to you!"

Silver Bell stiffened her neck, tears welling in her eyes but refusing to fall, and said in a firm voice, "If you want to force me, you might as well just kill me. I will absolutely not dance this kind of vulgar dance!"

"Kill you? No, no, such a beautiful face, it would be too much of a waste to kill you..."

Meng Baobao stood up, walked down step by step, and stopped in front of Yinling.

He extended a thick finger and poked Silverbell's lips.

Yinling turned around in disgust and slapped him away. But before she could retract her hand, Meng Baobao swiftly grabbed her waist, pulled her tightly into his arms, and forced a kiss on her lips.

"Ho! The King is mighty!"

The military officers realized what was happening and cheered loudly.

Silver Bell struggled incessantly, raising her legs and kicking them while suspended in the air.

But Meng wouldn't let go; not only did she not let go, she kissed him harder and harder.

Yinling's struggles were nothing to him; he held her more easily than a colt.

With a loud "smack," Meng Baobao finally released her lips, licked her lips triumphantly in front of everyone, and said, "Sweet! Women from the Central Plains are just the best!"

Silver Bell was both ashamed and angry. She had never endured such humiliation before, and she couldn't bear it any longer, so she slapped him.

Meng Baobao's smile froze on her face, and she stood motionless like a statue.

Silver Bell belatedly felt frightened and withdrew her hand: "I...I didn't mean to...Let go of me..."

"Let you go? Don't even think about it!"

Meng Baobao looked at her with a ferocious expression and reached out to touch her chest. Yinling naturally struggled desperately, constantly trying to block him with her hands.

End of this chapter