The mistress has no feelings, why do you provoke her?

Upon hearing this, Song Wenjun felt her vision go black and she almost couldn't stand up.

Her face turned as white as a sheet, and her whole demeanor was off. Song Jinshu was shocked and quickly helped her up: "Little sister, what's wrong with you?"

"Brother, hurry, quickly take your men and bring your sister-in-law back."

"But what happened?"

Song Wenjun calmed down and finally composed herself: "There are bandits at Huguo Temple. My sister-in-law is in danger."

Song Jinshu's expression also changed. He said anxiously, "Okay, I'll take some men to chase after your sister-in-law right now. You wait here."

He turned to leave, but Song Wenjun, fearing further complications, hurriedly said, "Brother, I'll go with you."

Song Jinshu hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

Since Song Wenjun was able to deliver letters to him, she might know something. It wouldn't hurt to bring her along.

Song Jinshu immediately counted his twenty-odd followers and they followed him toward Huguo Temple.

Inside the carriage, Song Wenjun clasped her hands tightly together, praying incessantly that her sister-in-law and child would be alright, and asking the Bodhisattva for protection.

About three-quarters of an hour later, the carriage stopped, and Song Jinshu's anxious voice came from outside: "Sinan, Yulin, Yuwan..."

Si Nan is her sister-in-law's given name. Song Wenjun knew something was wrong as soon as she heard the voice.

She quickly got out of the car.

On the official road, a carriage stood quietly.

The people inside the carriage were nowhere to be seen; the carriage belonged to the Song family.

Song Jinshu was so anxious that he was at a loss. He ordered his attendants to search for people in all directions, while Song Wenjun stepped forward and carefully examined the surrounding terrain.

I discovered that this official road was lined with trees on both sides, and the ground was overgrown with weeds.

However, there was one spot where there were obvious signs of being trampled on.

She remembered there was a mountain nearby, and Song Wenjun guessed that her sister-in-law and child had probably been kidnapped by bandits and taken to the mountain.

“Brother, this way.” Song Wenjun pointed to the northwest and said, “There is a mountain there called Niutou Mountain. It’s not very high. The bandits must have kidnapped people there. The mountain road is rugged and uneven. They can’t have gone far with your wife and children.”

Song Jinshu's spirits were lifted by Song Wenjun's words. He summoned his attendants and said to them, "Chase them to the northwest. They can't have gone far. Whoever rescues the lady and child will be rewarded with ten taels of gold."

With such a generous reward, brave men would surely emerge; the followers' eyes lit up.

Ten taels of gold—that's an astronomical figure.

With high morale, everyone mounted their horses and rode off into the woods.

Song Wenjun wanted to go too, but Song Jinshu refused no matter what: "Your sister-in-law and child have already been arrested. If you are in danger as well, how can I live?"

"Brother, I'll be alright." Song Wenjun knew her brother was worried about her, but this wasn't the time to talk about that; finding her sister-in-law and child was the priority.

To dispel her elder brother's doubts, Song Wenjun, with tears in her eyes, said to him, "I know a small path that leads directly to the entrance to the mountain. If the bandits want to go up the mountain, that's the only way. If we intercept them at the entrance in advance, we can rescue Sister-in-law Neng."

Song Jinshu paused for a moment, then nodded.

Time is life, and he can no longer hesitate.

Song Jinshu mounted his horse and extended his hand to Song Wenjun, inviting her to ride with him.

Unexpectedly, Song Wenjun's swift mounting of her horse startled him.

Before he could react, he saw her gently spur the horse, straighten her back, and give a soft shout while pulling on the reins: "Giddy up!"

He had already taken the lead and galloped off, and Song Jinshu and his entourage hurriedly followed on horseback.

After running for about half an hour, Song Wenjun stopped at an intersection.

It was quiet all around; not a sound could be heard.

She said to the people behind her, "Everyone, lie in ambush and don't make a sound."

Seeing her resolute expression, Song Jinshu waved to the people behind her, signaling them to hide.

He and Song Wenjun hid under a bush, the night concealing their figures and blending them into the darkness.

Xiao Tao then deftly somersaulted and floated lightly up the tree.

He gripped a dagger tightly to his body, watching the area under the tree warily.

"Wenjun, are you sure this is the place?" Song Jinshu's forehead was covered in sweat. His wife and two children were three lives at stake; he really couldn't afford to gamble with them.

The anxious, long, and mournful cries of birds could be heard from not far away.

Song Wenjun gently shook her head at him, signaling him to keep quiet.

Then, faint sounds came from ahead.

Song Jinshu heard the sound of footsteps, which sounded like many people. He reached for the long sword at his waist, and his expression turned fierce.

Although he was a merchant, he had picked up some of the ways of the world over the years.

When it's time to be ruthless, he won't hesitate to show no mercy.

The sound grew closer, and one could faintly hear a man cursing: "Hurry up, or I'll chop you up. Damn, you're moving so slowly."

The dark clouds dispersed, and a crescent moon shone brightly in the sky.

The dark forest was gradually revealed, and Song Wenjun took in the scene within.

A dozen meters ahead, a woman was seen carrying a child in her arms and holding another child by the hand, staggering forward.

Behind the three of them were vicious bandits holding knives.

Song Wenjun counted them and was somewhat surprised to find that there were only five or six people.

Bandits usually come down the mountain in large groups, so how come there are only so few of them?

Could it be that they split into several teams?

But now is not the time to think about that; saving my sister-in-law and the child is the priority.

As the bandits drew closer, before Song Wenjun could give the order, Xiao Tao leaped down.

It drifted down like a falling leaf, without making a sound.

She landed directly behind the last bandit, and with a light slash of her dagger across his neck, he died instantly.

The sound of the body falling to the ground startled the people in front.

Xiao Tao deliberately drew the bandits' fire, shouting, "You ignorant fools!"

The bandits were shocked, never expecting that a little girl could kill one of them so easily.

But seeing that she had taken the horse alone, he immediately lost his fear.

"You bastard, how dare you kill my brother! I'll tear you to pieces!"

The bandits all rushed towards Xiaotao, but Xiaotao lured them away and fought with them.

Knowing that someone had come to rescue them, Min instinctively grabbed her two children and ran forward.

He hadn't run more than a few meters when he bumped into someone's arms.

"Ah..." Min screamed in fright. Yulin waved her little fists and punched the man hard: "You bad guy, I'll beat you to death for bullying my mother."

Song Jinshu hugged the mother and her two children tightly, tears streaming down his face: "Don't be afraid, I'm your father."

His large hands held Min Shi tightly. Min Shi opened her eyes in surprise and saw that the person who came was Song Jinshu. She couldn't help but cry out, "Husband, you've finally come. I thought I would never see you again."

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'm here." There are many men who don't easily shed tears, but that's only because they haven't reached the point of heartbreak.