A Good Country Wife-Chapter 687 - 680_1

"These people are indeed not the bandits from Longhu Mountain, they are just pretending to be them, thinking they can deceive me. I don’t know what their true purpose is, whether they are truly after money or if they have other motives?"

"So, it is." When the managers heard Lin Yue’s confident response, although they were curious about how the lady knew those people were not the actual bandits from Longhu Mountain but impostors, they also understood that some matters were not for them to inquire about.

If we cannot identify who these impostors posing as bandits from Longhu Mountain are, it will be impossible to track down Dalang and the others. Then, we can only go along with what these people want and personally deliver the silver. At this moment, Lin Yue’s greatest concern is not her own safety, but whether these people will keep their word and release Dalang and his brothers back to us.

"Manager Liu, you take a few managers with you and spread out across the city to gather information. Don’t miss anything out of the ordinary. See if you can find out where those people are. Since they have come here, they must have a place to stay. Also, keep an eye on the Government Office. Not just Ceng Lu, but also a few people under him—have someone watch them closely to see if we can find out anything."

Though worried, Lin Yue showed no signs of panic as she made arrangements. She did not let her guard down regarding Ceng Lu. Although Liu Aniu had made it clear that Ceng Lu was not involved, Lin Yue still trusted her instincts, just in case they missed out on any information, which would be regretted later. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

After dispatching the servants to gather information, Lin Yue also sent a letter to Jimin Hall, asking the shopkeeper to help keep an eye out. Lin Yue herself was also preparing. The kidnappers posing as bandits from Longhu Mountain had set a time in the letter; the exchange was to take place tomorrow evening, money in exchange for people. Time was running out. If Manager Liu and the others could not find Dalang’s whereabouts, Lin Yue would not hesitate to jump into the trap for the sake of Dalang and his brothers, even knowing full well that it was a trap.

As time drew nearer, neither Liu Aniu nor Jimin Hall had any news to report back, and Lin Yue’s heart sank deeper. The fact that several young masters were abducted could not be concealed, and panic began to spread throughout the entire household, especially among those who served Lin Yue, who all wore looks of worry on their faces.

It was already noon on the second day, and Manager Liu and his team hadn’t discovered any information about Dalang and his brothers, nor had Jimin Hall found any useful news. The shopkeeper speculated that the impostors might be locals of Xin’an City, very familiar with the city, which is why they could hide so well, rendering the citywide search fruitless in uncovering any leads.

"Madam, you mustn’t go. The young masters have been abducted, and we still don’t know the circumstances. Those people clearly have malicious intentions—why else would they specifically demand that you personally go? You might walk right into their trap if you go. The master hasn’t returned yet, and you are the only head of the household. We cannot afford another mishap!" Madam Xu pleaded earnestly, desperate to stop Lin Yue. To any observant person, it was clearly a trap, potentially a ploy to lure the lady there.

"Yes, Madam, we don’t know the details about those people; we cannot allow you to take the risk yourself. Rather than you going, let your subordinates take this trip for you. If their goal is really the silver, they will surely release the captives once they get the money. If they have designs on you, then you most certainly cannot make the trip, as it could play right into their scheme," Liu Aniu also advised. He wasn’t unconcerned about the safety of the young masters; it was just that in the absence of the master, the household relied on Madam to hold things together. If anything happened to her, the household would be thrown into chaos. Who knows what the kidnappers had in mind?

"There’s no use in trying to dissuade me, my mind is made up. It’s been over two years, almost three, since I married your master, and I have always kept the children by my side. They are sensible and filial. After such a long time together, I have come to regard them as my very own. If my children are in trouble, how can I, as their mother, ignore their plight for the sake of my own safety? The kidnappers have made it clear; they want me to go in person. If they become annoyed and turn hostile because I failed to meet this demand, harming the children, I would never be at peace for the rest of my life."

"Madam!" Madam Xu’s eyes brimmed with tears. Lin Yue’s words left her at a loss, with no ground left to argue—who could stop a mother from saving her own children?

"Madam Xu, we still don’t know what the situation will be like when I get there, nor do we know if the kidnappers will keep their promise. You must take care of the house and prevent any evil spirits from seizing the opportunity to wreak havoc. You have managed this well in the past, and I believe you can continue to do so this time."

"Madam..." Madam Xu choked up as she wiped her tears, managing to utter only those two words.

Lin Yue patted Madam Xu’s hand reassuringly and then took out a letter, "Madam Xu, if I do not return from this trip, send this letter to the master as quickly as possible. Once he learns of the household situation, he will surely hurry back to take charge. However, it might not be necessary. Considering the timeline, the master might have already finished the Emperor’s task and be on his return journey."

Realizing the matter was irrevocable, Madam Xu could only do her utmost, carefully storing away the letter after wiping away her tears, "Rest assured, Madam, no matter what, I will keep everything at home in order and prevent anyone from seizing the opportunity. You go without worries, I will wait for your safe return. You’re such a kind-hearted person, Madam, I’m sure the heavens will protect you."

Lin Yue nodded appreciatively and then went to her bedroom to retrieve a bundle. She unfolded the bundle and began securing its contents close to her body, one by one. These were all items she had prepared with care the previous day. If today’s rescue did not go smoothly and she fell into their trap, these items might provide her with some extra security.

Once she was prepared, Lin Yue felt somewhat relieved. She just had to wait for the designated time when someone would send over the address for the meeting. The note left behind didn’t include the address, which Lin Yue figured was to prevent revealing their location or giving her side any chance to prepare in advance—they couldn’t have forgotten to write it by such a blunder.

As Lin Yue had predicted, it wasn’t long before someone delivered a piece of paper with the meeting address to their doorstep, instructing Lin Yue to bring the silver. Including the coachman, she was allowed to bring no more than two people, a concession made only because they accounted for Lin Yue being a frail woman incapable of moving the silver alone.

Lin Yue held the note in her hand, and soon after, Liu Aniu arrived with a young beggar in tow.