"Brother Sun, look, a carriage is coming!"
In the forest, Sun He and Zhang Lu, along with others, were skinning a big black dog they had stolen from somewhere, when they saw a carriage slowly entering the forest.
Someone stood up and said, "Look at that carriage, though it’s not imposing, it’s not ordinary. Lately, we’ve been tight on money. Brother Sun, should we stop and get some liquor money?"
They had been unable to roam for food and drink due to the rain in the past few days. Finally, when the rain stopped, they got a big black dog from the neighboring village, ready to stew it and have a few drinks.
Sun He spat out the grass held by his mouth and then waved his sleeve, saying, "Let’s pause for now, prepare a bit, and get some money to buy some good liquor."
The others excitedly pulled out their daggers, crouched in the grass beside the road, ready to ambush the carriage as soon as it arrived.
The coachman, with a cold gaze, and Shen Qinglan inside the carriage also couldn’t help but become alert.
Shen Qinglan said to Shen Shan, "Father, come inside, and I’ll go outside."
Shen Shan refused without understanding, "No need, it’s very cold outside. Just stay inside."
"I want to get some fresh air," Shen Qinglan said.
Shen Shan hesitated for a moment before compromising, "If you feel cold, just tell me."
Shen Qinglan stood up, lifted the curtain, and Shen Shan supported the carriage side as they switched positions.
Shen Qinglan put on her cloak’s hood, her gaze icy as she stared ahead.
As the carriage reached deeper inside, a group of people suddenly rushed out.
A group, holding daggers, charged out and blocked the carriage’s path.
The coachman had to stop, his gaze coldly sweeping over the group.
Someone ignored the coachman’s cold demeanor, "If you know what’s good for you, hand over the money, or don’t blame us for being rude!"
Shen Qinglan initially thought it was some skilled fighters lying in ambush, but after seeing who they were, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Qinglan, what’s happening?" Shen Shan asked nervously.
Shen Qinglan whispered, "Father, don’t come out, it’s just a small matter. I’ll handle it."
Shen Qingju and Shen Qingzhu tried to lift the curtain but were stopped by Shen Qinglan.
"Stay seated in the carriage, don’t move. I can handle it."
The two listened, released their hands, and obediently sat back.
Shen Qinglan jumped off the carriage.
The coachman looked at her with some concern.
She waved a hand, walking step by step toward Sun He and the others.
Due to the cloak’s low brim, Sun He and the others didn’t recognize her at first.
When she approached and lifted her hood, Sun He and the others reflexively took a few steps back.
"What? Weren’t you going to rob?"
Shen Qinglan raised her eyes, looking at them with a half-smile.
Sun He was very disheartened.
"Don’t come over here," someone raised a dagger and said, "We have knives, you see!"
"Why?" Shen Qinglan raised her gaze to Sun He and said coldly, "Going to continue the robbery?"
Seeing her, Sun He only felt a pain in his ribs.
He spat on the ground and motioned to the others, "Let’s go."
The others heard this, feeling both afraid and unwilling, but retreated.
Shen Qinglan watched them put away their weapons and walk into the forest, then put her hood back on and turned to return to the carriage.
The coachman gave her a surprised glance but said nothing.
Shen Qingzhu lifted the curtain and said, "Sister, I just seemed to hear Zhang Lu’s voice."
"Was it Sun He?" Shen Shan asked nervously.
"Yes." Shen Qinglan said, "Don’t worry, they’ve already left."
Dong Yao lightly patted her chest, exhaling, "These scoundrels only know how to do shady things."