Chapter 964: Revealing the Cause of Trouble (1)

For some unknown reason, Yan Junyu came out alone this time, not even bringing along his personal attendant, Guan Yu. Over the past few days, this little lord—once accustomed to having everything handed to him—had managed to take care of himself without needing anyone to attend to him.

Young Master Yan is deeply fascinated by the Mo family’s orchard, medicinal garden, rice fields, and even Liuyang Village and Yuhua Mountain. Every day, aside from eating and sleeping, he spends his time wandering among these places, or sneaking off to the school when he gets the chance to tell the children eerie ghost stories to scare them—finding no boredom in it at all.

That day, after having breakfast, Yan Junyu, as usual, called out to Xiaohua, ordering it to take him on an adventure into the mountains. At this time of year, the mountains yield plenty of good finds—not just game, but also some rare wild fruits and precious green plants that could delight him for hours.

“Young Master, are you heading into the mountains again?” Da Ni-er asked, carrying a bamboo dustpan, as she happened to meet Yan Junyu just as he was about to set out. A trace of shyness appeared on her face, and her eyes shone a bit brighter than usual.

Ever since Tietou and Liu Qingqing got engaged, Da Ni-er—who was no longer young—had her marriage arranged by Wu shi. Wu shi had introduced Da Ni-er to three matchmakers in succession, and now, given her age, it was deemed inappropriate for her to be in the public eye. After consulting with Mo Yan, she even hired a woman to assist her.

Since the Wu family had not bought any land, Da Ni-er stayed at home to look after her younger siblings, doing housework and even picking up needlework once again. She would occasionally visit the Mo family to seek advice from Li Xiu, and lately her visits had become especially frequent, often coinciding with encounters with Yan Junyu.

“Mm, good morning, Miss Wu.” Yan Junyu, unaware of the girl's odd mood, courteously greeted her on behalf of Mo Yan.

That simple greeting caused a faint blush to quietly appear on Da Ni-er's face, adding a touch of charm to her otherwise ordinary complexion. “There are plenty of snakes, insects, rats, and ants in the mountains—some of which are poisonous. Young Master, please be careful not to let them bite you.”

Upon hearing her, Yan Junyu instinctively reached for the object hanging from his waist, his expression softening considerably. “Thank you, Miss Wu, for the reminder. With this fragrant sachet, those creatures wouldn’t dare come near me.”

Da Ni-er did not miss the man's small gesture, and an unbearable sourness suddenly welled up inside her as she self-mockingly said, “It’s just that this little girl is meddling too much.”

Yan Junyu gave Da Ni-er a puzzled look, not understanding why she was suddenly displaying such an emotion.

However, he had only met Da Ni-er a few times and was unlikely to interact with her much in the future. He didn't have the leisure to ponder over the feelings of an insignificant woman. So, he nodded at her, pinched the ears of the ever-alert Xiaohua to urge it, and said, “It's getting late; come along with me into the mountains.”

Xiaohua impatiently shook its head, breaking free from Yan Junyu's grasp. Immediately, with a long howl, it took off at a gallop toward the back of the mountain.

“Xiaohua, slow down a bit; you’re leaving me behind!” Yan Junyu, carrying his heavy bow and arrows on his back, shouted breathlessly as he chased after it. In no time, the man and his beast vanished into the dense jungle.

Da Ni-er quietly watched as the man's imposing figure disappeared, until not a trace of sound could be heard, and the starlight in her eyes gradually dimmed.

At that moment, Mo Yan opened the door and stepped out. Seeing Da Ni-er standing with her back turned at the doorway, she asked in confusion, “Sister Da Ni-er, why aren’t you coming inside?”

As if awakened from a dream, Da Ni-er quickly turned around, handing the bamboo dustpan to Mo Yan and said, “My mother fried some scorched leaves last night, so I brought some over for you all to taste. It just so happens that I don't need to come inside then.”

Da Ni-er's smile was too forced, and Mo Yan could tell immediately. Taking the bamboo dustpan, she asked with concern, “Sister Da Ni-er, do you have something on your mind?”

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 963: The School Opens and Another Freeloader Arrives (4)

No one else fared much better, especially Cui Ping’an, who—under Xin’er’s deadly glare—simply poured soy sauce over three bowls of white rice and ate them all. While everyone admired his courage, they silently mourned for his stomach. His intestines were probably dyed the color of soy sauce by now.

With only a few dishes on the table, Mo Yan forced herself to eat a single bowl of rice, then hurried back to her courtyard. She slipped into her space and chugged three full cups of spiritual spring water before her stomach finally started to feel better.

After chatting idly with Xue Tuanzi for a bit and feeling her stomach had settled, she exited the space and lay down for a half-hour nap. Not long after she got up, Xin’er came over and told her Yan Junyu had arrived.

Mo Yan was a bit puzzled. The fruits in the orchard weren’t ripe yet, and the rice in the paddies wouldn’t be ready until next month. She couldn’t think of any reason why Yan Junyu would show up at a time like this.

But after meeting him and hearing him vent a stomach full of complaints, she finally understood—he was here for comfort.

“In the eyes of elders, it's perfectly normal for a man to marry and a woman to wed when the time comes. Since Young Lord Yan has long reached the age for marriage and starting a family, how could your grandfather not urge you?” Mo Yan was speechless after hearing the whole story.

In most households, if a man was being pushed to marry or set up on blind dates, he’d at least feel some mix of excitement and nerves. But this guy? He acted like the idea was worse than snakes and scorpions. He’d even argued with his grandfather over it and stormed out of the house in a huff!

Yan Junyu stared deeply at Mo Yan and said in a melancholy tone, “If I marry, it must be a woman I truly like. Not just any random ‘cat or dog’ can become my wife, the future mistress of the Duke of Wu’an’s household.”

Cat or dog? Mo Yan silently rolled her eyes and muttered, “Even if you wanted to marry a cat or dog, don’t you think the cat or dog should be willing, too?”

Yan Junyu snapped open his jade-ribbed fan with a snap, swept back the hair hanging by his ear, and said smugly, “I’m more handsome than Pan An, graceful as a jade tree in the wind. I’ve got wealth and status. I do the choosing—who would dare reject me?”

Mo Yan couldn’t be bothered to argue with this kind of nonsense. She asked directly, “You didn’t come all the way here just to tell me this, did you?”

“Of course not!” Yan Junyu waved his fan righteously. “I don’t want to go home and listen to the old man nagging me. I’m staying at your place for a while to clear my head. As the host, you’re responsible for looking after me.”

“No way,” Mo Yan refused without hesitation. “My father’s not home. It’s not appropriate for a grown man like you to stay here.”

Well, that was only part of it. More importantly, if someone found out she’d blatantly taken in another man, the vinegar jar would definitely tip over.

Yan Junyu frowned. “There’s already a man staying at your place. Why can’t I?”

Mo Yan hadn’t expected he’d even looked into that. She deliberately made things difficult. “He’s a hired laborer. He works during the day, eats here, and sleeps in the mill at night. If Young Lord Yan is willing to lower yourself and sleep in the mill, chop wood and carry water during the day, then I suppose you can stay.”

Of course, Yan Junyu knew Mo Yan was trying to drive him away. He’d originally thought to pressure her with his status, but remembering that she was a County Princess, he had to abandon the idea. Instead, he tried to appeal to sentiment. “You’ve really become shrewd. We’ve known each other for years—can you really bring yourself to make me sleep in a mill and do hard labor?”

Mo Yan waved him off with a totally unbothered expression. “You’re not some delicate little wife. Why wouldn’t I be okay with it? You have two choices—leave, or work and stay in the mill. There’s no third option.”

Seeing how serious she was, with no room for negotiation, Yan Junyu was so frustrated he ground his teeth. “Fine! I’ll sleep in the mill—but don’t expect me to do your chores!”

Mo Yan was surprised he actually agreed. For a moment, she couldn’t find another excuse to refuse, so she reluctantly gave in. “Whatever makes you happy.”

Yan Junyu felt a flicker of triumph, but it faded fast. The idea of a noble young lord like him living in a shabby mill didn’t feel all that victorious. But what could he do? He was being willful and just had to come here.

The Mo family’s mill was spacious, but the only vacant room was the one Cui Ping’an stayed in. Yan Junyu flatly refused to share, so Mo Yan had to clean out one of the rooms behind the schoolhouse—originally prepared for the instructors—and let him stay there.

These rooms were better than the mill in layout, though a bit cramped. Still, they were perfectly livable. Yan Junyu had grown up in the Marquis of Wu’an’s estate, used to the finest food and lodging, so naturally this was beneath him. But with six fierce beasts eyeing him like prey, there was no way he dared sneak around Mo Yan’s courtyard at night.

And so, Yan Junyu ended up living behind the schoolhouse. On the day classes officially started, he even decided to play guest teacher and gave the kids a lesson.

Unfortunately, the way his mind worked was… unique. Even when he spoke the right moral principles, he somehow managed to twist them into odd arguments—but they were still technically correct, which made it hard for anyone to call him out.

The two instructors were worried that the children might be too impressionable and actually be misled by him. From then on, they didn’t dare let him into the classroom while lessons were in session.

One day, on a whim, Yan Junyu wanted to experience the joy of teaching again—but no matter how hard he knocked, the tightly shut schoolhouse doors wouldn’t open. He realized then, dejectedly, that he was officially unwelcome.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 962: The School Opens and Another Freeloader Arrives (3)

Mo Yan hadn’t really wanted to take on the responsibility, but someone had to manage the schoolhouse’s day-to-day upkeep, so she agreed and handed the task over to Tang Xin.

Today was just registration—classes wouldn’t officially start until the day after tomorrow. After enrolling their children, the villagers gradually took them home. Mo Yan stayed behind to help the two instructors tidy things up when Li Xiu came over. After greeting the teachers, she turned to Mo Yan and said, “Xin’er’s cooking today. She told me to come get you so you can go back and give it a proper taste test.”

Mo Yan couldn’t help but laugh. “What dishes did she make? Hopefully she didn’t try to pass off cold tomatoes again.”

That girl had come home the other day after playing outside, clearly triggered by something, and suddenly declared she wanted to learn how to cook. Mo Yan didn’t believe girls had to learn to cook, but since the girl was interested, there was no reason to stop her, so she gave her two days of earnest instruction.

Who would’ve thought the girl would think she had mastered it already? Two nights ago, she insisted on cooking a full meal herself. The result? The rice was half-cooked, the stir-fried meat still had streaks of blood, and no one in the family had much of an appetite after that.

In the end, Xin’er had to make porridge with the undercooked rice and whipped up a plate of cold tomatoes so everyone could at least have something to eat.

Li Xiu clearly remembered that ordeal too and chuckled, her eyes crinkling. “She did better this time. The food’s all properly cooked. If not, I wouldn’t dare come calling you to try it.”

In the village, girls Xin’er’s age were already juggling housework and chores inside and out. Xin’er, however, mostly did embroidery and rarely helped with household tasks. Cooking was something learned through time and patience, and no one had the heart to discourage her.

With Li Xiu’s help, the four of them quickly packed everything up and moved it into the schoolhouse. Mo Yan had originally wanted to invite the two instructors home for dinner, but considering the food had been made by her inexperienced sister, she worried the teachers might end up with upset stomachs from a “culinary disaster.” She abandoned the idea and bid them farewell before returning home with Li Xiu.

As soon as she got back, Xin’er greeted her joyfully, carefully setting down four dishes and a soup on the table. She beamed and urged, “Sister, Aunt Li, hurry up and sit down! Try my cooking—I promise it won’t disappoint you this time!”

Mo Yan smiled and nodded, just about to praise her when Cui Ping’an couldn’t help but blurt out, “These dishes are so black they look like they were soaked in ink. Are you sure we won’t get sick from eating them?”

Xin’er’s cheerful face instantly darkened. “Hmph! If you don’t want to eat, then go cook for yourself!”

Rubbing his growling stomach, Cui Ping’an glanced again at the dark-colored dishes on the table. In the end, he didn’t dare say another word.

Mo Yan watched the scene unfold with a smile but said nothing. She picked up a piece of something unidentifiable, tasted it, and realized it was a slice of potato. The presentation might’ve been lacking, but hey, it was still a potato, right?

Under her sister’s hopeful gaze, Mo Yan gave a very forced compliment: “Not bad. It tastes quite good. With a bit more practice, I’m sure Xin’er will be able to cook meals that are truly fragrant, flavorful, and beautiful.”

Xin’er beamed at the praise, her eyes squinting with delight. She shot a smug look at Cui Ping’an and happily dug into her rice.

Well… the meat wasn’t exactly tender, the soy sauce in the potato chicken was a bit heavy, and the garlic stir-fried greens were salty—but at least everything was cooked. No one was going to get food poisoning.

With that comforting thought, Xin’er blinked away the sting in her eyes and scarfed down two full bowls of rice. Not because the dishes were particularly delicious, but because she didn’t have the courage to pick up a second bite from any of the dishes. So she filled herself up on the only success of the meal—well-cooked plain white rice—as a small consolation.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 961: The School Opens and Another Freeloader Arrives (2)

This sort of thing was nothing new to the two instructors—it was an unspoken custom of the profession. After thanking the villagers, they accepted the gifts. As for those who brought nothing or simply forgot, they didn’t show the slightest displeasure. It was, after all, a matter of personal choice, and forcing it would only make it awkward.

Seeing the teachers accept the gifts, the villagers actually felt relieved rather than regretful. After successfully enrolling their children, they happily sent them into the bright, spacious schoolhouse and headed home with smiles.

Mo Yan, who had been pulled in to help, fully understood the villagers’ mindset. In her past life, many parents would give teachers gifts during holidays in hopes that their children would receive a little extra attention. Originally, it wasn’t a big deal, but over time, the practice became corrupted—some teachers with poor morals began using it to line their own pockets, leading to scandals.

However, after spending a few days with these two teachers, Mo Yan had developed a basic understanding of their characters. They were very disciplined in maintaining their moral integrity and would never resort to exploiting students for money.

When it came time to recruit instructors, the village elders had unanimously agreed that a teacher’s character was the most important quality. If a teacher wasn't upright, how could they possibly raise good students?

Mo Yan noticed that close to a hundred children had come to register, most between the ages of six and ten. Very few were older than ten. She gave it some thought and quickly understood why.

Children over ten were already considered half a laborer—they could contribute to household income through farm work, so most families wouldn’t consider sending them to school.

Another reason was that most families simply couldn’t afford to send two children to school at the same time. Though the tuition wasn’t high—just 500 wen a year—the cost of brushes, ink, paper, and books was steep. Even a conservative estimate would put those yearly expenses at three to five taels of silver.

If two children attended school, the cost would be close to ten taels a year. For the many poor families in these villages, even saving five taels a year was difficult, let alone ten. That kind of money was an astronomical figure in their eyes.

Families of modest means would never dare send two children to study. Even sending one child likely required careful consideration and a difficult decision.

Parents weren’t naive—they knew that studying didn’t guarantee their child would become a xiucai or juren, let alone rise to the ranks of officials and bring glory to the family. Most just hoped their children would learn to read and write, and maybe get a job as a clerk in the city. That alone would spare them from a lifetime of backbreaking farm work.

Furthermore, many believed that having a scholar in the family brought a touch of refinement. Even if the son didn’t succeed, perhaps his presence would influence the grandchildren. Who knew—maybe, in time, a star of literature might rise from their household?

Both instructors were highly responsible. While Mo Yan handled the registration and fee collection, they chatted casually with the children. Though it appeared to be idle talk, a few simple questions were enough for them to grasp each child’s personality and thinking patterns. This gave them a foundation to teach each child in the most suitable way.

It took the three of them an entire morning to sort out the registrations. After tallying the numbers, they found a total of 123 children from several villages had enrolled, and all the tuition fees were paid—amounting to 61 taels and 5 qian of silver.

After covering the instructors’ pay, the remaining money would be enough to maintain the schoolhouse throughout the year.

When the registration day was first set, the village elders had unanimously requested that Mo Yan manage the tuition funds. First, because the Mo family didn’t lack money and wouldn’t be tempted to embezzle; second, because the Mo family had shouldered the bulk of the costs to build the schoolhouse—letting Mo Yan handle the money was something no one could object to.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 960: The School Opens and Another Freeloader Arrives (1)

Setting aside whatever storm the Zhao family might stir up after Zhao Fengnian “successfully” rescued Fan Meijiao, Mo Yan temporarily let go of the matter after assigning her two birds to keep an eye on the Zhao household. She turned her focus to other affairs.

On the morning of the sixth day of the seventh lunar month, a string of loud firecrackers echoed through the skies above Liuyang Village—the newly built school had officially opened its doors for student registration. This was not only a joyous occasion for Liuyang Village but also for several surrounding villages. All the villagers willing to let their children study set aside their farm work and brought their kids to the school bright and early to sign up.

At that moment, a long queue had already formed at the registration booth.

The two newly hired instructors were overwhelmed with the crowd, so they invited Mo Yan, who was literate and well-versed in writing, to help out.

“Junzhu, this should’ve been the task of Old Master Zeng and me, but we’ve troubled you instead. I, Surnamed Shan, sincerely thank you,” the instructor surnamed Shan said gratefully during a short break while drinking water.

Mo Yan, busy recording the names of children and collecting tuition fees, took a moment to stretch her sore wrists and smiled. “I’m happy to contribute to the school, Master Shan. No need to be so formal! The villagers just call me ‘Yan girl,’ so please call me that too. Calling me ‘Junzhu’ feels a bit awkward.”

“Haha, alright then. I’ll just call you ‘Yan girl’ from now on.” Master Shan, not a stuffy man by nature, saw she wasn’t being polite for the sake of it and readily agreed.

After exchanging a few more light words, Master Shan noticed the other instructor was struggling and quickly excused himself to help.

Watching both instructors patiently speaking to each child despite the intense summer heat without the slightest trace of impatience, Mo Yan nodded to herself, thinking that these two teachers were indeed the right choice.

Just a few days prior, the two instructors had moved into the small courtyards built behind the school specifically for them. One was surnamed Zeng, the other Shan.

Master Zeng was over sixty, with decades of experience in teaching and a particularly effective method of introducing children to their studies. Master Shan, just past his thirties, had failed the imperial exam last fall and remained in the capital city studying while also teaching nearby children. He was open-minded, humorous, and had a unique teaching style that made him well-liked by students.

Both were recruited through Mo Qingze’s effort. After touring Liuyang Village and finding themselves pleased with the environment, they agreed to stay. Learning that the school would provide free housing, they even brought their families with them.

Master Zeng had both a son and a daughter, who had already married and started families of their own. This time, he brought only his wife and a young grandson. Since classes hadn’t officially started, he’d been taking strolls around the village with them, and over a few days, he had grown even more fond of the lush scenery and the village’s honest folk.

Master Shan, not originally from the capital, had lost his wife to childbirth when she delivered their daughter. Over the years, for various reasons, he had never remarried and raised his daughter on his own. They had previously rented a place in the city, but everything there came with a price. Most of his annual stipend went into rent, and what little was left often went to buying books. Life was financially tight. Now that his daughter was twelve and only a few years away from marriage, he still hadn’t managed to prepare a proper dowry.

Though the salary the school offered wasn’t higher than what he earned in the city, the free housing and food were a great benefit. This meant he could finally start saving. Very satisfied with the arrangement, he decisively brought his daughter, Shan Zhen, along.

With villagers still lining up at the table, Mo Yan glanced up, then refocused on her task, accepting the registration fees and recording children’s names in the register.

To leave a good impression on the teachers, the villagers wore the best clothes they usually only brought out during the New Year. They had also dressed their children in new outfits. Many carried baskets of eggs, live chickens, or even heavy strips of pork—gifts intended for the two instructors.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 959: A Clean Sweep (4)

Hearing the two thugs’ voices fade into the distance, Fan Meijiao struggled to sit up. Her bound hands and feet kept writhing as she desperately tried to break free from the ropes.

She refused to be violated, refused to suffer in her uncle Zhao Fengnian’s stead. She had to save herself—she had to escape. She wanted to marry into the Mu family, to become their esteemed second wife who could command maids and servants, not be sold off to some impoverished, remote mountain village to be the wife of multiple men.

But the ropes were as thick as her thumb and tied so tightly that there was no way she could break them. The cellar was completely empty—there was nothing sharp she could use to cut herself free.

After nearly half an hour of struggling, her wrists and ankles were rubbed raw by the ropes, but they didn’t loosen in the slightest. Gasping for breath, her eyes beneath the blindfold were filled with despair and hatred...

News of the trouble in the Zhao family and Fan Meijiao’s situation quickly reached Mo Yan’s ears. She rewarded Lian’er, who brought her the news, with millet and wore a cold smile on her face.

Had she directly ordered those dozen bandits to sneak into the Zhao residence and ruin Fan Meijiao’s reputation, there was no guarantee they’d succeed. And even if they did, she risked exposure. With Fan Meijiao’s personality, things could easily spiral into mutual destruction—absolutely not worth the risk.

Fortunately, Mo Yan had learned of Zhao Fengnian’s past misdeeds and his suspicious nature. So, she took advantage of Fan Meijiao’s trip to the temple for prayer and gave the bandits a powder that could startle horses into madness. After causing a distraction and shaking off the Zhao family guards, the men kidnapped Fan Meijiao and were ordered to keep everything strictly confidential.

As expected, Zhao Fengnian and his mother panicked and imagined the worst on their own. This way, even if Fan Meijiao were eventually released, they wouldn’t suspect Mo Yan. With things progressing smoothly, her next plans could continue as scheduled.

Moreover, just as she anticipated, the Zhao family did everything they could to protect Fan Meijiao’s reputation—at least the Mu family believed them. As long as they kept up the act until Fan Meijiao was married into the Mu family, everything would be fine.

Given Fan Meijiao’s selfish nature, once she realized she’d suffered all this because of her beloved uncle, she would likely grow distant from the Zhao family. And without their backing, her days in the Mu family would certainly be miserable.

In short, everything Fan Meijiao had done to her, Mo Yan would return—bit by bit, double in full. Fan Meijiao would never have a peaceful day for the rest of her life.

“Yanyan, when do you plan to let that woman go?” Xue Tuanzi fluttered in front of Mo Yan, asking curiously.

After feeding the bird the last grain of millet, Mo Yan patted her hands as if dusting them off. “Not until I’ve tormented that hateful woman enough to vent the resentment in my heart.”

Xue Tuanzi rolled its eyes. That answer… was basically no answer at all.

“There’s definitely a difference!” Mo Yan pinched Xue Tuanzi’s snail-eye stalks, tying them into a knot and untying them again. “She dared to treat me like that—she should’ve been prepared for the consequences. As for the Zhao mother and son, they’re no good either. Let them stay in fear. Once Fan Meijiao marries that Second Master Mu, the real show is just beginning.”

“Tsk tsk, Yanyan, you’re really ruthless—but I like it, haha!” Xue Tuanzi shook its body, its snail eyes wobbling with glee, clearly in a good mood.

Ruthless? Mo Yan scoffed. What was her ruthlessness compared to that of the Zhao mother and son? They may not have killed anyone outright, but they enabled their relatives to harm the villagers, causing countless families to fall apart and lives to be destroyed. If she hadn’t known, that’d be one thing—but knowing now, how could she let them continue living in luxury, trampling on the tears and blood of the innocent?

Sensing Mo Yan’s thoughts, Xue Tuanzi’s eyes sparkled as it said, “Eradicating evil for the people builds up merit. There are a lot of bad folks in this world. Yanyan, go for it—I believe in you!”

Mo Yan shot it a glance, too lazy to argue with this bird who was always full of ideas. Eliminating evil still had to be within her means. If she provoked someone she couldn’t handle and they retaliated, she might be fine with her secret space—but what about her family?

Under Mo Yan’s subtle guidance, Fan Meijiao suffered greatly in the cellar. Although the men didn’t violate her physically, her body had been seen completely, even down to a small red mole in her most private place.

All this physical information would become key evidence later—used to ruin Fan Meijiao’s reputation in the Mu family and brand her as a promiscuous woman from which she’d never recover. Of course, to ensure she wasn’t cast out and still made it into the Mu family, Mo Yan would reveal at the right time that the Second Master of the Mu family was impotent.

That way, the couple would each hold something over the other—let them live their “loving” life together!

Three days passed in a flash. On Mo Yan’s orders, the people who kidnapped Fan Meijiao finally sent a message to the Zhao family, demanding Zhao Fengnian personally come to rescue his niece.

Zhao Fengnian was sure the culprits were targeting him—there was no way he’d risk his own life. But Fan Meijiao still needed to be saved. If word got out that he had abandoned her, the Zhao family’s reputation would take a hit.

So he had his guards disguise themselves and follow him in secret, while he took two attendants and went to the meeting point arranged by the “kidnappers,” preparing to catch them all in one go.

However, the “kidnappers” caught wind of his plan. In a panic, they fled—leaving Fan Meijiao behind. Thus, Fan Meijiao was successfully rescued. As for the kidnappers? Not a single one was caught!

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 1772: Good News from Meng Yunzheng

 Chapter 1771: Snowfall