When did these two become so in sync?

Jingrong and Shi Ziran’s sarcastic words truly made Zhao Huai’s face turn green.

He laughed stiffly. “I, Zhao Huai, never bother arguing with dogs.”

Calling Shi Ziran a dog.

Upon hearing this, how could that be tolerated?

Shi Ziran was already an impulsive person, but before he could lose his temper, Jingrong spoke.

“Didn’t the Chief say he would only release the people for ten thousand taels of gold?”

“You’re willing to give it?”

“I already said outside that as long as my people are safe and sound, I’ll give you what you want. Now you’ve shot your arrow and drunk your wine, so there’s no need to beat around the bush with me. Better to be straightforward and get to the point.”

“Good, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear.” Zhao Huai was forthright, but then his face turned fierce. “However, gold is gold, but you killed so many of my stronghold brothers. This debt won’t be settled so easily.”

Jingrong remained calm and unhurried. “Since I dared to come, naturally it’s also for this matter. Your people stopped my carriage to rob us. If we didn’t give them money, they would have taken our lives. Such conduct, if it occurred in the capital, would be a grave crime, possibly warranting the execution of one’s entire family.”

Smack—

Zhao Huai slammed the table.

“So you’re saying my brothers deserved to die?”

“If they hadn’t threatened lives, I wouldn’t have ordered their deaths.”

“But you didn’t lose a single soldier. Why do you say my people threatened your lives?” Zhao Huai demanded loudly, his face flushed red.

“That’s because your people were useless.”

Jingrong’s tone was neither salty nor bland, his princely airs practically reaching his eyebrows!

This infuriated Zhao Huai so much that both his cheeks puffed up.

Clenching his fists, the muscles in his arms bulged as his narrow phoenix eyes stared at Jingrong.

“Since I, Zhao Huai, was born, I’ve never feared anyone. Kill my people and you must pay with your life. However, I’m not someone who kills without batting an eye. This matter has nothing to do with that young scholar and the fool. You can exchange their lives with gold, and I’ll release them without making things difficult. As for you killing my brothers, we’ll settle that separately. Whether you can leave here alive will depend on your fortune.”

“Good.” Jingrong finalized it. “Then the ten thousand taels of gold—I’ve already had people prepare it. It’s at the foot of the mountain. Just send someone to retrieve it.”

“Already prepared?” Zhao Huai was puzzled. “You already knew I’d make you exchange gold for them?”

“You captured people but didn’t kill them. You could have killed me in the forest, but you didn’t. And as a bandit, isn’t it all for money?”

Exactly right!

Otherwise, what was he robbing for?

Zhao Huai narrowed his eyes. After a moment of suspicion, he waved his hand and had two subordinates go down the mountain to investigate.

And he said, “As long as it’s real, I’ll release them immediately. But if it’s fake, this place will be your burial ground. Don’t think that just because you’re a prince, I, Zhao Huai, fear you.”

So impressive.

Jingrong’s fingers shifted slightly. “Since I’ve brought the gold, shouldn’t I also see the people to confirm they’re safe?”

“I don’t think you can pull any tricks anyway.”

So Zhao Huai ordered people to bring Ji Yinshu and Wei Yi over.

When Ji Yinshu entered and saw that the person who had stormed the stronghold was indeed Jingrong, that fellow was sitting there leisurely as if visiting relatives.

Her brows furrowed, but worry rose in her heart.

When their eyes met, Jingrong nodded slightly at her.

With some deeper meaning!

Zhao Huai had people release Ji Yinshu and Wei Yi, saying, “I’ve brought the people to you. They are indeed safe and sound. As long as your gold has no problems, they can leave.”

The bandits’ hands loosened, pushing the two toward Jingrong’s direction.

Jingrong stood up and caught Ji Yinshu.

When those slender, cold hands grasped his palm, his heart ached.

He should have come sooner!

This woman must have suffered quite a bit.

Yet—

Jingrong raised his voice again, “It seems this High Mountain Stronghold is quite a good place. You’ve actually fattened up my people nicely.”

Said for Zhao Huai to hear!

Zhao Huai only said, “Good feng shui.”

And said nothing more.

But Ji Yinshu secretly thought, am I a pig?

“Fattened up nicely!”

“You shouldn’t have come in.” She kept her voice very low.

Jingrong also lowered his voice. “If I hadn’t come, were you planning to become a stronghold lady and bear children here?”

“…”

A moment later, his lips curved with wicked charm. “You are this Prince’s person, also my wife. A small lotus pond is not where you should stay, so this Prince had to come personally to prevent your heart from being stolen by others.”

She really couldn’t be sure whether Jingrong had come to rescue her or simply to look at her and tease her.

Ji Yinshu said nothing, just took a breath and changed the subject. “High Mountain Stronghold is surrounded by traps outside. Now that you’ve come in, isn’t that like entering a tiger’s den?”

“You seem to… underestimate this Prince too much. Precisely because there are traps everywhere outside, there’s nothing inside. The only way to break through is to come in. Only by coming in can I find a way to rescue you. When the time comes, you and Wei Yi will leave first. I have my own methods to follow right after, at least without you being in the way here.”

Ji Yinshu remained silent.

Jingrong slowly leaned close to her ear and continued, “I’ve already arranged everything. As long as nothing goes wrong, there won’t be any problems.”

“What do you mean?”

“The gold being sent is at the foot of the mountain, and the gold has been coated with a small amount of sulfur powder. After they carry the gold in, they’ll send you away. By then, a full twenty chests of gold will give them plenty to deal with.”

“You…”

“I know what you’re worried about. Rest assured, I won’t take their lives.”

Jingrong saw through Ji Yinshu’s concerns!

Others didn’t hear the whispered conversation between the two.

Wei Yi beside them jumped happily.

“Brother Jingrong, you’ve finally come to rescue us! I don’t want to stay here anymore. This place stinks!”

“…”

“I want to sleep in a bed, not on grass anymore.”

“…”

“Also, the people here are all bad. They always bully us. Brother Jingrong, you have to help me get revenge.”

Wei Yi’s little eyes blazed with flames.

Finally, Ji Yinshu raised her hand to cover his mouth.

Chattering away, completely not matching the tense atmosphere!

Zhao Huai glanced at them but paid no attention, his mind full of thoughts about the gold.

But after a long while, no one came to report.

So he ordered several more people out.

But after waiting for some time, there was still no news.

He slammed the table and stood up. “Someone go down the mountain and see what happened! Why is there still no news?”

Just as he gave the order—

Someone rushed in urgently from outside and knelt on the ground. “Chief, this is bad! All the people sent down the mountain are dead.”

Dead!

“What did you say?”

Zhao Huai thought he had heard wrong.

The person pointed directly at Jingrong and the others. “It’s them! Their people killed ours.”

Jingrong and Ji Yinshu looked at each other.

Confused!

“What happened?” Ji Yinshu asked him.

Jingrong shook his head.