Chapter 130

Chapter 130

A savory aroma wafted from the usually stingy Zhu Auntie's home today.Nnew n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

She was beaming, greeting everyone with a cheerful countenance.

"Zhu Auntie, have you struck it rich? Why are you so delighted today?"

The villagers' curiosity was instantly piqued, and someone boldly approached to inquire.

"Hmph." To their surprise, Zhu Auntie didn't offer an explanation. Instead, she let out a contented "hmph" before waddling away with her plump waist swaying.

She wouldn't divulge the source of her newfound wealth to the entire village.

That would invite misfortune; she wouldn't breathe a word.

However, she felt incredibly gratified thinking about it—earning a few silver taels just by answering a question. This was a fortune she could relish for a lifetime!

Recalling the visitor who came from the Gu Family Second Son's workshop earlier, inquiring about her, Zhu Auntie couldn't help but think the person was foolish.

She had held up three fingers, requesting thirty copper coins, but the person foolishly handed her three taels of silver instead!

It was a windfall, a stroke of luck, and she was overjoyed!

For a question known to the entire village, she had unexpectedly profited, doubling her delight!

As she walked, she noticed an approaching carriage and decided to flag it down.

"From the Gu Family's workshop."

Upon drawing back the curtain and seeing the village's notorious Zhu Auntie, Luo Ge visibly paused.

However, recalling that Zhu Auntie had been among those who helped locate the missing iron eggs, she pondered for a moment before instructing Dong to halt the carriage.

"Auntie, what brings you here?"

Eyeing Luo Ge's carriage and the two delicate, fair-skinned children, Zhu Auntie pursed her lips.

"Nothing much, just letting you know that someone from the town came to the village today, inquiring about your workshop and the head shopkeeper of the Fuxin Shop."

The visitor had asked her whose workshop it was and whether the Fuxin Shop shopkeeper procured goods here.

She didn't see any harm in sharing that information, so she told them, earning three taels of silver! Why wouldn't she take it?

But since she profited from them, she figured she should inform them as well.

Otherwise, the old man might scold her if he found out.

Of course, this also ensured that Gu Jinchen could focus on his duties without distractions.

Witnessing this situation, Luo Ge couldn't help but feel concerned.

"The Second Son is a capable man. Don't worry, Sister." Noticing Luo Ge's expression, Wang Sister-In-Law understood her apprehension and tried to reassure her, not wanting her to fret excessively given her condition.

Luo Ge nodded and smiled at Wang Sister-In-Law. "I understand, Sister-In-Law. Don't worry about me."

......On Gu Jinchen's side...

The previous night, while rescuing the children, they had also apprehended several of the bandits' accomplices.

After a night of intense interrogation and torture, they had obtained valuable leads from these bandits.

Following the leads, they had trekked a long way, eventually arriving at this remote village.

Had they not witnessed it with their own eyes, they would never have imagined such a place existed deep within these mountains.

The entire village resembled a heavily fortified military stronghold, with stringent defenses surrounding it.

From their current vantage point on the mountain ridge, they could observe the eerie scene within the village.

In the center was a large sacrificial altar, where bound children were thrown onto the altar, surrounded by a massive wooden pyre.

Strangely dressed individuals in white robes were dancing and chanting, occasionally tossing alcohol onto the flames to intensify the blaze.

Cries of terrified children echoed from the village houses, causing the group of hardened men to clench their fists.

As the white-robed figures continued their peculiar dance and chanting in an unfamiliar language, more and more children were brought out from the village and bound on the sacrificial altar, with the massive pyre already prepared in the center.

"Your Highness."

Witnessing this scene, the men realized what was happening—this group seemed to be preparing to conduct some sacrificial ritual ahead of schedule!

Noticing this, they all turned to look at the Prince of Nanyang, who had been crouching alongside them.

The Prince of Nanyang, in turn, glanced at Gu Jinchen and lowered his voice.

"Jinchen, are you and your men prepared?"

"Your Highness, rest assured." Gu Jinchen nodded, and alongside Hu Jun and his troops, they stealthily made their way down.

Taking advantage of the night shadows, ghostly figures silently infiltrated the ranks of the patrolling bandits below.

A blade sliced across a thief's throat, muffling any sound, as he crumpled limply to the ground.