Chapter 370: Fainted

 Chapter 369: Desiring Rewards

Chapter 368: Resorting to Violence After being interrupted by Hu Li, the Yuan family fell silent and dared not speak. But in the next moment, they realized the meaning behind Hu Li's words and became ecstatic. "Sir, does that mean we can leave? Can we go home? Are we really safe now?" they asked eagerly. Hu Li sneered, "Yes, you're free to go." With that, he took the key and unlocked the door to release Lu Sixing. Once she stepped out, he leisurely walked over to the Yuan family's cell. With the anxious gazes of the Yuan family upon him, he opened their cell door. As soon as the Yuan family stepped out, they shouted in excitement. However, the next moment, they all rushed toward Yuan Shanchuan and began to attack him without hesitation. "You worthless scoundrel! It's all because of you that we suffered. You unfilial son! Your parents have always lived a decent life in the village, and this is the first time we've been thrown into a jail cell. You've brought shame upon us." "Just you wait, once we get back home, we'll sever all ties with you. We don't want you to drag us down again." "That's right, Fourth Brother, you've caused us so much pain. I think it's best if we cut off all contact in the future, so people won't think we're involved in your misdeeds." Yuan Shanchuan's parents and brothers hated him to the core. They didn't hold back, beating him mercilessly, both inside and outside the house. Da Niu anxiously wanted to intervene, but he was stopped by Shu Yu. She turned around, surprised, and said, "Fourth Uncle isn't fighting back." Yuan Shanchuan felt guilty toward his parents and brothers, so he allowed them to vent their anger on him. But Lu Sixing couldn't just stand by and watch her frail husband getting hurt. She stepped forward to protect him, but the Yuan family members paid no attention to her. In fact, their anger toward her was even greater, and they shifted their focus onto her, tearing at her and attacking her with hatred. Shu Yu immediately stepped forward and pushed Yuan Shanchuan's mother, who was trying to scratch Lu Sixing's face, to the side. Then, she firmly grabbed Yuan Shanchuan's father's wrist as he desperately pulled at Lu Sixing's hair. She shielded Lu Sixing behind her and coldly stared at them. "I dare you to touch my aunt." She could tolerate the Yuan family members attacking Yuan Shanchuan because, in the end, it was his responsibility for their current situation. But what had Lu Sixing done wrong? She was a victim as well. Last time, she had already suffered from the attacks and injuries inflicted by old lady Yuan and the others, and even Xiao Zhen's head was bleeding from being hit. Now they wanted to attack her again in her presence? They were dreaming. Yuan Shanchuan also regained his senses. His head was spinning; he hadn't been able to rest properly for the past few days, and he had been beaten by the black market thugs. Now, his family members were treating him as if he were their enemy, wanting to kill him. Yuan Shanchuan almost couldn't bear it anymore. Fortunately, Da Niu and Lu Sixing quickly supported him. Yuan Shanchuan took a deep breath and said to his parents, "Father, mother, it's fine if you want to hit me, but Lu Sixing is innocent. Don't lay a hand on her." "Spit! How is she innocent? She's a jinx, both you and your wife are troublemakers." Hu Li's face turned sour, unable to bear it any longer. "Have you had enough of this? Do you know where you are? If you don't want to leave, fine, I'll lock the door, and you'll never leave." 

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Chapter 367: Reunion of Husband and Wife After Xiang Weinan finished speaking, he placed the painting on the table and promptly removed the rod from the scroll. Yuan Shanchuan was surprised. There was nothing inside the rod. When he first received the scroll, his initial thought was that something could be hidden inside the rod. However, Xiang Weinan didn't reveal what was inside in front of them. He simply stored the rod and looked at Yuan Shanchuan, saying, "Thanks to you, this thing didn't fall into the hands of the villains. Now that your innocence has been confirmed, there's no need to continue interrogating your family. I will have them released." Yuan Shanchuan's eyes brightened. "Thank you, sir. Thank you, sir. Can I go see them?" Xiang Weinan originally had more to say, but seeing his eagerness, he didn't stop him. He instructed Hu Li, "Take them to release the prisoners." "Yes." Hu Li was also delighted. They had been busy for so long, but they finally obtained the most crucial evidence. As they left, the study door closed. Xiang Weinan couldn't wait any longer. He took out the rod again, placed it on the table, and tapped it. The sound of tapping echoed in the quiet study, and after dozens of taps, the outer layer of the rod suddenly peeled off, revealing a piece of paper inside. The paper was rolled up in two or three layers, completely wrapped around the rod. It wasn't particularly ingenious, but those who didn't know wouldn't be able to guess what was inside. Xiang Weinan carefully peeled off the paper, then spread it out on the table. It appeared to be blank, but he used a special solution to apply it on the surface, waiting for a moment. As the writing gradually appeared, Xiang Weinan's eyes gleamed with excitement. He struck the table with his palm, revealing a big smile. After carefully examining the contents written on the paper, Xiang Weinan's expression turned grim. He slammed the table hard and muttered, "Indeed, a despicable person." He carefully put the note away and then left the study. Shu Yu and the others had followed Hu Li and arrived at the room where the Yuan family was being held. Yuan Shanchuan was filled with excitement. Hu Li opened the door, and Yuan Shanchuan hurriedly ran inside. He immediately saw Lu Sixing leaning against the wall in the corner. Perhaps due to Shu Yu's instructions, Lu Sixing was still relatively fine. Besides looking a bit pale, she appeared exhausted. The clothes she wore and the environment she was in, while not comfortable, were not too terrible. Upon hearing the commotion, both Lu Sixing and the Yuan family looked up. In the next moment, before Lu Sixing could even feel joy, she heard the Yuan family members erupting in furious curses. "Fourth Brother, you've finally returned! Do you know the suffering we've endured because of you? Look at this place, look at us, we've become like ghosts! Tell us, what trouble have you caused outside? Huh? You heartless person, you've caused us so much hardship." Yuan Shanchuan shifted his gaze from Lu Sixing back to his family, his face filled with guilt. "Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Third Brother, I'm sorry." "Is sorry enough? Huh? You useless wretch, you..."

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 Chapter 366: Where did the girl on the road dig up this person?

 Chapter 365: Bringing Her Back

 Chapter 364: Going Home

Chapter 363: I'll Entrust the Painting to You Da Niu opened the room door, and Shu Yu walked in and said, "Pack up and put on the cloak. We're going back." "Did you get the painting?" Yuan Shanchuan asked eagerly. Shu Yu nodded. "I got it." Yuan Shanchuan let out a long sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Finally, he could relax. The three of them didn't have much stuff. When Shu Yu arrived, she only had a bundle. Now they put all the miscellaneous items and Yuan Shanchuan's original clothes into the bundle. They could pick it up and leave. Wearing the cloaks, no one could recognize them. Yuan Shanchuan's shoes were a bit worn and dirty, which would be easily noticeable. Unfortunately, Shu Yu brought his own clothes and shoes, but they didn't fit Yuan Shanchuan's feet. Earlier, when Meng Yunzheng was there, he used a brush to change the color of Yuan Shanchuan's shoes and drew some patterns on the worn-out parts. They looked different from before. The three of them quickly left the private room, went downstairs, and met up with Zhao Xi who was waiting there. Then they all went to the main hall together. Meng Yunzheng had already called a guide, and as soon as they met, without saying a word, they followed the guide out of the mansion. When they reached the spot where the carriages were parked, they were given wooden plaques, and then they led their own carriages out. Even though they were in the bamboo forest, the speed of the carriages remained unchanged. It wasn't until they were about to reach the gate of the county town that Meng Yunzheng told Zhao Xi to stop the carriage and got off. Shu Yu also got off. They hadn't had a chance to talk earlier, and now that it was just the three of them, she asked, "You mentioned before that you came here for auction items. Now that we're leaving the black market, what will happen to the auction items?" Meng Yunzheng smiled and said, "Right now, nothing is more important than this painting. To avoid unnecessary trouble, let's bring the painting back first. Although the swapped painting was made to look as similar as possible, if they inspect it closely, they will still recognize it. Then they will naturally suspect us, and we can't stay in the black market any longer. As for the auction items... there will be other opportunities in the future." Zhao Xili, who was standing behind him, hesitated to speak but didn't say anything in the end. Meng Yunzheng had already handed the painting to Shu Yu, who was taken aback. She heard him say, "This painting was protected by your fourth uncle's hard work. It's best if you hand it over to Lord Xiang. First, you can expedite the rescue of your aunt, and second, your fourth uncle will be credited, and Lord Xiang will naturally reward him." Shu Yu turned her head and glanced at Yuan Shanchuan. He took a few steps forward and bowed deeply to Meng Yunzheng. "Thank you, Master Shan." Meng Yunzheng smiled. "No need. I'm not doing this solely for you. Well, let's part ways here. You should return to the city as soon as possible." Shu Yu was surprised. "Aren't you going back to the county town?" Meng Yunzheng looked towards the direction of the bamboo forest in the black market. "Since Shu Feng appeared here, I'll follow this lead and dig deeper. Who knows, I might uncover more things related to the Shu family and the other forces in Dong'an Prefecture. Besides, I want to find out who the buyer who helped him enter the black market is. It's a rare opportunity, and I won't miss it." At this moment, Shu Feng hadn't come out yet. He was still blocked by Zhao Xi. If he continued to go out, he would attract attention. But Meng Yunzheng believed that they wouldn't take more than fifteen minutes to come out. 

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 Chapter 362: Hurry and Leave

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 Chapter 361: Meng Yunzheng Kicks Someone

 Chapter 360: Young Master Shu from the Shu Family

Chapter 359: How Can It Be Him? Everyone was taken aback and immediately became alert, instinctively looking at the people around them with caution. The staff of the black market felt a headache coming on. But Zhao Xi persisted, continuing to ask, "Just now, who entered the hall? Come forward, let me have a look." Only three or four people had just entered, and they were quickly pushed out. The other guests, realizing they hadn't lost anything, watched the scene unfold with curiosity. Zhao Xi glanced at several people and finally focused on the attendant with the hood, scrutinizing him. "Take off your hood so I can see." The attendant took a step back and spoke in a low voice, "You've mistaken me. I'm not a thief." One of the market's staff approached and whispered, "Sir, you said the thief was wearing a brown coat, but this person clearly isn't. Please calm down, we will search carefully and definitely find your money pouch." The people who came to the black market were either wealthy or influential, and the staff were worried about conflicts arising. It would be their fault if things escalated. At this moment, one of the staff had already gone to inform the manager. However, Zhao Xi sneered, "The thief was wearing a brown coat, but aren't there people here who fit that description? Maybe he changed his appearance to deceive us. I find it strange that he wore a hood in this hall. It's not the auction building, after all." The attendant's anger was apparent. "I came here from the auction building." "That's even more suspicious. Why would you, who are supposed to be in the auction building, come to this hall for no reason?" Zhao Xi retorted. The attendant coldly chuckled, "I see that you're just looking for trouble with me. I can't be bothered. I'm going back to the small building." He turned to leave, but Zhao Xi grabbed hold of him. "I can see that you're guilty and trying to escape. You might as well take off your hood so we can all see if you're the thief." Zhao Xi pointed at the attendant and said to the other black market staff, "Don't you think he's suspicious?" The staff forced a smile. Indeed, he appeared suspicious. However, the black market had its rules. As long as guests didn't harm the market, the staff had no right to intervene even if they behaved suspiciously. But now, the troublemakers were also guests, and they hadn't found Yuan Shanchuan. They were feeling uneasy. Their attitude couldn't be too weak, so they had to temporarily appease them. Fortunately, these two individuals didn't seem to be from the main family; they were probably attendants serving the main family. That made the situation somewhat easier to handle. One of the staff whispered to Zhao Xi, "Sir, this isn't the place to discuss. Why don't we go to the adjacent room and explain it thoroughly?" After speaking, he turned to the attendant and said, "We believe you're innocent, but this guest doesn't trust you. If we continue arguing here, more and more people will gather to watch. It would be better for you to talk privately. What do you think?" The attendant was displeased, but the other party wouldn't let it go. If they continued, he might be forced to take off his hood in front of everyone, which would be even more unfavorable for him. He could only suppress his anger and reluctantly nod, following Zhao Xi into the adjacent room. The remaining staff continued to block the entrance to the hall, searching for Yuan Shanchuan. In the room, Zhao Xi and the attendant took the opportunity to try to remove his hood. The attendant, caught off guard by this action, suddenly became furious and raised his hand to strike. The staff hurriedly intervened to stop them, but just as the situation was escalating, Shu Yu arrived with Da Niu. She was about to say something to divert their attention, but before she could speak, her expression froze as she stared intently at the attendant, astonishment written all over her face. How can it be him?

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 Chapter 358: Preparing to Cause Trouble

 Chapter 357: Master Shan