Rebirth of a Farming Wife

Chapter 498: Chapter 505: Receiving the News

The two female guards exchanged glances, their faces carrying expressions of regret and determination as they both made the same move, reaching for their swords to press against their own throats. They wanted to atone for their sins with death but were stopped by Han Yu, who knocked the swords to the ground.

The two female guards hadn’t expected Han Yu to stop them; given how angry the master had just been, he clearly seemed to wish he could kill them to vent his frustration. Thus, there was a moment of stunned silence before they looked at Han Yu, puzzled, “Master, we deserve death. We’ve endangered Madam and truly have no face to live in this world.”

However, Han Yu’s intention wasn’t to forgive or release them. He looked at them coldly, “You have indeed committed a folly deserving of death. If it were up to me, having you die on the spot wouldn’t even begin to quell the anger in my heart! But Madam is kind-hearted. Her actions not only were meant to distract the Enemy and secure a means of survival for herself but also, I fear, she wanted to save your lives. She didn’t wish for you to sacrifice yourselves for her. In consideration of her sentiment, I will spare your lives today.”

Upon hearing Han Yu’s words, the female guards’ eyes filled with tears. To have such a Mistress was the greatest fortune they could have in this life. Their plea for death was not a playact; it was born of genuine remorse. Thus, despite being spared, they did not feel joy, as they could not bear to disappoint their Mistress’s kind intentions.

Since the Master was willing to spare their lives, they would begrudgingly live a few more days. If the Mistress returned safely, they would serve her well and never betray her for the rest of their lives; otherwise, they would go before her to apologize.

Seeing the female guards like this, Han Yu felt slightly more at ease. His Daughter-in-law’s discernment had not been wrong, after all. These two female guards might have been foolish, but they were also loyal. However, this matter could not simply be dismissed. He would spare their lives for his Daughter-in-law’s sake, but that was the extent of it.

“Death penalty may be exempted, but punishment is inescapable. You’re no use here; go back and receive your punishment—a first-degree penalty,” Han Yu said coldly. If they could survive the first-degree penalty, they would surely grow from it and could continue to serve by his Daughter-in-law’s side. If not, his Daughter-in-law had no need for the useless, and naturally, neither did they need to remain alive.

“Yes, we will take our leave,” the two female guards said upon hearing they were to face a first-degree penalty. Although expected, the reality made them tremble. It was a kind of punishment more dreadful than death. Even if they survived, they would be left with barely half a life. However, for the Mistress, they were determined to endure it.

Han Yu allowed the female guards to leave on their own, not worried they would flee. First, he could see their loyalty; secondly, even if they tried to escape, they couldn’t elude his grasp. If that happened, their fate would be even more miserable—death would not be an easy escape.

Meanwhile, in the main residence of the Sikong Family in Chang’an, Sikong Ling gripped a piece of paper in his hand, his face uglier than ever before, his fury uncontrollable.

“The message had already arrived, so why wasn’t I immediately informed? Why did you only present it when I asked after finding out about it?!” Sikong Ling spat out angrily, erupting in rage, while his secret guard prostrated on the floor. The guard had hidden the news of Su Wenyue’s misfortune. He had anticipated that the master would be angry upon finding out but had not expected such a furious rage, which he could barely withstand.

“The master has been too busy these days, and since Su Wenyue is Han Yu’s wife, the subordinate thought her news wasn’t significant and didn’t dare to bother the master with her affairs,” the secret guard said with a trembling voice. He actually had very little regard for the woman who distracted the master and even made him worry foolishly. The woman had presumably died after jumping off the cliff, so why bother the master and make him sad again? But he hadn’t expected the master to receive the news so promptly from elsewhere.

Such an explanation was far too feeble. Sikong Ling knew precisely why his subordinate would do such a thing, which fueled his anger even more.

“Leave! If this happens again, you no longer need to stay by my side,” Sikong Ling said, his voice having returned to calm. But this calm seemed all the more terrifying.

The secret guard shuddered, a look of dejection flashing in his eyes, “The subordinate understands, and will never dare again.” With that, he withdrew, now more aware of Su Wenyue’s significance in his master’s heart.

In the room, now alone, Sikong Ling sat on the chair looking somewhat deflated, flooded with memories of the woman’s voice and smile. Not just his subordinates, but he himself did not understand his obsession. After only a few encounters, why was he bewitched, caring so much for a woman as if he owed her something from a previous life?

Feng Jianling acted swiftly, having left Han Yu’s side, he immediately contacted friends in the Jianghu to investigate. As expected, with a clear target, news came swiftly. To his surprise, it was indeed the few individuals he had suspected. Though their reasons for being in the area were unknown, sightings of their activity in the area sufficed.

Now that these few were confirmed, Feng Jianling mobilized the majority of Feng Family Manor’s forces to track them down. Less than two hours later, new reports came in. Feng Jianling clenched the address in hand, his face showing rare signs of excitement. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“Xiu Qi, great news, we have news of Miss Yue! To be exact, we’ve found news of the people who took away Miss Yue. Since she was taken by them, locating them will lead us to Miss Yue,” Feng Jianling reported to Han Yu, not even taking a moment to catch his breath before speaking.

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Han Yu, concerned for the safety of his Daughter-in-law, found each moment unbearable. Upon hearing there was news of Su Wenyue, he rose to his feet, his gaze fixated on Feng Jianling.

“My Feng family’s informant sent the news. They spotted those people at a horse and carriage shop half a day ago. Their features matched exactly with the descriptions provided by the innkeeper. Close by, they also discovered a hidden message left by Miss Yue. Should we go there right away?” Feng Jianling said, his voice unsteady.

“It’s already been half a day, not acting promptly might cause complications; we should go immediately.”

“This is the address.” Feng Jianling handed the address to Han Yu.

Han Yu nodded. Now that he had news of those individuals, he didn’t want to delay for a moment. He quickly gathered his troops and set out with Feng Jianling.

But since they were spotted at that address half a day ago, by the time Han Yu arrived, they would naturally be gone. Nonetheless, their appearance at the horse and carriage shop was surely intentional.

The horse and carriage shop had some connections with the Feng family. With Feng Jianling intervening, the shop’s attendants dared not withhold anything and divulged all they knew. Using the clues left by those people, Han Yu and Feng Jianling immediately set off in pursuit, quickly catching up with the horse carriage that had been purchased from the shop, still bearing its markings.

However, the situation was somewhat strange. The horse carriage, without a driver, was just standing in the middle of the road. As they drew closer,