Chapter 472 - 181: The Great Swindler (Part 2)
Chapter 472: Chapter 181: The Great Swindler (Part 2)
In November, river bandits repeatedly ambushed and robbed boats passing along the Jitong River.
They not only plundered cargo and abducted women, but they also killed all the men, throwing their bodies into the river to feed the fish.
Boatmen and travelers suffered terribly. In just over a month, more than a hundred lives had been lost.
The Lord Prefect was furious and had already dispatched orders to every county under the jurisdiction of Xinghuai Prefecture. The orders required each county to conscript able-bodied men and constables for a joint operation to suppress the bandits.
"I have a feeling Father will definitely be drafted for this."
Chen Song was well-respected in the community and had served as a constable for several years. If Qingshui County needed someone to lead the men, who else could it be but him?
But this business of suppressing bandits was far too dangerous.
Years ago, Meng Jintang had nearly lost his life after encountering river bandits while traveling by water to take the imperial exams.
These bandits were vicious to the extreme, stopping at nothing—arson, murder, plunder. They were also familiar with the waterways, so confronting them rashly would be no easy feat.
"I know this campaign is necessary, but it’s just too dangerous. The weather is still cold. If someone gets injured and falls into the water, their chances of survival are slim to none."
As Chen Wanqing finished speaking, the room fell silent for a moment. A short while later, De’an spoke up. "How have we not heard about something this major?"
"There have always been bandits who burn, kill, and plunder. It’s just that they’re always on the move, and the previous murders occurred a bit far from the Prefecture. The situation only escalated in the last two days. The official notice for the joint suppression effort was only posted this afternoon. It’s perfectly normal that you haven’t heard about it, being at the academy."
Upon hearing this explanation, De’an’s heart was already in turmoil.
He stood up and paced back and forth in the room several times.
"Then what do we do? Father will certainly be leading the men from Qingshui County. Being sent out on an assignment like this in the dead of winter... one wrong move and he could lose his life."
"I’ve already written home. I... I asked Mother to try and stop him, but you know how he is. Father is easygoing most of the time, but he can be very stubborn about certain things."
Chen Song was magnanimous and righteous, a trait De’an had inherited completely.
Besides, Chen Song wasn’t the type to shrink from a challenge. If he hid from trouble, he wouldn’t be the man he was today. Therefore, it was highly likely that Chen Song would have to face this peril.
That night, as she tried to sleep, Chen Wanqing lay in bed tossing and turning, unable to find rest.
There was a brazier in the room, but snow had begun to fall outside, and the air was bitterly cold. The frigid wind was like an invisible snake, slithering in gusts under her blankets.
’If she keeps tossing about like this, she’ll catch a chill.’
Zhao Jing turned on his side and easily pulled Chen Wanqing into his arms.
"Jing, you’re still awake? Did I wake you?"
"No. My body’s just restless, and I can’t sleep."
Chen Wanqing swatted at him. "Don’t mess around. I’m really anxious right now."
"I’m feeling anxious too. If you don’t believe me, you can feel for yourself."
One touch led to another, and soon, their clothes were gone.
After two rounds, drenched in sweat, Chen Wanqing was fast asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, with no energy left to worry about the bandits.
Seeing this, Zhao Jing chuckled softly. ’If I’d known this would work, I shouldn’t have held back earlier.’
Unexpectedly, Chen Wanqing startled awake in the middle of the night.
She was drenched in sweat, and as she sat up, she realized her nightgown was soaked through.
To keep her from catching a chill, Zhao Jing quickly grabbed a clean nightgown for her and then held her tightly in his arms.
"I dreamed that Father fell into the water, caught a chill that couldn’t be cured, and lost his..."
Chen Wanqing couldn’t bring herself to say the last word. She could only bury her head in Zhao Jing’s chest and sigh, still shaken. "It was terrifying."
"Dreams are the opposite of reality. Besides, Father is strong and healthy. How could a minor chill be a problem for him? If you’re really that worried, why don’t we go to the Prefecture tomorrow and find a renowned doctor? We can get some medicinal pills and have someone deliver them to him."
"Alright..."
「The night finally passed.」
The next morning, Zhao Jing and Chen Wanqing went out together.
When Mrs. Zhao heard they were going to the apothecary, she lowered her gaze to Chen Wanqing’s stomach.
She assumed that since the young couple still didn’t have a child, they were starting to get anxious.
Mrs. Zhao was anxious too. She longed to be a grandmother, but Wanqing still hadn’t conceived.
A wicked mother-in-law would have started pushing all sorts of folk remedies on them after only two months with no news, but Mrs. Zhao had forced herself to hold her tongue.
Now, seeing them take the initiative to see a doctor, Mrs. Zhao said excitedly, "Go on, go! I’m free, do you want me to come with you? Oh, Qing’er, don’t you worry. If there really is a problem, we can just treat it slowly with medicine. And if there’s no problem, it just means it’s not yet time, so there’s even less reason to be anxious."