Chapter 6: Future Troubles Must Be Resolved at Once

Upon hearing this threat, Zhang Huai’s breathing grew heavy. He gripped the hilt of his sabre tightly. "The people behind you—did they kidnap my family?"

The bailiff, seeing his reaction, let out a smug laugh. "Captain, I advise you not to do anything you shouldn't, or your family will suffer a miserable death."

"You beast!" Zhang Huai finally lost his composure and punched the man in the face. "You have a family of your own!"

He could not be certain whether his family in Mingdu had truly been taken. He could not afford to take that gamble.

The weight in the bailiff's heart seemed to lift, and he let out a cold scoff. "Captain, you have that wrong."

"If I lose this family, I can always start a new one. Don't you agree?"

Zhang Huai understood his implication perfectly. He stared in disbelief, eyes wide. "To climb the ranks and get rich, you would actually murder your own family?"

The other bailiffs looked at one another, stunned by the revelation.

"Could... could our families have been kidnapped too?"

"I don't think so. Those big shots wouldn't waste their time on us. If they had, they would have threatened us by now."

Zhang Huai was gritting his teeth in fury. He wanted to kill the man right there, but he couldn't. If his family had indeed been kidnapped, killing this man would seal their fate.

He pressed his blade against the bailiff’s neck once more, his expression grim. "Tell those behind you to release my family, or I have plenty of ways to thwart them."

The bailiff’s legs trembled, yet he remained unbothered. "Captain, I suggest you think carefully before—ugh!"

Suddenly, his eyes bulged in terror as a trickle of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, and a deep crimson stain spread across his neck.

Zhang Huai’s blade had somehow plunged deep into the bailiff’s throat.

Blood sprayed everywhere, splattering across Zhang Huai.

He turned his head mechanically toward Father Song and Song Shiwei, who stood beside him. It was this Master Song who had, without warning, shoved his hand forward.

"Ah!" Song Shiwei let out a sharp shriek, hiding in her father’s arms as if terrified. "Father, it’s so scary!"

Father Song patted her back, turning his head away. "Don't be afraid, Shiwei. It is just the Captain dealing with a wayward subordinate; he will not harm us."

He acted as if he hadn't seen the look in Zhang Huai’s eyes. As Shiwei had said, this bailiff had to die, or they would face endless trouble.

Zhang Huai realized it was Master Song and his daughter who had used his own hand to eliminate the man and secure their safety. Yet, since the man was already dead, speaking of it now would serve no purpose.

People nearby were startled, scattering in panic.

"How terrifying! Someone’s dead!"

"That bailiff deserved it! He was so wicked, plotting against us."

The remaining bailiffs exchanged glances but said nothing. To them, the death of their colleague was a relief. They had no desire to work alongside someone with such dark intentions.

"Captain," one of the thinner bailiffs coughed lightly, "accidents happen on the road of exile."

"Let’s hurry up and bury him."

The others agreed in succession. "Yes, Captain. Let’s bury him quickly. In this heat, the body will stink soon."

Zhang Huai knew clearly that at this point, he had no other choice.

"Two of you, take the body away and bury it."

He was not worried about the Song family escaping. They were prisoners without travel permits or identity papers; they could never enter a town. Most importantly, fugitives only ever met a dead end.

After Zhang Huai and the others hauled the body away, Song Shiwei and her father exchanged a look and moved aside to speak in hushed tones.

"Father, let’s give these bailiffs some water later," Song Shiwei said, her tone heavy with meaning.

Father Song nodded in understanding. "The bailiffs are working hard; it is only right to give them some water."

Having said that, he cautioned, "Shiwei, be careful on the road ahead. I fear others may still target you."

His face was etched with guilt and self-reproach; he blamed himself for trusting the Emperor too much, which had led to their current predicament.

Song Shiwei knew well how many had envied and resented her. Back then, as the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter, a renowned scholar, and a beauty, she had been the target of countless private schemes. Now that such a perfect opportunity to torment her had arisen, some would certainly not let it slip.

"Father, these people will, at most, make our journey difficult. The one we must watch out for is Princess Anning."

She frowned slightly. "Knowing her as I do, as long as I am alive, she will find ways to take my life."

When she was still the Prime Minister’s daughter, every encounter with Princess Anning had been a trial; the Princess had even attempted to kill her on several occasions.

"If it is Princess Anning..." Father Song seemed to hesitate.

Song Shiwei sensed it and asked, "Father, do you know a secret about Princess Anning?"

She reminded him, "Father, if we can gain leverage over her, not only will the journey be easier, but we might even have a chance to clear your name."

Father Song remained silent for a long while before sighing. "I have no concrete proof, only rumors."

"It is possible that Princess Anning is involved with the Duke of Wei."

Song Shiwei knew of the Duke of Wei—a mighty general with military power who seemed to enjoy the Emperor’s trust, but was, in reality, feared by him. For years, the Emperor had tried countless ways to remove him, all in vain. Because of this, anyone with a reputation to uphold avoided the Duke’s estate, and the royal family was no exception.

"Father, are you saying Princess Anning is interfering in military affairs?"

Father Song furrowed his brows. "I am not certain."

"But there are rumors that she has been in private contact with the Duke."

Upon hearing this, Song Shiwei thought for a moment before saying, "Father, is there any way to investigate this?"

Father Song asked, "Do you intend to use this to threaten the Princess?"

Song Shiwei shook her head. "No, threatening her is a last resort."

"Father, you know better than I do how much the Emperor values his power. If he discovers what the Princess is doing, it won't just be her who suffers—a whole faction will be purged."

She paused, then added, "In such a situation, wouldn't it be easier for us to seek a reversal of our verdict?"

She understood perfectly: once branded with the charge of treason, unless the Emperor granted a pardon, her family and all their descendants would never have a chance at redemption.

Father Song fell into deep thought after hearing this.

Song Shiwei did not disturb him.

As she sat on the ground, she began to hear groans of pain from others.

"My feet have blistered; it hurts so much."

"Mine too. We walked all day; it would be strange if I didn't have blisters."

"I was too tired to notice before, but now that I've stopped, the pain is unbearable. At this rate, how are we supposed to keep walking tomorrow?"