With limited time on their hands they sprinted back to Jiang Court where a carriage had been prepared the three awkwardly seated in the beige carriage Zhou Tong sat across the aloof Zheng Yong while sat safely opposite the men.
The stone faced Zheng Yong instead kept his deep-set eyes glued outside the tied curtain window. Zhou Tong shifted mimicking the Magistrate actions on his end whilst Cheng Bi Yu pondered where to look her averted gaze danced around.
The carriage set off to the rumored scene where the rumored body was allegedly located alongside a few guards on horses as added protection detail the road was in a secluded area and the trail was quite rocky the carriage jerked constantly strolling through.
Constantly Cheng Bi Yu was tossed left and right unable to grasp a firm grip on the carriage the carriage came to a abrupt stop Cheng Bi Yu grits her teeth the transmigrator poked her head through the window her sharp eyes narrowed ahead a group of callous men surrounded two evidently frightened woman.
"S-Step back don't c-come any c-closer! I'm warn-ing you scoundrels!-" One of the women mouthed her voice trembling as she pushed the other behind her mimicking a protective stance.
The group of misfits laughed menacingly their demeanor darkened the supposed leader of this callous and merciless gang stepped forward towering over the small women, "-It's best you just come with us it's no use struggling pretty lady, so why don't you come willing and we can have fun back at our place hmm..." the color drastically drained from their faces the determination in their as plundered the scared woman trembled violently
"..You stay away from my lady you scoundrel! Or I won't let you off!..." the one standing in defence angrily roared raging at these scoundrels who dared entrap them.
The leader cocks his head back his chest rippled as his booming laughter echoed arrogance laced in his hoarse voice, "Whoa...I'm so scared!-" he faked being petrified as he continued laughing he wipes the stray tear from the corner of his eye he straightened his demeanor became even more frightening his black beady eyes slanted, "Come with us!-" he demands roughly snatching her arm she screams which agitated him further as he harsh tugs almost dislocating her shoulder.
Cheng Bi Yu lips curled in disgust she pokes her head back in Zheng Yong faced a uninterested yet dissatisfied expression Zhou Tong tightly clutched his prized sword the scene was escalated pretty fast but none made an actual move.
"Unbelievable!-" she exclaimed disappointment laced in her tone and swirled in her pupils ignoring their unconscious decision Cheng Bi Yu dashed out the carriage despite the warning alarms that went off loudly inside her head and the chills that crept up her back she angrily marched towards the scene.
Stopping a vigilant distance she momentarily caught her breath then shouts atop her lungs angrily pointing, "Hey ass-wipe leave them alone this instant!-"
All eyes snapped to her direction as silence pierced through the air everyone had stood frozen the women captive in the leader's arm used this distraction to wrestle from his grasped attempting to run. The gruff men blinked painstakingly bewildered that was just for a few seconds before they bursted out in a fit of laughter, "Come here!-" the tattooed neck gang leader barks roughly tugging the fragile female back, "..Thinking of escaping just wait till I have my way with you-" he fisted a ball of her hair salty tears fell down her rosy cheeks his grip tightened around her neck he possessively licks her cheek she whimpered shivering uncontrollably.
None amused the wolf gang built a human brocade their menacing gazes fixated on the light green official robe thin noble youth who dared interrupt their dealings, "..Take her!-" Ti-Sai pushed the woman back into the arms of his brothers he cocked his head to the side stepping in the middle of his men, "What's a noble man like you doing in a place like this littered with gruff bandits?-" Ti-Sai straightened arching his rugged eyebrows, "..Let me guess you're here to play hero? Isn't it?-" the rough orange skinned curly haired gang leader whistles a sly tune
"...It's best you run along a twig like you playing hero not a fat chance!..." he flips the coin in his dirty palm, "..Tell you want since I'm in a good mood-" he glanced over to his petrified pry, "..I'll let you off this once. What do you say, be on your merry way and forget this encounter?-"
His men that held the two women tightly gripped the noble woman's waist fondling her breast Cheng Bi Yu snorts scrunching her nose in disgust, "Fat chance you barbaric swine!-" a menacing scrawl formed across her lips, "..Let the innocent women go or face my wrath you uncultured orphan!-"
Ti-Sai croaked arching his eyebrows, "..Then I will show you no mercy!-" he snarled whipping out his blood tainted wolverine sword lunging, "A man of action!-" though unarmed Cheng Bi Yu braced for the damaging attack the faces of the rendered woman pumped her adrenaline she lunged her fist.
Cling!
A whiplash was felt as the impending sword was counterattack by a more durable blade Cheng Bi Yu slanted her eyes, "..I didn't ask for backup-" she openly raged Officer Zhou deadpanned digging deeply in her soulless black marbles,"..You didn't need to. I'm just here to keep you from dying-" with that Zhou Tong engaged in immerse battle, "Stay behind me-" he instructs.
"As if-" Cheng Bi Yu rolls her eyes she was being treated as a damsel more than an asset the rest of the guards charged ahead joining in the constant clashing of blades and men grunting echoed through the forest.
Cheng Bi Yu rushed over to the hunched women who his securely behind a wide tree she cautiously approached Yi-Hsuan desperately tries to console her trembling lady who paranoid frantically looked around her breathing spiked on adrenaline, "Miss everything's okay now we're safe-" she gently rubs her shoulder.
The two jolt frightened by Cheng Bi Yu abrupt approach they retreat back Meigui violently trembled babbling Cheng Bi Yu bends a safe distance, "I apologize I didn't mean to scare you-" warmth spread across Yi-Hsuan's face, "Look Miss it's the kind sir who saved us just now-" Meigui peers up her panicked eyes moistened, "Can you stand? I need to get you two further to safety-"
With careful assistance from Yi-Hsuan, Meigui slowly stands to her feet she tightly hugs herself Cheng Bi Yu takes off her outer robe and swiftly whips it over Meigui's small frame she offers her a warm smile Meigui dearly clutched the fabric mustering a faint smile.
Yi-Hsuan rushed, "...Thank you my sincerest gratitude to Young Lord! Thank you for saving my Miss and I!-" she fisted her skirt lowering her gaze she bit her lip,"..If Young Lord hadn't showed I can't imagine what humiliation would we have been subjected to by those barbaric men-"
She hunched bowing, "..Thank you this servant and the Hong sect owe Young Lord a great deal! May Young Lord be prosperous in his ventures-" she raised Cheng Bi Yu grasped her clasped palms, "..There's no need for all these pleasantries-" Yi-Hsuan's face flushed from the burning contact she instinctively retreated from his grasps.
Cheng Bi Yu lowers her outstretched hand, "... I didn't save you to be praised or glorified I saved you because I believe in doing the right thing-"
Meigui steps forth a delicate voice reach Cheng Bi Yu's ear, "..This Miss wishes to know Young Lord's name-" a warm smile spread across her lips before however before Cheng Bi Yu could respond Yi-Hsuan's purple marble eyes bulged in horror she shierked, "Watch out Young Lord!-"
Cheng Bi Yu whipped around frightened she completely froze lucky for her Zheng Yong had noticed this attempted sneak attack he whisked into action swiftly slicing the bandit's artery his drunken body staggered back landing with a eerie thud.
Zheng Yong lowered his sword hot blood dripped down the blade droplets fell in the dirt tainting it's unseen vines below. Cheng Bi Yu gasped releasing the long breath that was caught at the back of her throat Zheng Yong peered at his unscathed Advisor, "Are you injuried?-"
Cheng Bi Yu was rendered speechless for the first time she witnessed such a warm expression from the usually pokerface Zheng Yong, "No.." she simply replies she noticed a fresh cut on his cheek, "But you are. If I may-" she gently brushed her thumb across the fresh cut Zheng Yong's breath paused his adrenaline skyrocketed he retracts from her dangerous touch his warm gaze was replaced by its usual frost.
"I apologize for crossing the line-" Cheng Bi Yu mumbles slightly saddened she lowers her palm Meigui spoke after a long period, "..Young Lord has yet to grace this Miss with your name-"
"...Tang Ying Jie-" her smooth voice reached her ear Meigui's gaze was fixated on Cheng Bi Yu's face she respectfully curtseys, "...This Miss owes Young Lord a great deal. I assure Young Lord Tang this Miss will not forget your kindness-" she removes the robe then outstretched her palm towards Cheng Bi Yu, "...There's no need Miss can keep it I have plenty-"
Meigui lips tugged, "...I insist on returning Young Lord Tang's robe-" Cheng Bi Yu nods receiving her outer robe, "Un." Meigui pulls out her neatly folded white green vines embroidered handkerchief from her sleeve she immediately outstretched her palm, "-This Miss would like to gift Young Lord Tang my treasured handkerchief as a token of my appreciation-"
Cheng Bi Yu grasped the beautiful handkerchief she faintly smiled glanding her fingertips over the silk fabric Zheng Yong annoyed at their overly intimate interaction glared daggers at the overly kind lavender robed maiden.
Cheng Bi Yu handles the handkerchief with great care tucking it away in her chest she beams, "...Then I shall gift Miss something in return-" she carefully pulled the silver phoenix hairpin from her pouch she outstretched her palm, "...I'll be troubled to ask Miss to care for this for me. It has no purpose sticking by my side I'm sure it will receive a worthy welcome and make a beautiful accessory for Miss-"
Meigui carefully grasped the hairpin she hands it over to Yi-Hsuan who carefully tucks it away Meigui beams, "...This Miss thanks Young Lord Tang for such an endearing gift-"
"Like wise-" Cheng Bi Yu smile widened Zhou Tong had approached catching Zheng Yong intense gaze he directs his line of vision. Zheng Yong turned to Officer Zhou the clearly agitated Magistrate cleared his throat, "...Take them safely back to the city, take the carriage and the rest of the men with you-" the diligent Zhou Tong nods focusing on the delicate women.
Meigui blurts out, "...Is it alright if I ride with Young Lord Tang instead I'll feel more comfortable with him-" at her request Zhou Tong paused then briefly glanced over at the pokerface Zheng Yong quickly spoke before Cheng Bi Yu stepped ahead, "..I'm afraid my Advisor can't pacify you all day Miss we have dire matters of importance to attend-"
Meigui's lips formed a circle, "Oh-" her expression saddened her lips flattened, "...Then don't let me keep you, Yi-Hsuan.." Yi-Hsuan obediently follows behind her Miss as Meigui went to Zhou Tong who offers a credible smile, "..Follow me please ladies-" he ushers them off leading them towards the carriage which they immediately boarded heading back to the city.
Zheng Yong narrowed his gaze at Cheng Bi Yu who watched them from afar, "We'll continue on foot-" she paused turning to face him Zheng Yong arched his eyebrow, "Is there a problem Advisor Tang?-"
Cheng Bi Yu bit her tongue, "Not at all Magistrate Zheng-" she mimics his lifeless monotone, "Shall we?-" she foolishly smiles Zheng Yong rudely brushed past her Cheng Bi Yu scuffed kicking the dirt, "Why do I always get left stuck with him?!-" she whined reluctantly following closely behind.
While Zhou Tong lazed focusing out the window Yi-Hsuan blushed sneakily ogling the unsuspecting court officer's greek godlike features Zhou Tong sensing the unwanted gaze shifts darting to the source.
Yi-Hsuan embarrassed averts her glossed eyes her face flushed beet red she awkwardly rubbed her cheek on the other hand Meigui grins like a lovestruck fool admiring the phoenix hairpin in her grasp she carefully tucks away the precious hairpin in her lavender robe stars practically formed in her iris as Hong sects Second Miss reminiscence on a certain Young Lord who had unknowingly engraved his way into her fragile heart.
Meigui hunched out of the blue she violently coughs sprays of blood droplets released in her palm the youth's complexion drastically paled, "Miss!-" Yi-Hsuan shouts alarmed her eyes widened mortified Zhou Tong sat up alerted.
"It's okay-" Meigui outstretched her palm stopping her red faced maid Yi-Hsuan unconvinced whips out her handkerchief handing it over, "Moss have this-" she then pulled the string of her pouch revealing a brown bean shaped pill she placed it in the sickly youth's slight trembling palm, "...Having your medicine will surely make you feel better at least until we reach Hong sect-"
Meigui urgently tossed the pill down her throat she then used the back of her palm to wipe the corner of her mouth she lowered her gaze her cupid bow shaped lips thinned, "...I apologize Officer Zhou had to witness me in such a horrid state-" she anxiously tugged her fingers.
Zhou Tong features softened, "..If it's alright may I ask how long Miss Hong has been sick?-" Yi-Hsuan rushed her speech, "My Miss was born with a sickly heart her daily pills are the only things keeping her from relapsing-"
Meigui found the courage to speak after some time, "..Is it alright with Officer Zhou if we didn't drag on talking about my terminal illness?!-" Zhou Tong nods respectfully turning away Meigui silently gazed outside the window, "...I hope we'll meet again soon-" her silent wish fell from her lips.