Chapter 415 Qi Xuan Saves Third Master Shang
Shang Shaoyan let out a sigh of relief, as long as the person was safe, that was all that mattered. At this time, being alive was more important than anything else.
Shang Shaoyan looked at Ye Shengge, his eyes filled with too many emotions.
"Thank you, I didn't expect to trouble you again."
Ye Shengge sighed inwardly. At this moment, words were meaningless. She could only smile faintly and shake her head.
Shang Shaoyan didn't have much time to think. He looked at Uncle Ye and Zi Yisheng beside him and entrusted them with a solemn request.
"If things go smoothly, I'll bring my uncle and father over. I'll need Zi Shao's help then."
As Shang Shaoyan spoke, he took out two gold bars from his pocket and placed them on the table.
"Help me build a house for my second uncle. If it's not enough, I'll make up the difference when I return."
After Shang Shaoyan finished speaking, he turned to leave. He had only taken a few steps when someone blocked his path. He frowned as he looked at the person.
"Shang Shaoyan, do you need my help?"
"No need."
Shang Shaoyan walked around Qi Xuan, not wanting to pay her any mind. He just found her very annoying.
Qi Xuan watched Shang Shaoyan leave, pouting. She just wanted to help him, but his attitude was terrible.
Qi Xuan's eyes darted around, and she quickly followed him.
Ye Shengge and Zi Yisheng exchanged a look, feeling a bit helpless.
"What should we do? Is Qi Xuan in danger?"
Zi Yisheng hadn't intended to get involved, but he was afraid Qi Xuan would cause trouble for Shang Shaoyan, who was going to rescue someone. If things went wrong, they could all be wiped out.
"I'll send people to find Qi Xuan. This is not a time for her to join the fun."
Qi Luquan was so angry he didn't know what to do. His granddaughter was useless, chasing after a man, how embarrassing! He decided not to bother with her anymore. When she had had enough, she would understand.
Qi Xuan walked lightly, keeping a not-too-close but not-too-far distance from Shang Shaoyan, ensuring he didn't notice her.
When Shang Shaoyan reached the county town, he entered a dilapidated courtyard. It was dark inside with no sign of activity.
Qi Xuan quickly scaled the courtyard wall. She landed silently and listened intently. After a minute, Qi Xuan walked into the house with a puzzled expression. However, she searched every room but found no one.
"He ran? How is that possible!"
Qi Xuan quickly climbed over the wall and circled the dilapidated house, looking for another exit.
As expected, not far from the courtyard, there was an exit covered with straw.
"Trying to run? Not so easy."
Shang Shaoyan had noticed Qi Xuan when she climbed over the courtyard wall. He didn't have time to deal with her now and could only quickly dodge.
Thus, the two began a game of cat and mouse. Qi Xuan, without any identification, managed to reach Mingcheng, a strange and dangerous city.
Qi Xuan was also clever. She didn't have much money and even less in the way of ration coupons, but she remembered that her uncle-in-law had a black market in Mingcheng.
When Qi Xuan arrived at the black market, she stated her identity. Although the person in charge of the black market didn't know Qi Xuan, he had heard of her.
Seeing that the person let her stay, Qi Xuan became anxious, as they hadn't mentioned money or coupons yet. She still needed to find Shang Shaoyan.
"Hey, can you lend me some money and coupons first? I'll repay my uncle-in-law when I get home."
What Qi Xuan got in return was the sound of a door closing. The person in charge of the black market wasn't foolish. Although Qi Xuan's identity was not an issue, this matter required Zi Shao's decision.
Qi Xuan sat dejectedly in the room. Seeing the numerous supplies around her, her eyes lit up. She immediately found a large sack, picked out some supplies, pried open the door, and quickly left.
Since Qi Xuan had nowhere to stay, she carried the supplies and found a household with few people. She exchanged some supplies for a temporary place to stay.
Qi Xuan lay in the room until late at night before venturing out again. The last time she saw Shang Shaoyan was a few streets away from here.
As Qi Xuan approached, she suddenly heard gunshots. Her heart sank with a bad feeling, and she quickened her pace.
When she arrived, she saw two groups exchanging gunfire, the scene in chaos. In the darkness, Qi Xuan's eyesight was exceptionally good. She quickly spotted Shang Shaoyan, who was supporting one person with one hand and firing a gun with the other.
Qi Xuan no longer cared about the danger and used her agile movements to quickly rush towards Shang Shaoyan. She reached his side and, without a word, picked up the person Shang Shaoyan was supporting and prepared to run.
Shang Shaoyan raised his hand, preparing to shoot at Qi Xuan.
"It's me, it's me, I'm here to help you."
Shang Shaoyan stopped and turned to fight the people behind him.
Although Qi Xuan wasn't plump, she was strong. She ran with the person on her back at a brisk pace. Soon, they reached the alley where she had hidden earlier, and she carefully set the person down against the wall.
Third Master Shang was bewildered when a young woman carried him. Seeing that his son didn't stop her, he knew they were acquainted.
After setting him down, Qi Xuan quickly checked his injuries.
"Where are you hurt? Let me stop the bleeding first."
Third Master Shang couldn't let a young girl do this. He tried to keep his face from looking too tense.
"Young lady, thank you. My injuries aren't serious. We'll talk about it later with Shaoyan."
"How can that be? If you keep bleeding, you'll die."
Seeing the man's firm attitude, Qi Xuan decided not to insist. She was more worried about Shang Shaoyan's situation. The gunfire had stopped, and she didn't know if Shang Shaoyan had resolved everything.
Qi Xuan slowly walked to the mouth of the alley and looked out. There was no one there. She quickly ran out and circled the area, only to find that Shang Shaoyan had disappeared.
Qi Xuan was so frightened that her legs felt weak. She hurried back.
"There's no one outside. Is Shang Shaoyan alright?"
Third Master Shang was also worried. He leaned against the wall and stood up with difficulty.
"We need to leave here immediately. Shaoyan will find us."
Qi Xuan was not ignorant. This place would soon be searched by the authorities. She quickly picked him up again.
Third Master Shang was speechless. Why did this girl like to carry people around? Could he tell her that her shoulder was constantly pressing against his wound!
"Young lady, I can walk on my own now."
"No need, I still have strength."
"It will be faster if we walk together."
"It's fine, I'm faster than you."
"..."
Third Master Shang gritted his teeth. Fortunately, it was a knife wound to the abdomen, and it wasn't deep. If it had been a gunshot wound, he would have died.
"Young lady, it's okay, we can walk slowly now."
"It's fine, let's run a bit further."
"Then where are you planning to take me?"
Qi Xuan stopped abruptly. Third Master Shang slid off her shoulder. This girl was too impetuous. He was losing too much blood.
Qi Xuan helped Third Master Shang find a patch of grass away from any houses. Both of them sat down, panting.
"Uncle, can I know who you are to Shang Shaoyan?"
Third Master Shang pressed on his wound, leaning weakly against a tree.
"I am Shaoyan's father."
"Uh, I actually saved Shang Shaoyan's father!"
Third Master Shang smiled, looking at the surprise on the young girl's face.
"Then may I ask who you are?"
Qi Xuan scratched her head awkwardly. How should she introduce herself? Should she say she's his son's admirer, a crazy girl who chased after a man all the way?
"Um, my name is Qi Xuan. You might not have heard of me. But you must have heard of my uncle-in-law."
"Oh? Who is your uncle-in-law?"
Qi Xuan instantly felt a surge of confidence.
"My uncle-in-law is Zi Yisheng, and my aunt is Ye Shenge from the Ye family. Oh, and I saw your brother at my aunt's house. My aunt even saved them."
Third Master Shang was quite surprised that the person in front of him was from the Ye family.
"Is my second brother alright?"
"He's fine. My aunt said his life is not in danger."
Third Master Shang nodded, looking at the girl in front of him with a smile. She was a straightforward person, revealing all her secrets.
Suddenly, the scene became quiet. Qi Xuan felt a bit awkward and nervous.
"Uncle, do you know how to find Shang Shaoyan? I'm afraid he's in danger."
Third Master Shang shook his head. He was also worried about his son. This time, he had lost many men trying to save him.
Qi Xuan sighed, looking at the wound Third Master Shang was constantly covering.
"How about I take you to the black market? My uncle-in-law has people there."
"Child, I can't go to the black market. It's too crowded and full of eyes. It will cause trouble for your uncle-in-law."
Qi Xuan hadn't thought that far ahead. She had said so much earlier because Shang Shaoyan knew her uncle-in-law, so she hadn't treated Third Master Shang as an outsider.
But if it would cause trouble for her uncle-in-law, then forget it. She had to prioritize her family.
"Then do you have a place to hide? You really need to get your wound treated."
Third Master Shang pondered for a moment and looked at Qi Xuan.
"Child, I can't stay in Mingcheng any longer. Only if I leave safely can Shaoyan be at ease. I would like to trouble you to find Zi Shao's people and send me to the Ye family."
Qi Xuan didn't have many thoughts in her mind. As long as she could help Shang Shaoyan now, it was fine.
"Alright, wait for me here. I'll go call for people right away."
"Okay, be careful."
Third Master Shang watched the little girl disappear, a smile appearing on his face. What an honest girl. Third Master Shang took out the bone whistle hanging around his neck and blew it several times. He lay on the ground, looking at the stars.
Not long after, Shang Shaoyan found him. Seeing his father lying on the ground, he quickly went forward and helped him up.
"Can you hold on? I'll take you to get treatment now."
Third Master Shang placed his hand on his son's, a teasing smile on his face.
"I'm fine, I won't die anytime soon. Tell me, where did you find this girl who is willing to risk her life for you?"
Shang Shaoyan finally remembered Qi Xuan, someone he disliked, yet who had genuinely helped him, even though he didn't need help to save his father.
"Is she alright?"
"She's fine, she went to find help. I'll go find your second uncle first. Once you find your uncle and aunt, come find us immediately."
Shang Shaoyan immediately understood his father's intention. Sending them to the Ye family now was the safest option.
"Alright, tell Qi Xuan for me that I will repay this kindness."
"Hehehe, I won't tell her. You come back safely first."
Shang Shaoyan impatiently released his hand supporting his father. At a time like this, he was still not serious.
"I'm leaving now, you lie down and wait."
So casually, one lay there watching his son make a fool of himself, while the other left with great speed.
Qi Xuan ran to the black market, panting, only to be met with a dark face from the person in charge of the black market.
"Quick, quick, go save him."
The person in charge of the Mingcheng black market was He Wei, Zi Yisheng's longest-serving subordinate.
"Miss Qi, not only did you run away, but you also stole things, and now you're rushing back asking me to save someone. Do you really think I have no temper and will always tolerate you!"
Qi Xuan didn't expect He Wei to have such a temper. She was genuinely in a hurry.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Shang Shaoyan's father is injured, and I need to take him to my aunt's house. Can you send two people to help? Oh, and bring some medicine to stop the bleeding."
"Third Master Shang! You found him?"
"Yes, he's waiting nearby. Go save him first. After he's saved, you can punish me however you want."
He Wei couldn't delay any longer. They had all received orders from Zi Shao to help Shang Shao's family to the best of their ability.
"Hurry up and lead the way."
Qi Xuan, confused, followed Third Master Shang back to the Bai Rong Brigade. When she saw Ye Baba's dark face, she could only lower her head and accept the scolding.
Ye Shengge had been in the room, helping to treat the wound Third Master Shang had carelessly bandaged. However, she could hear her father's booming voice.
Zi Yisheng sat beside Third Master Shang, talking with him. He needed to know how many members of the Shang family had come to Bai Rong Brigade, not only for housing but also to quickly resolve their identities.
Third Master Shang looked at Zi Yisheng, who had lost his former edge, his eyes filled with sorrow. Especially Ye Huaijin, who looked like a farmer in his field, he was truly discouraged.
Zi Yisheng understood the meaning in Third Master Shang's eyes. One should act according to their situation.
"I never thought it would come to this. I wish I had hidden with you back then."
"Hmph, that's because your Shang family was too ambitious. Now you've learned your lesson."
Zi Yisheng remained silent, but Ye Baba couldn't help himself. These people were too greedy for power, always thinking they could control everything, when in reality, they were just fighting a losing battle.
Third Master Shang was truly dejected. Now he realized that nothing was more important than his life. He should have listened to his son and retired earlier.
"Alright, you're not the Third Master Shang I know. It'll be fine if we work in the fields together later. We'll definitely earn enough to eat."
Just not enough to eat well, Ye Baba didn't say it. He really wanted to see the once powerful Third Master Shang working with a hoe.
Third Master Shang understood Ye Huaijin's meaning and glared at him unhappily.
"You only have more strength than me, what's there to be proud of."
Ye Shengge noticed that her father was becoming more "lively," at least he wasn't like this in her previous life. Looking at Third Master Shang, who was still bickering with her father despite his injuries, she felt that their family would become even more lively in the future.
Sometimes Ye Shengge suspected that they weren't hiding from persecution, but rather building a "shelter," specifically for those who were being persecuted. She just didn't know if the "shelter" would continue to grow.
Zi Yisheng had never expected outsiders to enter their group. Starting with Qi Luquan, things seemed to have gone out of control.
Anything that disturbed their peaceful life should be cast away early. Zi Yisheng had already decided that the Shang family's house would be built at the far end of the village, the furthest from his own.
After bickering with Ye Baba for a while, Third Master Shang was no longer so dejected. He then remembered Zi Shao's issue.
"The Shang children have all been sent away. If Shaoyan's plan goes smoothly, only the eldest couple is left to arrive."