Song Shihuan leisurely followed the burly man, with Gu Mingzhu still stuffing food into her mouth as they walked. She discreetly signaled to the hidden guards to stand down, warning them not to act rashly.
Their pursuit led them to a small courtyard in the outskirts of the capital.
"If you can't even handle such simple tasks, you won't eat tonight!"
"And you! Useless freeloaders, wasting food!"
Before even stepping into the courtyard, Song Shihuan and Gu Mingzhu winced at the shrill voice of a woman berating someone inside.
"What kind of adult denies children food?" Having been influenced by Song Yu's book How to Be a Good Father, Gu Mingzhu couldn't tolerate any mistreatment of children. She kicked the gate open and charged straight at the woman.
A spinning kick sent the woman sprawling to the ground.
"Where did these wild brats come from, daring to hit me?"
"Such a foul mouth deserves a beating!"
Song Shihuan swiftly straddled the woman, and together with Gu Mingzhu, they rained down slaps on her face. Song Shihuan struck with particular ferocity, and soon, the woman's face was swollen beyond recognition.
"Stop, stop! It's all a misunderstanding!" The burly man, stunned, quickly intervened. "Little misses, if you don't let her go, how can she make candy figures for you?"
"Oh, then hurry up and go."
Song Shihuan and Gu Mingzhu released the woman, who scrambled into the house like a frightened animal, the burly man trailing behind her.
The two girls turned their attention to the three battered young girls cowering in a corner, their faces dark with anger.
"Your Highness, that couple is no good."
"I know. Let’s stay longer and see what else they’re hiding."
Gone was Gu Mingzhu’s usual naive expression. She was innocent, but not foolish.
Inside the house—
"Where did you find these two demons? They hit like monsters!" The woman winced in pain, glaring at the burly man.
"Those two are far prettier than the others. Sell them at the next trade, and you’ll get enough for a new house." The burly man tried to kiss her cheek to soothe her, but found no spot untouched by bruises.
He gave up.
The woman’s eyes gleamed at the mention of a new house. "Fine. For the house, I’ll endure two more days."
......
Meanwhile, at the Qin Prince's Mansion—
Gu Zheng sat dazed, his head throbbing from Song Yu’s endless lecturing.
How can I beg His Highness to stop talking?
Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached. "Your Highness, trouble!"
The "lesson" was interrupted, and Gu Zheng shot Liuxi a grateful look. I’m alive again.
But the next moment, Liuxi delivered devastating news.
"Your Highness, the princess and Second Miss Gu have been kidnapped!"
"What? Who dares?!" Song Yu sprang from his chair, while Gu Zheng panicked. "Are the guards useless?"
"They’re not useless," Liuxi reflexively defended, then corrected himself. "No—I mean, the guards reported that the princess ordered them not to act."
"The kidnappers are a couple who’ve also taken three other children. They plan to sell them in two days. The princess likely wants to uncover the network behind them."
"Child trafficking in the capital? They’ve got a death wish!"
Song Yu’s eyes turned icy. "I’ll go to the palace immediately and request the emperor dispatch imperial guards to protect Shihuan and Mingzhu."
Those damned traffickers—I’ll personally end their wretched lives.
Two days later—
Song Shihuan, Gu Mingzhu, and the three other children were transported out of the capital. At the city gate, the burly man stiffened at the sight of patrolling soldiers.
"Routine inspection. We need to check the carriage."
The burly man stepped aside. A soldier lifted the curtain, revealing a woman and five children crammed inside. His gaze lingered on Song Shihuan and Gu Mingzhu before he casually lowered the curtain.
"All clear. Move along."
Once the carriage was out of sight, the soldier muttered, "Report to the palace at once. Confirm the princess and Second Miss Gu are unharmed."
His expression darkened. Kidnapping a princess? The emperor is furious. These criminals should prepare for the executioner’s blade.
......
"This doesn’t look like the capital anymore. Where are you taking us?" Song Shihuan asked.
The woman, still wary of Song Shihuan’s fists, softened her tone. "We’re going to Zhenling County. There’s more fun and food there."
"Great!" Song Shihuan feigned childish excitement, easing the woman’s guard.
Zhenling County wasn’t far. By dusk, the carriage arrived.
The five children were taken straight to the infamous Yihong Brothel. The madam’s eyes lit up at the sight of Song Shihuan and Gu Mingzhu, signaling her thugs to pay the burly man.
"Top-quality goods this time. Bring more like them, and you’ll be rewarded."
"Of course. We’ll take our leave now."
As the couple departed, the three other girls burst into tears—only Song Shihuan and Gu Mingzhu remained composed, scanning their surroundings.
They sold us to a brothel.
"Stop crying, or I’ll whip you!" A thug raised his lash, but before he could strike, commotion outside interrupted him.
"Master Du! What perfect timing. We’ve just acquired fresh, exquisite goods. We were about to invite you for a selection."
The madam fawned over the newcomer—a bloated man with a face ravaged by excess.
"Exquisite goods? Let me see."
When Du Ru’s gaze landed on Song Shihuan, his piggish eyes widened slightly.
Song Shihuan stared back, fighting nausea.
This lardball could rival Sun Hu.
"Truly exquisite. I’ll take this one... tonight." Du Ru licked his lips and advanced, but Gu Mingzhu blocked him.
"You—you’re trafficking children! The law demands your heads!"
Du Ru laughed. "A joke! My father is the magistrate of Zhenling County—brother-in-law to Prince Chu! My mother is the eldest daughter of the Sun Family in the capital, sister to Prince Chu’s consort!"
"What a coincidence."
No wonder he resembles Sun Hu—same rotten bloodline.
Just when I was wondering how to deal with the Sun Family, they deliver themselves to me.
Song Shihuan smiled—a smile that sent a chill down Du Ru’s spine.
"I happen to have some ties to Prince Chu myself."
