They discovered a large quantity of goods and valuables looted by the bandits in the mountain stronghold.
In the firewood shed to the west, three abused women were imprisoned, their bodies covered in wounds, unable to speak when they opened their mouths.
Two of them had been captured by the bandits while passing by Half-Moon Cliff, and the other had been forcibly abducted by them from near a village when they descended the mountain.
They brought all the items and people back to Haoyue City. The yamen runners guarding the city gate, upon seeing their figures, quickly rode on horseback to report to the county magistrate's office.
Ever since the six bandits with severed tendons were delivered that morning, the magistrate of Haoyue County had been restless, frequently glancing at the door, even forgetting to eat lunch at noon.
He was eagerly awaiting news of Song Jinzhao's situation after they went up the mountain.
"Your Honor, the constable and Miss Song have returned. They've reached the city gate."
The magistrate jumped up from his chair as if his tail had been stepped on, asking breathlessly, "How many returned? How many bandits were captured?"
The yamen runner spun his eyes slightly in confusion. "Looks like quite a few people. It must be a great victory."
Not getting a definite answer, the Haoyue County magistrate strode outside.
Song Dazhuang, who had been keeping watch by the second-floor window of the inn, turned and ran towards the room the moment he saw Song Jinzhao.
Pushing the door open, he shouted inside, "Qiming, your sister is back."
Song Qiming put down the book in his hand, and Song Shixue picked up Song Anhao as they followed him out.
The fading rays of the sunset fell on Song Jinzhao's apricot-yellow satin skirt, the stray hairs by her cheeks fluttering in the wind.
She sat high on her horse, the hem of her skirt stained with blossoms of blood-red plum flowers. Her straight spine and the spearhead gleaming with silver light conveyed the untamed, heroic aura of a victorious Jianghu heroine returning from the smoke of battle.
Song Dali, leaning on the windowsill with both hands, couldn't help but sigh to Song Qiming, "Your elder sister is so dashing."
How wonderful it would be if she were my sister.
Song Qiming and Song Shixue curled their lips with pride. Song Anhao, held in their arms, struggled to lean out the window.
The cries of "Eldest sister, eldest sister" from her mouth never stopped.
The county magistrate vomited on the spot when he saw Duanshan Lang, whose head had been reduced to a pulp of flesh and mud.
Bitter juices along with what seemed like his gallbladder came up, nearly costing him half his life.
Clutching his chest, he looked at Song Jinzhao. Killing him was one thing, but why torture him to death!
Looking at Song Jinzhao, she didn't seem to have such a hobby; her method was even more brutal than the county jail's torture chambers.
After recovering, the magistrate said to the clerk in charge of the census and treasury, "Go fetch one hundred taels of silver."
He handed the silver notes to Song Jinzhao with both hands. "This is the promised reward, Miss Song."
Song Jinzhao took the silver notes and tucked them into her robe.
Seeing the Lingyun Spear held against her chest, the Haoyue County magistrate hesitated for three seconds before speaking.
"Miss Song contributed the most to the eradication of the Half-Moon Cliff bandits. This spear is a gift to you, as a reward for killing the other dozen or so bandits."
Song Jinzhao cupped her hands in salute. "Thank you, Your Honor."
The Haoyue County magistrate passed judgment on the case with the utmost speed. All captured bandits were to be publicly executed at the eastern market at noon the next day.
After resting for another day to witness the beheadings, Song Jinzhao set out with her people early the next morning for Liaodu.
Not long after leaving the city gate, she stopped her horse, puzzled, and looked back.
Why did it feel like that carriage behind had been following her?
Meeting the coachman's eyes, the man grinned and nodded at Song Jinzhao, his face full of ingratiating expressions.
Song Jinzhao frowned. It wasn't until they reached a resting spot that she finally saw clearly who was inside the carriage.
Su Luobai stopped in front of Song Jinzhao and saluted her with cupped hands.
"I heard that Miss Song is the heroine who eradicated the bandits. I, Su, am filled with admiration. This meal today is on me."
Song Jinzhao didn't even lift her head, picking up her teacup and drinking water as if nothing was amiss.
"You've been following us all this way, Young Master Su. What is your purpose?"
Su Luobai's eyelids fluttered rapidly. He coughed lightly into his hand unnaturally.
"I, Su, am heading to Anyang Prefecture, the same destination as Miss Song. How can it be called following? We merely share the same road."
Song Jinzhao slowly put down her teacup, raised her head, and locked eyes with him. "When did I ever tell you I was going to Anyang Prefecture?"
When she slowed down, he slowed down; when she sped up, he sped up. Wasn't that following?
If the coachman's attitude hadn't seemed malicious, she would have taken action long ago.
Su Luobai stiffly tugged at the corner of his mouth. Naturally, he had inquired in advance.
The heroine who killed the bandits was sending her younger brother to the prefectural city for an examination, and he was also going to the prefectural city.
He was afraid of encountering bandits again on the road, so he wanted to travel together.
Guessing they might depart today, he had waited by the city gate in advance.
Finally finding an opportunity to strike up a conversation, he hadn't expected Song Jinzhao to be so wary.
Su Luobai simply sat down and spoke frankly. "To be honest with you, Miss Song, I, Su, am a student of Anyang Academy. I returned home to visit my family a few days ago and was preparing to return to the academy to study when, before setting out, I heard about bandits appearing at Half-Moon Cliff."
"Although the bandits have been eradicated by you, Miss, the journey is long, and dangers are hard to avoid. That's why I wished to travel with you."
Song Jinzhao's eyes paused slightly upon hearing "Anyang Academy."
It was the best academy in Anyang Prefecture, traditionally only admitting scholars who had passed the county-level imperial examinations. It was highly likely Song Qiming would study there if he passed the exam.
"So, you were sneaking around following behind, wanting me to be your free bodyguard?"
Su Luobai awkwardly reached to pour tea, only to remember the tea on the table wasn't his, and withdrew his hand in discomfort.
"Certainly not. I, Su, never found a suitable opportunity to speak with you, Miss, and had no choice but to keep following. If you are willing to travel together, I, Su, am willing to pay for escort services."
Song Jinzhao looked him up and down. His attire didn't seem particularly wealthy.
From head to toe, only that horse was of any real value.
"How much silver can you give me?"
Su Luobai put his hands under the table, his cheeks slightly flushed.
"To be honest with you, Miss Song, I spent most of my travel funds on renting the carriage. My purse is somewhat light; I can only offer one tael of silver."
An ordinary bodyguard's daily wage is about three hundred copper coins. From here to Anyang Prefecture would take about five more days, totaling fifteen hundred coins.
Moreover, with Song Jinzhao's skills, she was far from an ordinary bodyguard's price.
If charged at market rate, Su Luobai couldn't afford her at all.
Song Qiming, Song Dazhuang, and the others sitting on the stools looked up at Su Luobai in disbelief.
Just one tael of silver, and the carriage was rented? How dare he say this meal was on him?
Song Jinzhao took a closer look at the coachman standing behind him. Was this one rented too?
She had heard of poor scholars in ancient times; she hadn't expected to meet one right here.
Song Jinzhao's prolonged silence made Su Luobai think she would refuse.
Who could have guessed that the next second, Song Jinzhao suddenly asked, "When did Young Master Su enter Anyang Academy?"
Su Luobai paused before answering. "I, Su, have been at the academy for two years."
A meaningful, faint smile flashed in Song Jinzhao's eyes. "Being able to study at Anyang Academy, Young Master Su's literary talent must be excellent."
Su Luobai quickly waved his hand. "You flatter me, Miss. My talent is barely above average in the academy, still far from my brilliant, highly accomplished senior classmates."
