New rules for starting points: High-level VIP accounts that consume more than 5 yuan in the female channel of the starting point this month, and primary VIP accounts that exceed 10 yuan, can receive a gift of 1 basic pink ticket next month. Chee is currently PKing, asking for pink tickets. All book-reading sisters who click on the light purple mouse button may bring unexpected gains to Chee! (*^__^*) Hehe...

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  Shen Mu Qing and Jin Xiu both jumped in fright.

  Jin Xiu let out a cry of surprise and shrank back, tugging on Shen Muqing's sleeve.

  People outside heard the sound of oriole singing and swallows chirping, all looking towards the house.

  Two young girls were standing beside the green silk curtain. One was still young, with a clear and elegant appearance; the other looked like she was fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing an ivory-colored lotus-patterned white silk jacket with narrow sleeves, a turquoise blue embroidered skirt, two coral stone flower ornaments on her temples, gold-inlaid blue stone earrings hanging from her ears, her waist slender and elegant, her face radiant and beautiful, making everyone gaze at her in admiration.

  For a moment, there was complete silence both inside and out.

  The man who was dozing off on the windowsill also turned his head to look over. The two girls were not very old, but they were both born with skin as white as snow, delicate as frozen fat, and their hands exposed at the cuffs were like spring onions. Their bodies still faintly wafted the elegant fragrance of jade hairpins, and at a glance, they were obviously young ladies from good families.

  He rolled his eyes, got up and knelt in front of Jinxiu, knocking his head: "Auntie, please have mercy on us and save our daughter's life..."

  Jin Xiu was frightened pale and pulled Shen Muqing back repeatedly.

  Shen Mu Qing saw that the group of men who pulled him had ferocious looks on their faces, and the fallen man's eyes flickered. Although the young lady was beautiful, she wore heavy makeup and dressed in gaudy clothes... none of them seemed like decent people.

  She was unwilling to provoke trouble, and retreated with Jin Xiu into the canopy, using words to placate this person: "Sir, we are just following our master to the temple to burn incense, we can't be in charge of this!"

  The several big men who were pulling the woman exchanged a strange glance with each other, and one of them walked in, smiling and saying: "So you know each other!"

  He was about twenty-five or six years old, with a sturdy build and regular features, but his eyes were very evasive, giving people a frivolous feeling.

  Shen Mu's heart was clear and his mind was alert, he hastily said: "We don't know each other."

  The man who had dozed off on the couch looked at Shen Muqing and the other two, then looked at the group of men standing at the door, his eyes darting back and forth: "Sixteenth Master, we know each other, don't we? These two young ladies are our relatives, they've never seen such a scene before, they're scared." As he spoke, he took two steps forward, pointing to his own nose: "I'm Xu Sange from Yangjiao Alley, you don't recognize me... just the day before yesterday you asked me to buy flowers for you!"

  Jin Xiu was so frightened that her whole body trembled, and she could only repeat: "I never buy flowers to wear outside... You're talking nonsense... You're talking nonsense..."

  "Who knows you! We are from the Shen family of the Ministry of Revenue, the household of Master Shen Zhen... Don't be reckless, or I'll have you taken to see the authorities."

  The man who called himself Xu San heard this and his expression changed, with a hint of fear on his face, and he quietly retreated backwards.

  That Sixteenth Master pinched his shoulder and said with a smile: "Xu San, the emperor still has two poor relatives, let alone an official... what are you afraid of!"

  Xu San was pinched by Sixteen Master like this, and he didn't dare to shout in pain. He didn't even dare to move back: "Sixteen Master is right!"

  Sixteenth Master heard this and smiled at Jin Xiu: "Since that's the case, Xu San and his sister owe me 180 taels of silver, including interest. Elder sister, you can help them pay it back!"

  As soon as he finished speaking, several men outside the door walked in with a burst of laughter, their tall figures blocking the small hall and making it impossible to move.

  The girl who was being dragged by them immediately showed a look of anxiety in her eyes, and winked at Jinzhuang. Xu San's mouth slightly opened, he lowered his head and quietly moved to the corner of the wall.

  Calm and clear in heart, but extremely uneasy.

  These men were dressed in bright clothes, with a sly look on their faces. They knew they were officials and still dared to extort money. Either they were reckless gangsters or had some backing... Whatever the case, she didn't want to get involved.

  Shen Mu Qing hastily turned over the embroidered pouch, pouring out all the silver ingots inside, which weighed around ten or so taels: "Sirs, we really don't know this Xu San. He's mistaken us for someone else. These few taels of loose silver aren't enough to show respect, let's use it to buy a cup of wine for you gentlemen!" As he spoke, he handed it over to Sixteen Master.

  Sixteenth Master looked at the silver ingot in Shen Muqing's hand, seemingly smiling as he took it over, then weighed it in his hand and turned to toss it to a young boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old beside him: "Snowflake Silver... Xing Er, take care of it. Xu San has returned ten taels of silver, still owing one hundred and seventy taels."

  He suppressed his anger and held back a breath that was stuck in his chest, but he didn't dare to make a scene. He knew this matter couldn't be settled with just money, so he coldly watched as Sixteen Master did his thing.

  Sixteen Master lost his silver to the young servant, and glared at Jin Yu: "First you say you don't recognize me, then you return my silver... This is clearly extortion... I won't do anything to you, just follow me for a trip. Once your family brings the silver, I'll let you go." Before he finished speaking, several men following Sixteen Master surrounded him.

  Jin Yu let out a sharp cry and pulled Shen Muqing back into the eastern wing.

  A dark-faced man stepped forward, grasping Jinxiu's wrist with one hand and teasingly saying: "Really slippery..." His other hand also stroked Jinxiu's face.

  Shen Mu Qing was also pulled into his arms by a man.

  Jin Yu was so frightened that she shouted wildly: "Let me go... let me go... I'll report to our master and make you all face the law..."

  Others were sneering with ill intentions.

  Shen Muqing was a well-known academician in the company, with a hundred ways to deal with things, but he never had any conflicts with people verbally or physically. This formation was also the first time I encountered it, and for a moment, I was flustered, my mind was confused, my heart was racing, and I was dragged out of the compartment in a daze.

  The bright sunlight outside shone on the bluestones in the courtyard, dazzling her eyes. She finally came to herself, looking around left and right, but except for them, the corridors and side doors were empty of outsiders.

  Shen Mu Qing thought of those words he had heard in Jiǔ Sī Zhāi.

  I have been to the Temple of the Medicine King for many years, and nothing has ever happened. Looking at it today, the monks in the temple obviously avoided us. The Sixteenth Master clearly knew that I was a member of the Shen family from the Ministry of Revenue, but he still dared to abduct them without any fear... Shen Zhen is an official in the imperial court, and it's inevitable that he has made some enemies through his calculations, or perhaps someone has set a trap for him using his children.

  She felt her heart and soul shaken.

  If it's like this, then it's easier to handle. At least they won't casually harm them when neither side has shown their cards!

  As she thought about it, she slowly calmed down.

  But can't just let them go like this. Even if the kidnappers want money, there are times when they don't get what they want... At least I have to run to the front hall and take a look, see if those guards are still useful... or delay for time, wait for Zhu Ji to bring some guards back...

  Shen Muqing was dragged forward, stumbling and staggering, with Jin Xiu's terrified and shrill cries echoing in her ears.

  Her eyes rolled around rapidly.

  Since I've come prepared, once I leave the Medicine King Temple, I'm afraid there won't be another chance to escape. I need to think of a plan...

  Shen Mu was deep in thought when she saw Xu San blocking the heavily made-up girl, who was pointing and talking to them with a smug expression. The girl looked very impatient, trying to leave several times but being stopped by Xu San each time.

  Shen Mu Qing Zheng was startled, and just then he heard the sixteenth master shout: "Xiao Xing, tie her hands up, be careful not to let her scratch herself - that delicate skin!"

  Xiao Xing's little servant pulled out a half-old silk handkerchief from his waist and went to bind the embroidered hands: "Master, this Fourth Master is satisfied."

  Shen Mu Qing's heart suddenly moved.

  Or maybe it's just not what I thought...

  She jumped up, pointing at Xu San with another hand that was not held back: "Xu San, you son of a bitch..." She cursed for a moment, but then couldn't continue speaking.

  Sixteen Master listened to her voice being clear and melodious, but empty in tone and expression. He looked at her and burst out laughing: "Little sister, I didn't expect you to be so sharp-tongued!"

  Those men also burst out laughing.

  But at least it brought attention to the past.

  A country-faced man pointed at Xu San and smiled: "Sir, look..."

  Sixteenth Brother smiled and said: "Second Sister is indeed Seventh Brother's heart's desire..."

  Several people heard and went towards the woman with their mouths open in surprise.

  The woman took one look and suddenly pushed Xu San, then turned around and ran away.

  She had a pair of small golden lotus feet, how could she run fast? Several men took several steps and caught up with her, blocking her in the corridor.

  A woman kneeling on the ground, knocking her head like pounding garlic: "Please spare my family, sir... I'm just selling quails... When my brother comes back, we'll definitely set up eight tables of banquet at Baifang Building to apologize to you..."

  "What do you want with those eight tables of food!" Sixteen said, walking towards the woman. "Let me tell you the truth. Our Seventh Master is the younger brother-in-law of the Town Peace King, and he took a liking to you that day at Chunxiang Building. He plans to marry you as his sixth concubine. If you know what's good for you, just follow me obediently and serve Seventh Master well. If you don't know what's good for you... that day you accidentally spilled wine on Seventh Master's large red silk brocade robe with golden threads. Just compensate us with an identical one, and that's it."

  Several men looked at Er Jie with ill intentions. Someone winked and said, "Er Jie, our Sixteenth Master is the proper manager of the outer courtyard of the Town An Wang Fu, who would care about your seat? Why not let your brother give us that seat to eat instead? We'll be gentle later... won't break you..."

  Someone else said with a light tone: "Second sister, your brother is singing at Chengyi Bo's house... You should pity him... How many shows does he have to sing to afford these eight tables of food for you?"

  As he spoke, all those men burst out laughing with embarrassment.

  Second sister blushed bright red, tears rolling in her eye sockets. Xu San stuck to the corridor and slowly moved towards the side door.

  The people who were holding Shen Muqing and Jin Xiu also looked in that direction and burst out laughing.

  Her eyes were red and swollen, staring blankly at everything in front of her. But Shen Muqing quietly undid the buttons on his jacket, took off those high-heeled shoes, gently shook his shoulders, suddenly charged forward, struggled free from the man's grasp, and sprinted along the winding corridors towards the front hall.

  In this situation, she was running and yet somehow still felt a sense of relief thinking "at least I didn't wear socks" ...

  (Tears in eyes) Oh, ballot, ballot, where have you gone... Waaahhh...