Chapter 271

The window faced directly toward the second-floor cabin.

Jiang Xiaoxiao could see from afar a group of Black-Clothed Men holding the noble lady, while the surrounding lady's maids and old women were clearly terrified and dared not approach.

The bandits numbered about four or five, armed only with cleavers and kitchen knives, unlike the assassins who had just attacked them and carried iron weapons.

The commotion on the second floor was loud; many on the ship had been awakened and gathered below deck to stare.

Jiang Xiaoxiao lifted the Anesthetic Gun, attempting to aim at the bandit holding Su Wanwan.

Jiang Wei gripped her hand: "Wait a moment—someone's nearby."

Jiang Xiaoxiao paused, following her mother's gaze, and indeed spotted two figures hidden in the corner of the cabin.

It was Yu Ying'er and Yu Batou.

"What's going on? Why didn't the medicine you gave work? Why hasn't she fallen unconscious?!" Yu Ying'er's face was filled with fury and confusion.

According to the original plan, the bandits would eliminate Su Wanwan silently, without alerting anyone.

But now Su Wanwan hadn't fainted at all—she'd caused the entire ship to take notice. What should they do now?

Yu Bangchu kept his head lowered, his dark face buried in shadow, saying nothing.

Yu Ying'er shot him a furious glare and turned to run toward the second-floor cabin.

Yu Batou reached out and grabbed her, his voice low, tinged with pleading: "Ying'er… turn back—there's shore ahead…"

"I've passed the point of no return!"

Yu Ying'er wrenched free of his hand and sprinted up to the second floor without looking back.

The second floor was now in utter chaos: two bandits held Su Wanwan with kitchen knives, while two others stood guard ahead with cleavers, menacingly shouting: "Stop crying, or I'll kill this woman!"

Several old women had collapsed in terror, utterly at a loss.

Only Yu'er managed to maintain composure; she noticed the bandits held only ordinary kitchen knives and cleavers, realizing they weren't true sea pirates who killed without mercy—merely common thieves seeking wealth.

"Daring ruffians! Do you know who you're holding?!" she deliberately spat coldly, hoping to frighten the bandits into releasing the lady by revealing her identity.

The bandit leader sneered: "I don't care who she is—hand over your money, or none of you will live to see tomorrow's sun!"

"How dare you! Do you know the lady is the Emperor's—"

"Shut up, Yu'er! Do you want to get the lady killed?!"

Before Yu'er could finish, Yu Ying'er suddenly appeared and cut her off.

She rushed forward, subtly signaling the front bandits, then turned to the lady's maids and old women: "The lady is of golden and jade lineage—how can she be held by such scum? Quickly fetch the money and give it to them, so they'll release her at once!"

"That's right! Hand over the money, and I'll let her go!" the bandit leader quickly echoed.

The lady's maids and old women, seeing this, dared not delay and hurried inside to fetch the money.

Only Yu'er stood still, her gaze suspiciously fixed on Yu Ying'er.

Yu Ying'er, unaware, saw the lady's maids and old women step back and quickly signaled the bandits across from her.

Things had gone this far—she absolutely would not allow Su Wanwan to live.

Tonight, no matter what, Su Wanwan must die!

The bandits, receiving the signal, dragged the tightly bound Su Wanwan backward.

"Wait!" Yu'er cried out, "Where are you taking my lady?!"

The bandits ignored her entirely, dragging Su Wanwan down the stairs.

Su Wanwan's mouth was tightly gagged with Coarse Cloth, making no sound; her eyes filled with tears, pleadingly fixed on Yu'er.

Yu'er was frantic, wanting to rush forward and rescue her, but Yu Ying'er seized her arm: "Do you want to get the lady killed?! If you anger the bandits, what if they throw her overboard?!"

Her words gave the bandits a clear target—they quickly retreated to the ship side and threatened: "Hand over the money, or I'll throw this woman into the sea!"

Hearing this, Yu'er panicked further, forgetting everything else, desperate to rush to Su Wanwan's aid—but Yu Ying'er held her fast, refusing to let go.

Those on the deck had shrunk into the corners, none daring to move forward.

Many merchants on the ship had come out to watch; seeing the bandits abduct Su Wanwan, they were shocked and terrified, yet some even felt relief—thankfully, it wasn't them.

"Money—here's the money!"

The two old women hurried out, carrying a cloth sack bulging with gold and silver jewelry: "Release our lady at once! Take all of this!"

The bandits, seeing the nearly unmanageable heap of gold, silver, jade, and pearls in the women's hands, their eyes glowed with greed.

This job was worth it!

So much treasure—enough to support them for generations.

"Throw the stuff down!" the bandit leader exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement.

The two old women dared not disobey; they hurled the heavy sack of jewelry through the gap in the second-floor railing.

The load was heavy and dense, striking the ground with a dull thud.

The two bandits with cleavers rushed forward and dragged the loot to their feet.

Now that they had the treasure, the bandit leader's voice gained confidence: "We'll release this woman—if you let us safely leave the ship once it reaches shore."

Yu Ying'er would never let Su Wanwan return safely; she sneered coldly: "Hmph, don't think you can take the treasure and vanish. Release my lady now, or when we dock, everyone on board will report you to the authorities!"

She emphasized the words "report to the authorities."

The bandits' expressions instantly changed.

According to the original plan, they would silently abduct Su Wanwan, collect a fortune, and disappear—but now, with the entire ship alerted, they knew they'd be reported the moment they stepped ashore.

Yu'er could no longer hold back—she rushed forward and slapped Yu Ying'er.

"What are you saying?! They agreed to release the lady—why are you provoking them?! Do you want her dead?!"

Now, to save their own lives, the bandits would never easily release Su Wanwan.

Yu Ying'er's face was turned sideways from the blow.

She coldly curled her lips into a smile, her gaze piercing as she stared at Yu'er.

Yes—she did not want these people to release Su Wanwan.

Anyway, the situation has already unfolded; even if Su Wanwan doesn't die, she must find a way to have these men ruin Su Wanwan's purity.

Will the Prince still want a woman who was kidnapped and held for several days and nights?

"Hah, what a fine performance."

As this light, airy voice sounded, a sudden change occurred.

"Puff!"

One of the bandits who had been binding Su Wanwan suddenly fell to the ground without a sound.