Chapter 494: Horsebandit Ambush

Leaving Weinan County, Gao Yang couldn't help but ask, "Isn't what you're saying a bit inappropriate? What if a troublesome commoner shows up at the door?"

"Or perhaps, if the common folk have a trivial matter, they'll run over to help you solve it—wouldn't that be asking for trouble?"

Chen Yan calmly said, "The threshold of the Duke of Wei's mansion is high; ninety‑nine percent of people in the world cannot cross it. At the same time, the threshold is low; even a three‑year‑old child can step over it easily."

When he finished, Gao Yang and Li Lizhi fell into thought and did not bring up the matter again.

In fact, they knew very well that Chen Yan's words were meant only to intimidate.

They left today; in the future, Li Yifu and his group will also leave, and no one knows who will become officials at the Xianlya.

But today's news and Chen Yan's words will spread; if Chen Yan lives even a day and gains power for a day, then no one will dare to cause trouble in Weinan County.

Gao Yang asked those questions merely out of fear that some troublesome commoners might not grasp the reasoning.

However, since Chen Yan already had a plan, she said no more.

The carriage kept moving, but Chen Yan seemed distracted; Li Lizhi and Gao Yang did not disturb him and each chatted separately.

Halfway along the road, when they passed a stretch of forest, the carriage suddenly jolted to a halt, sending a noticeable shock through it.

Chen Yan frowned and was about to ask what had happened.

From outside came Xiao Shunzi's panicked voice, "Young master, it seems we've run into horsebandits!"

"Horsebandits?"

Chen Yan's expression was striking; Gao Yang and Li Lizhi instantly panicked and instinctively grabbed his hand.

"Husband, how can there be horsebandits on this road?" Li Lizhi, having heard the Eldest Grandson Empress speak of how hateful horsebandits are and the fate of those who fall into their hands, could not stay calm.

Gao Yang said nothing, but with his other hand he clutched Xiao Sui An tightly.

"Don't panic, I'll go take a look," Chen Yan said reassuringly, breaking free of the two women's grip and stepping out of the carriage.

"Young master..." Xiao Shunzi's complexion turned a bit pale; she was still very young and tended to panic in such situations.

Not far ahead, a dozen or so horses blocked the road, and a dozen or so knife‑wielding men stood scattered, each with a fierce look, staring coldly at their convoy.

"No attack?" Chen Yan squinted, sensing something amiss.

Horsebandits are a bunch of desperados; they won't lecture you on any grand principles. Usually, after picking a target, they charge straight in, seeking both loot and pleasure.

Chen Yan glanced backward, his expression suddenly enlightened.

"So they feared I'd escape, blocked me first, then let the rest of the lads surround me..."

At the same time, horsebandits emerged from all directions, and within a brief moment they had the convoy surrounded.

Chen Yan remained unruffled and, addressing the dozen or so mounted bandits ahead, asked with interest, "Gentlemen, when you block the road for loot, must you first announce your family name?"

The leader, a man with a full beard, let his gaze circle Chen Yan before grinning, "The Duke of Wei truly has boldness. We brothers heard a big figure would pass today, so we waited here, hoping the noble duke will treat us to a bowl of rice."

His words sounded polite, but the ferocity in his eyes could not be hidden.

Chen Yan noticed that, though the men seemed scattered, they were subtly forming an encircling formation, blocking both the forward and rear routes of the convoy.

Du Gou's and Fang Yizhi's carriages were also separated, and faint shouts from household guards could be heard on that side.

"Since you recognize me, you still dare to block the road?" Chen Yan's voice grew colder, "Do you think my blade isn't swift enough, or that the imperial troops are too far away?"

The bearded man chuckled twice, "Lord Duke, you're joking. We're only after loot, not looking to hurt anyone. Leave the carriage and goods intact, and we guarantee a safe departure for you."

"Otherwise..." he weighed his knife, "A blade has no eyes; harming a noble would be unfortunate."

"So they're really just clueless, self‑righteous horsebandits," Chen Yan said, a bit disappointed, having thought someone would truly dare to ambush him on his way back.

If that's the case, there might even be some unexpected surprises.

After all, if they knew his identity and that they were sent to kill him, they shouldn't waste words with him.

And now, since they know his identity yet still talk of robbery, do they think they can rob him and then flee elsewhere to live carefree, beyond the court's reach?

The bearded leader sensed something off; Chen Yan was too calm, so calm that he paid them no heed at all.

He felt a desire to retreat, when a scar‑faced man beside him shouted, "Brother, why are you wasting words with this pretty boy? Not only is his status high, his trade is even bigger; the dozens of carriages behind surely carry countless valuables."

"Today we'll take him down, then immediately take the waterway away; who could find us?"

"Second brother is right, seize this pretty boy!" another man chimed excitedly, "I also heard this pretty boy has two wives as beautiful as celestial maidens..."

Chen Yan's gaze instantly hardened, his hand lifting as if to do something.

—Swish—

Suddenly, a shrill whooshing sound sliced the air, and an arrow instantly pierced the neck of the bandit who had just spoken.

"Brother Chen, why are you saying so much to these beasts? If you ask me, just kill them all!"

Chen Yan turned his head and saw Du Gou standing on the carriage, holding a large bow, looking exactly the part!

"Old Third!!!"

The bearded leader's eyes instantly reddened as he stared at his own Old Third falling from his horse, an arrow still lodged in his neck, death unblinking!

"Chen, today I'm going to make you die!"

He roared, and everyone could hear the fury in his voice.

The horsebandits boiled with rage.

"Kill! Revenge for the third master!"

Just as the bandits surged forward like a swarm, arrows shot from the dense forest behind, striking the hearts of several frontmost bandits with pinpoint accuracy!

Screams of agony rang out in succession.

Immediately, dozens of armored crossbowmen emerged from the hillside, forming a crescent that pressed down swiftly; the "click" of drawn crossbow strings filled the air, coldly targeting the remaining bandits.

At the same time, horse hooves sounded from behind, and more Jinwu Guard gathered.

"Husband, come in quickly; if those mounted bandits also have arrows, it'll be trouble."

Li Lizhi exhaled a sigh of relief and hurriedly pulled Chen Yan back into the carriage.

Chen Yan didn't want her to worry, so he didn't refuse, but he still lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.

He had four princesses, a prince, and a prince's consort here; for these horsebandits to try to ambush him, that was truly a damn death sentence.

"Hahaha, you weren't trying to ambush me, huh? Damn, come on!"

At that moment, an incredibly arrogant voice rang out; Chen Yan instinctively glanced back and saw Du Gou continuously drawing his bow and shooting arrows, each arrow taking down a bandit trying to flee.

Chen Yan's eyelid twitched, "You can even handle this?"

"......"