Chapter 2818: The Stand-In Was Seized by the Mountain Bandit's Wife 24

Ruan Sutong's heart sank little by little.

He had laid out plans years in advance, painstakingly scheming to get close and guide, leaving an impression in Gu Fanghe's heart to pave the way for the future—not to become what he is now.

Ruan Sutong's thoughts raced, but his face gave nothing away; after delivering the news, he lifted his eyes to Gu Fanghe.

«No matter what the situation in the palace ends up being, whether the Crown Prince's faction succeeds or fails, which prince ascends…» he said gently, «Please, Older Brother Gu, believe that Sutong will surely stand by your side. »

Chen Xiaoshan and Liu Mianfeng both lifted their eyes, looking at Ruan Sutong, then at Gu Fanghe.

Liu Mianfeng's eyes gleamed with interest; he wanted to see how Older Brother Gu would respond.

If that comes to pass… hey, later he'll go to Jin Chen to lodge a complaint, maybe even extort a jug of fine wine from Older Brother Gu.

Gu Fanghe gave Ruan Sutong a cold glance, "If what you say is true, the brothers of Black Mountain Stronghold will surely repay you."

Ruan Sutong: "…"

He opened his mouth, but for a moment could not speak, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

When the discussion was nearly finished, Gu Fanghe rose first and walked straight out the door, clearly not intending to stay longer.

"Older Brother Gu!" Ruan Sutong also sprang to his feet, rushing to the doorway, somewhat eager, as if he still wanted to say something.

Gu Fanghe's steps did not pause; he only tossed back a sentence, "Chen Xiaoshan, you arrange people—later, when he needs to gather herbs or do something else, you handle it."

Ruan Sutong stood at the doorway of the Council Hall, watching that unswerving retreating back, his gaze deepening; the rain blown by the wind dampening his robes went unnoticed.

Many of the nearby bandits passing by or on duty saw this scene.

They exchanged glances, each feeling as clear as a mirror; it seemed the Chief truly held Young Master Jin close to his heart.

Looking at this attitude, toward Young Master Ruan… tsk.

However, seeing Ruan Sutong standing alone under the eaves, his plain robes slightly damp from wind and rain, looking thin and forlorn, the bandits who had once received his kindness could not help but feel a twinge of pity.

Alas, Young Master Ruan is also pitiable—three years apart, and everything has changed.

Ruan Sutong stood at the doorway for a moment, gave a slight nod to the Chen Xiaoshan beside him, whose expression was complex, his voice a little hoarse, "Thank you, Second Chief."

——

The side courtyard was secluded and quiet, made even more chilly by the rain.

Ruan Sutong pushed the door open and entered, then bolted it from inside.

Inside, Chu Yi and Chu Ming, having discarded their disguises, came forward to meet him.

Chu Ming, more lively in temperament, saw that Ruan Sutong's expression was off, immediately stepped forward and took his hand—icy cold—and said, "Sutong, why are your hands so cold? Your complexion looks poor—did Older Brother Gu upset you?"

Chu Yi, though silent, had his stern brows and eyes sink as well.

Ruan Sutong let Chu Ming hold his hand, lifted his gaze to the two, forced a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, and gently shook his head. "Nothing."

"…It's just that after three years apart, everyone in the stronghold has changed a lot."

His voice dropped, filled with regret and grievance: "Back then, Second Brother Chen, though stern, still looked out for me; Third Brother Liu was humorous, Yan Qi lively… and Older Brother Gu, though not talkative, was never like this…"

Ruan Sutong didn't finish, but the unspoken meaning was understood by Chu Yi and Chu Ming.

"Is it because of that Jin Chen?" Chu Ming gritted his teeth, "He's merely a counterfeit who bears a slight resemblance to you—does he deserve to make you suffer? Is Older Brother Gu blind?"

Chu Yi's eyes grew colder: "Sutong, rest assured, he's just an ignorant impostor; a little warning will do."

Ruan Sutong quickly shook his head and grabbed Chu Yi's sleeve: "Don't… don't cause trouble for my sake; Young Master Jin may not have meant it either, after all, I've been away too long. It's natural for the stronghold to have newcomers and forget an old member like me."

Hearing these words, Chu Yi and Chu Ming felt it was like pouring oil on fire.

Someone as graceful and serene as Sutong, actually forced by a vile impostor to the point of resigning himself to fate.

Chu Ming's eyes reddened with anger as he pulled Sutong into an embrace: "Sutong, you're just too kind—does that sort of person deserve your speaking up for him?"

Chu Yi: "We'll handle this ourselves; we won't put you in a difficult position."

Ruan Sutong leaned into Chu Ming's embrace, lowered his eyes slightly, and hummed, "You… be very careful, don't start a conflict with the stronghold on my account."

"Older Brother Gu now dotes on Young Master Jin; I fear you'll be at a disadvantage."

Chu Yi and Chu Ming exchanged a glance, both seeing killing intent in the other's eyes.

The two again soothed Sutong with gentle words, promising they would not act rashly and would handle things properly; only then, under Sutong's worried gaze, did they change into ordinary bandits' coarse cloth and slip quietly out of the side courtyard.

The door was closed again.

Inside, only Ruan Sutong remained.

His fragile expression vanished completely; he walked to the window, pushed open half of it, and let the cold wind blow in, stirring his plain white robes.

Suddenly, a multicolored snake dangled outside the window, its vertical pupils fixed on him.

Ruan Sutong instinctively stepped back half a pace, his eyes turning cold; he stared at the snake for a few seconds, then seized it at its seventh inch.

Ruan Sutong's face remained expressionless as the snake's neck bone was crushed outright.

He released his grip; the dead snake fell to the ground, splashing a few drops of mud.

Ruan Sutong took out a handkerchief, meticulously wiped the fingers that had pinched the snake, then casually tossed it beside the corpse.

"Jin Chen…" he whispered the name, "You actually came after all."

——

Jin Chen had finished his early meal, draped in a light cloak edged with silver fox fur, his black hair half-bound with a jade pin, the rest falling over his shoulders; A Yan held an oil-paper umbrella to shield him from rain and mist as master and servant searched the stronghold for something.

On a rainy day, the stronghold was far quieter than usual; only patrolling bandits in straw cloaks guarded the key points, and upon seeing Jin Chen they would halt, bow, and greet him.

"Why did Young Master Jin come out? The rain may have lessened, but the chill is strong—take care not to catch cold." the patrol squad leader said solicitously.

Jin Chen stopped walking: "These past few days I've been raising two small snakes near the Warm Pavilion; they're oddly interesting, usually quite docile, and I play with them in my leisure—also a sort of companion."

"But this morning I woke to find them gone—perhaps last night's heavy rain left the cage unlatched, letting them escape."

He paused, lifted his hand to adjust the light cloak on his shoulder, and said, "I thought I'd come out to look for them."

The squad leader immediately said, "Don't worry, Young Master Jin, we'll help you look! Two snakes, right? Our brothers' eyes are sharp—we'll surely find them!"

"Yes! Young Master Jin, describe them and we'll split up to search!" the other bandits chimed in.

Jin Chen caught sight of two figures in straw cloaks hurrying past, the corners of his lips curved, and he pointed toward the fork where they had disappeared.

「You guys help me look for it—could it be nearby? 」

「All right! Young Master Jin, just relax! Leave it to us! 」

Squad Leader slapped his chest, immediately summoned his four or five brothers underneath, "Go! Be careful!"