PDLP Chapter 2097 Meeting Outside the City
Chapter 2097 Meeting Outside the City
Yan Ruyu remained silent, while Huo Changhe nodded.
“What the envoy from Suzhou said makes sense…”
Before he could finish speaking, Li Cheng quickly added, "Isn't this inappropriate?"
All three of them looked at him.
Li Cheng swallowed hard and said, "What I mean is, if I arrest that person, he can no longer deliver medicine to Liu Jiulang. Given Liu Jiulang's cunning and suspicious nature, he might... he might become suspicious and escape first."
Su Zhenhai felt that what he said made sense, and was in a dilemma, so he couldn't help but look at Huo Changhe.
Yan Ruyu said slowly, "No rush. Liu Jiulang also knows that the city is under strict guard, and it is not easy to sneak out of the city. It is inevitable that we will be a little late."
"Or, we could send someone to impersonate him and deliver the medicine. We don't need to meet him; just drop off the medicine and leave, saying a few words in a low voice. He's injured and can't move easily right now, so he might not take the risk."
Huo Changhe agreed: "Okay."
Li Cheng clenched his fists silently, a look of anxiety flashing in his eyes.
……
The vermilion gate of the Su residence slowly closed behind Li Cheng, the creaking sound of the hinges turning particularly clear in the quiet night.
He didn't turn around. His shoulder was still covered with candle ash from the meeting in the front hall of the Su residence. His fingertips unconsciously caressed the tassel of the sword at his waist—a tassel that his daughter Ling'er had woven herself, with blue silk threads wrapped and wrapped around it. Now it felt like a fine needle, pricking his heart again and again.
The streets were deserted, with only a few lanterns hanging from the eaves casting a dim yellow light, making his shadow long and thin.
The evening breeze, carrying the warmth of the summer night, blew over and ruffled his blue robes. Li Cheng tightened the reins and mounted his horse.
The horse let out a low neigh and its hooves gently pawed at the bluestone pavement.
"I'm leaving," Li Cheng said in a low voice.
Instead of heading home, he spurred his horse and galloped towards the outskirts of the city.
The sound of horses' hooves echoed on the empty streets, gradually fading into the night.
About 15 minutes later, a dense willow grove appeared ahead, the willow branches swaying gently in the wind, making a "rustling" sound.
This is the agreed-upon location.
Li Cheng reined in his horse, dismounted, and almost stumbled in his haste.
He straightened his clothes, walked to the willow tree, and whistled softly three times.
As soon as the whistle fell, a series of light footsteps came from behind the tree.
A person dressed in black, wearing a mask that gleamed coldly in the moonlight, stepped out.
He first glanced behind Li Cheng, his brows furrowing slightly. His voice, coming through the mask, was somewhat hoarse: "Where's Su Zhenhai? Why are you alone?"
Li Cheng's gaze fell on the masked man, his fingers unconsciously tightening their grip on the reins: "Where is my daughter?"
The masked man let out a cold laugh, his laughter full of mockery: "After it's done, I'll naturally return her to you." He took a step forward, closing in on Li Cheng. "I'm asking you, where is Su Zhenhai?"
Li Cheng pursed his lips, which were a little dry.
He couldn't say anything, so he could only feign composure: "I'll be there in a bit. I just came to let you know in advance."
He paused, then added, "We're going to the ambush site; I need to see my daughter."
The masked man remained silent for a moment, seemingly pondering whether Li Cheng's words were true or false.
His eyes, hidden behind the mask, were fixed on Li Cheng, as if trying to see right through him.
After a while, he nodded and said, "Okay, I'll take you there."
Li Cheng followed behind the masked man, his steps heavy. He didn't turn around, but he could clearly sense that several people were following him not far behind. Their footsteps were very light, but they didn't escape his ears.
They must be the masked man's men.
His heart leaped into his throat, filled with anxiety—was his daughter with them? She wasn't fully recovered, and with the wind so strong at night, wouldn't she get cold? Would she be scared and cry?
A series of questions swirled in his mind, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
After walking for about half an incense stick's time, a narrow path appeared ahead. On both sides of the path were dense forests, with trees growing so thick and leafy that they squeezed the path in the middle, and you could only see a sliver of sky when you looked up.
Li Cheng stopped and pointed to the road: "Over there, there are trees on both sides of the road, but there is no other way around it, so that's the best place to go."
The masked man glanced in the direction he was pointing. Moonlight shone on the road, revealing several protruding stones in the middle of the road.
He nodded, his tone carrying a hint of agreement: "That's true."
"We've arrived. Where's my daughter?" Li Cheng asked about his daughter again, his voice more urgent than before.
His gaze swept around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ling'er, but there was nothing but swaying tree shadows.
The masked man didn't speak, but simply raised his right hand and clapped it lightly.
As soon as the applause subsided, a tall man walked out from behind, carrying a small figure in his arms.
Li Cheng's heart raced instantly, his eyes were fixed on the small figure, and his breathing became rapid.
The moonlight was hazy, with clouds obscuring most of it. Li Cheng couldn't see the child's face clearly, but he could clearly hear a faint whimper. The sound was soft and weak, like a kitten meowing, yet it struck his heart again and again.
His heart was broken.
"Bring the child over here." Li Cheng took two steps forward, his voice pleading.
The man walked over carrying the child, and Li Cheng could only see him clearly when he got closer.
Ling'er was wearing a pink jacket, her hair was a little messy, her face was pale and full of tears, and her eyes were red, like a frightened little rabbit.
She wasn't tied up, but her body was tightly gripped by the man's large hands, rendering her unable to move. A blue cloth was stuffed in her mouth, and she could only make soft sobs.
Upon seeing Li Cheng, Ling'er's eyes lit up instantly, and her tears flowed even more profusely. She nodded her little head repeatedly, making "woo-woo" sounds.
Li Cheng's eyes suddenly became bloodshot and hot. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, but he felt no pain.
"Give me back my daughter!" He took a few more steps forward, his voice filled with barely suppressed anger.
The masked man stepped forward, blocking his path, and said coldly, "Su Zhenhai hasn't arrived yet. When he does, I will naturally return the child to you."
Li Cheng's heart sank. He knew in his heart that Su Zhenhai would not come.
His plan failed from the very beginning.
He took a deep breath, lowered his voice, and tried to make his tone sound calm: "I won't run, and I can't run away with my daughter in tow."
He glanced at his daughter, who was still crying, her little shoulders trembling.
“Here’s what we’ll do: give me the child. That way, she won’t keep crying. If Su Zhenhai comes and hears the child crying and gets suspicious, it could ruin your plans, and that would be bad.”
The masked man glanced at his daughter, then at Li Cheng.