Chapter 74: Capturing the Trafficker

Chapter 74: Capturing the Trafficker

Yao Su's bamboo whistle rolled and fell to the ground, sliding along the feet of the crowd until it bumped into Lin Yingxue's small deer leather boots.

Feeling something under her foot, Lin Yingxue took a step back and looked down to see the bamboo whistle.

This bamboo whistle was more exquisite than the one Lin Yingxue had hidden. Where did it come from?

Lin Yingxue picked it up and moved forward, only to see a little girl being carried between the legs of a fat woman. In just a moment, even the hem of her clothes could no longer be seen.

She walked so fast, and in such an awkward position.

Unable to help herself, Lin Yingxue asked, "What happened? Why is the little girl being carried like this?"

The person, who had been somewhat impatient, immediately brightened upon seeing Lin Yingxue and said:

"Madam, that little girl just stole money from her family. Her parents say it was for her brother's life-saving treatment. Her father almost beat her to death, but fortunately, her mother protected her."

As soon as someone spoke, others chimed in:

"Yes, she looked so clean and innocent, and I saw her holding a candy skewer, looking very cute. Who would have thought she would do such a thing?"

"She's still young and doesn't know better. It wasn't really stealing; she only took three coins to buy a candy skewer. The rest of the money is still there, enough to treat her family."

"What do you mean 'young'? She must be around twelve or thirteen, probably already betrothed and soon to be married. How can she still be so greedy, not knowing the family's situation? Her brother is sick, and the family isn't well-off, yet she still took coins to buy snacks."

Mentioning the candy skewer, Lin Yingxue just then noticed the dropped skewer.

A thin auntie picked up the dusty candy skewer, puffed out her cheeks to blow off the dirt, and seeing that the top one was relatively clean, gave it to a child nearby, whispering:

"Only eat the first one, rinse the rest before eating."

A lightning bolt seemed to strike Lin Yingxue's mind, bringing forth a thought:

If they were truly poor, why didn't they pick up the candy skewer? This was a three-coin candy skewer that had already been bought.

Lin Yingxue took out a whistle from her bosom. When blown, ordinary people couldn't hear it, only the secret agents hidden in the shadows could.

Another person who heard it was Jian He, whose movements were faster than the secret agents. In a few steps, he leaped onto the roof.

The sound of his black boots on the tiles was crisp, causing the townspeople to exclaim in surprise.

From his vantage point, Jian He had a clear view of everything below.

He saw the fat auntie carrying Yao Su away hurriedly, the chaos caused by the crowd pressing against each other, and Lin Yingxue, who had removed her hood and still held the bamboo whistle in her mouth.

With a leap from the eaves, Jian He landed beside Lin Yingxue.

The townspeople quickly made way.

Seeing Jian He, Lin Yingxue wasted no time and said, "A fat auntie just ran off with a little girl. There should be another person pretending to be her husband; they are traffickers."

Jian He nodded and leaped back onto the roof.

The secret agents nearby followed him, some staying close to Lin Yingxue, others following the general.

Jian He had a small crossbow on his arm, which accurately pierced through the feet of the fat woman, the dark-faced man, and two others, pinning them to the ground.

Ordinary traffickers couldn't withstand such piercing pain; they cried out in agony instantly.

The fat auntie could no longer hold onto Yao Su, whose face was swollen, rolling helplessly on the ground.

Once she stopped, the first thing Yao Su did was put her hand to her mouth.

Realizing she had been hit and disoriented, Yao Su found her bamboo whistle was gone.

Rolling on the ground without losing consciousness, Yao Su bent her knees and tried to stand up with one hand supporting her.

If she could hide in the crowd, she wouldn't be taken by the traffickers.

But such a simple action was beyond her reach.

First struck hard in the face, Yao Su was still ringing with the sound of the blow, and her head was dizzy from rolling on the ground. She simply couldn't stand up.

At that moment, a hand rested on her shoulder.

Yao Su's body trembled, and she let out a short, desperate scream, waving her hands wildly.

Jian He had to kneel on one knee, restraining her hands with one hand while reaching into his waist to pull out a token.

"It's over," Jian He smoothed the hair from her forehead, showing her the token in his hand.

When the token swayed in front of Yao Su, she still hadn't reacted.

In Jian He's eyes, this not-so-small girl was full of despair, her eyes unable to focus.

"It's over, it's over," Jian He could only keep saying softly, anxiously signaling the secret agent near Lin Yingxue.

Why hasn't Lin Yingxue arrived yet?

If they were really traffickers, they wouldn't let her act so recklessly. Yao Su quickly calmed down, recognizing the characters "Zhen Guo" (Defend the Country) on the token and Jian He's face. What else could she misunderstand?

She had seen Jian He before, when he entered the capital after winning a battle, wearing armor and a red tassel on his helmet, a sight that made her think of what a true hero should be.

She wouldn't be taken by traffickers; she had been saved.

Realizing she was saved, tears welled up in Yao Su's eyes.

Looking to the side, she saw the fat auntie who had restrained her now squatting, clutching her legs and moaning in pain.

Not only was she not abducted, but the kidnappers were also caught?

Tears streamed down Yao Su's face as she continuously bowed to Jian He.

Jian He dodged, seeing Yao Su's state made him feel helpless, scratching his head. Fortunately, Lin Yingxue arrived at this moment.

"You came just in time." Jian He stood up hastily, visibly relieved upon seeing Lin Yingxue.

Lin Yingxue squatted down and held Yao Su's arm.

Yao Su's body stiffened again, and Lin Yingxue spoke softly, "Don't be afraid."

Lin Yingxue's voice was gentle, "I am with General Jian."

Lin Yingxue fell silent as she realized the woman's identity at such close range. She was not some poor girl but clearly the daughter of Grand Tutor Yao—Yao Su.

Yao Su wore a deep blue dress. One of her twin buns had been pulled loose, the other disheveled, hanging by her ear, with several bloody scratches visible on her scalp. Blood beads seeped from the wounds.

Her cheeks bore five-finger marks, swollen high, with a trace of blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

"It's over now." Lin Yingxue helped her stand up, seeing her so disheveled, she undid her coat, intending to drape it over Yao Su, but Jian He moved faster.

"Let me." Jian He handed his cloak to Lin Yingxue, who shook it out and draped it over Yao Su.

The large hood covered Yao Su's face, and the oversized sleeves, which originally hung at Jian He's calves, now reached Yao Su's embroidered shoes, barely touching the ground.

"Do you know her?" Jian He couldn't help but ask.

Lin Yingxue nodded, "This is not the place to talk. Go call the constables and take her to the magistrate's office."

Yao Su grabbed Lin Yingxue's sleeve, and Lin Yingxue leaned closer. Yao Su struggled to speak, "Nanny."

Lin Yingxue whispered, "Did you come with your nanny? Do you know where she is now?"

Yao Su nodded, looking at Lin Yingxue with gratitude.

Lin Yingxue's memory wasn't always good, but Fu Jiaze had taught her some mnemonic techniques. After learning them, she used her senses to remember things, improving her memory.

The scene of the snow-viewing banquet slowly replayed in her mind, quickly focusing on Yao Su and the nanny she brought.

After recalling for a moment, Lin Yingxue opened her eyes and said confidently, "Miss's nanny is a small, thin woman, about this tall, with a mole here, and hair growing on it, very recognizable."

Yao Su nodded frantically, and Lin Yingxue restrained her movements, speaking softly, "I understand. You're injured, so move gently."

Jian He ordered the imperial guards to gag and tie up the kidnappers. He then said decisively, "I saw someone fall and be pressed at the bottom when I leaped onto the roof. It might be Miss's nanny. I'll go check."

Following his memory, Jian He found that Yao Su's nanny had been knocked unconscious and was being taken to a nearby clinic by a kind-hearted person.

Jian He asked for the name of the clinic and sent his men to find Yao Su's nanny while he returned to Lin Yingxue and the others.

At this moment, the constables from the capital city arrived. They looked at the people around Lin Yingxue and the capable Jian He, placing their hands on their swords, "Who are you?"

Jian He took out his badge and threw it into the lead constable's arms.

One of the constables pointed at Lin Yingxue's bodyguards and said, "Boss, one of them is an imperial guard!"

The mention of "imperial guard" made the civilians step back, and even the constables changed their attitude, no longer daring to confront the imperial guards.

Lin Yingxue's bodyguards were retired imperial guards, injured and unsuitable for further duty. At first, they seemed old and disabled, but no one expected them to be former imperial guards.

The lead constable examined the badge and immediately knelt before Jian He, "Greetings, General of the Nation."

The lead constable knelt, and the other constables followed, shouting loudly, "Greetings, General of the Nation."

Jian He acted swiftly, pinning the kidnappers with crossbows. The sudden screams and blood on the ground startled the civilians, making them uneasy, unsure if these people were friends or foes.

Upon hearing "General of the Nation," the civilians also knelt.

The title "General of the Nation" carried great weight. Some might not know the current emperor, but everyone knew the General of the Nation.

Lin Yingxue supported Yao Su, whose eyes were filled with tears. She refused Lin Yingxue's help and bowed with the others to Jian He.

Jian He said to the constables, "These people are kidnappers. Take them back for questioning. Lady Lin, may I have a word with you?"

The constables cleared the area, leaving a small space for them.

Jian He nodded towards Yao Su, "This lady is..."

"The eldest daughter of Grand Tutor Yao—Lady Yao. She has another identity as the betrothed of the Third Prince."

Jian He was taken aback, looking at the woman wrapped tightly in the cloak, "Why is the daughter of Grand Tutor Yao dressed like this? Where is her maid?"

Lin Yingxue had already guessed Yao Su's motives. She glanced at Yao Su and said to Jian He, "Lady Yao was kidnapped. She probably wanted to lure the kidnappers out this way."

"Foolish," Jian He said with a hint of anger, "Such reckless behavior. If you hadn't been there, wouldn't she have been taken away directly?"

Lin Yingxue nodded inwardly, thinking about the performance put on by the kidnappers. If it weren't for the half-eaten candy skewer, she might have thought it was a family dispute.

Jian He walked to Yao Su and said, "I will send someone to take you home."

Yao Su shook her head. Her face, instead of improving, was more swollen. Despite this, she struggled to say, "I want to participate in the interrogation. I want to know where my sister is."