Suddenly, a huge stone rolled down from the cave entrance. "Hold on, Shen Yun Xiu!"
The last thing he heard was Xue Zi Ning's voice, and then he was pushed out with immense force.
"Young Master Shen Er, how are you?" Shen Yun Xiu snapped back to reality. He shoved away the approaching soldiers and saw the cave entrance blocked once more.
He gently placed the person in his arms down and scrambled to the cave entrance, using both hands and feet to claw at the debris blocking it. Suddenly, he remembered something and yelled at those behind him, "What are you all staring at? Go save them, save them..."
The soldiers exchanged glances. The leading soldier walked over and said, "Young Master Shen Er, we can't dig any further. Anyone who tries will be buried."
"Dig, hurry and dig! There are still people inside, hurry and dig..."
"Young Master Shen Er, we have to report back to the official." With that, the soldier exchanged a look with his men, and they all left.
"Don't go, don't go, there are still people who haven't come out..." Shen Yun Xiu roared.
But no one listened to him.
Shen Yun Xiu slumped down at the cave entrance. Soon, he was kneeling there, digging and muttering, "Look, you risked your life to save people, but who will save you? Is it worth it?"
No one answered him, but he continued to dig.
Suddenly, a pair of small, dark hands appeared beside him. He turned and met a dark face, his eyes within it black yet bright.
He was taken aback. "Brother, I'll help you..."
As the words fell, a voice came from behind him, "Young Master Shen Er, we'll help you."
He turned and saw many prisoners standing behind him, men, women, and even frail elders.
At this moment, he was rendered speechless.
As if by prearrangement, everyone worked together, digging out the earth and stones with unified effort.
"Go back, all of you! Go back and dig for gold." A soldier chased after one of them, cracking his whip.
A burly man, grabbing the whip with one hand, said coldly, "We are only saving people. After we're done, we'll go back to work. It won't delay the progress."
"That's right, that's right..." everyone echoed, looking at the soldier.
"Rebellion! You're all rebelling..." The soldier turned and left.
Just as some earth and stones were cleared from the cave entrance, the sound of many footsteps approached from behind. Those who looked back saw the situation behind them and were greatly astonished.
Soon, soldiers surrounded the area, dragging and pulling the prisoners out, followed by a lashing with whips.
Finally, only Shen Yun Xiu remained. As he was about to move a stone, his foot resting on it, his hand followed. He looked up and saw the Prefect of Mòchéng smiling at him, "Young Master Shen Er, this is as far as you go."
"Let go," Shen Yun Xiu said, word by word.
The Prefect of Mòchéng's smile vanished, and he said coldly, "Young Master Shen Er, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."
"Let go," Shen Yun Xiu shouted angrily.
"Young Master Shen Er, don't think that because this official is cooperating with you, he must obey your every command," the Prefect of Mòchéng said with a cold laugh.
"I said let go." Shen Yun Xiu exerted force, and the Prefect of Mòchéng stumbled back several steps before regaining his balance.
"Insubordination! Insubordination! Beat him!" The Prefect of Mòchéng was enraged.
Immediately, cries of pain erupted.
The Prefect of Mòchéng snatched a whip from one of his men and struck Shen Yun Xiu's hand, which was on the stone. Instantly, a visible bloodstain appeared. "Put it down! I told you to put it down."
Shen Yun Xiu did not reply, his actions slowing not at all. He continued to dig at the stone.
The Prefect of Mòchéng's gaze turned icy. He commanded the soldiers, "Take him down."
The soldiers stepped forward and, tying Shen Yun Xiu up securely, helped him.
The Prefect of Mòchéng walked up to him and said coldly, "Young Master Shen Er, this official has already given you considerable leeway out of respect for Master Shen. But you show no respect to this official and incite the prisoners to shirk their duties. This crime, this official can no longer cover for you."
The Prefect of Mòchéng pointed at Young Master Shen, shouting angrily, "This official can give him preferential treatment, or he can be beaten. Guards, carry out the punishment!"
The soldiers raised their whips and lashed Shen Yun Xiu repeatedly. Soon, his body was covered in bloody welts.
Just then, there was movement from the cave entrance. As the Prefect of Mòchéng was about to turn, a tremendous force erupted from within, forcing the Prefect of Mòchéng to retreat several steps.
From the dust emerged a figure, slender and tall. Although his face was unclear, an air of majesty permeated his entire being.
When his face finally became clear, it was incomparably beautiful, his gaze clear and cold.
The Prefect of Mòchéng pointed at his soldiers and yelled, "Seize him, seize him..."
The soldiers advanced, but before they could touch him, he kicked out, sending a soldier stumbling to the ground in pain.
He suddenly leaped into the air, landing before the Prefect of Mòchéng, and sneered, "Sir, do you no longer wish to be the Prefect of Mòchéng?"
The Prefect of Mòchéng trembled all over. The person before him looked young, yet he possessed a power that sent a chill down his spine.
"You jest," the Prefect of Mòchéng said with a smile.
He glanced at Shen Yun Xiu, who was on the verge of death from the beating, and sighed, "I wonder if Master Shen would be angry if he saw his second brother beaten to this state by you? Shall I send word to ask?"
The Prefect of Mòchéng trembled all over and quickly said, "Sir, you may not know, but Young Master Shen incited the prisoners to shirk their duties just now. If this official did not intervene, would people not say there was preferential treatment? This official believes Master Shen would not want to be spoken of in such a way."
"Sir, Master Shen has always acted according to his own will and does not care what others think. Perhaps I should send word to ask?"
"No, no, this official will release him now." The Prefect of Mòchéng quickly ordered Shen Yun Xiu to be freed.
"You are wise to see the situation clearly. I will certainly speak highly of you to Master Shen."
The Prefect of Mòchéng smiled fawningly upon hearing this.
Watching them leave, he withdrew his smile. His master had told him not to offend the Shen family, as the gold still needed to be transported out with their help.
Otherwise, he wouldn't fear any Master Shen.
As long as his master succeeded, he would be a meritorious official.
Suffering some grievances now was insignificant.
Back in the room, Su Qin saw the injuries on Young Master Shen and quickly went to fetch water.
"Why did you have to do this?"
Shen Yun Xiu smiled upon hearing this. "You went to such lengths, I couldn't fall behind."
Xue Zi Ning smiled. "Thank you!"
Shen Yun Xiu replied, "I didn't do anything. I don't deserve your thanks."
Just then, Su Qin brought the water. Shen Yun Xiu said, "You both go out. I can manage myself."
Xue Zi Ning and Su Qin left.
As they stepped into the courtyard, Su Qin suddenly knelt down. Xue Zi Ning was startled and quickly went forward, helping her up while asking, "Su Qin, what are you doing?"
Su Qin refused to rise. Her face was already streaked with tears as she looked up, "Madam, you saved Su Qin's sister."
Xue Zi Ning was taken aback.
Su Qin called out to a young girl hidden in the shadows and said, "Kowtow to Madam and thank her."