The two individuals preparing to enter the inner chamber exchanged glances, unsure whether to proceed. Lin Shishu, leaning against the door, said, "Go in!"
"We... we will wait here for the Third Boss to wake up," the two replied.
Lin Shishu let out a slight sigh of relief. "Fine, if you wish to wait, wait outside. I still want to sleep."
The two left the room, and Lin Shishu closed the door.
She finally relaxed completely, lying on the bed, but found she could no longer sleep. She didn't know when Miss Shu would return, or if she would return at all.
Thinking this, she put on her clothes and tidied her belongings. Suddenly, she felt something under the pillow. She lifted it to find a dagger. She did not possess such an item. It must have been left for her by Miss Shu.
Abruptly, a commotion arose outside. She quickly tucked the dagger into her sleeve. The door was pushed open forcefully, and the two individuals from before entered. "Didn't we tell you the Third Boss..."
They swallowed the rest of their words as they saw the First Boss slowly walk in.
She couldn't help but take a step back. "F-First Boss..."
The First Boss entered, looking at her, and asked, "Where is the Third Boss?"
"The Third Boss is resting," Lin Shishu said, forcing herself to respond.
The First Boss sneered, "Is that so? But someone said the Third Boss is colluding with outsiders and plans to lead an attack on the stronghold tonight. Am I correct?"
Lin Shishu's heart sank. She was the only one who knew about this. Who else could know?
"Is the First Boss perhaps mistaken about the Third Boss? The Third Boss has always been loyal to you. How could she betray the First Boss and the mountain stronghold?" Lin Shishu asked, looking up.
The First Boss walked in and slowly moved towards the inner chamber. "Is that so? Then I must see for myself if the Third Boss is inside. If not, do you know what your fate will be, young lady?"
Lin Shishu trembled, but her expression remained composed. "The Third Boss was indeed sleeping inside earlier. If the First Boss doesn't believe me, you can ask them. They just came to check."
The First Boss turned to look at the two men. They exchanged hesitant glances. They had indeed entered, but they hadn't looked inside!
"Didn't you just come in and see the Third Boss sleeping? I even said that if the Third Boss were disturbed, she might kill someone, which is why you didn't wake her up," Lin Shishu said.
"Is that so?" the First Boss asked, looking at his subordinates.
The two subordinates fell to their knees. "F-First Boss..."
"Was the Third Boss sleeping here just now?" the First Boss asked, his face grim.
"This..."
The two subordinates trembled in fear. They hadn't entered the inner chamber at all! How could they answer?
"They saw the Third Boss sleeping but are still hesitating to speak. I believe they are up to something," Lin Shishu quickly stated.
The First Boss frowned, looking darkly at his two subordinates.
The two subordinates knew that even if they hadn't seen it, they had to say they had. Otherwise, given the First Boss's temperament, they might not be able to leave this place alive.
"L-little ones... we saw her..."
Lin Shishu said, "See, this is how it is. The Third Boss was sleeping the entire time."
The First Boss's expression grew terrifyingly dark. Just then, a voice called out, "Can't even sleep soundly?"
As the voice fell, a figure appeared at the doorway.
Lin Shishu immediately looked towards the door. Who else but Miss Shu?
"Sh-Miss Shu... you're awake." Lin Shishu was overjoyed.
Xue Zining stepped forward, nodded at her, and then approached Xu Yangshuo. "Does the First Boss have urgent matters? I slept soundly and woke up late. Please don't blame me, First Boss."
"How could I blame you? It's just that someone reported that Third Sister was colluding with outsiders and planned to destroy Fengling Village tonight."
"Doesn't the First Boss believe me?" Xue Zining raised an eyebrow at the First Boss.
The First Boss said, "Third Sister, don't blame me. This is a time of unrest. I apologize to Third Sister here."
"Does the First Boss think an apology is enough?" Xue Zining's words implied she was not ready to let it go.
The First Boss understood the implication. Though he was angry, he had been misled by others. "Very well, I will give you an explanation. Young Master Murong, you shall apologize to the Third Boss!"
Murong Bo's body trembled. He had been dragged over. Xue Zining looked at him and sneered, "So it was you. Why did you frame me like this?"
"First Boss, I indeed overheard her conversation with Miss Lin. She... she planned to raid Fengling Village tonight. I am not lying," Murong Bo said, terrified.
"Is that so? But where is she? Fengling Village is safe until now. Murong Bo, I hate liars the most," the First Boss said word by word.
Murong Bo's body stiffened. He looked at Lin Shishu and crawled towards her. "Miss Lin, tell the First Boss that everything I said was true."
At this moment, Lin Shishu was thoroughly disappointed in Murong Bo. She looked at him and said, "Young Master Murong, why do you falsely accuse me and the Third Boss? Is it because the Third Boss favored me and not you? That is why you harbored resentment and framed me and the Third Boss to the First Boss? Murong Bo, you are so heartless."
Murong Bo collapsed onto the ground. The First Boss roared, "Anyone who incites discord between me and the Third Boss deserves to die. Drag him out and kill him."
Upon the First Boss's command, someone immediately entered, dragging Murong Bo out. Murong Bo, in his terror, quickly begged for mercy. "I... I didn't, I didn't! First Boss, believe me, First Boss..."
"Drag him out." The First Boss kicked Murong Bo away.
Lin Shishu turned her face away. She knew that at this moment, she could only watch Murong Bo meet his end. It was his own fault for informing on them.
"First Boss, it is perhaps better not to kill him now. Let's wait until everything is settled."
Just as Murong Bo thought he was certainly going to die, the Second Boss spoke.
The First Boss pondered for a moment and nodded. "Agreed."
Murong Bo was spared his life and was utterly stunned as he was dragged away.
"Third Sister, don't blame the First Boss. I heard that people from the imperial court have arrived. I can only be this cautious." the First Boss said.
"First Boss, I understand," Xue Zining replied calmly.
"Let's go..." The First Boss led his men away.
Watching everyone leave, Lin Shishu found a stool and sank onto it, disregarding her manners. She looked at Xue Zining and asked, "You just now..."
"Today's operation is canceled," Xue Zining said.
"Why is it canceled?" Lin Shishu asked, somewhat surprised.
"There were some minor adjustments." Xue Zining replied.
Seeing that Miss Shu was unwilling to elaborate, Lin Shishu asked no further questions.
Fortunately, there was no operation today. Otherwise, her fate would have been no better than Murong Bo's.
Xue Zining clenched her fists tightly. With Xing Yue kidnapped, she, as a mother, desperately wished she could go and search for her.