CHAPTER 1804: CHAPTER 1804: FORMIDABLE AUNT

"Yes, your uncle will protect you, don’t be afraid." Fen Jiu said arrogantly. Jiao Ling rolled her eyes at him, "Who said you’re her uncle?"

Fen Jiu’s face fell instantly, "Little Lingdang, you can’t be so heartless."

Jiao Ling snapped again, shouting, "I told you not to call me Little Lingdang!"

"Alright, alright, Lingling, is that okay?" Fen Jiu immediately assumed a loyal dog posture, with a "please pet me" expression.

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh at the two, which lifted her previously gloomy mood considerably. Jianqi, nearby, secretly sighed in relief seeing Fen Jiu joining them; he didn’t have much confidence against Zhou Jue’s strange techniques.

The group made some preparations before heading out towards Fengpo Forest. Before leaving, Lin Ping’er asked a few questions. Bai Ruozhu, afraid her parents would worry, had to lie about going out to buy materials for mechanical techniques, so Lin Ping’er didn’t ask further.

By the time it got dark, the group finally arrived at Fengpo Forest mentioned in the note.

The wind rustled the tree leaves, making a rustling sound, but upon looking, no hidden people could be seen in the forest.

Just as Bai Ruozhu was about to order the dark guards to check, someone threw a person into the front forest. Bai Ruozhu looked closely; it was Gai Yalai, gagged and hands tied.

Gai Yalai had never experienced such fright; her face was already covered in snot and tears from crying, completely disregarding her dignity, looking pitifully towards Bai Ruozhu, eyes full of pleading.

Though she looked disheveled, the rash on her face had reduced significantly, not as frightening as when Bai Ruozhu last saw her.

Jianqi quickly signaled for someone to save Gai Yalai, but as soon as the dark guards moved, a long sword was placed near Gai Yalai’s neck.

Bai Ruozhu squinted her eyes; she couldn’t see the sword wielder from this angle, only noting the sword-wielding hand was fair and bony.

"Zhou Jue, since you lured me here, stop hiding and save the renowned name of Duke Liu from Chengshui." Bai Ruozhu said towards the front.

Zhou Jue laughed a few times before revealing himself, but the sword remained on Gai Yalai’s neck.

"I thought you wouldn’t care about this woman’s life or death, but it seems you can’t escape worldly shackles as well, you have to save her." Zhou Jue laughed, his laughter hideous, eyes filled with murderous intent.

Bai Ruozhu secretly took a breath; Zhou Jue had originally wanted to capture her, but now he intended to kill!

"If it’s about my safety, I’d definitely prioritize myself. Tell me, what will it take for you to release her?" Bai Ruozhu replied.

Conditions could be negotiated, but she wouldn’t sacrifice herself for Gai Yalai, clearly stating her stance.

Zhou Jue’s face suddenly twisted, biting his teeth, he cried out, "I know you hate me, but you crossed the line by hurting him; he’s now bedridden, unable to move, that’s your plan, isn’t it?"

"So you learned about his situation and came to find trouble with me? Why don’t you ask yourself, who’s truly responsible for his condition?" Bai Ruozhu retorted, unyielding. "If you hadn’t pretended to be his deceased wife and drugged him with hallucinations, would he suffer so much? Don’t say I orchestrated this; my hatred for you is personal, unrelated to others, I wouldn’t stoop to harm him!"

"Or can’t you admit you were the one who harmed him? So you make excuses, shifting blame onto me to ease your conscience?" Bai Ruozhu sneered, "You not only enjoy manipulating others but also deceiving their feelings, and deluding yourself. No wonder you’ve become a stray dog now."

"You’re courting death!" Zhou Jue roared angrily, suddenly rushing towards Bai Ruozhu, his movements weird, seeming to sway around, yet incredibly fast, even Jianqi was getting nervous.

Unexpectedly, before Zhou Jue reached Bai Ruozhu, a gray figure intercepted him, breaking his strange technique with a few moves.

"Dare to show off such petty tricks here, I didn’t know Quanrong Royal Family’s secret method could be inherited by Chengshui people." Fen Jiu said coldly, his tone revealing both the dubious origin of Zhou Jue’s technique and his disdain.

Zhou Jue ignored him, continuing to fight while saying to Bai Ruozhu, "Didn’t expect you’d find experts to help, let’s see if they can protect you forever."

"Whether you can live forever is still undetermined, and you dare threaten me." Bai Ruozhu retorted fearlessly.

Seeing himself losing advantage, Zhou Jue’s subordinates hurriedly came to aid him. Bai Ruozhu signaled Jianqi, who sent the dark guards to stealthily rescue Gai Yalai and the unconscious Nanny amidst the chaos.

Once Zhou Jue realized the hostages had been rescued, he angrily threw a Heaven-shaking Thunder and fled hurriedly.

"Bai Ruozhu, if you can’t heal him, just wait for death!" Zhou Jue’s voice echoed in the air, but he had already escaped far away.

Fen Jiu shielded Bai Ruozhu; by the time he blocked the blast’s force from the Heaven-shaking Thunder and attempted to chase, it was too late.

"What a load of crap, don’t let me see him next time!" Fen Jiu complained, upset for losing face in front of Jiao Ling for not catching him.

Jiao Ling was busy inquiring Bai Ruozhu’s condition, completely ignoring Fen Jiu, only reassured once confirming Bai Ruozhu and her unborn child were safe.

Gai Yalai and the Nanny were brought forward, Bai Ruozhu stepped down to untie her, also pulling the cloth from her mouth, not expecting Gai Yalai to suddenly jump up and attempt to slap her.

"All because of you, the harbinger of doom! If you hadn’t caused trouble everywhere, would I have been captured and almost lost my life? It’s all your fault! I’m going to fight you!" Gai Yalai shrieked hysterically. Looking disheveled, she no longer had the dignity of the prince’s wife, resembling a madwoman on the street.

Unfortunately, her hand was already blocked by Jianqi, unable to move a fraction closer, she could only talk big, constantly blaming Bai Ruozhu.

Suddenly, Jiao Ling rushed over, with two crisp slaps echoing in the air, stunning Gai Yalai with her blows.

"Shut your filthy mouth; had I known you’re like this, I wouldn’t have urged Ruozhu to save you. If you’re dissatisfied, get tied up again and stay in the forest, let them capture you again!" Jiao Ling was truly furious, wielding a heavy hand, leaving Gai Yalai’s face swollen like a pig’s head.

Jiao Ling was still frightened, not expecting Zhou Jue to have a Heaven-shaking Thunder. If Fen Jiu hadn’t reacted quickly, Bai Ruozhu could have been jolted into moving the fetal Qi, threatening the unborn child’s survival; how would she face her brother’s family?

Gai Yalai finally regained composure after a long time, crying out loudly, "I am her mother-in-law, how can you hit me?"

Jiao Ling said coldly, "I am her aunt; if she’s wronged, I’ll hit you. If you dare harm her again, I’ll kill you!"