CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: DO YOU KNOW XI’ER?

The people inside hadn’t reacted yet, but those outside, long suppressed, were now driven by emotion, swarming in! In an instant, they trampled over the threshold of his mansion.

The birthday banquet immediately descended into chaos, with shouts of anger and cries of defiance ringing incessantly.

The storeroom in the eastern courtyard was his granary, where he hoarded grain from the people.

Ding Cheng had never seen such a scene before; he shouted until his throat was hoarse for the guards, but no one could withstand the enraged mob of citizens, vagrants, and beggars who were recklessly grabbing the grain.

Moreover, when disaster strikes, who wouldn’t think for themselves?

The guards, the dignitaries, soon joined the mob looting the grain.

Meanwhile, Ruan Mian had already moved to another courtyard within the mansion.

She headed straight for the back courtyard storeroom, saw two people guarding it, and frantically shouted, "The vagrants outside are looting! Why haven’t you gone to help the master yet?"

The mansion’s clusters of concubines saw Ruan Mian in such a flustered state, automatically assuming she was one of the mistresses.

So they hurriedly ran out.

Ruan Mian unhesitatingly released the beast from her space, signaling it toward the storeroom door.

The beast was quite intelligent, immediately understanding, and pounced forward without hesitation.

In front of such a powerful tiger, the few wooden storeroom doors instantly splintered into several pieces.

She quickly entered and saw several large mahogany chests. No need to think; they must be filled with real silver and gold.

Besides that, she discovered that the storeroom was connected to a large granary, even larger than the granary of the eastern courtyard mentioned in the book.

And the grain inside had filled an entire warehouse!

Ruan Mian stepped forward and saw that the grains looked like shipments meant for grain and salary.

No time to think; she would empty this warehouse first! She’d strip it bare.

As soon as she stepped out, Ding Cheng had already surrounded the storeroom entrance with guards!

He looked at the empty warehouse, red with rage, and roared, "How dare you conspire with others to rob my belongings? It seems you’re tired of living!!"

"Seize her! Skin her alive! Hang her on the city wall for all to see!"

Ding Cheng had no idea who this wretch had conspired with, managing to empty his enormous warehouse!

He knew full well that inside were hundreds of dan of grain and salary, and if reported, his head would be at risk.

So, no matter what, he wouldn’t spare this wretch!

Ruan Mian’s gaze was icy as she looked at him, clutching the Jade Bracelet, ready to use the most direct method—unleashing the tiger again...

However, before she could enter the space, the tall guard standing right in front of Ding Cheng suddenly turned and drew his sword!

He unexpectedly thrust it back at Ding Cheng.

Ding Cheng’s keen instinct triggered, muscles twitching as he retreated rapidly!

Yet it was too late, as the blade stabbed into his flesh brutally!

Although it avoided the heart, Ding Cheng still grimaced in pain!

"You... you dare betray me?"

He roared furiously, clearly possessing some martial skills.

The loyalists behind him immediately charged at the guard.

Swords clashed, and the guard’s body was already splattered with blood!

Ding Cheng’s face was fierce, clutching his chest as he slashed at the guard!

Instantly, blood flew from the guard’s back, and his clothes were ripped in half.

Ruan Mian wasted no time, unleashing the tiger.

Holding her dagger, she charged alongside the beast.

Seeing such a formidable beast terrified Ding Cheng and his men, making them pale: "Where, where did this beast come from?!"

With a shout, they turned to flee.

But the tiger darted forward in one leap, sensing Ruan Mian’s fury, pinned Ding Cheng down and viciously bit him. In no time, his clothes, along with a layer of his skin, were torn off by its claws.

The others fainted with fright, and those still conscious were knocked out by the tiger without Ruan Mian needing to lift a finger.

When it finished dealing with the villains, she patted the tiger’s head.

The ferocious tiger suddenly softened its gaze, its round eyes resembling a big cat as it rubbed around her.

This big fellow must have become a spirit beast, capable of knowing her thoughts, even helping her tear a layer of skin off Ding Cheng!

It was too large, so she sent it back into the space for some Spirit Grass and Spiritual Spring to rest and recuperate.

Meanwhile, she noticed the previously downed guard, bleeding heavily and barely conscious.

He lay there with eyes open, looking at Ruan Mian, undeterred by the tiger’s appearance.

Seeing this, Ruan Mian went forward to check him.

Unexpectedly, with the last of his strength, he retrieved a sachet from his waist, and handed it to Ruan Mian with a blood-stained sachet inside, weakly saying.

"Miss... could you... bring this sachet to... the shop at the end of East Street on the market? I want to return it to a girl named Shaoxi."

Ruan Mian was slightly shocked, Shaoxi?

"Who are you to Shaoxi?"

Unexpectedly, as soon as she asked, the man lost consciousness.

Seeing the blood flowing all around, he had already gone into shock. Without timely intervention, he might die right here.

Considering he attempted to kill Ding Cheng and knew Shaoxi, Ruan Mian propped him up and dragged him to a secluded bush.

She quickly entered the space, first giving him some Spiritual Spring and treating his wounds with some medicine bottles.

Spiritual Spring was known for its healing effects, and for external injuries, it should be better than internal pains, right?

Though she wasn’t entirely certain, as the original book didn’t clearly mention it.

After doing all this, she also scoured the nearby rooms, especially Ding Cheng’s study, relocating everything into her space.

Waiting for the guard to regain consciousness, she took the opportunity to survey the items in his study.

Upon finding some ledgers, her eyes widened in surprise.

This Ding Cheng was truly despicably thorough!!

The whole Hui City, with its various states and counties, many officials received their positions through his purchase.

Even private exchanges of gifts and bribes with some officials at the court were meticulously recorded by him.

He was meticulous to the extreme.

And the granary’s grain and salary were evidently intercepted, meant for the frontier military camp.

She collected all these items and placed them into a package.

Before long, the man indeed woke up.

He felt his wounds had improved significantly, and the injuries were properly bandaged.

In astonishment, he asked, "Was it you who saved me?"

Seeing time was running short, Ruan Mian got straight to the point.

"That’s right, you’re still alive. But I want to know why you betrayed Ding Cheng." Seeing his wariness, Ruan Mian said, "I know that Miss Shao you mentioned as well."

"You know Xi’er?" After considering, the man gathered himself and angrily said.