The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1734 - 1728: Amnesia?

Something stirred in Ma Erbao’s eyes, and his face was filled with agony and struggle. From his throat came indistinct cries of despair, which would make any ordinary person shiver with fear.

But the people present were far from ordinary; each had seen blood, with hearts hardened to the core. Rather than being shocked, they showed mocking smiles.

They watched coldly as Ma Erbao flailed and convulsed on the ground like a caterpillar.

Especially those who had originally followed Zhao Liu to seek refuge with Song Chongjin. They were retired soldiers who followed Zhao Liu to earn a living, and only after taking shelter under Song Chongjin did they find good days.

In their hearts, Song Chongjin was a savior they couldn’t repay fast enough, yet there was someone who betrayed Lord Song.

And it was one of their companions, truly unacceptable.

It was like a slap to their faces, leaving them feeling embarrassed and humiliated.

Making them feel they couldn’t face Lord Song.

Moreover, some smart ones were already worried. After the incident with Ma Erbao, will Lord Song trust them again? Being in Lord Song’s position, discovering a spy nearby might lead to a massive purge.

These friends who spent years with Ma Erbao, practically living together day and night a few years back.

If those above suspected them of colluding with Ma Erbao, they wouldn’t be able to prove their innocence.

Because Ma Erbao hid so deeply for many years without raising suspicion.

If those above decided to risk killing a thousand rather than letting one escape, they feared their fate was hanging.

Each one felt truly anxious and uneasy.

They hated Ma Erbao for his betrayal, and feared their future days would be hard, how many families might be destroyed by Ma Erbao.

Even though they wished to offer help in searching for Ma Erbao’s contacts to redeem themselves, they worried about being suspected of using this chance to let them go. So they stood quietly aside, lowering their presence, awaiting Lord Song’s final judgment.

What kind of person is Song Chongjin now? With just one glance, he could tell what was on everyone’s minds.

He then waved a hand and said, "Brother Zhao Liu, take people and join the search. Remember, until you find them, not even a fly should be allowed to leave the city!"

Zhao Liu’s eyes lit up, and his gloomy complexion immediately turned rosy. Not just him, but also his brothers behind him seemed revived, eager to rush out and catch people.

"Yes, my lord!" Zhao Liu exclaimed loudly, then with a wave of his hand, he led the men out with murderous intent.

After they left, only Song Xiaoyin, Song Xiaomao, and a few guards remained.

These guards were selected by Song Chongjin annually from retired soldiers after building good relations through trade routes and military contacts.

Most of these soldiers had injuries or disabilities, but were excellent as guards, in no way inferior to the guards of wealthy families.

Mostly solitary without ties, post-retirement life must be hard.

Being chosen by Song Chongjin meant carefree future in terms of food and clothes, doing the old trade, with a relaxed daily life. Loyalty to Lord Song promised future retirement care; where else could they find such a treatment?

Thus these men were truly dedicated to Song Chongjin.

Seeing Zhao Liu’s group leaving, they exchanged glances, feeling somewhat distressed. The head among them silently vowed to recheck his brothers to prevent another like Ma Erbao among them.

One of them glanced at Ma Erbao on the ground and suddenly exclaimed, "My lord, it’s bad, he’s spitting blood!"

Everyone looked at Ma Erbao, who now lay like a dying fish, still except for slight twitching of limbs.

Blood was flowing from his nose and mouth.

The immediate reaction was poison? Faces changed color instantly.

But Song Chongjin remained calm, glanced at the blood, dark red but natural.

Then looking at Ma Erbao, after vomiting out two mouthfuls of blood, his demeanor wasn’t as twisted and painful, gradually calming down.

He raised an eyebrow, walked closer.

Song Xiaoyin and the later guard leader Wei Laowu immediately stepped in front of Song Chongjin, protecting him and reminded, "Careful, my lord, beware of deception!"

Ma Erbao’s eyes, after calming down, showed confusion, seemed to not understand his circumstances, turned to look around, tried to speak but found his jaw was dislocated.

Momentarily stunned, he realized Song Chongjin was the leader, turned towards him trying to speak with nonsensical sounds.

Song Chongjin thought for a moment, ordered, "Let him speak."

Song Xiaoyin hesitated, but then stepped forward, a couple of crunchy sounds echoed restoring Ma Erbao’s jaw.

Ma Erbao showed toughness, Song Xiaoyin didn’t hold back but he didn’t even whimper, only after Song Xiaoyin withdrew, he opened and closed his mouth a few times, then speaking after adjusting, asked first, "Where am I? Who are you people?"

The entire place fell silent.

After a while, Wei Laowu sarcastically said, "What? Committed such acts, knowing death is inevitable, now playing dumb? At least pick a convincing excuse, what’s this? Feigning amnesia?"

But Ma Erbao looked at Wei Laowu briefly, looked around the room, cautiously said, "Is this Great Chu? Are you Great Chu people?"

Everyone present snorted, considering Ma Erbao ridiculously foolish for pretending.

But Song Chongjin nodded and replied, "Indeed, in Great Chu! I am Song Chongjin, County Magistrate of Chicheng County, and this is the County Yamen of Chicheng County."

Song Xiaoyin murmured, "My lord, such a half-hearted excuse, you believe it?"

Ma Erbao’s eyes shone with an amazing light, "My lord, I am Ma Erbao under Vice General Qin of the Border Defense Army, from the Reconnaissance Team. A few days ago, I followed the team exploring the grasslands and got ambushed. I covered for my brothers, leaving as a rear guard, and sadly fell into the river due to enemy blows—"

He spoke quickly and urgently, choking on saliva, coughing heart-wrenchingly, his whole body quivering.

Only after a while did he manage to suppress the cough, "...cough...I woke and got drifted to a valley, should be within our Great Chu territory, but, but I discover within Great Chu appeared Guard Soldiers of the Grasslands Royal City, guarding a grassland noble lady, cough cough...they, they seemed searching for something, ask Lord Song, quickly notify Vice General Qin, apprehend that noble lady and those Guard Soldiers..."

Finished speaking and seemingly exhausted, his eyes rolled, unexpectedly fainted.