Waiting for Your Good News
Su Li's heart tightened instantly, and she said, "Why? Didn't they say that paying the ransom would get him released?"
Xiao Zetian sighed, "That Black Tiger Bandit Fortress recently recruited a new strategist, surname Su, named... Su Shimao."
"Su Shimao, it's him!" Upon hearing that Su Shimao had joined the bandits, Su Li understood everything — it must be Su Shimao pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Su Shimao had a deep grudge with the Su Li and Zhang Mu families; their hatred was as deep as the sea. Little Chou Chou being in Su Shimao's hands meant he was in grave danger!
"What are we going to do now!?" Su Li exclaimed anxiously.
"Don't panic, my lady. Now that I know where Little Chou Chou is, I have full confidence in rescuing him," Xiao Zetian said confidently. "The Xiao family’s covert guards are already on their way to Black Tiger Fortress. They will infiltrate the bandit den, find Little Chou Chou, and bring him back safely. This time, Tudan—oh, Xiao Yun—is also going, along with Peony and several other top experts. Dealing with a bunch of bandits is no problem."
Xiao Zetian’s words were like a calming pill to Su Li, easing her worries.
Xiao Zetian added, "For now, don’t tell anyone here. Just gather the silver as planned. Be very careful not to alert the bandits, or they might move the child. The mountains are vast; finding one person would be like searching for a needle in the sea."
"Got it. I won’t tell anyone and will start gathering the silver," Su Li nodded, then tiptoed and quickly kissed Xiao Zetian on the cheek. "I’ll be waiting for your good news."
Then she hurried out of the house to find Bai Lu to arrange the silver collection.
Xiao Zetian touched his cheek where she had kissed him, unable to suppress a smile.
After discussing, everyone quickly sent a reply to the kidnappers, stating they would have the silver ready by the agreed date and would not report to the authorities, asking the kidnappers to treat the child well.
The reply was left at the door of Zhang Mu's pharmacy. Xiao Zetian arranged for Xiao Yun to personally follow the person who came to collect the letter. Sure enough, the collector was the disguised Bai Lao Wu.
The Xiao family’s covert guards split into two teams: one rushed to Black Tiger Fortress to stealthily observe and wait for the right moment; the other followed Bai Lao Wu back to the fortress. Once they located Little Chou Chou, the teams would unite and begin their operation.
Su Li’s open gathering of silver quickly spread throughout the village.
When the Old Su family heard that the child was kidnapped and Su Li was gathering silver for the ransom, they all breathed a sigh of relief. But when they heard the bandits demanded 100,000 taels of silver and Su Li agreed, the Old Su family was stunned.
One hundred thousand taels of silver — such a huge amount!
Su Meixiang sneaked into Liu Ru’s room when no one was around, staring at the sleeping Little Chou Chou on the bed: "I never thought you ugly little brat would be worth so much. Su Li is even willing to pay 100,000 taels of silver for your life..."
"Su Meixiang, what are you doing!" Liu Ru came back from the outhouse and saw Su Meixiang, raising her guard.
Su Meixiang stood up, her one-eyed gaze coldly fixed on Liu Ru. Without a word, she left the room.
Since Su Meixiang was disfigured and lost one eye, her temperament had become strange and eccentric. She rarely left her room or spoke much. Liu Ru was used to her odd behavior.
Liu Ru clasped her hands and prayed to the heavens: "I hope the hopeful child returns safely and lives a wealthy young master’s life at Zhang Mu’s. Then, as his mother, I can rest easy no matter where I go..."