The small knife flew swiftly and accurately into the back of the burly man who was holding the middle - aged man hostage. The blade went straight into his back, and the man immediately let go and collapsed to the ground.
Seeing their comrade injured, the other two burly men hesitated for a moment. It was this brief hesitation of a few seconds that allowed Wei Shuxuan to knock them down to the ground.
"Who... who are you?" one of the fallen men asked Wei Shuxuan, looking up at her.
"Of course, I'm a chivalrous hero who upholds justice."
Originally, Wei Wei wanted to go down and help Wei Shuxuan, but she was worried that his appearance would be noticed by Xin Zizhao, so she said it was unnecessary. She could handle those two on her own.
Wei Wei was hiding in the thick foliage. Sensing another presence, he suddenly turned around and saw Xin Zizhao leading a horse walking from afar. He quickly jumped from the tree to increase the distance between himself and Xin Zizhao, so as not to be discovered.
"Are you done?" Xin Zizhao's voice suddenly came from behind, making Wei Shuxuan tremble involuntarily. She secretly glanced upwards. Wei Wei should be gone by now, right?
"I'm done. Look, I've knocked them all down."
Wei Shuxuan turned around and looked at Xin Zizhao walking towards her with a big smile. Xin Zizhao gave a cold look at the three fallen men on the ground, then raised his eyes and looked at the middle - aged man standing behind Wei Shuxuan.
"Then we can go."
"Okay."
Just as Wei Shuxuan and Xin Zizhao were about to leave, the middle - aged man quickly called out to stop them. "Two chivalrous heroes, please wait!"
"What else is there, uncle?"
"I'm very grateful to you two for saving my life. If you don't mind, I'd like to invite you two to my home as guests and also attend the treasure - appraisal meeting held at my mansion."
"Where is it?" Xin Zizhao asked him.
"My home is in Quan'an Town."
Xin Zizhao thought for a moment and then agreed. Wei Shuxuan thought Xin Zizhao wouldn't agree. She looked at him in surprise. This really caught her off - guard.
Since the middle - aged man's carriage had been hijacked and the horses had been set loose, and his attendant had fainted inside the carriage, Xin Zizhao used some method to wake the attendant up and gave the middle - aged man two horses so that he could sit comfortably in the carriage.
On the way, Wei Shuxuan learned that the middle - aged man was named Pan Anping, the richest man in Quan'an Town. He thought that he was probably hijacked because the bandits knew that he had bought a treasure map at a high price and wanted to rob it. That's why they hijacked his carriage.
"A treasure map," although Wei Shuxuan often heard this term in modern times, it was the first time she had seen such a thing. She found it extremely novel. "Then, Mr. Pan, do you know what treasures are on the treasure map you bought?"
Pan Anping was silent for a moment. Just as he was about to answer, Xin Zizhao interrupted him. "Could it be gold, silver, jewels and rare treasures that even future generations couldn't use up?"
Pan Anping stared at Xin Zizhao with wide eyes. "How... how do you know?"
"Some people were discussing this at the post - station yesterday."
Hearing what Xin Zizhao said, Pan Anping finally felt relieved. He thought he had escaped from the tiger's mouth only to fall into the wolf's den. He smiled. "Although it's said like this, I actually don't know what's hidden inside. That's why I want to hold a treasure - appraisal meeting for everyone to take a look."
"Wow, this is really interesting!" Wei Shuxuan showed great interest in the treasure - appraisal meeting. She looked at Xin Zizhao beside her. The man's expression was still calm, showing no emotion. She thought Xin Zizhao had agreed to Pan Anping's request because he was interested in the meeting, but now it seemed not.
The sky gradually darkened. The moon was half - hidden behind the clouds, and the faint moonlight shone on the ground. The carriage slowly entered the city under the moonlight.
"Two guests, we've arrived."
Wei Shuxuan got off the carriage and saw a magnificent mansion in front of her. The vermilion gate exuded a strong classical atmosphere. The stone lions on both sides looked majestic and imposing. The colorful glazed tiles were covered with a thin layer of moonlight. At first glance, they were like elegant white jade.
As they entered the Pan Mansion with the servant, Wei Shuxuan whispered to Xin Zizhao beside her, "By the way, why did you agree to Mr. Pan's request to attend the treasure - appraisal meeting?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because you don't seem like someone who wants to attend the treasure - appraisal meeting."
"Do you know where we're going?" Xin Zizhao asked her in return.
"Sure, it's Difan City."
"We have to pass through Quan'an Town to get to Difan City. I originally planned to go straight to Difan City today, but I didn't expect you to say you wanted to save someone. And coincidentally, he said he was from Quan'an Town, so I just agreed. Aren't you very interested?" Xin Zizhao looked at her.
Being questioned like this, Wei Shuxuan didn't know how to respond.
"Two guests, I've had the side rooms prepared. Please follow our butler to rest."
Pan Anping showed up in time to break Wei Shuxuan's awkwardness.
"Okay, then we'll trouble Mr. Pan."
Following the butler through the long corridor, there were plum blossoms planted in the yard. In this cold white season, the little dots of bright yellow among them made people feel cheerful.
"This is the place. We'll prepare dinner later, and someone will come to call you two for the meal."
"Thank you for your trouble."
"You're welcome."
Pan Anping arranged the east - side rooms for Wei Shuxuan and Xin Zizhao. The environment there was more secluded, and the decoration of the rooms was more comfortable.
These side rooms are really beautiful, Wei Shuxuan couldn't help thinking as she walked in.
A dark - colored mahogany bed stood on one side, surrounded by pink gauze curtains. A classical screen stood in the middle. Near the door were pear - wood tables and chairs. Walking further in, there was a pale - yellow gauze curtain. Lifting the curtain, a round bathtub came into view.
"Wow! This is so high - class! It's a bathtub! I can finally take a good bath tonight!" Wei Shuxuan was extremely excited when she saw the round bathtub.
Just as she was about to study the bathtub carefully, she heard someone calling her to go for the meal.
Following the maid to the main hall, Xin Zizhao was already waiting there. Wei Shuxuan glanced at him, seemingly surprised that he had come so early.
Just then, Wei Shuxuan heard Pan Anping's voice. "Young Master Pan has finally come. Please sit down quickly. It's time to start the banquet!"
When Wei Shuxuan looked up, she was stunned. Huh? Was she seeing things?