Free Web NovelChapter 30: Chapter 30: Greedy Eyes
"What are these?" The imperial guard’s expression changed into one of surprise.
They didn’t expect they would find two wild rabbits when they searched the carriage. Their eyes lit up, and Ye Lingyue could already see the calculating look on their faces.
"Where did you steal these rabbits? Speak!" The imperial guard cracked his whip, trying to act stern.
A few curious servants jumped and scurried away.
During the journey, the imperial guards ate the same food as the Ye family members, and it had been a long time since they saw a single piece of meat.
It was as if they shared a single brain cell at this moment, their thoughts similar to each other.
"Still not willing to speak?" The imperial guard sneered.
His companion scolded them. "They must have stolen the rabbits, what else?"
Before anyone could stop it, the imperial guards climbed up to the carriage and snatched the rabbits. "We will confiscate the animals."
"On the other hand... since your family members have stolen food," he smirked arrogantly. "You all will be punished."
With that, the two imperial guards turned to walk away. Ye Lanxi suddenly blocked them, snatching the rabbit and only managed to take one back. The other imperial guard had a good reflex.
"We didn’t steal them. Return the rabbits back to us!" He demanded.
The imperial guard frowned unhappily when he saw his hand became empty. He was also angry from embarrassment.
"You!" He pointed to Ye Lanxi. "Return the rabbit to me!"
Ye Zhiqiu also stepped forward. "Imperial guards, it’s you who should return the other rabbits to us."
"Tell us where you got them from first!" The imperial guard sneered, cracking the whip in the air.
The whip almost hit Ye Zhiqiu had Ye Lanxi not pulled him back in time. Ye Lanxi glared venomously at the imperial guards.
Shen Jingyi stepped forward, grabbing the whip, stopping the unruly imperial guard who was using it to intimidate them. "Imperial guards, we didn’t steal them. Please mind your words!"
The imperial guards glanced at each other when they saw it was Shen Jingyi speaking. They sternly turned to her again. "Then, where would you get them if you didn’t steal them?!"
"We found the rabbits when the sky was still dark." She paused, and gestured to Ye Lanxi who had an awkward expression on his face.
Soon, he snorted. "I found them when I was taking a pee. Got a problem with that? Try to smell these rabbits..."
The more he spoke, the more confident he became.
Both imperial guards’ faces changed in an instant, turning into disgust. The one who was still holding the rabbit looked like he had just eaten a shit.
He hurriedly threw the rabbit away, and fortunately, Ye Zhiqiu was close enough to catch it in time before it collided with the ground.
All of a sudden, they heard an arrogant voice. "What happened?"
Yan Luo swept his gaze toward the second branch of the Ye family, and settled his attention on his men.
The imperial guards immediately pointed at the Ye family’s brothers. "They stole the rabbits, Captain Yan. They had broken the rules!"
The explanation they had provided seemed to have gone to deaf ears.
Yan Luo swept his gaze toward the rabbits, and motioned for his men. "Confiscate them. We will try to find the owner of these rabbits."
They glanced at each other hesitantly before gritting their teeth and snatched the rabbits from the Ye family’s brothers.
"Thieves shall be punished." Yan Luo paused, his lips curled up mockingly. "If any of you feel like you have broken the rules, step forward. I will be more lenient if you are willing to admit your fault."
Ye Lingyue frowned at the trap in his words. She glanced at Ye Lanxi, hoping he wouldn’t be provoked.
Fortunately, besides the fierce glare on his face, Ye Lanxi did nothing else.
"Oh, not willing to take responsibility for what you have done?" Yan Luo swung the whip in his hand. "Then, everyone involved shall be punished."
With that, Yan Luo began to target what he thought to be the weakest member.
Ye Lingyue.
Her pupils contracted as Yan Luo swung his whip toward her. As if it was an ’accident’, she stepped back in fright, successfully evading the whip’s trajectory.
Yan Luo’s face instantly darkened. Especially when he saw the look of doubt on his men’s faces.
The hearts of the Ye family’s second branch was nearly in their throats when they saw him targeting Ye Lingyue. Ye Lanxi was about to step forward, but Ye Lingrui grabbed him first.
They witnessed an unbelievable scene next.
Yan Luo swung the whip again, this time filled with more ruthless force. A malicious intention with a flash of anger.
Strangely, Ye Lingyue accidentally evaded him again.
"Stay put at your place!" He roared angrily. He ordered his men. "Go grab her!"
The two imperial guards executed the order with some trepidation, fearing the whip would land on them instead.
Fortunately, another presence soon interrupted them.
"Yan Luo, what are you doing?!" Lin Su appeared nearby with a look of disapproval. "If you don’t let them prepare, the journey will be delayed."
He glanced at the Ye family members and soon noticed the rabbits on the ground. "Whose rabbits are these?"
Shen Jingyi immediately answered as she dragged her daughter to her side. "These are our rabbits, Captain Lin. My second son found them."
At this time, Ye Zhiqiu spoke. "Captain Lin, we are allowed to pick the animals we found on the way as extra food, right?"
Ye Lingyue suddenly nodded her head furiously and said, "Hungry..."
She had noticed that Yan Luo and his men’s expressions had turned more ugly the moment Lin Su appeared.
As expected, Lin Su frowned deeply. For this week’s ration distribution, Yan Luo’s men were in charge of it.
"Didn’t you just have breakfast?" Lin Su asked with a hint of doubt.
Yan Luo, fearing his corrupt action might be exposed, raised his voice at Lin Su. "Lin Su! It’s not your place to meddle in the business. Go back and do the job you are assigned to. We will handle this side."
With such an opportune moment, Ye Lingrui had moved beside Ye Lingyue and acted like a responsible older brother, consoling her in a low voice.
"I am sorry you have to stay hungry, Yue’er... the provision has dwindled so we can only have half a bun per person."
The voice was low, almost like a whisper, but Lin Su still heard it.
His face hardened, and his eyebrows knitted together. Now, it made sense that there were many people who passed out yesterday. They were only given half a bun!
"Yan Luo, we are assigned to guard this exile party together, not just you," he muttered in displeasure.
"Mrs. Ye, don’t worry. You are allowed to pick up any ingredients you found on the way." He told Shen Jingyi before he turned around. "I will talk about this matter to Commander Leng Hai."
He gave Yan Luo a deep look before he left to find his superior.
Yan Luo frowned, sensing something wrong. Lin Su was stubborn, and it was unlikely for him to just go without getting to the bottom of things like that.
However, just as he was about to leave the scene with the rabbits a few minutes later, Commander Leng Hai appeared. Lin Su was trailing behind him.
Yan Luo’s heart jolted.
