Chapter 217 - 147: Pry Open His Mouth

The black-clad man still didn’t speak. Hua Tianyou frowned, knowing he wouldn’t get anything from him, so he stood up and turned back to the carriage.

"How did it go?" Ms. Li asked nervously.

Hua Tianyou shook his head, "One is dead, the other is seriously injured, couldn’t get anything. We’ll go home first and then make plans."

Zhao Ling’er nodded, clinging tightly to Hua Tianyou’s hand, as if it was the only way she could feel a bit of safety.

The canopy of the carriage had been hacked to shreds by swords, and Hua Tianyou struggled greatly before he managed to lift the two black-clad bodies onto the carriage.

He then led the horse with one hand and held Zhao Ling’er with the other, accompanying them slowly back to the residence.

"Someone, come! Quickly, someone!"

Upon returning to the residence, Hua Tianyou shouted at the door, and the steward along with the servants heard the commotion, coming out to greet them.

Seeing the broken-down carriage and the two black-clad men pulled along on it, the crowd instantly erupted, asking questions in a commotion.

"Mr. Hua, what’s going on?" the steward asked anxiously.

"Mr. Hua, you’re not hurt, are you?"

"Oh dear! How did it come to this, quickly go tell the old madam!"

Hua Tianyou waved his hand, signaling the crowd to be quiet, "Don’t ask so much now, carry these two inside, get a doctor to treat the one’s injuries, don’t let him die."

The servants quickly complied, bustling about to carry the black-clad men inside.

Zhao Ling’er still clung tightly to Hua Tianyou’s hand, her complexion pale, clearly not yet recovered from the shock.

"Ling’er, it’s alright now, we’re home." Hua Tianyou softly reassured.

Zhao Ling’er nodded but didn’t release her grip.

At this moment, the old madam hurried out, seeing the two clasping hands tightly, a complex expression flashed in her eyes.

"Tianyou, Ling’er, are you alright?" the old madam asked concernedly.

Hua Tianyou nodded, "Aunt, we’re alright, just encountered some trouble on the way."

The old madam glanced at the bloodstains on the carriage, then at Zhao Ling’er’s pale face, a heaviness settled in her heart, she urgently said, "Let’s go inside first, talk about any issues indoors."

Hua Tianyou nodded, holding Zhao Ling’er’s hand, followed the old madam inside.

In the night, the solar lamps hung around the residence glowed warm and bright, seemingly isolating the darkness and danger outside.

Yet, Hua Tianyou felt lingering palpitations, who exactly were those black-clad men? What kind of conspiracy was hidden behind them? He must quickly find out.

The servants carried the two black-clad men into the courtyard, throwing them on the vacant area behind the screen wall.

More solar lamps were hung on the branches, illuminating the courtyard as bright as day.

The black-clad man who was previously groaning was clearly unconscious now.

The two black-clad men lay motionless on the ground, their dark figures stood out starkly under the glaring light.

Tension permeated the air, making even breathing feel heavy.

The servants in the residence whispered to each other, eyes full of terror and unease.

The old madam stood in the corridor, brows tightly knitted, her gaze fixed on the black-clad men on the ground, her voice low and trembling.

"Tianyou, what exactly happened?"

"When we were coming back, we passed by the side alley. They suddenly appeared and ambushed us... Luckily, it was dangerous but safe."

Hua Tianyou recounted the events of the night, his voice bearing a note of fear.

Thankfully, he learned some martial arts since childhood, and was able to resist for a while. Tonight, if Shi had escorted Zhao Ling’er back, who knows what would have happened.

"These black-clad men... who exactly are they? From their demeanor, they don’t seem to be mere highway robbers."

The old madam’s brows were furrowed, feeling uneasy herself, yet she gently patted Zhao Ling’er’s back, silently comforting her.

Ms. Li stood aside, pale-faced, clearly not yet recovered from the fright.

Suddenly remembering something, she hurriedly said, "Old madam, I...I heard one of the black-clad men say something. He said, ’King of Cangzhou is not in the carriage, there is only his Princess Consort and a maid inside.’"

Zhao Ling’er tightly held the old madam’s arm, her face white as paper, her voice trembling in agreement, "Yes, mother, I heard it too. They... they seemed to be targeting my brother."

"That’s right, they were indeed after Zhao Zun, discovered he was not in the carriage, and they immediately retreated."