Chapter 21 Chapter Twenty

Liane is in a race against time.Harvest was still many days away, but she feared Burdy and the others would arrive in Denham before she did.Although angry at her husband for cheating on her and determined not to return to the highlands, she still worries about his safety.Although he broke her heart, she couldn't stop loving him.If he and the others tried to attack Ever's castle, there would be war, and they would all die. There was only one day to go in Denham, but exhaustion stopped her.Lack of food and sleep left her top-heavy.Reki, Rose, Kerr and Ellen are still with her.She played hard and soft several times, but they still refused to leave her.

As it was getting dark, they decided to camp out in the fields of a farm.Regardless of Ruos' strong opposition, Lian insisted on saying hello to the owner of the farmhouse.The elderly farmhouse owner was originally very unfriendly, but after learning of Lian's identity, his attitude changed immediately.It turned out that the farmer named Yan Da knew and admired Lian's father. When leaving the farmhouse, Lian pulled Yan Da aside and whispered to him: I have something to ask, but I must be sure that you will do it after you promise.This matter is very important and involves several lives, Yan Da.If you can't, please be honest with me now.I didn't mean to insult you, but

If it can be done, I will do it.Yanda Guarantee.Tell me what it is, and I'll make a decision. Please be sure to carry this message for me verbatim: Miss Leanne has found Anna's box. Yan Da repeated it twice, then nodded.Now tell me who you want me to take this message to. She whispered the name in his ear.Yan Da's legs felt weak.are you sure?he asked stammeringly. yes, I'm sure. Yan Da crossed himself on his chest.But they were savages, all of them. What I am asking you to do takes a great deal of courage.Would you like to carry this message for me? Yan Da nodded slowly.I'll be off at daybreak.

Lian's group of five arrived in Denham on the second night. They hid in the dense forest behind the grassland and looked at the brightly lit castle. Do you think your uncle is in there?Reki asked. No idea, Liane replied.But tomorrow I'll find out.We rest here tonight.She took off the blanket and spread it under a big tree, and Reki sat down after spreading the blanket beside her. You can only come here with me.Liane said.The rest must be done by me alone. You know Ros won't let you go into town alone. You must help me convince him.As long as Ivor thinks I have what he wants, I'm in no danger.If Ros follows, I guarantee you that Ever will use him against me.He has to stay here with you, Kerr and Ellen.

Rose came and knelt beside Liane.Me, Kerr, and Alan discussed it, and we think you must stay here until your husband arrives before going in. I'll just wait until noon tomorrow, she said.The baron usually sleeps until noon before getting up. If you won't wait for your husband, I'll go with you. Let's talk about this tomorrow, now it's time to rest.She closed her eyes to stop Ross from arguing with her. Reki fell asleep almost immediately, but Liane was waking up and falling asleep throughout the night.Three soldiers were sleeping at her feet holding swords. None of them heard her leave.

As soon as she crossed the steppe, she was surrounded and escorted into the castle by Ever's soldiers.She waited in the lobby for a long time before an officer named Holle arrived late. Lord Ever doesn't like to be disturbed when he sleeps. He, Lord Devin and Lord Huyou went to bed very late yesterday. I had nothing to say to Ever until I met my Uncle Morken.Is he there? not there.Haller said bitterly.But luckily for you, the Baron sent soldiers to his estate last week to bring him. So my uncle has been living in his own house?she asked. Your uncle has changed residences twice since you left.

Why had it taken so long for the soldiers to bring him?if it was last week They were also ordered to go to the baron's house to get his favorite cloak.It stands to reason that they will arrive at any time. Liane was taken upstairs and locked up in her own room.Holler mockingly stated that the secret passage had been sealed. She waited until late in the evening before Holler came to answer the door.Lord Ever wants to see you, and the rest of your family is here. Knowing that Holle would not reveal it, she hurried downstairs to see for herself if Uncle Morken was safe.Devin stood at the hall door.Ai Fu and Hu You were sitting at the table, apparently drunk too much last night, because Hu You's face was ashen, and Ai Fu was massaging his aching head.

Where is my uncle?she asked. Coming.Ever replied.Tell me, Leanne, are you successful in your mission? I won't tell you anything until I see Uncle Morken. Maybe your sister will say it.Bring her in, Devon!He yelled, immediately frowning with a headache. Liane tried to hide her surprise and confusion.Bring her sister in?How is this going? Ah, here she comes.Ever said. Liane turned sharply and almost fell when she saw Reki walking in.God!Why is she here?The hiding place must have been discovered by Evor's soldiers. If so, what about Ruos, Kerr and Ellen?She took a deep breath in panic.

Reki smiled at her, then asked aloud: Which pig is Ever? Ever jumped to his feet, propping himself up with his hands on the table.Take care of your tongue, or don't blame me for cutting it off. Reki was unmoved.If you have one, try it. Liane grabbed her hand and motioned her to be quiet.It is dangerous and unwise to provoke a tiger in its den. Li Ting's grown-up look is not disappointing at all, she still has blonde hair.Hu You said. Devin walked to the table and sat down, gesturing for the servants to bring food and more wine.They don't look like sisters. Ever looked at the two women.They didn't look like sisters when they were kids.Li Tingmei, Lian Chou.

She is not ugly at all now.Hu You said, stretching his hands under the table and began rubbing his lower body.I want her, Ever. Ever ignored his request.Which clan do you live in?What is the name they gave you? Fisherman.Reki replied.They call me Katie, which sounds much better than Li Ting. Her temper is as stubborn as Lian, Hu You said.They are sisters, yes. That's right.But the furtive look in his eyes showed he wasn't entirely convinced, Ever said.He stood up and walked towards them.Li Ting, is my treasure box with you?His eyes flicked back and forth between the two women. He gave Reki goosebumps, but she confronted him defiantly.I thought the treasure box belonged to your king.

my king? She hastily shrugged to cover up her slip of the tongue just now.I have lived in the Highlands for many years, and I have long served the King of Scotland.I don't call England my home. What about your Uncle Morken?Are you loyal to him? I don't remember him, I was purely helping my sister. I intend to return the box to the king.Ever stared at her sharply.did you bring it Devin ran to Ever.She must have been searched before she was brought in. Search again!Hu You shouted.Take her into the room and go over her from head to toe, Devin. Seeing that things were about to get out of control, Lian had to intervene.The treasure box is not in my sister's hands, she doesn't know where it is. Ever knocks Dwin's hand out for Reki.Don't rush.He moves closer to Leanne.So is the treasure box in your hand? not there. Dewin, you can take Li Ting upstairs now.Do whatever you want with her.Hu You, do you want to join them? Hu You laughed loudly, drank the remaining wine in the glass, pushed back the chair and stood up.OK, I join. Ever has been watching Liane's reaction.She remained expressionless, but when Devon lunged at Reki, she shoved him away with lightning speed.Furious, Devin slapped her so hard that she stumbled backwards, but Lucki reached out to catch her just in time. If you touch her again, I will kill you!Reki yelled. Ever held up his hand for Devin to take it easy. Please go and sit next to me.Leanne said to Reki. Reki knew that Lian had good intentions, so she immediately walked to a chair by the wall at the other end of the hall.Fear and shame made her heart beat like a drum, for she now finally understood what Liane meant when she said that Rose's companions would be used against her by the Baron.Not only would she not be able to help Lian, but she would drag her down. It's between you and me, Ever.Liane said.It started in this hall, and it will end here.I know where the treasure box is hidden. When my uncle and sister leave here safely, I will take you there immediately.I suggest you bring my uncle to me as soon as possible, because I won't tell you anything until I see him safe and sound. Devin returned to the table.Why didn't she ask you to let her go too, Ever? Because she knew I would never let her go.He took a step closer to her.This game has been played for years, and one of us must lose.I swear one day I'll break your spirits so you learn to stand before me A cry interrupted him, and Holler ran in, dragging a soldier.Holler, you know you shouldn't bother!Ever roared. Sir, we have something important to report.Holler turned to the soldier.Say, Hase. Hasse nodded, swallowing hard.We went to Lord Chamoken's at your order to bring him, my lord, but his estate was deserted.They are all gone. What are you raving about?Who is missing? your soldiers.Hassey backed away as he spoke, for he knew the Baron didn't like bad news, and the one who reported it was often the first to suffer.There is no one in the Moken family, and all your soldiers have disappeared out of thin air. What do you mean by disappearing out of thin air?Ever roared. The room was empty, there was no sign of a fight, no overturned tables and chairs, no arrows or blood.It looks like they got up and walked away. Where is my Uncle Morken?Liane asked. Shut up!Ever yelled.Did the servant tell you what happened?he asked Hasse. The servant is gone, my lord.It was like a dead city, and we thought the soldiers went to your house with the servants at your order. I did not give that order.Ever grumbled, barely holding back his anger.They will pay for AWOL and I will put them all to death. Howler cleared his throat.There is more to this matter, my lord. Ever stared at Hase, who was shaking all over.explain. We hurried to your domain, my lord, but when we arrived, the drawbridge was down and the city was deserted, not even a soldier. What did you say?Ever screamed. Your home is empty. Where is the servant? They're gone too. Ever stiffened.How dare my soldiers leave their posts without authorization?Where are they all gone?I need to know who did this.He turned suddenly to Liane.How much do you know about this matter? I just know what I just heard. He doesn't believe her.He went back to the table and picked up the dagger that was on the table, then slowly walked back to her. If you don't tell the truth, I'll cut your throat.He raised his dagger.Where are my soldiers? have no idea.Liane replied.Do you want me to take a guess? He pressed the dagger against her neck, and a thin bloodstain immediately appeared on her neck.He took another step towards her, then froze on the spot, slowly lowering his head to look at Lian's knife on his stomach. Want to see whose knife is faster?she said softly. He jumped back.Take her down!He yelled at Haller. Reki jumped up and rushed towards Liane, but was pushed away by Holler halfway.He grabbed Liane's arm, but it took two stabs in the palm to take the weapon out of her hand. I know what happened to your soldiers.Rachel yelled. Stand back, Haller.Ever drank a glass of wine, then turned to face Reki.explain. They all died.Do you think you can kidnap a lord's son without the consequences?Reki clasped her hands and laughed loudly.It's your turn and your friends next. Devon scoffed.They dare not go deep into the heart of England. right.Hu You agreed.If it was the Highlanders, they would have gone home long ago.they are done They are just getting started!Liane yelled.They don't care about gold and silver treasures, they want the lives of the three of you. she lied!Howler yelled.The Highlanders are savages, and our soldiers are far superior to them. Liane laughed.So where are they now? How many soldiers did you garrison the border?Hu You asked. No matter how much, it's better to double it.It's always better to be careful.Devin said. Ever shrugged.If you like, I'll double the force.Holler, go do it.No one can break in.There are more than two hundred soldiers who are loyal to me here.Plus your guards, no one can beat us. I brought forty people with me.Hu You said. I brought twenty of them.Devin said. Isn't this the end?We have nothing to worry about. Holle, who had just left the hall, ran back again.Sir, you have visitors. who? God!Are those savages?Devon yelled. No, Baron.It was His Majesty the King and sixty or seventy Janissaries who came. Ever was taken aback.John is here?The king of England is here? Yes sir.The gate guards saw their banners, and the drawbridge was lowered. Ever ordered the servants to prepare a banquet for the distinguished guests.Hu You and De Wen hurried upstairs to change their clothes. Ever waited until they had left the hall before grabbing Liane's arm and whispering to her, "Listen to me."Don't mention the box, don't tell the king you know where Anna's box is hidden, or I swear I'll kill your uncle and sister. I see. He pushes her away.Go sit in the corner and hope the king doesn't notice you. Reki followed Liane to the corner and sat beside her.I screwed up, didn't I? Don't worry, she said.Things will be over soon. Are you afraid? Afraid. Servants rushed in and out to prepare the banquet.Huyou and Dewen returned to the hall, and stood in another corner with Ever to discuss the king's reason for coming to Denhamshire. Perhaps he has heard that your soldiers have gone AWOL.Devin guessed. He couldn't have heard the wind so soon.Ever pointed out. If he hadn't heard the wind, then what was he doing here?Hu You asked. I think he may have come to persuade me to accompany him to France.Ever said. Reki nudged Leanne lightly.Did you see Ever's reaction when he heard his soldiers went missing?The veins in his forehead looked like they were about to burst. Laki, if the king asks your name when he comes in, just tell him. But then Ever would know I'm not your sister. You must not lie to the King of England. Reki nodded in agreement.John came at a really bad time.Why do you think he came here? I know why, Liane replied.It was I who sent for him.