Remember "Bookworm" in one second.

  "Ah-jie, are we going to die here today?" Ling Xiao tightly grasped Ling Jing-xiu's arm, his trembling voice filled with fear.

  His eyes couldn't see, but his hearing was exceptionally sharp. The sound of fighting and screaming coming from the deck clearly pierced his ears.

  Encountering such a thing, it's not just Ling Xiao who is frightened and terrified, how could Ling Jingyu not be afraid?

  But she was Ling Xiao's mainstay. If she panicked, Ling Xiao would become even more flustered.

  Ling Jing took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

  Heaven wouldn't let her be reborn just to take her life away so easily, would it?

  "There are more than twenty skilled guards on this official ship, and nearly twenty sailors. With them around, we can definitely fend off those bandits." Ling Jingyu quickly whispered: "Besides, I've already released the distress signal in advance, and someone will come to rescue us soon. We'll be safe for sure."

  A gentle and calm voice calmed Ling Xiao down a bit, who was flustered and helpless. He spoke in a low tone: "Ah Shu, it's all because of me that you followed me to the capital. If anything unexpected happens..."

  "There won't be any accidents!" Ling Jingxuan cut off Ling Xiao with an iron tone, her gentle voice revealing determination: "Don't scare yourself."

  Such firm confidence not only infected Ling Xiao, but also calmed down several maids including Bai Yu and Jing Yu.

  There was no candle lit in the cabin, and it was pitch black.

  And so, no one saw Ling Jingxu's unusual expression at this time.

  The words I just said were to comfort Ling Xiao and Bai Yu, but as the shouting and killing sounds from outside grew more intense, Ling Jingyu's heart sank lower and lower.

  It's clear that the bandits have the upper hand, outnumbering them. However, these bandits seem to have no intention of killing them off, and continue to entangle in a fierce battle.

  The Ling family returned to the capital, and on the way, they didn't encounter any river bandits or have any accidents. So why did a group of unknown bandits suddenly appear now?

  What exactly went wrong?

  The river surface is quite desolate and quiet, and it's the middle of the night now. Even if there are passing boats, they must have anchored for the night. It's unknown whether any boat saw the distress signal and came to rescue...

  If no one comes to rescue, these bandits will kill again, how can this thin door panel withstand?

  Ling Jingyu said, "Bai Yu, Jing Yu. You two come over and help me move the table, chairs, and wooden box to the back of the door." Although doing so wouldn't make much difference, it was better than nothing, and would also make her feel slightly more at ease.

  Ling Xiao immediately said, "I'll come and help too." Afraid that Ling Jingyu would not agree, he added, "The cabin is dark and you can't see anything clearly. My hearing is sharp, better than yours."

  Doing something can also reduce some unnecessary thoughts.

  Ling Jingxu responded with a "yes".

  A few people fumbled in the dark, first moving the table, then the chairs and two wooden chests. After finishing all this, they felt a bit more at ease.

  Although the shouting and killing outside was still terrifying, the master and servant hiding in this dark cabin seemed to have eased their minds a lot. Darkness is frightening, but it also gives people a sense of safety and concealment.

  Ling Xiao still tightly leaned against Ling Jingyi's side, her violently beating heart slightly calming down. Suddenly she thought of an important matter: "Ah Jing, we're hiding here, what about Eldest Uncle and the others? Shouldn't we call them over together?"

  Although there are many people, it doesn't necessarily mean anything useful will be achieved, but gathering together can still boost one's courage.

  Ling Jingyu was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, "At this time, Eldest Uncle and the others are definitely gathered together. If we go to call them, they may not come over either."

  When disaster struck, even their uncle's family couldn't take care of them. To this day, no one has come to call out to them.

  Ling Xiao understood the implicit meaning of Ling Jingxuan's words and was suddenly speechless, feeling quite uncomfortable in her heart.

  "Don't blame them." Ling Jingxu's calm voice carried a hint of sighing: "Who knows what the situation is outside, if it were me, I wouldn't dare step out of this door either."

  In this world, even fathers and sons, husbands and wives are not necessarily reliable. It is only at the critical moment of life and death that one can truly see the position of others in their heart, and also see their own weight in the hearts of others.

  For example, after Ling Xiao woke up, he came to find her without thinking.

  Although Ling Xiao was naive and innocent, he wasn't a child who didn't understand things. After listening to her words, he nodded seriously: "Ah Jiao, you're right. To me, you are the most important person in the world. As for Uncle and the others, at times like these, they can't be bothered with us siblings either. This is human nature, and we can't blame them."

  Ling Jingxu had no time and no heart to praise Ling Xiao again.

  Someone on the boat deck was injured, and another mournful cry of pain echoed out, sending chills down the spines of those who heard it.

  Then a guard shouted loudly: "Several people have already broken in, stop them quickly..."

  Bandits broke through the blockade of the guards and killed their way into the cabin!

  Ling Jingyu's heart skipped a beat, and she subconsciously tightened her grip on the dagger in her hand. Then, she silently wrapped her arms around Ling Xiao, who was trembling violently. At this moment, no amount of comfort or encouragement would be of any use.

  The bandits have rushed up!

  ......

  A fleet of ships is approaching from ten miles away on the waterway.

  Tonight there is a moon but no stars, the whole sky is covered with dark clouds, and the moonlight is dim.

  This fleet consists of six ships. Each ship is high and sturdy, far surpassing ordinary official ships.

  The leading ship was even more exquisite and luxurious.

  On the deck of each ship, many strong and robust guards stood with piercing eyes. Most of these guards held long swords in their hands, while a small number held longbows and sharp arrows, vigilantly and cautiously scanning the surroundings.

  Roughly speaking, there were at least over 200 guards on these six ships. Their weapons were excellent and their discipline was outstanding.

  So many people standing on the deck, yet there is no noise.

  The ship moved swiftly and silently. On the dark surface of the water, it was like a giant beast hiding in the darkness, waiting to reveal its sharp claws and tear the enemy apart.

  "Wang Tong, at this speed, how much longer will it take to catch up with the official ship that sent out the distress signal?"

  In the spacious and luxurious cabin, a cold and indifferent young man's voice rang out.

  The young man was wearing a dark-colored brocade robe, with his hair tied back by a jade hairpin. He lowered his head to look at the book in his hand and spoke without raising his head, as if he had only casually asked a question.

  The leader of the guards, Wang Tong, who was standing in front of the young man, did not dare to slack off and hastily replied: "Reporting to Your Highness, it should be within ten miles by waterway. The boats will proceed with all their might, and at most, they can arrive within a short while, about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."

  "After seeing the distress signal and rushing over, it's been a while. I don't know if there are still people alive on the ship after arriving."

  The young man in dark brocade robes still didn't raise his head: "If they can make it, consider them lucky; if not, they can only blame their bad luck."

  ......(。)

  PS: The third update is online, asking for pink tickets ~~ O (∩ _ ∩) O ~.