Chapter 2377: Torment
Chapter 2377: Torment
Editor: Henyee Translations
The prison was dark and filthy. There was no bed, only a pile of straw and a torn mat. Rats scurried by occasionally.
Tian Shanshan screamed in fear every day and was constantly on edge. She had shed countless tears.
She had gone from being self-righteous to questioning why her cousin hadn’t saved her.
She even thought about Qiao Xuan’s suggestion to Shao Yunduan about exchanging her for land, only to be rejected by her cousin. The more she pondered it, the more resentful she became.
She was torn between hating Qiao Xuan and her cousin.
She desperately wanted to leave this place. She longed to escape!
No matter what it took to secure her release, it had to be done quickly.
Tian Shanshan, of course, was completely unaware of the bustling activity outside.
Zheng Sangge led the army with remarkable efficiency, conquering dozens of cities within a month. Huainan, Huai’an, Huaibei, Shangqiu, and Heze all fell under Shao Yunduan’s control. The army was now advancing towards Jining and Jinan, with Jinan being the primary target.
After successfully capturing Jinan, Shao Yunduan paused further attacks, focusing instead on consolidating and defending the newly acquired territories. Only after securing these gains could his revenge be considered complete.
The news of Qiao Xuan’s kidnapping was widely known, and Shao Yunduan had never kept it a secret. His quest for revenge was seen as justified.
With his wife kidnapped, Shao Yunduan was not about to be polite. Any man in his position would react similarly.
It was entirely reasonable for him to attack cities and territories.
Shao Yunduan made sure no one else had the chance to act regarding Qiao Xuan’s kidnapping. The next day, he publicly displayed his affection for Qiao Xuan and Anan, showing them off with tenderness and care.
He also announced that he would host a grand birthday banquet for his wife this year. She had worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much for him over the years; he should have celebrated her long ago.
Additionally, he wanted to dispel their recent misfortunes.
It was clear to everyone that Lord Shao was publicly supporting Madam Shao and warning against making an issue of her kidnapping. Anyone who dared to speak out would face consequences.
Initially, some had considered causing trouble, but upon seeing Shao Yunduan’s stance, they quickly backed off.
Who would dare to challenge him?
Lord Shao’s loyalty was evident.
Some families chose to distance themselves from Lord Shao, while others grew even more enthusiastic about him. They believed that if their daughters were to win Lord Shao’s favor, it could lead to greater opportunities. After all, Madam Shao, born as a concubine’s daughter, was treated with such respect and honor—imagine how their own daughters could fare.
In any case, no one dared to speak out.
The Second Prince and the Sun Family had attempted an attack as Shao Yunduan’s forces began their campaign, but Shao Yunduan was well-prepared, and they gained nothing from their efforts. Realizing that continuing the stalemate would be futile, they retreated.
As it became clear that the Fourth Prince’s side was unable to mount a significant defense, envy grew among other factions. They seized the opportunity to attack and gain some advantage from the Fourth Prince’s weakened position.
The Fourth Prince’s territory had significantly diminished as a result.