Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Chapter 180 Planning and Action

In a room on the second floor of the Yunji Inn, Wang Xiang paced anxiously.

Inside the house were Dai You and Abei.

"Shopkeeper Wang, don't worry, Sister Dai will definitely be able to persuade the village head," Abei comforted Wang Xiang.

Wang Xiang nodded in agreement, but her feet did not stop.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by Xia Lanyue pushing the door open and entering.

Abei looked at Xia Lanyue excitedly, but his smile froze when he saw her face covered in tears.

Wang Xiang didn't care about anything else and immediately rushed to Xia Lanyue, "How is it? Miss Dai, how did your discussion go?"

Xia Lanyue looked at Wang Xiang with a guilty expression, "I...I couldn't persuade him."

Upon hearing these words, Wang Xiang felt as if all her strength had dissipated, and she stumbled backward until she bumped into a stool and fell down on it.

Dai You glanced at the others, walked closer to Xia Lanyue, and asked softly, "He didn't make things difficult for you, did he?"

Xia Lanyue shook her head.

"Sigh," Wang Xiang sighed from behind, "This shouldn't be, Miss Dai, he wouldn't refuse to give you this much face."

Xia Lanyue pursed her lips. "We had a fight."

Then, Wang Xiang looked at Xia Lanyue and said, "Miss Dai, I know you are in a difficult position, but Jiang Di's current situation is also related to you."

Xia Lanyue was taken aback, but quickly understood what Wang Xiang meant. She lowered her head and dared not speak.

“Don’t involve young women in their official affairs,” Dai You spoke up for Xia Lanyue.

“The officials? Everyone in town knows that Jiang Di sells smuggled salt. Even the salt that Chief Zhao’s family sells is from him. I really can’t think of any reason why Chief Zhao would take action. The only possibility is that it’s Miss Dai,” Wang Xiang looked at Xia Lanyue meaningfully. “Miss Dai, do you understand what I’m talking about?”

“But Xia Yao is just a township official, he has no real power, and there is no evidence to prove that he did it,” Xia Lanyue said, not daring to look at Wang Xiang.

“I can understand Miss Dai speaking up for her husband’s family. But everyone knows Xia Yao’s abilities. He’s very influential in town. Even Village Chief Zhao consults him when handling affairs. He may have real power, but he has the ability to influence Village Chief Zhao,” Wang Xiang said.

“But he… I…” Xia Lanyue didn’t know how to tell Wang Xiang that she had already tried.

“Jiang Di has always valued Miss Dai and cherished this relationship. He has never overstepped his bounds and has done his best to help her as a friend. He shouldn’t repay her for this,” Wang Xiang’s voice was trembling.

Xia Lanyue felt powerless. She knew that no matter how much she explained, Wang Xiang would only see it as an excuse. "I really wanted to save him, but I..."

"Please help me, young lady," Wang Xiang said, bowing.

Xia Lanyue quickly helped Wang Xiang up, her face full of embarrassment, "I...I..."

Wang Xiang took a deep breath. "I have warned him many times to keep his distance from girls, just in case something like this happens today."

Dai You looked surprised. "You mean..."

Wang Xiang ignored Dai You and continued, "Jiang Di is still young. I hope that you, young lady, will consider our past relationship and save his life. I, Wang Xiang, thank you in advance..."

As she spoke, Wang Xiang knelt on one knee, clasped her hands in a fist salute, and was about to bow to Xia Lanyue.

Xia Lanyue was surprised and at a loss. Dai You reacted quickly and stepped forward to grab Wang Xiang's arm, stopping him from bowing further.

"Brother Wang, what are you doing? Get up quickly," Dai You pulled Wang Xiang to her feet.

Since Wang Xiang needed Xia Lanyue's help, how could he give up so easily? He looked at Xia Lanyue expectantly, waiting for her approval, "Miss Dai..."

Xia Lanyue was at a loss, she really wanted to save Jiang Di, but Xia Yao was the only way to go.

Dai You seemed displeased. "Brother Wang, I think you've misunderstood. This has nothing to do with A Yue. Xia Yao has a beauty by his side now, A Yue isn't as important as you think."

Wang Xiang didn't understand what Dai You meant, but she still didn't give up. "No matter what, please, Miss Dai, save me."

“She’s a woman, there’s not much she can do. Brother Wang, is there anyone else we can ask for help?” Dai You asked.

“I’ve tried, but I don’t have any other connections,” Wang Xiang said dejectedly.

Dai You glanced at Xia Lanyue and then said, "How about a prison break?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present looked surprised.

Abei cautiously opened the door, looked outside to make sure no one was there, then closed the door and came back inside.

"What do you mean by that, Brother Dai?" Wang Xiang asked.

“It means exactly what it says,” Dai You said.

Wang Xiang glanced at Abei, "If this fails, you could go to jail."

“We have no other choice now,” Dai You said.

Dai You mentioned "us," implying that he included himself in the conversation, which made Xia Lanyue a little worried.

Wang Xiang pondered for a moment, "Brother Dai, this matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration."

“We can wait, but can he?” Dai You asked.

“Although we want to save Jiang Di, I don’t want to involve Brother Dai as well,” Wang Xiang said.

“A-Yue’s affairs are my affairs. Since I am A-Yue’s friend, I should do my part. Rather than asking Xia Yao for help, I should rely on myself,” Dai You said.

Wang Xiang glanced at Xia Lanyue but said nothing.

Xia Lanyue didn't say anything, but she was anxious. She knew this method was fraught with danger, and how could she bear to let Dai You take such a risk? "How about I go and beg Xia Yao again..."

"no!"

"That's a good idea..."

Dai You and Wang Xiang spoke out at the same time, but their meanings differed.

Wang Xiang looked at Dai You, puzzled, "Miss Dai is about to marry Xia Yao. It's not difficult for the family to discuss this, is it?!"

“Xia Yao isn’t as formidable as you think,” Dai You said, turning his face away.

“However, Brother Dai’s method is too risky. If things go wrong, it could even implicate your family,” Wang Xiang warned.

"Are you scared?!" Dai You retorted.

Wang Xiang shook her head. "I just think that if Miss Dai can resolve this, why make things complicated?"

“She can’t go,” Dai You refused Wang Xiang’s suggestion. “I’ll take care of saving Jiang Di. I’m not afraid of being implicated. I only have one sister. You just need to take good care of her for me.”

Xia Lanyue looked at Dai You in surprise. She was actually willing to take the risk so that she wouldn't have to beg Xia Yao anymore! However, she didn't want anything to happen to Dai You. "Let me try again."

"No!" Dai You grabbed Xia Lanyue's arm. "I won't allow you to beg him again."

Looking at the expressions of the brother and sister, Wang Xiang seemed to realize the problem: there was a problem in the relationship between Xia Lanyue and Xia Yao.

Dai You turned to Wang Xiang and asked, "Where is Jiang Di being held now? What's the situation there?"

“He was imprisoned in the county magistrate’s cell. The cell walls were made of brick and were very sturdy. Unless the lock was picked, he couldn’t get out. However, there were guards there every day, so it was very difficult to get out,” Wang Xiang said.

"How many guards are there? How is the layout of the prison? Brother Wang, please tell me in detail," Dai You said.

Seeing Dai You's serious expression, Wang Xiang asked, "Brother Dai... are you serious?"

Dai You nodded heavily.

Wang Xiang glanced at the door of the room, and then said to him, "Okay, Brother Dai, come to the backyard of my shop later, and I'll tell you in detail."

Having settled the matter, Wang Xiang hurriedly left with A Bei.

Only Xia Lanyue and Dai You remained in the room.

Xia Lanyue stood in front of Dai You and said, "You can't go, it's too dangerous."

Dai You looked down at Xia Lanyue, "You don't want to save Jiang Di anymore?"

"I want to, but I can't risk your life to save him," Xia Lanyue said anxiously.

Dai You looked out the window. "Don't worry about this. Just remember what I said: don't go looking for Xia Yao."

Dai You's voice was serious and domineering, and Xia Lanyue was genuinely a little scared. But she didn't know Dai You's strength; could he really fight against so many people by himself?! It seemed impossible.

"Jiang Di is important, but you are more important," Xia Lanyue couldn't help but say.

These words touched Dai You, and his eyes softened, no longer as cold as before. He walked to the table, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Xia Lanyue, his tone gentler, "You must be tired from your journey, have some water."

Xia Lanyue looked at Dai You, and without thinking, took the drink and drank it down in one gulp.

"Ah Yue, I'll be careful. I'll definitely come back, and I'll bring Jiang Di back with me. You must remember my words, don't go looking for Xia Yao, understand?" Dai You said, staring into Xia Lanyue's eyes.

Xia Lanyue looked at him, feeling uneasy. However, before she could reply, she lost consciousness and fainted.