Thinking she could protect the young emperor, she had no choice but to agree reluctantly. It happened to be the Qiqiao Festival, and many young men and women went to the river to release floating lanterns. Shen Yunyun and the young emperor disguised themselves as a wealthy young lady and a young master, joining the crowd by the river for the fun. A little maid and a young servant followed them. “Miss, let’s go back. There are too many people here,” the maid said anxiously. But Shen Yunyun was unbothered, speaking arrogantly: “Since when does a maid meddle in her mistress’s affairs?” “This servant wouldn’t dare.” The maid quickly lowered her head in panic. Shen Yunyun tugged at the young emperor’s sleeve: “Little brother, we rarely get out. Let’s go over there and watch the acrobats.” “Alright,” the young emperor replied calmly. The two squeezed into the crowd, and the maid and servant were immediately separated from them. The acrobatic performance drew rounds of applause. Shen Yunyun and the young emperor lingered there for quite a while, but no one came to cause trouble. She thought their plan to fish for trouble today might fail. When the show ended, they prepared to leave. But as soon as they boarded the carriage, a cloth was pressed over their mouths and noses. Shen Yunyun silently counted to ten, and then she was completely unconscious. When she opened her eyes again, she, the young emperor, and several other captured boys and girls were all locked in a woodshed. After they woke up, the others gradually regained consciousness too. A girl around fifteen or sixteen, upon waking and realizing the situation, immediately started shouting: “Let me out! How dare you kidnap me? If my father finds out, he’ll have your entire family executed and your nine generations wiped out. Be smart and release me now. If I’m in a good mood, I might put in a good word for you with my father and spare your miserable lives.” Shen Yunyun was utterly speechless. This girl had absolutely no brains. Not only would they never let them go, but even if they had a change of heart and wanted to show mercy, hearing her words would ensure they’d never release them. If they didn’t let them out, their deeds might not be exposed. But if they did, it would surely bring death upon them. Even a fool knew which choice to make. “Save your strength. Provoking them won’t do you any good,” Shen Yunyun said irritably. “I am the legitimate eldest daughter of the General’s mansion, unlike you merchant-class girls—” Before the girl could finish, the woodshed door swung open. Seeing this, Shen Yunyun quickly nudged the young emperor, signaling him to move away from the shouting girl. The young emperor understood and immediately shifted aside. Shen Yunyun also moved closer to the young emperor, distancing herself from the girl. A man with a lecherous look entered, holding a leather whip. Without a word, he struck the shouting girl. The others huddled near her were also caught in the blows. The woodshed instantly filled with crying. “Shut the hell up!” the lecherous man roared as he whipped them. The girls caught in the crossfire dared not make a sound. The loudmouthed girl started off stubborn, threatening them, ordering them to release her, or her father would wipe out their nine generations. But her shouts and threats gradually gave way to sobs and pleas for mercy. She knelt on the ground, kowtowing to the lecherous man: “Stop, please stop!” “Hmph,” the man snorted coldly.