When ordinary people encounter ghosts and monsters, they are usually so frightened that they tremble all over and have no will to fight back. In her opinion, it was really quite good that Qi Chengshuo was able to fight back with two guards.

Qi Chengshuo was about to speak when Ye Xianya said, "I'm hungry, let's hurry to the post station."

"Alright!" Qi Chengshuo quickly mounted his horse and led everyone towards the post station.

...

Meanwhile, on the official road leading to the capital, Zhao Zhifeng was galloping along with his two junior brothers.

"That witch hasn't caught up yet, has she?" After running quite a distance, Zhao Zhifeng realized that his horse was getting tired and had to stop to rest.

"No." The fourth and fifth brothers quickly shook their heads, both of them also frightened.

They were all somewhat relieved at this moment, relieved that their third senior brother had acted decisively, abandoning the control of the formation after the deaths of three ghosts, and leading them to escape.

They had only run a few miles when the third senior brother sensed that the formation had been completely broken. Terrified, they whipped their horses and fled for their lives, finally managing to escape.

"When that demoness killed the first Ghost Fiend, she used my second senior brother's copper coin magic weapon, and my second senior brother was also killed by her," Zhao Zhifeng said, his eyes bloodshot.

I never expected that my second senior brother would also die at the hands of that damned girl.

Zhao Zhifeng was so enraged that he controlled other ghosts to kill Ye Xianya. He still feels a bit scared when he thinks about it now.

Because they almost didn't escape.

"Master sent Second Senior Brother to Weiyang County to avenge Eldest Senior Brother, but he died on the way. The people we sent investigated and returned to report that Second Senior Brother died in Weishui County and was killed by a man and a woman. We didn't think much of it at the time, but it seems that the woman was the demoness who broke the formation just now."

The fourth brother looked at Zhao Zhifeng and said, "Third brother, Master's seven Ghost Fiends are very powerful. With you controlling the formation and the two of us helping you, the formation was still broken by that demoness. We are no match for her. We should return to Yunxiao Palace as soon as possible and report this to Master."

"Let's go!" Zhao Zhifeng didn't dare to linger.

Although he desperately wanted to kill that brat to avenge his second senior brother, he knew he was probably no match for her.

He didn't want to go back and fight head-on, what if he lost?

They should go back to Yunxiao Palace first.

He refused to believe that with the power of the entire Cloud Palace, they couldn't deal with a mere brat.

...

After this incident, Ye Xianya became more vigilant than before, making several calculations every day to ensure everyone was safe before leading them on their journey.

On the tenth day of the ninth month, the group finally arrived safely in the capital.

"Ninth Uncle, are you really not going to live in the house my grandfather prepared for you?" Qi Chengshuo couldn't help but ask as they parted.

"I'm not going." Qi Jiu reached out and patted his shoulder. "Please thank Uncle Liu for me. I'll go and pay my respects to him after I've settled in."

"What about the house my maternal grandfather prepared?" Qi Chengshuo was still somewhat unwilling to give up.

"I won't go. Please thank my uncle for me. I'll visit him after I've settled in," Qi Jiu said with a chuckle.

"Alright." Qi Chengshuo nodded, then shamelessly asked, "What should I do if I miss Uncle Jiu?"

Qi Jiu's eyes widened upon hearing this. What did this brat mean?

Although the uncle and nephew had a very good relationship, ... they hadn't even separated yet, and Qi Chengshuo was already saying he missed him. Something just didn't seem right!

“Young Master can come to our place to find Yanchang anytime,” Ye Jinghuai said with a smile.

"Thank you very much, sir." Qi Chengshuo quickly cupped his hands in thanks.

"Your Highness is too kind. I am deeply grateful for your escort to the capital these past few days." Ye Jinghuai also cupped his hands in thanks.

Xianya said that she would give Qi Chengshuo the expenses for the journey, so they didn't need to worry about it. But after all, he had protected them all the way to the capital, and Ye Jinghuai was very grateful.

"With Xianya here, we didn't actually have to do much," Qi Chengshuo said modestly.

"This courtyard was bought for us by someone sent by the young master. It's big and spacious. Thank you so much, young master..."

"Young Master also helped us rent the shops on the street ahead, which is perfect for us to open a tavern. Thank you so much, Young Master..."

Qi Chengshuo felt overwhelmed by their constant stream of thanks.

"He's my nephew, everyone don't need to be so polite. This kid is already a little embarrassed," Qi Jiu quickly said with a smile.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Qi Chengshuo left with his guards.

As he was about to leave the alley, Qi Chengshuo couldn't help but look back. He saw Ye Xianya standing at the door waving at him, and a smile immediately appeared on his face.

"Go back now, I'll come see you another day." Qi Chengshuo waved to Ye Xianya and left, satisfied.

He's been away for half a year, his grandfather must be very worried, he should go back.

...

Jiang Fuyi and his family have been in the capital for three days.

Ye Xianya and the others stayed in Xiyuan City for half a month. Logically speaking, Jiang Fuyi and the others should have arrived in the capital long ago.

Because Jiang Qiurong had become mute, they were very worried and took her to Weishui County for treatment, which delayed them for some time. On the way, Jiang Changbai fell ill again, so they arrived late.

Upon arriving in the capital, they had very little money left and could only find the cheapest inn to stay in.

In a place like the capital, where every inch of land is precious, even the cheapest inn is too expensive for them to stay in for more than a few days. They were running out of money and were as anxious as ants on a hot pan.

It's been three days, and if they can't find Jiang Mingtao soon, they'll be sleeping on the streets.

These three people went out to look for people every day, leaving early and returning late.

Jiang Fuyi said his son was a fifth-rank official in the Hanlin Academy named Jiang Mingtao, but... they asked many people in a row, but to no avail.

Firstly, there are simply too many officials in the capital, and Jiang Mingtao is not a high-ranking official of the first or second rank, so ordinary people naturally don't know him.

Secondly, the capital city is too big. They were newcomers, dressed very poorly, and claimed to be the families of officials. Almost no one believed them. Some people even deliberately gave them wrong directions and made fun of them.

After all that trouble, the Jiang family was left speechless with despair.

"Grandmother, I'm hungry," Jiang Changbai said pitifully, clinging to Liu's arm.

"Well...didn't we just eat steamed buns this morning?" Liu stroked her grandson's head, feeling a pang of heartache, but she only had a few dozen coins left in her pocket.

"I'm hungry, I want rice and vegetables, I want meat..." Jiang Changbai said loudly.

The family is almost unable to afford a guesthouse anymore. They can't even afford to buy steamed buns, let alone meat. If they can't find Jiang Mingtao soon, they'll have to sleep on the streets and beg for food tomorrow.

Liu could only comfort her grandson, but Jiang Changbai was the youngest child in the family and was usually spoiled. When he heard that there was no food, he cried and made a fuss.

Seeing her son like this, Chen reached out and hit him: "I'll teach you to eat... I'll teach you to eat..."

She and her daughter could only eat half a steamed bun each in the morning, but this brat ate one and still complained of being hungry. He's asking for a beating.