Chapter 70 The Journey

"The Third Young Master has returned home!"

"It's the ship that departed a month ago! The Third Young Master has returned from his journey north!"

The river shimmered with a silvery sheen in the morning mist, and the stone steps of the dock were covered with scales from last night's fish market. The masts of the cargo boats pierced the thin mist, and amidst the indistinct shouts, shirtless boatmen were constantly loading celadon urns onto oxcarts, the urns striking each other producing a clear and melodious chime.

As they drew nearer, shouts of varying pitches rose from the dock. In the distance, many figures wearing straw hats could be seen peering out. Lu Xi, who was speaking to Zhang Bian on the deck, nodded in acknowledgment, his long sleeves fluttering in the river breeze, exuding a dashing and unrestrained air.

Qingqing stood on tiptoe, gazing intently at the scenery along the riverbank. Zhang Bian, who had turned around, caught her in the act. "Qingqing stared at it for a long time, looking very serious."

She was slightly taken aback.

Willow branches sway in the breeze, swallows come and go. Although many of the later buildings are gone, the rudimentary form of the small bridges and flowing water clearly resembles my old home from my memories.

Even the name Yangliuqing was given to me by my grandmother, who was leaning against the willow tree by the river.

Qingqing blinked away the moisture from her eyes and nodded: "The scenery is beautiful."

Zhang Bian laughed several times in succession:

“My lord, look. We were worried that the northerners would not be used to the heat and humidity of Jiangzuo, but Miss Aqing is perfectly comfortable here. It seems that she is naturally compatible with Jiangzuo.”

He chuckled as he glanced at Yan Dibai, who was frowning slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the pungent, damp smell: "Young Master, that's the norm."

Lu Xi shifted his gaze without changing his expression, a somewhat ambiguous smile appearing on his solemn face: "It's difficult for Ah Bai."

For a month on the road, the young man was extremely disciplined, showing little interest in anything. When asked to explain the "Commentary on the Waterways Classic" and the "Records of Fire Attack," he always gave a half-baked answer, flawless yet always leaving Lu Xi feeling something was missing. He was confident that with Mr. Zhang by his side, his calculations would be flawless, but his bold words that night were ultimately just drunken musings.

Not long ago, Lu Xi received news that a spy from the Gu family had been found among the retainers of the villa that the Shen family had granted him. The matter was suppressed, but it still secretly stirred up a storm. Therefore, one must be on guard against any eventuality.

Fortunately, the information from the investigation the day before yesterday has finally yielded results.

The fifth branch of the Qinghe Fang family had a son born out of wedlock named Fang Mingdao. Years ago, to escape the pursuit of the first wife, he left his son, born to him and a dancer, in the capital to be raised. The old man and the young man who served him matched the description. Although the situation was too chaotic and this was all that could be found, it was enough for Lu Xi to calm his occasionally suspicious mind. His attitude towards Yan Dibai had become noticeably more stable in the past two days.

The boy has been on medication constantly lately, and his recovery from his injuries is not going well. If we were to criticize him further, it would make him seem petty.

Lu Xi took a few steps closer, leading Zhang Bian, and said to Yan Dibai with concern, "It will be even hotter in the future, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for you, Abai. I will have someone send you an ice chest then, so you won't be trapped in the sweltering heat."

Yan Dibai thanked him gratefully, and Lu Xi then took the opportunity to speak with Qingqing.

"Have you been sleeping well lately? When we talk, Ah Bai often looks pale and sickly, which makes me feel sorry for him. The ship's doctor is not very skilled, but thankfully we have landed. I will send someone to invite the best doctor in Jiangzuo to treat Ah Bai. Ah Qing, you must take good care of Ah Bai and not let him worry too much and harm his health."

Yang Liuqing: Are you kidding me?

How can the role of "strategy" be brought into play if the strategist does not think?

But she remained calm and said, "Rest assured, my lord."

Lu Xi said with satisfaction, “We’ve reached the shore. I have important business to attend to. Ah Bai is my advisor, so naturally he is my retainer and should rightfully reside in the Lu residence. However,” he paused deliberately, glancing at him with a sharp look.

A moment of silence fell over the surroundings. Yan Di seemed stunned for a moment, then said hastily:

"What troubles you, my lord?"

Lu Xi took in his earnest expression, feeling satisfied, and feigned regret, saying:

"You have been recruiting retainers for me, but you have not yet met the head of the family. You are not allowed to enter the Lu family residence openly. In the past, this would not have been a problem. But now... these are turbulent times, and we cannot be careless. In the end, it is all because of these two cases of river pirates hijacking ships."

He patted Yan Dibai's shoulder lightly, the body beneath his clothes was bony and uncomfortable to touch, but he withdrew his hand after just one pat. Lu Xi continued with great difficulty, "Therefore, I can only temporarily place you in an inn for a few days, and I will explain the situation to you later. If the matter of the nearby cargo ship can be resolved soon, things at home will be much easier."

The implication is self-evident.

Yan Dibai's back was slightly bent, his eyelids drooped for a moment, and then fell to the ground with a loud thud.

"Please rest assured, my lord, Ah Bai will certainly not fail in his mission."

Lu Xi nodded immediately, "Do your best and wait for good news."

After he finished speaking, the boat stopped, and the attendants on board followed Lu Xi away in single file.

Following the wall of people off the boat, Qingqing helped Yan Dibai step onto the slippery stone steps, finally regaining the long-lost feeling of solid ground.

Just as they had barely caught their breath, an oxcart happened to stop in front of them. The ox's eyes snapped open, and its large, bell-like eyes met the two men's gaze.

Qingqing suddenly felt something was wrong. Had Lu Xi just abandoned them like that?

"Young lady, young master, please get in the carriage."

As if hearing her thoughts, the bamboo curtain of the oxcart was suddenly lifted by a feather fan.

"Mr. Zhang?"

Zhang Bian, who should have left with Lu Xi, smiled amiably and stroked his beard:

"I'm sure you two young friends have been looking forward to exploring the city for quite some time."

-

"This place is Cangqian, a wharf controlled by the Lu family, which belongs to Yuhang. From here, heading north, one can reach the Dingshu Wharf of the Gu family."

The oxcart was slow, unlike the bumpy ride of a horse-drawn carriage. Zhang Bian spoke slowly, and Qingqing felt no discomfort along the way.

She supported Yan Dibai as Zhang Bian methodically described the scenery along the way, occasionally asking questions like a diligent student. After answering, Zhang Bian looked away and, glancing at Yan Dibai who had remained silent since boarding the carriage, his smile deepened.

"The Lu family controls salt, and their location in the central region has made them wealthy in the past, thanks to sea salt and grain. Before their falling out with the Gu family, who control copper, iron, and pottery, they were considered the two most powerful families. However, times have changed. Their original business has been eroded by northerners, and their marriage alliance with the Gu family has ended in several dismal failures, leading to their decline. Now, the family is constantly fighting among its members, making it extremely difficult for each branch to manage. The head of the Lu family has been suffering for a long time."

Extending to Lu Xi's generation, there was almost no brotherly affection or respect; everyone was scheming for power, making the Lu family a chaotic and corrupt place. Lu Xi's return home this time was actually to first test the situation at home over the past month, and especially to be wary of Lu Xing, who always seemed to be against him.

I'd heard about these things more or less while on the ship.

Just as Yan Dibai said, when they couldn't beat outsiders, they started blaming and shifting responsibility among themselves. Qingqing nodded, turning her face to the side.

Yan Dibai's long black hair was roughly tied up, revealing half of his profile, which was no longer hidden by the hair. At this moment, he appeared calm, and it was impossible to know what he was thinking.

"..." Qingqing lowered her eyes.

After sleeping on the floor with her for the night, Yan Di became even less talkative, only listening and not answering throughout the journey. Even though he seemed no different from usual and his attitude towards her remained unchanged, she could sense that he was keeping something to himself again.

Qingqing suddenly felt a pang of nostalgia for the days when he acted recklessly and cursed at the drop of a hat.

She neither responded nor pressed the issue. The oxcart traveled along the town walls, past rows of low houses, and came face to face with many tenant farmers tilling the land. Waterwheels turned, drawing water to irrigate the fields.

Qingqing asked some random questions to ease the atmosphere. Manman was driven into the city, where the noise suddenly became much louder, and the speed slowed down.

Zhang Bian lowered half of the rolled-up bamboo curtain, blocking the bustling and hurried figures.

He smiled first, then handed over a key from his sleeve: "We've arrived at the market town. It may not be as grand as the capital, but it's still quite lively. The inn is nearby; would you like to get off?"

Even before the bamboo screen was lowered, Qingqing had already glimpsed the general scene of the market. The stone-paved road was not as wide as that of the capital, perhaps only half as wide. But there was a constant stream of people carrying goods and pushing carts, and many young women knelt and sat working by the roadside, while groups of young men in powdered robes also gathered, creating a very lively scene. The inn located nearby must be in a good location, and although Lu Xi intended to negotiate, he was not stingy with the money.

She was also curious about what kind of shops were open in this market, and didn't mind getting off the carriage.

But what about Yan Dibai?

"The gentleman's storytelling was excellent, and I listened with great interest. I was reluctant to leave now."

As she hesitated, she heard a methodical voice. Yan Dibai, as if seeing through her hesitation from afar, spoke at the opportune moment:

“You must be tired from your journey. Why don’t you stop by the inn to rest? I’d like to talk to you for a while longer.”

Qingqingleng.

This was the first time he had spoken up in several days.

My heart felt inexplicably at ease, and that slight unease instantly faded.

"What could I possibly be tired about? It's your health that's the problem—"

"Don't worry, Qingniang. With me by your side, I will definitely protect the young master."

Zhang Bian sighed, his gaze, which he couldn't help but chuckle, lingering between their touching clothes for a moment, teasingly:

"I will never let you feel like you've been separated for three autumns."

Qingqing choked, then gave a dry laugh. Yan Dibai frowned at her reaction, "I'm not as useless as you think."

There was a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice.

Qingqing, being sensible, took the keys: "Then I'll go take a look first. Sir, Ah Bai, come home early." She secretly touched Yan Dibai's hand, jumped out of the car, and disappeared in a whirl as the hem of her coarse linen dress swirled.

There were only two people left in the car. The ox knew the way, and after being tapped with a soft whip that was extended from inside, it set off again and drove into a back alley.

Only after confirming that the girl's figure had disappeared did Yan Dibai lower the bamboo curtain on his side, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Mr. Zhang seemed to have a lot to say to me."

The boy slowly stroked the back of his right hand, the warmth of which still lingered.

He was still the same person, but he had lost the gentleness he showed when facing the woman. His demeanor made it seem as if their positions had been reversed, and he was the one in control.

Zhang Bian pressed his fingertips firmly against the fan handle. "I thought it was because you had a lot to say to me."

Yan Dibai looked at him calmly, his eyes revealing an undisguised glint of light, a spark flying between them in an instant.

Zhang Bian smiled:

"After much planning, we fell short at the last hurdle, failing to enter the Lu family with our lord immediately. Is the young master indignant?"

“Sir, your words are misleading. Isn’t what I did exactly what you wanted?”

"…What?"

Yan Dibai smiled and said, “The cap and hat can also be called a crown. It’s quite a coincidence that I know such a strategist, who came from the teachings of the great scholar Zhang at the Biyong Academy, named… Chen Mian. I once saw him from afar when the head of the Xiao family from Longxi came to the capital. Now that I think about it, he is a little younger than Mr. Zhang. However, if Mr. Zhang shaved his beard and hair, he would probably be about the same age as him.”

In the man's slightly trembling pupils, Yan Dibai smiled serenely:

“Mr. Zhang, tell those people outside to disperse. They’ve been following us for a month since we boarded the ship, they must be tired. Why don’t you give them a penny or two to have some wine? Then I can have a detailed talk with you.”

Zhang Bian was stunned. Although he had expected it, he was still taken aback.

This young man possessed some extraordinary ability, having noticed his spying so early on. No wonder he hadn't been able to uncover anything a month later on the ship.

Zhang Bian raised his hand and knocked on the carriage wall three times.

The summoned retainer hesitated: "Sir, where is our lord—"

"It's alright, I'll explain later. You just need to keep your mouth shut."

"yes."

Faint footsteps could be heard outside the car; the troop had left.

For the first time in several days, the two met alone, and their long-simmering thoughts finally came to an end.

"Leaving aside other matters, based solely on what you've said, you must have grown up in the neighborhoods of Guangde Lane and Pingle Lane. I visited these places when I went to the capital years ago. These places are quite far from the capital. Why didn't the rebels flee from the nearby South Market when they attacked, instead of going in the opposite direction to the capital?"

Zhang Bian put down his feather fan and became serious:

Who exactly are you?

-

Before we knew it, it was evening.

Qingqing had already washed up and eaten something simple. The innkeeper, perhaps following Lu Xi's instructions, did not refuse her request for clothes.

So before he left, she shamelessly asked for his shoes and socks again. Now, she cleared her mind and sat at the door, casually looking around.

Today, Qingqing explored almost the entire vicinity of the inn.

There wasn't as much Confucian education in Jiangzuo, and the social atmosphere there was slightly more tolerant. More women went out to work than went to the capital.

The most important commodities, such as salt, iron, and tea, were firmly controlled by the four great families, making it impossible for ordinary people to get food from them.

However, with the arrival of aristocratic families from the Central Plains who migrated south during the turmoil, the monopoly of official positions in Jiangzuo by northern noble families, which was promised by Yan Qi during his reign, has become increasingly volatile in the last decade, especially in the last two or three years. The salt routes controlled by the Lu family of Yuhang have been eroded by nearly 40% through the combined efforts of the Cui and Wang families, who are from overseas. Now facing the threat of these overseas families, the four Wuxing families, who have been fighting for a century, refuse to give up despite the increasingly clear predicament. Now, besieged on all sides, it is almost a chaotic melee.

This situation of open and covert struggle, however, gave rise to opportunities.

The old and new forces were vying for dominance, each opening similar shops in the market. Qingqing observed that the shops selling celadon were crammed together with different signs, and the young female shop assistants were all in their prime. A shop selling raw silk at an angle was not doing so well, and it didn't even have any employees.

She guessed it wasn't too far off the boat, and finding a job would be easy!

Dipping her fingers in water, she carefully gestured on the table, calculating which shop and what job she could do to earn the most money.

Yan Dibai's current status is lowly, and Lu Xi doesn't seem like someone who can support her. In fact, even if Yan Dibai didn't say it, she could guess from her work experience that she wouldn't last long under Lu Xi.

You have to establish yourself before you can talk about what's to come.

"Is the young lady still waiting for someone?"

The proprietress, untying her apron, came out from behind and, seeing the young girl bent over at the table, asked her politely. Qingqing snapped out of her reverie, wiped the water from her sleeve, and smiled:

"Yes, sister. Why are you still busy?"

The proprietress pouted and said, "Not long before you came down, a few big guys came in. They all had dark faces and kept asking for food and drinks. All that running around made my back hurt."

"Hello, young lady."

The girl in front of me had been quiet and well-behaved since she checked in, without making the slightest noise. She also ate her meals by herself, without bothering anyone.

In addition, she was born with a refined appearance, and her gentle and fair complexion made her very easy to like even when she was sitting quietly.

The proprietress put down the tray, rubbed her back, sat down, and complained bitterly.

"It's infuriating! All the young men I hired at my shop took leave today. I sent someone to ask them, and do you know what those bastards said? They all want to work at Xichuntang to get medicine and help out! That Xichuntang, run by northerners, is just a bit more expensive and has more money, but that's how they caught their eye! They can't even read a few words, so why would they even look at them!"

Qingqing's eyebrows twitched: "Xichuntang, is that the one on the street corner? I didn't see anyone there today."

"It's that family, it's that family! They say it's the Cui family of Boling! These northerners, as soon as they see that things aren't going well in the Central Plains, they all come to our south to steal food."

The proprietress was furious, but seeing Qingqing's curious expression, she started talking non-stop:

"It's all the fault of that Yan family father and son. They turned a perfectly good country into a complete mess. For generations, they've been levying exorbitant taxes and levies. Who could withstand that? Of course, they'd rebel! I heard that the younger one was poisoned in the cold palace by his elder sister, a truly heroic act. It's a pity that the new emperor who returned from the common people is all talk and no action. He can't save the country. Now he's fled to the northwest, ceding territory and establishing his own regime. I wonder how long he can hold out. I wish he could quickly reclaim the country, or that the Xiao or Zhu families could create a new empire, just please don't come to our Jiangzuo!"

Qingqing: "Haha..."

"The Yan family should have perished long ago! It's just a shame they didn't die a more tragic death!" The landlady's dissatisfied complaints reached his ears, and Yan Dibai's slow steps up the stone steps faltered slightly.

He gripped the doorframe, and Yang Liuqing, her face obscured by the dim light of the oil lamp, turned three-quarters of the way to the side, listening intently to the woman's indignant curses. Just as she thumped her chest, he promptly poured her a bowl of tea.

Yan Dibai remained rooted to the spot.

Yang Liuqing's cheeks lifted again. She sat up straight and spoke cautiously to the woman who was sipping tea:

"When dynasties rise, the people suffer; when dynasties fall, the people suffer. We, as ordinary people, have always only hoped for peace and a full stomach. Dynasties have always changed. I am not speaking for Xiao Yan, but I have heard that he sent people to the countryside to reduce taxes and promised to treat the people well. He is not entirely without conscience. The intricacies of the matter are complex, and we are just spectators."

"Ha! What good is this Green Seedling Law? All the seedlings issued by Jiangzuo are droopy and rotten; what good can they possibly grow? Enough, enough, there's no point in saying more."

Contrary to previous reports, the implementation of the Green Sprouts Act in Jiangzuo was incomplete. The memorials submitted at the time had presented a very positive picture. Qingqing was slightly lost in thought, not expecting this turn of events. How much had the local officials embezzled?

The proprietress, having vented her frustrations, felt better and became even more amiable towards Qingqing. Looking at Qingqing's delicate and pretty face, she grew increasingly fond of her, and took her hand, saying:

"May I ask where you live, young lady? I have a nephew on my mother's side, seventeen years old, who runs a small business and is quite well-off. He's also good-looking, and for the past two years, many people have come to propose marriage to him. However, he has high standards and rejected all the women he met, finding them not beautiful enough. I think you're a perfect match for him!"

Qingqing's smile froze for a moment. This person, whether in ancient or modern times, always loved playing matchmaker… She didn't remember being that attractive; it was too bizarre. Qingqing tried to pull her hand back:

"What are you doing, sister? I... I'm not at that age yet."

"Hey, I see you're about fourteen, isn't that the perfect age for marriage? Don't be shy, my husband's family also has unmarried nephews and nieces. You're so handsome and charming, they'd probably all be vying to throw themselves at you."

"I—" The landlady kept grabbing her hand, making Qingqing both laugh and cry.

"What's wrong? Do you have a favorite man? My inn is a family business, it's been around for a hundred years, and we're a wealthy family! If you marry into our family, we can reduce your dowry by 30%, and just reduce the bride price."

This stance made it clear that she wouldn't be allowed to leave until she gave a reason. Qingqing really couldn't resist, so she had to say, "My husband is handsome and beautiful. I serve him by his side and am used to seeing his good looks, so I find it hard to look at other people."

The proprietress was stunned: "Are you a slave?"

"yes."

"So you're a slave... I noticed your clothes are ordinary, but your looks and teeth are excellent. You must be a well-cared-for young lady from an ordinary family, not a maid from a wealthy household. What a pity, what a pity..."

"It just so happens that the land is relatively tidy, nothing special. My sister's praise is too much for me, I don't know how to respond."

Her smiling voice held a hint of embarrassment, yet she still responded politely. The proprietress laughed even more heartily, enthusiastically promoting her nephew and niece. The laughter reached Yan Dibai's ears as he entered. The young man's thin lips pursed tightly. He exerted force in his hand, about to step through the door, when suddenly a deep, cold snort came from above.

"What's there to regret?"

Qingqing looked up and saw a burly, dark-faced man standing on the second floor, staring at the two of them with an unfriendly expression.

"You shopkeeper, instead of doing your business properly, you're here randomly matchmaking people up. You keep going on and on about making things up, do you think your nephews and nieces are from some high-ranking family or a prestigious background?"

This powerful voice startled the proprietress. She was about to argue when she saw the man's large, dark face contorted with masculine fat, and she timidly said:

"You! You rude guest, how dare you speak so impolitely!"

"Hmph. Let me give you a piece of advice: you're a shopkeeper who opens the door to welcome customers, not some idle scholar. The more you talk, the more mistakes you make, and it won't benefit you. Even if the Yan family's emperor is incompetent, it's not your place to spout nonsense. This Jiangzuo was pacified by the Taizu Emperor. If he hadn't sent troops back then, would you have the peaceful life you enjoy today!"

"You, you... we were just saying it casually. If you're so powerful, why don't you care about those storytellers and bully a woman like me?"

"If you hadn't become increasingly outrageous, why would I have said that? I'd chop you up with a knife, whether you're a man or a woman!"

The burly man had a deep, booming voice, and his hands, gripping the railing, were as large as palm-leaf fans. The proprietress knew she was no match for him and cursed herself for letting these plagues in. But she couldn't say anything more, so she glared at the man and muttered:

"That's strange. You can't even say anything about that stinky emperor? Are you his ancestor? Even the government in Jiangzuo doesn't prohibit it."

The burly man had excellent hearing, and his eyes immediately bulged out; he was clearly on the verge of exploding in anger.

You can't cause trouble.

Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Qingqing looked up at the big man, intending to speak up and smooth things over, but she was immediately met with his cold, piercing eyes. She swallowed hard before saying:

"Don't be angry, sir. It's just something the people in the city gossip about in their spare time. There are always people coming and going in this inn, and it's inevitable that there will be a lot of gossip. The innkeepers come and go every day, so it's hard for them not to hear these things. We're all just passing through, so why start a fight and hurt our feelings?"

"Yes, yes, I was just saying a few words casually, I don't know how I offended anyone. I served drinks and dishes to everyone up and down, I deserve credit for my hard work! Why are you lecturing someone for no reason?"

Seeing the young woman's kind offer, the proprietress quickly chimed in. The burly man, after being reprimanded several times, looked even more displeased and strode off to confront her. The proprietress, terrified, grabbed a feather duster from the counter: "Don't you dare do anything rash! My family has powerful backers! If you really get involved with the authorities, you'll be in jail!"

The burly man clenched his fists tightly, his eyes sweeping over the troubled Qingqing's face before glaring angrily at the proprietress who was holding up a feather duster and shouting, "Who wants to cause trouble for you? You really are a barbarian from the south, completely uncultured!"

"Who are you calling a southern barbarian?!"

"Brave warrior, do not be hasty. I presume you have come from afar not to quarrel with others. It is already late, and if you make a fuss, you may attract attention and cause trouble."

When the man actually tried to get down, the proprietress immediately hid behind Qingqing. After a chaotic commotion, Qingqing, head tilted back, glared at him, carefully choosing her words, when she suddenly saw the burly man's thick eyebrows relax, his expression clearly freezing for a moment. Immediately afterward, a slightly hoarse, clear male voice calmly interrupted their attempt to continue arguing.

Yan Dibai is back?!

Qingqing suddenly turned her head and saw a thin young man in a loose shirt walking slowly into the shop.

He had been out with Zhang Bian for half a day, and he hadn't changed much. Only the hem of his wide robe was a little muddy. Ignoring his slow gait, he was still quite elegant in his movements.

The proprietress and the burly man both stared wide-eyed.

Even as that thin figure emerged from the darkness into the lamplight, the proprietress's face still held an indescribable anticipation. However, she paused, opened her mouth, and then raised the feather duster she had just put down back up again.

This person, how could this person...

When the young man looked at her with indifferent eyes, the proprietress immediately shut up and put on a friendly smile.

But he was puzzled. This young man, with his flowing robes, possessed the otherworldly air of a noble young master. Yet, he was a gaunt, emaciated figure, like a starving corpse.

Putting aside how loose the wide robe looked on him, his sunken eyes alone made him look like a Jie barbarian from the north who had come swimming in.

She was indeed fair-skinned, but at this moment, even her porcelain-like whiteness couldn't mask the chilling effect of her thinness.

Jiangzuo wasn't wealthy, but it wasn't easy for anyone to starve. The proprietress, still shaken, dared not look any further and kindly tried to help the young girl beside her, only to find her hands empty.

"?" She was surprised and doubtful. She turned around and saw that the girl had left her. She gently took the boy's arm, looked him up and down with great concern, and then breathed a sigh of relief:

"Why did you come up here without saying a word? You're not feeling well, you can't exert yourself."

Yan Dibai fastened the pouch at his waist: "We can't rely on others to carry us everywhere we go."

Qingqing sighed, not noticing the bulging object tied around his waist, and asked, "Have you eaten?"

He remained silent, and she understood. Her gaze fell upon the landlady standing on the ground.

"Sister, my husband hasn't eaten yet. Is there anything left in the kitchen?"

My lord?

This... this is the handsome young man she was talking about?

The proprietress forced a dry smile, "Yes! I'll go heat it up right away!"

Qingqing quickly thanked him and was about to bend down and carry Yan Dibai in her arms when she saw his cold face and immediately remembered his resistance over the past few days. She looked at Yan Dibai's profile and asked:

"Do you need me...?"

"No need."

His response was crisp and decisive, but it contained a barely perceptible hint of resentment. Qingqing then half-tucked his arm under her own. Yan Dibai stiffened slightly, wanting to pull away, but after sensing Qingqing's persistent grip, he silently gave up.

There was another line of sight from above.

Yan Dibai raised his face, his dark eyes as deep as a still pool as he gazed at the second floor.

Seeing him like this, Qingqing also thought of the big man who had spoken up halfway through, and couldn't help but look at him, but was slightly taken aback.

The corridor behind the railing was deserted; there was no one there.

Putting that aside, her mind was entirely focused on Yan Dibai: "Since you want to leave, I'll help you up, and you can move slowly, okay?"

"Um."

The boy lowered his eyelids slightly, watching his cloth-shoe-clad feet step onto the wooden ladder. Beside him, Yang Liuqing's hemp shoes followed suit.

"..."

Yan Dibai touched the pouch at his waist without saying a word.

When Qingqing helped him up to the second floor, he was covered in sweat and his steps faltered slightly.

Qingqing was happy that Yan Di had suddenly made such great progress, even though she thought he had reached his limit of whiteness. She smiled and waited for him.

My eyes swept across the lit rooms on both sides. There were people on the left, and the right side was brightly lit, but there was no one in sight.

Yan Dibai lowered his eyes and silently continued forward.

When the footsteps faded away, the three burly men in the empty room ahead breathed a sigh of relief and got up from the ground.

A glance at the pile of food and wine left on the long table revealed a burly man on the left patting his belly, his dark face clearly showing he was still not satisfied.

Seeing his appearance, the long-faced man with a dark yellow complexion across from him lowered his voice and rebuked him:

"Is that all you've got? I think this chicken isn't as good as the one from Yanxiao Ridge. See?"

As if they had mentioned something that required extreme caution, the three men licked their lips in unison, and the dark-faced giant shrank back as if he were afraid of something. "We saw her, and we also saw that woman."

"Isn't that a good thing? You look like you're about to die, is this how you show respect for the heavens?" A round-faced man in the middle, his red and black bulbous nose being twisted, muttered, "If Dad finds out, he'll beat you to a pulp!"

"What do you know? How dare I be disrespectful? It's just—" The dark-faced man became anxious, and because of the hot weather, he kept fanning his face with his large palm-leaf fan.

"Just what?!" his two brothers urged. He sighed and clicked his tongue.

"Yes, that person's situation is more difficult than we thought."

"How so???"

"...emaciated and skeletal, resembling a skeleton. Where was the beauty that could rival the best in the world? If it weren't for the extraordinary sharpness in her eyes, I would have thought she had entered the underworld."

All was silent.

After a long pause, the long-faced man said, “To endure what ordinary people cannot, and even open the mausoleum, he certainly has some skill. It was worth our nightly boat chase. We will not disobey the ancestral precepts. Let’s see what he plans to do next. If he intends to make a comeback, we will reveal our identities. If he wants to live out his days in peace… then so be it. We have guarded the mausoleum of the founding emperor for so many years, living the life of ordinary people, braving the elements and enduring hardship, we have long since fulfilled our loyalty.”

"Yes, of all the tomb keepers a hundred years ago, only our family has persisted to this day. We have done right by the Yan family's empire, by the founding emperor, and by... that young emperor."

"The new emperor?" the dark-faced giant suddenly asked.

The round-faced man sneered: "A new emperor? Ha, turning back halfway to grab a woman, blinded by lust, what a fool! Besides, we don't even know if his identity is real or not, so we might as well get rid of him!"