Chapter 80 Malicious Targeting
This was not the first time that Wang Gang escorted a team of exiles. Although he had never walked this route, he had heard from others that there was a wealthy businessman in Rong Town who particularly liked to make friends with people in official circles. He must be the one in front of him.
"I heard long ago that the adults would be coming here on business, so I prepared a welcoming banquet for them in advance, and... I also prepared some small gifts. Please accept them."
Li Dabao winked and the servant beside him took out a box from behind him. When he pushed the box open, Wang Gang saw a box full of gold, silver and jewelry piled inside. After taking a look, he closed the box with a cold face.
"You're so flattering to me since I just arrived... What do you want?"
Wang Gang stared at Li Dabao with sharp eyes, but Li Dabao didn't look scared at all. He just smiled at Wang Gang.
"Hahaha, Your Excellency is indeed a wise man. I didn't mean to do anything, but we live in a remote and poor area, and I've never had the chance to visit the capital... I don't know what the emperor's feet look like. The mountains are high and the waters are far, and there are risks on the road..."
After hearing this, Wang Gang roughly guessed what he wanted. Although it was indeed a bit troublesome to take an unimportant person with him on the return trip, facing the temptation of this box, Wang Gang still smiled at Li Dabao and reached a deal.
When Wen Chengyun carried Wen Chengming and Cheng Weiyao to the Exile Inn in the small town, they looked at each other and saw confusion in each other's eyes.
"Oh, you're a stranger. Sir, please come in. Would you like to have a meal or stay overnight?"
The waiter who was greeting the customers turned around and saw Wen Chengyun and Cheng Weiyao, and immediately came up to them and nodded.
"Waiter, isn't this the inn used for exiles?"
Cheng Weiyao was puzzled. Exile inns were places for officials and exiled prisoners to rest. For safety reasons, they generally did not receive other guests, so they were subsidized by the government on weekdays.
But this Exile Inn in front of them not only received guests normally, but even had a stage for opera performances. And according to the habits of Wang Gang and others, if they really wanted to stay in the inn, they would have already started playing finger-guessing games and eating meat...
"Our town is small, and the owner said there's only one inn, so it's usually empty anyway, so we need to make the best use of it... You can eat, drink, and stay here without worry. The owner will take care of anything that comes up..."
As the waiter was talking, he suddenly realized that these two people might be exiles. How could a normal outsider tell that this was an inn used for exiles?
"If you two want to find a team, just go to the boss's house. The store is busy, and I have other things to do, so I can't accompany you..."
The waiter's attitude became noticeably colder. After all, people had the impression that exiles were people who committed murder, arson, and looting, and were capable of all kinds of evil. If they really entered the store, it would only affect business.
Wen Chengyun saw the waiter's attitude and thought that Wen Chengming on his back needed to rest. He did not want to argue with anyone.
Following the waiter's instructions, I walked along the street and found Li Dabao's front door.
The house has flying eaves, green tiles and red bricks, and a copper-ringed and painted mahogany door, which is particularly conspicuous in a low-rise bungalow. It is obvious that the owner is either rich or noble.
Chen Er and Li Kui just opened the door and came out. It was obvious that Big Brother Wang Gang had something to discuss with Li Dabao. They had also eaten and drunk their fill, so they naturally tactfully withdrew. Once they had some free time, they focused their attention on the Prince Qingping's Mansion.
After running around the compound and finding that Cheng Weiyao and others had not returned yet, he became impatient and prepared to go out.
"Tsk, are they good at fortune-telling or something? They're back just in time..." Chen Er looked at the two people who had just arrived at the door with a look of sarcasm on his face. They were just one step away from notifying the local county government to jointly arrest them. The charge was naturally that they were fugitives...
"Tsk, that little bastard is really lucky to still be alive... What a pity, it really lives up to that old saying, calamity lasts for a thousand years..."
Li Kui drank some wine and was a little drunk, so his words naturally became much bolder. His low mumblings happened to fall into Cheng Weiyao's ears.
Cheng Weiyao's eyes darkened slightly, and she subconsciously glanced at Wen Chengyun who was carrying Wen Chengming on his back. She didn't care. This was not the first or second time she had dealt with Li Kui and Chen Er, and Li Kui's foul mouth was obvious to all.
Wen Chengyun's attitude has been unexpectedly tough recently. She is worried that a conflict at this time will affect Wen Chengming's recuperation.
"Where is the team resting? Please show me the way."
Wen Chengyun's face was calm, as if he had returned to his previous low-key state, but the hand behind Wen Chengming under his sleeve involuntarily tightened.
Seeing Wen Chengyun's conciliatory behavior, Chen Er secretly pulled Li Kui's hand to signal him to be more restrained and not to go too far. He coughed lightly and said, "We'll rest at Mr. Li's house tonight. Everyone can stay in the courtyard. I'll take you there right away..."
As soon as the gate of the courtyard was opened and Cheng Wei Yao saw everyone scattered in the yard to rest, she had a bad premonition. The treatment was worse than that in the exile inn. At least in the inn there was food, drink and sleep, and here the sky was their roof and the ground was their mat.
After a tiring day of traveling, the men and their families huddled in corners, eating dry food and biscuits. Those who were quicker had already finished their dinner and were busy making their beds on the floor.
"The adults don't mind, but at least find a proper room for the children. It's late at night and the dew is so heavy, how can they bear it..."
Chen Er and Li Kui led the two to their destination and left without giving Cheng Wei Yao any chance to protest. Cheng Wei Yao began to prepare the medicine, and her complaints naturally fell into the ears of the housekeeper in Li Dabao's mansion.
Her words were actually mixed with some selfish motives. Given Wen Chengming's situation, the accommodation environment was undoubtedly poor. She said this to resonate with others and at least give the children a chance to have a good night's rest.
"That's true. I don't mind it, but my little treasure is very weak. If I had known this would happen, I would have stayed at the Exile Inn..."
"Don't mention it, Princess. My words carry little weight, so I can only sleep on the floor. I feel bad for the children because of the hardship they've caused..."
Cheng Weiyao's words immediately resonated with several female relatives. As they were all mothers, they all shared the same love for their children.
"What are you all yelling about? I'm already showing you a great favor by giving you a piece of land to live on. A bunch of prisoners have a lot of troubles..."
The housekeeper, who had just opened the door, suddenly turned grim upon hearing the crowd's unconvinced words. The host usually entertained officials and nobles from the capital, and the exiles were always obedient, receiving whatever food and shelter they were given. Why were the visitors this time so troublesome?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
