Yongzhou City was bustling with activity, a scene of prosperity.
The dilapidated oxcart slowly drove across the cobblestone street, its wheels creaking and groaning as they rolled over the gaps between the stones.
The car was occupied by a father and daughter. The man was about forty years old with a weathered face, while the woman was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl with dark skin that obscured her delicate features.
They were dressed in coarse linen clothes, the corners of which were covered in dust.
The man drove the cart, and the girl behind him pulled her straw hat down low, covering most of her face.
Along the way, Wang Xiuxiu's hand unconsciously reached for her waist.
There was a dagger hidden there, which she used for self-defense.
The market was bustling with people, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining filled the air, but Wang Xiuxiu felt as if these sounds were muffled by a thin mist, not quite clear.
"Xiu...daughter, let's find a place to rest first."
Just as the two men tied up the donkey cart, a commotion suddenly broke the tranquility of the street.
Immediately afterwards, a group of officials appeared on the street. The leader of the officials wore a red-tasseled hat and had a gleaming knife at his waist. He shouted loudly to disperse the crowd.
"Make way! Make way! This is an official case; bystanders must get out of the way immediately!"
The official's voice was so loud it made people's eardrums hurt.
Pedestrians and vendors on the street quickly moved aside, heads bowed, not daring to utter a sound.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart leaped into her throat, and her hand involuntarily gripped Uncle Luo's sleeve, her fingertips trembling slightly.
Uncle Luo's expression also turned serious. He shielded Wang Xiuxiu behind him and said in a low voice, "Girl, don't panic, lower your head."
The footsteps grew closer, and Wang Xiuxiu held her breath, not daring to make a sound.
She could feel her back was soaked with cold sweat, sticking to her clothes and feeling icy cold.
Shortly afterward, several loud laughs echoed through the streets.
The leader was a middle-aged man dressed in official robes, with jade pendants jingling at his waist as he walked.
Once the people had walked a little further away, they began to raise their heads slightly.
"Uncle, who is that person? Why is he making such a big fuss?" Wang Xiuxiu asked in a very low voice, afraid of being overheard.
Uncle Luo spat inwardly and lowered his voice, saying, "That's Du Rengou's corrupt father, Du Gaosheng! I don't recognize the people next to him, but anyone standing with Du Gaosheng is definitely no good! Look at their arrogant attitude!"
Suddenly, Wang Xiuxiu's gaze fixed on a young man next to Du Gaosheng.
The man, dressed in a brocade robe, with a handsome face and a nonchalant smile on his lips, was talking quietly with Du Gaosheng.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head.
As if sensing a gaze sweeping over her, Wang Xiuxiu turned slightly to the side, lowered her head, and dared not look up again.
"Girl, girl! What are you daydreaming about?" Uncle Luo's voice pulled her back to reality.
"It's nothing, it's nothing." Wang Xiuxiu forced a smile, but the turmoil in her heart could not be calmed for a long time.
---
On the way back, Wang Xiuxiu sat on the bumpy donkey cart, her thoughts churning.
The scene that had just happened in the market kept replaying in my mind, especially that familiar face.
The moment I looked down, it seemed that my eyes met those of that person for a fleeting instant.
"I wonder if he's noticed me yet?"
But then she thought about it again and realized that Aunt Luo's cooking skills were reliable, so she felt a little more at ease.
With that straw hat, those coarse clothes, and the dust deliberately smeared on her face, she was almost unrecognizable even to herself when she looked in the mirror.
How could someone who only met you once possibly recognize you?
With no time to think about anything else, Wang Xiuxiu focused all her attention on how to rescue Luo Qiyou.
Wang Xiuxiu frowned deeply, her mind racing as she considered various possible plans.
Every plan seemed fraught with danger; a slight misstep could not only fail to save Luo Qiyou, but could also endanger both himself and his cousin Luo.
Uncle Luo seemed to sense her unease, turned around and glanced at her, then asked in a low voice, "Xiuxiu, what's wrong?"
Wang Xiuxiu forced a smile and shook her head: "It's alright, Uncle."
Uncle Luo nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
Wang Xiuxiu lowered her head, her gaze falling on her hands.
Her fingers were slender and pale, with her knuckles slightly red from the strain she had just exerted.
Du Rengou is a very treacherous and ruthless person. Time is of the essence, and she must come up with a feasible plan as soon as possible to rescue Luo Qiyou, no matter what the risks are.
For some reason, in the end, Lu Jingze's face popped into my mind.
Wang Xiuxiu's eyes lit up, as if she had grasped a lifeline in the darkness.
If he were willing to lend a hand, rescuing Luo Qiyou might not be impossible.
However, as soon as this thought came to mind, a question arose—why should Lu Jingze help him?
They were not close friends; in fact, they were just casual acquaintances.
If there is any connection between them, it is that Lu Jingze saved her twice, and she has yet to repay him.
Thinking about this, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but feel hesitant.
---
The next day, Wang Xiuxiu did not go to the city with her cousin Luo, but chose to stay at home.
She needed time to sort out her thoughts and also needed to avoid showing her face in the city.
Uncle Luo entered the city alone, carrying out the task assigned by Wang Xiuxiu.
Upon entering the city, Uncle Luo went straight to the location Wang Xiuxiu had instructed him to visit.
He hurried through the bustling streets and soon arrived at a teahouse.
The teahouse was bustling with noise, and all sorts of people gathered there.
There were wealthy merchants, farmers in coarse linen clothes, and even a few officials sitting in a corner talking in hushed tones.
Uncle Luo found an inconspicuous spot to sit down, ordered a pot of tea, and pretended to be nonchalant, but his ears were perked up, listening carefully to the conversation around him.
The topics of conversation in the teahouse are incredibly diverse, ranging from local gossip to court politics.
Uncle Luo waited patiently until he heard several businessmen mention the keywords "wealthy merchants from the North" and "trading post station".
His eyes lit up, and he casually moved a little closer.
In the evening, Uncle Luo returned home, his face still showing some excitement.
"Xiu girl, I've found out everything you asked me to do!"
Wang Xiuxiu poured him a bowl of water and handed it to him: "Uncle, have some water before we talk about what really happened."
Uncle Luo took the water glass, drank it all in one gulp, and after catching his breath, continued, "That man is a very wealthy merchant from the north. He is said to be extremely rich. He came to Yongzhou to do business."
"Do business?" Wang Xiuxiu asked, puzzled.
“Yes, it’s about doing business.” Uncle Luo nodded affirmatively and continued, “I heard they’re going to join forces to build a large trading post, which will make it easier to trade with the north. Moreover, the government seems to be taking this matter very seriously. They’ve recently sent a lot of officials to patrol the city, saying it’s to maintain order.”
Wang Xiuxiu frowned even more deeply.
Du Gaosheng, wealthy merchants from the north, trading posts, government officials...
What secrets are hidden behind these seemingly unrelated clues?
Wang Xiuxiu tried to piece together these fragmented pieces of information into a complete picture, but to no avail.
Is Lu Jingze here in Yongzhou City as a businessman?
That would not be a simple power struggle.
The Du family's influence has permeated every corner of Yongzhou, and even the government listens to them.
There was no other choice but to take a gamble.
However, how to approach him and how to make him believe in himself is a difficult problem.
We have to give it a try, no matter what.
For Luo Qiyou's sake, and also to uncover the truth behind it all.
As night deepened, Wang Xiuxiu's thoughts became increasingly clear...
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