Yang, the head镖师 (bodyguard), had a good relationship with him and knew that this guard was Xie Yunhan's confidant, so he immediately told him what had happened.
The guard had traveled with Xie Yunhan to various places and had seen many cunning and deceitful people. He had a sharp eye and could tell that He Laowu was lying just by glancing at his expression.
He raised his chin and glanced at He Laowu with disdain:
"A widow with a child? I saw her, but why should I tell you?"
Yang, the镖头 (bodyguard), was taken aback.
The guards are usually very amiable and approachable with the people from the escort agency, so why are they like this today...?
He Laowu's face also looked very ugly.
His father was the village head, and everyone in Shanqing Village treated him with deference. Who would dare to disrespect him?
Since Sui Bao was born, his status at home has risen even higher, and he even dares to say a few words to his older brother.
This is the first time I've been spoken to so rudely.
But remembering the village head's instructions before I left the village...
Upon seeing the dozen or so men who had gathered around, He Laowu decisively admitted defeat:
"Then...then I'll look further ahead, I'll look forward by myself."
The guard stopped He Laowu, who was about to turn and leave, and made a gesture as if counting silver:
"Don't rush me, I didn't say I wouldn't tell you, it's just... I need to see your sincerity."
Old He nearly ground his teeth to powder: "No need, I..."
The villagers from Shanqing Village following behind figured they didn't have to pay anything themselves, so they simply gave him a push:
"If we wait any longer, it will be noon. The village head might think that he has not found anyone and lead the villagers to flee the famine."
This was the first major task entrusted to him by the village head, and He Laowu couldn't afford to mess it up.
He gritted his teeth and pulled out a handful of copper coins, which at a glance amounted to more than a dozen:
"Alright! Tell me where they are!"
The guard weighed the copper coin in his hand, his face showing disdain:
"I'm lying to you, I didn't..."
The carriage stopped for a while. Xie Yunhan sensed something was wrong and half-lifted the curtain to ask a question, which interrupted the guard.
The guard hurriedly ran over to explain the situation, glancing at He Laowu, who was clenching his fists and had bloodshot eyes, as he spoke.
He couldn't believe that a woman who offered to buy grain with silver and refused to take advantage of the shopkeeper would have such a shifty-eyed relative.
Xie Yunhan smacked the guard on the head: "Nonsense!"
He stepped down from the carriage, ordered the guards to return the coins, and apologized to He Laowu.
The guards did as they were told, albeit reluctantly.
Seeing He Laowu's resentful face, Xie Yunhan smiled and pointed to another fork in the road:
"Just now when we came over, we saw the woman you mentioned who was with several children."
"They're not walking fast. From what I've heard, they seem to be heading to Qingxu Town. You should hurry on your way; you might run into them."
Old He looked delighted, but without even saying thank you, he glared at Xie Yunhan, turned around, and called his men to leave.
The guard, fuming, rolled up his sleeves: "How dare you glare at my young master! Just you wait..."
"Alright," Xie Yunhan glanced at him, "Don't waste any more time, set off for Tanzhou City immediately."
Yang, the镖头 (bodyguard), scratched his head, belatedly realizing that the two of them were putting on an act for He Laowu.
He then realized that the farmers he had asked for directions were dishonest and probably didn't tell the truth.
Xie Yunhan glanced at Shuixi Village in the distance, then turned and got into the carriage.
Ye Wenxue, who was being targeted by two groups of people, was scavenging supplies from room to room, taking everything she could, and carefully collecting every needle and thread.
However, in those days, ordinary people were poor, and the people of Shuixi Village were even poorer. Those who could take others with them when they fled the famine did so.
The house was repeatedly searched by occasional refugees who happened to be passing by and staying there.
Apart from the firewood that had been turned upside down, every house was empty, and some didn't even have a table.
The seven copper coins that Shuangshuang and Siwang found were their biggest haul.
Before noon, Ye Wenxue had searched through all the houses in Shuixi Village.
They also found two water bags filled with water in a courtyard at the end of the village.
The water bladder is of excellent quality; it doesn't have that stuffy leather smell that you can smell from a distance, but instead has a light, pleasant fragrance.
It was obvious that Xie Yunhan had specially left it for them.
Ye Wenxue had pointed out a way out for him, so he accepted it without any qualms.
She dragged the sack containing several items back to the yard.
Shuangshuang, Sanyuan, and Siwang, who were guarding inside the house, rushed forward.
Sanyuan silently took the sack from Ye Wenxue's hand.
Shuangshuang and Siwang huddled beside her, explaining in detail what they had done that morning:
"Mom, Yuanyuan's diaper has been changed once, she's still sleeping."
"The fire is burning in the stove to cook rice, but we haven't prepared any vegetables yet. Also, Yuanyuan can't eat anything too dry, so we'll have to cook rice porridge separately."
Ye Wenxue glanced at the stove, dusted off her hands, and patted Shuangshuang and Siwang's heads approvingly, praising them generously:
"Well done! Mom will go stir-fry some meat for you right away!"
Shuangshuang and Siwang, with their dirty little faces, smiled and their eyes crinkled.
It was worth it for them to stay in the yard and work hard all morning.
Now, Mother's anger over their sneaking over the wall last night should have subsided.
Sanyuan put the sack in the corner, and hearing his mother's praise and promise to stir-fry meat, a thought suddenly struck him.
But he was shy and couldn't bring himself to do anything to seek praise, so he could only hesitantly go to see Ye Wenxue.
Ye Wenxue noticed the third son's expectant gaze and couldn't help but smile, gently rubbing Sanyuan's head:
"Third brother is also very capable and reliable! I don't even need to look to know that you're the most meticulous in everything you do. Let's eat meat together!"
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