"If the county magistrate is so afraid of his retainers and servants, then their master must be at least a second-rank official, or perhaps a prince?"
It's better not to guess.
Upon hearing this, everyone's hair stood on end.
The person speaking began to stutter.
"So, even if they get the luminous pearl, they might not be able to save their lives, because everyone covets treasures. Do you think they might just kill that family!"
Another person made a knife gesture with their hand, placed it against their neck, and whispered.
"Shh!! Don't say things you shouldn't. Who knows if they can't find it in Jiangnan County, they might come looking for us in the surrounding counties. If someone with ulterior motives hears us, we're finished."
"Yes, yes, let's not talk about this anymore."
"Today's tea..."
The people chatting dared not continue the conversation.
So they quickly changed the subject and started talking about something else.
"Have you guys noticed? Something's off about the weather."
"Yes, logically speaking, spring has arrived, so why hasn't it rained at all? And this year's heavy snow came too strangely. I've never seen such thick snow in my life. Our town is okay, but I heard that other counties were severely affected and many people died. They still haven't recovered."
"I've heard from the elders that a major disaster is sure to follow a heavy snowfall! I suggest that everyone stock up on some food, just in case."
"Brother Liu, don't worry unnecessarily. No one can predict the future. Grain is at its most expensive time of the year right now. What if we listen to you and buy a lot of grain to take home? Wouldn't that be a waste of money?"
“Brother Zhao, please don’t say that. Brother Liu is only doing this for our own good. Here’s what we’ll do: I’ll buy two bushels of old rice to take home tomorrow. Actually, I also feel that the weather is not right. Not to mention before the New Year, even last year was very strange. Have you forgotten how hot it was last summer? I heard that the crops in the northern counties have withered quite a bit.”
"Yes, I told you about what happened in Shuxian not long ago. A lot of people died in a county in the south. In order to make money, they used corpse oil to make candles. As a result, an unlucky guy bought them. The corpse oil candles smelled terrible when lit. I heard that the unlucky guy lost all his money and his whole family has been reduced to begging on the streets."
"Oh dear, what you're saying is making me very scared. I'll buy some food and stock up on it too."
“You’re all cowards, there’s no way that’s possible. You guys buy it, I’m not buying it. Okay, I’m going home.”
The party ended on a sour note.
However, they did not notice that two men dressed in black, with long swords at their waists, were sitting at the next table. After the group of people who had been talking left, the two men put down their teacups and looked away.
"Our master instructed that if we don't retrieve the luminous pearl by June, our lives will be in danger!"
"Do you think I'm not anxious? We've searched Jiangnan County, the governor's mansion, the county magistrate's mansion, and all the slightly wealthy merchants' homes in the county town. We've searched them all, but there's no trace of the luminous pearl!"
"So, we're here now, there's no use rushing. Let's wait until dark. We'll stay here for the next few days, and today we'll head to the Yan residence. I've heard they're the richest family in Jiashu County, and... their business has expanded to Jiangnan County! It's very likely that the luminous pearl is in their hands!"
"I hope so."
Their eyes were as black as ink. They looked at each other, sighed, and lowered their heads.
Silently waiting for nightfall to come.
At this moment, Yan Xia was unaware that her residence was about to be broken into.
She was in the classroom, listening to Liu Yunwan teach.
"At birth, human nature is inherently good..."
"Read aloud with me~"
Liu Yunwan held up the Three Character Classic and spoke to the students below.
Zhao'er was sitting in the first seat, wearing her brand-new school uniform.
Holding the book, he excitedly read along with Liu Yunwan.
"At birth, human nature is inherently good."
The beginner classes had the most students, with three classes, each with twenty students.
That is, there are sixty students who are currently receiving their initial education.
The ages range from fourteen or fifteen to four years old.
They sat together without any sense of incongruity, greedily absorbing knowledge.
They also understood how precious it was for them to have the opportunity to study.
Everyone was very attentive; not a single person was daydreaming or sleeping in class.
Yan Xia then visited the advanced learning class and the graduating class. The situation was the same; everyone was attending classes attentively.
She nodded in satisfaction and left the school.
As darkness fell, the Yan family members gradually returned home.
The weather had already warmed up, so instead of eating dinner in the main room as usual, we set it out in the courtyard.
Wang Jingshui was seven months pregnant, her belly round and plump, but she was in exceptionally good health and could walk across the three courtyards without any help.
The little dumpling has grown much bigger.
She has changed drastically since six months ago, but she is still adorable.
“Things are not peaceful outside lately. You should close your shops and restaurants half an hour earlier each day and make sure you are home before dark.”
Judging by the timeline, those so-called treasure hunters will soon be heading towards the surrounding areas of Jiangnan County. Yan Xia heard some rumors and was worried that something might happen to her family. Although she was eating, her expression was tense.
She installed a malicious value detector in her home.
If someone breaks in, she can teleport back, but what if her family members encounter bad guys outside?
She was powerless to help.
"Yes, Mother."
Knowing the inside story, the Chang sisters agreed without asking any questions.
After finishing her meal, Yan Xia lost her desire to take a walk.
She nestled in bed, thinking about what to do next.
Those treasure hunters won't leave unless they find the luminous pearl.
Their family is also the richest in Jiashu County.
If that group of people comes looking for us, the Yan family will be the first to be affected.
Yan Xia planned to go to Jiangnan County in a couple of days to inquire about some inside information. It had been a long time since she had been there. Although she had sent someone to deliver New Year's gifts to Madam Fan, the mother of Xu Wenyan, the magistrate of Jiangnan County, before the Lunar New Year, she was afraid that the relationship she had built up over the years would be compromised. She had to make this trip.
"Xiao Ji, go to the first courtyard and find Jin Yu. Tell him to set aside two days and come with me to Jiangnan County the day after tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll go right away."
Xiao Ji put down the washbasin in her hand and walked towards the courtyard.
Yan Xia washed her face and brushed her teeth by herself.
I didn't sweat today, so I won't take a shower.
She took off her coat, lay down on the bed, and thought about what gift she should give to the Fan family when she went to Jiangnan County this time.
That old geezer is too greedy.
She doesn't even look at ordinary things.
Time passed by, second by second.
Xiao Ji returned shortly afterward.
Seeing that Yan Xia had finished washing up, she took the basin away. After a while, she also finished washing up and went back to her room to lie down.
Following Yan Xia's example, Xiao Ji also picked up a storybook and read it with great interest.
Since arriving at the Yan residence, she has learned quite a few characters.
As night deepened, the moon shone even brighter against the dark sky.
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