"This servant believes in my master."
"Um!"
The two talked for a while longer before leaving.
On the way, An San kept hesitating to speak.
"Speak your mind, don't be shy."
Her hesitant manner, like a timid young wife, was unsettling.
“Madam,” An San asked cautiously, “have you really let bygones be bygones?”
"What, you don't believe me?"
“It’s not that I don’t believe it,” An San quickly shook his head, “it’s just that it’s too easy, it won’t teach people a lesson. If…”
After a pause, An San continued through gritted teeth, "What if His Majesty does this again next time?"
"Let's wait and see!"
Jiang Nuan curled the corners of her lips into a meaningful smile.
It's best to avoid this situation, otherwise...
Upon hearing this, An San suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, subconsciously trembled his shoulders, and dared not say anything more.
On the way back, Jiang Nuan did not deliberately pursue speed, but traveled at a leisurely pace.
He carefully observed the various pedestrians along the way, and gradually discovered the changes in the Great Zhou Dynasty from their conversations.
Although there were more and more chaotic things happening, the people's spirits were getting better and better. Although their complexions were still sallow and their clothes were tattered, the gloom on their faces had dissipated a lot, and there were many more bright smiles.
At a tea stall outside Yuzhou city, Jiang Nuan ordered a pot of tea and three bowls of shredded pork noodles.
One bowl for myself, and two or three bowls secretly.
"Let's rest here for half an hour and then leave. We should arrive in the prefectural city before dark."
"As you wish, madam."
Just as the shopkeeper finished serving the tea, a group of traveling merchants arrived at the tea stall.
"Stop for a cup of tea and a rest. Leave two people to watch the goods, the rest of you come with me."
More than twenty people rushed in at once, and the already small tea stall was instantly packed to the brim.
“Madam,” the middle-aged man who had spoken earlier approached, “we don’t have enough seats. Would you do me the honor of setting up a table for me?”
"Sure, please go ahead."
"Thank you, madam." The man bowed in thanks, but instead of sitting down, he went to the restaurant to order.
"Judging from your accent, you're not from southern Henan, are you?"
"I'm not from southern Henan, I'm from the north. I'm escorting goods to Sichuan this time. I'm passing through here on the way, and I'll rest in the prefectural city tonight. I'll continue my journey tomorrow."
"There's been an earthquake in Shu, and many people are fleeing," An San said, puzzled. "What are you going there to sell?"
Jiang Nuan also found it strange.
Going to Sichuan at this time of year is quite a unique idea.
"It's not about making money, just delivering some medicinal herbs," the man waved his hand, looking sentimental. "As long as it covers the round-trip expenses, that's enough. Even if I'm short of money, I can't make this kind of dirty money."
"You are this one!" Jiang Nuan couldn't help but give a thumbs up in praise.
She herself did not have this awareness, and therefore she especially admired people of such noble character.
"It's nothing," the man quickly waved his hand. "The imperial court has already issued a document that this year's conscription will only be carried out in Shu. No one objected, and the entire Great Zhou is exempt from military service. Everyone is grateful. I am poor and can only raise this much. I also set off a day later than others."
Just then, the stall owner came over with a bowl of noodles. After putting it down, he said with a smile, "What this customer said is right. Recently, quite a few people have been going to Sichuan, most of them carrying several cartloads of goods. My second son's business has improved a lot. In just these few days, he has already earned a month's income."
"Is that so?" Jiang Nuan asked, somewhat surprised.
“This is all thanks to the Immortal Lady,” the man said with a smirk. “She used her magic to ripen the crops, so we common folk don’t have to worry about our stomachs for the rest of the year, and naturally we have time to meddle in other people’s business.”
As he spoke, the man's face became fanatical, "With her around, the Great Zhou will definitely get better and better, and the people will prosper more and more."
Seeing this, Jiang Nuan was taken aback. "Isn't it a bit too much?"
After saying that, he lowered his head guiltily.
She has always been selfish and has never had any ambition to help others. However, things are getting increasingly strange.
"What do you mean by that?" Upon hearing Jiang Nuan's words, the man immediately straightened his face. "You don't believe in the Immortal?"
"No, it's just that I feel you've exaggerated her image too much."
“It’s not an exaggeration at all,” the man said solemnly. “To be honest, Madam, although I like doing business, I’m not cut out for it. I lose money no matter what I do. I even had to pawn my ancestral home. But after I prayed to the Immortal, my fortune has been getting better and better. In less than a month, I’ve already redeemed the ancestral home and even have a small surplus. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made this trip.”
"A month?" Jiang Nuan raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you hear the rumors before?"
"So what if they heard it? They're just a bunch of petty people who can't stand to see others do well," the man sneered, then said gloatingly, "My neighbor who's been smug for decades used to talk a lot of bad things about the immortal. Guess what? When I went out, his precious son was crippled by a dog. I think it's karma for talking too much bad about the immortal."
“Madam,” An San said, glancing at Jiang Nuan with a troubled expression, “could what he said be true?”
"Of course it's not true," Jiang Nuan said, taking a sip of tea to cover her embarrassment. "It's just a coincidence; this family must be having some bad luck."
“It’s not a coincidence,” the man shook his head firmly. “This isn’t an isolated incident. Anyone who has spoken ill of someone has more or less encountered a few unfortunate events. You can ask around if you don’t believe me.”
"Madam?" An San's eyes were filled with suspicion.
"I really didn't do it." Jiang Nuan's tone became subtle.
Although she was unhappy, she didn't have the energy to retaliate against so many people. She only dealt with the most troublemakers in the capital and didn't do anything more.
However, if what this person said is true, then it can only mean that someone really did take action.
Is it the Way of Heaven or God?
“Of course it’s not you,” the man chuckled upon hearing this. “Madam, you should refrain from saying such things in the future. The Immortal Lord is incredibly powerful. If she knew that someone was talking about her behind her back, she would definitely be unhappy. You should still be careful about what you say.”
"That makes sense!"
Feeling increasingly awkward, Jiang Nuan simply stopped talking and lowered her head to eat her noodles seriously.
Because of this incident, Jiang Nuan didn't stay long and left immediately after finishing her noodles.
"Madam, your reputation among the people is unmatched."
"Reputation is useless to me, so I don't need to care about it."
“That’s not how it works,” An San disagreed. “With such a reputation, even the Emperor wouldn’t dare to act recklessly towards you.”
Human nature is biased; the longer An San stayed by Jiang Nuan's side, the more his stance leaned towards hers.
Although he never said it out loud, he was really bothered by what happened before.
Because he had been following the two since they first met, he was very clear about their relationship and understood how much his former master had taken advantage of the Huang family.
Therefore, he was extremely disgusted by his former master's increasingly demanding methods!
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