After the lively banquet, Wang Liu and his group left the small town.
Perhaps after Shi Lan left last night, Wang Liu revealed something to those people, because this morning the young men and women from other families only hurriedly said hello before calling their husbands to hurry out of the city.
Seeing the dust rise and fall again ahead, Shi Lan closed the carriage curtain tightly to keep the dust out, poured a cup of tea and handed it to Wang Liu, whispering, "Did you reveal the Yuan family's intentions to them?"
Wang Liu nodded, turned to look out the window, his gaze distant. "Their foundation is all here. If we don't let them know the Yuan family's intentions, they might still harbor illusions."
Shi Lan nodded.
Actually, it wasn't that she didn't want him to speak, but she felt that those people were just like that by nature, and that ordinary people meant nothing to them. Even if Wang Liu spoke up, it wouldn't have much effect.
Wang Liu smiled when he saw her nonchalant expression.
"I have already sent someone to inform the family, and the family members will arrive in a while."
Shi Lan understood. It seemed that Wang Liu, like himself, did not expect these families to be able to stop the Yuan family's attack. He probably used these people as a show of force to intimidate others, while the real fighting force would be the guards from his own family.
Having figured this out, Shi Lan felt slightly relieved.
There are five or six small and medium-sized aristocratic families in this area, and their guards number at least several thousand. With this force, the common people in this region are relatively safe, at least for the time being.
After traveling for five or six days, a dark mass of people appeared in the distance. Shi Lan subconsciously pressed her sword, moved her body slightly away from Wang Liu, and stared warily at the corner of the carriage curtain that she had lifted.
A horse galloped very fast towards them from the crowd.
Wang Liu noticed Shi Lan's unusual behavior and glanced at her. There was something strange about her fair and jade-like face, but he quickly suppressed it and said after a while, "Ah Lan, don't panic. That's my brother and his guards."
Before Wang Liu could finish speaking, the man reined in his horse and looked at the carriage curtain that was fluttering gently in the wind, saying, "Is it Lord Liu here?"
Wang Liu didn't move. In the carriage behind, Yun climbed down and quickly walked to Wang Liu's carriage.
The man clearly recognized Yun. He nimbly dismounted, knelt on one knee, and cupped his hands, saying, "When Fifth Master learned that Yancheng was in dire need, he ordered me to ride at full speed ahead. Fifth Master will arrive shortly."
Wang Liu then lifted the carriage curtain, nodded gently, and said, "Commander Wen, you've worked hard."
A faint blush appeared on Wen Ju's cheeks. Ever since he received the order, he had been leading his men on a journey that took them day and night. It was certainly hard work, but if he could leave a mark on Wang Liu's heart, even just a little, someone would give him a chance, a chance to continue climbing the ranks.
Wang Liu instructed Yun to return to the post station they had just left, to let the guards get a good night's rest, and to head to Yancheng the next day.
Wen Ju cupped his hands in thanks for the young master's consideration, then mounted his horse and rode back, calling his men to follow behind the carriage.
Upon returning to the inn, Shi Lan remained inside and did not come out.
Wen Ju placed the letter Wang Wu had written on the ground and whispered, "There are two voices in the clan now, one advocating war and the other advocating migration to the south. Fifth Master is caught in the middle mediating, and it's not easy for him to leave for the time being."
Wang Liu rubbed his brow.
That's why Fifth Brother didn't rush over immediately, even though he knew he didn't have many guards.
After reporting the matter, Wen Ju quietly withdrew.
Yunhou, standing to the side, whispered, "My lord, the clan disagrees on what to do."
Wang Liu pinched his brow heavily, looking somewhat tired. He wasn't surprised that such a situation had arisen in the clan. Long before his travels, there had been rumors of a southward migration within the clan, but the elders hadn't spoken of them aloud.
Large clans have their advantages. Ordinary people would look at the Wang family with envy and admiration as soon as they heard of it. When the sons of noble families learned that a young master from the Wang family was coming, they would greet them with the most humble and respectful attitude.
However, when faced with a major event requiring the most important decision, large clans often struggle to reach a consensus due to their complex relationships. By the time all opinions are combined and a conclusion is reached, the optimal time has often passed.
Therefore, when Wang Liu reported the news back to his clan, he didn't expect the clan to send people over so quickly. This is also why he had spread alarmist rumors and scared those young men so much that they didn't even care about their appearance and rushed back home.
Wang Liu wanted them to help hold off the enemy for a while. If the family advocated war and the territory was not lost, they could simply defend. If they moved south, with them holding them off, the Wang family could easily move their clansmen and property there.
As for the commoners that Shi Lan was considering, Wang Liu had thought about it as well, but compared to his own clansmen, the commoners who had no blood ties with him seemed less important.
Yun Jing waited a moment, and seeing that Wang Liu did not answer, he sighed and said, "The Fifth Prince sent Wen Ju here. Although he did not explain his intentions, he must be stationed here."
Wang Liu glanced at Yun and said in a low voice, "In a few days, the families here should send guards to Yancheng. Wen Ju didn't bring many people with him. If we go there like this, we won't have the upper hand in terms of numbers. Rather than fighting there for nothing, we might as well stay here and observe the situation."
Yun nodded and beckoned to the beautiful maidservant waiting beside him, "Go and invite A-Lan over."
Wang Liu glanced at Yun, who blushed with embarrassment. "My lord, I haven't tasted any tea brewed by A-Lan for five days."
"Has it been that long?" Wang Liu frowned and thought for a moment. Ever since that banquet, they had been on the road. But had it really been that long since he had a chance to drink?
Wang Liu couldn't remember at all, because in the car, he could easily reach for a warm teacup by simply raising his wrist and drinking a refreshing cup of tea.
Seeing his confused expression, Yun quickly replied, "Yes, it will take at least five days."
There was already a hint of grievance in her voice.
Wang Liu grinned and said, "If you want to drink, why did you come?"
Yun murmured, "I was just afraid of disturbing His Majesty."
Wang Liu narrowed his eyes, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
His throat suddenly became incredibly itchy, and he couldn't suppress it, coughing repeatedly. He covered his lips with a handkerchief, and when he put it away, his face turned cold. "Don't say such things again. A-Lan is still an unmarried nun, and her reputation cannot be damaged."
Yun blinked, nodded and replied, but inwardly she was thinking, "He's clearly happy inside, but he's being so stubborn."
A few clatters of wooden clogs echoed from the doorway. A maid opened the door, and Shi Lan kicked off her clogs and strode in with a brisk pace.
"What does Ah Min want with me?"
Shi Lan stepped over Yun and sat on the couch.
"Ah Lan, I'm standing right here, didn't you see me?" Yun pouted, looking at Shi Lan. He was still a little annoyed after Wang Liu's words, and seeing Shi Lan come in and not even glance at him made him feel even more wronged.
Wang Liu knew he had gone too far with his words, and with a desire to make amends, he glanced at the maid at the door. The maid immediately brought out the tea tray and other items that were placed in the cabinet.
Shi Lan glanced at Wang Liu and then at Yun, straightened her posture, and knelt upright on the couch, calmly brewing tea.
The maid quietly lit incense, and soon the room was filled with wisps of smoke, and the aroma of tea wafted from the table.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
