Chapter 35 Tea Stall
After the team left the territory of Yuzhou, the places they passed by became visibly more desolate.
Even the post stations on the official road were far apart.
When they occasionally met the common people with luggage, they all looked at this group of people with strange eyes.
If you go further north, you will reach Chiling!
In the past, apart from those caravans seeking a living, has anyone ever taken the initiative to go there?
Didn't you see that they brought their families and mixed in with the refugees migrating south, trying to escape the war at the border?
The prisoners in handcuffs and shackles and the officers with swords were easy to understand, but the carts behind them filled with women and children in tattered clothes, with pale faces and skinny bodies but bright eyes were really hard to understand.
Arrived outside Qingyang Town.
To avoid trouble, Wei Da ordered his troops to march around the city. After walking about ten miles, he stopped the troops.
Looking at the small hill not far away and the tea stall right in front of him, Wei Da frowned, waved his hand and called Lao Zhang over.
"If I remember correctly, there should be an inn here?"
Old Zhang had been thinking about this for a long time and nodded immediately: "Yes, it is indeed here! I was wondering why it became a tea stall?"
"Maybe it's because the place is too remote and it was demolished a long time ago." Zhao Si muttered in the back.
These people are not specifically responsible for escorting exiles. The last time they came was two or three years ago.
This place is sparsely populated, so it must not be wealthy. It is not uncommon for local officials to demolish some post stations in order to save costs.
Wei Da looked at it carefully.
I saw that the roof of the thatched hut was heavily pressed down, and there was a slightly yellowed sign at the door with the word "Tea" written on it. A piece of faded red cloth hung from the lower corner, swaying in the wind, as if it was quite old.
Inside the tea stall, an elderly couple sat behind the earthen stove, dozing off out of boredom.
Next to it, the boiling water made a boiling sound amidst the wisps of white smoke.
He nodded slightly, agreeing with this statement.
"Since there is no post station, we can rest here for a while. We can save on food, but we cannot lack water. Go ask the old man where we can get some well water."
The group continued to move forward.
By the time Chen Chunxing was called out of the carriage, many people had already sat down in the teahouse and ordered some food.
When they were first exiled, the imperial court did not directly send people to search their homes. Although they did not have as complete preparations as the Shen family, they would never forget to take the necessary belongings with them.
Although we haven't been as generous as the Jiang family along the way, we are almost at our destination now, so we can still reward ourselves.
"You should spend less time with that guy in the future. We're a single man and a single woman. He doesn't care about his reputation, but you, a girl, have to take care of it!"
The eight-year-old child pretending to be an old man could only make Shen Chunxing laugh.
She deliberately teased Shen Mingqiu, “As a maid, what do I have to worry about?”
Shen Mingqiu said earnestly, "So, why do we have to be maids? No matter how good that handsome official is, he can't give you a decent life..."
Chen Chunxing glanced at the old woman filling the water tank and smiled. "You never know. What if your sister is more skilled in Taoism and can charm that pretty boy into a trance and successfully become the mistress?"
Shen Mingqiu…his expression was distorted, and no one knew what he was thinking about. He kicked the carriage wheel fiercely and walked away with a gloomy face.
"What happened?" Xue Yongan, who felt the vibration, stuck his head out.
"Nothing, my brother thinks you're too white and look like a weakling." Chen Chunxing pushed his head back and pointed across, "The show is about to begin, don't come out yet."
Xue Yongan subconsciously touched his face and looked at his exposed wrists. They were indeed as white as a woman's... He sat back in the car silently and breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, I was demoted to the border!
This place is barren enough and has plenty of sunshine, so I think it won't take long to get rid of the suspicion of being a gigolo!
——
"We have a lot of luggage, you stay here and watch." Chen Chunxing stopped Yang Yi.
Diao, who had already walked a few steps, paused when she heard the sound, looked back, glanced at the old man who was helping everyone pour tea, and asked cautiously, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with this place?"
"A little, but it's not a big deal," Chen Chunxing explained casually without hiding anything. "There are no towns along the way between Qingyang Town and Chiling Pass. There are post stations on the official road for people to rest. It's a small road, and merchants have so much goods. Who would dare to take the risk? Opening a tea stall here is quite an idea."
She looked ahead and saw someone asking about getting water. She understood that the officials might not have noticed something unusual, but were more likely taking advantage of the situation.
This is how they acted when they stumbled upon that village in the mountains before. Although Lord Wei is brave and resourceful, his style of commanding the army is somewhat monotonous. When we get to Chiling... I'm afraid it won't be all smooth sailing.
"Sir, there is no source of water along the way from here to Chiling. If you are willing to endure the hardship, you can follow me back to the village to fetch some water."
After learning the situation from the old man, Wei Da pondered for a moment and said with a smile, "In that case, please excuse me, old man. We will go with you."
The old man opened his mouth in surprise. "So many people together? Actually, two or three people would be enough..."
Bringing more than two hundred people back to the village, he had to wonder who wanted to rob whom!
Before Wei Da could respond, Luo Jinzhi happened to pass by the two of them and immediately spoke.
"Why would we need so many people for such a small matter? I think I'll just have to trouble the two officials... and bring my maid with me."
She had a smile on her face, but a hint of cruelty flashed in her eyes.
These days.
That abandoned child and the maidservant of the Shen family almost went in and out together. It was really ridiculous that a county magistrate would give up his career and make soup for a few exiles.
At first Luo Jinzhi was very happy.
As long as this news gets back to the capital, Xue Yongan's reputation will certainly be damaged, and her mission will be mostly accomplished.
But the further back you go.
When Luo Jinzhi found out that Xue Yongan actually asked Mao Ping to count the luggage and move the most valuable furniture to the carriage, she felt a little regretful.
Xue Yongan never turned against her even when she had forced him like that before. But now he is secretly trying to seize power. He must have been instigated by the girl from the Shen family!
If I really let him reach Chiling safely, I'm afraid I'll be kicked out soon with an excuse! After all, he's the youngest Jinshi in Xiayuan Country. Who can really take him seriously? I must be on guard!
This is a godsend opportunity, so Luo Jinzhi must seize it.
This place is remote, so it's not surprising that something unexpected happened. The old man wanted to lead people away. If he had some evil intentions, it would just suit her wishes. If not... she could also make it happen!
"I am the master's maid, not your maid, the housekeeper's wife. Although I haven't entered the mansion yet, I can't break the rules." Chen Chunxing said in a light tone, glanced at Luo Jinzhi who looked embarrassed, and suddenly smiled again, "But for the master and everyone else, I am still willing to make this trip."
If she doesn't leave, how can the play go on?
"Third brother, take them back to the car after they've eaten. I'll be away for a while. Please keep an eye on County Magistrate Xue for me."
Shen Mingqiu, who had just finished a bowl of tea, almost smashed the bowl when he heard this.
He wanted so badly to stab that old pervert!
You actually want me to serve you?
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