Chapter 235 How did my mother die?
Old Liao strolled around the dock and happened to see a boat docked. He found out that the boat belonged to the Hong family gang and went up to ask about the price.
A medium-sized steamer can seat about twenty or thirty people. Each person pays one hundred coins, and children under ten years old pay half the price.
Two hundred and twenty people crossing the river cost a little over twenty taels of silver. Old Liao negotiated the price down to twenty taels, and rented a total of seven boats.
The Hong family gang was a well-known private transport gang in Ezhou Ferry.
He also had a good reputation in the martial arts world. Chief Hong was a man of great loyalty and righteousness, and his brothers were willing to follow him.
Its reputation is far better than that of the other gang, the Wu Family Gang.
To rent a boat, a five-tael deposit is required, and an agreement must be signed. Old Liao will pay the deposit out of his own pocket, and the convicts will collect the money before the boat departs tomorrow, at which point the remaining balance will be paid.
They passed by a tavern, got hungry, dismounted, and ordered some good wine and dishes to eat before heading back.
One of the escorts suddenly gulped down a large bowl of wine.
"Brother Liao, it's too cheap to only pay twenty taels of silver for so many people to cross the river. Why don't we quote thirty or fifty taels? They have plenty of money and are generous. Every time they stay at an inn, they fight for the best rooms and don't want to stay in ordinary rooms. They also want to eat the most expensive and best dishes. They're not short of money."
To save money, escorts usually stayed in ordinary rooms or shared dormitories.
Seeing how rich the convicts were, it was inevitable to feel jealous and envious. It would be a shame not to take advantage of them after all the hardships they had endured on their journey.
Old Liao stuffed a large mouthful of food into his mouth, chewing as he said, "They may be rich, but they're all misers. Did you even ask for their opinion before you ripped them off like this?"
The escort asked, puzzled, "Why ask for their opinions? Brother Liao has them completely under his thumb; if he tells them to go east, they wouldn't dare go west."
Old Liao continued, "Have you forgotten the lesson Yan Wanshan learned? If he resists, can you suppress him? Can you beat him? Don't cause me any trouble. Twenty taels is a profit for you."
The prisoner's travel expenses and food were covered by government funds, including the twenty taels for the boat fare.
They would make a profit if they didn't pay the money themselves but instead had the convicts pay it.
Another escort said, "I support Brother Liao. Those princes and marquises may not have traveled far and don't know the prices, but those merchants have traveled all over the country. They are not easy to fool. Don't be fooled by their fierce fighting. Once their interests are involved, they will unite against us. It's better to avoid trouble."
"Alright, I'll do whatever Brother Liao says."
The only ones the escorts feared were the exiled criminals.
...
That evening, Yun Zhaoxue planned to take a bath in her spatial dimension, as it was inconvenient for her to do so while Xiao Xuance was inside.
Just as he was about to find an excuse to send the man away, the Third Prince suddenly sent a guard to find him, saying that he had important matters to discuss and asked him to come to his private room.
She locked the door, went inside to wash up, and then came out, splashing water on the floor to create the illusion that she had washed. Just as she finished, there was a knock at the door. "Knock knock!!"
Xiao Xuance has returned.
Yun Zhaoxue put on her outer garment and tied her belt before opening the door.
Xiao Xuance saw a corner of the nightgown peeking out, entered the room, and waved for Zhuiying to leave.
"I'm done washing. I'll have Zhuiying go down and find the waiter to change your water."
"No need to trouble yourself. I have an injury on my leg and can't go into the bath. I'll just use the water you left to wipe myself down."
Yun Zhaoxue asked in surprise, "You don't mind the water I used?"
She's a germaphobe; she doesn't even want to use a wooden tub that someone else has used. She always washes herself in her own space, which is convenient and clean.
Xiao Xuance said, "Why should we complain? When we were leading troops in battle, there weren't so many rules. Everyone would take off all their clothes and wash in the river."
The water she used was definitely much cleaner than the water in the river.
"Alright, should we let Shadow Chaser come in and help?"
"No need, I can manage on my own."
Yun Zhaoxue said, "Your legs are weak, and if you get injured, let Zhuiying help you, or perhaps I can help you."
Xiao Xuance was both nervous and worried, and she wanted to help him wipe his body.
Suddenly, the sound of a shadow chasing came from outside the door.
"Princess, the escort said that Consort Chen wants to see you and asks if it would be convenient for you to go?"
"I'll be down in a moment, just a short while."
Yun Zhaoxue took off her nightgown, changed her clothes, and went out, letting Zhuiying go in to help Xiao Xuance wipe his body.
"Take good care of him, make sure the wound on his leg doesn't get wet."
In the woodshed in the backyard, Aunt Chen lay in the corner. When she saw her coming, she struggled to sit up. "Princess, you've arrived?"
"Just lie there and tell me, who killed my mother?"
"Princess, if I tell you, can you save my life?"
"If you're lying to me, I'll kill you right now. If it's true, I can guarantee your safety for three months. Relying on others is unreliable; only by standing on your own feet can you remain invincible."
Yun Xiuwen is her nominal father, so she can't act directly against him. If she does, she must kill him. Letting them die easily would be too lenient. She should use someone else to do her dirty work and make them wish they were dead.
Aunt Chen smiled gratefully, "Three months is enough, thank you, Princess."
"So, how did my mother die?"
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