When they arrived at a bustling market, Chen Xiao raised his hand and waved it gently. The carriage slowly came to a stop, and the sound of the wheels rubbing against the ground gradually slowed down and eventually disappeared.
One by one, the people stepped out of the carriage and into the market, which resembled a scroll painting of everyday life.
The market was teeming with people, shoulder to shoulder, like a rushing river.
The colorful stalls are as numerous as stars, and the wide variety of goods is dazzling.
Chen Xiao walked forward slowly, his brows slightly furrowed, carefully observing the expressions of the people and the transactions.
She noticed that prices in Xunyang were quite high. Although the people were busy haggling at the stalls, their weathered faces were filled with the hardships and difficulties of life.
Some people frowned, their eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness; others sighed and complained, exhausting themselves trying to negotiate over a few coins' difference.
Despite their hard work day after day, year after year, from the first light of dawn until the deepest night, they still struggle to make ends meet, barely scraping by.
Upon witnessing this scene, Chen Xiao secretly pondered that if a good opportunity were to come in the future, he would do everything in his power to improve this predicament. It was as if he had made a solemn and firm vow in his heart to seek the well-being of the people.
Qianyi stayed close to Chenxiao, observing everything around them silently.
He knew that the situation in Xunyang was like a deep sea with countless hidden reefs. The surface was calm, but the undercurrents were turbulent, and it was more complicated than people could see.
Ning Yuyuan was like a lively butterfly, pulling Yin Yuyao along as they happily flitted between the various stalls.
She excitedly introduced the unique little items, her voice clear and melodious, like silver bells swaying in the wind, playing a joyful melody.
Yin Yuyao's originally calm face gradually revealed a smile as bright as spring flowers in full bloom. The smile seemed to be infected by Ning Yuyuan's enthusiasm, and the gloom in her eyes gradually dissipated.
Chao Yuan and Ye Yu were like two majestic guardian deities, always maintaining a high level of vigilance.
Their gazes were like the sharp eyes of an eagle soaring through the sky, scanning every corner of the crowd. No one's slightest movement or every exchange of glances could escape their watchful eyes, as if they had woven an invisible yet tight security net among the crowd.
Suddenly, Chen Xiao's keen hearing picked up a loud argument, which suddenly exploded like a thunderclap in the peaceful market.
She looked in the direction of the sound and saw an elderly man with white hair arguing with a burly stall owner.
It turned out that the stall owner had sold less grain than the required weight. When the old man discovered this, he came to argue with the stall owner, whose face was full of menace, but whose eyes revealed cunning and shamelessness. He refused to admit his fraudulent behavior.
Seeing this, Chen Xiao quickly stepped forward and stood in front of the old man. Facing the curses that the stall owner was about to utter, she immediately revealed Zheng Hanying's identity.
When the stall owner saw the inscription on the jade plaque and then the attire of Chen Xiao and the others, his face turned deathly pale. He seemed to have lost his backbone, his body trembling slightly, his panic evident.
Chen Xiao had no intention of using her status to intimidate anyone. The officialdom in Xunyang was a murky place, and with prices already so high, this was just another shameless act. She revealed her identity only because she couldn't stand how he was bullying the old man.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority as she ordered the stall owner to make up the weight and sternly warned him against any further fraudulent activities.
Seeing this, the surrounding people gathered around, casting grateful and admiring glances at Chen Xiao. Their gazes were like the warm spring sun, warm and bright, dispelling their long-standing resentment and helplessness towards the unscrupulous merchant.
Upon seeing this, Ye Yu clicked his tongue in amazement and whispered to Chao Yuan, "I never imagined His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus would be so similar..."
Chao Yuan was also somewhat stunned. Chen Xiao's skillful way of revealing his identity and his righteous manner made her feel as if she had traveled back in time to many years ago.
The emperor at that time was Chu Yanxi, who also stood up for the people. The mother and daughter were exactly the same in their style of doing things, which shows that they were indeed connected by blood!
After this incident, the group continued their journey.
Qian Yi approached Chen Xiao and whispered, "Your actions may attract the attention of those with ulterior motives."
Chen Xiao shook his head slightly, his ink-black hair swaying gently: "I cannot bear to see the people being bullied. If this brings me trouble, I am not afraid."
Her eyes shone with determination and fearlessness, like a bright star shining in the dark night.
As the journey progressed, the weather gradually cooled, as if nature's paintbrush had quietly painted the world with a cool and serene hue.
When setting up camp at night, everyone sat around the campfire.
Ning Yuyuan began to recount the strange tales of the temple. Her voice was soft and melodious, like a whisper in the night sky, slowly flowing into everyone's hearts.
The crowd listened quietly, immersed in the fantastical world she described, temporarily forgetting the fatigue and potential dangers of their journey. Their expressions softened and relaxed, as if they had found a warm haven in the cold night.
Chen Xiao stared at the flickering flames, but his heart was filled with worry for Xi Xi, wondering if she was alright behind the barrier.
That worry was like an invisible thread, tightly wrapped around her heart, impossible to shake off.
Qian Yi was silently thinking about how to explain everything to Ning Yuyuan after arriving at the prefect's mansion. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes showed solemnity and worry, as if he was weighing every word and every possible reaction in his mind.
As night deepened, everyone gradually drifted off to sleep, lost in their own thoughts. Only the night watchmen remained steadfast at their posts, standing tall and proud like ancient pine trees in the darkness, guarding this tranquility.
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