Chapter 9: Uninvited Guest

Nothing happened throughout the night.

The next morning, after breakfast, the exiled group set off on their journey.

The bailiffs had gone to the early market, buying vegetables, rice, liquor, salt, and other necessary items, which made their departure time a bit later than the previous day.

The exiled prisoners were also allowed to ask the bailiffs to buy some needed items, but they had to pay extra silver for the service.

When the bailiffs returned to the inn with their large and small bundles, they discussed the son of the magistrate of Yanzhou, Xu Youshan, whom they had seen at the market.

The southern region of Great Sheng was vast and sparsely populated, with Yanzhou serving as the central city for Emperor Qingning’s control over the southern part of the empire. Magistrate Xu held great power and could be considered a local ruler.

Magistrate Xu had many wives and concubines, but his descendants were few, with only one son, Xu Youshan, who was naturally the apple of his father’s eye.

“Tsk, tsk, Xu Youshan’s entourage is no less impressive than that of the young masters in the capital.”

“Sigh, he came out of the br*thel early in the morning, with his beautiful carriage and attendants returning to his mansion. He really knows how to flaunt his wealth!”

“I saw it, even the maidservants around him wore exquisite jade bracelets made of fine mutton fat jade.”

“I heard that Young Master Xu has a drinking problem. Magistrate Xu even scoured the countryside for aged wine. I could smell the fragrance of peach blossom wine drifting from his carriage and thought that even the liquor in my wine pouch couldn’t compare.”

Jiang Lili couldn’t help but feel envious as she listened to the bailiffs’ conversation. What a life of a top-tier rich second-generation!

Though she was envious, Jiang Lili and her group were still urged by the bailiffs to continue on their way.

As soon as the exiled group left the outskirts of the city, a fine drizzle began to fall from the sky, and the air grew a little colder.

The Marquis, who had been carrying Madam Yang, frowned. Madam Yang’s complexion had improved a little after the nourishing food Jiang Lili had brought, but now, they were about to be caught in the rain again—who could endure that?

Seeing this, Jiang Lili sent a message to Xiaopang, asking him to buy a raincoat, hand warmers, and a lightweight umbrella.

Within less than a quarter of an hour, Xiaopang delivered the items, which not only included hand warmers but also pain-relief plasters, specially designed for cold legs.

Jiang Lili was stunned by his response time!

[Jiang Lili: Xiaopang, are you living in a supermarket?]

[Zhang Xiaopang: Wow! How did you know, Sister Lili? To be ready to support you anytime, I’m now living in the warehouse of the supermarket my grandfather runs. I help with stocking, and my grandfather praises me for being so filial!]

Jiang Lili was amazed by Xiaopang’s efficiency, but then she remembered that this was about the family business, so it made sense that Xiaopang would take it seriously.

She distributed the hand warmers and raincoats to Xin Che and the others, teaching them how to use them.

The raincoats were dark-colored and made of a material that looked like oilcloth, resembling capes that didn’t flutter.

Everyone placed the hand warmers on their abdomen and lower back—areas most prone to cold.

Soon, the hand warmers began to generate heat.

The Marquis was astonished by how quickly the small patches heated up. “If the soldiers stationed at the border in the harsh winter could have these miraculous heating patches to ward off the cold during their marches and battles, I wonder how many troubles they could solve!”

“I wonder which skilled artisan crafted this,” the Marquis remarked. “I’ve heard that your maternal grandfather traveled far and wide in his youth, so he must have met many talented craftsmen.”

Jiang Lili attributed the sudden appearance of these supplies to her grandfather’s connections. She had carefully considered the background of the original owner’s maternal family and came up with this excuse.

Her mother came from the distinguished Min family, which had been around for a century and was deeply rooted. Her maternal grandfather, Min Xunli, was a carefree aristocrat who traveled extensively and befriended many powerful individuals. He had written several travelogues that were widely circulated among the people.

Min Xunli was a rebellious old man in his sixties who still loved to travel, despite the Min family’s attempts to persuade him to stay home. They gave up trying to convince him and let him go on his adventures.

However, the relationship between her mother and the Min family wasn’t great, so the original owner had little contact with them.

The Marquis seriously reminded the others, “This item must not be known to outsiders. Everyone, be mindful of your words and actions, and don’t cause trouble for your sister-in-law.”

Jiang Lili was also reminded by the Marquis. She realized that items which seemed ordinary in daily life could become powerful tools if used cleverly in ancient times.

She quietly marveled at her own caution, grateful to have a grandfather who was such a useful excuse for her fabrications.

The rain continued to pour heavily, and Wang Zifu, who had escorted exiled criminals before, found a dilapidated temple along the way and led the group to take shelter and rest.

Although he didn’t care much about the lives of individual prisoners, he couldn’t afford to report that only a few had made it to the destination.

Inside the dilapidated temple, a fire had been started, and people crowded around the flames for warmth.

After being soaked by the rain and with the temperature dropping rapidly, some of the people were shivering from the cold.

However, with a tough figure like Wang Zifu in charge, no one dared to make too much noise. Instead, they competed quietly, all squeezing in toward the fire in the center of the temple.

The group from the Marquis of Zhaoping’s household, with their hand warmers at hand, found a relatively open spot and settled down to rest.

At this moment, Xin Che tugged at Jiang Lili’s sleeve and whispered to her.

“I know your backpack is full of amazing things. But from now on, take care of yourself first. You don’t need to take everything out.”

“If you must, tell me beforehand, and I’ll cover for you.”

After Xin Che finished speaking, he noticed how close he was to Jiang Lili’s profile. Realizing he had leaned in a little too much, he quickly turned his face away, but fearing Jiang Lili hadn’t heard him, he softly reminded her, “Do you remember?”

Jiang Lili was surprised by his words. Was Xin Che telling her to prioritize her own safety first and not to worry about others?

After thinking it over for a moment, Jiang Lili felt deeply moved. A sense of admiration grew within her.

Xin Che truly was a guardian of the people in the borderlands, showing equal care for every citizen, never placing personal gain before the lives of others!

Jiang Lili was willing to help the Xin family because they were allies with mutual interests, able to protect her, and their character was trustworthy. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have shared anything with just anyone.

“Yes! I remember!” she said, her voice filled with respect, her gaze as firm as steel. The intimate atmosphere between the couple disappeared in an instant.

Xin Che was taken aback. He didn’t say anything more. This girl’s expression had suddenly shifted—where had her thoughts wandered off to?

“Cling—”

Just then, a clear sound of a bell rang outside the dilapidated temple, accompanied by the cheerful laughter of a man and the light giggles of a few women.

The people inside the temple instantly fell silent.

Soon, a luxurious carriage came to a stop outside the temple’s entrance.

The coachman jumped down from the carriage and set up a small stool for stepping down.

“Young Master, we’ve arrived.”

The coachman’s words hung in the air for a long while before a man in a lake-blue robe stepped out of the carriage, holding an oiled paper umbrella. He was accompanied by a graceful woman, who he held close as they descended from the carriage.

Wang Zifu, who had already stood up in alert, saw the man and his expression shifted to one of confusion. “Young Master Xu?” he asked.

“Are you here to take shelter from the rain as well?”

The person who had arrived was none other than Xu Youshan, the beloved son of the Magistrate of Yanzhou.

He seemed to be quite drunk, stumbling as he entered the temple. He didn’t even spare Wang Zifu a glance, his narrow eyes scanning the crowded, dilapidated temple.

When his gaze landed on the family of the Marquis of Zhaoping, his eyes zeroed in on Xin Che.

A malicious grin spread across Xu Youshan’s face, the kind of smile that indicated he was up to no good.

Since childhood, Xu Youshan had been obsessed with martial arts novels, and his father, the Magistrate, had spent a large sum hiring famous masters to train him. Though Xu Youshan often slacked off, he had a deep love for showing off.

To maintain his image, Xu Youshan had stuck with his martial arts training and even entered the selection for the title of Martial Champion.

In the Yanzhou region, his opponents either surrendered or were too weak to fight, and he easily advanced to the capital for the final selection. It was there that he encountered the then fourteen-year-old Xin Che.

In a single swift kick, Xin Che had sent Xu Youshan crashing to the ground, landing hard on his rear.

The humiliation of such a disgraceful defeat had stayed with Xu Youshan for life!

Now, he had finally found an opportunity to get back at him.

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