Chapter 28: Pursuit

◎Your eldest sister-in-law represents your elder brother◎

Yu Lian was unaware that shortly after their departure from Salt City, three separate groups had arrived at the city's docks, all searching for her.

The first group consisted of a young man in black, who left promptly after his arrival.

The second group was made up of two skilled mercenaries hired by her parents. They rushed to the Salt City docks but arrived too late; the merchant ship they were looking for had already docked and its passengers had disembarked. The duo, seasoned travelers, knew that sailing was no easy feat, and those on board would need time to rest and regroup before arranging for further transportation with the merchant convoy or a carriage. Thus, it would likely take them at least another day or two before they could depart.

Having learned that the merchant ship had arrived only the previous day, the two of them rushed to the city's inn. After much inquiry, they finally discovered that the family had initially intended to stay at the inn but, for some unknown reason, never returned. They had even left their luggage behind.

"The innkeeper's assistant is a dishonest fellow. Seeing that they weren't coming back, he didn't bother to take their belongings to the authorities or wait a few more days. Instead, he unloaded their carriage and sold everything. I've heard there were quite a few valuable items on board, which made him a substantial profit. Perhaps there were more possessions in the carriage, maybe even silver and jewels – the assistant must have hit the jackpot."

Both of them were startled. Had something happened that forced them to leave without their luggage? Or had they met with foul play and couldn't return? Despite inquiries throughout Salt City, no reports of such a tragedy or accident had surfaced. The family consisted of eight people; if anything untoward had occurred, it would likely not have gone unnoticed unless it took place in a remote wilderness.

Unable to determine their whereabouts, the pair decided to revisit the docks. Perhaps the family had changed their minds and returned to the capital?

After much poking around, they finally gleaned some useful information. An old lady selling wontons at the dock mentioned that the family was quite distinctive. "That young lady was a sight to behold. In all my years running this stall, I've seen all sorts, but never such a beautiful and fair-skinned young woman. She was accompanied by an elderly lady, probably her grandmother, a middle-aged couple, a concubine or servant, and three children. Every member of the family was good-looking, and their bearing suggested noble origins. They entered the city right after disembarking, then came back later that afternoon. Around that time, a trading convoy was recruiting travelers to join them. That family decided to follow along with the merchants."

They hurriedly asked where they were headed.

Lady says she has forgotten, and didn't hear it clearly.

Yet, the pie vendor nearby knew the truth but merely smiled without saying a word.

The two drew out their copper coins wordlessly to purchase two baked pancakes, and only then did the man speak, "That's the renowned Ruyi Merchant House of Yanshou Prefecture. This time they're venturing towards Mu Tang, a place not abutting any rivers or seas, where seafood is quite expensive. On this trip, the Ruyi Merchant House has acquired a substantial amount of dried seafood goods to sell there. My son happens to be an apprentice within their establishment and is accompanying the trading caravan on this journey."

The two inquired about the trading route of the merchant caravan, but the pancake seller wasn't very knowledgeable and could only provide some general information. After listening, they hastily departed.

The third group arrived a few days later. By then, Yu Lian had already been gone for four or five days. The elderly couple selling wontons and baked pancakes found it peculiar and whispered to each other, "Why do they all seem to be looking for this family?"

"Consider yourselves fortunate. With the constant flow of people at the dock every day, who could possibly remember everyone? However, your inquiry about this particular family has been recurring, and thus, I have managed to retain the memory of it."

As she spoke, she inquired if the guest would like some cakes. The elder madam also asked if they would care for a bowl of wontons.

Li Xiang: "..."

Only after tossing a silver ingot did I manage to obtain the precise information.

Li Xiang, with a dust-covered demeanor, had lost his usual charm and playfulness. Anxiety and fatigue etched deep into his countenance. He had been confined within his family's estate for several days by his father, forbidden from venturing out. Eventually, he inadvertently overheard his father discussing matters concerning the East Yuan Marquis' residence with his elder brother.

It was rumored that the Emperor had dispatched agents in secret to eliminate them. The narrator reminisced about the former glory of Marquis East Yuan, Hua Zhan. During the reign of the late Emperor, he and his son were at the height of their power, instilling fear in every corner of the court. Now, however, they found themselves in such a dire situation.

His father said, "It's understandable that the Emperor wishes to eliminate any potential threats, but he had already made a promise and gained benefits and reputation. Now, to turn around and silence those involved seems rather callous and ruthless. Our dynasty was founded on the principles of benevolence and righteousness, where even nobles are held accountable under the law, and the common folk are treated with leniency. This is what earned the support of the people for our first emperor, and successive rulers followed his example, ruling with virtue and kindness, thus gaining the hearts of the nation. The current emperor has also relied on this principle to gain his position, despite his humble origins. Yet, behind closed doors... I'm reminding you not to take advantage of your sister's favor and act recklessly. It's best to remain cautious, for one day, the Emperor might turn against you..."

"It's just a shame about that young lady from the Wei Duke's residence; she's a fine young woman..."

"Xiang'er was so set on marrying that young lady, what shall we do now?"

"Times have changed. If he were still here, I might have indulged his antics. But now that the Emperor has shown his hand, we must sever all connections. Keep an eye on your brother these few days; do not let him act recklessly."

At the time, Li Xiang was struck dumb upon hearing these words; when he regained his senses, he had already mounted his horse and burst through the mansion gates, disregarding the attempts of his attendants to stop him. His elder brother dispatched men to pursue him, catching up with him outside the city walls with the intent of bringing him back. It was then that two renowned martial heroes happened to pass by, swooping down from the trees in their black attire, exuding an air of formidable grandeur.

In a moment of desperate ingenuity, he promised them substantial rewards, beseeching the two martial heroes to protect him and help him escape, all the way to Salt City.

These two valiant knights were indeed straightforward. After receiving their reward, they helped him drive away the men his elder brother had sent and accompanied him to Salt City. With the aid of the knights, he made good progress, yet despite his haste and enduring the hardships of traveling, he still arrived too late. Yu Lian had already left Salt City.

But this wasn't particularly bad news for Li Xiang, for according to his father, the Emperor's envoy had intended to deal with anyone the moment they stepped off the ship in Salt City. The fact that Lian'er had departed for another location immediately after landing suggests she was aware of the danger and could escape from Salt State, which was indeed fortunate.

Yet, it had been too long since she left. They must have received the news and pursued her by now. Who knew what had happened or if any harm had befallen them? Based on Li Xiang's speculation, the situation didn't look promising. The people around the Emperor were all highly skilled in martial arts; how could an elderly woman, a weakling, and children evade their pursuit?

With this in mind, he mounted his horse and hurriedly set off with the two knights towards Mu Tang.

One of the knights said, "There are many places along the way from Salt City to Mu Tang where ambushes can take place. However, the most convenient spot would be this stretch between the Dark Gate Pass and Jingan Town in Mu Tang. It's a barren land filled with sandstorms and steep terrain, sparsely populated. Rumor has it that there are two bandit lairs permanently established there due to the difficult terrain, making it hard for the imperial forces to eliminate them despite numerous attempts."

"Many merchant caravans have suffered attacks in that area over the years. Even if they escape the Emperor's men, they might fall into the hands of these bandits."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiang was even more worried. He urged his horse forward, increasing his speed.

The two "knights" behind him exchanged glances, wearing odd smiles.

Back at the caravan, Yu Lian asked one of the merchants how much longer it would take to reach Mu Tang. The man replied, "If we're lucky, we should arrive in about two to three days. Once we pass the Dark Gate Pass and enter Jingan Town under Mu Tang's jurisdiction, we'll be safe. From there, we can directly head to Mu Tang Prefecture."

"On the other hand, it might take three to five days, depending on the weather. Sandstorms make visibility poor, and enduring them is a challenge. We also need to watch out for bandits, so it's best to stock up on food and water. If anything happens and we're stranded for days without sustenance, it would be disastrous."

Hence, the people in the caravan formed groups to purchase supplies. Dry rations were essential, and they bought extra water flasks, filling them with boiled, clean water to conserve for several days.

While a long journey might be tiring but manageable for young individuals, it posed a significant test for the elderly and children.

The elderly lady's health was faltering; she couldn't leave the carriage for several days and found it difficult to even swallow hardtack. Yu Lian asked for permission to borrow a stove from the traveling group. Whenever they stopped to rest, she would light a fire to boil water, adding the hardtack to create a porridge-like consistency for the elderly lady to consume.

The three children were utterly exhausted, especially Little Guo'er, who had lost a noticeable amount of weight. Despite her weariness, she remained obedient and didn't complain. The twin boys, on the other hand, were quite a handful. They cried and threw tantrums several times, insisting that they didn't want to continue, complaining of being too tired, hungry, and thirsty.

"The lack of food is one thing, but not even allowing us to drink enough water? You're all so mean," the younger twin complained.

"I miss Elder Brother!" he continued. "He would never be as mean as you all! Father is mean, Mother is mean, Grandmother is mean, even Sister-in-law is mean."

Their father, Hua Zhan, scolded them, but the two mischievous boys seemed to have reached their breaking point and were no longer afraid. Through their tears, they lamented how difficult life had become.

"When Elder Brother was around, we could eat whatever we desired. But now, following you all on this journey, we're constantly on the move. We have to sleep in the carriages, which are far too cramped. It's scorching during the day and freezing at night, with nothing decent to eat. All we've had is sand in our mouths every day."

"Wahhh, this life is too bitter, it's unbearable! I miss Elder Brother!"

"Our parents, grandmother, and even our sister don't love us. Nobody cares about us, they just make us suffer, go hungry, and work hard. If we can't continue, then we won't!"

The children's wails were enough to send anyone into a headache. The caravan had stopped for a break, and many cast glances their way. Such scenes were not uncommon among other travelers, as many brought their families along. Young children, unable to endure the hardships, would eventually rebel after a while.

However, the twins were particularly troublesome. They were accustomed to a life of luxury and were doted on by their father and elder brother. Even their playmates had to fawn over them due to their family's influence. They had always been unbridled, and their tolerance had lasted this long only because of their father's prestige. But the hardship of the Xuanmen Ridge route proved too much, causing them to lose their composure.

The matriarch glared at the twins and dragged them over, slapping their bottoms fiercely. She scolded them mercilessly, "Do you think it's only difficult for the two of you? Is it easy for anyone else? Your grandmother is unwell, so your eldest brother had to give up his seat for me to rest. Both of you are young and need sleep, so your eldest brother hasn't had a good night's rest these few days; he has been leaning against the carriage to sleep with no proper place to lie down. Who is more tired than him? The two of you are ungrateful, always thinking only about yourselves. How could you be so selfish and wicked? It's all because your father and eldest brother spoiled you too much."

"You know that your eldest brother is kind to you, and his wife is Mrs. Chen. As a married couple, they are one. You should treat her well too, shouldn't you? Don't always think about yourself. Isn't everyone tired?"

At first, the twins were defiant, but after the scolding, they finally understood and quietened down, mainly due to embarrassment. When they heard their grandmother mention how their eldest brother sacrificed his sleep for them, they kept silent, lowered their heads, and endured their grandmother's punishment.

Seeing that they had learned their lesson, the matriarch stopped. Her health had deteriorated even further these days, and she had to take a few deep breaths after scolding her grandsons to calm her racing heart before feeling better.

Mrs. Chen, with her head bowed in shame, realized that she had failed to teach her children properly. After her mother-in-law finished disciplining them, she beckoned the boys over and whispered something to them.

At first, the boys were reluctant to move, but eventually, they slowly made their way to their sister-in-law and whispered, "Sister-in-law... we're sorry."

"Thank you... for taking care of our sleep."

They also promised that they would sleep with their parents that night, allowing her to have a good rest. After apologizing to her, they went on to apologize to the whole family in front of everyone, assuring them that they wouldn't cause trouble again.

However, being children, their temporary guilt and remorse only made them behave slightly better for a while. Over the days, they still misbehaved from time to time.

Among the entire family, Hua Zhan seemed to be in a much better state than before. Being in his prime and having a background as a military officer, his physical foundation was strong. His spirit had only waned due to the death of his son and the upheaval within the family. Now, seeing his elderly mother, his young children, and his exhausted daughter-in-law on this escape journey, he felt immense guilt. As the head of the family, he knew he needed to shoulder this responsibility.

With a renewed purpose and the pressure of pursuers, his mind naturally shifted, and over a few days, he became more actively helpful. His spirits visibly improved, his vitality appearing much livelier than before. Gradually, a hint of the former East Yuan Marquis's radiance returned to his face.

By the latter days, he no longer slept in the carriage. Instead, he allowed Mrs. Chen and Aunt Mei to take care of their three children inside one carriage, while another was reserved for his mother and daughter-in-law. He purchased a sword from the carriage team and stood guard at the carriage, closing his eyes to rest, managing to snatch some sleep.

His mother was quite concerned about his health. Despite his injuries, he forced himself to stand, potentially harming his recovery. If he relaxed too soon, it could worsen his condition.

But circumstances left them with no choice. Their situation was akin to fleeing a disaster, the difference being that refugees were not pursued by killers, whereas they were hunted by a treacherous emperor's assassins.

Yu Lian found it strange that despite traveling for so long, halfway through the Xuanmen Ridge, no one had attempted to kill them. Could her initial assumption have been wrong? Was this man not Yang Chou, or was it just a coincidence? Had she misjudged the emperor?

Hua Zhan had interacted with the Third Prince on several occasions and understood his character. He shook his head, dismissing the idea of coincidence. "He's a hypocrite, obsessed with his reputation. If he were to strike, it wouldn't be in plain sight. His absence now is likely due to the populated areas ahead. Once they reach the Xuanmen Ridge, he won't miss the opportunity. His subordinates understand his intentions; their actions will likely follow suit."

"So, Father, you've been staying awake with your sword, guarding us, just in case they appear at any moment?"

"Indeed... He's also quite arrogant, believing in righteousness and honor. I suspect he might not pursue us into Yuzhou. If we manage to escape, he'll likely refrain from further action, as it would lower his status."

"Be extra vigilant these days, and don't sleep too deeply at night. If anything happens, run first without worrying about me. Escape wherever you can, and stay together. Hold hands and run, preferably finding a place to hide."

The old lady looked at her son, hesitating before finally sighing. She thought of something and added, "If it comes to that, you don't need to worry about an old woman like me. I'm too old to run. At that point, preserving our family lineage is most important. Lian, our Hua family owes you the most. You should survive, you're innocent. Run first if the situation allows it, and if possible, I beg you to take the three children with you."

Yu Lian observed all this in silence. In the face of life and death, the two elders of the Hua family had made the most rational yet ruthless decision. They cared not for their own lives, but only for the continuation of the Hua lineage, much like Hua Ji's self-sacrifice to free his family from prison. They were prepared to sacrifice themselves so that their descendants could escape unscathed.

Upon entering the Xuanmen Ridge, the first two days were relatively smooth despite unfavorable weather conditions that didn't escalate into sandstorms. However, the poor weather slowed their progress, and some travelers, unable to endure the harsh environment, fell ill, causing further delays.

The head of the merchant convoy estimated their distance and informed the group that they were just a day and a half away from their destination. He urged them not to lose heart and to hasten their journey to avoid potential trouble with bandits lurking in the mountains if they lingered.

That very night, Yu Lian found it difficult to sleep. Leaning against the carriage, she wrapped her arms around herself, lost in deep contemplation about life.

The elderly woman also remained silent. Camping outdoors was no easy feat - lacking proper sustenance and light, the nights grew dark and cold. With a significant temperature difference between day and night, they sealed the carriage windows and doors to keep out the chill, even wrapping cloth around the walls for added insulation, though it provided little comfort, it was better than nothing.

In this manner, the moonlight was blocked, casting the room into a pitch-black darkness where one could not discern facial features.

Yu Lian held a water flask in her hands, its contents still warm from being boiled before nightfall. She took a small sip and then held it close as a makeshift hot water bottle.

Suddenly, the elder lady asked, "Are you afraid?"

Yu Lian shook her head. Considering that the old lady couldn't see, she smiled and replied, "It would be a lie to say I'm not afraid. At first, I was indeed scared, full of anxiety and panic, even disbelief. But these past few days, I've gradually adapted. Grandma, I've thought about it deeply, and finally understood that just as the heavens send rain and mothers marry, some things are beyond our control. The one who holds the world in their hands, if they wish to harm us, there's nothing we can do to stop them. Since these matters are not within our power to decide, there's no need for us to be afraid. We should simply be true to ourselves and do our best. If we can escape, we should. If not, it's nothing to die together as a family."

The elder lady sat up, reaching out blindly to hold her granddaughter-in-law's hand. She sighed with comfort, "Lian-er, do you know what Grandma loves most about you?"

Yu Lian playfully replied, "I'm wonderful in every way, so Grandmother naturally can't help but adore me."

The elderly lady chuckled and teasingly scolded her, "Yes, you're wonderful, that's true. But Grandma always feels that you resemble an old friend of mine."

"Who is it?"

"I had a biological older sister. She was much older than I and had always treated me with utmost care, nurturing me as we grew up together. She was incredibly wise, knowing when to advance and when to retreat, a highly intelligent and composed woman. You remind me of her in how you can always think things through on your own, find a solution, and remain calm – that's already half the battle won."

Intrigued, Yu Lian asked, "What about Auntie? Where is she now?"

But the elderly lady fell silent. While wisdom and composure were indeed her traits, love could sometimes lead to misjudgments.

She gently stroked her granddaughter-in-law's hand, "Yu Lian, you're different from her. You're destined for a prosperous life."

As the deep of night settled, the old lady drifted off to sleep, and Yu Lian also began to feel drowsy. Just as she was about to doze off, a sudden commotion awoke everyone.

Someone cried out in panic, "Bandits have descended! Bandits have descended! Everyone, wake up! Grab your weapons! Don't run around aimlessly!"

The cries startled both adults and children, who rubbed their eyes and stepped outside the carriage. To their horror, they saw flames illuminating the sky, as bandits, wielding torches, surrounded them.

It was roughly around the fourth watch of the night, and all were deep in slumber when they were suddenly caught off guard by the unexpected attack.

The wails of infants filled the air, coupled with the panicked cries of adults, creating a chaotic cacophony.

In this situation, the Hu family twins exhibited remarkable composure, distinguishing themselves from the other ordinary children. Standing obediently behind their father, they shielded the womenfolk, mindful of their roles as young men of the Hu family, tasked with protecting their grandmother, mother, eldest sister, and younger sister alongside their father.

None of the three children shed a tear.

However, no one paid attention to them. The leader of the merchant convoy, despite the biting cold of the late-night, was drenched in sweat as he negotiated with the bandit chief, offering to pay a toll to be spared.

They had expected to exit the Xuanmen Ridge within a day and a half, completing their mission in full, but fate had other plans, throwing them into the path of bandits at the last moment.

Despite his frustration, he maintained a composed facade as he bargained with the bandits.

The bandit chief sneered, "Today, I'm not just after money; I want people too. Not a single one of you will escape!"

A voice suddenly interjected, addressing the bandit, "Stop wasting time with them, just get on with it."

Yu Lian instantly became alert, straining her ears to listen. She whispered to her father-in-law, "He's here. It's the man we met at the inn. It's most likely him." Yang Chou's voice was distinct; his throat had been damaged by fire during the massacre of his family in his childhood, giving him a scratchy, ear-grating tone that made him easily recognizable.

Hua Zhan tightly grasped the sword, "When the time comes, run eastward. There's a water source over there. Find a place to hide first."