Chapter 27: A Kaleidoscope of Characters

◎ Disaster! They've Escaped! ◇

Upon returning to the Ru Yang Marquis's residence, Li Xiang sat before his father and declared his intention to journey to Yuzhou. The Ru Yang Marquis interrogated, "Yuzhou is the ancestral homeland of the East Yuan Marquis. What exactly are you planning?"

Li Xiang replied, "Father, I have feelings for Yu Lian. I want to win her back, to marry her."

"You're daydreaming! Stay at home and behave yourself. If you dare run off, I'll break your legs!"

Li Xiang was puzzled. "Father, you've always said I'm unreliable. I've brought home a dependable daughter-in-law for you. She's beautiful, full of affection and loyalty, praised by the common folk for her virtue. Yet, you're still not satisfied?"

The Ru Yang Marquis threw a inkstone at him. "I said you're not allowed to go, so you can't!"

By then, the merchant ship had sailed far away...

On board, Yu Lian retched miserably, filled with regret. She shouldn't have hastily decided to travel by sea!

The original owner of this body suffered from seasickness. Barely minutes after boarding, she started feeling dizzy. Among her family, even the elderly matriarch merely felt lethargic, not experiencing such severe symptoms as Yu Lian did.

Seeing her granddaughter-in-law suffer from severe seasickness, the elderly matriarch's heart ached terribly. She immediately regretted not taking the land route in a carriage.

"Bandits are prevalent on land, and the journey is longer. Moreover, the carriage's jolts would be too much for you in the long run. I'll recover soon after a brief rest."

The grandmother arranged for some sweet preserved fruits to be brought over, hoping they'd alleviate the nausea.

"I just hope this trip to Yuzhou goes smoothly without any setbacks."

Yu Lian smiled. "You're already thinking of Yuzhou, and we haven't even reached Yanchou yet. It's still a long way to go."

It was the twins' first time on a boat, and they were quite thrilled. They ran around wildly as soon as they boarded, but Yu Lian, fearing they might collide with others and cause trouble, confined them in their cabin under their mother's watch, forbidding them from venturing out. This led to the twins angrily pounding on the door, calling their sister-in-law mean.

Little Guo'er had yet to fully recover from the shock of her aunt leaving to marry someone else. She now clung closely to Yu Lian, her head bowed, remaining quiet and composed.

Whenever Yu Lian felt nauseous and vomited, Little Guo'er would promptly offer clean handkerchiefs for her to wipe her mouth. By midday, she had used up three or four handkerchiefs that her mother had prepared for her, leaving only one which she reluctantly held onto, watching Yu Lian with tearful eyes.

Yu Lian gently stroked her little head, consoling her. "When we reach Yuzhou, I'll ask Mother to make you something beautiful from the finest fabrics."

Life on the ship was far from comfortable. There was no hot food available. The merchant group provided a small stove for boiling water, allowing them to drink hot water and consume the dry rations they had brought along.

Fortunately, the fruits and pastries given to her by the common folk on their way made Yu Lian's days much more tolerable.

During the first two days, she was so nauseous that she couldn't consume anything else, surviving on cucumbers and fruits. Gradually, she adapted, and the dizziness subsided, allowing her complexion to return to normal.

After sailing for a solid six or seven days, the merchant ship finally docked.

Yanzhou was a place with flourishing waterways and a robust economy. The harbor bustled with activity, filled with vendors selling fish, shrimp, and various snacks. It was a lively scene. Standing on the ship, Yu Lian took a deep breath, inhaling the aroma of wontons. Indeed, not far away, an elderly lady had set up a stall, hawking her wontons. Unlike the meat-filled ones in the capital, this region offered shrimp and fish paste-filled wontons. Her stomach, which had been abstaining from rich foods for several days, growled in anticipation, making her mouth water.

The two children eagerly wanted to disembark and rush over for some food, and even Little Guo'er couldn't take her eyes off the food stalls.

However, the merchant team was still unloading cargo, so they had to wait before they could leave the ship.

Yu Lian suggested they try the seafood wontons later, a proposal that met with everyone's approval, especially the three children, whose eyes lit up. The old lady said, "Eat plenty and well. Once we're on the road, we might not come across such treats. The journey is long, and most of the time, we'll have to rely on dry rations."

As Yu Lian gazed at the bustling port and lively spectacle, she suddenly asked, "Grandmother, what if we don't return to Yuzhou but settle down here in Yanzhou?"

The old lady chuckled at her naivety. "Apart from the fact that our travel permits are only valid for Yuzhou, we can't stay here indefinitely. Do you know who the Prefect of Yanzhou City is?"

Yu Lian shook her head, indicating she didn't know.

"That man is the seventh prince's maternal uncle. Your late father and Hua'er put in so much effort to support the seventh prince's rise to power. But when it came down to it, this weakling was easily intimidated and swayed, turning his back on our Hua family. Lian'er, do you think it would be wise for us to stay here if he were to find out?"

Yu Lian replied, "Grandmother is right. No matter how lively or prosperous this place may be, it's not our territory, and we won't feel at ease here."

Feeling sympathetic towards her granddaughter-in-law, the elderly lady continued, "Yanzhou has a thriving waterway system and bustling commerce. Goods from all over the country, even beyond the borders, flow through here. After our meal, Lian'er, you should pick out some things you like to take with you. I've heard that there's a type of rouge imported from beyond the borders, available exclusively in Yanzhou."

Once the merchants had unloaded their goods, it was the turn of casual travelers like them. Yu Lian paid some silver to have the merchants help them disembark. These traders were well-versed in all sorts of people and matters, especially regarding transportation and accommodation. Yu Lian asked the leader about suitable inns and which merchant caravans traveled to Yuzhou.

Grateful for the money, the trader leader warmly recommended a renowned inn within the city, known for its safety. Although it was more expensive, each floor had guards, ensuring high security, perfect for the elderly, women, and children.

"For Yuzhou, I can introduce you to a carriage and driver. There's a stable in the city that specializes in long and short-distance trips, with experienced drivers who have traveled far and wide."

Yu Lian thanked him with a smile. As they needed to transport their belongings to the inn, there was no time to wait. The three children looked eagerly at Yu Lian, then at the nearby wonton stall where the vendor was enthusiastically promoting, "Wontons! Hot and savory Yanzhou-style wontons, with shrimp, fish paste, or meat fillings – something for everyone! You won't find anything like these elsewhere!"

Beside the wonton stall, a baker called out, "A bowl of wontons with a baked bun – a blissful delight like being a deity!"

The children's mouths watered at the tempting offer.

They had been wearing plain clothes for days, and their taste buds were craving variety. If adults were longing for flavors, how much more so the children? Fortunately, the apprentice of the merchant leader offered to guide them to the inn with a cheerful smile, saying, "There are countless wonton stalls like this in the city. With many merchants coming and going from the docks, these street vendors often overcharge outsiders. It's better to eat in town, where the food is both delicious and affordable."

Yu Lian was convinced by these words, and the family followed the caravan to an inn.

Yu Lian accompanied the elderly matriarch with the three children. Little Guo'er, obedient, walked effortlessly alongside her grandmother, while the mischievous twins were held firmly by Yu Lian's hands to prevent them from wandering off.

Her father-in-law remained in the carriage, with Mother Chen and Aunt Mei taking care of him.

The dock was not far from the city, and after a leisurely stroll, they arrived at their destination.

Upon entering the city, the inn was located on the busiest street. Spotting the grand entourage, the enthusiastic innkeeper rushed forward to welcome them, even opening the back gate for the carriage to enter.

Yu Lian proceeded to handle the check-in procedures. The innkeeper warmly explained the differences between the rooms, "Each room in the 'Heaven' category is assigned a guard at the entrance, while 'Human' rooms have one guard per floor. The 'Earth' rooms have no guards but are cheaper and currently fully occupied."

"I can tell you're from out of town, traveling with your family must be challenging. For safety, it's better to stay in the 'Heaven' rooms. We'll keep your luggage secure for free, so there's no need to unload."

The 'Heaven' rooms were twice as expensive as the 'Human' ones, but considering that they would soon find a caravan to Youzhou within the next couple of days and depart, Yu Lian generously reserved two 'Heaven' rooms. She and her grandmother would share with the three children, while her father-in-law and Mother Chen would have their own room.

Just as she was about to pay, she noticed a group of people entering. There were five robust young men, walking softly with solid stances, all carrying swords and daggers.

In passing, Yu Lian asked who they were. The proud innkeeper replied, "Those are our signature guards, unique to our establishment. No other inn can afford to hire skilled fighters as guards."

The leader glanced their way, and the five of them promptly sat down to have tea.

Yu Lian's fingers curled slightly, halting her motion to retrieve her money. She smiled at the waiter and said she suddenly remembered leaving something on the boat and would return shortly.

The waiter looked at the old lady. Although she was unsure of her granddaughter-in-law's intentions, her years of experience allowed her to quickly feign concern, exclaiming, "The boat won't stay docked for long. We must hurry back to retrieve it."

The three children were still thinking about the wonton stall by the pier and eagerly tugged at their grandmother and sister-in-law's hands, eager to leave. Amidst their playful banter, the scene appeared utterly genuine, as if they genuinely had forgotten something.

As Yu Lian and the old lady left with the children, they happened to encounter Mrs. Chen and Aunt Mei supporting Hua Zhan as they entered. Seeing them depart, they were surprised.

The old lady gave her son a subtle signal, silencing Mrs. Chen's inquisitive look with a stern gaze. Aunt Mei, always observant, remained quiet and followed them out.

The waiter stood dumbfounded, calling out to them twice before reminding, "Guest, please hurry. Your three carts of luggage are still in the backyard."

Halfway down the street from the inn, Yu Lian checked behind her to ensure no one was following. Only then did she heave a sigh of relief.

The old lady had blindly followed without question due to her unwavering trust in her granddaughter-in-law. It was only now that she asked what was happening.

Yu Lian took a deep breath. "The head of the guards at that inn was the captain of the palace guards. Grandmother, Father, Mother, what kind of inn can afford to hire a palace guard as their chief protector?"

From the moment she saw him, Yu Lian's senses were heightened. She suddenly remembered a detail from the novel: The third prince had a trusted aide who was once a martial arts expert with a deep vendetta. He had wiped out his enemy's entire clan, consisting of over a hundred people, causing a stir throughout the kingdom.

However, instead of being executed, the third prince, moved by the man's revenge for his family, secretly took him in and arranged for someone else to take the blame. Ever since then, this man remained by the third prince's side, carrying out all his shady dealings as his hidden blade.

He had changed his name to Yang Chou. A scar on his eyelid from childhood wouldn't have caught Yu Lian's attention alone. But it was the jade pendant he wore that made her wary – it was the pendant left to him by his parents, which the novel had described in detail. When it was stolen, Yang Chou beheaded the thief.

Despite his brutality, the third prince tolerated him. Yu Lian had been impressed back then; this was indeed how the royal family of ancient times operated, where even the protagonist didn't value human life highly.

The pendant was pure white jade, carved with two magpies, with a chipped corner in the upper left.

Coincidences might explain one feature, but not both together. This person was indeed the emperor's trusted aide, Yang Chou. Why had the emperor sent such a person to Salt City, and as the chief guard of an inn? Surely he wasn't idle?

This was Yu Lian's first direct encounter with the oppressive power of ancient royalty, and her voice trembled slightly.

"Grandmother, Father, I suspect he's here on the Emperor's orders."

The old lady was startled. "Lian'er, you couldn't have seen wrong, could you? What would the emperor send someone for? He is the emperor, after all."

Hua Zhan's face still held a pale hue. Despite his efforts to eat and take medicine just so he could walk, running or engaging in combat was out of the question.

"I've been in and out of the imperial court for years, and I've never seen that person before, let alone near the Third Prince. How did you recognize him as someone from the palace, my daughter-in-law?"

That person was the hidden blade by the male lead's side, never appearing in public. Naturally, Hua Zhan would not have encountered him.

Yu Lian fabricated a story. "He wore an jade pendant. When I went to Tianyuan Temple to seek a talisman, I happened upon the Ninth Prince. He kindly sent one of his female bodyguards to escort me down the mountain. Along the way, she mentioned a chief guard in the palace who was exceptionally skilled in martial arts. He had a scar on his face and wore a broken jade pendant, making him quite an eccentric character."

"I noticed that the man I saw just now matched this description perfectly. Moreover, his demeanor was extraordinary, and the people he led didn't seem like ordinary henchmen or guards. They moved with grace and precision, following a strict pattern. Such discipline can only come from rigorous training."

Hua Zhan was not one to hesitate, even with his weakened state. His mind remained clear. Without further questioning, he made a decisive decision. "It's not safe to stay here any longer. We should leave the city first."

The old lady pondered the emperor's intentions. Surely, he wouldn't send someone to kill them all to silence them?

Back then, the Hua family's military power and the secret influence Hua'er wielded were handed over to the emperor in exchange for sparing everyone else's lives. The emperor's word was supposed to be unbreakable. Why would he go back on his promise now?

Hua Zhan let out a long sigh. "Mother, the most unreliable thing in this world is the golden word of an emperor."

Yu Lian glanced behind her and smiled. "Father, if he sent someone disguised, it means he doesn't want others to know about his plans against us. Therefore, we won't leave the city just yet. Let's have a meal first, and then we can think of a plan slowly."

Hua Zhan, upon hearing this, found the reasoning sound. The family pretended that nothing was amiss and sought out a wonton stall, each ordering a bowl of steaming wontons to enjoy with buns and steamed buns.

Back when the East Yuan Marquis's mansion was at its peak, they had indulged in all manner of delicacies. Now, savoring this simple bowl of wontons brought them a contented sigh.

The twins were almost moved to tears, exclaiming in delight how delicious it was. They quickly devoured their large bowls and asked for more. But with a stern glance from their father, the twins fell silent, gently gnawing on their buns.

The matriarch, Mrs. Chen, and Aunt Mei, preoccupied with the threat of pursuit, were deeply worried and could barely eat, managing only half a bowl each.

Putting down her chopsticks, Mrs. Chen was clearly panicked but still managed to whisper, "What about our luggage? What do we do about it?"

Yu Lian smiled bitterly. "Mother, the emperor has sent men to kill us; our lives are at stake. What use is our luggage now? Had it not been for those trunks as leverage, they wouldn't have let us go so easily. That inn is likely already under their control."

"But my private savings, jewelry, and your husband's medicine are all in the carriage. And we have no food either."

The family fell into a somber silence, none of them having anticipated the emperor's ruthless act of sending assassins in secret.

They had considered before that living in the capital, under the emperor's watchful eye, would make them vulnerable to enemies. However, they hadn't foreseen the emperor's duplicity.

The matriarch regretted whether they had left the capital too hastily. If they had stayed, the emperor might not have dared to act openly against them. But she heard her son sigh, "It doesn't matter where we are. If he wants you dead, he'll find a way. In the capital, he could use others to silence you. Out of the capital, he can still send pursuers. I think in the capital, power crushes us, leaving us with no escape. Leaving the city gives us a chance to break free."

"My daughter-in-law speaks wisely. It's not suitable to return now. Let the luggage go; it will be easier for us to leave with fewer belongings."

"Should we head to the dock then?"

"Yes, to the dock. Since we've decided, let's take a look around and inquire about any merchant caravans. If possible, we could depart by boat. We can't stay in Salt City any longer."

The family pretended that nothing was amiss, finished their wontons, paid, strolled around the city, purchasing provisions and clothing, and even got a prescription filled for Hua Zhan. Each person shouldered a pack once more.

At the city inn, the attendant had already made several trips up and down the stairs, his face glistening with sweat as he reported, "That family first had a meal, then wandered and shopped. It seems we'll have to wait quite a while for them to return."

Yang Chou, the leader, frowned and led his men upstairs. "Keep watching. Inform me when they come back."

Half an hour later, the attendant rushed upstairs in a panic. "Something's wrong! The family has vanished, they've run away!"

Yang Chou swiftly pursued with his men.

On the other side, the Hua family left the city and headed for the harbor. Fortunately, a group of merchants was recruiting, though their destination wasn't Yu State but Mu Tang, a neighboring state in the same direction.

In those times, many merchant caravans would recruit travelers to cut costs. People heading to the same place could pay a small fee to join the caravan, providing them with a safer journey than traveling alone.

Upon settling the silver, they immediately set off for Mu Tang. The caravan consisted of around seventy to eighty people, and with the additional travelers and common folk tagging along, their numbers swelled to over a hundred. The Hua family blended seamlessly into this crowd.

When others inquired about their purpose, the elder lady explained that her family had once been prosperous merchants, but due to poor management, they had fallen on hard times and were now seeking refuge with relatives.

At that time, transportation was not as developed, and ordinary folks rarely ventured far from home. Those who did were often wandering scholars, merchants, or desperate individuals searching for a better life. To others, the Hua family seemed to belong to the latter category, evoking a sense of shared misfortune.

One man sighed, "Mu Tang is unlike Salt State. In Salt State, commerce is paramount, and people prefer small-scale trades. The land is scarce, suitable for only a few crops. Our family lacks the knack for business; like many others, we tried our hand at petty ventures and quickly lost our capital. Now, we plan to purchase a plot of land in Mu Tang, where farmers are respected, the climate is favorable, and fertile plains abound. With a year of hard work, we can sustain ourselves for two."

A woman holding a child wiped away tears as she spoke, "You should consider yourselves fortunate, at least your family remains intact. What does leaving one's homeland matter? Salt State is plagued by corrupt officials. My husband was falsely accused of murder to cover up a crime committed by the governor's son. The governor is a royal relative with connections in the court. Even if I wanted to appeal to the emperor, I have no means to do so. Thus, my orphaned child and I have no choice but to seek refuge with distant relatives."

Observing the diverse crowd, Yu Lian suddenly realized that though the court appeared tranquil, the common folk were actually leading difficult lives.

This time, the Huas didn't have much luggage; each person carried only a single bundle on their back, making the journey much lighter. They hired two carriages and blended into a merchant convoy. As twilight fell, the shadow of Salt City had vanished from sight.

Throughout the journey, they traveled by carriage. The merchants would halt twice a day, in the morning and evening, to rest, eat, and attend to other needs. Whenever they passed through towns or supply stations, they would stop for replenishment or engage in trade. The goods in the carriages were frequently shuffled, consuming considerable time.

However, the fellow travelers were accustomed to such scenes. They explained that merchants bought and sold, purchasing items cheaply wherever they found them along the way and then selling them at higher prices elsewhere, thus amassing substantial profits. The sums they earned on these trips were beyond what ordinary people dared to imagine.

One of the merchant's assistants overheard this and chuckled. "Do you think trading comes without costs? Subtracting the expenses of the goods, our profit margin for a single trip might be around thirty to forty percent. But many fees must be deducted, such as when we traverse regions with poor security and frequent banditry. We have to hire bodyguards for protection, and these men require a tael of silver per day for their services. Do you understand now?"

Journeys were arduous, and there were times when they couldn't make it to the city gates before they closed, forcing them to spend the night outside the gates or even in the wilderness. During these instances, Yu Lian and her grandmother would share the carriage with the child, a cramped space that barely allowed adults to stretch, let alone a child. After a few days, every movement caused their bones to creak, and their bodies ached as if they didn't belong to them.

The old lady's condition worsened, but when Yu Lian suggested renting another carriage from a caravan, she insisted on persevering for a few more days. They would have time to rest and recuperate once they reached Mu Tang, which was adjacent to Yuzhou. The light at the end of the tunnel, figuratively speaking, was almost within sight.

On this day, after the merchants had completed their final transaction, they addressed the traveling civilians, "Hurry and purchase supplies, stock up on food and drink. We'll soon be crossing the Xuan Pass Ridge, where there will be no opportunities to buy anything along the way. The area is sparsely populated, filled with desolate mountains and wilderness."