Chapter 354: Just give it a try

After waiting for the two big men to walk away, Luxun, who had been glared at, finally could speak again: "This Prince You's mansion truly lives up to its reputation; even a steward is such a husky big man!"

Lujia shook his head. "This isn't any steward; at a glance he's a military man. He's from the Northern Border… probably killed quite a few Xianbei and Xiongnu people."

By this time they had already reached the city gate; Xietu rode forward on horseback, and the guards, seeing the three of them, let them pass directly.

After entering the city, Luxun saw Xietu silent and solemn, and finally couldn't help stepping forward: "You really intend to go? Tonight let Uncle Chen arrange for you to leave the city overnight and return to Chen Commandery!"

Xietu was amused by him, "They say that with such confidence, they're sure I can't get away."

"It's fine; my uncle is at the Northern Border Academy. If it weren't for the lawsuit between the Northern Border King and your granduncle, I would have wanted to go there long ago."

The three of them returned and went straight to the Libationer's residence; this matter still needs to be discussed with the teacher.

As for the Northern Border King's purpose, Xietu really couldn't figure it out, but he also didn't think this trip would be dangerous, after all Xieyuan was there, and he had little interaction or grudge with the Northern Border King in daily life.

The two big men outside the city met up with a caravan, pulling several carts of sea salt as white and fine as snow into Fanyang.

"Tiezhu, you've changed; just now the way you spoke to Master Xie was really intimidating, especially that smile—looking, looking…"

"Doesn't it look quite imposing?"

"Wrong, it looks like a bad person."

Tiezhu: "…But His Highness said I should pay attention to my smile; if I show my teeth when I smile, I'll appear rather simple and not dignified!"

Yes, that's right, the King's beloved general Tiezhu has come out to carry out this 'kidnapping' mission. In the King's words, if Tiezhu doesn't take on more missions to accumulate experience and merit, when will he ever rise to prominence!

Xietu told Luxun that that's what he said; a youthful lad unwilling to admit defeat, "just try it, try it."

He and Lujia changed into the Lu family servants' clothes, and the next morning early they followed the purchasing steward out the door.

After leaving the Lu residence, they didn't notice anything unusual outside, and all along the way they didn't see anyone tailing them—could it be that someone is guarding outside the city?

They followed the steward to the East Market and bought plenty of grain, oil, and daily necessities; they were thinking of waiting until the end of the street, then slipping away unnoticed, pretending to go buy other things to exit through the East City Gate.

Xietu pretended to look down at the charcoal on the ground, intending to give Lujia a glance, but as he bent over, he heard a rough voice from nearby, deliberately lowered: "Master Xie, we have coal in the Northern Border, and the road isn't far, so there's no need to bring charcoal from Fanyang."

Xietu: ……He isn't preparing his luggage to say thank you!

He straightened up, and a big man he hadn't seen yesterday was squatting beside him, wearing an expression of kindly advising a willful child…

Beside him, Lujia sighed, "We got up early for nothing."

Xietu finally stood straight, stretched his back with effort, and said, "It seems Uncle really misses me."

Lujia looked around, but found no other clues. Originally he didn't think so, but now every adult man on the street seemed suspicious.

He asked the owl cavalryman who had just spoken, "Why aren't those two sturdy fellows from yesterday here?"

The reply: "They're selling salt in the West Market."

Oh, they can even produce salt themselves—no wonder they're so fearless.

Without even having time to lament how wild the Northern Border King's methods are, Lujia asked again: "Although the Northern Border King only invited Brother Xie, we three have studied together for three years, as close as brothers; we can't let him go north alone, and we don't know if we can join him on a trip to the Northern Border."

"Of course, our Prince has always been hospitable; he welcomes everyone to live in the Northern Border." Including the beggars and refugees outside, they have already registered each person's name, preparing to bring them back to live in the Northern Border.

Lujia listened to these words with deep meaning, glanced at that owl cavalryman big man, and thought, "This person surely doesn't know who my granduncle is."

Baili Jing once personally expelled him from the Academy by making him sweep the grounds; for this the King gained a notorious reputation in Fanyang, so where exactly is the hospitality?!

The two were exposed; since they couldn't escape, they stopped pretending, instead holding their heads high and chests out as they walked to the West Market, where from afar they saw a crowded crowd pushing and shoving its way in.