Chapter 659: Many Thanks! Bowing Again! 36k Chapters Overdue

"A person?"

Hearing her daughter's urgent words, the woman in the carriage hurriedly looked outside.

After just one glance, the woman hastily called out, "Old man! By the roadside..."

The woman did not finish her sentence.

"Crack!"

The whip in the coachman's hand cracked loudly once more.

"Hah!"

Urged on by the coachman, the draft horses before the carriage ran even faster.

The faster the speed, the more violently the carriage jolted as it traveled along the rough dirt road.

Kang Zhao'er and the woman inside the carriage braced themselves firmly against the carriage walls, only then managing to sit steady.

The woman glanced at Kang Zhao'er and called out, "Old man, what are you doing?"

The coachman's voice came from the front: "I say, Wei Wei Xiaoniang, let us not blindly show kindness; though it looks like one person lying by the roadside, there might well be accomplices lying in ambush among the Xue Ku Cao nearby!"

"This old one has worked in the carriage trade for many years; I have heard no end of tales about such traps! Giddy up!"

Hearing these words, the mother and daughter exchanged a glance within the bumping carriage, then fell silent in embarrassment.

After five or six breaths had passed.

"Pat, pat, pat!" The woman tapped on the carriage wall and shouted, "Old man, what if it is truly someone who has met with disaster!"

"Ah?"

The coachman paused in surprise.

"Whoa!"

The carriage gradually slowed and stopped by the roadside, allowing the mother and daughter, who had been jolted somewhat uncomfortably, to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

When the woman lifted the carriage curtain to look outside, she discovered the coachman had already jumped down while holding onto the carriage.

"Hoo!"

Having jumped down, the old coachman looked back toward the rear of the carriage and took a deep, somewhat nervous breath.

The woman in the carriage, observing the surrounding terrain, said, "Old man, this area is quite open; it does not appear there are any bandits or villains..."

The old coachman shook his head and said, "Wei Wei Xiaoniang, even if there are no villains, one never knows what is wrong with the person lying by the roadside! What if there is some plague, and we become infected..."

Once the old coachman finished speaking, the two people in the carriage fell silent again.

Lifting the carriage curtain to glance backward once more, the woman in the carriage pondered for a moment before saying, "Old man, we do not yet know whether that person is alive or dead; even if truly dead, if we inform the yamen and have someone collect the bones, would that not also be an act of merit?"

The old coachman hesitated for a moment, his eyes filled with uncertain thoughts.

"If Old Man goes to investigate, this humble woman still has two strings of copper coins on her person, which we offer as payment for your trouble," the woman said.

"Very well! This old one will go take a look."

Before long,

The old coachman, with a thick cloth covering his face, surveyed the surrounding situation and, looking back every few steps, walked toward the person lying on the ground.

Approaching close, the old coachman poked the body of the person lying prone on the ground with his horsewhip, saying, "Hey, hey!"

The person lying on the ground showed no reaction.

The old coachman poked again, this time with greater force.

Seeing the person lift their head slightly, exhale a puff of white vapor, and then collapse prone onto the ground again, the old coachman hastily retreated several steps and shouted toward the carriage, "Alive! Not dead yet!"

Outside the outer city of Bianjing,

In the position west and slightly north,

Stood the city gate known as Jinyao Gate.

Outside the city gate,

Two squads of Imperial Guards were changing shifts.

After the shift change concluded, the squad going off duty rubbed their hands and stamped their feet to warm up, then, exhaling white vapor, turned and walked through the gate tunnel into the city.

After entering the city, the squad of Imperial Guards did not head toward the military camp but instead walked toward a food stall not far from the city wall.

The young attendant at the entrance of the food stall, wearing ear-flaps, saw the newcomers and hurriedly smiled, saying, "Several Military Lords have arrived; please, come inside!"

The squad leader of the Imperial Guards nodded, then led his subordinates into the shop.

"Gurgle, gurgle!"

On the stove inside the shop, a large iron pot bubbled with rising steam; the aroma of meat broth and thoroughly cooked vegetables made the off-duty Imperial Guards unable to resist swallowing their saliva.

"Military Lords, please be seated; the meat broth will be served immediately."

"Good!"

The squad of Imperial Guards sat at the tables, some rubbing their faces and others rubbing their hands, trying to warm these somewhat cold areas as quickly as possible.

Very soon,

The young attendant, carrying a tray, made several trips back and forth, placing large bowls filled with vegetable and meat broth containing noodles and tofu onto the tables.

The suofen in the vegetable broth was what is now known as vermicelli noodles, though the ingredients used were mostly mung beans and peas.

After the vegetable broth was served, a large bamboo basket filled with steaming hot big mantou buns was also brought to the tables.

Finally, the young attendant placed a jar of wine on the table; the wine jar was covered in water droplets, clearly indicating it had been warmed, after which the young attendant smiled and said, "Several Military Lords, enjoy your meal! If you need anything, just call for this humble one."

"Good!" The squad leader nodded in agreement.

Immediately afterward, the sound of slurping soup rose from the table.

At this moment,

Someone lifted the cloth curtain and entered the room.

Seeing a room full of Imperial Guard soldiers, the customer's expression showed some surprise.

The young attendant smiled and stepped forward: "Honored guest, what would you like to order?"

The arriving guest smacked his lips, looked at the Imperial Guard soldiers dining inside, and said: "I smelled your soup from outside the shop; bring me one portion, the same as what these military lords are having."

After the guest spoke, the attendant clasped his hands and smiled: "Honored guest, here are the prices for the soups in our shop! The soup these military lords are eating is not cheap!"

"If they can afford it, do you think I lack the money?" the guest frowned and said.

The attendant smiled apologetically and said: "Honored guest, the soup these military lords are eating contains meat, vegetables, and tofu, all delivered to our small shop from the Yongchang Hou Fu in the city!"

"Those military lords can eat it for a single copper coin, but if you were to have it, it would cost quite a few copper coins."

The guest hesitated for a moment and said: "Just tell me exactly how many copper coins it is."

Hearing the conversation inside the shop, the Imperial Guard soldiers dining nearby exchanged proud glances.

Two quarter-hours later,

the cloth curtain at the entrance of the food shop was lifted from within.

"Burp."

With faces glowing red, burping loudly, and exhaling warm breath, the Imperial Guard soldiers who had clearly enjoyed a hearty meal walked out of the food shop.

One soldier, walking outward, said: "Captain, having a meal like this after our shift is even more satisfying than being given silver!"

A comrade nearby nodded and said: "Right! After eating this, we'd feel guilty even if we tried to slack off!"

The squad leader standing at the doorway nodded, speaking with a hint of sorrow: "However, once the person is found, this kind of fine soup and rice will be gone! I heard those folks in the east and south are living comfortably; who knows, if we find the person the Hou Fu is looking for, there might even be a reward!"

"What the captain says is true; I really envy those bastards!" one of the Imperial Guard soldiers said softly at the entrance.

While talking, everyone prepared to head toward the military camp.

At that moment,

a carriage drove past from the side,

and the coachman walking in front, leading the harnessed horse, kept turning his head toward the city gate behind him and muttering endlessly:

"If they won't let us in, then they won't let us in!"

"He's just a gate guard; what's he so arrogant about?"

"Yelling at Laozi! When I was driving carts, you were still wearing split-crotch pants!"

Hearing the coachman's incessant muttering, the Imperial Guard soldiers at the shop entrance exchanged glances, and the squad leader shouted: "Hey! You old man driving the cart, what are you saying!"

As he spoke,

the squad of soldiers surrounded him.

The old coachman, who had been about to glare in anger upon hearing these words, turned his head and said: "This old man was saying..."

Looking at the group of Imperial Guard soldiers, the old coachman's angry expression froze on his face; he forced out a slight smile and said: "This humble old man... military lords, this humble old man didn't say anything..."

"We are unworthy of the title 'military lords'; we are merely gate guards," said an Imperial Guard soldier who had drunk some wine, stepping forward with a hostile expression.

This movement frightened the old coachman so much that he swallowed hard.

The Imperial Guard squad leader scanned the carriage, his gaze stopping on the wooden plaque hanging on it bearing the character 'Kang'.

"Is there someone noble inside the carriage?" the Imperial Guard squad leader asked, raising a hand to stop his subordinates.

"Uh, yes, there is; inside is a noble person from the Kang family of the great clans," the old coachman hurriedly said.

"Hmph," one of the Imperial Guard soldiers chuckled and said: "Is that the Kang family that got swindled out of money by their servants?"

Hearing the conversation outside the carriage, Kang Zhao'er inside could only remain silent as a startled cicada alongside her own Wei Wei Xiaoniang, not daring to speak a single word.

Just as everyone was about to laugh, the squad leader turned around, glared, and said: "Watch your words!"

Looking at the old coachman, the squad leader continued: "Which horse and cart agency in the city do you belong to?"

"Uh, this humble old man is from Tian Xinglao's place; this humble old man is even somewhat related to the agency head!" the old coachman said with an apologetic smile.

"Tian Xinglao? Does he have some connection with the Yongchang Hou Fu?" the squad leader asked uncertainly.

"Yes, yes, yes! The military lord is truly remarkable; there is indeed some connection!" the old coachman smiled.

The Imperial Guard squad leader took a deep breath, nodded, and said: "Very well! In the future, an elder like yourself should be more careful with your words!"

"Alas! Alas!" the coachman nodded repeatedly.

Thinking for a moment, the squad leader asked again: "Judging by your appearance, elder, did something happen outside the city just now?"

The old coachman, who was about to lead the horse away, hesitated for a moment and said: "Military lord, today on the road, we encountered a youth who suffered misfortune and fainted by the roadside; the noble person inside is kind-hearted and wanted to bring him back into the city to save him, but the military lords outside the city would not allow entry."

"This humble old man understands that the military lords outside the city feared an epidemic, but that youth appeared to have simply fainted from hunger."

The Imperial Guard squad leader waved his hand and shook his head: "Enough! If something truly goes wrong, it will be too late! Hurry and enter the city!"

The old coachman seemed wanting to speak but stopped himself; ultimately, he sighed and led the horse away from this place.

The squad of Imperial Guard soldiers left the food shop, preparing to continue their return to camp.

A moment later,

"Military lords, wait a moment!" the old coachman chased up from behind.

"You there, what else is the matter?" an Imperial Guard soldier asked with a frown.

The old coachman smiled apologetically and said: "The noble person inside the carriage said that if you military lords have leisure time, please buy a steamed cake for that youth."

"Hmm? Why not buy it yourselves? Why must you make us go?"

"They are all womenfolk; it is truly inconvenient..." the old coachman said with difficulty.

The Imperial Guard squad leader looked at the old coachman, then turned his head to glance toward the city gate tunnel; after pondering for a moment, he shook his head and said: "I must be bewitched. Give me the money!"

"Ah! Many thanks, military lord."

The old coachman smiled, clasped his hands, turned around, and walked toward the carriage parked nearby.

"Captain, what are you doing?" a subordinate asked.

"Go into the shop and get a bowl of meat soup; we will go out of the city to take a look," the squad leader said.

The subordinate's eyes darted, and he said: "Captain, the person the Hou Fu is seeking came from the southeast! This one probably isn't them, is he?"

The squad leader smiled, tossing the copper coins in his hand, and said, "Whether it is or isn't, buying something with these few coins might just save a life! For us, it's merely a simple gesture."

Speaking thus, he ordered someone to enter the shop and bring out a bowl of hot soup.

Afterwards, he led his men through the city gate tunnel and headed out of the city.

Early that morning,

the weather was overcast,

near Xingguo Ward,

at the Hou Fu of Chang Hou,

in Liang Han's courtyard,

the main bedroom was quite warm.

"Hoo..."

A faint snoring sound drifted from the bed behind the lowered curtains.

"Click."

The sound of the room door opening and closing came through.

Hearing the noise vaguely, Liang Han, clad in sleeping robes within the bed curtains, hugged his quilt and rolled over.

"Ge'er, don't move your waist; I'll just rub against you."

Drooling slightly, Liang Han muttered a few fragmented words in his sleep, thrust his hips forward while lying on his side, and hugged the quilt in his arms even tighter.

"Brother Diaochē, you call him; I'm afraid if I call Young Master, Young Master will get angry," a young female servant whispered outside the bed curtains.

"If I call Young Master, he won't get angry?" Diaochē's voice came through.

"Then whether to call or not is for Brother Diaochē to decide; I'll go brew tea for Young Master."

"You this..."

A moment later,

"Young Master?"

Diaochē called out softly outside the tent.

"Young Master?"

Diaochē's voice grew slightly louder.

"Mm?"

"Hah!"

The first sound was Liang Han waking up; the long exhale that followed carried a hint of slight irritation and endless regret.

"Diaochē, you damn bastard, Laozi's beautiful dream was just reaching the critical part!"

Liang Han's angry voice rang out as he irritably swept the bed curtains aside.

Before Liang Han could speak further, Diaochē hurriedly said, "Young Master, there's news regarding the matter Jing-ge'er entrusted to us!"

"Hmm?"

Liang Han's face, previously filled with anger, instantly changed; with a look of surprise, he urgently asked, "Is it from the east gate or the south gate?"

"Replying to Young Master, it's someone sent by the soldiers at Jinyao Gate in the west," Diaochē replied.

"Quick, get dressed; let's go take a look!" Liang Han urged urgently.

Diaochē hurriedly shouted to the side, "Someone come, help Young Master get dressed!"

"Coming."

The young female servant who had spoken earlier walked around the screen and approached Liang Han.

In no time at all, Liang Han was dressed, draped a thick cloak over himself, and strode quickly toward the front courtyard.

Walking under the covered corridor with wind at his heels, Liang Han asked, "Where are Father and Mother?"

"Young Master, the Marquis and Wu Da Da Niangzi have gone out."

"Mm."

Glancing at Liang Han, Diaochē asked, "Young Master, should we send a message to Jing-ge'er?"

"I'll confirm first; we shouldn't get our hopes up for nothing if we've made a mistake," Liang Han said, quickening his pace even more.

Arriving at the main hall of the front courtyard,

Liang Han passed through the cotton curtain at the rear door into the room, walked around the screen, and saw several people in the hall.

Seeing Liang Han,

the man at the head, dressed as a team commander, put down his teacup, hastily stood up, and bowed with clasped hands, saying, "Greetings, Liang Liu Lang."

The imperial guard squad leader from the previous afternoon also bowed respectfully behind his superior.

As the two rose, a youth behind them, wearing padded clothes with a sallow complexion, was helped to his feet by a female servant of the Hou Fu.

"Mm, you are all too polite; please, be seated quickly!" Liang Han waved his hand with a smile.

Once everyone was seated, Liang Han looked at the sallow youth and asked, "Is this him?"

The team commander signaled his subordinate to speak.

Just as the imperial guard squad leader was about to stand up to speak, he saw Liang Han wave him off: "No need to stand; just speak while sitting."

"Yes, Liang Liu Lang! This is the youth; he woke up this morning at the relay station outside the city, and upon questioning, he said he came to Bianjing to seek relatives," the imperial guard squad leader said, bowing slightly.

Liang Han nodded: "Did you ask about his ancestral home?"

The squad leader bowed and replied, "We asked; he said he is from Little Liang Shan in Wushang County."

Hearing this, Liang Han stood up with a brilliant smile and said:

"Good, I thank you both! Diaochē, send someone to take these two to Pan Lou for enjoyment, and then go to Qiyun Lou next to Pan Lou to invite two courtesans of the highest rank to accompany them. Record all expenses to my account! Afterward, give them their reward money as well."

"Many thanks, Liang Liu Lang! There's no need for Pan Lou or anything..."

Liang Han waved his hand to interrupt, saying, "Listen to me."

"Yes! Then this humble one and the others will take their leave first," the lead squad captain said as he rose and cupped his fists.

"Take care on your way!"

After Diao Che had escorted the men out of the main hall, Liang Han smiled at the youth sitting in the chair and asked, "You lad, what is your name?"

"I... my name is Yuan Yuan Feixing," the youth said weakly.

"Then what is your older sister's name?"

"My older sister's name is Yuan He."

Liang Han looked surprised: "Yuan He? This..."

This did not match the information Liang Han knew.

At this moment,

Diao Che, who had seen the guests to the gate, returned to the hall.

"Diao Che, his older sister is named Yuan He, not Seeing Seeing Qingcao!" Liang Han said with a furrowed brow.

Diao Che, looking completely puzzled, said, "Young Master, that is indeed Miss Seeing Qingcao's name."

At noon,

on Qu Yuan Street,

at Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu,

in Xu Xu Zaijing's courtyard,

Liang Han smiled as he recounted the morning's events to Xu Xu Zaijing, who had returned to the residence during the lunch break.

"Liang Liu Lang, did you only learn today that female servants and young male attendants must change their names upon entering the residence?" Xu Xu Zaijing asked with a look of surprise.

"Ahem, yes! Before I renamed Diao Che, I always thought his previous name was his birth name," Liang Han said.

Xu Xu Zaijing smiled helplessly; in truth, when he had learned of this matter back then, he too had felt a certain sigh in his heart.

The reason was none other than that in his previous life, when he went to work for a company, he had heard that one also had to adopt a nickname or an English name; unexpectedly, there was something similar here in this ancient era.

"The name Yuan He sounds much better than the one you gave him, Brother Jing," Liang Han added.

Xu Xu Zaijing shook his head and smiled.

(End of Chapter)