Chapter 33: The Trouble Entering the City

After entering the city, the constables of Beihuang City casually settled them into a dilapidated, abandoned courtyard.

"From now on you'll live here. Tomorrow at the quarter past the fifth watch, don't forget to report for duty!"

"But this place doesn't even have a courtyard gate."

Cheng Qiuluo frowned and said a word.

"What, you don't like it?"

The captain of the constable squad, Wang Erniu, rolled his eyes and muttered in a sarcastic tone.

"The City Lord's Manor has nice surroundings and plenty of space — why don't we put you up there?"

"You're already exiles, and you still think you're some young lady from a wealthy family?"

"Everyone lives like this — what makes you so special?!"

Seeing the horse carriages led by Cheng Feng and the others, Wang Erniu's eyes instantly went wide.

"We're taking these two horse carriages!"

"No!"

The Cheng Family members spoke in unison.

Seeing this, An Luo's face was full of worry.

It was her own oversight — she had thought things through too simply. After all, Zaituan had been exiled here, and those two horse carriages really were far too eye-catching.

Oh no — surely this won't bring trouble upon the Cheng Family?

"An exile like you, and you dare ride in such a luxurious horse carriage?"

Wang Erniu stepped forward directly, shoving Cheng Feng aside with his hand.

Cheng Feng hadn't received any order from his master, and was also afraid of causing trouble for the Old Madam, so he could only stand to one side, glaring furiously, his fists clenched tight as he endured it.

Looking at the four tall, sturdy white horses, Wang Erniu began scheming in his heart.

Lord Chen has always loved horses — if I present these four horses to him, I'll surely gain plenty of favors!

Maybe I can trade them for a position as a clerk — sign in at the fifth watch every day and then sleep till noon, or have a couple of taels of wine. Now that would be the sweet life!

This kind of dirty, tiring work — settling exiles, daily patrols — whoever wants it can have it!

Wang Erniu was lost in his sweet dream when he suddenly felt several kicks land on his calf.

He dodged to the side instinctively, and — wouldn't you know it — his foot caught on a stone half-buried in the dirt, with a bit poking out.

He plunged headfirst into a pile of horse dung, taking a truly face-first tumble.

Yu'an: "???"

The little fellow gaped, looking down at his own tiny feet in disbelief.

When did he become this amazing?

Meanwhile, An Luo, outside the screen, withdrew her hand, her merit hidden and her name unsung.

After his surprise, Yu'an clenched his tiny fists tight. Though he was only a small bundle, the little fellow puffed out his chest, trying hard to look imposing — not the least bit timid.

His big eyes were wide and round, so angry that his little tuft of hair stood straight up.

"You big bully! You're not allowed to take my horse carriage!"

This was a gift from Fairy Sister!

No one is allowed to take it away!

"Yu'an, come back quickly!"

When did this child run over there?

The Cheng Family members were startled by his action, their hearts leaping into their throats.

Wang Erniu lifted his head out of the horse dung and gagged several times.

He climbed to his feet, endured the nausea, and raised a hand to wipe his face clean.

Thinking of how he had just been ambushed by this knee-high little brat in front of his Subordinates and underlings, losing face so badly, Wang Erniu viciously raised the whip in his hand.

"You dare kick me? Brat, you're asking for death!"

But the next moment, the four horses suddenly let out a neigh and reared up high on their front legs.

The two horses closest to him suddenly broke free of their reins and kicked Wang Erniu away.

"Ah—"

Wang Erniu flew several meters, landing face-down with a heavy thud on the ground.

Not to mention the Cheng Family — even An Luo was stunned. She hadn't expected this scene either.

Only after carefully reading the Shop's introduction did she learn that the horses that came with the Shop's horse carriages automatically recognized Zaituan as their master.

Perhaps they had sensed Zaituan's unease, and combined with Wang Erniu's intent to harm him, they had suddenly gone wild.

Wang Erniu was in so much pain he was grimacing, sprawled on the ground for quite a while before he could catch his breath.

He raised his blood-smeared face and shouted at the constables in the courtyard.

"What are you all gawking at? Get over here and help me up!"

As he shouted, his peripheral vision caught a few white objects flecked with blood flying out of his mouth.

Looking closely, what lay on the ground were none other than his big front teeth.

"Hit 'em! Kill 'em for me!"

Two constables hurried over to help him back to his feet, while the rest surrounded the Cheng Family and the horse carriages in a tight ring.

The four horses once again went wild, charging straight at the constables.

Several constables were quickly scattered by the impact, each fleeing and hiding far away.

An Luo also quietly reached out and tripped a few of them.

That'll teach you to try to steal our horse carriage — let's see if I don't knock out your big teeth!

Soon, another squad of yamen runners arrived. When they came in, Wang Erniu and his gang were being chased by the horse, scurrying away with their hands over their heads.

The one at the head was a man wearing armor, estimated to be around thirty years old.

"Sir Chen, you have to catch it for your subordinate!"

Wang Erniu seemed to see reinforcements and hurriedly threw himself over.

Seeing him in such a sorry state, Chen Ying tightly knit his brows, took a step back, pulled his hem out of Wang Erniu's hand, and asked in a deep voice.

"What happened?"

"It's her!"

Wang Erniu pointed at Yu'an, who was hugging his own great-grandmother's thigh.

"It's her! She let her horse commit the crime!"

Yu'an's face flushed red with anger, and she stamped her feet furiously.

"You're talking nonsense! Clearly you were trying to rob my horse carriage!"

"Enough!"

Chen Ying's face showed impatience.

"You even try to rob a child's belongings, and you can't even win? What a disgrace to this official!"

"Go receive your punishment on your own!"

After saying that, he looked toward the Cheng Family again.

"Cheng Old Madam, it's been many years. I trust you've been well?"

A hint of reminiscence crossed Cheng Old Madam's face, and she nodded.

"It really has been a long time."

Chen Ying gave a cold snort.

"I thought Cheng Old Madam, being a person of importance, might have forgotten all about me long ago."

"But all these years, I have never for a moment dared to forget the great kindness the Cheng Family showed my Chen Family!"

Cheng Old Madam's expression remained as usual, and she said nothing more.

Chen Ying looked at them deeply, then waved his hand at the yamen runners.

"Take both horse carriages to the City Lord's Manor!"

After saying that, he flung his cloak heavily and turned to stride out of the courtyard.

Tian Qin softly comforted Yu'an, whose eyes were red with anger and who looked aggrieved.

After those people left, Meng Shi looked at Cheng Old Madam with worry.

"Pomo."

Cheng Old Madam patted her hand and shook her head.

"Let's tidy up the room first."

After saying that, she led Yu'an, whose eyes were red-rimmed, into the room.

It's fine. It will be returned eventually.

At night, An Luo comforted the little one for a long time. Only when Yu'an fell asleep late at night did she close the story book beside her, then wash up and go to bed.

In a daze, she came to an ancient scene again, looking at the rows of tents and the soldiers patrolling back and forth.

"Looks like a military camp?"

A few hundred meters away, two horses came toward the military camp through the night.

On horseback, Cheng Chengxuan, wearing a plain-colored robe, suddenly tightened the reins.

"Whoa—"

"Young General?"

Cheng Yao looked at him with concern.

"Has your old injury flared up again? Otherwise, let this subordinate go alone."

Cheng Chengxuan covered his chest and coughed twice, his face growing paler.

He shook his head.

"I'm fine."

"I must go in person, only then can the soldiers feel at ease!"