Chapter 403: The Haze of Heimu Prefecture

The hurried armored soldiers in Heimu Prefecture made the once-cheerful mood of Cai'er and her party feel somewhat heavy.

Even someone ignorant of worldly affairs could see that something major had likely happened in Heimu Prefecture.

Cai'er said with deep concern, "Sister Wei, Sister Miao, looking at this state of affairs, I fear something major has occurred in Heimu Prefecture. What should we do next..."

Zhao Wei frowned, and after a moment of contemplation, she said, "Don't be anxious yet. We are only here to settle the residence; the master's important matters take priority. Everything else can be discussed later."

Upon hearing that they would first handle the master's affairs, Cai'er seemed to find her backbone.

She nodded heavily: "Sister is right."

The whole group kept their words and actions low-key so as not to attract attention.

After passing the city gate of Heimu Prefecture, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The inspections on the road leading up to the gate were truly too strict.

Cai'er was terrified of becoming a burden, so she dared not look around at all.

Fortunately, there were many people at the city gate, and they were let through after being checked by the soldiers.

The group passed through the city gate of Heimu Prefecture and entered the outer city of Heimu Prefecture.

Although the clamor and tension outside seemed to have been shut out upon crossing the city gate, the atmosphere within the prefecture had not relaxed in the slightest.

Armored soldiers within the prefecture came and went in a hurry, all wearing expressions as if facing a formidable enemy.

Occasionally, one could hear the faint sounds of low-voiced conversations and clashing weapons from afar.

Cai'er gripped Zhao Wei's hand tightly, her eyes full of unease. "Sister Wei, is it... is it really safe here?"

Her voice trembled slightly, clearly intimidated by the scene before her.

Zhao Wei gently patted the back of Cai'er's hand to soothe her. "Rest assured, Cai'er. As long as we act cautiously and don't cause trouble, we will naturally be safe and sound."

Her tone was firm, attempting to use her own calmness to stabilize Cai'er's emotions.

This also settled the hearts of the accompanying maids.

Xu Miao, on the side, looked around, her eyes flickering with a mix of curiosity and worry.

"This Heimu Prefecture is truly completely different from the rumors. I hope we can complete his instructions as soon as possible."

The group walked along a relatively secluded path, trying their best to avoid direct encounters with the armored soldiers in the prefecture.

Everything seen along the way consisted of tightly closed doors and locked courtyards, as if the entire Heimu Prefecture were shrouded in an invisible haze.

Leng Feng, however, was unfazed.

The entry of the Prefecture Army into the city had only happened in the last two days.

At the time, the common people were panicked, and rumors were flying everywhere.

Later, the Prefecture Lord issued a public notice to inform everyone.

As long as one was not involved with the Red Lotus Sect rebels, there would basically be no major issues.

Only then did the hearts of the common people settle down a bit.

The turbulent situation was finally able to ease.

For those with some wealth, encountering a search by the Prefecture Soldiers meant, at most, paying a bit of silver.

The Prefecture Army benefited from the Heimu Prefecture Lord's strict governance.

Aside from some disputes during the initial screening,

after the Heimu Prefecture Lord severely punished the armored soldiers who caused trouble and took bribes,

the common people saw an example,

and those with a clear conscience fear no shadows.

Naturally, they were no longer afraid of the Prefecture Soldiers' searches.

They became much more proactive in cooperating.

Leng Feng led Cai'er and her party to the entrance of the Four Seas Trading Firm before stopping.

"With this, my mission is complete. Someone, go and invite a female manager out."

Leng Feng stood before the towering gate of the Four Seas Trading Firm, a sense of indescribable relief welling up in his heart.

The gate of the Four Seas Trading Firm was as bustling as ever, with a constant stream of people and guests of various statuses, making it exceptionally lively.

The people inside the carriage also let go of the prejudices in their hearts.

After all, they were here to get things done.

A familiar maid suggested, "Mistress, we have been traveling for a long time; it is time to get off and walk around, isn't it?"

Cai'er was about to refuse.

Zhao Wei and Xu Miao, however, thought it was a good idea.

Zhao Wei: "Sister Cai'er, shall we go down and walk around?"

Xu Miao: "Sister Cai'er, I want to go down and stretch my limbs."

Seeing that the two powerful sisters also said so, what else could Cai'er say!?

She cautioned: "Just go down and walk, don't stir up trouble."

The group replied: "No problem."

The carriage of Leng Feng's party had originally been unremarkable.

But as a line of pretty-looking young women stepped off the carriage one after another,

the eyes of the surrounding people could not look away.

"Hey! Whose young lady is this, bringing so many maids when going out?"

"Those who can go out in this situation must not be from an ordinary family."

"You don't even need to say that. Look at the appearance of those maids; they are prettier than the new Concubine you married."

"Lao San, what are you trying to say?"

A middle-aged man next to Lao San laughed, "Hahaha, look, you're getting anxious."

Lao San was furious; his newly wedded Concubine was the apple of his eye,

how could he let his old friend tease her like this?

"Come, come, let's have a battle of three hundred cups at the wine table and see who falls first."

The middle-aged man, who had a low tolerance for alcohol, begged for mercy repeatedly, but was dragged away by Lao San.

However, there was more than one or two people discussing the group before them.

Leng Feng was not in a hurry, until a young woman dressed in a gorgeous skirt robe came out to greet them.

She wore a smile, her gaze revealing a hint of scrutiny and curiosity.

The young woman cupped her hands and said, her tone carrying a touch of indifference, "My surname is Zhang. Which one of you is the person I need to receive?"

Leng Feng nodded slightly and led the young woman to Cai'er: "This is Lady Cai'er. She has full authority to handle the matters entrusted by my master today. I hope Steward Zhang will take good care of her."

With big business at the door, how could there be any displeasure?

A glimmer of shrewdness flashed in Steward Zhang's eyes, and she quickly cupped her hands again, saying neither servile nor overbearing: "So it is Lady Cai'er, my apologies for the lack of respect!

Please rest assured, Lady, the Four Seas Trading Firm has a complete range of goods and everything one could wish for; I believe we will not disappoint you."

Cai'er bowed slightly, a proper and gentle smile on her face: "Steward Zhang is too kind. My master often says that the Four Seas Trading Firm has an outstanding reputation and is reliable in its dealings, which is why he felt at ease letting me come here. Seeing it today, it truly lives up to its name."

Steward Zhang flicked her skirt hem: "You flatter me, Lady. Please, let us go inside to talk."

As the head of the inner courtyard for the Cheng family, receiving guests and handling social exchanges were Cai'er's strengths.

Seeing Steward Zhang, who was also a woman, greeting her with a smile,

Cai'er felt a little more at ease.

The fatigue of the journey had left Cai'er somewhat exhausted,

but the matters arranged by the master had to be settled.

These were not things that Zhao Wei or Xu Miao, who were single-mindedly focused on martial arts, could handle.

It could only be Cai'er who came.

Seeing someone come out from the trading firm to welcome them, the maidservants naturally and tactfully stood in their proper positions.

They were located behind the three ladies.

Zhao Wei and Xu Miao were also performing their duties at this time, standing to the left and right behind Cai'er.

In this way, Cai'er's position and status were highlighted.

Watching Cai'er conversing freely with the trading firm's steward,

Leng Feng silently withdrew; everything would wait until the matter was finished.