Chapter 130: Returning to the Capital

"Alright, if you want to return to Jingcheng, we'll go with you as well." Wen Zhilan took Chi Nan Yi's hand: "Your father and I will risk our lives to protect you completely."

Chi Nan Yi heard this, smiled and said, "Mother, I know you and father care about me. Once I have a foothold in Jingcheng, I'll bring you over. Now sister‑in‑law is pregnant, and the journey from here to Jingcheng is long, which isn't good for her health. Your life has finally settled down, and the medicine shop also needs staff to run. Stay here and wait for my news, okay?"

"Yi'er, you're still young; going to Jingcheng alone, mother can't be at ease."

"My maternal grandfather arranged guards for me; you can rest assured! I won't get into trouble." She didn't mention Mo Junyan, since whether he is foe or friend was still unclear.

Seeing her insist, the two of them stopped objecting: "Yi'er, you must always watch your safety."

"Alright."

In the following days, Chi Nan Yi gave the pill formula she had devised to Bai He Shan, and set aside a large amount of diluted Spirit Spring Water for making pills and medicinal dishes.

"Shopkeeper, this water is …"

"This is the elixir I brewed; it strengthens the body, and when used in pills or medicinal dishes it yields twice the result with half the effort."

Bai He Shan's eyes lit up as if he had found a treasure.

Chi Nan Yi handed the shop over to her three older brothers; when the Chi Family's three brothers heard their little sister was preparing to go to Jingcheng, they all objected. She had just returned home—how could she leave again?

"Little sister, do you still want to return to the Minister's Residence?" Chi Huai Qian looked at Chi Nan Yi, his eyes full of reluctance: "Little sister, life is much better now than before; could you stay? Third brother has plenty of strength and will surely earn a lot of silver."

"Yes, little sister, the eldest brother also has strength."

"And me!" Chi Huai Jin, panting, ran back from the academy. Ever since he learned Chi Nan Yi was heading to Jingcheng, he had been racing nonstop: "Little sister, second brother will certainly pass the provincial exam and later become the top scholar; we'll all have a good life."

Chi Nan Yi looked at the three of them, smiled and said, "I'm not going back to the Meng Family; I have matters to attend to, and I want to expand our family's shop to a better, larger place, earn more silver, and let our whole family enjoy a good life."

"But …"

"My mind is made up."

Hearing her say that, the Chi brothers could say nothing more; they knew their little sister's nature—once she decides, it cannot be changed.

"Then third brother will accompany you." Chi Huai Qian stepped forward: "Elder sister‑in‑law is pregnant, eldest brother cannot leave, second brother must take the imperial exams, I have nothing else to do."

"Why are you free? The shop would be left unattended? Father, mother, and grandmother also need care; I know some people in Jingcheng, nothing will go wrong."

The three Chi brothers, hearing this, could only give up.

"When you reach Jingcheng, be sure to stay safe."

"Don't talk to strange men."

"Don't open the door to strangers."

……

They kept giving such instructions for almost an hour.

Chi Nan Yi was speechless, but felt warm inside.

On the morning of her departure, Wen Zhilan made dumplings for her.

"Yi'er, your parents aren't very capable, but remember, no matter when, they will stand firmly behind you. If you get tired or feel this cannot be accomplished, come back."

"Alright, mother and father, I've left many medicines in my room; if you feel unwell, take one, don't be reluctant. I'll have someone deliver them regularly."

"Alright, we understand."

They kept delivering to the village entrance until Chi Nan Yi's carriage vanished; the Chi family stood there watching.

"Father, do you think Yi'er will return?"

"She will." Chi Ting Song nodded: "We can't hold the child back; once we've amassed enough family business, we'll also go to Jingcheng. We can't let Yi'er face those wolves alone."

"Mm."

Chi Nan Yi sat in the carriage, the driver being Ji Bai, while Yun Shan rode on horseback beside them.

These days Yun Shan's mood was indeed sour, his gaze constantly appraising Ji Bai.

Where did this person come from? Not only is his martial skill above hers, the young lady trusts him more than herself. How had she never heard of anyone named Ji Bai before? She wanted to investigate but didn't know where to start.

Thinking of Chi Nan Yi's greater trust and reliance on Ji Bai, Yun Shan felt a pang of jealousy.

Yun Shan belonged to Mo Junyan, and for Chi Nan Yi, he was naturally less trustworthy than Ji Bai. Moreover, she had kept Yun Shan nearby mainly to cling to Prince Li's influence, hoping that when her shop opened in Jingcheng she could borrow Mo Junyan's power. Now the situation had changed; before uncovering who harmed the Situ Family, anyone connected to the court was untrustworthy, including Mo Junyan.

Thus, she had already decided that once they reached Jingcheng, she would quietly send Yun Shan away.

If Yun Shan learned he was being dismissed, he would probably feel even worse.

From Yuping Village to Jingcheng, even at a gallop it took about a dozen days.

Before reaching Jingcheng's outskirts, snowflakes began to fall.

This winter truly arrived much earlier than before.

"Miss." Yun Shao came to the carriage side, speaking softly: "The Jingcheng city gate is just ahead; we can still enter the city now."

"Alright, then let's go straight into the city!"

The carriage headed toward the gate, and upon reaching the entrance saw a porridge stall; outside stood many rag‑clad refugees, and inside the stall was Meng Qinghe serving porridge.

Wasn't the locust plague already under control? Where did so many refugees come from?

Meng Qinghe's face was full of smiles, looking at the refugees with pity; if she weren't dressed in fine robes and adorned with jeweled hairpins, setting up a porridge stall would indeed seem genuine.

"Why are there so many refugees outside Jingcheng? We didn't see any disaster along the way; do you know where these refugees came from?"

"Miss, give me a moment; I'll send a subordinate to investigate."

Soon after, Yun Shan hurried back.

"Miss, the subordinate has asked: these refugees all came from Jade Hidden Town. Jade Hidden Town isn't far from Jingcheng; this year it suffered disaster—taxes and grain aside, most crops yielded nothing, so they all poured toward Jingcheng."

Jade Hidden Town.

Chi Nan Yi frowned; in her previous life Jade Hidden Town seemed to have suffered disaster too, but only few refugees streamed to Jingcheng. How did they all arrive this time?

With refugees pouring in, the Left Minister's Residence set up a porridge stall; Meng Qinghe wanted to replicate her previous life, using this method to gain a good reputation and thereby obtain the Emperor's marriage grant.

Chi Nan Yi glanced again at the refugees; although their clothes were tattered, they didn't seem utterly starving or freezing.

She sat in the carriage, a slight smile curling her lips.

If her guess was correct, this was merely a play staged by Meng Qinghe.

She lowered the carriage curtain, a flash of disdain crossing her eyes.

Meng Qinghe, now that we meet again, you ought to properly receive my moves.