Chapter 414: Yun Miao Er

Watching the soldiers search each person, her brows furrowed, hoping they wouldn't get handsy, otherwise…

She feared she couldn't help but strike!

"Sir, my younger sister's cold is severe, her face covered in rash, I fear it might contagion you." The captain walked over, stopped the searching soldier, then at an angle slipped him a money bag.

The soldier glanced at the captain, weighed the money bag, then chuckled, "Go ahead and search, sir's watching."

Now the border war is urgent, orders from above forbid letting any suspicious person go.

"Yes, yes!" The captain bowed and scraped, then looked at Jiang Yunchu and said softly, "Sorry to offend you," his voice low, right beside her ear.

Jiang Yunchu said nothing, instead spreading her arms; her clothes were simple, aside from that money bag she carried nothing.

That money bag had already been seen, so she couldn't put it away; otherwise it wouldn't be on her.

"Sir, there's nothing." The captain didn't even touch Jiang Yunchu, just patted down her clothing.

The soldier looked, seeing nothing could be hidden, then moved past Jiang Yunchu and began searching the next person.

After searching those people, he had them stay to one side, then they began inspecting the cargo on the cart.

Whether it was because the captain's payment was sufficient or some other reason, the soldiers didn't rummage the goods; they truly inspected, checking for any foreign matter, and even examined the carriage, leaving no corner unchecked.

"Inspection done?" The leader, who had actually been ready all along and was waiting for the inspection, only asked after everyone had finished.

"Inspection complete, no abnormalities, even the corpses' mouths and noses were checked," said the person below.

Only then did the captain nod, walk over as if spot‑checking, inspect the items, confirm there was no problem, and then hand the clearance documents to the captain.

"In Xijiang you have only fifteen days; after fifteen days the clearance papers expire."

"Yes, thank you, sir." The captain smiled, though his face didn't show it, he faintly furrowed his brows—a motion Jiang Yunchu noticed.

Something seems off.

The group mounted horses or carts and entered the gate.

After entering the gate, Jiang Yunchu opened the carriage curtain, looked outside; although only a pass separated them, the two sides were indeed different in style.

"Kang Langzhong, I can only bring you this far; after we part, anything that happens to you is no concern of our caravan." The captain stood beside Jiang Yunchu's carriage and said in a low voice.

Jiang Yunchu jumped down from the carriage, gave a light laugh, and said, "Thank you for your care along the way, Captain; the heavens are high and the road long—we may not meet again."

She clasped her fists in farewell, then turned and left without looking back.

What she must do next cannot be done with these people, or it would only drag them in.

"Captain, why not keep Kang Langzhong?"

"Yes, Captain, our unit lacks a medic; with Kang Langzhong, the brothers' chances of survival would be much greater."

"Captain, is it because Kang Langzhong is a woman?"

……

Questions came at them one after another; the captain glanced around, and though less than a day had passed, those people seemed to have lost their souls.

What sorcery does this Kang Yun possess!

"She has her own affairs; from now on pretend you never saw her, and if we meet again there's no need to greet—remember that?"

The captain stared sternly at the people below; though they didn't understand, after so many years of following him south and north, whenever his decisions proved right they would answer, "Yes!"

The captain turned away, already unable to see that blue‑green silhouette, hoping she would fulfill her wish and hoping she would stay safe.

To meet without knowing each other is the greatest assurance he can give her.

A person from Da Ning entering Xijiang at this time—could it really be just to visit relatives?

Besides these outlaws, no one would risk visiting kin at such a juncture, let alone in Xijiang!

Enough!

Just as she said, we may never meet again.

Jiang Yunchu took a few detours, then changed into a new outfit, found a Xijiang shop, and bought three sets of Xijiang women's clothing; although the lands differed, at least silver circulated.

One set of white robes like a painting, one set of red like fire, and one set of black gauze like a dream.

The three outfits carried an exotic charm; she wore the red one, a scarlet veil covering a flawless face, a jeweled floral hairpin on her head, the red sheer gauze flowing beautifully, revealing a flat belly yet accentuating a graceful, alluring figure—her proud bust perfectly displaying feminine beauty, her fair skin, even unseen, inviting imagination.

Jiang Yunchu stood before the bronze mirror; surely this look would catch that person's eye, right?

She gave a light smile, her eyes and brows curved, adding a touch of fairy‑like allure.

"Just these three sets." Jiang Yunchu didn't change out of them, having the clothes wrapped up.

The girl's eyes widened; "Did you make these clothes? How could they produce such an effect?"

"I'll charge for the two outfits, and give you this one." The girl blinked; this red garment had sat in the shop for half a year, with no one fit to wear it.

It wasn't that no one wanted to buy; she simply didn't want to sell.

Her clothes could only be bought by those who suited them—that was her rule.

Jiang Yunchu looked at her and said, "You're giving it to me?"

That girl's background…

If I'm not mistaken, that red gauze she's wearing is the famed Xijiang fragrant gauze, dyed with the famous Xijiang herb; it could be said to be worth a city—and you're giving it away?

Miss, aren't you being a little too generous?

"Miss, I can't accept it," Jiang Yunchu said, laughing and crying; if she took it she'd owe a favor, and the key is that in Xijiang she herself couldn't repay it.

When the two sides eventually oppose each other, how would she strike?

"You look good in it, so I'm giving it to you; fragrant gauze is rare elsewhere but common here, so don't overthink it."

"My name is Xiang Wei Er; you can call me by name directly."

Although Xiang Wei Er can't now see Jiang Yunchu's face, she had seen her before and took off the red robe because it suited her.

"Xiang Wei Er, I am Yun Miao Er."

Xijiang girls are usually called something‑er, something‑er; if I used Kang Yun's name it would be too conspicuous here, so I went with local custom and gave myself a new name.

Yun Miao Er.

Yun Miao Er, what a lovely name. From your accent, you don't sound like you're from Xi Xiang Cheng. Xiang Wei Er gave a light laugh, picking up the clothes in her hands.

This place... Jiang Yunchu saw that piece of clothing, wanting to speak but stopping.

It's broken. Xiang Wei Er said with some regret.