Chapter 464 - 465: Hiring an Escort
Chapter 464: Chapter 465: Hiring an Escort
Jin Qianqian knew what she was going to say. "You don’t have to thank us for this. It’s thanks to the wisdom of our clan elders. Otherwise, who knows how much trouble there would be by now."
If it weren’t for the clan rule forbidding concubines, I imagine a lot of men would have money burning holes in their pockets. The village wouldn’t be as peaceful as it is now.
’Never mind anyone else, my own father-in-law would have probably been the first in line to take a concubine.’
At that moment, Liu Liu suddenly said, "Qianqian, we’ve had our disagreements in the past. I’ve been reflecting on it for the last two years, and I know I was the one being unreasonable. If you’re still angry, just grab me and give me a beating. I promise I won’t fight back."
Jin Qianqian’s eyes widened in surprise. "What are you talking about, Sister Liu? If I were really angry or held a grudge, would I be sitting here chatting with you right now?
When people are together, there are bound to be conflicts of one kind or another. Once you talk them through, everything is fine.
We’re going to be sisters-in-law for the rest of our lives; that’s something we can’t change. If I ever do something wrong, you can tell me directly too."
’But whether I’ll actually accept the criticism is another matter entirely.’ Though she didn’t know if Liu Liu’s words were sincere or just an attempt to get on her good side, Jin Qianqian certainly wasn’t going to push away an olive branch.
’Now that Li Cuicui is getting older, it’s probably time for me to find some allies within the clan anyway.’
Liu Liu patted her shoulder happily. "I knew you were a magnanimous person! I’m well aware that we have you to thank for the life we have now.
Let’s let bygones be bygones regarding all the stupid things I did before. From now on, just watch my actions!"
Jin Qianqian replied, "That’s all in the past. Neither of us will bring it up again. However, we should keep an eye on Fifth Sister-in-law. We can’t let her stir up any trouble."
Liu Liu said, "We’ve already spoken to Fifth Brother. He said he’ll keep an eye on her."
Jin Qianqian, however, had an ominous feeling. She decided she would have her people investigate later to find out just what was so special about that Earth God Temple.
But she let none of this show on her face, continuing to laugh and chat with Liu Liu about the village gossip.
Liu Liu had probably been bottling things up for a while. Now that she had a rare opportunity with Jin Qianqian having time and wanting to listen, she was naturally full of energy.
Since the whole extended family was eating together, Jin Qianqian sent someone to town to order several tables of food and also invited a few of the clan elders to her home.
Gu Sanbu and the others had known for a while that Jin Qianqian would be taking her children to Lu City in the spring, so they all brought homemade parting gifts.
Most people gave things like mushrooms picked from the mountains or dried vegetables.
Jin Qianqian accepted the gifts with delight. "I was worried I wouldn’t get used to the local food on the journey. These will be a godsend and solve a pressing problem for me!"
Although they knew she was just being polite—you could buy such things almost anywhere—the fact that she said it showed she wasn’t looking down on them.
Gu Sanbu said, "Once you get to Lu City, we won’t be able to help you much from here. So we old-timers won’t bother with a lot of pleasantries. Just take good care of yourselves out there."
Jin Qianqian readily agreed to everything they said. The banquet was a joyous occasion for both hosts and guests.
Once the banquet ended and everyone had left, Jin Qianqian didn’t linger. She immediately took her people and returned to Fu County.
After today’s gathering, she considered it her farewell to the village. She definitely wouldn’t be coming back in the near future.
Unexpectedly, on her second day back in Fu County, Deng Yuanhang came to visit. Before the New Year, he had even brought Zhu Le’er over to offer greetings.
"Little Sister Gu, I hear you’re preparing to travel to Lu City?" Deng Yuanhang was direct as soon as he walked in. The two families had maintained a relationship over the years, so he knew Jin Qianqian’s character: she preferred people to speak plainly.
Jin Qianqian asked, "Why? Does Senior Brother Deng’s escort agency travel that far?"
Deng Yuanhang gave a wry smile. "You know as well as I do, Little Sister Gu, that our small escort agency only runs a few fixed routes. A journey of thousands of miles... we wouldn’t dare even think about it.
I knew you were in a hurry to find an escort agency, so I naturally did some asking around for you.
We don’t go all the way to Lu City, but we do travel a few hundred miles in that direction.
If you’re in a rush, you could travel with our escort agency for part of the way. Then, we can have our leader of the escort find you a reliable agency to escort you for the rest of the journey."
This idea coincided perfectly with what Jin Qianqian had been thinking. "Senior Brother Deng, you’re a true lifesaver. I was just about to send people out to inquire. If possible, I’d like to use this method of transferring between escorts to get there."
Originally, she had planned to wait for Prince Bai’s Capital City Escort Agency, but for some reason, there was still no word from them, and she was no longer willing to wait.
"Excellent," Deng Yuanhang said immediately, adding that his escort agency was setting out in two days. If Jin Qianqian needed their services, he would have to make arrangements with the leader of the escort in advance.
"Two days?" Jin Qianqian did a quick mental calculation. Everything that needed to be prepared was already ready.
She had even had Steward Fu refit several carriages for the trip. Even though time was tight, it wasn’t impossible to make it.
"Will that be difficult? You could wait for the next trip, but it’ll be a longer wait—about half a month."
Jin Qianqian made her decision instantly. "We’ll leave in two days."
With the itinerary set, Jin Qianqian became truly busy.
Considering their destination was on the border, many goods would surely be scarce.
Jin Qianqian prepared a comprehensive set of supplies. The food and necessities for her two children alone filled two entire carriages.
Adding in some familiar items they were used to, as well as Lichun and the others’ luggage, they ended up packing another eight carriages, bringing the total to a round number.
There was no time for them to go back and inform their families in Gaoling Village. Jin Qianqian simply instructed Hu Dong, who was stationed there, to send someone back with a message, and the caravan set off.
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Zhou Shixiong looked at the letter delivered by the soldiers below and couldn’t help but sneer. "These bandits really think highly of themselves. Only truly shameless scoundrels would dare to make such demands."
Li Ji said, "Great General, these are foreign envoys. We must treat them with importance."
Wang Liqiang retorted, "Assistant General Li, they’re nothing but a disorderly mob. How dare they call themselves envoys?
The way they burn, kill, and plunder... even our local bandit chiefs aren’t that audacious. Do people like them deserve to be treated with the courtesy due to an envoy?"
"But no matter what, they are not subjects of our nation. We must naturally handle them with care."
Zhou Shixiong looked at him with a smile. "Assistant General Li has a point. In that case, I’ll leave the reception of these so-called ’emissaries’ to you."
Li Ji’s face immediately fell. "I dare not."
"The fact that you recognize your own standing means you’re not a lost cause yet," Zhou Shixiong said, no longer paying him any mind. He issued a direct order: "Keep a close watch on the people in the wastelands during this time. As long as they are alive, they will atone for their sins there.
If anyone dares to approach, kill them on sight."
The officers in the tent quickly acknowledged the order. They weren’t like that blockhead Li Ji, who could never seem to tell friend from foe.