From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 472: Chapter 473: Give You a Scare

It didn’t take Jiang Zhongfu long to find out everything.

The escort agency itself had no issues, but Jiang Zhongfu discovered its owner was from the Tian Family. The family’s son-in-law had once served as the Magistrate of Dao City.

Based on this piece of information alone, Jiang Zhongfu didn’t dare to finalize their travel plans on his own.

Jin Qianqian said, "First, have someone inquire about the character of the Tian Family. Also, have Chief Cai ask around for us and see if there are any other escort teams heading toward Lu City soon."

Jiang Zhongfu replied, "Madam, I just asked some traveling merchants. The road to Lu City is difficult to travel right now; it’s covered in snow.

Even on the stretches where the snow has melted, it’s incredibly muddy. Do you think we should wait a few more days before setting out?"

Jin Qianqian said, "Go ask first, and then we’ll decide. If there’s an escort agency going directly to Lu City later on, then we can wait."

...

The results of the investigation made Jin Qianqian immediately reject the Tian Family’s escort team.

According to the reports, the current head of the Tian Family, Tian Zhuang, was Mrs. Xiao’s biological brother.

Over the years, thanks to his connection with Prefect Xiao, he had slowly grown from owning a few storefronts into a wealthy regional merchant.

Tian Zhuang hung on Mrs. Xiao’s every word; you could say he was her personal coffer.

’It wasn’t that she was afraid of trouble, but she felt it was unnecessary to create complications.’

After Housekeeper Fu left to gather information, Jin Qianqian helped her two children get dressed. Then, she and her attendants also headed out.

"Mother, it’s so lively here," Gu Benluo said, holding Jin Qianqian’s hand and looking around curiously.

Jin Qianqian had been to many markets, but none of them were as novel and exciting as the one in Le City.

The shops on both sides sold all sorts of products, and the sides of the central road were lined with stalls.

The goods here were especially interesting; you could find everything from dried seafood to furs from the northeast.

"They really do have everything here," Jin Qianqian instructed Lichun. "Since we’re staying for a while, see what we need and buy it all here. If we don’t have enough space in the carriages, go and rent two more.

But don’t bother with things like dried seafood. If I remember correctly, our destination isn’t far from the coast."

’We’re halfway through our journey. I doubt we’ll find such a complete supply of goods further on.’

Although their group drew attention on the street, people here were likely accustomed to travelers coming and going. They only gave them a couple of glances before returning to their own business.

Some vendors even began to approach them, pitching their wares. A few even took out small trinkets, trying to attract Gu Benluo’s attention.

Although Gu Benluo was tempted, he kept a straight face and stuck close to Jin Qianqian’s side.

’Mother told me before that when strangers try to win you over with gifts, they must have ulterior motives.’

’They might be the child traffickers from Mother’s stories. If they succeed, I’ll never see my parents again.’

At the thought that these people might have bad intentions, Gu Benluo gripped Jin Qianqian’s hand even tighter, prompting her to crouch down and look at him. "What’s wrong?"

"Mother, maybe we should go back to the inn."

"Weren’t you the one pestering me to come out for a walk?"

Gu Benluo looked around warily. "But I think there are a lot of bad people here. Luo Luo doesn’t want to be taken away."

Jin Qianqian was speechless for a moment. "...Mother is right here with you, and we have so many guards. As long as you don’t run off, you’ll be fine."

"Really?"

Jin Qianqian patted his head and straightened his padded outer clothes. "Of course. Just hold Mother’s hand tightly. We’ll find a place to rest up ahead."

Gu Benluo hesitated for a moment before gripping Jin Qianqian’s hand tightly.

Jin Qianqian reached out and pinched his little cheek. "Our Luo Luo is so adorable."

As more and more novel things appeared on the street, Gu Benluo forgot his earlier worries and started dragging Jin Qianqian from one stall to the next.

When he was finally too tired to walk, Jin Qianqian had Lin Dapeng pick him up, and they found a teahouse to enter.

"Waiter, a private room with a good view," Lidong said, blocking the waiter’s appraising gaze and staring at him sharply.

The waiter immediately shrank back. "Right this way, sirs. Please follow me."

The group was led to a large private room on the second floor. From its window, they could see the bustling street below.

Jin Qianqian ordered a few pots of green tea and several plates of snacks, allowing the attendants who came with them to have a bite to eat.

"What do you mean the private room is taken? You go tell them to clear out, now!" Just as all their food and drinks arrived, an argument broke out outside the door, punctuated by the waiter’s incessant apologies.

"Our Mr. Tian is hosting an important guest today! Do you not want the Tian Family’s business anymore?"

"Well, you didn’t send anyone ahead to reserve it, so the room was already booked. How about... how about I set you up in the room next door?"

"How could that possibly work? Everyone knows this is the room with the best view in your teahouse!

What’s the matter? Are you afraid our Mr. Tian will short you on Silver Taels?" The man’s voice grew louder.

The waiter said, "That’s not it. We’re a business; it’s naturally first come, first served.

If Mr. Tian had informed us beforehand, we wouldn’t have given this room to someone else.

But the customers are already resting inside. It wouldn’t be right to disturb them now."

"So you won’t go talk to them? Fine, we’ll do it ourselves.

I refuse to believe there’s anyone in Le City who dares to disrespect the Tian Family."

They had assumed it was just an irrelevant argument, but at that moment, the door to their private room was kicked open from the outside.

Jin Qianqian’s first instinct was to look at her two children. Gu Ben Can was clearly startled and burst into tears.

Gu Benluo immediately hid behind Lidong.

"Who’s there? Don’t you know this room is occupied? Get out!" Lin Dapeng and the other guards who had come with them immediately blocked the doorway.

"Our Mr. Tian wants this room. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll clear out now," the man said arrogantly.

’Just some passing merchants, and they dare to compete with our Mr. Tian for a room.’

"This is not a place for you to act wild. If you know what’s good for you, get lost." Lin Dapeng moved to throw the man out.

"You dare touch me? Believe it or not, I’ll make you face consequences you can’t handle.

Let me tell you, the Tian Family is not someone you people can afford to provoke."

Hearing the man repeatedly claim the Tian Family was not to be provoked, Lin Dapeng’s curiosity was piqued. "The Tian Family? We’ve never heard of them. Who is this ’great personage’?"

The man was clearly angered by his tone. "I’m afraid you’d be shocked if I told you."