Chapter 27: Entering The Capital City
Accompanied by the sound of monks chanting scriptures, Duke Ding’an’s Wife Ren Xiulan solemnly kowtowed, then lifted her head, but Mama Wang standing by her side did not promptly come to help her up, instead gazing outside in a daze.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife lightly coughed, her expression slightly displeased.
Mama Wang came back to her senses and hurriedly helped her up, explaining in a low voice: “I keep feeling there’s movement outside, and I don’t know if they can smoothly send the person away. Miss Yuan is not very old, but has quite a temper. She actually ran out from home and came all the way to the Capital City. It’s really frightening.”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife said: “Her grandfather was an escort in his early years. When this child was just born, my younger sister was still following her husband running east and west. This child also grew up traveling far and wide.”
“Thanks to Madam’s promotion, Miss Yuan’s son-in-law got a military post in the government. Everyone calls him Master, and the family no longer has to live that kind of Jianghu life.” Mama Wang said with a smile, “So when this child encounters something, she comes straight to you.”
A trace of proud smile appeared on Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s face, also carrying a bit of arrogance.
“If they can’t get by, I can help them out.” She said, stepping out with Mama Wang, “But I don’t meddle in children’s marriage arrangements. Young people are not sensible, only thinking of following their own intentions, not considering their parents’ long-term plans for them.”
Mama Wang nodded, then lowered her voice again: “She was spoiled by her aunt. Our family’s young lady and young master all listen to their parents.”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife smiled faintly: “I don’t point out or lecture other people’s children.”
“Madam doesn’t say it, but does a lot. Settling her so she’s not discovered, to avoid ruining her reputation, and sending a box of gifts for her to take back, several of which are imperial gifts.” Mama Wang continued to praise, “With these things when she marries, no one in her husband’s family will dare to look down on her for life. Madam is protecting her for life.”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife smiled without speaking, the unease between her brows finally dissipated. Sigh, earlier this child cried so much that she really felt soft-hearted and guilty.
Speaking of guilt, Duke Ding’an’s Wife thought of something again and subconsciously looked toward the Ksitigarbha Hall not far away.
“Since we’re here.” She said softly, “Here, light a stick of incense for her and her mother too.”
Although no name was mentioned, Mama Wang immediately understood, her expression somewhat complicated, subconsciously looking around.
Because they came early, there weren’t many people in the temple.
She didn’t say much and helped Duke Ding’an’s Wife over.
Duke Ding’an’s Wife lit the incense, silently prayed for a moment before coming out, her face still somewhat uneasy.
“How about we still bring back their bones.” She said in a low voice.
Mama Wang hurriedly interrupted her: “Madam must not. This would invite trouble.”
Duke Ding’an’s Wife looked at her and said nothing.
“Madam, it’s been over ten years. Back then, the young lady even said to consider her dead…” Mama Wang said in a low voice, “Now that she’s really dead, it’s settled for everyone, it’s good for all.”
At this point, she gently shook Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s arm.
“The Imperial Palace is selecting companion readers for the princess. Our young lady might be selected. This is a major matter concerning Duke Ding’an’s Mansion’s next generation’s future prospects. We must not make any mistakes at this time.”
Mentioning her children’s future prospects, the unease in Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s brows dissipated.
“Yes, we must not make mistakes.” She said, and gently exhaled, “The person is gone, it’s settled.”
With that, she patted Mama Wang’s hand.
“Let’s go, we’ve been out long enough, it’s time to go back.”
Mama Wang acknowledged and helped Duke Ding’an’s Wife walk out.
……
…….
The city gate on the return trip had returned to normal. Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s carriage no longer needed greetings and slowly passed through the crowd.
A team of Embroidered Uniform Guards stood above the city gate.
Wei Jiao sat cross-legged on the city wall, watching that carriage on the street.
Wei Jiao watched the gradually departing carriage and horses, the corner of his mouth twitching: “What a dog thing. If you want to hide your tracks, don’t be so obnoxious.”
If he hadn’t remembered that skinny little guard who charged out and took two slashes from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
How would he have noticed Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s carriage and horses.
If he hadn’t looked at Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s carriage and horses, how would he have discovered that this dog thing really had a problem.
He should trust his intuition.
At the time, he felt these two had issues.
“Miss Yuan and those attendants from Duke Ding’an’s Mansion are all locked up.” An Embroidered Uniform Guard said in a low voice, then looked at Duke Ding’an’s Wife’s carriage, “Captain, search Duke Ding’an’s Mansion immediately?”
“Watch Duke Ding’an’s Mansion, don’t alert the snake yet.” Wei Jiao said.
Although those two had false identities, they must be connected to Duke Ding’an’s Mansion, otherwise they wouldn’t have such detailed information.
Wei Jiao’s dark eyes were gloomy.
“Prepare the details of the investigation on the people around Jiang Wangchun for me.”
They were lucky to escape earlier, but the fish has leaped out of the water and been seen by him. He will definitely catch it!
Doesn’t like being slashed by knives? Then let him be slashed enough!
……
…….
Mo Zheng sat in front of the carriage, shading her eyes with her hand, looking at the city ahead.
“The Capital City is really big.” She said.
“Yes.” Yang Luo said, “There are eighteen city gates just in the outer city.”
Mo Zheng stretched lazily: “Miss knows everything, that’s convenient. No matter how big the Capital City is, no need to ask around. We can directly find Duke Ding’an’s Mansion.”
Yang Luo looked at the city ahead. In those five years, though mostly confined at home, on the few outings, she was greedy for novelty and firmly remembered the roads she traveled.
She closed her eyes, feeling the carriage rocking, as if already passing through the city gate, over the street, arriving at the gate of Duke Ding’an’s Mansion.
Only…
“A Sheng, we’re not going to Duke Ding’an’s Mansion.” Yang Luo opened her eyes and said softly.
After saying this, she saw the hunter youth sitting in front turn his head, slightly raising his brow…
See, sent to White Horse Town saying to send to the Capital City, sent to the Capital City, and now some new trick.
Yang Luo seemed to hear what the youth wanted to say, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.
She extended her hand, pinched Mo Zheng’s sleeve cuff, and gently shook it.
“The murderer behind it hasn’t been found yet. They’re in the dark, I can’t be in the open.” She said, “If they’re watching Duke Ding’an’s Mansion and I go to the door, I’ll be discovered. That would be bad.”
At this point, she sighed lightly.
“A Sheng, don’t look at the duke and marquis mansions, noble and luxurious. Inside there, there are plenty of ways to kill people silently, and outsiders won’t know, the government won’t investigate. Not even as good as beggars on the street.”
When beggars on the street die, the government will at least check if it’s from illness, freezing, or starvation.
Mo Zheng pulled back her sleeve: “Miss is prophetic. If you say that’s no good, then we won’t go. So where to settle next? Where’s the best location that’s cheap…”
Saying this, she looked at Yang Luo again.
“Can Miss divine that too?”
For this, in the five years alive in the deep boudoir of a duke and marquis family, clothes handed to her, meals served to her mouth, how would she know these things. Yang Luo smiled awkwardly: “These can’t be divined, still have to rely on you A Sheng to ask.”
With that, she patted herself.
“Don’t be afraid to spend money.”
But actually, her having this money was also thanks to A Sheng.
The large box of emergency money her mother hid at home was all smuggled out from under the government’s eyes by A Sheng.
Then cleverly hid the money in the carriage’s hidden panels, with another portion wrapped on her body.
This money was really quite a lot, but the hunter youth didn’t rob the money and run.
How could such a person be a bandit?
Could it be a bandit with big ambitions who looks down on her small amount of money?
Yang Luo couldn’t figure it out. Unfortunately, she didn’t know what exactly happened to A Sheng in those years that led her to a bandit rebel life.
“A Sheng.” She couldn’t help saying, “Pick one you like. Though renting now, when I return to Duke Ding’an’s Mansion in the future, I’ll buy it and give it to you.”
Mo Zheng laughed: “Then I’ll have a house in the Capital City. I’ll definitely pick well.” With that, she whipped the horse and spurred it forward swiftly.
Yang Luo smiled and sat steady, looking at Mo Zheng’s back.
In this life, keeping A Sheng by her side should change her fate of becoming a bandit rebel.
But, her smile slowly faded again.
Keeping A Sheng by her side was to have her help kill people.
The people she wants to kill are not ordinary.
After killing them, A Sheng naturally won’t live either.
A Sheng’s head will probably still be hung at the city gate for public display.
