NFBE Chapter 109 Years in the Palace 17
Chapter 109 Years in the Palace 17
The journey to town wasn't particularly long, and Liu Xingxing didn't try to talk to the two brothers again during the trip.
Instead, the two of them kept talking to Liu Xingxing about random things, while Liu Xingxing would occasionally offer a perfunctory reply, just to relieve the boredom of the journey.
After all, no one on the cart had spoken before, not even Lu Jiu'er and Yao Niang had exchanged more than a few words, making the journey quite dull.
Moreover, there are quite a few people on the cart now, so Feng Wu and Feng Liu won't just make a move on a whim. They might have the desire, but they don't have the guts.
After arriving at their stop in town, the group went their separate ways.
Da Han and Lu Jiu'er were carrying a lot of things, as was Yao Niang. Liu Xingxing also helped carry two or three bags of processed venison tied with lotus leaves and hemp rope, obediently following behind them so as not to hinder their business.
After all, they were more familiar with things in this town than she was, and they had to help her prepare the things she needed to get to the county in advance. Unlike when she first came to the city from the village, she wasn't looking around curiously and just obediently waited for them to take care of everything.
Because they were carrying a lot of stuff, it was impossible for them to hitch a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. They had to go to a carriage shop and hire a carriage themselves to go to the county. As for whether the carriage was good or bad, that depended on how much they paid.
Adhering to the principle of saving money wherever possible, Lu Jiu'er, who was in charge of the money, would not spend too much money to hire a nice carriage. She would prioritize practicality and make sure it could carry people.
Fortunately, there happened to be a convoy going to the county today, so Lu Jiu'er took Da Han over and spoke with the convoy leader to see if they could get a ride.
It's quite a distance from the county seat, so what if something unexpected happens along the way? It would be good to have someone to look out for you if you were traveling with another convoy.
The caravan leader readily agreed, as such requests for assistance were common and nothing to fuss about. Besides, they had already hired their own carriages, so the caravan wouldn't have to do anything extra. Naturally, they readily agreed.
"Alright, we'll just follow the convoy later. They're also going to the county to sell fabrics. Everyone in town knows them and trusts them."
"Sister Jiu'er is really amazing, she found out all of this."
The female lead's social skills are also beyond doubt; she can get along well anywhere.
"Hey, why ask one more question?"
Judging from her tone, there was no sarcasm in her voice; she was genuinely praising her, so Lu Xihan naturally responded happily.
It's definitely nice to be praised by someone who's good-looking.
In fact, from the moment they met yesterday until now, Lu Xihan had been observing Liu Xingxing's behavior. He was certain that she was just a young lady from a family who had suddenly fallen on hard times. She spoke and acted with elegance and propriety, unlike those pretentious green tea bitches.
Even though she had suddenly and unusually chatted with those two scoundrels earlier, Lu Xihan didn't see any "revealing of her true nature." Instead, he sensed that she was like a cunning cat toying with two mice that had taken the bait.
Lu Xihan didn't know why she had this feeling, but she also knew that she was definitely not as simple as she appeared.
This was Lu Xihan's intuition, gleaned from years of experience as a senior executive at a listed company; she always trusted her intuition.
Such a skilled disguiser is terrifying, but Lu Xihan also knew that this woman didn't seem to have any ill intentions towards him or his family. However, she did have some interest in Da Han, who was by her side, but it wasn't the kind of interest a woman has in a man.
What could it be?
She definitely knows more than just a simple understanding of Da Han!
Whenever Lu Xihan looked at Da Han in Liu Xingxing's eyes, besides worry and a little concern, there was always some kind of expression that she couldn't understand.
Just like when Liu Xingxing looked at her, there was a certain expression mixed in that she couldn't understand, very faint and almost invisible, but it was always there.
Lu Xihan felt as if she had seen that gaze before, a gaze that was always there, no, it didn't seem to be there all the time, but she couldn't shake it off no matter what she did.
She disliked this feeling, as if someone had ripped off her clothes and cut out her heart for that person to see, leaving her with no secrets.
Lu Xihan felt a sudden pang in his heart, as if something was about to burst forth from his mind, which was shrouded in a layer of mist.
Da Han noticed Lu Jiu'er's unusual behavior first, and quickly walked to her side to support her: "Ajiu, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I just feel a little dizzy from standing for so long, I guess it's from being hungry."
Lu Jiu'er smiled weakly, her face deathly pale.
Liu Xingxing also looked worried: "Sister Jiu'er, what's wrong?"
Seeing the commotion, the youngest aunt rushed over to support Lu Jiu'er. Noticing her pale face, she said with great concern:
"Jiu'er, what's wrong with you! Did you rush out the door too much?"
Lu Jiu'er smiled and comforted her aunt, saying, "Mother, it's nothing, I'm just hungry and have no energy."
"Then hurry up and get in the car and sit for a while. There are some fresh pancakes that Mom made early this morning. Have a few bites."
"Yes, Sister Jiu'er, you should go to the carriage to sit down and relax. I'll go find a shop and get some tea for you to drink."
"Ah."
Lu Xihan didn't try to hold on any longer and slowly moved onto the carriage with the help of the two people.
The young woman busily took out two cakes from the food bag, and Liu Xingxing quickly found some tea and handed it to Lu Jiu'er.
Lu Xihan then ate the flatbread with water. After eating almost half of it, her complexion improved a bit, as if she had recovered somewhat, but she still didn't look too well.
Just then, the convoy ahead also received the order to depart, and Liu Xingxing hurriedly grabbed the large bowl of tea, ran to return it to the shopkeeper, and then rushed back.
The carriage arrived at the appointed time, and although there was a minor hiccup along the way, it didn't cause any major delays, and the journey proceeded smoothly.
Da Han was in charge of driving the carriage, and the three of them sat together inside.
Lu Jiu'er recovered in no time, as if she had really been hungry. Now that she was fine and could jump around again, her aunt was finally relieved.
……
The journey to the county town went very smoothly, and nothing that shouldn't have happened occurred.
When they arrived at the resettlement point in Huxian County, Lu Jiu'er once again led Da Han to thank the leader of the caravan. Then they went to find a cheap place to stay temporarily and returned the hired carriage to the carriage shop.
After making all the arrangements, most of the day had passed.
They couldn't possibly sell all the goods they brought within a day, so the venison was simply processed with wood ash and salt.
I hadn't originally planned to sell fresh venison. In this weather, fresh venison will spoil in a day or two, so it's more cost-effective to process it into cured meat.
Now, all that's needed is to take the meat out and let it air dry. Earlier at home, Lu Xihan had used some tricks to put the venison on a makeshift platform and bake it over a large fire until it was half-dry.
Actually, this venison could have been stored for a month or two without spoiling; it's just being taken out now for secondary processing.
After washing the wood ash used to coat the plants for better storage and flavor, and then letting them air dry, they're ready to be sold.
Tomorrow I need to find out which buyer offers the highest price for venison before I sell it. I also need to sell some other odds and ends like deer hides and antlers. I might have to stay in the county for several days.
Meanwhile, Yao Niang went with Liu Xingxing to the south of the city to find her relative. She has been busy these past few days, with everyone having their own things to do.
five days later
Liu Xingxing sat in a beautiful riverside pavilion, sipping fine spring tea and leisurely enjoying the scenery, though she was still dressed in very rough linen clothes.
Nothing more than that I went to one of the Wang family's properties in Dongxiang two days ago to verify their identity.
That time she went out of the palace to visit her family, she didn't just get rid of a curse; she knew a lot about what was going on with the Wang family.
The person in charge of the Wang family's business here is also very sharp-eyed. She recognized her as soon as she arrived, which shows that Liu Baiyi's identity is also a very special existence in the Wang family. It is possible that even a small person in charge in such a remote area could recognize her at a glance.
Of course, Liu Xingxing didn't do anything foolish by taking her aunt with her. Instead, she made up an excuse that it would be more efficient to inquire separately and sent her away before going.
As for now, she has already sent the person in charge to spread the word about Jing Yanzhi's southern tour fleet, which should arrive here soon.
What she had to do was to be discovered along with Xu Su, and ideally, Jing Yanzhi would be able to see this great general who protected the country with his own eyes.
After finishing the last sip of tea, Liu Xingxing put down the teacup, placed two taels of silver on the table, glanced at the several half-empty plates on the table, and then slowly got up and walked out of the private room.
"Sure enough, this body is more suited to luxury things."
After enduring so much hardship, now that I suddenly have money, I still use it so easily, without learning the meaning of "enduring hardship" at all.
Seeing that the sky was clear, Liu Xingxing stretched and then went to the place where she had agreed to meet her aunt.
"Soon, soon..."