The young man looked to be in his early twenties. Perhaps he had been abused by the people of Danfu County all year round and had been fed pig food and dog food. At this moment, he was as thin as a match. His delicate cheeks were sunken, and his eye sockets were deeply sunken. He looked very pitiful.
He returned to the bonfire. Without knowing any etiquette, he sat down with a bamboo stick in his arms. One of his broken legs was stretched out, and his broken right arm was bandaged by Jing Zhe. At this moment, his arm was in a sling with a piece of cloth.
Xiao Xue and the others asked Jing Zhe, "How's his injury?"
Jing Zhe sat down. Since he was deaf and mute, he did not hide his words. "His arm and leg were broken by someone. His leg is fine. Perhaps the bone has been broken for a long time, and it slowly healed on its own. Although the recovery is not good and it's a little crooked, at least it won't affect him too much. He just walks with a slight limp. His arm, however, is completely broken. The bones inside are broken, and it's only connected by the skin and flesh outside. I just set his bones and found a tree branch to bandage and fix it. I think we should find a doctor to take a good look at him after we go to Leader Liao. "
Xiao Xue and the others nodded and looked at the young man sympathetically.
Jing Zhe asked again, "Madam, are you resting?"
"Yes."
"Then let's take turns to keep watch. Let's all rest. We still have to meet up with Master tomorrow."
"Okay."
After the four of them finished their discussion, they all went to rest.
Early the next morning, Qin Yining and Ji Yun dressed neatly and came out of the tent with handkerchiefs, green salt, and other things. They saw the young man curled up next to the bonfire.
Perhaps the young man heard the footsteps, but he suddenly opened his eyes in alarm. The moment he opened his eyes, there was a vigilance and fierceness in them, like a disturbed beast.
But when he saw that the person who made the sound was Qin Yining, his fierceness quickly disappeared. He lowered his eyes and head and nodded at Qin Yining.
Qin Yining smiled and held hands with Ji Yun as they went to wash up.
After everything was settled, they returned to the campsite and had a simple breakfast. Jing Zhe arranged for Xiao Han to inquire about Pang Xiao's whereabouts and told Xiao Xue to send the young man to Leader Liao.
Qin Yining took out several banknotes worth ten taels each and handed them to the young man. He gestured to him and said, "This is for you. When we arrive at my manor, have them find a physician to treat your injuries."
The young man held the banknotes and looked at Qin Yining in confusion.
Qin Yining gestured with his hands and imitated the way a doctor would treat a patient. Only then did the young man completely understand.
He looked at Qin Yining and slowly lowered his head with the banknotes in hand.
Qin Yining knew that this person did not know much about etiquette and did not mind. He turned to instruct Xiao Xue, "Be careful. When we arrive at Huichuan, don't rush over. Wang Ye and I will return in a few days."
Xiao Xue acknowledged and went to prepare the horses.
Not long after, Xiao Han, who had been investigating the whereabouts of Pang Xiao's group, returned.
"Madam, what a coincidence. Master's group is stationed on the other road. If we go that way, we will meet them in less than two incense sticks' worth of time."
Qin Yining was surprised, "It's actually so close. If we had taken a different road yesterday, we would have met them."
"Yes."
Qin Yining was very happy. At this time, the campsite had been cleaned and the fire had been dealt with. Qin Yining and Ji Yun boarded the carriage. Jing Zhe and the others each drove a carriage.
Xiao Xue led the two horses and carried the bundle. She pulled the young man to the side of the road and watched Qin Yining's group leave.
The young man looked in the direction the carriage left. He tightened his grip on the banknotes and pursed his light-colored lips.
Xiao Xue smiled and said, "Let's go. Let's set off too."
The young man clumsily got on the horse with Xiao Xue's help.
%
Pang Xiao's group was stationed not far away. In addition, Xiao Han had been here earlier and knew that Qin Yining was not far away. Pang Xiao was not in a hurry to leave the camp and waited for Qin Yining to arrive.
Not long after, Qin Yining's group arrived.
Tang Xiu and the others saw Qin Yining's group approaching from afar. They smiled and went forward to welcome them. Someone also quickly went inside to pass the message.
Qin Yining got off the carriage and saw Pang Xiao striding out of the tent. He was wearing a white brocade robe and a jade belt around his waist. He had the noble aura of a prince. It was impossible to tell that this person was a leader. He had deliberately dressed like this to show off his status.
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi followed behind Pang Xiao. When they saw Qin Yining, they bowed.
Qin Yining hurriedly avoided them and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, please don't be like this."
Pang Xiao walked closer and said with concern, "I estimated that you would only be back tomorrow or the day after. I asked the group to slow down. Why are you back so soon? Did something happen? "
Qin Yining nodded and said with a serious expression, "There are some things. Let's go in and talk."
Seeing Qin Yining's expression, everyone knew that something was wrong. They entered the tent and sat down according to their status. Qin Yining told them what he saw and heard in Danfu County, including how he escaped with the young man and how he settled the young man down. In the end, he concluded:
"The people of Danfu County are simple and ignorant. Perhaps it is because of the influence of the three large clans, but their actions are more or less barbaric. They seem to have a deep misunderstanding of the imperial court and don't care about etiquette. They are only willing to believe the words of the elders of the large clans. In addition, they must have misunderstood you, Prince Zhongshun. "
Xie Yue and Xu Weizhi couldn't help but have a serious expression when they heard this.
"The situation is not good. I don't know what misunderstanding these people have. They actually treat Wang Ye as a scourge. The reason why the people here are not willing to gather in Huichuan County must be related to this misunderstanding. If this is really the case, then it is really not good. "
"That's right. Wang Ye has never done anything wrong to the people. Where did their misunderstanding come from? "
Qin Yining said: "I am also very puzzled. However, when that happened, it was not good for me to stay there. I only wanted to talk about it when we went there. Also, I accidentally exposed my face. When we go back to Danfu County, I have to dress up properly so that no one can recognize me. "
Pang Xiao patted Qin Yining's cheek: "Don't worry about that. Those people won't dare to stare at you. Moreover, when we go to Danfu County, if you dress more luxuriously and change your makeup, there will be a big difference between you and your bare face. They won't recognize you. Moreover, even if they recognize you, they are just ordinary people. What can they say? "
"That's true." Qin Yining said with relief: "I was too nervous and wanted everything to be perfect. However, at that time, it was also because of my negligence that I didn't care about wearing a veil hat."
Pang Xiao smiled and shook his head: "The information you obtained is already very useful. At least we know how the people of Danfu County feel about me. I just don't know how I provoked their anger. I actually made these people hate me so much. "
"I'm afraid this is something we need to investigate."
Xie Yue said: "In this old man's opinion, we should set off immediately and find out what Magistrate Cheng's opinion is. This person has a close relationship with the Lu family. I feel like we can get some clues from him. "
Pang Xiao agreed: "Teacher Xie is right. Let's break camp and set off later. "
"Yes." Everyone nodded in agreement.
Qin Yining and Ji Yun went to Pang Xiao's tent to change into a luxurious aqua blue dress. Their long hair was tied up high and fixed with a silver flower hairpin. Qin Yining felt that this was too solemn, so he put on a pearl headband and a white jade bracelet. Not only would it not break the rules of filial piety, but it also showed his noble status at a glance.
She slightly changed the shape of her eyebrows, tilted the ends of her eyebrows, and put on lipstick made of red peony flower on her lips. Her entire complexion improved, and she looked completely different from her appearance when she was traveling as a merchant.
Ji Yun also changed back into her usual attire. After helping Qin Yining out, Pang Xiao had people tidy up the tent and then boarded the same carriage as Qin Yining.
The Prince's trip was intentional, so it naturally caused a huge commotion. Other than Jinghu Wei, Pang Xiao also brought dozens of guards from the Prince's Residence. Several carriages were lined up in a row. The carriages were escorted by Jinghu Wei, and the Prince's Residence guards followed behind the carriages.
The journey was very smooth. In the afternoon, the group was already close to Danfu County.
Pang Xiao arranged for someone to inform Magistrate Cheng in the city, while the rest of the people rested in place.
After two hours, the city gates opened.
Tang Xiu said in a low voice, "Wang Ye, the people in the city have come out to welcome you."
Pang Xiao lifted the curtain of the carriage, and Qin Yining also leaned out to take a look.
They saw that the city gates were crowded with people, and the commoners were all squeezing to take a look outside.
Pang Xiao chuckled, "This Magistrate Cheng can be considered to be good at managing his subordinates. In just two hours, he was able to mobilize the people in the city to welcome us. It can be seen that Magistrate Cheng is very influential."
Qin Yining smiled, "That's why he was able to mobilize the people for this matter, but not for the construction of the Imperial Mausoleum and the recruitment of laborers. It's hard to say who is behind this."
As they spoke, the commoners in the city began to stir. Soon after, bailiffs came from behind the crowd. The commoners parted to the sides like Moses parting the sea, and a group of people quickly walked out from the city.
The man at the front was about twenty years old, of medium build, and had a scholarly appearance. He was a typical white-faced scholar. He wore a green official's robe with a yellow oriole patch on his chest. As he walked, he gradually revealed a smile and respectfully bowed.
"Danfu County Magistrate Cheng Jun, along with my county's magistrate and elder, have come to welcome Prince Zhongshun!" Magistrate Cheng reported his name and then respectfully bowed.
The county's magistrate, advisor, elder, and commoners behind him all bowed and said in a loud voice, "Long live Wang Ye! Long live Wang Ye! "
Pang Xiao and Qin Yining looked at each other and then got off the carriage first. They went forward with a smile to help him, "Magistrate Cheng, don't be so courteous. Everyone, please rise. "
Qin Yining got off the carriage and slowly walked behind Pang Xiao with Ji Yun's help and the accompaniment of the guards.
Magistrate Cheng respectfully gave his thanks. When he raised his eyes and saw Qin Yining, he immediately bowed again, "Greetings to Wang Fei."
Qin Yining smiled warmly, "No need for formalities."
When they came closer, Qin Yining detected a familiar face among the elders behind Magistrate Cheng.
It was the elder who had a conflict with her on the street yesterday.
Qin Yining's expression did not change as she stood with lowered eyes. She vividly displayed the nobility and dignity of a wang fei.
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