good season

Zhao Shiqing was stunned.

"So that man lay low for a year, and finally waited for his opportunity to abduct the two children of the prefect's family."

Alas, this person was too kind; in the end, he still lost his life.

First, there was the death of one unborn child and three others; then, adding himself, that makes a total of four lives lost.

Zhao Shiqing shook her head, feeling a mix of emotions.

Xiao Zhen remained silent and did not continue the topic.

The closer they got to Tongzhou, the clearer the sky became. Because of the change in itinerary, they would have to camp out in the suburbs tonight. Fortunately, among the group, Zhao Shiqing and her team had the least outdoor experience. For the guards, camping out in the open was the norm.

They brought plenty of supplies when they left Beijing, and when they were about to take turns sleeping, Xiao Zhen was nowhere to be seen.

A moment later, Xiao Zhen returned with a handful of wild grass in his hand and said to Zhao Shiqing, "This kind of wild grass can repel mosquitoes. Light it before you go to sleep."

Xiao Zhen handed the wild grass to Ling Bo and went to the side. Xiu Xiu grinned at Zhao Shiqing and made a face, mimicking Xiao Zhen's tone of voice: "This wild grass can repel mosquitoes. Light it before you go to sleep."

Zhao Shiqing glared at her, about to retaliate, when she saw Shen Guanyue run over, also holding a bunch of wild grass in her hand. However, this bunch of wild grass was not for Zhao Shiqing, but was handed to Xiuxiu.

"Guard Xia asked me to give this to you. Hehehe, I told you, who gives a girl wild grass? Picking a few wildflowers would be fine too. Sister Xiuxiu, don't you think that makes sense? Don't glare at me, I'm just a messenger. It's because I'm young that everyone bullies me."

Before Xiuxiu could reach out and cover his mouth, Shen Guanyue dropped the bunch of weeds and ran away.

Xiuxiu's face was a little hot. Holding the bunch of wild grass, she was at a loss. When she looked up, she saw Zhao Shiqing looking at her with a gossipy expression.

"Is Guard Xia Xia Dachuan? He's one of my men. Quickly tell the truth, what's going on between you two? If you don't tell the truth, hmph, believe me, I can give the order to transfer him back to Liang, and you two will be separated forever."

Xiuxiu blushed and defended herself, "There's nothing between me and him. Brother Xia is a kind-hearted person. He just picked some weeds for me."

Zhao Shiqing didn't believe it: "Then why didn't he help me and Lingbo pick them? He's my bodyguard, right, Lingbo?"

Lingbo nodded vigorously: "Yes, Miss is absolutely right. I really misjudged him. Guard Xia looks a bit dull, but I didn't expect him to be so meticulous."

Zhao Shiqing: "Being meticulous depends on who you're dealing with. To me, the second young lady, I'm definitely careless, but to our Xiuxiu, I'm truly meticulous."

Xiuxiu stamped her feet anxiously: "No, really no, he didn't say anything to me, really."

Zhao Shiqing: "Oh, I see. Guard Xia is too slow. Our Xiuxiu is getting impatient."

Xiuxiu covered her face in embarrassment and refused to answer.

Lingbo smiled and took the wild grass from her hand, lit it together with the one Xiao Zhen had given her, and the air was filled with the unique fragrance of wild grass. After a long day, Zhao Shiqing quickly fell asleep.

Being in the wild, Zhao Shiqing didn't sleep soundly and woke up in the middle of the night.

Xiuxiu and Lingbo were sleeping soundly beside her. Xiuxiu had a shy smile on her lips, probably because her Brother Xia had finally confessed his love to her in his dream.

Zhao Shiqing tiptoed to her feet and saw a tall figure standing not far away.

It's Xiao Zhen.

She brought guards, and Xiao Zhen also had Da Zhuang and Jiang Ping by his side, so he didn't need to personally take night duty.

He's here to protect her, isn't he?

A sweet feeling welled up in Zhao Shiqing's heart. She didn't disturb Xiao Zhen; continuing to sleep was the best way to repay Xiao Zhen.

Zhao Shiqing slept until dawn. After washing up with the water in her water bag and eating the dry rations she had brought, the group continued on their journey.

If there are no unexpected events on the road, we should be able to reach Tongzhou tonight.

Xiao Zhen walked at the front. Looking at the figure on horseback, Zhao Shiqing couldn't help but recall the scene when she first met Xiao Zhen two years ago.

You have to experience everything firsthand. As it turns out, if you encounter someone who's three parts human and seven parts devil, don't rush to throw them away. Raise them for a couple of years, and they'll turn into a handsome young man with striking features.

Zhao Shiqing spurred her horse and caught up with Xiao Zhen: "You kept watch over me all night last night?"

When she asked that question, Xiao Zhen guessed that she must have woken up in the middle of the night last night.

"No, I don't sleep much. I couldn't fall back asleep after waking up, so I stood for a while."

Zhao Shiqing pursed her lips. This guy is so stupid. Even if you give him a chance, he won't take advantage of it. Shouldn't he say, "I was so worried about you that I couldn't sleep, so I took turns keeping watch for you. Seeing your beautiful sleeping face is my greatest joy"?

Unfortunately, Xiao Zhen didn't say it.

The two walked side by side, smiles on their lips, but neither of them spoke.

As evening fell, they finally arrived outside Tongzhou City.

Just as Li Xixu wrote in his letter, the weather in Tongzhou was sunny and hot.

They delivered the horses to the post station outside the city, where Li Xi and Xu Le were already waiting.

Both of them were very excited to see Xiao Zhen; they had been waiting there for three days.

Xiao Zhen asked, "Is there anything unusual in the city?"

Li Xi said, "Since yesterday, the number of yamen runners checking people at the gates of Tongzhou City has increased. Men, women, young and old, whether locals or outsiders, as long as they enter the city, they will not only have their travel permits checked, but also their belongings. Anyone carrying weapons will not only be denied entry, but may also be arrested and imprisoned. Today, a craftsman carrying a woodcutter's knife and axe was also taken away."

Xiao Zhen sneered: "They received news that the Fourth Prince was coming to Tongzhou, so they are on high alert to prevent assassins from sneaking into the city."

They all carried weapons for self-defense, and even Xiuxiu, who didn't know martial arts, had a pair of brass scissors hidden on her person.

Since a machete and axe are both unsuitable, then scissors are also dangerous.

Xiao Zhen said, "In that case, let's do as the Romans do. Let's stay outside the city, enter the city during the day without any business, and return before the city gates close at night."

The dangers are unpredictable, making it impossible for them to give up their weapons.

The best solution is to live outside the city.

The checks in Tongzhou are very strict now. With so many people in their group, even if they stayed outside the city, they definitely couldn't stay at the official post station. They could only stay at inns in batches.

There are only two inns at the Tongzhou city gate, both located along the official road. Li Xi and Xu Le had inquired beforehand and learned that the two inns were actually one family business. After the old man passed away, the family divided the property. The eldest son inherited the ancestral home and land, while the two inns were given to the other two sons. The one on the east side of the road was given to the second son, and the one on the west side of the road was given to the third son.

Although they were brothers, the two inns often fought over customers, even going so far as to involve the authorities. As soon as the group arrived at the inn, they saw two women arguing.

Zhao Shiqing was extremely surprised, as if she had discovered a new world.

The reason is that the women of Tongzhou are known for their unique way of cursing and fighting.

They started by jumping up and down, slapping their faces repeatedly, then their buttocks and legs, muttering incoherently in their dialect, which Zhao Shiqing couldn't understand. However, their expressions were spot-on, perfectly conveying anger, contempt, and disgust.

The two women were arguing fiercely when they suddenly lost their focus and saw the people watching the commotion.

Outsider?
guest?

Looking for lodging?

The two women immediately put aside their personal grudges and ran over, laughing like two trumpet flowers.

After a bit of scrambling, the three girls in the group were snatched up first by the Lucky Inn.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhen and Shen Guanyue, who were clearly from wealthy families, were snatched away by Ruyi Inn.

The two women shouted, and several teenagers, both boys and girls, immediately ran out of the inn. The women went to pull three little girls away, while the boys, though not daring to get close, formed a semi-encirclement around Xiao Zhen and his companion.

These people were taken to the inn, where another struggle ensued. Finally, the others were divided up, and when everyone gathered at their respective inns, they were still dizzy and disoriented, as if in a dream.

Although I've seen a lot in my life, this is the first time I've ever been fought over like an object.

The aunt from Jixiang Inn finally returned in triumph. Zhao Shiqing, Lingbo, and Xiuxiu put their luggage in the room and went down to the lobby. They saw that Niqiu and Shen Wangxing had also been brought over, and they were excited to see them after a long separation.

Just then, several guards entered from outside, and Xia Dachuan was among them.

Zhao Shiqing said to Xiuxiu, "I bet Guard Xia deliberately let that old lady snatch him away."

Xiuxiu's cheeks flushed red, and she dared not look in the direction where Xia Dachuan was.

The aunt was sternly scolding the group of teenagers: "Why didn't you leave earlier and let me fight Yang Cuihua by myself? If you had left earlier, we would have beaten Yang Cuihua to a pulp today."

Suddenly, the woman looked up and saw Zhao Shiqing looking at them curiously.

This young girl, just like the young master who was snatched away by Yang Cuihua, is clearly the leader of these people. Don't ask how the auntie figured it out; it's a secret skill.

The older woman walked up to Zhao Shiqing with a smile: "Young lady, have you been to the room? Are you satisfied?"

Zhao Shiqing: "It's alright."

Her life was simple, and she wasn't picky about food, clothing, or shelter. The reason she only said "it's alright" was because the room was scented with incense, and it was a very strong scent that her sensitive nose didn't like.

The aunt didn't care whether it was good or not; she had clearly snatched more people than Yang Cuihua had today, so she was excited right now.

Zhao Shiqing added fuel to the fire at the right time, flattering the aunt: "Auntie, you are really amazing. That young woman over there is no match for you."

The auntie raised her eyebrows arrogantly: "That Yang Cuihua relies on her whole family working for the government, doing nothing but bad things all day long, and she even wants to steal my customers, dream on!"

Upon hearing the word "government office," Zhao Shiqing asked, "Is Yang Cuihua's entire family really affiliated with the government office? Even the women?"

"Of course! Her mother and sister-in-law both work for the government and guard prisoners in the women's prison. Just yesterday, she came back from her parents' home and was like she was on steroids. She was personally standing at the door trying to attract customers. Tsk tsk tsk, if you didn't know she was the boss's wife, you'd think she was a prostitute."

Zhao Shiqing was taken aback: "Didn't you used to stand at the door and solicit customers?"

The aunt said, "That's not called soliciting customers, it's called welcoming customers. The waiters have nothing to do, so they welcome customers at the door. Whether it's our house or theirs, the waiters are always the ones welcoming customers at the door."

Besides, Yang Cuihua is lazy and greedy. She wouldn't even pick up a fallen oil bottle. When has she ever greeted guests? I don't know what got into her head, but after returning from her parents' home, she personally came out to greet guests. Those guests, seeing a woman greeting them, became curious and went to her house. Since yesterday, I don't know how many customers she's stolen. Today, I was so angry that I went over to scold her, and that's when I ran into you distinguished guests."

Zhao Shiqing was taken aback. Based on the information Li Xi and the others had received, the government already knew that the Fourth Prince and his entourage would be coming to the capital. However, the Fourth Prince would not stay at an inn outside the city. Who could this guest, whom Yang Cuihua was personally welcoming, be?

Mudskipper went out for a stroll and came back to quietly tell Zhao Shiqing that the landlady of the inn across the street was greeting guests at the door again.

After a long day of travel, everyone was exhausted. Zhao Shiqing told Mud Loach to go upstairs to rest, while she sent out Little Demon and Big Fatty.

Actually, these two don't need to be sent out at all. Every night, as long as the lights are turned off, their day officially begins.

Zhao Shiqing took a nap in bed. When Xiao Yao came back, she told her that another group of guests had arrived. This time, no one fought over them; Yang Cuihua welcomed them all to the Ruyi Inn.

Moreover, unlike before, Yang Cuihua did not come out after the guests went in this time.

Zhao Shiqing inquired carefully and learned that the guests, like them, carried long bundles on their backs, clearly indicating that they had come with weapons. Perhaps, like them, they did not want to discard their weapons, so they chose to stay outside the city.

Neither Xiao Yao nor Da Pang knew exactly how many people there were; they only knew that there were many people, and that they were all men.

Zhao Shiqing said to Xiao Yao, "I'll write a note, and you can take it to Xiao Zhen."

A moment later, Xiao Zhen, who had already fallen asleep, was woken up by Xiao Yao. He took the note off Xiao Yao's neck, read it, and then changed into his night clothes and quietly went out.

Fortunately, he hid well, and only after leaving the house did he realize that the entire inn had been compromised.

Both the lobby and the staircases were guarded; clearly, this was the group Zhao Shiqing had mentioned.

These people were clearly not the Fourth Prince's men; their origins were unknown.

The inn was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Xiao Zhen hid on the roof and waited for a long time. Finally, someone came out of a room and said a few words to the person standing outside. They were speaking in dialect, which Xiao Zhen could not understand, but he could tell that it was the accent of the Changchi area.

The next morning, Xiao Zhen and the others left the inn in several groups, leaving three people to guard the weapons while the others followed Xiao Zhen into the city.

They left quite late, and by then the defenses from the previous night were gone, and the inn returned to its usual bustling state.

The people who moved in yesterday haven't left yet.

Filled with doubt, Xiao Zhen and the others agreed to meet Zhao Shiqing in the city, and then lined up separately to enter the city.

Just as Li Xi and Xu Le had said, long queues formed at the city gate, where not only were travel permits checked, but people were also searched.

Zhao Shiqing, along with Xiuxiu and Lingbo, joined the group of women. A short distance ahead, two burly female constables were checking travel permits. (End of Chapter)