Life became increasingly uneventful after the Crown Prince stopped looking for me. I had also explored most of the interesting spots in Meicheng, so I poured all my energy into the distillery. By the twentieth of the twelfth lunar month, it was finally completed. Steward Ye began hiring workers and signed contracts with them, instructing them to return after the Lantern Festival to start work. I, meanwhile, began to purchase a large quantity of grain.
Last year’s weather had been favorable, and procuring the grain went smoothly.
In less than three days, everything for the distillery was arranged, and we just had to wait until after the Lantern Festival next year to begin brewing.
Aunt Ruyi was overjoyed and began packing her belongings, but Axiu was reluctant to leave. Her gaze frequently drifted over the low wall, "Miss, why hasn't the Crown Prince appeared for so long? And there's no movement next door. Did he finish his assignment early and return to the capital?"
I sternly warned her, "Axiu, how can our whereabouts be something we can inquire about the Crown Prince's?"
"But before, the Crown Prince clearly..."
"Once we return to the capital, forget everything about Meicheng."
Axiu froze, the light in her eyes gradually dimming under my gaze. Axiu was an intelligent girl, and my attitude was enough to make her understand that there was no longer any possibility between me and Situ Yao. While I acted as if nothing had happened, she was deeply saddened for me, piling up a bunch of trinkets to cheer me up.
This girl, it wasn't for naught that I usually doted on her.
On the twenty-fifth of the twelfth lunar month, the weather finally cleared up, and our group set off for the capital. I wanted to ride a horse, but Aunt Ruyi absolutely refused, "Your body has just recovered, and if you catch a chill again, you'll be bedridden."
Axiu also chimed in with persuasion, "Yes, Miss. January is a time of festivities. You wouldn't want to be unable to go anywhere, would you?"
Wasting the entire first month for a moment's whim of riding a horse was indeed not worth it.
I obediently retreated into the carriage.
Steward Ye's carriage pulled up beside mine, "Miss, will you be coming to Meicheng again next year?"
"Yes, although Steward Ye contributed the most to this distillery, it's also the first one I've opened. Of course, I'll come to see it."
"If you're just coming to visit, then the master will have to find another head manager."
I hesitated for a moment, "I'll have to discuss this with my father when I get back before I decide."
Stationing myself in Meicheng to oversee a small distillery was certainly not my ultimate goal, but it could be the starting point for me to stand on my own.
The carriage rumbled on, and my thoughts drifted back and forth between coming and not coming. Although the outcome of the events in Meicheng wasn't ideal, the process was actually quite pleasant.
There was someone, of high status and power, who shamelessly did so many impossible things for me.
That was not a burden to me, but a cherished memory. In the future, when I am old, I will still be able to boast to my grandchildren that your grandmother, back in the day, was also a woman who attracted the attention of a Crown Prince. I couldn't help but chuckle, and Axiu looked at me curiously, "Miss, what are you laughing about?"
"Nothing..."
Before I could finish my sentence, the carriage jolted violently. I raised my hand to catch an arrow that broke through the window. With Axiu, I exited the carriage. A group of masked men in black, each with a bow drawn, their arrows gleaming menacingly in the rare winter sun, ready to be loosed at any moment.
The few carriages I had brought were in chaos. Alas, they were just ordinary shop employees, how could they have ever seen such a scene?
Steward Ye cupped his fists and said, "May I ask which valiant heroes you are? Have the offerings from our Lu family distillery been insufficient?"
It was common knowledge that the Lu family distillery was the property of the Empress. Usually, those in the underworld would show some respect.
But clearly, these were not people from the underworld. The leader, his long sword pointed in my direction, said, "Miss Wang, we have orders to take you. Will you come with us obediently, or shall I kill all your unarmed subordinates before we escort you away?"
What choice was there?
I surrendered myself.
Aunt Ruyi and Axiu were extremely anxious, but the situation was beyond our control. No matter how anxious we were, it was useless. I couldn't let these ordinary workers die because of me.
Steward Ye said, "Are you looking for ransom? We can negotiate the price, but a young lady's reputation cannot be tarnished. If my young lady goes with you, she may lose the value you seek."
"Stop your nonsense and take her."
Several men in black surged towards me. Although the employees were afraid, they still picked up whatever they could find nearby to block in front of me. Especially Axiu, who directly spread her arms, "If you want to touch my Miss, you'll have to step over me."
I grabbed her collar and pulled her back, "With your small frame, what can you block? And you all, put down those carrying poles. The Wang family's wages are only enough for you to sell your labor, not to lose your lives."
I smiled at the leader, "My servants are inexperienced and have never seen such a scene. I beg for your magnanimity, heroes, and do not harm the innocent."
The leader twirled the saber in his hand, "This young lady has some courage. Fine, we don't make money easily, and we don't want to be responsible for any lives. As long as you come with us obediently, we naturally won't make things difficult for them."
I gave Steward Ye a look, signaling him to take the others and leave.
Steward Ye hesitated, but looking at the meager six employees they had and the carrying poles in their hands...
Alas, staying would be of no help. Not to mention that their bows were already drawn, and if they were loosed even slightly, my people would be annihilated, shot full of holes. He reluctantly gave the order, "Retreat first. Gentlemen, we can negotiate the silver. Please do not harm our Miss."
Aunt Ruyi and Axiu even shed a few tears, especially Axiu, "Our Miss is frail. Please, please don't scare her."
I...
If this girl hadn't watched me during my martial arts practice, I would have believed her tears.
Steward Ye led the men away. I, playing the part of a sensible person, raised my hands and let them bind me. I don't know if Axiu's crying had any effect, or if they thought I was weak and delicate, but the ropes were tied as if for show. I glanced at them, feigned fear, and obediently got into their carriage.