Fortunately, those southern merchant caravans seemed not to have noticed them.
Once they reached the rooms at the post station, silence descended.
Mu Changxi asked Tang Ming, "Are there usually so many southern merchant caravans traveling through Qin Prefecture?"
Tang Ming shook his head. "Not before. But it's been about half a year since the southern merchant caravans started frequenting this route. These people are generous with their spending, so we all like doing business with them!"
Speaking of which, Tang Ming recalled something. "About a month ago, I hunted several good owls in the mountains. We ourselves don't buy these things; they're quite frightening. I intended to sell the medicinal components from the owls to the apothecaries in Great Yue Dynasty. But the southern merchant caravans saw them, bought the owls I hunted at a high price, and then roasted and ate them. Tell me, could such a thing taste good?"
Indeed, people in the Great Yue Dynasty did not particularly like eating such mountain fowl and beasts.
Mu Changxi, however, explained, "Although the Southern Kingdom is growing stronger in national power, it is, after all, a coastal nation with scarce resources. Therefore, they naturally favor such game. However..."
Mu Changxi frowned. "The customs of the Southern Kingdom have always been not to eat anything that flies. Because in the eyes of the common people, the sea is unforgiving and can swallow everything. Only those that can fly can soar above the sea and conquer it. Thus, apart from the royal family of the Southern Kingdom, the common people are not qualified to eat flying creatures, and they revere them."
Song Chaoyu immediately understood Mu Changxi's meaning. "Are you saying that those southern merchant caravans outside are related to the royal family? I'm afraid their arrival in the minor Qin Kingdom is not merely for business?"
Mu Changxi shook his head. "Not necessarily. We can take this opportunity to inquire more and observe. If the people of the Southern Kingdom truly have other intentions, we can make preparations early."
"Actually, you don't need to worry."
Tang Ming, though just a hunter, understood the implications of Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu's words.
He said, "The people of our Qin Prefecture are only grateful to the Emperor. It's unlikely they'll be easily manipulated!"
Tang Ming always seemed to view the world with sincere and fervent eyes.
Mu Changxi didn't say much more. "It's alright. We'll find out once we investigate and explore. If the people of the Southern Kingdom truly harbor ill intentions, it's better to know in advance than to find out later."
Tang Ming also understood. "Rest assured, Master Han. If there's any situation, I will inform you immediately!"
For now, what they needed to do was to rest well here for the night.
The environment of this place was not very good, but Song Chaoyu, having lived in a manor with Han Xi before, was not unaccustomed to it.
On the contrary, Xiao Ruizhi, who had always lived in the capital, began to suffer from acclimatization sickness, with vomiting and diarrhea upon arriving here.
He vomited most of the medicine that Dong Shuang brewed for him in the evening. In just one day, she looked as if she had shed a layer of skin from discomfort.
Therefore, they had to change their plans temporarily and rest at the post station for another day before continuing their journey.
Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu were anxious, but Xiao Ruizhi's health was paramount.
Fortunately, with Dong Shuang by their side and Tang Ming finding some herbs from the mountain, Xiao Ruizhi's condition recovered quite quickly.
"Knock, knock, knock—"
However, after lunch, just as Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu returned to their room, their door was knocked upon.
If the people they brought knocked, they would always announce who they were from outside.
Moreover, it was the time for a midday rest. Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi exchanged glances, seeing wariness and vigilance in each other's eyes.
Mu Changxi, after all, was a person with "inconvenient legs." Song Chaoyu stepped forward to open the door.
What greeted their eyes was an unfamiliar face.
But as the person spoke, a slight southern accent could be heard. "I apologize for disturbing you. We are the merchant caravan that arrived at the post station two days ago. We saw you arrive yesterday. Do you remember us?"
Song Chaoyu's heart sank, but her eyes remained as usual. "I have some impression. Is there something you need?"
The person peeked into their room before cautiously saying, "It's like this, our family head fell ill a few days ago. We thought eating some herbs at the post station would help him recover. But the family head's condition hasn't improved. However, you brought a female doctor. I wonder... would it be convenient for her to go and see our family head?"
As he spoke, the person fumbled into his sleeve for a money pouch. "I know everyone has a hard time on the road. No matter how much money you want, just say the word, and we can afford it."
It seemed this person had come solely to invite Dong Shuang to see a patient.
Song Chaoyu glanced back at Mu Changxi. Mu Changxi nodded slightly, then said to the person, "It can be arranged, but she should be resting now. Perhaps a little later?"
Upon hearing this, joy flashed in the person's eyes. "Yes, yes, of course! My name is Cong Sha, from the Cong family of the Southern Kingdom. You can rest assured, we people of the Southern Kingdom Cong family keep our word and will never let you come for nothing!"
Song Chaoyu escorted the person out before closing the door tightly.
Since marrying Mu Changxi, she had begun to learn about the Southern Kingdom.
She looked at Mu Changxi with a puzzled expression. "Is there a Cong family in the Southern Kingdom? I've never heard of it. Judging by their demeanor, they don't seem like ordinary people."
Unexpectedly, Mu Changxi's gaze grew heavier. "There is a Cong family. And very few people know about the Cong family because they are very special."
Mu Changxi said that the Cong family could be considered part of the Southern Kingdom's royal lineage.
However, the Cong family was further back, originating from the Southern Kingdom's exclusive secret guards.
The Cong family in the Southern Kingdom was equivalent to an "assassination" family. If the royal family had someone they couldn't deal with themselves, they would send the Cong family to carry out the assassination.
Such a family coming to the minor Qin Kingdom of the Great Yue Dynasty, disguised as merchant caravans, must have an extraordinary purpose!
Mu Changxi pondered for a moment, a vague memory forming in his mind. "This name, Cong Sha... I feel like I've heard it somewhere before. I fear that any Cong family member who I know would have an absolutely extraordinary identity and status. It seems our mission in Qin Prefecture is becoming more and more interesting!"
Yes, the arrival of people from the Southern Kingdom here was truly unexpected.
Fortunately, they were in the dark, while the people from the Southern Kingdom were in the light. They still had plenty of time to investigate and find out what their true intentions were.
So, in the afternoon, Mu Changxi did not show himself. Song Chaoyu, with Dong Shuang, went to find that Cong Sha.
Cong Sha and his group were staying on the first floor. The rooms in the backyard were not as noisy as those outside.
Their group was guarding the house in the very center, appearing to indicate that their family head resided within.