"Brother, why do we have to do this? It's a waste of our talents. I don't know what they were thinking. Xifeng Pass is a place where even birds don't defecate. I really don't want to come." Zhao Han was very dissatisfied. But since Seventh Brother had spoken, he had no choice.
"Since Cousin ordered it, we'll do as he says. Cousin has his own reasons," Zhao Xuan said indifferently. Unlike Zhao Hanjun, Zhao Xuan knew that whatever his cousin ordered, there was a reason behind it.
However, being assigned to guard exiled criminals did feel like overkill. After all, the court was in turmoil, with the Crown Prince and several other princes secretly trying to win over officials. It was strange that he wasn't sent to investigate those matters, but instead was sent to a place like this to guard exiled criminals. He couldn't understand his cousin's intentions.
"It's so boring. I wish there was some fun," Zhao Han said idly, leaning against the window of the carriage. Suddenly, he noticed the growing crowd below and asked a guard, "Go and ask where those people are going."
The guard nodded and returned shortly, reporting that someone was selling themselves to bury their father.
Zhao Han withdrew and looked at Zhao Xuan, who was sitting steadily on the other side. "Brother, I'm going to take a look ahead."
Before Zhao Xuan could reply, Zhao Han had already vanished.
Zhao Xuan sighed and didn't stop him. He figured no one would be foolish enough to try and rob the prison carriage. After all, the prisoner wasn't on death row, just exiled. Perhaps, if they were lucky, they might live to see a new emperor ascend the throne and issue a general amnesty, then they would be free. If not, they could only blame their misfortune.
Zhao Han arrived at the crowded area and saw a woman dressed in coarse linen, kneeling beside a covered corpse, weeping bitterly. The surrounding people couldn't help but shake their heads, "She's truly pitiful."
Hearing this, the woman slowly raised her head, revealing a pretty face. Her tear-streaked expression made her even more endearing.
"Please, kind sirs, help this humble woman bury her father. I am willing to be your slave for life," the woman said, covering her mouth and weeping with deep sorrow.
Everyone watched, feeling pity, but no one dared to step forward to take this hot potato. Those who were already married wouldn't interfere, as they had wives at home, and if they did, the she-devils in their homes wouldn't let them off. As for the unmarried men, although they found the woman pretty and charming, they were financially strapped. Even if they were willing, they lacked the means.
The woman cried for a long time, but no one offered help. Zhao Han, standing nearby, began to lose patience.
Just then, a man suddenly stepped out, hooked the woman's chin with his finger, and said with a tut-tut, "You have such a pitiable face. Why don't you come back with me and be my concubine?" He said this with a chuckle.
Zhao Han looked at the man, dressed in brocade robes, and assumed he was from a wealthy family. Seeing this, the crowd fell silent. Then, the woman pushed the man away, saying, "You can forget it. Even if I were to be a slave, I would not be your concubine."
"Oh, really? If you're so chaste, why are you out here selling yourself to bury your father? I have plenty of money," the man said, extending his hand. A servant immediately handed him a money bag. He jingled it and tossed it near the woman.
The woman didn't even look, turning her face away.
"Why aren't you taking her for me? I want to consummate our marriage tonight," the man said, waving his hand. His retainers immediately stepped forward to grab the woman's arm.
The woman struggled, "I'm not going, let go of me, let go of me!"
"Let her go." Zhao Han kicked away a retainer who was grabbing the woman's arm and said coldly.
"Hah, where did this stinking brat come from? Are you blind? Didn't you see this is my business?" the man asked angrily, looking up at Zhao Han.
Zhao Han sneered, "Am I blind? I think you are! A toad."
The man was enraged, pointing at Zhao Han and shouting, "You... say that again?"
"Toad, toad," the children in the crowd repeated over and over. The man was furious and lunged to grab the children, but before he could touch them, he heard a snap. The man immediately cried out like a wolf, "My hand, my hand, it hurts, it hurts so much..."
Zhao Han kicked the man in the abdomen and said coldly, "I'll say it again, you're a toad."
"Do you know who I am? I am..." Before the man could finish his sentence, Zhao Han stepped on his broken wrist and asked coldly, "Then tell me, who are you?"
"Ah... ah..." The man's pig-like screams echoed through the area.
Seeing this, the man's retainers released the woman and attacked Zhao Han. Zhao Han's eyes turned cold. He kicked away a retainer, but there were too many of them. Zhao Han was young after all, and there were bound to be blind spots. Suddenly, a retainer wielding a wooden club swung it towards his head. Zhao Han, focused on the front, didn't see it coming. By the time he noticed, it was too late. He watched helplessly as the club swung towards him. At that moment, a gust of wind swept past, and the club was flung away.
Zhao Han looked up and saw a figure standing before him, a handsome face, familiar eyes. He opened his mouth.
"My good sir, shouldn't such a scoundrel who bullies the common folk be handed over to the authorities?" the young master said.
Zhao Han nodded excitedly, "He should, he should."
Hearing this, everyone sighed, "You two, this is Zhao An, the only son of the county magistrate."