Chapter 405
The carriage had not yet left the jurisdiction of Suzhou Prefecture City. He Sheng glanced at the signal flare that exploded in the air, his expression sinking slightly. He tightened his grip on the reins and slowed the carriage. "Miss, someone is following us."
Zhan Feiyu, who was reciting poetry, casually lifted the carriage curtain and peeked behind them.
He Nuan, also in the carriage, explained softly, "Miss, the trackers are at least a mile away."
That was true. The Longyou Road was flat and open, with a wide field of vision, as if one could see the end of the official road. If the watchers were too close, their movements would be immediately discovered.
She pulled her head back inside. In just a short while, Zhan Feiyu felt a layer of dust on her face. She took the handkerchief handed to her by He Nuan and wiped her face. "A Sheng, can we reach the next post station?"
They had been delayed by the villagers of Niujiao Village for several hours in the morning, and the carriage had only set off in the afternoon. The sky was already darkening, and they would likely have to camp in the wilderness.
"We should reach Changping Village in a quarter of an hour. We can stay in the village tonight," He Sheng replied, and the carriage picked up speed again.
After discovering the roster hidden in Madam Pang's pastry box, He Sheng had sent the message back. He assumed someone would be waiting for them in Changping Village.
To the rhythmic sound of horse hooves, a clear recitation voice emerged from the carriage again, "In the East Sea, there is a temple of white wood; in the West River, there is a shrine of withered mulberry; in the Northern Land, poplar leaves serve as a pass; in the Southern Hills, plum roots are used as a forge..."
He Nuan glanced at her young lady, who was diligently reciting the lyrics. She gently put away the tea set, pastries, and fruits on the small table. As for the roster on the table, He Nuan did not touch it.
The last rays of the setting sun disappeared in the west, and the sky darkened. Only the houses and wisps of cooking smoke in the distance could be vaguely seen.
"Whoa..." He Sheng stopped the carriage and cupped his fists in greeting to the villagers who had moved to the side of the road. "Excuse me, old man, is that Changping Village ahead?"
The old man at the head looked thin but had a sturdy physique and a loud voice. "It is indeed Changping Village. Are you distinguished guests here to stay in the village?"
Changping Village was still within the jurisdiction of Suzhou Prefecture. However, it was farther from the prefecture city than Niujiao Village, and the village was even poorer. According to the old man, the hundred or so households in the village were all native to Changping Village. The wealthiest family, the Dong family, only had a furniture shop in the county. Even when they returned to the village, they traveled by ox cart. He had never heard of anyone in the village having such wealthy relatives that they had carriages, let alone two.
"It's getting late, and we won't make it to Jinshui County City in time, so we'd like to stay in the village for a night. Please grant us this convenience, old man." He Sheng explained their purpose.
Upon hearing that they wanted to stay, the old man's reserved expression vanished, and the villagers standing beside him also relaxed.
"There's no inconvenience when traveling. Follow this road, young man. The third blue-brick tile-roofed house is the village head's home. His daughter got married last month, and there's a spare room." The old man pointed the way. Fortunately, only the village head's house in the entire village was built with blue bricks; the other houses were made of adobe, so it was easy to recognize.
"Thank you, old man, for pointing the way." He Sheng thanked him again and then drove the carriage forward, but not too quickly. After all, it was dinner time in the village, and it was inevitable that some playful children would dart out from the village.
After the two carriages had gone a bit further, the villagers couldn't help but speak up. "Third Uncle, these must be distinguished guests from the prefecture city. I saw Master Wang's carriage in the county before, but it wasn't as grand as this carriage."
The old man, referred to as Third Uncle, chuckled. "What do you think? Look at the horses pulling the carriage; they are well-fed and their coats are shiny. They must be fine steeds. Each horse is probably worth a hundred taels of silver. I'm afraid the noble person is in the carriage."
The middle-aged man with a full beard, who had been standing at the very edge, also spoke in a hoarse voice, "The coachman is a skilled practitioner."