Chapter 106: Riverside Village

Chapter 106: Riverside Village

The Little Southern Hill was a relatively small and barren hill, visible just over ten miles south of the southern gate of the Capital city. However, there were no Subtle Fragrance Gardens or Bright Fragrance Gardens nearby; as far as the eye could see, it was all emptiness.

As evening approached, four carriages stopped by the roadside. Marquis Gui, leaning out of the carriage window, asked, “Mister Zhang, are we almost there?”

Zhang Yanghao gazed at the empty hills, feeling uneasy. “Almost, I think... almost.”

The southern outskirts of the Capital were relatively remote. The Jin family gave up trying to conceal their tracks and jumped out of the carriage one by one. The sun was setting, tired birds sought refuge in the woods, and the scenery was still beautiful. However, there were no pedestrians on the official road, and in the far distance, there seemed to be a village, but it didn’t look like the estate of a noble household.

“Is this Little Southern Hill ahead?” The elder Young Master Jin asked.

“Weren’t we supposed to have someone meeting us? Where are they?” The second Young Master Jin looked down the official road.

“This was a trick; you all were too trusting. I said earlier, if the few of us had ridden north, we could have covered a hundred miles today.” Jin Chui held a bow in his hand, even taking out arrows.

Zhang Yanghao glimpsed the weapon in her hand and felt a shiver down his spine. “We agreed that someone would come to meet us before dark. We’re a little early. Lin Kunshan is a trustworthy person; he wouldn’t deceive us; it’s not in his interest to do so.”

“Maybe he reported us to the authorities, luring us out to catch us red-handed,” Jin Chuiduo said coldly.

A woman’s scream came from the carriage, followed by sobbing. Marquis Guiyi angrily said, “Don’t scare your mother; she’s timid.”

Jin Chuiduo made a sound that was both a hum and a snort, looked around, searching for signs of an ambush. She was the first to spot the newcomers. “Are those the people?”

Everyone looked towards the wilderness. There was a small path obscured by trees, and at this moment, more than ten people were running towards the official road, their figures appearing and disappearing from the trees.

Before seeing them clearly, Zhang Yanghao dared not answer. The Jin family brandished their weapons, and even Marquis Guiyi drew his sword.

The people approached. Dressed in tatters, they didn’t look like official soldiers or pugilists; they appeared more like a group of refugees. A man in his thirties shouted loudly, “Are you heading north?”

This was the prearranged secret signal. Zhang Yanghao quickly dismounted and respectfully said, “Under the scorching sun, can you kindly point out a clear path, sir?”

The Jin family showed joy on their faces, but Jin Chuiduo frowned. She didn’t like these secret code words.

The man approached, clasping his fists and said, “I am Chao Hua. I have been waiting here for a long time. Please dismount and leave the carriages.”

Jin Chuiduo slightly drew her bow and loudly exclaimed, “Wait a moment. Let’s make things clear first. Without horses and carriages, how are we supposed to proceed?”

Jin Chuiduo’s appearance was outstanding, and Chao Hua lowered his gaze, feeling hesitant to look at her. “These horses and carriages will continue forward, and new ones will be provided for you.”

Marquis Guiyi signaled to his two sons, instructing them to stand in front of their sister. He himself went to call out his family members—three wives and concubines who had already been frightened, surrounding Marquis Guiyi as soon as they got off the carriage, holding onto his arms.

Marquis Guiyi couldn’t move, so he had his eldest son bring out the captives from the other carriage.

Han Ruzi alighted and turned to look in the direction of the capital city. Trees obstructed the view, and even the city walls were not visible.

The three captives were bound together and taken out of the city, following Zhang Yanghao’s insistence. He had spoken too hastily before, forgetting to be discreet in front of them. He had not yet figured out how to deal with them, so he had no choice but to keep them close.

The four carriage drivers were servants of the Jin family, who joined their masters.

After a bumpy ride that seemed to last a long time, they finally stopped at nearly midnight. Chao Hua asked everyone to get off the carriage.

Marquis Guiyi’s three wives were all weak. A maidservant supported one, Marquis Gui helped the other two, and Jin Chuiduo refused assistance. She was completely unaffected, holding onto her bow, vigilant and observing everything around.

They entered a village near the river. It wasn’t large, just a few dozen thatched houses, all in poor condition. There were only a few dim lights. A round of dog barking erupted and quickly faded away.

“Is this the Subtle Fragrance Garden?” Zhang Yanghao said in surprise. It was vastly different from his expectations, and it was even difficult to believe that there could be such a run-down village near the capital.

“There has never been a Subtle Fragrance Garden,” Chao Hua said indifferently. “This is Riverside Village. Rest for a while.”

“Is it temporary?” Marquis Guiyi asked anxiously.

“Where is Master Lin? Is he here?” Zhang Yanghao only cared about this matter.

Chao Hua didn’t answer and started arranging accommodations. Two old women were called out to take away the female family members. Marquis Guiyi became more and more panicked but didn’t dare to resist.

Chao Hua arranged a separate room for Marquis Guiyi. No one dared to say a word. Jin Chuiduo had had enough, stepped forward, and said, “Wait a minute. These captives were captured by me, not by you.”

Chao Hua said indifferently, “Miss, what do you intend to do? Do you want to personally guard him?”

Jin Chui almost grabbed her arrow. “I want your assurance that you won’t release him privately or take him somewhere else. I heard you call him ‘Your Majesty.’ Even if he were still the Emperor, he would be my captive. Understood?”

Chao Hua smiled. “Understood. Riverside Village is remote. Outsiders would find it difficult to enter and the people inside would also find it hard to leave. Miss, rest assured.”

Han Ruzi didn’t even know where he was, and indeed, there was no way to escape. He entered the designated house obediently, sat on the primitive bed-stove, and felt no trace of sleepiness.

Chao Hua, before leaving, said, “Sorry for the inconvenience to Your Majesty. Things will get better soon.”

Han Ruzi wanted to stop him and ask for clarification, but he felt that Chao Hua wouldn’t reveal the truth to him. So, he just grunted and let Chao Hua close the door from the outside. Hearing the sound of the lock, he realized he was now imprisoned.

Time passed bit by bit, and the village became quiet. Only the sounds of insects and frogs echoed, reminding Han Ruzi of his own backyard and scenes of night strolls with his wife. Suddenly, a deep pain struck his heart. Why did he have to take such risks? Wouldn’t it be better to stay at home and simply be the Weary Marquis?

Soon, he remembered. He was worried that the peaceful life of the Weary Marquis would not last long, prompting him to take risks. Unexpectedly, even the stability he had gained had slipped away.

He stood up, felt his way to the door, gently pushed it, and then groped around, hoping to find a way to escape.

He couldn’t just sit and wait for death; that was his only thought.

The walls, a mix of mud and straw, felt rough to the touch. Han Ruzi traced half a circle and suddenly heard a low voice outside the door, “Hey, are you awake?”

Han Ruzi immediately returned to the door, peering through the crack. He saw a blurry figure.

“Is it you?”

“Yes.” It was indeed Jin Chuiduo’s voice. After a pause, she continued, “Come with me, let’s escape.”

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