Ch 40: Close the City Gate

Changle County returned to its former liveliness, with people coming and going in the streets.

After a few days, the crowds dispersed.

Han Cuiyin, since that night when she learned from the Ma Family that the necklace had been taken by the transparent pearl, had been somewhat worried.

That day at Changji Village, Mo Changdao and Lian Yao were both injured in battle; she had personally witnessed the demon Lian Yao transforming into a transparent pearl.

Mo Changdao did not seem to have noticed this situation.

That day, Mo Changdao and Xu Tianyun went to chase the transparent pearl, which was presumably Lian Yao.

She pondered for several days, guessing why Lian Yao would come to Changle County, given the vastness of the Great Ye Dynasty.

Lian Yao used an illusion technique that day, attaching himself to Mo Changdao’s clothes. He only revealed himself upon seeing the necklace.

“Could it be that he followed the Gao Family members away?”

She possessed the Sun Flame; ordinary evil beings did not dare to provoke her.

Han Cuiyin, considering this, couldn’t help but worry about the Gao Family.

After three lifetimes, she had finally obtained her own servant; she didn’t want to lose them midway.

“Miss Yang, pack up; we’ll leave for the Capital this afternoon.”

It had been too hot these days; Han Song chose a time when the sun was not so strong to travel.

After the incident with the Gao Family, Han Cuiyin, upon learning of Han Song’s choice, felt uneasy.

These days, she went out alone for walks.

She had already put on the lotus seedpod hairpin.

Da Ni, however, was sharp-eyed, constantly watching her every move, which conveniently allowed Han Cuiyin to proceed openly.

She also further implicated Han Zhen, letting Madam Wang know that he secretly gave fifty taels of silver. With such a “huge sum,” Princess Mingxia’s nose would probably be out of joint when she found out.

Afterward, Han Song acted strangely, taking the opportunity to tell her that the money given by the Master could not be revealed to outsiders.

Han Cuiyin only perfunctorily nodded in agreement, but did not promise anything.

With those fifty taels of silver, she would probably be laughed to death upon returning to the Capital.

Many guests staying at the Youkelai Inn were stewards from wealthy families; they were all influential figures in the eyes of their masters.

With these people helping to spread the word, when she went to the Han Family, Han Zhen and his wife would not dare to deduct her anything openly.

Everyone in the Capital knew that Han Zhen and his wife were extremely loving; when Princess Mingxia was pregnant, he even took several concubines for Han Zhen.

Everyone praised Prince Xu’s Residence for their excellent upbringing of their daughters; the Xu Family’s daughters were very popular, and they could marry into prominent families after their hair-pinning ceremony.

Xu Mingxia’s outward appearance was extremely well-maintained.

To reveal this person’s true face would likely be difficult.

This time, Han Zhen’s private ridicule was also a result of her seizing the opportunity.

In her past life, there was no such thing as fifty taels of silver.

An opportunity presented itself; she would not let it go to waste.

Han Zhen was not a benevolent father.

To benefit from her, he would still have to see whether she agreed.

Regarding the origin of this jade hairpin, Han Cuiyin did not mention Luo Jingqian, stating only that she had obtained it for fifty taels of silver as a bargain.

Now that she had openly acted, she wore the jade lotus pod conspicuously on her head these past few days, deliberately circling around Madam Wang and Da Ni several times.

Masters can command servants, and habitual servants naturally can also influence masters.

These two, one a favored person beside the Old Madam and the other an old servant beside Princess Mingxia, would inevitably gossip when they returned.

The Old Madam had more than just Han Zhen as a son; two other sons were also in the Capital.

“Let them fight amongst themselves!”

Han Zhen’s two brothers were not easy to deal with.

As long as the Old Madam lived, Han Zhen would have to support the entire family of those two brothers.

Those fifty taels of silver could unravel quite a bit.

It was excessive; even Princess Mingxia would grow weary; after all, she has an heir.

Continuously subsidizing the Second and Third Branches, she would also grow impatient.

Han Cuiyin sorted through the thoughts of these people; after returning to the Capital, she was confident that she would not be at a disadvantage.

Just as she was still fantasizing about the good life after returning to the Capital, there was a commotion downstairs.

“Why are the city gates closed again? For how long? We were planning to return to the Capital today; why so suddenly?”

“Exactly! What happened? Every day we stay here, we delay our return to the Capital by a day; won’t Master have to wait longer?”

…

The voices downstairs were noisy; some were very loud, but Han Cuiyin understood what was happening.

The acting Prefect suddenly closed the city gates, causing public outrage.

However, he may not be the one calling the shots; the Fourth Prince was still here.

“Miss Yang, Old Mo and the others have returned. They still need to conduct another inspection in the city before allowing passage; we probably won’t be able to leave today. Stay in the room later; someone will send food. Do not wander around.”

Han Song gave a few instructions outside and rushed downstairs.

Mo Changdao’s return meant he had not found Lian Yao after chasing him.

Where did this demon hide?

In the Eternal Life Realm, they had all worked together to subdue Lian Yao.

Here, these Xiantian Realm cultivators might not be able to handle him.

Han Cuiyin felt a chill when she thought of this; she had to hide her merits; this time, she couldn’t go to her death for righteousness again.

Until she had overwhelming power, she would just be an ordinary person.

Having made her decision, everything was carefree and easy.

Bored, unable to strike the wooden fish, she asked the waiter to help her find some story books to pass the time.

In her past life, she had coveted Han Lingzhi’s story books for a long time, but unfortunately, she had asked several times without being able to borrow them.

After going to the Eternal Life Realm, she became her master’s lay disciple and dared not read such things anymore, only listening to her master preach and enlighten her in the Buddha Pool Lotus Sea.

The waiter was very quick; there was a bookstore next to them; he selected several books and delivered them.

Han Cuiyin gave him the silver and added a few copper coins, “You are well-informed; do you know when the city gates will open?”

“It is said to be three days later; all the people in the city must pass by State Preceptor Mo before they can leave. Miss, you should just stay put and not wander around; the city is still a bit chaotic. I heard that a great demon has appeared, and even State Preceptor Mo is not his match. That demon can disperse into black spots; his supernatural powers are vast…”

Since learning that the Gao Family was safe, the waiter was beaming at Han Cuiyin, telling her everything.

“What is your relationship with Gao Xiaolan?” Han Cuiyin suddenly asked, “Could you be her future husband-to-be who’s getting married at the end of the year?”

“I don’t have that kind of fortune!” The waiter lowered his head, “I came here to make a living before, and I almost starved to death. It was Miss Gao who gave me a steamed bun and ten copper coins, which is why I am where I am today.”

It turned out to be a life-saving grace.

Han Cuiyin had a clearer picture, “Who is Gao Xiaolan’s fiancé? If you know, I want to meet him.”

“Don’t mention it! After Miss Gao became an embroiderer, her in-laws broke off the engagement, and they married someone new last month.”

“That’s… good; the old must go before the new can come.”

It seemed that the Gao Family no longer had any ties here; she could use them with peace of mind.

For three consecutive days, Han Cuiyin stayed in her room reading story books, unmoved by the noise outside.

It was not until that evening that they left the Youkelai Inn and went to the wider Long Street in Changle County.

“Miss Yang!” Luo Jingqian, sitting in a bamboo wheelchair, pushed by Qingshan, arrived late.

“Haven’t seen you in a few days; Young Master, how come your leg is lame? Did you do too many bad deeds and suffer retribution!”

“How dare you talk to me like that!” A long sword pressed against Han Cuiyin’s neck, the cold light gleaming.

“Qingshan, stop!” Luo Jingqian moved Qingshan’s hand away, “Miss Yang is just a bit sharp-tongued; her heart is good!”

Han Cuiyin was furious, “You broke your promise and still won’t let me say anything! Young Master, you are so arrogant.”

After saying that, she turned and left.

Qingshan, rarely showing emotional fluctuation, “This Black Girl, she is disrespectful to you and yet you—”

“She is different!”