Yang Chun nodded approvingly, "That's more like it. As the saying goes, one should win people over with virtue. If Chen Ermao is to die, he must die with conviction. Just like when you drowned those villagers; even now, people say they deserved it."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaobei felt a surge of respect for Yang Chun. He had to admit, Yang Chun truly understood the world, having grasped the intricacies of human relationships and living life to the fullest.
"Alright then. Brother Yang, I'll listen to you. Let's take him back first."
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei could already foresee Chen Ermao's end – death.
Chen Ermao clearly didn't realize that Chen Xiaobei was no longer the same person he used to be. In his mind, returning to the village would simply mean being exiled again.
Meanwhile, the young girl had returned to her room and tidied it up once more.
She packed the things she needed and gave away what she didn't to some of the servants.
With everything prepared, the young girl walked into the back garden.
In a corner of the back garden, there was a small training ground where she practiced her martial arts.
Standing on the training ground, the young girl felt a twinge of sadness. Although she had disliked being confined by her grandfather at home and had yearned to explore the outside world, she felt a sense of reluctance to leave now that the time had come. After all, she had lived here for so many years, and anyone would feel the same.
She looked around, again and again, and finally walked to her archery target. She gently stroked it, "Don't worry, I'll be back."
Once everything was ready, the young girl returned to the front, a smile on her face.
After all, she was leaving her home. If she wasn't happy, it would be difficult for others to be happy either.
Liu Rumei and Chen Xiaobei were newlyweds, and they couldn't let them leave with regrets.
At this time, Liu Yuanwen also arrived. After all, he was Liu Rumei's only brother, and he had to come to see them off, whether he was willing or not.
The family, in a lively mood, left Fang Zheng's manor and headed south along the main road.
As they were walking, they saw a person standing by the roadside. It was Lin Yang.
The group stopped and stepped forward, greeting Lin Yang one by one. Only the young girl lingered at the back, feeling shy and hesitant to come forward.
Liu Rumei noticed this and exchanged a look with Chen Xiaobei, "Let's go, we'll wait for the young girl up ahead."
Chen Xiaobei and Yang Chun understood, and they signaled for the others to continue forward.
Only after everyone had walked far away did the young girl take a few steps forward, "Senior Brother, why are you here?"
Lin Yang smiled and took out a small wooden box from his sleeve.
"I heard you were leaving, so I came to see you off."
The young girl looked at the box, her face flushing slightly, but she refused to take it.
Seeing this, Lin Yang took a step forward and placed the wooden box directly into the young girl's hand, "If you're unhappy at the Xiao family town, you can always come back to my Lin Family Escort Agency. There's always a place for you. We can escort goods together and travel the world."
The young girl, her face red, nodded slightly, "I'll remember. Senior Brother, you... you must take care too."
After saying that, the young girl turned her head and ran forward quickly. After running for more than ten steps, she regained her composure, stopped, and turned back to wave at Lin Yang, "Senior Brother, see you when I get back."
Watching the young girl run away happily, Lin Yang let out a long sigh of relief.
"Alas, it's my fault for giving you the gift in front of so many people. Look how scared you were."
Soon, at the Crown Prince's residence. Xiao Jingyun received the news that Chen Xiaobei had left with Liu Rumei.
Upon hearing this news, Xiao Jingyun let out a long sigh of relief, his face relaxed.
"Excellent, it's good they're gone. With them gone, my father's heart ailment will be cured, and there will be no more talk of the Liu family."
Just then, Zhou Quan rushed in, "Your Highness, Tian Wenhao has sent a message back, saying that all the supplies from the mountain have been transported down. He gave ten thousand taels of reward silver to the villagers of Hetou Village..."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun praised him, "Good! Tian Wenhao handled this beautifully. I was just thinking a few days ago about how to show my appreciation for Chen Xiaobei and the others transporting so many supplies. Now that these funds are available, the common people will have an easier time."
He then remembered his promise to Chen Xiaobei.
He picked up his brush and wrote swiftly. After the imperial decree dried, he ordered it to be sent to Qingniu County by express courier.
After dealing with these matters, Xiao Jingyun returned to the map and studied it again, then became excited.
"Order Tian Wenhao to immediately transport the military supplies to the border. They must arrive within fifteen days."
The news of Chen Xiaobei's departure also reached the imperial palace. Xiao An, upon hearing that Liu Rumei had left, actually smiled. "Ah, that's great. They've all left. Good."
He then turned to Bai Han beside him, "Alas, if I don't send someone to see them off, won't it seem a bit heartless?"
Bai Han understood the Emperor's meaning and immediately replied, "Your subordinate will attend to it right away."
Bai Han left the palace, leading his men at a gallop. They rode for four to five li outside Wannian City before catching up with Chen Xiaobei's group.
Seeing Bai Han suddenly arrive, Chen Xiaobei, Liu Rumei, and the others were all very surprised.
Bai Han rode forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "I am here on the Emperor's orders to see you off. The Emperor asked me to tell you to be careful on your journey."
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei exchanged glances, then bowed to Bai Han, "Please relay our thanks to the Emperor."
After exchanging pleasantries, Bai Han urged his horse forward, "The Emperor said he sent me to see you off, but in reality, it's also to monitor you."
Liu Rumei instantly understood. Indeed, Xiangguo Temple was to the south, and they were heading south.
With this in mind, she clasped her hands to Bai Han again, "Thank you for the reminder, Guard Bai."
Then, she pointed ahead and said to Chen Xiaobei, "Husband, let's head east from here and follow the main road back to Qingniu County. It's much closer than going south."
Chen Xiaobei also understood immediately. Oh, Bai Han had reminded them of this before, but they were too eager to get home and had forgotten.
Although going east would be much farther according to Liu Rumei's suggestion, it would at least avoid suspicion.
"Yes, yes, let's go east."
Bai Han stood at the crossroads and watched until Liu Rumei and her group disappeared to the east before signaling his men to return and report to Xiao An.
...
Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei led the group forward. With carts and luggage, their progress was naturally slow. They walked for two days, then another day, and finally, after five days, they reached the borders of Qingniu County.
To Chen Xiaobei's surprise, Hu Fan, the county magistrate of Qingniu County, was waiting for them at the county border with his men.
Upon seeing Chen Xiaobei and Liu Rumei arrive, Hu Fan stepped forward with a smile and cupped his hands.
"Oh, we've been waiting for you for several days. We're glad you're finally here."