Chen Xiaobei sighed inwardly, living as if in peaceful times was also a kind of happiness.
After a simple lunch, Chen Xiaobei left Sihai. The restaurant owner walked along the streets of Xiaojia Town. People were still coming and going, but overall, life seemed stable.
As he was walking, someone suddenly called out with surprise, "Brother Xiaobei, is that you?"
Chen Xiaobei looked up and saw it was Yang Chun.
"Brother Yang, what are you doing here? Where have you been these days?"
Chen Xiaobei didn't know that Yang Chun had gone with Liu Tie to capture Xiong Fei and Hou Liu. Seeing him now, he suddenly realized he hadn't seen him for many days.
Yang Chun sighed slightly, "Steward Liu arranged for me to go on a trip. As soon as I returned, I found that you were nowhere to be found in the county town or Hetou Village."
"Liu Tie and I discussed that if we didn't hear from you after two more days, we would head straight back to the capital."
"Liu Tie?" Chen Xiaobei smiled wryly again. Indeed, it had been a while since he'd seen Liu Tie.
Yang Chun stepped forward and grabbed Chen Xiaobei's arm. "Good brother, I'll take you to see Brother Liu Tie."
Chen Xiaobei followed, walking along and sighing to himself about his own rushed and busy days.
He met so many people, yet forgot so many others.
Chen Xiaobei might forget, but Xiao Jingyun could not.
One lunchtime, Xiao Jingyun couldn't help but frown.
He said softly to Zhou Quan beside him, "Why do I feel like there are fewer people on the princess's side?"
Zhou Quan casually glanced around. "Yes, the Lotus Cult Leader is missing."
"There should be a few other familiar faces. Right, Chu Han is also gone."
Xiao Jingyun nodded. "We'll try to find out later why they've gone. I repeatedly forbade them from going down the mountain casually. It seems they're not taking my words seriously."
Zhou Quan agreed and walked out with his rice bowl.
It wasn't until Xiao Jingyun woke up from his nap, as the sun began to set, that Zhou Quan came in and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, I've inquired. The Lotus Cult Leader did indeed lead people down the mountain. However, as to why they went down, Princess Zhaoning is very secretive, and no one can get an answer."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingyun frowned. "She won't tell anyone. There's something fishy going on."
He lowered his head and thought for a moment. "No, I have to ask her later. I hope nothing goes wrong."
Chen Xiaobei returned at dinner. Accompanying him were Liu Tie, Yang Chun, and the captured Hou Liu.
Upon seeing Yang Chun's return, Yang Zhixuan was overjoyed and embraced him tearfully.
Liu Tie was much calmer. He briefly reported the situation to Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun and Liu Rumei.
"Alas, we were still a step too late. When we arrived at Xiong Fei's house, the neighbor said he had only left a couple of days ago. If we had been two days faster after capturing Hou Liu, perhaps we could have caught both of them."
Liu Rumei nodded and comforted him, "It's alright, don't blame yourself. Let's focus on catching one for now."
"I will immediately arrange for someone to report to my father."
While Liu Rumei and the others were questioning Liu Tie, Xiao Jingyun pulled Princess Zhaoning aside. "Jingfeng, tell me the truth, where has your master, the Lotus Cult Leader, gone?"
Princess Zhaoning appeared flustered by his sudden question.
"Brother Huang, my master simply isn't used to life on the mountain. She's gone down to stay at an inn."
Even at this point, Princess Zhaoning was still lying.
And at that time, this lie of hers almost led to a grave mistake.
Xiao Jingyun's expression softened. He sighed slightly.
"Yes, it is indeed a bit arduous up here. If she's left, then so be it. By the way, don't neglect her."
Seeing that she had gotten away with it, Princess Zhaoning secretly breathed a sigh of relief and repeatedly agreed, "Don't worry, I'll send people to check on her regularly."
That evening, Chen Xiaobei specifically invited Huang Ying and Shen Ziyan over to his room for dinner.
After a few pleasantries, the conversation naturally turned to making charcoal.
Huang Ying looked at Shen Ziyan, who smiled and said, "Sister Ziyan, when you were practicing on the mountain, making charcoal was your specialty. You'll have to show off tomorrow."
Shen Ziyan, however, appeared calm. "Sister Hongyu, Brother Xiaobei, we have made charcoal before, but can this really bring in money?"
Chen Xiaobei had also harbored doubts about this, but in the end, he chose to believe Feng Xiaoyue.
Moreover, he recalled reading in historical texts that ancient people did burn charcoal for warmth.
Just like the timeless poem, "The Charcoal Seller," which said, "Cutting firewood and burning charcoal in the southern mountains, temples turning white, fingers black. My heart worries about cheap charcoal, wishing for cold weather."
"Miss Ziyan, you can rest assured. Since Miss Xiaoyue said so, there will be no problem selling it for money. We just don't know the exact price yet."
Cui Hongyu also said with a smile, "Yes, Miss Xiaoyue is quite practical. Let's make some first and send it to her to see, then we can inquire about the price."
Shen Ziyan finally nodded. "Alright then, in that case, tomorrow I will teach everyone how to make charcoal with Huang Ying."
In Qingniu County town.
Zhu Yan had been indulging in nightly revelry and getting drunk every day since entering the city. It made sense, with nothing else going on, what else could he do but drink?
After drinking, he would order people to invite two girls from Baihua Tower to sing, play music, and practice Tai Chi. Another happy day passed.
Tonight was no exception. Zhu Yan got himself drunk again and, with bloodshot eyes, yelled at the guards at the door, "Why haven't the girls from Baihua Tower arrived yet?"
"General, they've already been sent for and will be here soon."
As he spoke, a tinkling laugh was heard from outside. "General Zhu can't wait any longer, can he? I'm here."
With that, the Lotus Cult Leader walked in with delicate steps.
Although the Lotus Cult Leader was over thirty, she looked like a young girl when dressed up.
Furthermore, Zhu Yan was so drunk he could hardly see clearly. "Good, you've come at the perfect time. Quickly, help this general to the backyard to rest."
The Lotus Cult Leader stepped forward and caught Zhu Yan's arm.
Zhu Yan's foul-smelling mouth was about to move towards the Lotus Cult Leader's face.
The Lotus Cult Leader skillfully dodged and said with a smile, "Don't be in such a hurry, General. Let's talk in the backyard."
After saying that, she turned and looked at Zhu Yan's guards behind him. "You all must not disturb the General's enjoyment."
Zhu Yan immediately turned his head and roared at his guards, "No one is to disturb me before dawn, do you hear me?"
The guards happily agreed.
Since they wouldn't be disturbed before dawn, they were happy to have some leisure. They would drink and sleep as they pleased at night.
The Lotus Cult Leader helped Zhu Yan into the backyard. The county yamen's backyard wasn't very large, with only about three main rooms and two side rooms.