Chapter 4, Page 4

The journey to Qian County was far from smooth.

Jiang Xinyue could ride a horse, but only just. Riding through the forest at night was no easy feat for her, especially over such a long distance.

Before this, she had been a well-mannered girl from a prestigious family, always surrounded by servants whenever she left the house. To exaggerate, if she wished, even climbing a mountain would have servants carrying her in a sedan chair.

After spending a few months in Qingshui County, she had changed somewhat.

Feeling the cold wind constantly sweeping through the forest and gazing into the faint darkness ahead, she felt no fear. Instead, a courageous resolve welled up within her.

By dawn, following the pace of the horse and consulting the simple map with just a few strokes, she finally arrived in Qian County.

Horses were not allowed inside the city, so she found a stable near the city gate, intending to sell the horse outright.

The stable manager’s eyes lit up when he saw the horse she led—a magnificent steed, robust and sleek, with no blemish on its coat.

He immediately circled the horse several times, running his hand over its belly and bending down to closely inspect the horseshoes on its hooves, astonished.

—This was clearly a military warhorse!

Such a horse was beyond the reach of ordinary folk. If he hadn’t had a brother-in-law who was a constable and been in the horse trade himself, he might never have seen one.

He turned to the young lady before him, twirling his mustache with two fingers and asked solemnly, “Is this your family’s horse?”

“Yes,” Jiang Xinyue replied, sensing something off in his gaze. She tightened her grip on the reins and stepped toward the exit, ready to leave if things seemed suspicious.

“I need some travel funds, so I’m eager to sell. This horse is indeed from my family, but as you can see, such a strong horse is hard to come by. If you’re sincere, give me a fair price.”

The manager tried to stall, chatting as he examined the horse. “Where are you headed?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“Traveling alone? Any companions? Judging by your attire, you must be married. Where’s your husband? Selling a horse is a big matter—surely a man should be here to decide?”

“I’m just here to sell the horse. Whether or not it sells, you can name your price. Why so many questions?” Jiang Xinyue’s wariness deepened as she moved toward the door. “If I don’t get a sincere offer, I’ll ask elsewhere.”

“Don’t be like that! I’m serious, really. Just asking to be thorough, not to cause trouble. How about thirty taels?”

Jiang Xinyue didn’t respond, walking straight ahead.

“Forty taels, no—fifty,” the manager called after her, nearly out of breath. One hand pressed against his side, he gritted his teeth. “Seventy taels. That’s my highest offer. You can check with others if you want.”

Damn it, this young lady was impossible to fool. He was going to report this to the authorities!

Seventy taels was a huge sum in Qian County.

In the capital, this horse might fetch several hundred taels, but in this small county, seventy already exceeded its value.

Jiang Xinyue glanced at the manager, feeling his overt enthusiasm was laced with hidden motives—he did not seem trustworthy.

She turned to leave.

“I’m not selling!” she declared, mounting the horse and riding off.

Behind her, the manager’s anguished shouts continued, “Come back! Come back! I’ll pay more! I can pay more!”

Jiang Xinyue ignored him and eventually sold the horse at another stable for fifty taels. With the silver in hand, she blended into the crowd and entered the city.

Recalling Xu Yanli’s way of doing things, she spent a tael inquiring about the location of the county magistrate’s office and the general direction of his residence. Once she got the information, she wasted no time and headed that way. Passing by a tavern, she asked:

“Are there many outsiders staying here, people looking for someone?”

“Are they surnamed Xu?”

“No? Then do you know if a group has come asking about anyone? Which inn are they staying at?”

Jiang Xinyue smiled as she went from place to place, learning that indeed some people had arrived inquiring about family members, but no more specific details could be gleaned.

Her initial hope and joy dissolved with each vague reply until her heart felt utterly empty.

By the time she left the last inn, her steps faltered; she began doubting herself.

Could she have been mistaken? Were those people not from the Xu family coming after her?

Then what was all the trouble with the sedative and the escape plan for?

She looked up at the blazing sun overhead, dizziness washing over her as she stared at the bustling crowd, a profound sense of confusion about where to go next overwhelming her.

Distracted, she stepped on the hem of her skirt, lost her balance, and fell hard.

Her palms burned painfully where they hit the ground; small cuts mixed with dirt bled freely.

The pent-up emotions she had held like a cup balanced on one side of a scale suddenly spilled out, tipping the balance. All her negative feelings crashed down upon her face, and she angrily pounded her legs several times.

What kind of wretched place was this?

Why was she the only one so unlucky? Why had bandits attacked her on the way to the capital? Why had she inexplicably become the wife of a hunter? After finally escaping, why couldn’t she find a single relative in this strange place?

Why?

She hadn’t done a single bad thing.

She was so unwilling to accept this.

Her eyes grew hot, her vision blurred, and when the first tear fell, others followed like pearls.

Passersby cast curious glances, wondering what sorrow had befallen the young lady. Hesitating, someone finally spoke.

“Miss, what’s wrong? What happened?”

“You fell hard. Why not clean yourself up? Want me to take you to the clinic?”

“Do you have money? If not, come to my place. We can wash your hands at least.”

One person spoke, then others gathered, chatting and offering help. A kind-hearted woman even pressed a handkerchief into her palm.

Jiang Xinyue was truly upset but her upbringing forbade her from bawling openly before so many. She wiped her face roughly and, voice trembling, said, “I’m fine. I just can’t find my home, and I’m worried.”

The crowd chuckled, but not unkindly.

The woman with the handkerchief said, “Then keep looking. It’s no big deal.”

“My home is far away.”

“Then ask around, hire a carriage, ride a donkey if you must, or walk if there’s no other way. There’s always a way.” The woman had a daughter about her age and felt sympathy for the beautiful young lady. She gestured for Jiang Xinyue to dry her hands.

“Better hurry back before your family starts to worry.”

Jiang Xinyue’s eyes warmed again.

Yes, her family was waiting. The Jiang family need not be mentioned, but how could the grandmother who raised her bear the news of her disappearance? She’d gotten into trouble on a visit home; her uncle and cousin would surely blame themselves, feeling guilty.

Since she had escaped, what if she couldn’t find Xu Yanli in Qian County? She could always go to the capital herself! If that failed, she could inquire about the nearest Xu family estate to contact her maternal relatives.

With this thought, she wiped away her tears and struggled to her feet.

The crowd cheered her on, voices overlapping, “That’s right! There’s no obstacle we can’t overcome.”

Indeed, she was still alive, and hope remained boundless.

Seeing the sincere, kind faces around her, Jiang Xinyue stifled her tears and thanked them one by one. Guided by the kind woman, she found a cheap carriage and horse stable.

She no longer had money for a horse, so she settled for a donkey—only ten taels.

Cheap it was, but slow too.

As she rode the donkey out of town, she closed her eyes and comforted herself.

A horse has four legs, a donkey has four legs; they’re basically the same.

“Brother-in-law! It’s her! It’s her horse!”

Suddenly, a sharp male voice rang out. Jiang Xinyue opened her eyes and instinctively looked toward the voice.

It was the stable manager’s small, beady eyes locking onto hers.

The manager suddenly grew excited, tugging the sleeve of a constable in black beside him, his eyes gleaming irresistibly.

“Brother-in-law, catch her!”

A buzzing noise filled Jiang Xinyue’s mind. Her body reacted faster than her thoughts. Clamping her legs around the donkey, she spurred it to run toward the city outskirts.

The constable was stunned. He hadn’t expected anyone to dare flee right in front of the authorities.

Clearly, she was guilty of something!

“What are you standing around for? Chase her! If you catch a horse thief, won’t the magistrate reward you?”

The constables snapped out of it, nodded twice, and took off after the constable.

Passersby gawked at the scene.

A young lady riding a donkey at full gallop, chased by a crowd of soldiers shouting “Stop! Stop!”

At first, the donkey ran fast, tossing Jiang Xinyue around wildly. But as time passed, the donkey slowed, and with the soldiers closing in, she grew more anxious.

“If you get caught, I’m turning you into donkey meat buns, got it?”

Qian County was truly corrupt. They had to call the soldiers just to back up the stable manager refusing to buy the horse. If she was caught, who knew what would happen.

“Come on, move!” She flicked the donkey’s rear with a small whip.

But a stubborn donkey was stubborn.

Slow it was, slow it remained.

Seeing the soldiers nearly catch up, desperate, she spotted a group of riders in the distance and shouted, “Help me!”

Their leader pulled his horse to a stop, looking over in disbelief.

Startled, the donkey suddenly reared up. Jiang Xinyue was thrown off unexpectedly.

Before losing consciousness, she thought bitterly:

A donkey is a donkey, a horse is a horse. Cheap things really aren’t worth it.