Li Hui had no time to stop him, and ordered Zhang Hu to lead others in pursuit.
After running ahead for a distance, Li Xia pulled on the reins and patted the horse to stop. She sensed someone's presence and was not fooling around. With a wind blade charged in her hand, Zhou Heng flew out from behind a large tree. Li Xia released the wind blade, "Why are you here?"
"Song Lingshan is a confidant of Prince YongKang. His mansion is hiding Prince YongKang's concubine and her son," Zhou Heng had uncovered the information and rushed overnight to inform Li Xia.
Zhou Heng's words confirmed Li Xia's suspicion. "What do you plan to do?"
"Kill them," Zhou Heng had left the Shadowless Pavilion, but his way of doing things was still influenced by it.
"If we kill them, the trail behind them will be cut off." There must be more people behind Song Lingshan. How did Prince YongKang's entire family get taken away, while his concubine and son escaped? There must be others helping them.
"I will continue investigating," Zhou Heng had thought of this, but Zhang Luo's death had greatly impacted him. He wanted to kill everyone related to Prince YongKang.
Zhang Hu and others caught up on horseback, carefully surveying the surroundings. "Second Sister, let's go back. It's unsafe for you to be alone here."
Li Xia did not object and returned with Zhang Hu's group. Back at the caravan, horses were led away per Li Hui's order. Li Xia returned to the carriage, and Auntie Mei pulled her ear, scolding her thoroughly.
Li Xia rubbed her ear, leaning listlessly against the window, watching Li Xin ride a horse.
Li Xin had learned to trot on horseback. Knowing the two would race, Li Hui had found a spacious area to stop and rest, allowing Li Xin and Li Xia to compete properly. Li Hui stood between them as the judge.
"Xia Xia, don't go easy on me," Li Xin knew her riding skills were far inferior to Li Xia's. If Li Xia rode at full speed, Li Xin had no chance of winning.
"I won't go easy," Li Xia controlled her horse to prevent it from moving around.
At Li Hui's signal, the two set off. Li Xia claimed she wouldn't go easy, but still controlled her speed, not widening the gap too much. Li Xin didn't notice, but Li Hui and the escort members could see Li Xia's prowess.
Li Xin rode up to Li Hui, showing off, "Brother, did you see? I can ride a horse now."
"You and Second Sister are both amazing," Li Hui praised them both and instructed Zhao Pan, "Manager Zhao, everyone gets extra dishes tonight."
After learning to ride, Li Xin would ride for a short distance every day. Without Li Xia's prompting, she sought to learn more from Escort Li.
During this period of learning, Escort Li developed a teacher-student bond with the two. He recounted many stories from his past escort career, broadening their horizons. Escort Li even taught them survival skills for the wilderness, including identifying common medicinal herbs for emergency first aid.
These were things Li Xin had never encountered before and would rarely encounter in the future. Listening to the life of blades and bloodshed dispelled much of her displeasure caused by Zhang Qiming.
They joyfully arrived at Hongxi County, where they would abandon the horse carriages and take a boat to the capital.
After settling in, Li Hui went with Manager Zhao and Escort Li to hire boats. Li Xia and Li Xin, accompanied by Escort Li, went to explore the town. Although Hongxi County was a county, being the port for the capital made it more prosperous and lively than Liuzhou. Many people came and went here.
Merchants brought goods from all directions to sell here. Li Xin and Li Xia were dazzled by the sights, buying many local specialties. While escorting them, Escort Li also instructed them on how to evaluate shops, which were good, which appeared good but were not, and so on.
Li Hui hired boats, and the two girls bought a roomful of goods. Too much to carry, Li Hui sent some back to Liuzhou through the escort agency's branch. Li Xin, Li Xia, and Auntie Mei sorted the items, taking one-third to the capital and sending two-thirds back to Liuzhou.
Seeing all these items, Li Xin felt a bit embarrassed, thinking she had indulged herself. Li Xia held Auntie Mei's hand, promising not to buy anymore to avoid more ear-pulling.
"Buy whatever you like, I have money," Li Hui patted Li Xin's head, telling her not to worry. If it made his sister happy, these items were worth it.
"Big Brother, I took a liking to a dagger, priced at six hundred taels of silver," Li Xia said.
"A young lady shouldn't buy daggers, you might hurt your hand," Auntie Mei immediately objected, thinking Li Xia was being mischievous.
"What dagger costs six hundred taels of silver?" Li Hui worried Li Xia had been deceived.
"They said it was a princess's beloved dagger from a small Western Kingdom, studded with gems, very beautiful," Li Xia described the beautiful and sharp dagger Li Xin had also seen.
"How could a Western princess's dagger end up here?" Li Hui pointed out the key issue.
"The merchant said that small Western Kingdom offended our nation, so the Marquis of Dingbei sent troops to destroy it. This dagger was a spoil of war taken by the soldiers. They sold it after retiring to get silver," Li Xin had specifically asked about the dagger's origins when she saw it.
"If that's the case, then buy it," Li Hui went and purchased the dagger himself after hearing the story. The dagger had seen blood and was very sharp, with gems studded on the handle, appearing dangerously beautiful.
Li Hui gave the purchased dagger to Li Xia, but under Auntie Mei's watchful gaze, Li Xia could only shake her head, refusing to accept such a dangerous item. How could a young lady carry something so dangerous?
Li Hui didn't insist, planning to find another chance to give it to Li Xia later. Seeing Li Hui take it back, Li Xia felt heartbroken, as she really liked that dagger.
But seeing Auntie Mei's gaze, she averted her eyes, "Qiu Shui, let's go pack our things. We're taking the boat tomorrow, so we need to pack properly."
This was Li Xia's first time traveling by boat in this life and the previous one. She looked around in amazement on the boat, but her excitement quickly faded.
Li Xia had never known she would get seasick. The rocking and swaying of the boat made Li Xia lie by the bedside, vomiting incessantly. It was too painful.
Auntie Mei tended to her worriedly. Auntie Mei didn't get seasick and had never considered that Li Xia might, so she didn't bring any anti-seasickness medicine when boarding. There was also no physician on the boat. Li Hui and Li Xin had visited Li Xia as well. They were unused to seeing Li Xia so weak, as she was usually full of energy and spirit.
Li Xin gave Li Xia all her plums, and Escort Li suggested some methods to prevent vomiting, but nothing worked. Li Xia was still severely seasick.
Auntie Mei stayed by Li Xia's side, her eyes reddened from staying awake. "Auntie, please go get some rest. I have people taking care of me here," said Li Xia, who had finished vomiting and was feeling a bit better.
Auntie Mei brought a cup of water to Li Xia's lips, "I'm not tired."
"Your eyes are red and swollen, yet you say you're not tired. I'll be fine after vomiting a bit more, you don't have to worry so much," Li Xia said, leaning against the bed.
"Auntie, we're here with her. Please go get some rest," Qiu Shui also urged Auntie Mei.
Auntie Mei could indeed hardly keep her eyes open anymore, so she nodded and went back to her room to rest.
Li Hui had no time to stop him, and ordered Zhang Hu to lead others in pursuit.
After running ahead for a distance, Li Xia pulled on the reins and patted the horse to stop. She sensed someone's presence and was not fooling around. With a wind blade charged in her hand, Zhou Heng flew out from behind a large tree. Li Xia released the wind blade, "Why are you here?"
"Song Lingshan is a confidant of Prince YongKang. His mansion is hiding Prince YongKang's concubine and her son," Zhou Heng had uncovered the information and rushed overnight to inform Li Xia.
Zhou Heng's words confirmed Li Xia's suspicion. "What do you plan to do?"
"Kill them," Zhou Heng had left the Shadowless Pavilion, but his way of doing things was still influenced by it.
"If we kill them, the trail behind them will be cut off." There must be more people behind Song Lingshan. How did Prince YongKang's entire family get taken away, while his concubine and son escaped? There must be others helping them.
"I will continue investigating," Zhou Heng had thought of this, but Zhang Luo's death had greatly impacted him. He wanted to kill everyone related to Prince YongKang.
Zhang Hu and others caught up on horseback, carefully surveying the surroundings. "Second Sister, let's go back. It's unsafe for you to be alone here."
Li Xia did not object and returned with Zhang Hu's group. Back at the caravan, horses were led away per Li Hui's order. Li Xia returned to the carriage, and Auntie Mei pulled her ear, scolding her thoroughly.
Li Xia rubbed her ear, leaning listlessly against the window, watching Li Xin ride a horse.
Li Xin had learned to trot on horseback. Knowing the two would race, Li Hui had found a spacious area to stop and rest, allowing Li Xin and Li Xia to compete properly. Li Hui stood between them as the judge.
"Xia Xia, don't go easy on me," Li Xin knew her riding skills were far inferior to Li Xia's. If Li Xia rode at full speed, Li Xin had no chance of winning.
"I won't go easy," Li Xia controlled her horse to prevent it from moving around.
At Li Hui's signal, the two set off. Li Xia claimed she wouldn't go easy, but still controlled her speed, not widening the gap too much. Li Xin didn't notice, but Li Hui and the escort members could see Li Xia's prowess.
Li Xin rode up to Li Hui, showing off, "Brother, did you see? I can ride a horse now."
"You and Second Sister are both amazing," Li Hui praised them both and instructed Zhao Pan, "Manager Zhao, everyone gets extra dishes tonight."
After learning to ride, Li Xin would ride for a short distance every day. Without Li Xia's prompting, she sought to learn more from Escort Li.
During this period of learning, Escort Li developed a teacher-student bond with the two. He recounted many stories from his past escort career, broadening their horizons. Escort Li even taught them survival skills for the wilderness, including identifying common medicinal herbs for emergency first aid.
These were things Li Xin had never encountered before and would rarely encounter in the future. Listening to the life of blades and bloodshed dispelled much of her displeasure caused by Zhang Qiming.
They joyfully arrived at Hongxi County, where they would abandon the horse carriages and take a boat to the capital.
After settling in, Li Hui went with Manager Zhao and Escort Li to hire boats. Li Xia and Li Xin, accompanied by Escort Li, went to explore the town. Although Hongxi County was a county, being the port for the capital made it more prosperous and lively than Liuzhou. Many people came and went here.
Merchants brought goods from all directions to sell here. Li Xin and Li Xia were dazzled by the sights, buying many local specialties. While escorting them, Escort Li also instructed them on how to evaluate shops, which were good, which appeared good but were not, and so on.
Li Hui hired boats, and the two girls bought a roomful of goods. Too much to carry, Li Hui sent some back to Liuzhou through the escort agency's branch. Li Xin, Li Xia, and Auntie Mei sorted the items, taking one-third to the capital and sending two-thirds back to Liuzhou.
Seeing all these items, Li Xin felt a bit embarrassed, thinking she had indulged herself. Li Xia held Auntie Mei's hand, promising not to buy anymore to avoid more ear-pulling.
"Buy whatever you like, I have money," Li Hui patted Li Xin's head, telling her not to worry. If it made his sister happy, these items were worth it.
"Big Brother, I took a liking to a dagger, priced at six hundred taels of silver," Li Xia said.
"A young lady shouldn't buy daggers, you might hurt your hand," Auntie Mei immediately objected, thinking Li Xia was being mischievous.
"What dagger costs six hundred taels of silver?" Li Hui worried Li Xia had been deceived.
"They said it was a princess's beloved dagger from a small Western Kingdom, studded with gems, very beautiful," Li Xia described the beautiful and sharp dagger Li Xin had also seen.
"How could a Western princess's dagger end up here?" Li Hui pointed out the key issue.
"The merchant said that small Western Kingdom offended our nation, so the Marquis of Dingbei sent troops to destroy it. This dagger was a spoil of war taken by the soldiers. They sold it after retiring to get silver," Li Xin had specifically asked about the dagger's origins when she saw it.
"If that's the case, then buy it," Li Hui went and purchased the dagger himself after hearing the story. The dagger had seen blood and was very sharp, with gems studded on the handle, appearing dangerously beautiful.
Li Hui gave the purchased dagger to Li Xia, but under Auntie Mei's watchful gaze, Li Xia could only shake her head, refusing to accept such a dangerous item. How could a young lady carry something so dangerous?
Li Hui didn't insist, planning to find another chance to give it to Li Xia later. Seeing Li Hui take it back, Li Xia felt heartbroken, as she really liked that dagger.
But seeing Auntie Mei's gaze, she averted her eyes, "Qiu Shui, let's go pack our things. We're taking the boat tomorrow, so we need to pack properly."
This was Li Xia's first time traveling by boat in this life and the previous one. She looked around in amazement on the boat, but her excitement quickly faded.
Li Xia had never known she would get seasick. The rocking and swaying of the boat made Li Xia lie by the bedside, vomiting incessantly. It was too painful.
Auntie Mei tended to her worriedly. Auntie Mei didn't get seasick and had never considered that Li Xia might, so she didn't bring any anti-seasickness medicine when boarding. There was also no physician on the boat. Li Hui and Li Xin had visited Li Xia as well. They were unused to seeing Li Xia so weak, as she was usually full of energy and spirit.
Li Xin gave Li Xia all her plums, and Escort Li suggested some methods to prevent vomiting, but nothing worked. Li Xia was still severely seasick.
Auntie Mei stayed by Li Xia's side, her eyes reddened from staying awake. "Auntie, please go get some rest. I have people taking care of me here," said Li Xia, who had finished vomiting and was feeling a bit better.
Auntie Mei brought a cup of water to Li Xia's lips, "I'm not tired."
"Your eyes are red and swollen, yet you say you're not tired. I'll be fine after vomiting a bit more, you don't have to worry so much," Li Xia said, leaning against the bed.
"Auntie, we're here with her. Please go get some rest," Qiu Shui also urged Auntie Mei.
Auntie Mei could indeed hardly keep her eyes open anymore, so she nodded and went back to her room to rest.
