33: Chapter 33 Since ancient times, beautiful women have often had tragic fates (4)

04

"Fairy, fairy..." someone in the crowd shouted. The crowd, previously suppressed by the Donghu Army, began to riot again, surging forward.

Hong Yun was about to step forward when she saw the man in purple robes, who had been sitting steadily on his mount, move a step ahead of her to block the Young Master behind him.

"Men, take all these robbers into custody." Wei Qingli's expression was cold and stern; he raised a leg and kicked away a desperate person trying to crawl forward.

"The fairy has manifested..."

"Please, fairy, save us, save us..." With the first, there came a second, then a third. The robbers who hadn't been captured dropped their weapons, knelt on the spot, and kowtowed with utmost piety. The leader cried out, "We are not robbers! We are farmers who scratch a living from the earth. But the Liang State is corrupt, the five states are in turmoil, and the Central Plains have been at war for years—where is there land for us to farm? The able-bodied men in the village were all forced to join the army, facing a nine-in-ten death rate. Only we are left—the old are old, the young are young. The elders are about to starve to death, the women are sallow and thin, and the little ones are crying for milk. If there were any other way, who would want to become a bandit..."

"We really couldn't go on living, so we had bad thoughts. This is our first time robbing. We don't even have proper weapons; we could only use the hoes we work with and the kitchen knives from home to give ourselves courage!" As they spoke, grief welled up, and they huddled together, weeping.

"Fairy, please see clearly, we are truly not heinous villains." The cries rose and fell.

Perhaps because they were truly too aggrieved, someone even grabbed Wei Qingli's leg and wept bitterly.

It was the old man who had just been kicked away by Wei Qingli and had coughed up blood: "This humble commoner didn't really want to harm the fairy; this humble commoner just wanted to kowtow to the fairy..."

Hong Yun glanced gleefully at the man who had been showing off just a moment ago—playing the hero, huh? Look at how capable you are.

"You all get up. I am not a fairy." She stepped out from behind him, facing the light. Her skin glowed white. "Surviving in troubled times is not easy, but you must keep kindness in your hearts and live firmly."

"You said this is your first time robbing?"

The refugees nodded one after another.

"Have you hurt anyone?"

Everyone looked at each other and realized that the ones who were bruised and swollen were their own people. The ambushed Donghu soldiers were completely unharmed. As for pushing the stones down earlier, because they were afraid the big stones would kill people, they had carried small ones. Moreover, it was their first time doing it, and they had no aim. Besides disrupting the Donghu soldiers' formation, they hadn't hurt a soul.

Wei Qingli's posture stiffened, slightly embarrassed. Were these mobs really worth them making such a big fuss?

"Please, fairy, spare our lives—"

"Fairy, have mercy..."

"You are at fault first; you shouldn't ask for my forgiveness. Why not ask this victim?"

Wei Qingli felt a gentle, spring-breeze-like gaze from his side. He turned his head slightly and met those eyes like a pool of autumn water—calm and clear, making one involuntarily immerse oneself in them.

He steadied his mind and scanned his surroundings. He found that, apart from looking a bit disheveled, no one was actually injured. Instead, the other side had been beaten very badly by the soldiers, and some were still bleeding.

He coughed lightly and said loudly, "I will listen to Miss's arrangement."

"Many thanks, Young Master, for showing mercy." She pursed her lips and smiled, as gentle as water.

Wei Qingli looked away as if unintentionally. He listened to her voice, which was calm and unhurried, ring out from beside him: "I will send people to investigate whether what you said is true. If it is true, those who want to follow me will have someone to settle them. I guarantee your children will have books to read, your wives will have clothes to wear, and your elders will be able to eat their fill."

Before they could get happy, she added, "However, this is not a charity hall. Since you want to stay, you must provide labor. If, in the future, any of you find a better place to go, you may leave of your own accord. But those who harbor harmful or rebellious intentions, have base thoughts, or are lazy and deceitful—once discovered, if you have entered my gate, you will be dealt with according to my family rules." She waved her wide sleeve, and a wind blade flashed by. The hoe closest to her was instantly snapped in two.

"Thank you, fairy! Thank you, fairy! We are willing, we are willing—" The crowd was moved to tears. How could they not be willing? They were starving and cold here, living in fear every day. Now that someone was offering them protection, it was like being reborn to them.

Wei Qingli had originally thought she was a naive, pampered young lady who didn't know the dangers of the world, and that she had acted out of momentary sympathy, wanting to take in so many people. He couldn't help but sneer at such naive kindness. In these troubled times, such a person would likely be eaten until not even bones were left.

Later, hearing her speak with reason and evidence, praising first and suppressing later, it wasn't as simple as he had thought. She was meticulous and thoughtful. Since she wanted to provide protection, she naturally expected something of value in return.

That last move, "beating the grass to scare the snake," made those with ulterior motives give up their thoughts.

If that had been a neck, it would have been severed long ago.

This woman, while kind, was not blindly foolish, and her martial arts skills were even more remarkable.

Wei Qingli's expression remained calm, but his heart stirred slightly. A few short sentences had managed to tug at his heartstrings.

After handling the refugees' affairs, Zhao Yan let Old Zheng, the carriage driver, stay behind to wait for people to come and take over the refugees.

Turning around, she nearly bumped into the person behind her. She hurriedly took two steps back, but didn't expect there to be a small stone underfoot. She slipped. Wei Qingli's brow twitched, and he reached out to try and catch her slender waist. Just as his large hand was about to touch the softness of her lower back—

Zhao Yan turned gracefully and stood still, her posture as fluid as moving clouds and flowing water, avoiding his large palm.

"Apologies, I thought I had accidentally startled you, which is why—" Wei Qingli's palms were a bit damp. He felt anxious and fearful, terrified that she might misunderstand.

She shook her head indifferently, her tone relaxed. "Young Master forgot that I know martial arts? Steadying myself is not a problem."

"Yes, it was my rudeness." Seeing that she truly didn't take it to heart, Wei Qingli smiled in relief, appearing open and aboveboard.

Beside them, holding a large saber and chewing on a foxtail grass, crouching like a hooligan, Hong Yun indicated that she didn't believe a single word of this dog-man's speech. That lecherous hand had almost touched her, almost touched her, okay?

"Meeting is fate. May I ask the Miss's name?"

She lowered her eyes slightly, her neck slender and fair, gentle and moving: "My surname is Bai, given name Zhao Yan."

"A very pleasant name." Zhao Yan... Wei Qingli muttered to himself, as if wanting to carve it into his heart.

"I wonder what the Miss's family does? In these troubled times, suddenly taking in so many people, aren't you afraid the elders at home—"

Zhao Yan's brows curved, looking at him innocently and purely. Look at that, where did his manners go? After asking for her name, he didn't introduce himself, and he dared to pry into her background?! It wouldn't be as sweet if she just told him; finding it out himself would be much sweeter!

"I just heard your attendant call you Heir. Are you the East Lake Prince's Heir Wei?" She interrupted him directly.

Wei Qingli looked at her, his eyes becoming much clearer, carrying a hint of inquiry.

She was unhurried, her voice soft: "The five states have reached a peace agreement, and the envoy groups are leaving Yandu one after another. Those heading in this direction are either going to Wuzhong or East Lake. But I heard that Wuzhong Prince Xiao Chengyuan and the Heir did not attend these negotiations personally, but sent representatives. That only leaves you, the East Lake Prince's Heir Wei."

"Miss Bai is intelligent and has guessed correctly."

He was curious about her identity. He shouldn't have been so impatient, but involving the person before him, he couldn't control his feelings: "Then what I asked Miss just now?"

"Since I agreed, I can naturally afford to support them. Besides, at home, my words carry some weight. Heir Wei need not worry for me."

Wei Qingli felt more relaxed; it was good not to be reprimanded.

He wanted to say something else, but heard a woman's voice from not far away—

"Young Master, are we still going? We've been delayed for so long. Are you hungry?"

Hong Yun held her large saber, already sitting at the front of the carriage, swinging her legs, staring straight at this side.

"Heir Wei, we shall meet again."

Wei Qingli saw that she wasn't angry at all, and instead looked at the female guard with doting eyes. Those beautiful, charming eyes were captivating. He suddenly envied that guard named Hong Yun, being treated so gently, while he and she were separated by an unknown distance.

"Wait—"

She turned in response and gave him a backward glance and a smile.

That smile seemed to warm the sunlight, shining into his calm and waveless heart. His heart was in turmoil.

Those clear, bright eyes reflected his figure, flustered and at a loss: "This Heir meant, since you left the driver behind, who will drive for you? Why don't we travel together—"

"Heir Wei, am I not a person?" Look at that, still unwilling to give up.

Wei Qingli was rebuked by the female guard, and his face didn't look good.

"Many thanks for the Heir's concern, but Hong Yun is indeed capable; driving is not a problem for her. Heir, let us part here." When Zhao Yan said this, she was quite proud. She turned and got into the carriage without lingering.

The moment the beaded curtain was lowered, her unworldly face vanished from his sight. Wei Qingli felt a bit desolate.

Not long after, Hong Yun angrily lifted the beaded curtain and said to the person inside: "Young Master, that person is still following us. The Donghu Army has hung up their flags, making a big show of it, as if afraid others wouldn't know who they are."

Before, they were low-key and didn't show the Donghu flag, perhaps to facilitate their journey.

Now they were high-profile, clearly indicating their attitude of wanting to escort them.

This escort looked like enthusiastic concern, but in reality, it was more about probing the truth to see where they were going, and perhaps guessing her identity.

Zhao Yan's lips curved into a beautiful arc. She wasn't afraid of him following; she was only afraid he wouldn't.

In the first life, didn't he trick the original body by saying it was love at first sight? False affection, playing with the original body in the palm of his hand, and in the end, coldly sending her to the Beichuan Prince's palace.

Then in this life, let him truly fall in love at first sight, but never be able to have it.

The one who was truly annoyed was Hong Yun. This East Lake Prince's Heir was truly annoying, always stealing her spotlight in front of the Young Master!

Those small fries, she could have handled them all by herself; the situation was entirely under her control.

But that shameless man, coveting the Young Master's beauty, actually beat her to it, forcibly snatching the surrendered robbers from her hands, kicking them far away, and forcing the Young Master to play the hero saving the beauty.

Afterwards, he even tried to get close to the Young Master and wanted to steal her job of driving the carriage!

If he dared to steal her driving job today, he would dare to steal her job as the Young Master's top guard tomorrow! She had given her all, injuring several brothers and sisters, to compete for this position.

This person was too shameless!

Fortunately, the Young Master was not deceived by him and did not accept his invitation to travel together.

At the table, tea fragrance overflowed. Zhao Yan supported her head with one hand, her legs crossed casually, holding a book on military strategy, reading it half-heartedly.

She glanced at the angry Hong Yun and chuckled: "You bad-hearted girl, that's enough. Look at how you rebuked Wei Qingli; his face turned pale just now."

Hong Yun chuckled and winked: "The Master has a bad heart, how good-hearted can the maid be? I think the Young Master wasn't bad either. Just now, when Heir Wei's hand reached out, Young Master, you stood really steady."

Zhao Yan couldn't help it; she tapped her head lightly with the book: "Look at how proud you are."

For her, getting to know each other first would at least leave a deep impression, right? Wei Qingli was too steady. He might be attracted by this good appearance at first, but it would definitely not be enough based on looks alone.

As for refusing to travel together, heh... men, if it's too easy, they don't know how to cherish it.

At night, Wei Qingli chose to stay at an inn next to Zhao Yan.

Late at night, Wei Qingli frowned slightly, facing the silver-bearded old man in front of him: "So, Strategist, you think she is most likely from the reclusive Bai Clan?"

The strategist Xu Yan stroked his beard and nodded: "Surname Bai, dressed in white, peerless and unworldly. In this troubled world, to be able to use gold and silver as horses—if she's not stupid, then she has enough ability to match it. Not only is the female guard beside her skilled, but the way she handled that matter during the day... afterwards, I specifically sent people to watch the driver and the refugees, and I didn't find the driver making any moves to contact anyone. But a quarter of an hour later, several people did come to meet them. In my opinion, these people were originally in the dark not far away, protecting Miss Bai, but our people failed to discover them. That means everyone around Miss Bai is a capable person."

"Furthermore, that group of refugees, looking like seventy or eighty people, Miss Bai took them all in with a light sentence, and promised to let these people have clothes to wear, food to eat, and books to read... even if it required them to work, this is not something an ordinary merchant's daughter could easily decide. And, Heir, look at what the people around her call her? Not Miss, not young lady, but Young Master. Which official's daughter is addressed like that?"

"Let's talk about Miss Bai's bearing. Heir, what do you think?"

"Rare in the world." Wei Qingli deliberated.

"Indeed."

"A while ago, it was rumored in the streets that the Saintess of the Bai Clan had descended from the mountain to seek a wise lord to assist. It is rumored that the Saintess of the Bai Clan was born on the top of a snow mountain, peerless and dusty, like a goddess, wise and intelligent, knowing astronomy and geography. The Bai Clan members are mostly capable people. Seeing this one—the subordinate feels it is eight or nine out of ten."

Just then, the room door was knocked.

"Come in."

Two guards knelt on one knee to plead guilty: "Please punish the Heir, we lost track of them."

Xu Yan and Wei Qingli looked at each other, both surprised, and asked: "They had so many people, how did you lose track of them?"

One of the guards said shamefully: "The subordinate followed them into a ruined temple to rest, and the subordinate hid in a big tree in front of the door to wait. Suddenly a gust of wind blew, and the subordinate only felt a pain in the neck and fainted."

"The subordinate too."

"When we woke up, we found ourselves lying in the ruined temple, and those people were long gone."

"The subordinate dared not delay and returned immediately to report to the Heir."

Unexpectedly, Xu Yan, upon hearing this, was not angry, but clapped his hands and cheered!

"Good, good! The Bai Clan is truly well-deserved of its reputation. This Bai Zhaoyan, the Bai Clan is truly a great treasure, and we happened to encounter it first!"

Xu Yan chattered on about how the Saintess of the Bai Clan was this and that, but Wei Qingli's thoughts had long wandered to that smiling face that wouldn't go away.

"Heir? Heir?"

He was actually distracted.

"What did the Strategist say?"

"The subordinate's meaning is, the Heir can contact that Young Master Bai more, and probe the strength of the Bai Clan. This is truly heaven helping our East Lake. Before the other four states react, the Heir should do whatever it takes to win her over. Of course, cough..." Xu Yan coughed lightly, his tone carrying banter, "Talented men and beautiful women, it is also a match made in heaven."

Wei Qingli's heart moved, but he didn't speak again.