Free Web NovelChapter 273: Chapter 274: Yu Yue
Jin Qianqian hugged her son back, her heart pounding with lingering fear. If she hadn’t wanted to spend more time with him and brought Luo Luo into this carriage during their last rest stop, the little one would have been with the nannies in the carriage behind them as usual.
The thought of the carriage that had been dragged off by the spooked horse made Jin Qianqian lift a corner of the curtain. "Let’s not waste any more time talking to them," she said, her voice full of worry. "We need to follow them and see what happened."
Ancient Wen Heng was also worried about the people in the other carriage. "Quick, go after them and see what’s happened! Housekeeper Fu, you take the other carriages and head back to the mansion first."
Nanny Duan and the others were stumbling out of the carriage. She gave a Fuli to the man who had stopped it. "Thank you, brave man, for saving our lives."
Yu Yue frowned, looking at the demolished market stalls behind him. "How could you let a horse run wild in a crowded market?"
Seeing the driver, who had been thrown from the carriage, limping toward them, Duan Yufang spoke up. "The horse was spooked by someone right after we entered the city gates. It wasn’t intentional.
May I ask for your name and residence, brave man? I will be sure to visit another day to properly express my gratitude."
Yu Yue waved his hand dismissively. "It was nothing. However, you should compensate these vendors. I’m afraid their entire day has been ruined."
The surrounding vendors began to clamor. "They destroyed my stall! A little compensation won’t do, they have to pay for everything!"
"They knocked my wife to the ground! This isn’t over!"
"..."
Duan Yufang gave a Fuli to the crowd. "Please, everyone, rest assured. Kindly list all your damages and report them to this young lady, Qingzhu, for registration."
’In the two years she’d worked at the Gu Mansion, Jin Qianqian had never mistreated her. She received ample monthly silver, not to mention frequent rewards. As a lonely old woman, she had nowhere to spend the money anyway. This was perfect. She could use it to compensate the vendors and maintain a clear conscience.’
Qingzhu adjusted the pearl hairpin on her head, leaned into the carriage to grab paper and a brush, and prepared to start taking notes using the carriage’s front shaft as a makeshift desk.
Just then, the guards who had been in pursuit saw the crowd and the familiar carriage parked to the side. They quickly pushed their way through the people to get closer.
"Nanny Duan, is everyone alright?" Jiang Shiniu quickly scanned the group. It seemed that aside from the driver, who had a few scrapes, everyone else was unharmed.
"Thankfully, this brave man saved us," Duan Yufang said. "We’re all fine now.
Oh, and the Master and Madam? Are they alright?"
"They’re fine," Jiang Shiniu replied. "It’s just that the one who caused all this is making a scene and won’t let it go. They sent us to find you first."
As he spoke, Jiang Shiniu turned to Yu Yue, who was standing nearby, and thanked him profusely. freewёbnoνel.com
Seeing that their party had arrived and was willing to compensate the vendors, Yu Yue tried to slip away. But Duan Yufang stopped him. "I still haven’t asked for your name and residence, brave man."
"It was really no trouble, you don’t need to give it another thought." Being treated like a savior for the first time made Yu Yue a little bashful. "I have other business to attend to, so I’ll be on my way."
In her eagerness, Duan Yufang grabbed his sleeve. "Please, wait a moment!"
"..."
Just as Ancient Wen Heng’s carriage arrived, they witnessed the struggle. Lin Dapeng instantly rushed in front of Nanny Duan, shielding her. "What do you think you’re doing?" he demanded.
Yu Yue was speechless.
Ancient Wen Heng leaped down from the carriage and walked over, asking with concern, "Is everyone alright?"
"Master," everyone said, visibly relieved at the arrival of the head of the household. "We are all fine."
After Duan Yufang recounted the incident, Ancient Wen Heng straightened his posture and bowed deeply. "Thank you, my good man. May I ask for your name and place of residence?"
Yu Yue was speechless. ’I just happened to save them,’ he thought. ’Why is this turning into such a big deal?’
Ancient Wen Heng was also at a loss for words. ’Is this lad a simpleton?’ he wondered. ’Does he not know how to answer a question?’
Jin Qianqian, holding Luo Luo, came to Ancient Wen Heng’s side and began giving methodical orders. "Tianbao, take the driver to a physician first. We need to make sure he hasn’t broken any bones.
Qing Lan, go help tally up the damages. See how much silver is needed for compensation, and go fetch it. Make sure no one is short-changed.
Nanny Duan, you’ve all had a fright. I’ll arrange for someone to take you back to the mansion right away."
She then pointed to Xu Dawang, whom Housekeeper Fu had brought along. "Go and find another carriage nearby to take them back to the mansion. Housekeeper Fu, you’ll stay here and handle matters before returning."
Just as Jin Qianqian was about to shift Luo Luo to her other arm, Ancient Wen Heng took their son from her. "Go get a gift from the carriage. We’re lucky this brave man was here to stop the horses."
’Since the man was unwilling to give his name, he must have his reasons.’ Ancient Wen Heng decided not to press the matter.
’But he had never liked being indebted to others. They always kept gifts on hand for such occasions, so it was better to repay the favor now.’
Jin Qianqian gave Yu Yue a Fuli, then turned and returned to the carriage. When she reappeared, she was holding a wooden box.
Ancient Wen Heng took the box and, without even opening the lid, presented it to Yu Yue with both hands. "A small token of our gratitude. We hope you will accept it."
Staring at the box that had suddenly been placed in his hands, Yu Yue was about to refuse, but he saw that Ancient Wen Heng was already carrying his son and returning to the carriage with his wife.
In the instant they boarded their carriage, another carriage passed by them, with Li Ping riding alongside his master’s.
"Mother, that Li Ping is far too reckless! This isn’t the Southwest Border," Deng Meimei complained. "I have no idea why Father insisted he come back with us."
Mrs. Deng Cai sighed. "What choice do we have? His father saved your father’s life, after all. If we don’t treat him well, your father says it will displease the men under his command.
Besides, the lad is just a bit hot-tempered. He’s not a bad person at heart."
Deng Meimei retorted peevishly, "That’s ancient history! You and Father bring it up all the time. I’m sick to death of hearing about it."
"You silly girl, one must never be ungrateful. If it weren’t for these loyal men protecting your father, who knows what kind of life we would be living.
I’m warning you, this is Shangjing. You must be especially careful about everything you say and do.
If your reputation gets even the slightest blemish, you’ll have no choice but to go back to the border to find a husband."
"Wouldn’t that be so bad?" Deng Meimei countered. "At least at the border, no one dares to bully me or speak ill of me. Why come here, where I feel so constrained and can’t do anything I want?"
Mrs. Deng Cai reached out and poked her daughter’s forehead. "Do you think your father is going to be stationed at the border for the rest of his life? When he and I both return, someone with your personality would be bullied to death over there without his protection.
Your father and I have already made our decision. He’s grown tired after all these years of guarding the border. This time, he will submit a memorial to the throne to relinquish his military command and come back to live a few peaceful years."
"Then what about my brothers?" Deng Meimei asked.
