Free Web NovelChapter 198: Chapter 198
Chapter 198
"Just by listening, you think the path ahead is dark and blocked. However, there is still some hope," Yueqian smiled sweetly. Those listening almost perked up their ears, eager to hear a clear way out.
"If you all can wait for the next two months, we might have a large quantity of medicine available. But the method is a secret, and we cannot reveal it. This all depends on the negotiations we will undertake during our trip to the capital this time."
Yueqian said this to Keos with a smile. The wise middle-aged man narrowed his eyes slightly before finally speaking up.
"Governor’s Furen is very kind. On behalf of the Keta tribe, I thank you for this kindness. Of course, I expect the governor to do his utmost to seize this opportunity. You hold the lives of us Keta tribespeople in your hands, so I can only place my hope in you."
"I, who am useless, will stay in this Red Earth City until you return and wait for an opportunity for the medicine," Keos said earnestly, praising and pledging his commitment.
This serious demeanor made the couple secretly smile. Indeed, Keos wasn’t as foolish as they initially thought. If it were someone else hearing this, they might have been overjoyed. Everyone urgently needed the medicine. Knowing that there was a chance in the capital of the Bai Region, as told by the governor’s furen, they might have done something more drastic.
Of course, Yueqian’s words weren’t light, so many people here were indeed planning such actions. Some were clearly plotting to steal valuable items from the couple. Others were still hesitant about what to do. The only one showing signs of simply waiting seemed to be Keos.
Even among those who came with him, Yueqian could see the signals they were exchanging. This was like jumping into a pit themselves, and those with ill intentions would definitely face a severe warning from her and her husband as a form of retribution!
In reality, as known, what they would get from the capital was not materials or anything, but merely permission. So, those who dared to plan evil would end up with nothing. Meanwhile, everyone wouldn’t focus much on the Red Earth City, as no one knew that the crucial resources were being produced here.
Even the clever Keos didn’t know about this. Who would have thought that Red Earth City could grow such rare herbs? However, he understood the intentions of Yueqian and Mu Heng. Both had stated from the beginning that they appreciated courageous and sincere people. Being straightforward was better. This was like their own test. If they couldn’t be sincere with each other, there was no need to talk about future cooperation.
What happened to the cities that didn’t cooperate before? Everyone tried to take advantage of Red Earth City, but in the end, what they faced was worse than exploitation. Even new proposals that greatly benefited Red Earth City were never even considered by its governor.
Given his steadfast nature, anyone daring to wrong them would likely regret it for life. Of course, how many people knew about this?
Everyone came here with hope, but many came out of selfishness. Representing such an important matter would surely bring them some benefits. Even he and his two brothers had come here to establish their own power.
Keos glanced at his two brothers and sighed. Having been together for a long time, he understood what they were thinking. After this, a serious conversation was needed. If they didn’t agree, he would handle it more sternly. If it meant tying them up to make them calm down, he would do it.
The preparations for the couple’s journey weren’t too complicated. They were accompanied by only 100 soldiers, while the remaining 500 soldiers, including the city guards, stayed in Red Earth City. Although having more soldiers would make the journey safer, it would also be a significant drain on resources.
Xiao Long and Huan’er came to see off their brother and sister-in-law early in the morning. Even Qu Yi was ready for the journey, prepared to fulfill her duties well.
Establishing a foundation takes time. With the epidemic spreading, the cities were quite chaotic. Many people traveled to different cities seeking treatment opportunities. Therefore, the cities near the capital would be the main places to accommodate large numbers of people.
At this point, Qu Yi would disguise herself as a young girl who had been separated from her parents. She would pretend to sell her inherited belongings and settle in this city.
Under normal circumstances, verification would be quite difficult. However, given the current chaos, they didn’t pay much attention to the origins of the townsfolk. As long as one had enough money to live there, they would be allowed in, as long as they didn’t become a burden by turning into beggars. That would be sufficient. freeweɓnøvel.com
"Qu Yi, take good care of yourself. Don’t let anyone bully you," Xiao Long said seriously.
Xiao Long knew well how capable his elder sister was, the one who had always taken care of them. Even so, she was still just a woman. Her strong heart made her accept the plan given by the sister-in-law without refusal, even though he knew she always had a place to return to. If anything happened to her in the future, she could always come back to live with them again.
Nevertheless, this didn’t ease his worries. Qu Yi was like a sister to him now—a quiet but incredibly smart sister. He admitted he had learned a lot from her. His first goal was to surpass her, and then to be like his elder brother.
Today, when one who was both his goals and like family was leaving, no one knew how long it would be until they met again. When they did, they would have to pretend not to know each other, or else her secrets would be revealed, and she could be executed for deceiving officials or, in the future, even royalty.
"Understood, young master," Qu Yi replied politely.
Her eyes wavered slightly with the warmth she felt living with the mistress. It was happiness she thought was a dream.
She never imagined anyone would care for her again after losing her parents. The tough times had left her without hope for a happy life. When even her own relatives were so cruel to her, how could she trust others?
But after meeting this small, warm family, Qu Yi had to change her mindset. It seemed that she was just unlucky to share the same bloodline as that wicked woman, and thus had to endure the consequences of having a demon’s blood. However, in truth, the world wasn’t so cruel. Otherwise, how could she have met such a skilled and kind-hearted mistress?
“Hic... Q-Qu Yi.,” The young girl behind her elder brother sobbed.
She had been crying since she woke up. Everyone knew this day would come, but Qu Yi was so kind. Huan’er never had an older sister. She only had Xiao Long, who would either take her to play like a boy or work hard for the family. She never had the chance to chat like other girls.
So when she met Qu Yi, Huan’er was the happiest. Now, she was the saddest. To her, Qu Yi was not a servant in her eyes; she was both an elder sister and a playmate. Whenever she couldn’t consult her eldest brother, second brother, or even her sister-in-law, she could always turn to Qu Yi.
"Young Miss," Qu Yi swallowed her tears with difficulty.
She didn’t want to cry now because it would make everyone think she was weak and worry more about her. Qu Yi had received enough love already. From now on, she wanted to work and repay the mistress and her family.
The situation in Red Earth City was now very good. The mistress and master had turned it into an important city in the Region. Their future path would be smoother, and the power they sought would keep coming to them. freewēbnoveℓ.com
However, with more power came the need for extensive connections and information. Qu Yi didn’t intend to just be a merchant for money. She would also try to gather information from the young misses and servants who frequented her shop.
A clothing shop was an excellent source of news. If men were known for having a lot of information... it would be quite difficult to obtain information from them as well. Men knew a lot but rarely spoke freely unless drunk in a tavern or a brothel.
However, the information obtained from men is one type, but the information from women is another type and equally important. However, this information is much easier to acquire. Women like to gather in groups and gossip, talking about all sorts of things they know, including the commoners’ affairs, cough, cough, and general news of this manor or that manor. These were what they know better than anyone else.
Qu Yi knew that her master and mistress likely had ways to gather important news from men, given their close contact with the Wang of the Bai Region, a trusted figure. Therefore, it wasn’t difficult for them. However, they still lacked information from various households, and she could assist in this area.
The young girl’s intentions were grand. Who would have known that at such a young age, Qu Yi would possess such intelligence and foresight? It was no surprise that she would become an important figure in the Bai Region in the future, and even gain great fame in the larger Hu Region.
"Alright, it’s time for us to depart." Yueqian gently patted the children’s heads, seeing them cry their hearts out in farewell. Though they were parting today, they would surely meet again in the future.
Qu Yi was honest and reliable. When they were ready to reunite in the future, no one would be sad anymore.
Although Yueqian viewed Qu Yi as a pawn in her plans, she couldn’t deny that having her as part of the family and facing hardships together for a period of time had created warm memories.
The farewell passed quickly, and the not-too-large, not-too-small procession of the Red Earth City’s leaders began their journey to the capital under royal command. Along the way, the people of Red Earth City wished them well with genuine concern.
They were happy that their capable governor had the opportunity to meet the emperor, which was a great chance to report on the situation and showcase the governor’s achievements.
Everyone knew how crucial the Ming Fa flower was. The governor’s ability to cultivate it was a significant contribution to the entire Region, and such merits would undoubtedly be highly praised. Yet, they couldn’t help but worry.
When the governor of Red Earth, with the surname Mu, appeared with his wife, took over, the hellish Red Earth City turned into a paradise where everyone was happy. They feared that if Governor Mu left, would this paradise turn out to be an illusion? If the governor was promoted and became a greater governor, would Red Earth City revert to the hell it once was?This fear made them offer their blessings and prayers. They hoped the governor would always stay in Red Earth City, no matter his future appointments. Even though they knew this hope was unrealistic, they still held onto it.
