"Mr. Head Du, you're standing with injuries, and we feel bad about keeping you standing for too long. Older Du, we've been through so many years together, there's still hope. Let's shoulder this together! I'm leaving now, you should lie down."
"Old Yu, please help me escort our colleagues, ask my attendants to see off them." Du Yunhe instructed his senior attendant to accompany the departing guests downstairs.
Until the last person left, only the three of them remained in the room. Understanding the signal from Cheng Mo's eyes, Qiao Ziqiu gently helped Du Yunhe to Cheng Mo's side.
Cheng Mo stood tall and presented the King's token to him.
"My Lord! Duke of Dongbin! This humble one pays respect to My Lord! My Lord, you've finally come. We've been waiting for ten years, My Lord." Du Yunhe knelt on the ground, crying like a child.
Cheng Mo reached out and lifted him up, helping him to sit on the bed. The three of them talked through the night, and when Xiang Bei woke up in the morning, everything was packed and ready for their departure.
"Xiaobei, we need to leave immediately. Zi Qiu and shadow guard Yin Thirteen will stay behind with Mr. Du for some arrangements." Cheng Mo's serious expression made Xiaobei realize the gravity of the situation. Without saying another word, she quickly packed herself and followed Cheng Mo downstairs, leaving the Yun Ke Inn.
From the moment the carriage started moving, they felt as if they were being watched by invisible eyes, with a chilling sensation. "Xiaobei, our identity is that of a young couple accompanying by Mr. Qiao to find some novelty items for our elder's grandfather's birthday celebration. The orders placed by Mr. Du are all specified by that Wa people and the quantity is substantial. Brother Zi Qiu, as arranged by Mr. Du, has paved the way for us in front of the Wa people, so the outward storyline is that Mr. Qiao needs to stay behind for a few days to discuss the details of the trade. With Young Master Du from the Du family' guidance, we managed to purchase an intricately carved elephant ivory as a birthday gift, along with a pile of exotic goods. We are quite satisfied with this trip. Because we also wanted to travel on the road, we decided to separate from Mr. Qiao and leave first. So, as long as those tailing eyes confirm that we are just wealthy merchants without any official background, they will disappear once we leave the city."
The situation didn't seem as straightforward as they had expected. On their way from Yunke Inn to the city gate, they strolled through small stalls and indulged in street food, portraying the sweet and affectionate image of a tourist couple. Yet, even after passing through the city gate, those sinister glances continued to stick to them like flies.
"Lately, Mr. Head Du's Han Merchants Association has been receiving purchase orders every day, suddenly increasing the quantity of daily necessities, all in standard allocations, resembling the supply for tens of thousands of soldiers. But judging from yesterday's situation in the city, it doesn't seem like there are stationed troops, not even many gathered bandits. Could it be suspected that there are organized pirates lurking near the coast? If so, these thieves might be preparing for a major move soon." Cheng Mo's mind was heavy, fearing that there might not be enough time for the arrangements he had made for the Emperor's return to the capital.
"Ah Mo, since we're going to purchase big leaves tea in Chen Village, why not stay there for a couple of days? This way, we can gather more information nearby and also assist Brother Zi Qiu."
"That sounds good. Let them follow us as much as they want. We'll focus on our tea business for a few days. Xiaobei, how about resting at our Xiawan sunrise bay during these days?"
"That might not be possible. With eyes watching us, I don't want to expose our new territory to the enemy."
"True. These despicable thieves!"
As the carriage turned into the entrance of Chen Village, children cheered and surrounded them. The older child immediately ran back to the village to alert the villagers. For the past few days, the adults had mobilized almost entirely, climbing the mountain to pick fresh tea leaves and natural -dry them, saying that when these two noble guests returned, the leaves would turn into silver coins.
"Hello, Chief Chen. Why did you personally come out to greet us?" Knowing that Cheng Mo wasn't accustomed to the enthusiasm of the villagers and concerned that his icy demeanor might offend them, Xiao Bei hurriedly approached Chief Chen to strike up a conversation.
"Oh, honored guests, I just couldn't wait. Not only me, but the whole village has been eagerly anticipating your arrival these past few days. They've been so eager that they've been peering out at the village entrance, necks stretched long. The tender leaves we've collected have all wilted on the bamboo sieves, and many bamboo baskets have been woven, all waiting for you to come and inspect the goods and load them onto the carts." Chief Chen said with a beaming smile, surrounded by excited and enthusiastic villagers.
"Oh, Chief Clan Chen, actually, we don't need to load the carts today. We won't be taking these tea leaves with us." Xiao Bei had just started explaining when Chief Chen's expression turned pale with shock.
"What? What are you saying? Honored guests, this must be a joke, right? You're not serious about this, are you? I've made promises to the entire Chen Village." The old chief was incredulous and panicked.
"Well, Chief, you didn't mishear me."