Yun Jinnian lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw Nanny Qian leading a dozen people towards him, bowing to the ground before the carriage, "Fourth Miss, this servant (subordinate) has made a mistake. I beg Fourth Miss to forgive and spare this servant (subordinate) this one time!"
Yun Jinnian looked at Nanny Qian and the others. They had lost a lot of weight and looked much more haggard than they had in the past few days.
"Nanny Qian, get up. Today I will give you another chance, hoping you will keep your word, truly recognize your mistake, and not force me to do anything I am unwilling to do again. Let's continue the journey!" Yun Jinnian said, then let the carriage curtain fall.
This old devout woman, finally she had sorted herself out.
She had indeed been too meddlesome some days ago.
Hemei and Henuan were holding back laughter, and Yun Jinnian glanced at them and smiled lightly.
Shi Jiayu was not aware of what had happened, "What's going on with them?"
Hemei recounted the whole event accurately, and Shi Jiayu angrily said, "These crafty servants really should be taught a good lesson!"
Yun Jinnian smiled and said nothing.
Actually, Nanny Qian and the others were doing their duty to their master; they were just acting out of loyalty to different masters and had no choice.
Nanny Qian and the others, while sighing in relief, dared not take anything lightly anymore and showed utmost respect to Yun Jinnian, following her orders obediently.
After all, this was their only chance.
Before even getting to Nanjiang, the man arranged by Chu Yu had already come over, a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties, with eyes that were sharp and full of light, clearly someone formidable.
"Your Highness!"
"Are you Hu Lao San?" Chu Yu asked.
Hu Lao San was someone he had found through his connections to help deal with matters in Nanjiang, costing a significant amount of silver. As to whether he would be worth it, that would only be known after reaching Nanjiang.
"Indeed I am, Your Highness. You honor me with your presence!" Hu Lao San said, bowing to Chu Yu.
"There's no need for such formality. From now on, dealing with affairs in Nanjiang is all up to your wits!"
"Being trusted by Your Highness is my fortune!"
Chu Yu smiled, aware that Hu Lao San's words were merely polite.
"Do well, and you will be handsomely rewarded once the matter is concluded!"
Hu Lao San's eyes narrowed into a smile, "I thank Your Highness in advance!"
Hu Lao San had brought with him five men, all young and appearing quite steady. They also listened to Hu Lao San very well.
Hu Lao San first explained the rules of Nanjiang.
It's said that even a mighty dragon cannot suppress the local snakes, so Chu Yu had asked Hu Lao San for help through his connections, which would save a great deal of unnecessary trouble.
"Your Highness, the residence has been prepared, and in accordance with your instructions, two thousand strong men have been recruited to serve at your command. However, about the silver..."
"Five taels of silver for those not yet employed, and twenty taels for each of those who are. This prince will not be short of a single penny!"
"That is very good, very good indeed!"
Chu Yu nodded, and the group officially entered the territory of Nanjiang.
Chu Yu told Hu Lao San that he wanted to enter Tian Mountain to seek the Snow Lotus and use blood to nourish the lotus. Hu Lao San paused for a moment, "Your Highness, do I need to prepare the men for the mountain expedition?"
"If you can arrange the manpower and find the Snow Lotus, that would be excellent!"
"Your Highness, finding men for the expedition is not difficult, but entering Tian Mountain is, after all, risking their lives. If they do not return from the mountain, their families would be left without their main support, and life will be hard!"
It all came down to silver in the end.
"Before entering the mountain, provide two hundred taels for settling the family for each man; fifty taels for finding the Snow Lotus. For those who perish, give another two hundred taels; and for those who come back alive, fifty taels!"
Hu Lao San thought the prices were quite fair.
If they found the Snow Lotus and returned alive, they would receive three hundred taels of silver; and if they died, their families would get four hundred and fifty taels, enough for ten to twenty years of their needs.
"Then it is settled!"