RWNEFE -Chapter 113 Something’s Not Right!

Shen Yuanjing himself was already a half-grown youth. Talking about such matters with his unmarried younger sister made him too embarrassed to speak.

“Don’t worry about this anymore. I’ll go talk to Grandmother about it!”

Shen Yuanxin watched her brother’s retreating figure and curled her lips into a faint smile.

~

“That wretched thing! Has he forgotten how Zhang Zifen abandoned him when he was captured by the Third Princess back then?” Old Madam Shen was so angry that her chest hurt!

“Mother, Elder Brother really is unbelievable. We’re on the road of exile! Even though things are somewhat safer now, he still can’t be so lustful—stealing time to fool around with a concubine in the bedroom!”

“Exactly! I was wondering why I didn’t see him during today’s martial contest—turns out he was dragged into the room!”

“Mother, Zhang Zifen grew up with Elder Brother; they could be considered childhood sweethearts. Could it be that now that the Commandery Princess has lost power, Elder Brother wants to dote on a concubine and cast aside his wife?”

Old Madam Shen slammed the table in fury.

“How dare he!”

Putting aside who was responsible for their current comfortable life—what if the Empress Dowager or His Majesty were to remember the eldest daughter-in-law and summon them back to the capital?

“Foolish! You all go and drag your eldest brother here. I’ll see how I deal with that muddleheaded fool!”

The three brothers, Shen Conglian and the others, immediately went to seize him.

The eldest brother couldn’t control his lower half—there was going to be quite a show in the main branch of the family!

~

Shen Lanxi reread the books she had studied before and gained a great deal from them.

What she had only half understood in the past was now completely clear.

Each time she read a page and had a new insight, she would stop and write it down. In just a few days, she had accumulated enough notes to bind into a volume.

After finishing the books she had read before, she began reading those she hadn’t—geography, travelogues, miscellanies, as well as the Book of Songs and policy essays. Whatever Xiao Xue brought her, she would casually pick one up and read it.

Her sparring with Wei Dongzhu also gave her many insights.

After that, she practiced martial arts in the mornings and read books in the afternoons.

Such days passed for more than ten days.

At last, they arrived at Huijiang Wharf!

Huijiang Wharf was one of the larger docks on the way to Xiguan. From afar, they could see many large and small boats moored there, and faintly hear the shouts of trackers chanting as they hauled ropes.

“My lord, there are many people at the dock. There probably aren’t any refugees,” Liu Yanhui said, standing to Shen Lanxi’s right.

Wei Dongzhu frowned. “We still can’t let our guard down.”

Shen Lanxi pointed to a nearby merchant ship that was about to dock. “Let them test the waters first.”

This area lay in the northwest, backed by the sea. Even if there were no rioters, there would surely be refugees fleeing famine to this place.

Sure enough—

As soon as that ship docked, refugees hiding around the wharf rushed out in a swarm, running over to compete with the local trackers for work.

This was no different from snatching food from the mouths of the local trackers, and they immediately started fighting!

“With things this bad, and no one in charge?” Wei Dongzhu frowned.

Before long, the local trackers won and began cursing and kicking as they drove the refugees away.

“We can’t dock!” Liu Yanhui said bluntly.

Shen Lanxi replied, “We’re out of fresh water!”

They had no choice but to replenish their supply.

Liu Yanhui said, “We can lower a small boat and buy water from the locals.”

Shen Lanxi nodded. “That works. Calculate the distance and have the ship stop.”

“Yes!”

They had already been drifting at sea for over a month. Seeing land now, everyone on board’s eyes lit up—they all wanted to go ashore for a bit.

“Sir Liu, let me go buy water. I’m strong!”

“I’m strong too! I can swim and row a boat!”

Liu Yanhui said, “I only want people who can swim, row, and fight. Once we go ashore, we might have to fight the locals first!”

Hearing how ruthless that sounded, those who had been clamoring to go immediately shrank back.

Shen Lanxi heard the cry of a hawk and looked up.

“My lord, is Xiao Xue back?” Chunxue asked.

Shen Lanxi gestured to Wei Dongzhu. “Shoot it down!”

Along the way, Wei Dongzhu had already shot down three messenger hawks, two of which had messages tied to their legs!

Although the pursuit had been shaken off, their every move was still being watched by certain people.

Wei Dongzhu loosed an arrow. After a mournful cry, the hawk fell into the sea.

“Should we fish it out and take a look?” Wei Dongzhu asked.

Shen Lanxi shook her head. “No matter how many we retrieve, it’s the same.” Without markings, there was no way to trace who raised these hawks.

Wei Dongzhu’s expression darkened. “They’ve followed us all the way here. The people going ashore to buy water will be in danger!”

Shen Lanxi stood up. “I’ll go myself!”

“I’ll go too!”

“Alright!”

Liu Yanhui stayed behind. Only Wei Dongzhu, Shen Lanxi, and one boatman went.

After the two went ashore, they personally watched the boatman row the boat back before leaving.

The dock laborers, trackers, and refugees all stared at them with appraising eyes.

Shen Lanxi suggested, “You stay here and keep watch. I’ll go take a look around the town.”

Wei Dongzhu knew she was worried that the people at the dock might act desperately and attack the main ship. He only said, “Be careful.”

Shen Lanxi nodded and left.

As soon as she exited the dock area, she noticed someone sneaking after her.

She found a secluded, deserted alley and walked into it.

“Where did he go? Why did he disappear?”

“This is a dead end! Where did he run off to?”

“That guy came down from a big ship—he must be carrying plenty of silver. Hurry and find him! Don’t let someone else snatch such a fat sheep first!”

Shen Lanxi stood on a nearby rooftop, watching as five men brazenly kicked open a household’s door, searched inside, and then left.

They weren’t the ones pursuing them!

She had intended to deal with these men, but the reaction of the household that was kicked in was wrong.

Those people actually smiled and saw the five men off. Although the five acted arrogantly, they didn’t harm the household at all. Instead, they seemed to know each other and even exchanged a few words.

With a light tap of her foot on the rooftop, Shen Lanxi jumped down onto a crowded street.

The people on this street hurried along, leaving quickly after making purchases. Not a single face bore a smile.

“Uncle, where can I find a place to eat?” she stopped an old man carrying a sack of rice.

The old man was startled and frantically waved his hands.

“I don’t know! I don’t know anything! Don’t ask me—I need to go home!” His face turned pale with fright as he lowered his head, hugged the sack of rice, and ran off.

Something was wrong!

Thinking of the people at the dock, Shen Lanxi turned and sprinted back toward the wharf!

~

After Shen Lanxi left, Wei Dongzhu noticed a general store not far away and wanted to buy a few things to take along.

As soon as he reached the shop entrance, he was surrounded by a crowd.

There were refugees among them, as well as trackers.

“You’re all together!”

The refugees and trackers laughed smugly. “Be sensible and hand over the silver you’re carrying.”

Wei Dongzhu’s gaze turned cold. “My companion just went into town. Aren’t you afraid she’ll report this to the authorities?”

“Authorities?” The refugees let out scornful laughter. “What authorities are left here?”

“Don’t worry. Our people will bring your companion over soon so you can be reunited!”