Тhе next dаy, the mеrсhаnt саrаvan sеt off аs scheduled. The numbеr of aсcоmрanуing cаrriagеs fluctuated along thе way, but Ziуu’s mule сart remained steadily in the middle of thе carаvan.
Тhe snow fеll intеrmittеntly thrоughоut thе journеy, nevеr trulу stорping. A thick laуer had ассumulatеd on the ground, fоrcing thе саrt drivеrs to dismоunt and leаd their аnimals on fоot.
Thе сaravаn hаd unifоrmlу switched to woоlеn short jackets, with leg wraррings bound around thеir сalvеs. Аmid the wind аnd snow, it wаs diffiсult to distinguish оne person from another.
Along the way, they encountered a group of exiled convicts. Though clad in cotton-padded jackets, they wore only thin trousers. Their cotton shoes were long soaked through by the snow, their faces frozen blue and purple. Even the escorting guards huddled against the cold, their movements stiff and clumsy.
From time to time, a whip would crack, urging forward those nearly numb with cold, yet the lash could do nothing to drive away the chill.
“Damn it, what kind of cursed weather is this year? It’s only early November, and already such heavy snow,” one guard cursed, stamping his feet.
His whip landed on a convict who could no longer walk, and he shouted angrily.
“Move faster, or I’ll bury the whole lot of you right here! Pah!”
…
Steward Wang waved a small flag in his hand, and the entire caravan came to a halt. Xiao Wu jogged forward to speak with the lead guard.
Ziyu could only catch fragments of conversation carried by the wind, and from the lead guard’s lip movements, she pieced together the exchange.
She watched as Xiao Wu untied his own leg wrappings. The lead guard took them, bound them around his own legs, took a few steps, and nodded in satisfaction.
Xiao Wu cupped his hands in thanks and did not ask for the wrappings back.
Xiao Wu then called his companions to carry four baskets of leg wrappings toward the exiled convicts. They first distributed a pair to each of the ten guards.
The guards, having received this benefit, quickly tied them on. The lead guard cracked his whip against the snowy ground, sending a spray of snowflakes flying.
“Buy now if you want them! Don’t dawdle!”
“Come, come! Exclusive sale of lamb’s wool leg wrappings! Warm and waterproof! Only two taels of silver per pair!”
Xiao Wu, holding two pairs of wrappings, seized the moment to promote them, stirring a commotion among the exiles.
Those who could no longer endure the cold no longer cared about hiding their possessions. They began pulling out their most treasured, long-hidden valuables.
Gold rings, gold nuggets, gold ingots, jade pendants… The line of guards watched, their eyes gleaming with avarice.
The four baskets of leg wrappings brought over were not enough to trade. Xiao Wu had to fetch two more baskets before they barely met the demand. The exiles hurriedly bound the wrappings around their legs and bodies.
Ziyu watched this scene coldly. She did not know how many of these people were implicated in the An Guo Hou case, but few who had fallen to such a state were likely innocent.
Even the young children, having enjoyed the blessings bestowed by their fathers, must also bear the consequences of the sins committed.
Ziyu glanced at Ziluo, who was craning his neck to watch the spectacle, then urged her mule cart forward to keep pace with the caravan. The two groups soon drew apart.
Though their direction of travel was the same, their ultimate fates would differ.
…
Baili Prefecture, named after the Baili Mountain Range, was a border city between north and south, where rugged and refined styles coexisted within its walls.
After securing an inn, Ziyu, guided by Xiao Wu, sold her fifteen lambskins at seven taels of silver each, earning a pure profit of ninety taels.
This was two taels higher per skin than Steward Wang had anticipated. Though a small gain, every bit counted, and Ziyu was quite pleased.
She realized that in this otherworld, selling northern goods in the south—with the aid of her dimensional space—was easier and more profitable than she had imagined. Once settled, she planned to make several more trips.
“Because of the heavy snow, prices this year are better than in previous years.
The weather is abnormal. Steward Wang says we depart tomorrow.”
Xiao Wu happily tucked the 35 tael silver note close to his body. No private goods were allowed to be carried after crossing the Baili Mountain Range—this was the rule Steward Wang had set for them.
“Little brother, please turn a blind eye to matters within the caravan. We all have families to support, and relying solely on that meager wage isn’t enough to feed a large household. I beg you!” Xiao Wu’s smiling eyes carried a sharp glint.
“Brother Xiao Wu, I don’t understand what you’re saying. I’m just a stranger traveling south with the caravan.”
Ziyu wasn’t afraid of Xiao Wu’s threat. Most people who dared to engage in trade lived dangerously, and smuggling a bit of private goods seemed completely harmless in her eyes.
“You’re a true brother, and I acknowledge you as one! In a couple of years, once I’ve saved enough money, I’ll move to Baili City to open a food shop. I’ll need your guidance then, little brother!”
Xiao Wu reached out to put an arm around Ziyu’s shoulders but suddenly realized there was quite a height difference between them.
“Hahaha, little brother, you need to eat more to grow taller, like your mighty brother Wu!” Xiao Wu slapped his broad chest loudly.
Ziyu immediately stepped away from this burly man. If she really grew to look like him, she could forget about finding a suitable husband in this lifetime.
Having never experienced the company of a man, Ziyu had no intention of remaining single in this life. The idea of kidnapping a few husbands to keep in her stronghold occasionally crossed her mind. If men could have multiple partners, so could she! She just didn’t know if this wonderful wish could be realized in this different time and space.
“That’s a bear-like physique. If you want to open a food shop, build a good relationship with Bao Jiu. I’ve already taught him all my skills.”
Ziyu decided that after reaching the south, she would stay away from these rough men. Not only did they constantly tease her about her height, but they even wanted to introduce her to delicate young women—something she had no interest in enjoying.
…
Because they had to cross the Baili Mountain Range, Ziyu only purchased essential daily supplies, and the caravan no longer engaged in trade. Everyone traveled light, and encountering two teams escorting exiled prisoners along the mountain paths added a sense of security to the caravan.
Steward Wang, who kept his distance from the exiled prisoner teams, wore a slightly somber expression. They had encountered five groups of exiled prisoners along the way. The An Guo Hou case involved too many people, and fearing involvement due to his employer, Steward Wang considered leaving the caravan and planning to redeem his family’s freedom.
With this intention, Steward Wang grew even more eager to return to Jiang Prefecture as quickly as possible.
Ziyu clearly noticed that the rest stops along the way became shorter, but she cautiously kept Ziluo inside the mule cart the entire journey, remaining vigilant of their surroundings at all times.
When a plain appeared before her eyes, Ziyu let out a sigh of relief. This meant they had safely arrived in the south, right?
…
Jiang Prefecture in December.
The warm winter sun pierced through the gloomy sky, bringing gentle warmth—its rays soft and mild.
The group, dressed in woolen jackets, eagerly removed their heavy coats, cheering and cracking their whips to quicken their pace.
Three days later, Ziyu bid farewell to the caravan at the city gate, as she was heading to the next city.
“Little brother, this is where we part! I hope we’ll have the chance to meet again someday!” Steward Wang stood at the city gate, cupping his hands in farewell to Ziyu.
“Little brother, when you reach Jiang Prefecture, you must come to the Wang family to drink with us,” Xiao Wu said somewhat reluctantly.
“Brothers, take care on your journey. Until we meet again!”
Ziyu stood on the mule cart, cupping her hands toward the group, then drove the mule cart away, disappearing from the sight of the weathered men.
For now, she didn’t want these people to know her gender. It was better to keep her distance!
…
Qingyang Prefecture.
From the map, Qingyang Prefecture is located between Jiang Prefecture and Shangdu Prefecture, with only a three-day carriage journey to the port.
Ziyu, traveling alone by carriage, would bring Ziluo to sit in the front during the warm midday hours, leisurely making their way.
“Brother, where are we going?” Ziluo, dressed once again in boys’ clothing, looked up and asked.