After rushing along, Ye Man finally arrived at the Prefecture City before noon.
Ningzhou's seat of government is in Changning County.
Longshan Township and Huangmao Village belong to Fangye County, which is not far from the Prefecture City.
Passing through the ancient road, then to Qingyang County, and then to the Prefecture City, is a bit farther.
In any case, she had arrived. Look at this gloomy sky, it’s going to rain, so one must seize the time when the weather is good.
Ye Man hurried to join the queue to enter the city, then find a place to rest well; the Old Ancestor was exhausted!
The donkey was also extremely tired, and Ye Man felt quite sympathetic towards it.
If it weren't for this donkey, she would have been even more miserable.
If she had been caught in the rain, with the wind blowing and the temperature dropping, people could die from illness.
Although she could have found another place, how could it compare to the Prefecture City?
Although this Prefecture City wasn't considered too prosperous, and its city walls looked imposing, especially compared to the countryside; in the Old Ancestor's eyes, it looked rather drab, especially with the overcast sky, exuding an ominous feeling.
But it was indeed the most prosperous place in Ningzhou, and there was quite a long queue of people waiting to enter the city gate.
Ye Man and the donkey looked downcast, which wasn't strange among the people queuing to enter the city.
There were a few people who looked even more miserable than her; they had probably encountered Mountain Bandits. It was fortunate they were unharmed.
On one side, an old man wearing a Green Robe was also waiting in line.
A man complained, "Why do they charge money just to enter the city?"
Someone from a Merchant Caravan, waiting to negotiate with the Guard, said with a bitter face, "Last year, Linzhou suffered a disaster, refugees scattered everywhere, so the surrounding prefectures and counties have become much stricter with checks."
Someone asked, "How is Linzhou doing?"
The Merchant Caravan usually sees more, and worries more: "It's even harder."
Sigh...
Everyone sighed, and the clouds overhead pressed even lower.
They watched as a Merchant in front was extorted for two taels of Silver, and the Merchants with three carts behind him looked like they were about to cry.
Ye Man watched as it was the old man's turn, and the Guard was quite proper.
When it was the Merchant Caravan's turn, they demanded ten taels of Silver.
When it was her turn, Ye Man put on an imposing air and handed a piece of paper to the Guard.
She casually passed over a few coins as well; her hands were that nimble.
The Guard was stunned; he didn't even see the paper clearly before taking the money and letting her pass.
Ye Man led the donkey away, inwardly suspecting the Guard was illiterate.
But that didn't matter. Various official documents have a certain appearance, and most people wouldn't dare forge them. As for genuine forgeries, the Guard usually couldn't manage them anyway.
What Ye Man held was a legitimate Red Contract; although it was for buying a donkey, being able to buy a donkey implied safety.
Therefore, she didn't need to overthink it.
What she needed to think about now was finding a suitable place to stay before it rained, then enjoying a good meal, and then getting a good night's sleep.
Naturally, this donkey couldn't be left out.
The donkey slowly followed its owner; after all, it didn't know the way, so if the owner told it to go east, it went east; if told to go west, it went west.
Although Ye Man was small and her clothes were worn out, having a donkey made her status seem somewhat unusual.
There were many people on the road, all busy with their own affairs, few had the leisure to pay attention to her.
Ye Man didn't rush to ask for directions; she had a general sense of direction and could orient herself while observing her surroundings.
Just then, a Beauty ran out of an alleyway.
The Little Beauty was wearing a beautiful skirt; it didn't look like she was playing a game, but rather fleeing for her life.
Her aura wasn't strong enough, her face was panicked, she bit her lip, and her beautiful eyes held a stubbornness.
She was quite lucky, running right into a Young Master, who also had a Young Lady beside him.
Ye Man looked up at the sky; the radiance that couldn't be hidden even by such weather—the Young Master was extraordinary!
She stopped looking for a place to stay and simply led the donkey aside to watch.
This donkey was exceptionally obedient; if told to stop, it stopped; if told to go, it went; if told to run, it ran with all its might. Is there anything better than a donkey in this world?
Although a harsh hand might be needed, a harsh hand isn't always effective; otherwise, why would there still be so many Unfilial Sons despite corporal punishment?
Over there, the Little Beauty was anxious!
She looked up at the Young Master, as if seeing the light of humanity in him! Illuminating this impending rainy day.
In a flash of inspiration, she knelt down with a thud, her small face full of grievance: "I beg the Young Master and Young Lady to save me!"
The Little Beauty didn't neglect the Young Lady, as the Young Lady also radiated a certain light.
This Young Lady wore a Peacock green Cloak and a dark blue embroidered skirt; her back was straight, carrying a scholarly air like Qinglian; she wore a looped bun adorned with a green jade lotus hairpin, possessing an unusual temperament.
The Young Master beside her wore a Green Robe, appearing simple, yet his aura was even more lofty and refined!
He had Sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, a long, square face, and looked exceptionally clean; though young, he was already showing signs of prominence.
Such unparalleled talent and looks easily capture people's hearts.
The Young Lady beside him was not yet worthy of him; this became more obvious the longer Ye Man looked.
The Little Beauty didn't care about this; even if the Young Master possessed talent comparable to Zicai and was as graceful as a jade tree, the crucial thing was whether he could save her.
Fate!
The Young Master was captivated by her gaze; this purity and spiritual energy were things Miss Qian lacked.
This Beauty was in the bloom of youth; she was a poem herself. Her beautiful red Gauze skirt was much brighter than the colors of Miss Qian, whom he had seen too much of.
Miss Qian was becoming increasingly bland; only this Little Beauty could illuminate this dark sky.
Illuminating people's hearts, the Young Master subconsciously reached out his hand to help the Little Beauty up.
The Little Beauty looked at his outstretched hand, large and smooth; this was no ordinary hand; it could support her entire life.
The Young Lady's hand reached in, blocking the Young Master, and pulled the Little Beauty.
The Little Beauty wasn't charmed by the Young Master, nor was she held by the Young Lady; she warily glanced around.
There were some people gathered around; trouble could arise.
The Young Master quickly said, "Let's find a place first; don't stay on the street."
The Young Lady quickly nodded, "Right, the street isn't a place to talk."
The Little Beauty was even more eager to leave.
The three of them—plus a Servant Boy and a Maidservant trailing behind—left tacitly.
The Maidservant walked at the rear, staring at the Little Beauty's back, stomping her feet in anger several times.
The Servant Boy smiled at her; though he tried hard, he couldn't make the Maidservant smile.
This was a matter of principle.
The Young Lady led the Little Beauty away, remaining quite composed.
Ye Man slowly followed behind, leading the donkey, the calmest of all.
Looking at the Young Lady's profile as she turned, she showed extreme concern for the Little Beauty; truly virtuous and gentle.
As fellow women, the Little Beauty was very clear-headed and kept glancing back.
The Young Lady also looked back, frowning when she saw the person behind leading a donkey.
Ye Man blinked; the Old Ancestor hadn't done anything to her yet, what was the disdain for? Did that street belong to her, or did the entire Prefecture City belong to her?
That Maidservant was quite perceptive.
Seeing the Young Lady frown, the Maidservant, full of pent-up anger, turned and yelled at Ye Man, "Beggar, why are you following us?"
Ye Man ignored her.
The Young Lady was magnanimous and turned to reprimand the Maidservant, "Forget it."
Ye Man looked at the inns and restaurants by the roadside; she was hungry.
The Maidservant continued to vent, "Go beg somewhere else!"
Ye Man didn't move, but the donkey grew impatient and rushed forward to bite her!
Ah!
The Maidservant screamed in fright!
The Young Lady leaned into the Young Master.
The Little Beauty was pushed aside. She was most worried about being discovered, so her sharp eyes noticed the donkey being held tightly.
Ye Man didn't want trouble, so how could she let the donkey cause trouble? It was her best child.
The donkey looked at its owner; it just really disliked that wretched maid.
The Little Beauty saw that there was no immediate danger, then looked at the Young Lady’s pale face, trying hard to remain calm.