Bai Yiyan looked at the items piled on the carriage, which made it obvious that the silly rabbit was extremely enthusiastic about this trip. Since they would only be passing through two small towns along the way, there was no need to prepare this much luggage. But seeing the bright, eager look in the silly rabbit’s eyes, he couldn’t bear to dampen his enthusiasm.
Cao Xiaochan was still daydreaming, wondering if they camped out in the wilderness, would he be able to roast meat? He had often seen people in historical dramas making beggar’s chicken, but he didn’t know how to do it himself! If he had known, he should have learned. Should he try to wing it based on what he saw on television?
Just as he was lost in thought, a sharp pain struck his forehead. Two little paws immediately flew up to cover the spot where he had been flicked, and he cast an accusing glare at the culprit.
“What are you spacing out about again? It is time for dinner, and after we eat, we should rest early so we can hit the road tomorrow morning.” Bai Yiyan amusedly looked at the silly rabbit’s aggrieved expression, finding his reaction exceptionally adorable.
After finishing dinner, the two chatted for a bit in their room before turning in early.
That night, when Wealthy Steward Niu prepared to fetch his ledger to record the silver he had used to bribe Magistrate Liu, he discovered the ledger was gone. He searched back and forth through the hidden compartment, but he was painfully certain it was missing. In a panic, he shouted toward the outside, “Steward! Steward, get in here right now!”
“What does the master need?” The old steward pushed the door open, standing respectfully before Wealthy Steward Niu’s desk, wondering what madness his master was up to this time.
“Steward, has anyone else entered my study recently?”
“Replying to the master, aside from Fusheng, who is responsible for keeping your study clean as per usual, no one else has been here.” The steward thought to himself that surely nothing had been stolen from the study.
Fusheng had been sold to the Niu family since he was a child, and under a lifelong contract; Wealthy Steward Niu trusted that it couldn’t have been him. Could it have been an outsider? And considering that he had inexplicably lost part of his memory that day at the Cuiyi Tower, could it be that someone had targeted him?
A jolt of fear ran through Wealthy Steward Niu. He waved his hand to dismiss the old steward, then sat back down in his chair to carefully review everything that had happened recently, as well as the people he had offended. His mind immediately went to that young carpenter whom he had framed and who had subsequently eloped with a wanted criminal of the imperial court.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that those two must have returned to settle the score. Even though all the physical evidence of the murder and treasure-seizing case had been destroyed back then, the theft of the ledger detailing the bribes given to court officials—what would happen if that got leaked?
Back then, to secure the tea permit and monopolize the local tea trade, he had gifted a piece of precious jade to the Prefect. If these people found out he possessed the evidence of bribery against them and that it was now lost, the consequences would be unimaginable. This matter could not be made public. Wealthy Steward Niu sought out Magistrate Liu, keeping quiet about the ledger while recounting what had happened at the Cuiyi Tower. He also mentioned that the situation was suspicious, suggesting those two might have returned.
Magistrate Liu was thoroughly alarmed. He dispatched men to investigate the Cuiyi Tower, but they turned up empty-handed, leaving him at a loss for how to proceed.
Meanwhile, Cao Xiaochan and Bai Yiyan sat on the carriage driver’s bench, steering the vehicle toward the prefecture.
“Brother Bai, driving a carriage is actually pretty easy.” As Cao Xiaochan learned how to drive from Bai Yiyan, he took in the scenery along the way. An era without industrial pollution was truly wonderful—the air was fresh, and birds sang amid fragrant flowers. The morning air was particularly invigorating; perhaps staying here for a lifetime wouldn’t be a bad thing after all.
“Little dummy, don’t space out while driving. You’re about to steer us right into the fields.” Ever since they left the city, Cao Xiaochan had watched him drive and rushed over to learn. The carriage he was driving was basically moving in a zigzag, yet he had the audacity to call it easy, and now he was spacing out again. If Bai Yiyan had actually taken the silly rabbit’s advice and handed over the reins to rest inside the carriage, they would probably be plowing through someone’s crop field right now.
“Oh, sorry about that, Brother Bai.” Cao Xiaochan snapped back to reality, gently pulling on the reins to guide the horse back onto the main path so they could continue forward.
“Xiaochan, you don’t need to say sorry to me. Just pay attention to the road.”
“Brother Bai, as the saying goes, an old horse knows the way. This horse isn’t very young anymore, so why doesn’t it recognize the path and walk properly?” Cao Xiaochan remembered hearing people say that an old horse knows the way, assuming this horse should be able to walk on its own without being driven.
“That only applies when a horse is let loose so it can find water and food by itself. If you let it go now and leave it to walk on its own, it won’t be long before we end up in someone’s field waiting for it to eat their crops. Besides, have you ever seen a carriage that doesn’t need to be driven?” Bai Yiyan deeply felt that this child’s common sense needed serious improvement.
“Oh, I see.” Cao Xiaochan thought about it and realized it made sense. Then, another question popped into his mind: “Brother Bai, do you think we’ll run into any bandits along the way?” He was thinking about how banditry was another thriving industry in ancient times. He wondered if he’d have the honor of witnessing it firsthand. This kid practically viewed outlaws as an ancient sightseeing attraction.
“No, the towns around here are quite close to each other, and I haven’t heard of any bandits.” Bai Yiyan couldn’t understand why the silly rabbit looked so full of longing just at the mention of bandits.
Hearing this, Cao Xiaochan looked a bit disappointed, though he figured he’d have a chance in the future. It was hard to tell whether he hadn’t considered the consequences of running into bandits at all or if he simply had too much confidence in Bai Yiyan.
By the time of the Shi period, the two of them safely arrived at a town without incident, had lunch, and continued on their journey. They traveled until evening, when they reached a small county near the prefecture to rest for the night, and by noon the next day, they arrived at Anping City. The entire trip was peaceful and smooth—there were no rampaging outlaws, no martial arts duels, and no sleeping out in the wilderness. Not only did all the elaborate gear Cao Xiaochan had meticulously prepared go completely unused, but even his snacks and pastries were barely touched. The silly rabbit, who had set out full of anticipation, was left feeling rather deflated. Why didn’t things turn out the way he had expected?
Seeing his low spirits and gloominess, Bai Yiyan gently ruffled his hair. “Are you tired?” He assumed the boy was worn out from two days of travel.
“No, it’s just that none of the things I prepared came in handy,” Cao Xiaochan muttered dejectedly.
“Silly, they will be useful. Once your affairs are settled, we still have other places to go.” Bai Yiyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry; this little creature was sometimes foolishly adorable.
“Really?” Cao Xiaochan instantly perked up.
“Really. But for now, let’s get some dinner first. Since we’ll be staying here for a while, we should rent a courtyard.”
“Brother Bai, you’re so good to me.” Cao Xiaochan smiled happily. That heartfelt smile couldn’t help but infect everyone nearby with his joyful mood.
Amidst their laughter and chatter, the two arrived in front of Tianxiang Tower, a famous restaurant in Anping City. Entrusting the carriage to a waiter, they stepped inside.
The waiter rushed forward eagerly to greet them. He saw that the man in front was richly dressed, poised, and composed, while the person following behind him looked like a country bumpkin, curiously looking around at everything—at a glance, clearly a servant.
“What kind of seating would the honored guests like?”
“A private room.”
“I am truly sorry, honored guests, but all the private rooms are currently full. How about I arrange a quiet window seat on the first floor for you?”
“That works.”
“Right this way, honored guests.” The waiter led the two to a table by the window. Seeing that both of them sat down together without any distinct master-and-servant separation, he asked, “What would the two guests care to order?”
“Xiaochan, what would you like to eat?” Ignoring the waiter, Bai Yiyan looked at Cao Xiaochan and asked in a gentle tone he didn’t even realize he was using.
“Brother Bai, you order. I’m fine with anything; I’m not a picky eater.” Since Bai Yiyan was paying for all his food, clothing, and expenses—not to mention helping clear his name—Cao Xiaochan felt a bit embarrassed.
“Waiter, a pot of Longjing tea, auspicious rolls, stewed duck with rice wine, Longjing shrimp, steamed crabs in bamboo baskets, water shield soup, and jade-green bean cakes.”
“Brother Bai, ordering this much is going to waste if we can’t finish it.” Seeing him order so many dishes, Cao Xiaochan felt it was too extravagant and whispered in protest.
“It’s fine. These are all their signature dishes; you can try them later.” Having said that to Cao Xiaochan, Bai Yiyan instructed the waiter, “Just those for now, waiter.”
“Coming right up! Please wait a moment, gentlemen; it will be served shortly.”
Just as the two were waiting for their food, the sound of crashing tables and chairs and the commotion of a fight drifted down from the second floor. Cao Xiaochan instantly felt as energized as if he’d been injected with adrenaline. It’s here! Isn’t this sound exactly the martial arts faction brawl he had been longing for?