Chapter 37

Since the beginning of autumn in Changping, the weather has been quite nice. Apart from occasional heavy fog and torrential rain, most of the time, the sky is clear and the sun is bright.

Yang Shouwen mounted his horse outside the Yang residence, just as he settled into the saddle, he saw Yang Chenglie, leaning on a cane, walking out of the house.

"Xizi, take this with you."

He said, handing the Dragon-Cleaving Saber to Yang Shouwen.

Yang Shouwen was taken aback, looking at Yang Chenglie in surprise.

"This saber, like the Tiger-Devouring Spear, was left to you by your grandfather. In the past, when you were not in your right mind, I used this saber. It has been several years. Now that you have recovered from your illness, it is time to return it to you. Your road ahead is long, and you can use it for self-defense. Don't forget the teachings of your grandfather."

Yang Chenglie smiled, looking calm.

But beneath his calm demeanor, Yang Shouwen saw a hint of hope and pride.

He nodded, took the Dragon-Cleaving Saber, and did not say any unnecessary words.

"Father, I'll be off... If anything happens, send someone to Hu Valley Mountain to find me. Take care of yourself in the city."

"Go."

The father and son did not exchange many words, but from each other's eyes, they both felt the other's concern.

Yang Shouwen pulled the reins and spurred his horse forward.

Behind him, Song Shi and Qingnu also got into the carriage.

However, Song Shi stopped Song An, saying calmly, "Song An, you stay in the city to take care of Lang."

"Madam..."

Song An was startled, about to say something, but was silenced by a glare from Song Shi. He knew that last night, Song Shi had seen through the truth.

This was a warning and a punishment for him.

Without Song Shi's support in the Yang residence, Song An was nothing. Yang Chenglie was taciturn but extremely strict. Staying in the Yang residence was, in essence, to teach him the rules.

Song An understood that from today, in the Yang residence, apart from Yang Chenglie and his wife, the only person who truly had authority was Yang Shouwen, and he had no connection with the Song family. Although he was unhappy, he did not dare to show it.

If not for his work for Yang Chenglie, how could he have a foothold in the Song family?

Without the Yang family, the corvée alone would be enough to make him miserable. Song Shi was warning him that he belonged to the Yang family, not the Song family.

"Mother!"

"Shut up."

In the carriage, Yang Qingnu wanted to plead for Song An.

She, of course, did not understand the hidden implications, but she thought that without Song An, life in Hu Valley Mountain would be very inconvenient.

"Hu Valley Mountain is your elder brother's residence. When you get there, you must follow his instructions. Besides, your aunt is there to take care of you. Song An's presence would only add to the chaos. You must be well-behaved. Recently, Changping seems to be a bit unstable. Your father wants us to go to Hu Valley Mountain so that your elder brother can protect us."

"He's just a fool..."

"Qingnu, if I find out that you are disrespectful to your elder brother again, don't blame me for using the family rules."

Yang Qingnu shut her mouth.

She bit her lip, leaning against the carriage, looking out through the curtain. She saw the Yang Ahchi, whom she usually looked down upon, riding a horse and holding a saber, following the carriage. He wore a headcloth, a white robe, and sat on the horse, bathed in the sunlight, exuding an indescribable charm. Yang Shouwen was not fat, and in an era where tall, white, and plump was considered beautiful, he was not considered handsome. But his soft facial features, in the sunlight, had a beauty that was hard to describe. He looked frail yet heroic. The blend of masculinity and beauty made her heart involuntarily admire him.

"Hmph, showing off!"

Yang Qingnu pulled down the curtain, muttering to herself, but in her heart, she felt that this elder brother was not so bad.

The carriage reached the West Gate, and suddenly, a person darted out from the roadside.

Yang Shouwen was just handing the pass token to the gate guards when he heard a horse neigh behind him.

The horse pulling the carriage was startled, neighing loudly and rearing up. It was about to go wild, but Yang Shouwen quickly stepped forward, grabbed the reins, and with a strong pull, let out a deep shout.

The horse struggled, shaking its head and tail.

But Yang Shouwen held its neck tightly, and no matter how hard it tried, it could not move forward.

After a while, the horse gradually calmed down.

Yang Shouwen circled one arm around its neck and gently stroked its fur, soothing it with a soft voice.

The horse finally calmed down.

However, inside the carriage, Song Shi and her daughter were terrified, their faces pale.

"How do you drive a carriage?"

Yang Shouwen couldn't help but scold the driver.

His father had entrusted him to protect Song Shi and her daughter, and they almost had an accident before even leaving the city. How could he not be angry?

"Little Master, it's not that I was careless, but he suddenly ran out and startled the horse."

The driver, also frightened, pointed to the person who had suddenly run out, trying to explain.

Yang Shouwen turned his head, frowning.

It turned out that the person blocking the road was Song Sanlang, who was also quite frightened, standing there without moving.

"Mother, it's Uncle San."

Yang Shouwen glanced at Song Sanlang, walked to the side of the carriage, and said in a low voice, "He seems to have some urgent matter."

Song Shi, hearing this, felt a headache.

"Xizi, you deal with it... I really don't want to get involved in their family affairs."

Song Shi had three brothers, and Song Sanlang was the youngest. After Old Mr. Song passed away, the three brothers fought over the family property, causing a great stir in the city. Initially, Song Shi tried to mediate, but she found that being caught between the three brothers was a no-win situation. In the end, she almost got herself into trouble, making her an outcast.

So, Song Shi decided to stay out of their affairs.

If the three brothers came to her, she tried to avoid them as much as possible, and in the past two years, she had finally found some peace.

But now...

Song Shi thought for a moment. Since Yang Shouwen had recovered, she would let him handle it.

Unlike Yang Rui and Yang Qingnu, Yang Shouwen had no connection with the Song family. He could say things and do things that Song Shi could not.

Yang Shouwen agreed and turned to Song Sanlang.

"Do you want to die?"

He was not going to be polite to Song Sanlang.

He could see that Song Shi did not want to face him.

Yang Shouwen, who had taken lives, could not help but reveal a hint of killing intent when he was angry.

Song Sanlang, already shaken, was even more nervous when faced with Yang Shouwen's anger, and he could not speak.

Seeing his state, Yang Shouwen was even more furious. No wonder Song Shi did not want to get involved; Song Sanlang was a hopeless case. However, Yang Shouwen could not be too harsh, so he gritted his teeth and demanded, "Can someone tell me what's going on? Why is the great Song Sanlang hiding here like a beggar?"

"Big Brother, this matter..."

The gate guard, who was maintaining order at the city gate, quickly stepped forward.

He whispered to Yang Shouwen, "Song Sanlang has been here since yesterday.

He had a batch of goods to be transported out of the city, but during the inspection, contraband was found mixed in. We seized the goods out of respect for the county magistrate, but we did not make things difficult for him. However, he has been loitering here, and we have no choice."

"Contraband?"

Yang Shouwen frowned and looked at Song Sanlang.

"Contraband destined for where?"

"To the border."

Yang Shouwen was immediately furious.

Yesterday, this guy said the goods were destined for Fanyang. If it was just ordinary goods, he could have his father intervene. But this involved contraband, and it was being sent to the border, which was essentially smuggling.

If his father got involved in this, it would be like mud falling into his pants; even if it wasn't his fault, it would be hard to clear his name.

Thinking of this, Yang Shouwen felt a surge of anger.

He was not afraid of a formidable opponent, but he was afraid of a useless teammate like Song Sanlang. The key was that this guy was a real troublemaker. If his father got involved without knowing the truth, it would be impossible to clear his name.

"Since it's contraband, it must be thoroughly investigated."

"Ah?"

Yang Shouwen looked at Song Sanlang and said sternly, "Changping is a bit chaotic now, and it needs strict governance.

If my father knew that he dared to smuggle contraband to the border, he would not spare him. Take him away and lock him up for now."