Chapter 64

"Good!"

Yang Rui hurriedly urged the ox cart forward, with the two carts moving swiftly one after the other along the main street toward Fanrenli. It was clear that there was some unrest in Changping County. Along the way, they could see patrolling soldiers and militiamen, and at the gates of various markets, there were military officers on duty, all with serious expressions. Normally, at this time, the market gates would not be closed. However, as they traveled, Yang Shouwen noticed that several market gates were already shut. After much effort, they finally arrived at Fanrenli, where the market gate was still open. However, there were four military officers guarding the gate. Upon seeing Yang Shouwen and his brother, they quickly approached, asked a few simple questions, and then allowed the carts to enter Fanrenli. This was something that would have been impossible in the past. Yang Rui looked somewhat angry, but Yang Shouwen stopped him.

"Er Lang, in times like these, don't cause unnecessary trouble. Those people are just following orders; don't argue with them. Actually, they've already given us a lot of face. Otherwise, they would have inspected the carts."

"They dare!"

Yang Rui, back in Changping County, seemed to be reverting to his old ways. Yang Shouwen raised his spear and lightly tapped Yang Rui on the head, "Control your temper. Now is not the time to act rashly."

The current Yang Rui was somewhat afraid of Yang Shouwen, but also respected him. The fear came from the fact that Yang Shouwen had killed people and saved his life. Regardless of the reasons behind Yang Shouwen's actions that night at the Small Maitreya Temple, Yang Rui knew that without Yang Shouwen, he would have certainly lost his life. In the matter of Gai Jiayun, Yang Shouwen had also helped him avoid a crisis. Adding to this, Yang Shouwen's brewing of the Qingping Tune made him seem even more mysterious in Yang Rui's eyes. Yang Rui pursed his lips and dared not argue further. He led the ox cart to the entrance of the Yang residence.

Song Shi and the others also got off the carts and walked up the steps, calling for the gate to be opened.

"Old Hu, you can stay in the room in front of the courtyard..." Yang Shouwen entered the gate and called Old Hu over, pointing to a room in the courtyard, "Also, get the things I asked you to make as soon as possible. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Qing Nu!"

Yang Shouwen suddenly called out to Yang Qingnu, who was carrying Ba Jie, "Have someone arrange an empty space for Old Hu to work."

Yang Qingnu quickly put Ba Jie down and skipped over.

"Song An, take care of it."

To his surprise, Song An looked hesitant and said softly, "Young Lady, it's not that I don't want to arrange it, but there's no space available."

"No space?"

Yang Qingnu was taken aback and pointed to a shed next to the room, "Isn't that empty?"

"Young Lady, that's the woodshed... We need to store firewood for the winter in a couple of days."

"Firewood for the winter?" Yang Qingnu looked puzzled and asked, "Isn't the woodshed next to the kitchen? Why store firewood here? It's so far from the kitchen, wouldn't it be very inconvenient?"

Yang Shouwen, who was listening nearby, smiled slightly, understanding Song An's thoughts. It seemed he still wasn't being honest. Yang Shouwen didn't want to argue with him and led Old Hu straight to the room.

"Wait, that room is in use."

Song An hurriedly tried to stop him, but before he could finish, Yang Shouwen slapped him, leaving Song An with a bloody mouth. Yang Shouwen coldly glanced at Song An, walked to the room, and opened the door. The furniture inside was complete, but there were no signs of anyone living there.

"Old Hu, you can stay here... If anyone gives you trouble, don't hesitate to act. Don't give me any face. Since you've been to Lulong, you must have some skills. You know what to do."

Old Hu was initially stunned but then smiled. He looked at Song An, who was holding his face and dared not speak, and chuckled, "Master, I've also killed people and seen blood. Now that I'm with you, I won't let you down."

Yang Shouwen also smiled, patted Old Hu's arm, and turned to leave.

"Qing Nu, take care of this!"

With that, he walked into the courtyard with his spear, not even glancing at Song An. At the gate, Yang's mother and daughter followed Yang Shouwen inside. Bodhi barked, and Ba Jie ran over, following Bodhi with a wagging tail, ignoring Song An.

"Young Lady, look how arrogant he is."

Yang Qingnu wasn't stupid. Although she had been influenced by others and harbored hostility towards Yang Shouwen, during the days on the mountain, Yang Shouwen had saved her life and told her stories, which changed her feelings.

Her gaze turned cold.

Yang Qingnu said softly, "Song An, slap yourself."

"Ah?"

"Eldest Brother is Father's son, my and Second Brother's elder brother, and a member of the Yang family. What are you? You stir up trouble in front of Mother and me every day. Today, Eldest Brother is in a good mood and doesn't want to argue with you, but I can't let you be so disrespectful. Since you are Mother's person, you should be more disciplined. Slap yourself twenty times, and it must be loud. I'll have someone watch you, so be careful... don't forget, there will be a battle soon."

Yang Qingnu, who was now a well-behaved girl in front of Yang Shouwen, was still the cunning and ruthless young lady in front of others.

"Old Hu, watch him. If he doesn't slap himself twenty times or if it's not loud enough, tell me, and I'll have someone break his legs."

With that, Yang Qingnu glared at Song An and ran inside.

What happened?

Song An was stunned, not knowing what to do. Before going to Hu Valley Mountain, the young lady had hated that fool. How did she become so obedient in just a few days?

While he was dazed, Old Hu sat down on the porch.

He smiled, "Old friend, hurry up, we need to eat soon."

"You..."

"Don't glare at me!" Old Hu laughed, "I'm a local and have a hundred ways to deal with you. Believe me?"

Song An gritted his teeth, looking at Old Hu. Although Old Hu was smiling, he could feel the danger behind the smile.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"Mother, I need to go out later."

During dinner, Yang Shouwen suddenly said to Song Shi.

Song Shi was taken aback and asked, "Xizi, where are you going so late? The curfew is about to start, and it will be very troublesome to go out."

"Yes, I need to gather some information."

Song Shi frowned, thought for a moment, and then nodded. To be honest, she wasn't very reassured... She had heard about the upcoming battle and was very worried. Yang Chenglie was still at the county office, and there had been no news from him. No one knew what the situation outside was like, so when she heard that Yang Shouwen was going out, she didn't oppose it. She had heard that Yang Shouwen now had some influence in the county.

In comparison...

Song Shi sighed and glared at Yang Rui.

Yang Rui was eating a chicken leg and, feeling his mother's gaze, slowed down. He felt a bit wronged, why glare at me?

"Since you're doing something important, I won't stop you."

Song Shi thought for a moment, got up, and left the room. A while later, she returned with a waist plate and handed it to Yang Shouwen, "The county is different from Hu Valley Mountain, and there are many rules. Once the curfew starts, if you don't have a pass, the military officers will catch you, and even your father can't help you. Take the waist plate, and don't end up hiding in a ditch again. I don't want to have to explain to your father when he comes back."

Yang Qingnu giggled, and Yang Shouwen looked embarrassed.

"Qing Nu, what's wrong with hiding in a ditch?"

Yang Shi wasn't eating at the table, but she had called You Niang over. Hearing Song Shi's words, You Niang looked curious, "Xizi, why did you hide in a ditch?"

"Well..."

Yang Shouwen didn't know how to answer and looked quite awkward.

Song Shi smiled, "Take Er Lang with you, let him see the world and not be so arrogant."

"Mother!"

Yang Rui looked embarrassed.

Yang Shouwen looked at him and then at Song Shi, and stood up, "Mother, don't worry, Xizi knows what to do... Er Lang, get ready, we're leaving now."