Yan Yi accepted the assignment, and with his subordinates, they traveled day and night, finally catching up to Meng Qingping's family.
After Meng Qingping listened to Yan Yi's explanation, his expression improved significantly. He took the banknotes from Yan Yi and, facing the direction of the capital, led his family in a fervent kowtow: "This humble subject, Meng Qingping, thanks Your Majesty, may you live for ten thousand, ten thousand years."
Fu Yu and Madam Fang also knelt behind their father, offering similar words of gratitude for the imperial grace.
Fu Xin Ci: In a society where imperial power was supreme, she hadn't fully grasped its intricacies yet. However, she understood one thing: the law here stipulated collective punishment.
Just like her grandfather, a man of unblemished reputation throughout his life, who was implicated by his scoundrel elder brother and exiled to Liaodong along with the Meng clan.
Exile, the word filled with irony, made her want to curse. She couldn't imagine what kind of fool had such a wicked and outlandish idea.
While Fu Xin Ci was inwardly grumbling, she didn't hesitate to follow suit and kowtow in gratitude.
As the family rose from the ground, Jiang Tou'er was the first to congratulate Meng Qingping. "Congratulations, second brother Meng. His Majesty still remembers you; your hardships have finally paid off."
"Indeed, congratulations, Master Meng the Second."
"Congratulations, congratulations."
The continuous stream of congratulations flowed, and the Meng clan members who were still kneeling on the ground, not yet risen, couldn't help but cast envious glances.
That was ten thousand taels of silver notes. They might not have cared before, but now, with these ten thousand taels, they wouldn't have to go hungry anymore.
Meng Qingping: He felt several greedy gazes sweeping over him from behind.
The Meng clan members were all kneeling opposite Yan Yi, looking down from a higher position. Yan Yi saw their every move clearly.
"Heh heh, a dog can't change its nature."
Those who had just started scheming immediately became nervous upon hearing Yan Yi's words. The timid ones felt a warmth in their trousers.
"Look at your meager aspirations," the young man called Master Liu by Jiang Tou'er said, averting his gaze with disdain.
Qi He: If they dared to snatch, they would be dealt with by clubs.
Fu Xin Ci: The same.
Meng Qi Shan: The same, plus one.
Meng Yu Tang: "The same, plus two."
"..."
Yan Yi didn't pay much attention to the Meng clan members' sordid thoughts. Instead, he asked Jiang Tou'er, "Old Jiang, it's this late. What are your arrangements for tonight?"
"Replying to Lord Yan, we will be camping here tonight."
"Oh, then we'll join you for the night."
In a place so deserted that even they dared not stop, the Brocade-Clad Guards actually offered to join them. Wu Laoda and the others, who had been too scared to make a sound, were suddenly delighted.
Since they were to join forces, Yan Yi didn't trouble Jiang Tou'er. After exchanging a few words, he led his men into the mountains to look for prey.
Seeing that the Brocade-Clad Guards had left, Fu Yu helped Meng Qingping sit down. "Father." Although Fu Yu didn't say it explicitly, Meng Qingping understood what his son meant.
"We must be extra cautious on this journey. With this sudden windfall, who knows how many people will covet it."
Fu Xin Ci, who had been by her grandfather's side, secretly tugged at his sleeve after he finished speaking.
"Ci'er?"
"Grandfather, do you trust Ci'er?"
"Your grandfather trusts Ci'er, of course." Before Meng Qingping could finish speaking, he subtly slipped the money bag containing the stack of banknotes into his granddaughter's hand.
The grandfather and granddaughter shared a knowing smile, and Fu Xin Ci put away the money bag.
Fu Yu always felt that his father and daughter were hiding something from him. As a self-proclaimed gentleman, he wouldn't pry if his father didn't say anything.
However, he could find an opportunity to ask his daughter.
Fu Xin Ci: Her grandfather had warned her not to tell anyone, not even her own father.
Qi He and the others saw Grandpa Jiang again instructing the Meng clan members to gather firewood, so they automatically went to pick up firewood without waiting for Grandpa Meng's command.
Bao'er, seeing many people leaving, held Meng Xiaohe's hand and stumbled towards Meng Qingping, "Grandpa, eat."
Meng Qingping picked up Bao'er, and seeing the drool on the child's face, he put on a feigned stern expression. "Look, you're still young, but you never miss a meal."
"Ah." Bao'er knew Grandpa was joking and immediately became lively, bouncing in his embrace.
"Bao'er, be good. No more jumping around. Second Uncle's body can't take your闹腾 (nào teng - commotion/fuss)."
"Ah." Bao'er understood and stopped immediately, otherwise his little aunt wouldn't give him food.
At the foot of the mountain, darkness fell early. It was the same time as yesterday, and the sky had already darkened.
Fu Xin Ci gazed at the mountain before her, feeling the cool breeze sent by the mountain wind.
"Ci'er, what are you looking at?"
"Grandfather, I was wondering how many days it would take us to walk out of such a large mountain?"
"Even if everyone walks quickly, it will take at least two days," a dark-faced man who had passed this way before replied before Meng Qingping could.
"So long."
"Yes. The last time I passed here was four or five years ago."
The dark-faced man recalled an incident from last time. His group was feeling greedy and happened upon a lone wild boar. Relying on their youthful vigor, they madly chased it.
Without paying attention, they followed the wild boar into the territory of a mountain stronghold, and were then madly chased by the bandits.
He still felt infuriated when he thought about it. They didn't get any wild boar meat and were chased by a group of mountain bandits for over ten miles.
Damn it, he was too embarrassed to tell anyone about it, for fear of being laughed to death.
"Alas."
Seeing the dark-faced man gazing into the distance thoughtfully, Jiang Tou'er felt he was holding something back.
The dark-faced man: For the sake of his dignity and face, he couldn't say.
As expected of the Brocade-Clad Guards, Yan Yi and his men returned not long after they left.
Seeing that the lords were not empty-handed, Jiang Tou'er's eyes lit up instantly. Before Yan Yi could give any orders, he gave Wu Laoda and the others a wink, implying that nothing else mattered now; they were needed to cook.
Wu Laoda bowed subserviently. He was more than willing. Being able to cook for these "living Yama" was a blessing from his past lives.
In the future, whenever they passed through any checkpoint, mentioning this day would be enough for them to brag about for a lifetime.
Fu Xin Ci was also happy. Later, under the guise of roasting and stewing the meat, she could openly nourish her grandfather again.
Yan Yi treated the Meng Qingping family with respect. After his subordinates finished preparing the game, they sent over a pheasant and a wild rabbit. Meng Qingping was somewhat overwhelmed and quickly rose to cup his hands in thanks.
"Mr. Meng, as I said, there's no need for such formalities."
Jiang Tou'er: Did you mean it when you said there was no need for formalities? In front of these "living gods" like you, we still believe in being excessively polite.
Meng Qingping: Brother Jiang is right.