Chapter 357 - 224: Leaving Liangzhou Prefecture City (2)

Chapter 357: Chapter 224: Leaving Liangzhou Prefecture City (2)

When Fang Yue heard the household servants mention the "black-robed man," a strong sense of vigilance and curiosity surged within him.

He knew he had a significant feud with the black-robed man. But why this mysterious person would appear here, and moreover, have a marriage contract with the young lady of this house, left him completely baffled.

’Just what is this black-robed man’s background?’ Fang Yue wondered. He decided he had to figure out the man’s identity and purpose.

He quietly opened his door and made his way down the corridor toward the front hall of the estate.

He planned to eavesdrop for more information there and see if he could find any trace of the black-robed man.

Fang Yue reached the vicinity of the front hall and hid behind a rockery.

He saw quite a few people gathered in the front hall, all servants and guards of the household, murmuring amongst themselves.

"I heard that black-robed man is a Tributor of the imperial court. His Martial Arts are profound, and he’s completely inscrutable," a guard whispered, his face showing a look of awe.

Hearing this, Fang Yue’s heart skipped a beat.

’So it’s true. The black-robed man these household servants are talking about is the same one who’s been chasing me.’

"But even though that black-robed man’s Martial Arts are formidable, I heard he’s incredibly ugly—so much so that he doesn’t even dare show his face. Our young miss is a peerless beauty. Marrying a guy like that is a true case of a beautiful flower stuck on a pile of cow dung," another guard continued.

"SHH, keep your voice down. Don’t spout such nonsense. If the master hears you, your life is forfeit," another guard quickly warned.

"The black-robed man, a Tributor of the court..."

Fang Yue mulled it over. ’This guy has been hunting me down relentlessly. That item must be truly extraordinary!’

After hearing all this, Fang Yue grew even more vigilant.

He was well aware of the black-robed man’s power and methods, and he knew the man was constantly searching for the treasure in his possession.

As things stood, he was no match for the man. Therefore, he had to stay on high alert and not carelessly reveal his whereabouts.

He was well aware of the black-robed man’s power and methods, and he knew the man was constantly searching for the treasure in his possession.

However, Fang Yue also knew he couldn’t stay here much longer. He had to find a chance to leave as soon as possible.

Just as Fang Yue was contemplating this, a guard in the front hall suddenly shouted, "This is bad! This is bad! The young miss has run away!"

Fang Yue was taken aback for a moment by the cry of "The young miss has run away!"

He never thought something like this would happen in the mansion.

But for him, this might be the perfect opportunity to leave.

Fang Yue immediately decided to take this chance to leave the estate and avoid getting dragged into any unnecessary trouble.

He turned quickly, preparing to retrace his steps and then climb over the wall to escape.

However, just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps and a commotion.

Acting on instinct, Fang Yue immediately ducked back into the nearby rockery.

He saw a group of household servants and guards running over from the front, each one with a panicked expression, seemingly searching for something.

"Quick, go find the young miss! She can’t have gotten far," one of the household servants shouted.

The others all voiced their agreement and scattered to search for the runaway young miss.

From behind the rockery, Fang Yue quietly observed the scene.

Only after the household servants and guards had run off into the distance did Fang Yue emerge from behind the rockery.

He scanned his surroundings, and after confirming no one else was around, he headed toward the estate’s rear gate.

The rear gate was unguarded, and Fang Yue easily scaled the wall.

He glanced back at the luxurious estate and sighed to himself.

’To think I’ve been hiding here for so many days, only to finally get away because of a runaway young miss.’

Fang Yue shook his head, turned, and walked toward the city outskirts, preparing to leave Liangzhou Prefecture City.

A short while later, Fang Yue was out of the city.

Following the main road, Fang Yue hurried eastward, soon leaving the bounds of Liangzhou Prefecture City behind.

~~~~~~~

The sun was setting.

"Miss, we just ran away like this... If the master catches us and drags us back, what are we going to do?"

A clear voice, tinged with childishness and worry, rang out in the dim twilight.

It was a young maidservant, about fourteen or fifteen years old, named Xiaocui.

She wore a light green dress, her hair tied in two cute buns, and was currently following closely behind her young miss.

Ahead of her was a young woman in a goose-yellow dress. With her slender figure and beautiful face, she looked like a fairy from the moon palace.

This was none other than the famous beauty of Liangzhou Prefecture City—Lin Wan’Er.

Her father wanted her to marry a man she had never met, who was rumored to be exceptionally ugly. How could she possibly agree? And so, she had fled Liangzhou Prefecture City.

Hearing Xiaocui’s worries, Lin Wan’Er smiled gently and comforted her, "Don’t worry, Xiaocui."

"We’re so far from the estate now. Even if Father wants to catch us, it won’t be that easy."

Her voice was gentle yet firm, as if it possessed a kind of Magic Power that could put one’s mind at ease.

After hearing her young miss’s words, Xiaocui’s worries eased slightly.

She knew her young miss was a person with her own ideas. Since she had already made a decision, all Xiaocui needed to do was follow her.

Under the cover of dusk, the two of them continued eastward.

They didn’t take the main roads, instead choosing to cut through small paths and mountain forests.

This way, although their pace was slower, they could avoid any potential pursuers.

Traveling in fits and starts, they continued until just before nightfall, when they finally arrived at a remote mountain village.

The village was hidden among the mountains, with only a dozen or so households.

It was evening, and wisps of smoke from cooking fires rose and mingled with the mountain mist, creating a picturesque scene.

When they reached the village, Lin Wan’Er looked at the scene before her and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

They had been walking for three whole days and were utterly exhausted.

Fortunately, the village before them was remote and hidden; it should be a good place to rest for a while.

"Miss, what should we do now?" Xiaocui asked, looking at her young miss with eyes full of confusion and worry.

Lin Wan’Er gently patted Xiaocui’s shoulder and said softly, "Don’t worry, Xiaocui. Let’s rest here first. We’ll figure something out in the morning."

As she spoke, she looked around. The village, though remote, was very peaceful and serene.

Lin Wan’Er gently patted Xiaocui’s shoulder and said softly, "Don’t worry, Xiaocui. We’ll rest here for now and leave tomorrow."

As she spoke, she looked around. The village, though remote, was very peaceful and serene.

A few simple thatched huts were scattered across the mountainside, smoke curling up from their chimneys. Flocks of chickens and ducks foraged leisurely in front of and behind the houses.

Seeing this, Lin Wan’Er felt some of her exhaustion lift.

She took Xiaocui’s hand, walked to the nearest hut, and knocked gently on the door.

A moment later, the door opened, and an old man with grizzled hair poked his head out.

He was stunned for a moment upon seeing Lin Wan’Er and Xiaocui, then greeted them warmly, "Please, come in, you two."

The old man ushered them inside and busied himself with lighting a fire to boil some tea.

Although the hut was simple, it was very clean and tidy.

Farming tools and hunted game hung on the walls, attesting to the owner’s diligence and skill.

Lin Wan’Er and Xiaocui sat on the kang, sipping the hot tea the old man had brewed, and a warm feeling washed over them.

But just as this thought arose, Lin Wan’Er suddenly felt her head swim before she lost consciousness.

~~~~~~~

"Well, what do you know? A little village tucked away in this valley. Looks like I’ll have a place to rest my feet tonight."

Fang Yue gazed at the small village ahead.

He had grown weary from his long journey and was just looking for a place to rest.

Fang Yue walked into the village. He saw a few thatched huts scattered picturesquely on the mountainside, with smoke rising from their chimneys.

Flocks of chickens and ducks foraged leisurely in front of and behind the houses. The whole village seemed peaceful and serene.

He walked up to one of the huts and knocked gently on the door.

A moment later, the door opened.

An old man poked his head out. He was taken aback when he saw Fang Yue, thinking, ’What’s going on today? Why do these fat sheep keep showing up one after another?’

’The two young ladies from before can be sold to the village bachelors as wives. And this young man... he’ll be perfect to cook and eat.’

With this in mind, the old man immediately put on a warm smile and said, "Come in, young master, please come in."

The old man ushered Fang Yue inside and busied himself with lighting a fire to boil some tea.

The hut, though simple, was very clean and tidy, with farming tools and hunted game hanging on the walls.

Fang Yue sat on the kang, sipping the hot tea the old man had brewed, and felt some of his exhaustion lift.

However, Fang Yue noticed something about the tea today. It was sweet... and quite delicious.