Chapter 652: Chapter 654: A Wretched Appearance

"I’m just so afraid that if chaos breaks out, no one will be able to look after us at the back," Zhang Guihong said, nervously gripping Cen Yueqin’s hand. "Did you hear anything just now?"

Cen Yueqin did her best to stay calm. "Mother, we’re outside. There are bound to be some sounds from insects and birds. If you’re nervous, I can ask a couple of serving women to come in and stay with you."

"What good will those serving women do? We’re deep in these mountains and old forests, not at a stop the dart masters are familiar with. They even told us to be extra vigilant earlier. Do you think there could really be wild beasts?"

If Jin Qianqian knew about the situation over here, she would have said Zhang Guihong was peddling anxiety. The already tense atmosphere was being amplified by her into something quite frightening.

Look how she frightened the once-calm young lady until her face was drained of color. Yet, she remained oblivious, muttering on and on.

Jin Qianqian looked helplessly at the two children squeezed between her and her husband. "Wouldn’t it be more spacious for you to sleep in your own carriage?"

"Mother, my brother and I can’t sleep. We want you to tell us a story." Gu Benluo pushed his younger brother closer to Ancient Wen Heng and held on tightly to Jin Qianqian.

Jin Qianqian patted his head, not calling him out on his lie. "How about I have your father read you a couple of policy essays?"

To her, those abstruse and difficult sentences were an excellent soporific. She figured they would have the same effect on the two children.

Ancient Wen Heng gave her a half-smile, seeing through her plan at a glance. ’So she’s using policy essays as a lullaby.’ "I happen to think a few of these essays are quite good. Why don’t you three listen together?"

Gu Benluo instantly regretted it. He opened his mouth to refuse, but one look from his father made him immediately shrink back into Jin Qianqian’s arms.

Ancient Wen Heng actually pulled a book out from a cabinet, looking amusedly at the mother and two sons before him.

Jin Qianqian’s look of eager anticipation, Gu Benluo’s expression of profound misery, and his younger son’s oblivious face made him unable to resist clenching his fist to cover his mouth.

He opened the book. "This humble servant has secretly observed the state of affairs. There is one matter for which one could weep bitterly, two for which one could shed tears, and six for which one could let out a long sigh. As for the other matters that go against reason and harm the Way, it is difficult to enumerate them all..."

He had only just finished reading one section when Jin Qianqian and Gu Ben Can were already fast asleep. Gu Benluo, however, was still struggling to keep his eyes open, staring at him stubbornly.

Ancient Wen Heng sighed. "We’ll stop here for today. Next time you can’t sleep, Father will be happy to read you the other sections."

Gu Benluo breathed a sigh of relief. ’In the future, no matter how scared I get, I’m never coming to find Mother again.’

It wasn’t that he was afraid of listening to the essay, but that he was afraid of having to explain it afterward.

He had just barely finished his schoolwork for the day, only to walk right into extra lessons.

How could Ancient Wen Heng not know the boy’s little schemes? He just chose not to expose them.

He tucked him in, closed the book, blew out the candle beside them, and said softly, "Go to sleep."

Hearing this, Gu Benluo grinned in the darkness. Listening to the soft breathing of his mother and brother beside him, he soon fell fast asleep.

...

Hearing the sound of movement outside, Jin Qianqian was about to stretch. The moment she raised her arms, she noticed the two small, flushed faces sleeping soundly beside her. Ancient Wen Heng, protectively on their other side, was also fast asleep.

She gently pulled the blanket over them, not daring to make another sound as she lay back down.

People outside were already up and preparing breakfast. Through the light filtering past the curtain, she could tell it wasn’t yet dawn, so she simply closed her eyes to get a little more sleep.

She didn’t know that the instant she closed her eyes, Ancient Wen Heng, on her other side, turned his head to gaze at them tenderly.

&

Fortunately, although there had been quite a bit of commotion from the mountains during the night, it had passed peacefully.

The wild beasts on the mountain must have known there were many people here and didn’t dare to cause trouble.

Just as they were about to depart, Jin Qianqian finally remembered what she had forgotten. "Do you think we should ask Lady Cen if she’s willing to travel with us?

If we hadn’t run into her, it would be one thing, but since we have, it wouldn’t be right not to say anything."

Ancient Wen Heng flicked her forehead lightly. "Isn’t it a bit late to be thinking of this now?

I already sent Xu Dawang over to ask. He should be back soon."

He had thought they would agree immediately. After all, traveling with them was much safer than traveling with the escort team.

Who would have thought that Xu Dawang would return with a refusal? "Lady Cen said she doesn’t want to trouble the Master and Madam. Besides, it’s the same road all the way there, so it doesn’t matter if they switch positions or not."

Hearing this, Ancient Wen Heng naturally didn’t press the issue and waved for Xu Dawang to leave.

In any case, he had done his part. Since she had refused, he wouldn’t pay it any more mind.

In the carriage behind them, Cen Yueqin looked confused. "Mother, weren’t you scared last night, worried that it wasn’t safe here? Why didn’t you want to join the group at the front today? They have so many guards."

"Silly girl, last night was just a rare occurrence. From now on, the escort team will surely stop at familiar places.

It’s the same road the whole way. If something unexpected really happened, do you think he wouldn’t help us? Why should we needlessly owe him a favor?"

Zhang Guihong squeezed Cen Yueqin’s hand and said, "Besides, one look at this Mr. Gu and you can tell he doesn’t have much family wealth. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so poor as to make his own son work. If we really went over, we might even be taken advantage of.

Look at the food they were eating yesterday, just a few simple dishes. If we teamed up, wouldn’t we have to share our bird’s nest soup and desserts with them?

If they invite you again in the future, remember to refuse them directly."

Cen Yueqin, "..."

&

「Yi Province」

Liu Ancha Shi stamped the official document in his hand with his private seal and had the secretary beside him send it out.

"Mr. Cen, have you finished handing over all your official duties?"

Cen Gaosong said respectfully, "Everything has been handed over. The treasuries and ledgers have all been checked, and there are no errors."

Liu Ancha Shi smiled. "In the past, I would always have them check these ledgers repeatedly. Now that you’ve verified them as well, I can leave with some peace of mind."

"Mr. Gu hasn’t arrived yet. Mr. Liu may have to trouble himself to remain in his post for a few more days." Cen Gaosong didn’t dare respond to this. Although he had completed his own handover, the Inspector General’s affairs were not his to manage.

Seeing his caution, Liu Xuan’s lips curled into a scornful smile, but he said, "I will wait until the stipulated date. I only hope Mr. Gu is not delayed too long on the road, otherwise, it will be difficult for me to report to my superiors."

"Yes. The journey is long and the roads are difficult. It may not be a smooth trip.

However, I’m sure Mr. Gu wouldn’t dare delay official business. He will certainly arrive before the deadline," Cen Gaosong replied with extreme caution.

"You’re certainly quick to defend him," Liu Xuan said, stroking his beard. "I wonder how much you actually know about this Mr. Gu."

Cen Gaosong replied, "We have never met. This subordinate has only heard of Mr. Gu’s great achievements in Lu City."

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