After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

In their busyness, Ruan Fang and the others completely forgot about Ruan Haizhu.

Ruan Haizhu was taken back to the escort agency in the prefectural city by the head镖师 (镖头 is a term used to describe someone who is very powerful or skilled). She thought that Dahe Town was the most prosperous place in Langya Kingdom, but she did not expect that there was a prefectural city that was even more magnificent than Dahe Town.

All her resentment vanished. Not only did she stay at the escort agency to work peacefully, but she even thought about how to stay there until she found a wealthy person willing to buy her.

The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) had no idea of ​​her plans and was asking his men about the caravan's situation.

"Logically speaking, it's already autumn, the caravans should have returned by now."

"Exactly! With so many people, they're not afraid of something going wrong. Let's wait a couple more days and see."

The head镖师 nodded slightly.

In the past two years, their escort agency has expanded its scale, recruiting three to four times more people. It's all about the old ones training the new ones. Three-quarters of the escorts are serving Su Chuan's caravans, making three or four trips a year. On average, each escort can earn three to four hundred taels of silver, and the caravans cover all their food and supplies.

The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) naturally attached great importance to the affairs of the caravan.

Just as the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) was craning his neck in anticipation, the caravan finally entered the city.

The people from the escort agency rushed over to meet them.

Ruan Haizhu was curious and wanted to go over to see what was going on, but the gatekeeper stopped her, saying, "This is none of your business! The boss said you still owe the escort agency money, and you can only leave this door after you pay off your debt."

Ruan Haizhu didn't quite understand what the doorman was saying, but she understood his tone: he simply wasn't going to let anyone out!
She huffed angrily and turned back to the tenement.

A moment later, loud laughter and chatter came from the front yard. The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) led his men over, dragging a pile of dirty clothes. "Zhao Ma! We've got some work to do!"

Aunt Zhao, who managed miscellaneous affairs at the escort agency, immediately ran out of the kitchen, repeatedly agreeing, "Yes, yes, yes! I hope everyone is safe and sound!"

The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) smiled brightly and nodded emphatically. "It's nothing. They said there was some trouble in the capital, which delayed them for a few days. The journey was peaceful. Their smelly clothes and socks are all here. Thank you for your hard work. Here's an extra meal and a reward for you today!"

Aunt Zhao's smile deepened even more. "Look at what you're saying! Even if you don't give it to me, I'll still take a good look, especially since you've arranged a little helper for me!"

The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) looked at Ruan Haizhu and asked in a low voice, "How's the work going?"

"She's been doing well these past few days, quite proactive, but the language barrier makes it difficult for her to do things sometimes; she has to use gestures for ages!"

The head镖师 nodded slightly. "Thank you for your hard work, Zhao Ma. Please take good care of this person. I'll keep her until spring, and then let her go when the flowers bloom."

Aunt Zhao was quite surprised. "What? Isn't this the servant you bought?"

The head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) was overjoyed. "Aunt Zhao, when did my镖局 (escort agency) buy anyone? Even you are all hired, so there's even less chance she would! It's just that the young lady is too ambitious and tries to cling to my sugar daddy. I'm just helping out!"

Aunt Zhao understood. "Don't worry, leave this person to me. I'll definitely train him to be completely obedient!"

As soon as the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) left, Zhao Ma went to Ruan Haizhu and asked her to wash all the clothes.

Ruan Haizhu was shocked, but she did not refuse. Whether she liked it or not, she had to do these jobs because she could not go anywhere except the escort agency, and dared not go anywhere else.

Seeing that she was relatively obedient, Zhao Ma was satisfied and went to do other things.

Su Chuan and his group headed straight from the prefectural city to Zhaohua County.

When I arrived in the county town, I was stunned. A few months ago, although the old town was becoming increasingly desolate, at least the roads were still there. But this time when I came back, they were all gone, completely gone.

The caravan stood outside the old town, still in a daze.

Later, with the guidance of the stationed soldiers, they were able to take a detour to the new urban area.

The new urban area is still under construction, with new official roads, new streets, and new city walls being built; everything is in need of development.

Su Chuan and his group planned to stay overnight in the new urban area and then set off back to Moshi Town the next day. Su Sheng went directly to Qingfengzhai and knocked on the door.

As darkness fell, Alan cautiously approached and opened the door. "Who is it?"

Su Sheng shouted back, "I'm looking for Su Yu!"

A small door to the shop was opened, and all the candles were lit.

Su Yu and Alan busied themselves preparing food for them.

Once the noodles were served, Su Yu looked around at everyone and asked, "Where are you all staying tonight?"

Su Chuan finished his noodles in a few bites and replied, "It's not decided yet. I was planning to go to the inn later, but Su Sheng insisted on coming to find you first."

Su Yu blushed and quickly changed the subject, "Since there's nowhere to stay, let's go to Xiao Tai's place. Shen Yi's house isn't far from here, and it's safer to go there than stay at an inn."

She knew they would return with large sums of money, and she wouldn't feel at ease spending the night with so much wealth around.

Everyone's eyes lit up, and without saying a word, they headed towards the Shen residence.

Su Yu was speechless. "Take it easy, I'll lead the way for you in the middle of the night, so you don't get confused."

Led by Su Yu, the group arrived at the Shen residence.

Su Tai hadn't gone back yet because she had brought the servants over. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Su Chuan and the others. "You're several days late this time. I was still wondering with Shen Yi if something had happened to you!"

As she spoke, she instructed several newly hired servants to help carry the boxes that Su Chuan and his group had brought back inside.

It was the first time the group had visited this house. Seeing that the layout was similar to that of the imperial palace, they praised it and started talking about the capital.

"My cousin Yunyun gave birth to a son. Tang Yu was overjoyed and invited us to stay for the baby's one-month celebration, which delayed us for two days. There's also something else: the Emperor is holding a selection exam at Lushan Academy to choose a group of lower-level officials."

This matter was opposed by many powerful figures, but the Emperor's mind was made up. Sensing the situation in the capital was not good, the Sixth Prince's concubine sent someone to tell us to leave quickly if there was nothing else to do, and to not send any goods to the capital this year, but to wait and see how things develop next year.

Su Chuan told Su Tai everything at once.

Su Tai and Shen Yi exchanged glances and nodded in unison.

"The Sixth Prince's concubine must have a reason for saying that. Anyway, we're not short of money, so there's no need to take this risk."

As Su Tai spoke, she secretly pondered how much seafood she should catch this year, since Ma Xingteng could still continue to ship goods.

Su Sheng panicked, "No! If we can't go to the capital, we can go somewhere else. We haven't been to other prefectures yet, so let's go for a stroll and then come back."

Su Yu pinched Su Sheng's slender waist hard, glaring angrily, "I think you just don't want to stay home and take care of the kids!"

Su Sheng winced in pain but dared not argue. "Wife, I'm trying my best to save money for the children. I'm at ease with you looking after them!"

Su Yu shook her head speechlessly.

Su Tai quickly tried to smooth things over, "What my brother-in-law said isn't unreasonable. Anyway, the child is doing well at Shenjiazhuang Village School now, and we'll send him back to you at the end of the year. By the way, Zhu Yixuan is back, and he even went to Qingfengzhai. He caused a ruckus for a while, but he's been quiet lately."

Mentioning Zhu Yixuan, Su Chuan's face immediately darkened. "He has nothing to do with us anymore. Our caravan is making just as much as the Zhu family now, so we're not afraid of him!"

If he had the strength he has now, Ke Yunyun and her son wouldn't have been treated so badly by the Zhu family.

This matter became a hurdle that Su Chuan couldn't overcome. (End of Chapter)