The bard fantasized again.

Chapter 28 Accident
"To be able to laugh at a time like this, perhaps I underestimated how shameless you are."

Black Snake even began to admire the poets' innate optimism.

"Anyway, I'm going to Longjincheng anyway, so getting arrested at least saves me the cost of a ride."

And judging from your teasing tone, you seem to be quite the opposite?"

Tang Qi never expected that he and Black Snake would become sworn brothers in misfortune.
"I've told you before, using me as a shield doesn't mean you can absolve yourself of all responsibility."

The black snake said irritably, "But what if I didn't do anything?"

"What do you mean?"

He first glanced at Catherine behind Tang Qi.

He then sighed and slumped onto the pile of hay:

"In the past two years, the caravan would arrive at noon during the harvest festival and stay in the town for three days."

But yesterday, they arrived early, in the middle of the night.

Then, after immediately inspecting Xingmei, we must return to Longjincheng.

I was completely unprepared and got caught red-handed.

"And then you confessed everything?"

"Taking a couple of people down with me will make me seem less negligent, won't it?"

"What a pity, I was actually thinking about how to drag you down with me."

There was no contract between Tang Qi and the Black Serpent.

And don't expect a mercenary who's notorious in the town to be able to keep secrets from outsiders.

Tang Qi could only grumble inwardly; there was nothing he could do to criticize him.

Complaining is the biggest waste of time, so he focused on the key point and asked:

"Immediate inspection... We weren't in such a rush in previous years, were we?"

"It wouldn't be this efficient, otherwise why would I have agreed to your lousy plan?"

"So, they might have encountered some kind of accident on their way here..."

Is the Dawn Forest really that eerie?
The kobolds inherited the legacy of the entire adventure team, which included spellcasters.

He then immediately sent a caravan of several dozen people back and forth without stopping, fearing that they might encounter even the slightest trouble again...

Just as Tang Qi was pondering to himself, he suddenly heard Catherine calling out to him.

Turning around, she saw her bowing to a richly dressed man.
"Only the annual harvest can accompany you, Steward Huss."

Huss was a tall man with a small mustache. His nose was somewhat flat, so he had to adjust his gold-rimmed glasses, which always slipped down his nose, from time to time.

He ignored Catherine's bow.

Just breathing around these impoverished commoners made him sneeze uncontrollably.

He then walked straight past the stables and headed to the center of the courtyard, where the boxes of Star Plum had been moved to the open space by the mercenaries.

Ordinary star plum blossoms are dark in color, only showing a purple hue under sunlight. Holding one up to the sun, the difference is immediately apparent:
"As expected, it's a defective product—Catherine, you've disappointed me greatly."

Huss spoke in a high-pitched, affected, and arrogant voice.
"It was originally out of consideration for your mother's simplicity and your hardships that Lord Mel rented the best land to the tavern at the lowest possible price every year—"

And you, you actually chose to collude with these scoundrels, repaying the adults' kindness with deception?

I should never have dragged Catherine into this.

Since he couldn't escape being taken to trial anyway, Tang Qi simply said:
“My lord, I only told this lady to help transport a batch of Star Plums. She is innocent and knows nothing about the truth.”

Huss snorted coldly:
Even if this villain deceived you, you should still maintain the most basic loyalty to adults—

You should have been alert when you realized this batch of star plum blossoms was being transported to the manor!

Explaining to a self-important noble steward will not elicit understanding.

"Sir Steward, your teachings are truly enlightening, and I am deeply ashamed."

Catherine understood that there was no point in trying to be brave or explaining at this moment, so she quickly bowed, looking weak and ashamed.

This would allow Huss to feel an even greater sense of superiority.

Huss was about to say something when a younger voice interrupted him:
"Forget it. After all, she is a profit-driven businesswoman who has no loyalty or honor whatsoever. How can we expect her to meet the standards of nobility?"

My father is always kind-hearted; he probably won't bother to pursue her mistakes.

The owner of the voice was a young man dressed equally richly, but with a more bulky and shorter stature.

He's actually quite handsome, if he can lose weight in the future.

But a broad-shouldered body also has its advantages.

A bottle-shaped 'eye' with two gear-like wings could stand steadily on his shoulder. It seemed to be a miniature construct, also a creation of the spellcaster.

"Is he the young master of the lord's family?" Tang Qi asked in a low voice.

The black snake merely snorted coldly:
"You can tell from his physique, which is exactly the same as his father's."

“Young Master Merard, it may have been three years since we last met. But every time I see you, I am reminded of your generosity and kindness.”

Catherine's smile was always perfect, even with people she wasn't very close to.

It is so flawless that you can't find the slightest fault with it.

“If these words hadn’t come from your mouth, I would have thought you were being sarcastic. But Catherine, you know I’m never stingy with my tolerance towards you.”

Merard opened his arms, making a gesture of embracing.

"So, when will you be willing to become my bride?"

Beauty is a gift, and also a curse.

Tang Qi was certainly curious.

If such an unparalleled Morning and Evening Flower appeared in one's own territory.

As a lord, he might not be able to resist the urge to pluck her blossoms, allowing them to bloom so brightly in this secluded little town...

How could Lord Mel bear not to 'protect' this delicate young lady?

But now he understands.

There is only one flower at dawn and dusk, and father and son must always choose which one to keep.

He glanced at the black snake at the opportune moment.

It's not a pleasant feeling to be violated in front of others.

For the first time, Tang Qi saw a look of anger and rage on Tang Qi's disheveled face.

“You know, young master. I will not abandon this tavern and my family.”

"But my tolerance has its limits."

Melard's round face was filled with worry.

"I will be an adult next year, and that is the deadline I leave for you."

When the time comes, I will marry you no matter what, and open a Golden Oak shop for you in Longjin City.

You can still inherit your mother's business and do what you want.

"Then please allow me to leave the decision for next year."

Seeing her stubbornness, Melard didn't want to say anything more and waved his hand:

"Alright, I know you must have been deceived by these villains, so I won't hold you responsible—of course, you know I could have used this opportunity to kidnap you to Longjin City, right?"

"Thank you for your kindness."

"So, before I make things difficult for you, go back to your tavern."

Merard beckoned the steward Huss forward and gave him a few instructions.

Then Huss stroked his mustache, reluctantly taking the key to his shackles from the mercenary. As he unlocked them, he said:

"You should remember Master Merard's kindness and dedicate your loyalty to him."

"I will."

"Hmph, a hypocrite."

Merchants are driven by profit and have no loyalty whatsoever.

As the steward who had served Master Mel for decades, Huss always had a keen eye for people.

He couldn't detect a single trace of sincerity in Catherine's humble smile.

During their conversation, the wolf in plate armor paced back and forth, looking impatient.

As things were finally nearing their end, before Catherine could leave in her hesitation, he quickly stepped forward and looked at Melard:
"Finished talking? Then fucking load the goods onto the wagon and get going."

Huss frowned and said:
"Mercenary, watch your words. And don't try to influence your employer's decisions!"

"Shut the fuck up, you mustache. I'm doing this for his safety—"

You are well aware of the unexpected events that have occurred along the way.

Going back a day earlier means less risk!

Tang Qi keenly grasped the word 'risk'.

So what really happened?
(End of this chapter)