In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

Xie Yige walked back to the old woman's side and squatted down: "Grandma, let me bandage your wound first. We'll have a doctor examine you properly at the next post station."

"Thank you so much for today, young lady." The old woman looked at her, her eyes full of gratitude. "Thank you for your help."

"It will hurt a little, please bear with it."

Bichun had already run over with a medicine box. Xie Yige opened it and took out her mother's specially made distilled liquor and a clean white cloth. She carefully cleaned the old woman's shoulder wound of gravel and dust, her movements light and quick. When the liquor was poured onto the wound, the old woman's face turned pale, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead, but she gritted her teeth and did not utter a sound.

Xie Yige couldn't help but glance at her again—such patience was rare among ordinary old women.

She deftly wrapped the white cloth around her neck and carefully tied it tight. The whole movement was fluid and skillful, unlike that of a young lady from a respectable family.

The old woman watched her quietly until she finished bandaging the wound, then asked softly, "Does your family... practice medicine?"

"No." Xie Yige smiled slightly, a fine sheen of sweat on her forehead. "My mother taught me."

The young woman standing nearby quickly took out her handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from Xie Yige's forehead.

Meanwhile, the Cloud Sky Caravan's attendants, who possessed some medical knowledge, were bandaging the other wounded. An hour later, the road was barely cleared wide enough for passage. The caravan set aside a carriage to accommodate the five injured servants, while the old woman and her granddaughter were invited into Xie Yige's carriage—Xie Wanrou and Tingyu had temporarily moved to Zhou Xuan'an's side.

The convoy restarted, but at a much slower pace than before.

Inside the carriage, the old woman leaned against the cushions, her complexion slightly improved. Her gaze fell on Xie Yige, and she slowly spoke, "Young lady, I see your brother and his friend are dressed as scholars. Are they on their way to the capital for the imperial examinations?"

"Madam has a good eye." Xie Yige nodded. "We come from Donglin City, and my elder brother is the one who will be participating in the imperial examination this year."

"Donglin City..." the old woman murmured thoughtfully, then asked, "What is your name, young lady?"

"My surname is Xie, and my given name is Yige. You may simply call me Yige, madam."

"Yige...a good name." The old woman's lips curled slightly. "My surname is Li, and my given name is Changgong. This is my granddaughter, named Zhiwei. We live at No. 18, Lane 2, Tongyifang, in the capital. Do you have a place to stay in the capital? If not, why don't you stay at my humble abode for the time being?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam," Xie Yige politely declined. "My family has a house in the capital, and my mother has already made all the arrangements."

"Then..." Li Zhiwei looked at Xie Yige with bright, expectant eyes, "When we get to the capital, can I come visit you?"

Xie Yige smiled: "Of course."

"Then it's settled!" Li Zhiwei stretched out her hand, childishly wanting to make a pinky promise.

Xie Yige couldn't help but chuckle and extended her little finger as well. The two hooked their fingers together and swayed gently.

Looking at the two little girls' innocent appearance, Li Changgong's eyes softened with a gentle smile.

On the ninth day, Chang'an City came into view.

The official road gradually widened, and the number of pedestrians and carriages increased. In the distance, the majestic city walls and the bustling crowds coming and going below the city gates could be seen.

Just as the caravan was about to pick up speed, the sound of orderly hooves suddenly came from ahead. A troop of black-armored soldiers led the way, followed closely by two magnificent carriages, which drove toward them with imposing grandeur and came to a steady stop in front of the caravan.

Leading the group was a young general, about eighteen or nineteen years old, clad in silver armor with red tassels, his features striking and handsome. He dismounted nimbly and strode quickly toward the caravan, his expression anxious.

"Grandma! Where are you?"

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Li Changgong leaned out, his voice steady: "Zhige, I'm here."

"Grandmother!" The young general, Li Zhige, strode forward. Seeing the white bandage on his grandmother's shoulder, his expression changed. "You're injured? Such a serious incident! Why didn't you send someone to tell your grandson? I could have come to fetch you!"

"What's the panic? Why are you so easily startled? What major incident could possibly happen within the borders of my Great Tang?" Li Changgong glanced at him indifferently, then turned her gaze to Xie Yige and her entourage, who had disembarked and were standing to the side. Her tone softened. "Miss Yige, don't be afraid. This is my grandson, Li Zhige. I am from the Zhenguo General's Mansion." She paused, then said to her grandson, "However, we are very fortunate to have met Miss Yige and her group who came to our aid this time. We must thank them properly."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhige immediately composed himself and solemnly clasped his hands in thanks to Xie Yige, Zhou Xuan'an, and the others: "I am Li Zhige. Thank you all for helping my grandmother. I am deeply grateful and would appreciate it if you could tell me your address in the capital. I will definitely visit you to express my gratitude another day."

"General Li, you're too kind." Zhou Xuan'an stepped forward, cupped his hands in return, and said, "It's only right to lend a helping hand when you see someone in danger. My name is Zhou Xuan'an, this is my younger sister Yige, and this is my friend Zhang Zhiyi. We've just arrived in the capital and wouldn't dare to trouble you."

"Brother Zhou, there's no need to refuse." Li Zhige said sincerely, "Since you've just arrived in the capital, if you need any help, the General's Mansion will do its duty."

Li Changgong nodded slightly in the carriage: "Zhige is right. Miss Yige, since we are both in the capital, we should visit each other often. Today, I will go back with my grandson first, and I will have Zhiwei send you an invitation to visit us another day."

Xie Yige smiled and obediently agreed. Li Zhige couldn't help but glance at her again, momentarily stunned by her bright smile.

He quickly looked away and then turned to Zhou Xuan'an: "Brother Zhou, are you here to take the imperial examination? If you need to borrow any books or visit any teachers, I can introduce you."

These words carried considerable weight. Zhou Xuan'an's expression turned solemn, and he bowed deeply: "Thank you, Brother Li."

Li Zhiwei reluctantly held Xie Yige's hand: "Yige, it's a promise, I'll come to visit you."

"Okay," Xie Yige replied with a smile.

Li Zhige helped his grandmother transfer to the general's carriage, and the group headed towards the city gate in a grand procession. Xie Yige stood there, watching the departing figures of the black-armored soldiers, and a sudden feeling of emotion welled up in her heart.

Despite the perilous journey, I unexpectedly met such a person.

And that person... has he also arrived safely in this magnificent capital?

She looked up at the towering city gates of Chang'an. The sunlight was perfect, shining brightly on the vermilion gates and gilded door studs.

We've finally arrived in Chang'an.

The Zhou family's residence in Chang'an was located in Chongrenfang, on the east side of the West Market, adjacent to the Ministry of Personnel and the East Market.

The carriage passed through the bustling market and stopped in front of a spacious mansion. The animal-head rings on the black lacquered gate were polished to a shine, and the two stone steps in front of the gate were swept clean.

Zhou Xuan'an and Xie Yige got out of the car one after the other. Looking at the three-courtyard mansion with the words "Zhou Mansion" written on it, they exchanged a glance and saw undisguised shock in each other's eyes.

In Chang'an, where land is incredibly valuable, owning such a well-maintained three-courtyard residence was no ordinary feat. Such a grand scale was only affordable for officials of the fifth rank or higher, aristocratic families, or wealthy merchants.

"Yige," Zhou Xuan'an said hesitantly, lowering his voice, "is this really...our home?"

Xie Yige took out the land deed and key her mother had given her, checked the address again, and nodded: "The address is correct, this is the place."

Is their family... that powerful?