The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

"Please trouble you to inform them, brother," Yun Jin returned the greeting with a cupped hand, her tone very polite. "My young master is going to the capital to take the imperial examination. I would like to ask if the escort agency has any escort teams heading towards the capital recently. We would like to travel with them for our safety."

The burly man sized her up and saw that although she was dressed in coarse cloth and short clothes, she had a tall and straight posture and clear eyes, unlike an ordinary servant. He nodded and said, "Wait a moment." After saying that, he turned and went into the courtyard.

Before long, the man came out and led her into the courtyard. He walked up to a middle-aged man wearing a dark blue outfit and a wide belt around his waist and introduced him to her, saying, "This is our镖局's (escort agency's) Chief镖头 (镖头 is a term used to describe a镖局, meaning head镖师, or镖头 is a kind of镖师 ...

Yun Jin cupped her hands in greeting to him: "Greetings, Chief Escort Wang."

Wang, the镖头 (bodyguard/escort), sized up Yun Jin and said, "I'm the second镖头 of the镖局 (bodyguard/escort agency). I heard you want to hitch a ride to the capital?"

"Indeed, Chief Escort Wang," Yun Jin replied generously. "We come from Qingping County. My young master is a scholar and is on his way to the capital to take the imperial examination. The journey is long and we are worried that the road may be dangerous, so we wanted to ask if the escort agency has any escort teams going along the same route."

Upon hearing this, Chief Escort Wang laughed and said, "What a coincidence! There's a caravan heading to Ningcheng early every three days. Once you get to Ningcheng, it's not far from the capital. It's only a two or three-day journey by official road. If you take this caravan, you can walk from Ningcheng on your own, which will be much more convenient."

Yun Jin was overjoyed and quickly asked, "How much is the fare?"

"For two people, it'll be one hundred taels of silver." Chief镖头 Wang held up one finger. "We'll ensure your safe journey to Ningcheng, but let me make this clear: you'll be responsible for your own food and lodging along the way. The镖队 (escort team) will only be responsible for your safety."

"One hundred taels? This... isn't that too high?" Yun Jin wasn't sure if one hundred taels was too much, but according to modern customs, she felt she should haggle. "Head镖师 Wang, could you lower the price? There are only two of us, and we won't take up much space. Besides, my young master is a scholar, honest and upright, and would never cause trouble for the镖队 (镖队 is a type of镖师 in the镖队).

Chief镖王 (Wang the镖头) laughed heartily: "Young brother, this price is not high at all. Think about it, it takes at least half a month to travel from Yizhou to Ningcheng. The journey is long and arduous, and you might run into some petty thieves. Our镖队 (bodyguard team) has more than twenty brothers, all of whom are skilled and capable. If you come with us, we guarantee your safety. If you travel on your own, it will not only be time-consuming and exhausting, but if something happens, forget about taking the exam; you might not even be able to save your life."

He paused, then added, "This price is the standard practice of the escort agency, and I can't make that decision. If you feel it's not worth it, then there's nothing I can do."

Yun Jin actually thought that what the head镖师 (bodyguard) said made sense. After all, she had just arrived in this era and was not familiar with the situation along the way. Having a镖局 (bodyguard agency) accompany her would save her a lot of trouble.

After hesitating for a moment, she feigned reluctance and gritted her teeth, saying, "Alright, one hundred taels it is then. But... could we pay a thirty-tael deposit first, and then pay the remaining seventy taels when we arrive in Ningcheng?"

She deliberately feigned a hint of unease, "To be honest, all the money is with my young master; this is all I have on me."

Wang, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), didn't make things difficult for her: "Okay. Leave your name, and I'll give you a receipt. Three days from now, at 5:45 AM, you two should meet at the entrance of the镖局 (bodyguard/escort agency)."

Seeing the 38% favorability rating above his head, Yun Jin was certain that this person was not a bad person. So she confidently gave Huang Weixue's name and paid him thirty taels of silver.

Wang, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), asked someone to bring him paper and pen, wrote a receipt specifying the number of people being escorted, the destination, the price, and the deposit. He then signed his name, stamped the red seal of the镖局 (bodyguard/escort agency), and handed it to Yun Jin.

"Keep it safe," said Chief Escort Wang. "Remember the time, don't be late, the escort team won't wait."

"Don't worry, we'll be there on time." Yun Jin carefully folded the receipt and put it in her pocket. She then asked, "Are there any suitable inns near the escort agency? If we stay nearby, it will be more convenient for us to arrive early the day after tomorrow, so we won't be late."

After thinking for a moment, Chief Escort Wang said, "There's a Fulai Inn not far from here. Although it's not in the bustling city, it's clean and affordable. You can go and take a look."

He then dipped his hand in water and drew a route for Yun Jin on the table.

"Thank you for your guidance, Chief Escort Wang." Yun Jin thanked him, turned and left Weiyuan Escort Agency, heading towards Fulai Inn to check on the situation first.

After walking back a bit and turning a corner, I finally saw Fulai Inn. The inn wasn't big, but it was very tidy, and there was a restaurant on the first floor.

As Yun Jin entered the inn, a waiter in a gray cloth jacket hurriedly greeted her: "Sir, are you here for a stay or just for a meal?"

Yun Jin asked, "We need a room. My young master will arrive this afternoon. Do you have a clean room?"

The waiter smiled and nodded, "Yes, yes, yes, can I place an order now?"

Yun Jin shook her head: "I'm going to pick up my young master now. We'll decide what to do when he arrives."

After leaving Fulai Inn, Yun Jin did not return the way she came, but instead walked back along another street to familiarize herself with the surrounding environment.

When she passed by a clothing store, she went in and picked out an indigo blue coarse cloth short jacket for Huang Weixue. She also bought a pair of thick-soled cloth shoes for him and herself. She would have Huang Weixue change into the same outfit later so that he wouldn't stand out too much in the caravan.

Passing by a general store, she bought two sheepskin water bags before heading towards the Yuelai Inn.

When we returned to Yuelai Inn, it was almost noon, but the rooms on the second floor were empty.

Yun Jin's heart skipped a beat. Logically speaking, Huang Weixue should have returned long ago. Why was he nowhere to be seen?

She went downstairs and asked the waiter, "Excuse me, has the young master Huang who came with me earlier returned? The one in the blue cloth gown, the scholar."

The waiter looked up, thought for a moment, and shook his head, saying, "I haven't seen him. He hasn't come back since I went out with him this morning."

Worried that something might have happened to Huang Weixue, Yun Jin quickly returned to her room, packed all their luggage into her spatial storage, and then went downstairs to instruct the waiter, "I've gotten separated from my young master. If he comes back, please tell him to wait for me here and not to leave on his own. If he hasn't returned by the afternoon, this room can be left unused."

Seeing her anxious expression, the waiter quickly replied, "Okay, I got it."

Yun Jin didn't linger any longer and turned to head towards the market. She didn't see Huang Weixue along the way, and she became increasingly anxious.

She walked all the way to the wonton stall where she had eaten breakfast that morning, and from a distance she could see the old man busy at work.

"Uncle!" Yun Jin quickly stepped forward. "Did you see that young master who came with me this morning?"

When the old man saw it was her, his smile vanished instantly. He quickly put down his spoon, pulled her to a quieter spot behind the stall, and whispered, "Young man, something's happened to your son!"