Chapter 115: Veils

The fire had only just begun to settle into steady embers when Gao Ren called out again, his voice carrying easily through the camp.

"Oi! Bring out the wine. No sense in wasting the night."

A few of the traders laughed, already gathering near one of the wagons. The mood among them shifted back toward something loose and loud.

Ru Yi remained where she stood near the horses, her attention drifting until movement at the rear of the carriage caught her eye again.

This time, the canvas was drawn back further and the women in question stepped down. There were four of them. All dressed in layered garments that concealed more than they revealed.

Their robes were long and loose, made of muted fabrics—dusty blue, faded plum, and worn gray. Each piece overlapped the next in a way that obscured the shape of their bodies.

The sleeves were wide, falling past their wrists. And their outer cloaks hung low, nearly brushing the ground. But it was their veils that drew the most attention.

Each woman wore a full face covering, made of thin but tightly woven cloth, wrapped carefully around the head and lower face. Only a narrow space where their eyes remained uncovered.

Still, none of them maintained eye contact. Their heads were bowed low instead, in quiet submission. It rubbed Ru Yi the wrong way.

Qingyue stepped forward, her brows drawn in a questioning glance. "Are they all traveling with you?" she asked Gao Ren. There was nothing accusatory in her tone.

Gao Ren didn’t look at the woman as he answered. Instead, he scoffed lightly, taking a cup from one of the men pouring himself a drink.

"Of course they are," he answered. "What else would they be doing here?"

Qingyue didn’t respond immediately. "Are they traders as well?" she asked after a moment.

That drew a loud laugh from him. "Traders?" Gao Ren repeated, as if the word itself amused him. He took a slow slip before continuing. "No."

He gestured vaguely in their direction, still not bothering to look at them. "They’re wives of some traders. Cousins. That sort of thing."

One of the other traders chuckled under his breath.

"They don’t deal in goods," Gao Ren went on, his tone turning dismissive. "They stay where they belong. Cooking, cleaning, and keeping things in order."

His gaze flickered briefly toward Qingyue before going to Ru Yi. "No sense in putting them in places they’re not suited for."

Silence followed, brief and heavy.

Ru Yi’s eyes shifted back to the women. They hadn’t moved from their spot, not even lifted their gaze. Something about it felt wrong, especially their silence after Gao Ren spoke about them in such a condescending manner.

"They’ll stay in the carriage tonight," Gao Ren added, waving a hand dismissively. "Same as usual."

Then his attention snapped back to Ru Yi. "But Xu An, you will join them. So you women can bond and exchange advice on how to take proper care of us men."

Yexue frowned. "That won’t be necessary." She stepped closer to Ru Yi. "She’ll stay with us."

Gao Ren tilted his head. "You still don’t trust us?"

Yexue didn’t hesitate. "No."

A few of the traders laughed, trying to ease the awkwardness in their exchange.

"Suit yourself," Gao Ren said, though his hands lingered in Ru Yi again. "But the offer still stands."

He turned away after that, already calling the others over. "Come on! Drink while we still have the chance. Who knows when we’ll get another quiet night."

The men gathered quickly, their voices rising as cups were passed around. But Ru Yi didn’t look at them. Her gaze remained on the silent women.

One of them shifted slightly as she stepped back toward the carriage. For just a moment— her eyes lifted. Not fully to meet anyone directly, but enough for Ru Yi to see them clearly.

There was no warmth there.

No curiosity.

No ease.

Only something quiet and deeply restrained. Then just as quickly her gaze dropped again, and she disappeared back behind the veil of stillness.

Ru Yi’s fingers curled slightly at her side. "They’re lying," she said quietly.

Yexue didn’t ask who. She already knew. "It’s quite obvious," she replied softly. "I don’t believe the story of them being their wives either."

Lieyin looked ahead. "Should we ask them? Even though I don’t think they’d be willing to say anything."

"Maybe I should join, even if it’s to make sure they’re all fine," Ru Yi replied.

Yexue’s answer was immediate. "No."

Ru Yi glared at her. "We need to make sure they’re here on their own will. Look closely and they seem more like prisoners."

"I hate the idea but I also agree with Ru Yi," Qingyue added. "We need to make sure they’re not being trafficked or anything of that sort."

Lieyin nodded. "I don’t trust Gao Ren. If we weren’t outnumbered, I’d strike him down right now."

Qingyue put a hand on Lieyin’s shoulder. "Don’t do anything rash."

Lieyin shrugged her hand off without a word.

Ru Yi looked at Yexue. "I’ll be fine. It’s not like I’m going far away."

Yexue said nothing as Ru Yi walked over to the women. "If anything happens to her, then I can’t promise not to cause trouble."

With her heart hammering in her chest, Ru Yi stopped in front of the women. "Hello, my name is Xu An." That was really awkward.

The four of them looked at her but didn’t say a word. It was the first woman that pointed to a bundle of firewood at the side of the carriage, then gestured like she was putting food in her mouth.

"Oh, you want us to make food for the night?" Ru Yi asked in confusion.

The woman nodded.

Ru Yi bent down to assemble the firewood in the empty space before the carriage.

"Hurry up with the food, we’re not trying to starve to death!" Gao Ren yelled and his followers laughed.

"How about I stuff this wood into your mouths?" Ru Yi muttered under her breath. "That would certainly make my night better."