Chapter 325 - 323: No Wonder the Lord Has a Lady! (First Update)

Chapter 325: Chapter 323: No Wonder the Lord Has a Lady! (First Update)

Outside Lingzhou City, an unexpected crowd had gathered at some point. They lined both sides of the road, and when Xu Jing’s carriage appeared, they called out in loud voices—

"Goddess!"

"Goddess! Safe travels!"

"Be sure to visit Lingzhou when you have time!"

"Thank you, Goddess, for taking care of us during this time!"

Xu Jing raised an eyebrow slightly, concentrated her gaze, and saw Huang Jinyuan and Wei Muqing leading a group maintaining order on both sides of the road. Seeing Xu Jing peeking out from the window, they excitedly waved at her—

"Jing, I’ll be heading to the Western Capital with my master soon. See you then!"

"Goddess, your deeds will be passed down for generations! We won’t let the village forget you!"

Xu Jing couldn’t help but smile.

Ever since Huang Jinyuan witnessed Xu Jing capturing Wang Dazhi, he had become her ardent admirer. After returning to the village, he began to widely spread how she had unmatched abilities and found the murderer of Wang Man’s family in the blink of an eye.

Recently, Xu Jing and Yan Ci had been very active in Lingzhou, and rumors about her spread like the north wind, reaching all over Lingzhou within days, becoming more exaggerated over time.

In the past, Xu Jing would have dismissed such rumors with a smile, not taking them to heart. But after deciding to compete with Guangming Hall, these rumors took on a different meaning. During this period, she even secretly sent people to fan the flames, letting the rumors spread even more fervently.

The more her reputation grew, the more it would benefit her future competition with Guangming Hall.

Therefore, in the face of the people’s reluctance and gratitude, Xu Jing felt at ease, raised both curtains, and waved with a smile as she left.

Xiao Yi rode beside her, and seeing her in this state, he couldn’t help but look down, eyes smiling slightly, and his eyes gleamed.

His lady was indeed dazzling.

As early as when she solved her first case in Anping County, he had secretly lamented that this woman’s brilliance and abilities could not be known by the world.

Now, she could finally bask openly and rightfully in the admiration of the people.

This feeling made him happier than receiving recognition himself.

Following behind them, Xiang You saw his own lord’s demeanor, and fell into silence.

This time, his lady’s reputation surely overshadowed the lord’s!

The lord not only didn’t mind but appeared gratified.

Previously, he had often wondered how his seemingly unromantic lord had won over his lady. Now he understood!

The lord deserved to have the lady!

Amidst everyone’s reluctant farewell, their convoy finally left Lingzhou. Because they were in a hurry, they traveled faster than regular convoys, resting little at night. By the afternoon of December 27th, they finally saw the city gates of the Western Capital in the distance.

Xu Jing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They had encountered two heavy snowfalls that delayed their journey, and she feared they wouldn’t make it back before the 28th.

Fortunately, they brought many soldiers to escort Li Yuan, and with the soldiers’ help clearing the way, they arrived as planned.

Having hurried, they hadn’t had a proper rest for two days and nights. Upon seeing the city gates, everyone relaxed, and Xiao Yi decided they should take a break at a roadside foot shop, have some hot tea and a decent meal.

Xu Jing finally stepped out of the carriage and stretched lightly. Cheng Xiao approached and said, "Madam, the foot shop is quite basic, but it’ll suffice until we return to the Capital."

Xu Jing looked at him with amusement, "I’ve lived in even simpler villages. Why would I mind this?"

These past days, the one who worked the hardest wasn’t her, but Xiao Yi. He had to keep watch over Li Yuan the entire time, preventing any assassination attempts or self-harm.

Though they captured Li Yuan, they couldn’t find his family. He was cunning, having moved his family elsewhere before the deployment.

Xiao Yi and Zhao Jingxuan analyzed that he probably entrusted his family to a clandestine power. Despite severe interrogations, Li Yuan stubbornly refused to disclose any information.

His subordinates knew nothing beyond following his orders.

Currently, the only valuable interrogation subject was Li Yuan, making his transport back to the Capital crucial.

Thankfully, they were well-prepared. Though they faced several attacks along the way, they managed to fend them off successfully.

By now, Xiao Yi was probably off checking on Li Yuan again.

Xu Jing sat in the foot shop with only a pot of tea, not wanting anything else.

Days of jolting in the carriage had left her feeling full, with little appetite.

While Xu Jing and her group rested in the foot shop, the soldiers took a break outside.

Suddenly, funeral music and faint wailing sounds drifted in from outside. Following the noise, they saw, not far away, two men in white carrying a wooden coffin slowly approaching.

Beside the coffin walked a group of mourners in white, led by a thin, fair-skinned scholarly man, who cried out, "Mother! Mother! How could you leave just like that? I was about to get married after the new year. Didn’t you always want me to marry someone caring? Huamei was even someone you picked for me! I finally became a scholar. You said when I achieved success, I could repay you well!"

Unconsciously, Xu Jing watched the funeral procession, relieved it wasn’t heading in their direction, as it turned at a nearby fork in the road.

The foot shop attendant brought Xu Jing tea, and upon seeing the scene, sighed, "So close to the new year, and this happens. Mr. Qu has had it tough, and now with his mother’s suicide, he’ll be in mourning for three years, missing next year’s exams."

Suicide?

Xu Jing glanced at him, "Do you know this family?"

"Of course, I do. Mr. Qu and I are both from the nearby White Jade Village."

The chatty attendant immediately continued, "Mr. Qu and his mother were quite known in our village. His mother, Sister-in-law Wu, was widowed ten years ago after her husband had an accident. She never remarried and raised her son alone, making a name for herself with her tofu-making skills. Last year, he became a scholar, making quite a splash in our village."

Chunyang, standing nearby, seemed taken aback and asked, "Sister-in-law Wu worked so hard to raise her son. Why would she... why would she take her own life?"

It’s such a pity!

Especially since her son’s marriage was imminent, her death delayed not only his exams but also his wedding!