Chapter 295 - Dragon And Phoenix Twins (1)
Yuxi asked, “Dage, do you think I’ll also be assassinated in the future?” She wondered why there were only rumours of how many people Yun Qing had killed, but nothing about his wife and children. It was strange that his wife and children could survive in such a situation. When she died in her previous life, she knew that the Song family was still fine!
Han Jianming wanted Yuxi to be mentally prepared for Yun Qing’s difficult situations. This was also the reason Yan Wushuang had to hide in the shadows. It was really because the Song family’s methods were too poisonous, and for Yun Qing to survive this long was because of his skill alone. “These people are targeting Yun Qing. As long as you become more careful, you should be fine.” To earn a high reward, one naturally had to take risks.
Yuxi knew it was unrealistic to rely on Han Jianming for all things. But she only had Zijin by her side, and Zijin was a human being, not a God. So she couldn’t take care of everything for her all the time. Yuxi put these thoughts aside and asked Han Jianming, “How did Dage get this information?” The information was too complete to be obtained in such a short period with Han Jianming’s current ability.
Han Jianming coughed before answering, “I have my own ways.”
Seeing this, Yuxi didn’t ask any more questions. Han Jianming would naturally tell her when he felt it was the best time to speak. “Dage, what did the Xinglong Escort Agency say?”
Han Jianming said, “We are still negotiating.” They could not negotiate on the price.
Yuxi thought for a moment and said, “Dage, the road is not safe, and I’m going to bring many things. It doesn’t matter if I have to spend more money. The most important thing is safety.” There was no need to bring heavy furniture, but she needed to take her jewellery, herbs, books, and other miscellaneous things. All of these would require at least 20 carts or so. The journey was long, and the risk of having more things was much higher, so it was reasonable for the other party to offer a higher price.
Han Jianming nodded and said, “Don’t worry about this. I know the situation fairly well. You shouldn’t worry too much either. I will transfer some people from the mansion then.”
Yuxi hesitated for a moment but finally said what was in her heart, “Dage, I want to ask Er Sao to borrow some guards from the Lu family.” There were too few good guards in the Han family, and half of those men had been taken away by Han Jianye, and half had to protect Han Jianming. The rest could deal with ordinary people but had enough trouble dealing with bandits. Those guards of the Lu family were different. It was said that many of them had been on the battlefields, thus, dealing with bandits was undoubtedly not a problem.
Han Jianming questioned her request, “Didn’t you hire the escort agency? These people are enough to protect you.” Going to the Lu family to borrow men for use was quite humiliating, to say the least.
Yuxi didn’t care if it was humiliating or not. What she wanted was a guarantee of her own safety. “Dage, although Xinglong Escort Agency has a good reputation, in this world, who knows if the people inside will not have any evil intentions. This time, the things I brought with me are worth tens of thousands of taels of silver for jewellery and herbs alone. If those people have evil intentions and rob the items on the way, then won’t we be the ones to cry when they ran away?” If she had brought only a thousand or eight hundred taels worth of stuff with her, she wouldn’t have worried. However, this time she was bringing things with a large sum of money, and who knew if these people would be greedy for them. It would be most foolish to pin one’s hopes on the conscience of others. As for the guards of the Lu family, Yuxi was not worried at all. The wives and children of these guards were all staying with the Lu family. Hence, it was unlikely that they would have any ill will.
When Han Jianming heard what Yuxi said, he couldn’t help but ask, “You’ve been buying medicinal herbs all this time? What are you buying so many herbs for?”
Yuxi said, “There is a shortage of medicine in the border town, so buying more will be more reassuring.” She didn’t buy all kinds of herbs. She mainly bought some valuable herbs, such as musk, ox gallstones, ginseng, bei mu, velvet antler, bear gall, etc. Of course, caterpillar fungus, bird’s nest and other tonic products were also necessary.
When Qiu Shi saw that Yuxi was on a buying spree, she gave her most of the precious herbs in her private storehouse, and Ye Shi and Lu Xiu also gave her a lot. Together with the ones Yuxi bought herself, there were several large boxes of herbs.
Han Jianming nodded and said, “If you really don’t feel secure, then you should go!” It was indeed safer to have a few more capable people escorting her.
After sending Han Jianming away, Yuxi went to see Lu Xiu. Yuxi said sincerely, “Er Sao, it’s a long way to the northwest, and the road is not safe. If I don’t have reliable people around me, I won’t be able to sleep at night.”
As Lu Xiu thought that Yuxi had helped her a lot over the years, she hesitated for a bit before nodding in agreement. “Si Mei, I will ask my Father tomorrow before giving you an answer.” Yuxi wanted to borrow people from the Lu family, so her father had to agree first. But since it was only a loan and these people would return after sending Yuxi safely to the northwest, her father ought to not refuse. [+]
Yuxi smiled and said, “Thank you, Er Sao.”
As the two were talking, they heard a maid from outside announcing, “It’s a great joy, Second Lady. It’s truly a great joy. Wangfei has given birth to a dragon and phoenix twins.”
Yuxi froze. A dragon and phoenix twins? What’s going on here? Yuchen had both children in her previous life, but she hadn’t had a dragon and phoenix twins! A lot of things had turned out differently. [T/C]
Lu Xiu smiled and stood up, saying, “This is a great joy. Yuxi, come. Let’s go to the Main Courtyard with Er Sao. The Old Lady will definitely be very happy to hear this news.”
Yuxi smiled and nodded her head. “It is indeed a great joy.”
When the Old Lady heard that Yuchen had given birth to a dragon and phoenix twins, she couldn’t stop smiling, “My Yuchen, she is a person with great fortune!” A dragon and phoenix foetus was an auspicious omen!
When everyone heard this, they all looked very subtle. Wen Shi and Yurong’s reactions were the same. Both of them could not help but look at Yuxi. Seeing the standard smile on her face, they both thought she was too good at pretending.
Back at Taoran House, Zisu looked at Yuxi carefully and was relieved to see that she did not look too different.
Yuxi asked with amusement, “What? Afraid I’ll be sad?” Speaking of which, Yuchen really had a good life. Yuchen seemed to have all the good things in the world. And her? It seemed like she had taken all the bad luck in this world. She and Yuchen were really two extremes.
Thinking of this, Yuxi rubbed her temples. Wasn’t this show that she was indeed unlucky? Other girls who got married worried about whether their future mother-in-law and sister-in-law would get along with them or whether their sisters-in-law would deliberately make their lives difficult. What about her? She was worried about whether she would be assassinated in the future.
Momo Quan interjected at this point and said, “Miss, it’s not good to have a very smooth life.” If things went too smoothly, then when things suddenly turned worse, there might be nothing one could do about it, unlike her Miss, who had gone through everything. There was nothing left that could hurt her.
Yuxi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Momo Quan, from what you say, you believe that it’s a good thing that I’ve been through so many bad things. I don’t know how many people out there wish they had a smooth life just like San Jie!” Likewise, no one would wish to be as unlucky as she was.
Momo Quan said, “Miss, the river flows thirty years to the East, and thirty years to the West.” If Yuchen was living a good life right now, it did not necessarily mean that she would have it good in the future. And if Miss’ life was terrible now, she would definitely have a good life in the future.
Yuxi smiled, “Momo is really good at comforting people. Speaking of which, I can’t bear to let Momo go again.” It was just an excuse to tell Qiu Shi that Momo Quan was not well. In fact, Momo Quan was perfectly healthy. It was just that she did not want to run around anymore as she wanted to live a peaceful old age.
Momo Quan said, “Miss, I was just about to tell you about this. It just so happens that there is someone I know who I think would be quite suitable.”
Yuxi became interested in this. “Momo, please tell me about this person.” Anyone who could get Momo Quan’s attention must have been someone outstanding.
The person Momo Quan recommended to Yuxi was surnamed Qu, who used to work as a petty official in the Wardrobe Service Bureau and had been released three years ago. She was not as lucky as Momo Quan, as her brothers and nephews were all jackals, wolves, tigers and panthers. None of them really wanted to look after her during her old age. They only wanted her money. Those who could survive working in the palace until they were released always had a few tricks up their sleeve. After staying in her hometown for over a year, she saw that no one in her natal’s family could be relied upon, so she simply returned to the capital, looking for a good master’s house who would give her a job and look after her in her old age.
Yuxi didn’t quite believe it. “She hasn’t found a suitable family after all this time?”
Momo Quan laughed. “It’s not easy to find a suitable family overnight. Besides, she used to work in the Wardrobe Service Bureau, not like me.” Momo Quan knew how to cook medicinal food and help people with their health, so many hired her for this skill! While Momo Qu was in the Wardrobe Service Bureau, in charge of clothes, accessories and so on, which was not in demand.
Yuxi asked, “Can we rely on her?”
Momo Quan said, “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t recommend her if she couldn’t be relied on.” Yuxi was her disciple, so she would not harm her in any way.
Yuxi asked uneasily, “Will she come with me to the northwest?” The northwest was a place that made people turn pale from hearing about it. Many people instantly refused to go there when it was mentioned. If not, then why Qiu Shi had not yet found a suitable stewardess and a cook up until now?
Momo Quan said, “I’ll personally come forward, and she’ll agree.” Seeing Yuxi’s puzzled face, she explained, “I have helped her in the palace before.” It wasn’t just because she had helped her before; she had even saved her life.
Yuxi nodded her head and said, “Then I’ll be grateful to you, Momo.” Since she had found a stewardess, the only thing left was to find a cook. If she couldn’t find one, then she would just have to buy one. Her last way would be her cooking for herself.
As she was thinking, Caidie came over and said, “Miss, just now, the Old Lady sent out a message that everyone in residence would attend His and Her Little Highness’ first bath in three days’ time.” Naturally, this ‘everyone’ included Yuxi.
Yuxi nodded and said, “I understand.” It was good for her to go and say goodbye to Yuchen.