Yun Sanman froze for a moment, observing the carriage carefully, a flicker of curiosity stirring within him.
Who would be looking for him so late at night?
A moment later, the carriage slowly stopped in front of Yun Sanman. Eunuch Ruan put down the reins and helped Murong Taotao out of the carriage.
"Who are you looking for?" Yun Sanman asked in surprise.
Murong Taotao curved his lips and cupped his hands in a polite salute, "You must be Yun Sanman, right? I've come from Dashui Village and am currently staying at your home..."
Yun Sanman responded with an "Oh," saying nothing more.
Their family had several groups of visitors each month, so Sanman didn't find it unusual.
Eunuch Ruan craned his neck to peer into the courtyard and asked with a smile, "We heard that Miss Murong is temporarily staying at your residence. Could Mr. Yun possibly introduce us?"
"What do you want to see Miss Murong for?" Yun Sanman asked, his face filled with vigilance.
Late at night, two strangers suddenly appeared, asking to see Murong Qing. He dared not help with the introduction.
If anything were to happen, he would be held entirely responsible.
Murong Taotao smiled helplessly, "To be frank, I am Miss Murong's biological younger brother. I have come to this blessed land specifically to reunite with my sister..."
Yun Sanman: "???"
He had never heard that Miss Murong had a younger brother.
And Fang'er hadn't mentioned it either...
Seeing Yun Sanman's hesitation, Murong Taotao took out a photograph and handed it to Sanman, "This is a photo of my sister and me. Do you believe me now?"
He understood Yun Sanman's feelings and wasn't in a hurry, explaining slowly.
"This is indeed Miss Murong!" Yun Sanman nodded lightly, then looked up, "But she isn't at home right now; she's already left!"
Murong Taotao: "???"
Left?
"Where did she go?" Murong Taotao stepped forward, asking urgently.
Yun Sanman smiled and said, "She didn't go far, actually. She just went with my wife to Xixiang to attend the market. She said she'll be back by noon tomorrow..."
Murong Taotao finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
As long as his sister hadn't gone far, it was fine.
"Thank you for your trouble with this late-night visit. Farewell!" Murong Taotao bowed and left with Eunuch Ruan.
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Yun Sanman mused, "I didn't expect Miss Murong to have a brother..."
Look at how this young man was dressed, calm and elegant, fresh and handsome. He looked like someone who had read many books.
After all, a person's demeanor reflects their learning, and Miss Murong didn't seem like an ordinary person...
His stomach rumbled again. Yun Sanman withdrew his gaze and headed straight for Yun Guifang.
"When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"
At the counter, Yun Sanman grabbed Steward Liu by the collar and asked loudly.
Big sister-in-law was so healthy, needing three bowls of rice as a base for every meal, capable and organized. How could she suddenly become paralyzed?
Steward Liu looked helpless, "Oh, Sanman, there's a saying: 'Illness arrives like a mountain collapsing, and recovery is like drawing silk from a cocoon.' People's bodies are made of flesh and blood; how can they not fall ill?"
"Besides, our shopkeeper's illness was too sudden, and she hadn't had time to inform you..."
Hearing this, Yun Sanman had no intention of arguing with him.
Releasing Steward Liu, Sanman rushed to the backyard, took out a swift horse, and galloped towards Dashui Village.
At the same time, on a small road leading to Xixiang, a simple carriage drove along.
Murong Taotao suppressed his excitement and urged Eunuch Ruan, "Eunuch Ruan, drive faster! Let's try to reach Xixiang before dawn!"
The thought of seeing his long-lost sister soon filled Murong Taotao with immense joy.
The siblings had always had a good relationship, and Murong Qing was a considerate elder sister. Therefore, besides excitement, Taotao couldn't describe his feelings.
"Alright!" Eunuch Ruan cracked his whip, urging on the two fine horses.
Suddenly, he remembered something and felt it necessary to report to the young Imperial Tutor.
"Your Highness, there's something I don't know if I should speak of!" Eunuch Ruan turned back and asked.
"Speak freely!" Murong Taotao was in a good mood, tightly clutching the photograph in his hand.
Seeing this, Eunuch Ruan sighed softly, "Your Highness, actually... actually, on the very day we set off for Dashui Village, I saw the Emperor summon seven or eight assassins and secretly give them some instructions. I was afraid you might have concerns, so I... I didn't say anything until now..."
Upon hearing this, a ripple stirred in Murong Taotao's clear eyes, and a bad premonition arose in his heart.
Why did the Emperor summon assassins to Heyang County?
What was his purpose?
"I'm also puzzled. You and the Emperor are always protected by hidden guards. Why call for assassins?" Eunuch Ruan rolled a dry pipe, looking up at the night sky, "Is His Majesty planning to do something illicit?"
As far as he knew, the biggest conflict between the Emperor and the Imperial Tutor was Murong Qing.
Emperor Ming did not want Murong Taotao to find his sister, and Murong Taotao was determined to reunite with her.
As the supreme ruler of Yan, how could Emperor Ming allow him to act recklessly?
Murong Taotao narrowed his eyes and looked at the night outside the carriage window, "If the Emperor dares to meddle from the shadows, I will never forgive him..."
Hmph, at that time, let alone helping him unify the realm, he would feel disgusted just looking at him.
Eunuch Ruan shrank his neck, feeling a chill down his spine.
Alas, if the Imperial Tutor were to lose his temper, the entire populace of Yan would suffer.
"Eunuch Ruan, hurry up with the carriage! I must see my sister immediately to feel at ease!" Murong Taotao instructed.
"Yes, yes..."
There was a distance from Heyang County to Xixiang. Even if the carriage ran as fast as possible, it would take until dawn to arrive.
The road was uneven and bumpy, with ditches over ten feet deep on either side.
If they accidentally fell in, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Meanwhile, in a simple inn in Xixiang, Shangguan Fang'er and Murong Qing were sleeping soundly on a large kang.
This inn was specifically prepared for guests coming to the market from out of town.
A single large kang could accommodate over ten people, including elderly women, village women, children, young wives, and so on.
The adjacent room was a dormitory for men, and in the latter half of the night, deafening snores could be heard.
Moreover, the accommodation here was poor, and a strange smell often lingered in the rooms.
Shangguan Fang'er planned to get up early the next day to visit the market, so she went to bed very early.
Just then, several dark figures suddenly flashed outside the inn and moved towards Murong Qing's room.