Yun Erman’s legs trembled. He turned to see a constable walking slowly towards them with a grim expression.
“Is something the matter?” Yun Erman took a deep breath and asked with a smile.
The constable sized up Yun Erman, then glanced at the carriage beside him. “What are you doing? Why are you renting a carriage?”
Seeing how shifty he looked, he must be up to no good…
Yun Erman had a flash of inspiration and smiled, pursing his lips. “I’m going south to buy dates and some seasonal fruits to transport back to my hometown to sell!”
Selling fruits isn’t illegal, Yun Erman muttered to himself.
The constable heard this, pulled out a notebook from his怀, opened it, and asked Yun Erman, “What’s your name, and where do you live?”
Yun Erman: “???”
They’re already interrogating him?
If one didn’t know better, they’d think he was caught smuggling salt…
Yun Erman put on a calm and composed demeanor and lied, “This humble one’s name is Fan Laowu. I live in the western village of Heyang County. I have a wife named Li Cuihua!”
Look at that, Old Man Yun always called Yun Erman a blockhead, but when it mattered, his mind worked faster than anyone else…
In fact, after the young man at the post station told him about the risks and consequences of smuggling salt, Yun Erman had changed his mind.
If he were caught, what would happen to Xiao Bao and Jin Shan?
What about Shanshan and the child in her belly?
Moreover, the situation was tense right now; he encountered a constable every two steps he took…
The intelligent and wise Yun Erman didn’t want to joke with his life, unless he was completely insane.
“Is your name really Fan Laowu?” the constable stared at Yun Erman, looking suspicious.
If he found out this person was lying, he’d smash his hip joint…
Yun Erman nodded repeatedly. “It’s absolutely true. I am Fan Laowu. If you don’t believe me, Officer, you can go to the western village to investigate!”
If that doesn’t work, you can call me Li Hu Zi…
Erman had completely sold out his two companions.
The reason he wanted to rent a carriage was that he genuinely wanted to go south to buy dates or other goods and see how much he could earn from reselling them.
If he was satisfied, he wouldn’t farm anymore and would just become a merchant…
“Let me tell you, you absolutely cannot touch contraband salt. If we catch you, not only will you be beheaded, but your wife and children will also be implicated. Do you understand?” the constable warned.
Yun Erman smiled amiably and cupped his hands. “Officer, rest assured, I will never touch that stuff in my life…”
Not only will I not touch it, I won’t even think about it.
The constable grunted and waved his hand. “Alright, you can go now!”
“Ah, good, good. Take care!” Yun Siman smiled as he led the horse’s reins. After taking two steps, he suddenly turned around. “Officer, if I report them, will there be a reward?”
The constable’s brows immediately furrowed. “Do you know the salt smugglers?”
“Uh… I met them on the road. Those two are hiding in the grass in front of the post station. If you go over there, Officer, you’ll catch them red-handed!” Yun Erman pointed forward.
Upon hearing this, the constable drew his saber with a ‘swish,’ then called his companions, and they rushed towards the grass in a flurry…
Immediately after, a pig-like scream was heard. Several constables, like eagles catching chicks, pinned Fan Laowu and Li Hu Zi to the ground.
“Ah! Why are you arresting me? Let me go, let me go…” Fan Laowu struggled desperately, his voice hoarse.
Li Hu Zi immediately wet his pants in fear and wailed.
“Someone reported you for smuggling contraband salt. You will now come with us to the yamen for investigation!” The constable took out ropes and tied the two men’s hands tightly.
Fan Laowu’s eyes turned red with anger, and he roared, “Who reported us? I… I am a law-abiding citizen. You can’t frame me!”
If he found out who was so gossipy, he would kill him.
The constable gestured towards Yun Erman. “Look, do you recognize that person?”
Fan Laowu squinted and saw Yun Erman sitting on the carriage shaft, swinging his legs, and smiling as he waved. “Have a good journey, don’t mind me!”
Fan Laowu: “……”
You good-for-nothing, are you even human?
You’d betray your own companions?
“You scoundrel, I’m not done with you! I’ll kill you…” The enraged Fan Laowu roared, almost spitting blood.
It was Yun Erman who asked him to smuggle salt, but when they encountered constables halfway, he sold himself and Li Hu Zi. What kind of black-hearted, rotten bird is this in the world?
The constable kicked Fan Laowu. “What are you yelling about? Hurry up, don’t talk nonsense…”
Thus, under Yun Erman’s smug gaze, Fan Laowu and Li Hu Zi were escorted away by the constables, and the post station inside and out returned to silence.
Yun Erman flicked his whip and looked into the distance. “Alas, where should I go?”
If he didn’t make some money to take back, this trip would have been in vain…
Yun Erman carefully considered his options and then slowly headed in a certain direction.
If you want to make quick money, you can’t be afraid of hardship, and Erman is not someone who waits for food to be served.
In fact, looking around, in Dashui Village and even Heyang County, the Yun family’s life was considered quite good.
They had cattle, shops, and the grain harvested from their land each year was enough to last them more than half the year. By today’s standards, they had already prospered…
Even if Yun Erman didn’t help his father farm or help Shanshan manage the shop, his sister would find him a livelihood.
But Erman was a person with extremely strong self-esteem. He didn’t want to be managed or supported by others; he only wanted to change his destiny through his own efforts…
Three days later, the capital, Pingyang Marquis’s Mansion.
Gu Mingyan and Han Chiyan, who had been traveling for half a month, finally returned to the mansion.
Because they had ridden fast horses back, Han Chijiao hadn’t rested well on the road. Upon arriving at the Marquis’s Mansion, she went straight to sleep, not even eating…
The Marquis’s Mansion, which had been quiet for months, became lively again. The Old Marquis ordered Steward Zhou to prepare food and then comfortably took a bath himself.
“Tired?” Gu Mingyan held Han Chiyan’s hand, his face full of tenderness. “Go and sleep if you’re tired. I’ll call you when the meal is ready…”
Since Yan’er had agreed to return to the Central Plains with him, it meant she prioritized love.
Besides feeling sorry for her, Gu Mingyan wanted to give her everything he had.
“I’m not tired, just a bit weary from riding the horse for so long,” Han Chiyan said with a gentle smile.
Just as she finished speaking, her stomach suddenly churned with nausea. Before Gu Mingyan could react, Han Chiyan covered her mouth and rushed out…