As summer days dawn early, a procession of carriages and horses set off from the city gates in the dim morning light, just as quietly as when they left the capital.
However, unlike the capital, there were no citizens to see them off this time.
After all, the incident of smallpox vaccine deaths in western Hebei was not a glorious affair, so naturally, the news of Miss Jun leaving Yangcheng could not be widely publicized.
Though there was no crowd to bid farewell, the procession was not short of people.
In addition to the Fang Family guards, there were more than a dozen strong men.
"So, you've asked Uncle Lei from the bodyguard business to provide an escort," Miss Jun smiled as she looked at Lei Zhonglian riding a horse outside the carriage.
This was arranged by Fang Chengyu. Although there were many more famous and formidable bodyguard businesses in Shanxi, to Miss Jun, reliability was the utmost priority.
In terms of reliability, no bodyguard business was a match for Lei Zhonglian.
Nearly a year since they had last met, Lei Zhonglian seemed to have lost some weight, but he looked spirited.
"Thank you for the high regard, Young Master," he said. "Miss Jun, please don't think of us as a bother."
Compared to before, he had become wittier in conversation.
"Alright then," Miss Jun said with a smile, "but this time if I need to help out, Uncle Lei, you'll have to pay."
The word 'pay' seemed familiar, Lei Zhonglian felt a momentary daze.
What are you looking at, keep looking and you'll owe money.
It was as if a man's voice was speaking in his ear.
Lei Zhonglian had a quick shiver, confused as to why he would suddenly remember that odd person.
However, now Miss Jun also mentioned money—are her words influenced by that man?
Lei Zhonglian looked at Miss Jun and laughed.
"So now Miss Jun also likes asking people for money," he said.
Upon hearing the word 'also', Miss Jun immediately thought of someone, recalling that person and the events that occurred on their journey to Runan.
Lei Zhonglian probably did not know who that guy claiming to be Ling Jiu really was.
"Time flies, it's already been a year. Uncle Lei, how is your bodyguard business doing?" she asked with a smile, observing the escoring formation of the dozen escorts.
The formation of the dozen escorts was somewhat familiar to Miss Jun— it was the same arrangement that Zhu Zan used when escorting them back to Yangcheng.
Her lips curled up again in a thick smile.
Lei Zhonglian followed her gaze to the escorts.
"Although the time spent was short, the experience taught by that Noble Son has proven to be extremely useful," he said. "This year, we've also acted according to his methods and even avoided a dangerous encounter."
He smiled again as he spoke.
"Otherwise, the team of bodyguards I had started putting together might have disbanded."
Of course, his experience was useful; it was gained through battles of life and death, thought Miss Jun with a laugh, mixed with a bit of worry.
But now, that fierce tiger is being held in the capital, entangled with those toothless but still deadly people.
With the northern lands unstable, he must be feeling anxious in the capital, right? Longing to return?
Hiding her thoughts, Miss Jun smiled once more.
"How's the bodyguard business?" she asked.
"Took in a few apprentices, thanks to the Young Master for giving us a few deals, raised a few more bodyguards; we've managed to set up shop," Lei Zhonglian replied.
As their casual conversation continued, the caravan glimmered forward and moved further into the morning light.
Staring at the distant caravan from atop the city gate tower, Fang Chengyu sighed again.
Leaning against the city wall and munching on fried beans, Fang Yuxiu turned to glance over.
"They've gone far. Let's head back," she said.
Since they did not want it known, the Fang Family did not make a grand farewell; Old Lady Fang and the others had only seen them off from the household gate, only Fang Chengyu and Fang Yuxiu had come to the city gate to see them off.
"I don't want to go back yet," Fang Chengyu said, leaning on the parapet and looking outward. "I really envy Liu'er."
Fang Yuxiu snorted twice.
"Who doesn't envy her? Indulging in eating, drinking, playing, and having fun, freely expressing joy and anger, she bullies others without anyone bullying her. No matter how foolish or silly one is, there are those who love, and when the sky falls, someone will hold it up," she said. "Isn't the greatest pursuit in life to live happily like a useless person?"
Fang Chengyu laughed heartily.
"Second Sister, you just eat your beans," he said.
Fang Yuxiu reached out in front of him.
"Are you eating?" she asked.
Fang Chengyu leaned against the city wall with a smile and let out another long sigh.
"You didn't tell her you like her?" Fang Yuxiu asked.
"Isn't it obvious? Even if I don't say it, she knows," Fang Chengyu retorted with a stare.
Fang Yuxiu hummed twice.
"Then you didn't ask her when you two are going to get married?" she inquired.
Fang Chengyu pursed his lips at her.
"How can you ask such a question," he said, scratching at the wall.
"Oh?" Fang Yuxiu said, tilting her head to look at Fang Chengyu, "Because Noble Son Ning was rejected, you feel inferior to him and don't dare to express yourself?"
"Such matters can't be compared like that," Fang Chengyu immediately retorted.
"So how do you compare these things, then?" Fang Yuxiu pressed on.
Fang Chengyu looked at her, then once again turned his head toward where the caravan had already vanished from sight.
"It's actually very simple," he said. "Liking someone is just liking them, and not liking is not liking. It's not that if I like you, you must like me back."
"Oh, so after all that, it's just that she doesn't like you," Fang Yuxiu declared.
Fang Chengyu punched the wall again.
"Sister, why must you be so blunt?" he lamented.
Fang Yuxiu tilted her head back and poured fried beans into her mouth, chewing loudly.
"You don't even dare to ask," she said. "Really hopeless."
Fang Chengyu pressed his face against the wall.
"There's no need to ask, don't I know gongzhu well enough?" he said forlornly. "Whoever she wants to protect, she will protect; whoever she wants to fight back against, she will fight back against. Therefore, she will like whomever she wants to like. She doesn't want to not like anyone, it's just that she hasn't met the right person yet."
Fang Yuxiu let out an "Oh."
"The truth is always harsh," she said. "So it means you are truly pitiable."
Fang Chengyu straightened up, laughing again.
"Not at all," he said. "Being able to meet someone I like, being on such good terms with her, and even though she likes me, albeit not in that way, I can talk to her anytime and stay by her side for a lifetime. That's already very fortunate and happy."
Fang Yuxiu let out another "Oh."
"Then you should cherish your fortune," she said, clapping her hands and taking a step. "Let's go home."
Fang Chengyu glanced in the direction Miss Jun had left. Of course, he would cherish his fortune. The happiness he has today, all came from gongzhu; with a smile, he hurried to catch up with Fang Yuxiu.
Meanwhile, another group of riders also left Yangcheng at the same time.
Eighteenth Jin rode on his horse, fanning himself with his hand.
"It's going to be hot again today," he said.
"My lord, can we make our move yet?" the men beside him asked in unison.
Eighteenth Jin shook his head.
"Not yet, it's not time yet," he said.
Not time yet?
"I could handle all these guards myself," a man on horseback remarked while trimming his nails.
"Besides these ordinary guards, the Fang Family's De Sheng Chang has also arranged many covert guards," another man said slowly, tucking away the scroll in his hand. "Those covert guards all rely on the money business, we just need to act during the time the two money businesses are not connected."
Eighteenth Jin laughed and waved his hand dismissively.
"That's not what I mean. Lord Lu's intention is to wait until she has dealt with the smallpox vaccine matter before taking action," he explained.
Dealt with the smallpox vaccine?
The four men looked at each other.
"So what shall we..." they hesitated.
"We'll just follow her," Eighteenth Jin said, gesturing and then spurring his horse into a gallop.
To follow her until she has dealt with the smallpox vaccine before taking action? Somehow it felt less like capturing someone, and more like, an escort mission.
The four men exchanged glances again.