Chapter 10, is it really just good luck

Having said that, he shouldered a bundle of bamboo poles and followed behind the crowd, walking towards the chosen camping site in the wilderness

Seventeen points at the top, he seemed to be stirred by Wei Luo's words, staring blankly at the campfire with a dazed expression in his eyes

As he spoke, he turned to Wei Luo and smiled, saying, "You little rascal." As soon as these words left his mouth, he felt it was inappropriate and quickly changed his words, "Brother is indeed very fortunate. At such a young age, wandering alone in the world, encountering a powerful warrior could easily turn one into a pile of bones, and meeting the powerful could lead to becoming a slave; life and death are not in one's own hands. Only in a caravan like the one from the Mei family can we fill our stomachs while also preserving our lives.

The various laborers were quite adept at this task, acting with remarkable speed. In just fifteen minutes, large and small tents sprang up across the wilderness. Surprisingly, dozens of fires were also lit, and over these flames, the workers began to roast plump sheep that had been skinned and gutted.

Wei Luo hurriedly walked to his side and mumbled, "My name is Wei Luo"

Wei Luo looked at his dazed expression and couldn't help but whisper, "When did elder brother join the caravan?"

Weiluo's mouth twitched a few times, yet he did not know how to respond to his question

The round-faced young man, seeing that she did not respond, rubbed his eyes and murmured, "It is getting late, I am weary, and I will have to sleep outside the city again"

Eh?

At that moment, she felt the team slow down. Before long, the building was galloping towards them on horseback, and even before his men arrived, the roar echoed from afar, "Everyone stop, set up camp and rest"

Looking around at the exhausted crowd, Wei Luo found herself much more spirited than when she was walking alone just moments ago. She raised her head and gazed ahead, secretly pondering: could those young girls riding in the donkey carts adorned with silk be some sort of virgins existing as gifts? Reflecting on the conversation she had overheard between the two men, Wei Luo further contemplated: the round-faced young man had said, 'If one is exceptionally beautiful and does not wish to serve a single nobleman, one could also become a courtesan.' The term 'serve' implies being with only one man. From his words, does it mean that these courtesans are akin to prostitutes, openly engaging in the flesh trade? Indeed, courtesans, courtesans, are they not simply beautiful women who sing and dance? No, once I reach Yi City, I must find a way to leave! This group is far too unsafe.

Finally emerging from the woods, Wei Luo looked at the fields on both sides and couldn't help but yawn

Having said that, he turned his head to look at the ground and walked seriously.

Wei Luo could not discern whether his words were praise or disparagement, she merely smiled. Lowering her eyes, she softly said: "Even a well-bred son, when encountering bandits, can only fall into a foreign land, with life hard to preserve and hunger difficult to satisfy"

The round-faced young man said without turning his head: "I have no name, you may call me Seventeen." Wei Luo readily complied and quickly called out: "Brother Seventeen."

The various laborers, upon completing their tasks, set up a bonfire. Unlike other bonfires, theirs was topped with enormous iron cauldrons, into which everyone eagerly tossed rice and wild vegetables to boil.

Without waiting for Wei Luo to respond, he continued, "Since you have a name, you must know how to read? You are from Yue, so how is it that your surname is Wei?"

Wei Luo mingled within the group and soon arrived beside the donkey cart. There, he observed everyone swiftly taking down the tents from the cart, shouldering the timber, and carrying the bamboo poles.

Wei Luo was curious, yet she did not dare to ask, fearing that she might inadvertently reveal her ignorance. She followed closely behind the round-faced young man and inquired, "May I ask how to address you, elder brother?"

The round-faced young man saw Wei Luo standing in the crowd, looking at a loss, and waved his hand towards her, calling out: "Child, come here"

This statement greatly surprised Wei Luo; she had been contemplating leaving this convoy, but now, upon hearing this, she realized that being able to join such a convoy was indeed a stroke of good fortune

As soon as the sound of the cart was heard, everyone stopped in their tracks. The men walking in front of and behind Wei Luo simultaneously perked up and stepped forward towards the donkey cart ahead.

Beside the bonfire, a group of maidservants laid out burlap on the grass, and then arranged the couches on the burlap. In no time, the wilderness was filled with tents, bustling with voices, and the aroma of wine wafted through the air

The individuals walking alongside Wei Luo on foot are evidently the laborers of the caravan. On the desolate plains, those riding horses or seated on oxen and donkeys stand with a dignified demeanor, patiently awaiting the establishment of their camp.

Wei Luo's complexion turned pale, and she lowered her eyes, deep in thought. She only believed fifty percent of what Shiqi had said. Frowning slightly, Wei Luo thought to herself: I will stay a few more days to understand the situation in this world before making any decisions

Seventeen came to his senses, and he reached out to pick up a few pieces of dry wood and threw them into the fire, sighing: "My experiences are similar to yours. I was originally a traveling merchant, but I encountered mountain bandits and lost all my possessions, leaving me with no hope of returning home." At this point, he laughed, "Fortunately, I had good luck and met the caravan of the Mei family, which allowed me to survive until now. Had I encountered the powerful and wealthy at that time, I would have likely become a slave."

While Wei Luo was still in doubt, the round-faced young man asked in surprise, "The child actually has a name? Are you of noble birth?"

Once she had made up her mind, she no longer thought much about the matter

Wei Luo looked around and saw that everyone appeared to be utterly exhausted. It was understandable, as those in front were traveling by carriage or horseback, while they could only rely on their own feet to keep up; it would be strange if they had any energy left.

Seventeen turned his head to glance at Wei Luo and said with a smile, "Upon closer inspection, you really do have the demeanor of a well-bred young man."

Wei Luo lowered her head, walking unevenly while secretly thinking: I actually ended up in a kabuki troupe, this won't do. Although I have disguised myself, I am still a woman, and staying here is too dangerous. It seems I must find an opportunity to leave. Yes, as soon as I enter Yi City, I will leave.

The round-faced young man laughed heartily, and his gaze towards her added a touch of friendliness. Not only he, but also the few people around looked at Wei Luo with much friendlier eyes. The round-faced young man sighed, "Since you are from a good family, then such trivial matters are not your concern. In life, one is born into different social standings; the child is truly fortunate, unlike us, who not only lack a surname but even a name."

The team's progress was exceedingly slow, comparable to the pace of a single individual walking alone. By the time they emerged from the woods, the moon was at its zenith.

The round-faced young man was taken aback, stopping his actions to look at her. Not only he, but also several others nearby turned their heads to look at Wei Luo.

Wei Luo saw that everyone had taken their seats, so he also sat down next to Seventeen

Upon hearing the question from the round-faced young man, Wei Luo felt a dryness in her throat and was at a loss for how to respond. She chuckled awkwardly a few times to deflect the situation.

So having a name and a surname makes one a person of importance

Wei Luo quickly caught up and said hesitantly, "Elder brother, I can also be of help."

The round-faced young man chuckled and shook his head, saying: "I am small and weak, and I am also a well-known and reputable young man from a good family; such lowly matters have nothing to do with you."