Chapter 4, Compassion for Those Who Suffer the Same Affliction

Well

Mo Yan truly believed this in her heart, which is why she remained silent

Bai Yingyu slowly raised her eyes to glance at Mo Yan, remaining silent for a while before saying: "I know that in your hearts, you view my father as a person who colluded with high-ranking officials of the court, embezzled vast sums of money, and... and harmed the common people. You must see him as an irredeemable villain."

At a loss for words, she struggled to speak, wanting to apologize to him, when she suddenly noticed that Mo Yan and Ning Jin had returned and taken their seats.

Xiao Chen is quite particular at home. This time, although he has made many compromises while being out, which is much better than when he is at home, he still urges Mo Yan to take the dishes and chopsticks that the waiter has arranged and wash them again

Oh

"Did you just say that Zhan Zhao was injured?" he asked

Little Seven

You want me to get off the carriage

After hearing her say so much, all she could think about were the benefits of Bai Baozhen. It seems she has to go to the temple to make offerings, which she is extremely reluctant to do. Although Mo Yan sympathizes with her and understands her, she cannot help but feel anxious.

"Second brother, these boots were bought in the capital, weren't they? I saw Ma Han from the Kaifeng Prefecture wearing a pair just like these." She laughed and said, "It's a pity his footwork is not good; the soles of his boots are worn and fuzzy, unlike yours, second brother, which are still neat and tidy."

After traveling for five or six days, they arrived at Zhangjiadian around dusk, not far from Kaifeng. Although Ningjin was present and could open the city gates, the group decided to stay overnight at Zhangjiadian, fearing that traveling at night might lead to unforeseen incidents. They resolved to enter the city early the next morning.

Mo Yan let out a muffled sound, not daring to cry out

"Second brother, go out and turn left five." Mo Yan took her own bundle, then helped him with his luggage, informed Xiao Chen of the location of the carriage, and then went out to place the items on the cart first

Xiao Chen interrupted her: "Let me ask you, if today someone were to force you to go to court and speak ill of your master, would you be willing to do so?"

Bai Yingyu stood up and said, "I will go with you."

Zhangjiadian is a town so small that it cannot be any smaller, and there is only one inn in the entire town. Xiao Chen and the others had no choice but to enter the inn and casually ordered a few dishes

Suddenly, she heard Ning Jin beside her shake his head and sigh. She hurriedly withdrew her gaze, fearing he would notice her unusual behavior, slightly lowered her head, and quickly took her bundle to leave.

As Xiao Chen listened to her, what occupied his mind was his own background: although his father, Xiao Yi, had been condemned for treason and was despised by the world, if he were still alive, he would surely treat him very well.

Xiao Chen smiled faintly. Practitioners of martial arts move with a lifted spirit, avoiding any dragging of their feet. The better one's skills, the less wear and tear there is likely to be on the heels of their boots.

Mo Yan nodded in agreement: "To be honest, your father achieving this is not too bad."

Mo Yan smiled and said, "Second brother is right, it must be nothing serious." She paused, as if recalling something, and turned to Bai Yingyu, "Have you thought about the matter of testifying in the last class?"

As the carriage moved forward, Xiao Chen's brows furrowed tighter and tighter. After enduring for a long time, he finally spoke in a deep voice: "Could you please move your esteemed foot?"

If Master Zhang had not been injured, his boots would have been perfectly intact. I previously thought that the title of "Imperial Cat" was merely a nominal title, but I did not expect his lightness skill to be quite impressive. That night at Hanshan Temple, if he had not pulled me along, I truly would not have been able to keep up.

He must also be concerned about his junior brother who is still in prison, right? Yet he did not mock or ridicule her, nor did he speak harshly to her. She thought that perhaps beneath that icy, stone-carved exterior lies a modest gentleman

Oh

Who exactly provoked whom! Ning Jin was filled with anger, "Did you not hear him..."

How could he be blind! No wonder he has a bad temper

What a coincidence, someone has been waiting here for the young lady for two days, claiming to be a relative of hers

Mo Yan shrank her head and said softly, "I was thinking, if she can identify the people in the capital who have connections with her father, it would also be a good thing for Fifth Brother."

"Forget it, forget it," Mo Yan patted him on the shoulder, dismissing the latter half of his words, seeking to ease the situation. "In any case, just don't talk to him on this journey, and we should be able to get along peacefully." After saying this, without waiting for Ning Jin to say more, she climbed into the car.

Bai Yingyu felt an inexplicable emotion in her heart. Throughout the journey, the people around her, such as Mo Yan, Zhan Zhao, and Ning Jin, were all good individuals. Their words were reasonable and heartfelt, yet none of them could truly empathize with her feelings. The only person who spoke from her perspective was actually Xiao Chen

How does this guy resemble a blind person?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen's expression darkened. Bai Yingyu observed this and thought to herself: This person seems to have a very dismissive attitude towards officials, but I wonder what the reason could be

"I wonder whose lightness skill is better, yours or Lord Zhan's?" Mo Yan chattered cheerfully, laughing with great enthusiasm, "When we get back to the capital, let's find an opportunity for you two to have a competition." She was originally childlike in nature, and when it came to martial arts, she naturally only thought of the distinction between high and low. As for whether the two of them were willing to compete and how they would feel about the outcome, she had not considered even a bit.

Later, although my mother passed away, her tablet is still enshrined in the ancestral hall, and my father sometimes sneaks in to talk to her in front of the tablet..." Bai Yingyu said softly, "If my mother were still alive, perhaps she could persuade him.

Mo Yan casually agreed, not taking it to heart at all

I know your father treats you well, but he has still done many bad things..." Mo Yan clumsily tried to persuade Bai Yingyu

Unaware of what had transpired between the two, Mo Yan smiled and said to Xiao Chen: "Second brother, I will drive the carriage; would you like to rest inside the carriage?"

Mo Yan pursed her lips but did not say anything

"Why not buy a new pair when we get to the next town?" she asked softly

Upon reaching this level, Bai Yingyu could not help but express her concerns, saying: "I wonder if Lord Zhan's leg injury has healed, and whether he is doing well?"

Before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Xiao Chen: "Is it not a bit excessive to have her go to court to testify against her own father? When did you become so cold-hearted and indifferent?"

Hmm. Mo Yan nodded, recalling the events encountered along the way. She simply sat down next to Xiao Chen, as there had been many inconveniences in the shop earlier, preventing her from detailing the experiences to her senior brother. Now was the perfect time to slowly recount everything to him.

This matter must be left to Miss Bai to decide for herself, do not advise her any further

Of course, do you remember: when I was at home, I also drove a horse-drawn cart for a few days to deliver wine for Uncle Liu in the town

Mo Yan was taken aback and looked down...

The master to you is just like her father to her. Do not impose on others what you do not desire for yourself; this principle that you were taught since childhood has been forgotten so quickly!" After saying this, he even reached out and flicked Mo Yan's head.

Xiao Chen said lightly: "Whether his skills are good or not has nothing to do with us. It is better to keep a distance from these officials. After the matter concerning the fifth junior brother is resolved, you will return with me."

Xiao Chen stood up, and Bai Yingyu hurriedly got to her feet, thinking that he might need someone to support him while walking. She hesitated at the spot, unsure whether to step forward. In her moment of distraction, Xiao Chen had already passed by her side and walked out of the inn on his own, taking five steps to the left, and stopping right beside the carriage

Xiao Chen has always been sensitive; although he cannot see, he still detects the bitterness in Ning Jin's words. He coldly replied, "The world is unpredictable; I cannot guarantee anything. You two might as well weigh your options; it is not too late to get off the carriage at this moment"

Mo Yan's voice timely emerged: "Liu Jin, you come out to drive, I feel that my arms need to rest a bit longer." As she spoke, she had already pulled the reins, reached into the carriage, and dragged Ning Jin out, not allowing him any further opportunity to speak

As he spoke, his brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes were so dark that they seemed bottomless. Bai Yingyu looked at him, feeling deeply grateful, yet she was unwilling to express her thanks again

When the curtain of the carriage was lifted and it was discovered that the carriage was heading out of the city, Bai Yingyu suddenly realized and exclaimed: "Aren't we supposed to wait for the governor of Yangzhou to return? How come..."

"Second brother, I... I am also doing this for..." Mo Yan was left a bit dumbfounded by Xiao Chen's scolding

It seems that recalling that time brought a hint of a smile to Xiao Chen's face: "Of course I remember"

It should be fine, right..." Mo Yan's tone of response was also somewhat uncertain

Mo Yan nodded slightly and then let out a long sigh: "That was truly dangerous. Fortunately, I can swim; otherwise, Miss Bai and Lord Zhan would not have survived.

Of course, that is not acceptable. Mo Yan immediately shook her head like a rattle.

The carriage jolted violently, causing Mo Yan to have to hold onto the window with one hand to steady herself; Bai Yingyu was even more tossed about, nearly colliding with Xiao Chen several times, but fortunately, Mo Yan managed to catch her each time

"In that case, has the ledger been obtained?" Xiao Chen inquired

Mo Yan had not yet had the chance to stop her, and Bai Yingyu, without any suspicion, nodded and said: "Indeed."

Ning Jin, infuriated, yanked the reins fiercely, causing the thin horse to startle, raise its front hooves, and neigh loudly. It then surged forward, moving much faster than before.

Upon hearing these words, not only was Mo Yan taken aback, but even Bai Yingyu was stunned. Xiao Chen considered it a form of tolerance that he did not mock her, and he never expected that Xiao Chen would actually speak up for her

Thank you very much," she said softly, for his invisibility gave her the courage to gaze directly into his eyes

His title as a chivalrous hero is certainly not undeserved; a minor leg injury is of little consequence. After listening to Mo Yan recount the events of the journey, it is evident that Zhan Zhao is quite attentive to Mo Yan and has not made things difficult for her. Xiao Chen also rarely offered a kind word.

By the time Ning Jin came to his senses, the reins had already been placed in his hand. Mo Yan whispered angrily in his ear, "Did I not tell you not to provoke my senior brother?"

Ah! Bai Yingyu exclaimed softly, hurriedly moving her right foot away, seeing that the black surface of Xiao Chen's boots was already filthy, she quickly folded her hands in apology.

Bai Yingyu was stunned, staring at his eyes in disbelief. His pupils were as black as ink, no different from those of an ordinary person, except for a slight lack of vitality and brilliance

Hearing her express her gratitude, Xiao Chen merely replied lightly: "No need, I am not speaking for you; it is only as it should be... Xiao Qi, you have only been in the public office for a few days, how have you already learned their iron-faced and unyielding demeanor?" He turned his head and continued to reprimand Mo Yan.

Ningjin lagged behind slowly

But in my heart, he is not as you all think. He treats me, my mother, and even my several aunts extremely well. I still remember that when my mother was seriously ill, as long as he had no official duties, he would accompany her every day, personally feeding her soup and medicine

Xiao Chen noticed that she answered quickly, realizing that she did not take it seriously. He intended to say a few more words to her but held back, silently thinking to himself: since their meeting, Zhan Zhao had been mentioned multiple times by his junior sister. It seems that in just a few short days, the two of them must have gone through quite a lot together

The shopkeeper, upon hearing her soft and gentle Wu dialect, turned around in surprise and asked, "Miss, are you from Suzhou?"

"By the way, could you wash mine as well?" Ning Jin pushed the bowl and chopsticks in front of him towards Mo Yan and said with a smile

As she looked at his face, the icy demeanor melted away, and Bai Yingyu felt somewhat dazed. The words of apology seemed to escape her, and she merely lowered her head to listen to their conversation

Faced with such a difficult person, Bai Yingyu did not know what to say and stopped speaking, looking to Mo Yan for help

She spoke with a Suzhou accent, soft and gentle, as sticky and tender as glutinous rice. Xiao Chen felt nothing but annoyance, furrowing his brows and coldly huffing: "There is no need to bother."

Xiao Chen pretended not to hear and completely ignored her. Ning Jin cast a sidelong glance at him and said with a forced smile, "With the presence of this esteemed hero Xiao, whose skills are remarkable, the journey ahead must be worry-free."

At this moment, Mo Yan was intently staring at Xiao Chen's boots, completely oblivious to what the two of them were saying, and naturally did not notice Bai Yingyu's expression of embarrassment.

Ning Jin raised his voice, stating that this carriage was purchased with his own money, and if anyone were to disembark, it should not be him.

Can you catch a bus?