Chapter 145: Leverage

Early in the morning, all the goods were loaded onto the ox cart. Qin Huiyin was just about to set off with everyone when she heard the sound of horse hooves at the courtyard gate.

She opened the gate in confusion and saw Song Ruize standing there holding his horse. Seeing her come out, he said, "I am heading into town as well."

"I know that, you have business to attend to back there!" Qin Huiyin said as if it were obvious.

"It's on the way," Song Ruize said calmly. "Would you like to take the carriage?"

Qin Huiyin covered her mouth and smiled, struggling to control her expression so as not to provoke him into shame or anger.

"Should I call the others, then?"

"Yes."

Qin Huiyin went inside and hugged Li Taohua’s arm, saying, "Mother, Brother Ruize is outside. He says he is heading into town too; should we take his carriage?"

Li Taohua yawned. "Sure. A carriage will keep us out of the wind. It’s perfect, as my migraine has been acting up lately."

Tang Lüwu, of course, would not refuse, but Tang Yixiao looked thoroughly displeased. When Qin Huiyin glanced at him, he said reluctantly, "I just don't want to spoil your fun."

"Third Grandfather, I'll stay behind to keep you company," Qin Huiyin said.

"No, no need," Third Grandfather Tang waved his hand. "That lad only came here for your sake. If you stayed to keep an old man like me company, he’d think you didn't want to ride in his carriage."

"Then I’m sorry for the trouble, Third Grandfather. I’ll drive the ox cart when we return so you can have a rest," Qin Huiyin said.

"Driving an ox cart is hardly hard work, nothing to be sorry about. If it weren't for you all, the money I make from driving the cart each month wouldn't even cover my corn cakes."

The courtyard gate opened. Qin Huiyin let Li Taohua board first, followed by Tang Lüwu and her brother, and finally, she sat down beside Song Ruize.

"It’s windy here; it’s warmer inside," Song Ruize said.

"I know!" Qin Huiyin stuffed a large baked cake into his hand and opened a bamboo tube, letting the rich aroma of sweet corn soup waft out. "I want to keep you company."

Song Ruize held the cake.

"Eat up, there’s no poison in it," Qin Huiyin joked. "Eat before we head out."

Song Ruize took a bite; the cake was filled with meat, a savory combination of pickled vegetables and minced pork.

Qin Huiyin pushed the bamboo tube toward his lips. "Drink some corn soup, too."

Inside the carriage, Li Taohua found a comfortable spot to lean back and slowly closed her eyes.

Tang Yixiao leaned over and whispered to her, "Mother, aren't you going to do something about this?"

"Do what?" Li Taohua said lazily. "Yinyin is so clever, no one could pull a fast one on her."

Tang Lüwu’s eyes were full of worry. "He seems perfectly normal now, but what if he turns cold and heartless again one day? Won't Yinyin get hurt?"

"She won't." Li Taohua yawned. "If he dares to bully Yinyin, he won't be met with warm cakes and corn soup, but with a gleaming silver dagger. My daughter isn't one to suffer losses."

Song Ruize finished the cake and drank the corn soup. He poured clean water from a prepared container to wash his hands, wiped them dry with a cloth, and then retrieved a bundle from the side, taking out a garment to drape over her.

"Sit tight."

"Third Grandfather, we’re heading out first," Qin Huiyin shouted to Third Grandfather Tang, who was driving the ox cart.

"Go ahead, wait for me at the city gate," Third Grandfather Tang replied loudly.

As Qin Huiyin and the others sat in the carriage, they didn't notice the ox cart shudder slightly. Two figures, one large and one small, scrambled onto the cart and hid themselves in the pile of straw.

That spot had originally been intended for Li Taohua and the others. Now that they had taken the carriage, the space was vacant, making it the perfect hiding place for the two stowaways. Had Li Taohua’s group not taken the carriage, the pair would never have had the chance to climb aboard.

The ox cart began to move. Tang Baoyu lay on the cart, watching the village grow distant with excitement. In contrast, Li Erniu’s mind was filled with Li Taohua’s words, her eyes burning with resentment.

If Tang Jizu had truly found a woman in town and had a child with her, she would kill that woman and the child with her own hands.

"Mother, what are these things? They smell so good!" Tang Baoyu opened a jar, his mouth watering.

"You still dare to provoke their family?" Li Erniu’s voice rang out, cold as ice. "We have business to attend to in town. If you offend them, do you think we’ll be able to get anything done?"

"But I'm hungry," Tang Baoyu said, rubbing his stomach.

"Endure it."

"Are you still my mother?" Tang Baoyu barked fiercely.

"Say it louder, so the people in front can hear you," Li Erniu sneered. "And then they can kick us off the cart."

Tang Baoyu shut his mouth. He reluctantly put down the jar.

Li Erniu stared blankly at the sky. Even though it was still dark and there were no stars, she lay on the straw with eyes as vacant as a puppet’s.

The ox cart was much slower. Even though the carriage ahead was moving at a leisurely pace, the ox cart could not catch up. Seeing that the carriage was no longer in sight, Third Grandfather Tang didn't rush, continuing to drive at his slow, steady pace.

When Qin Huiyin was nudged awake, she found herself back inside the carriage. She asked in confusion, "How did I get in here?"

"That lad carried you in," Li Taohua said, gesturing toward the outside. "You fell asleep as soon as we left the village, leaning on his shoulder."

Qin Huiyin lifted the curtain to look outside. The sky was bright and white, and the small road was bustling with travelers—some carrying vegetables, some driving ox carts, some holding baskets of eggs, and some carrying children on their backs.

She climbed out of the carriage and sat beside Song Ruize. "The city gate is just ahead. You can just drop us off there; we’ll wait for Third Grandfather. It’s out of your way once we’re in the city, no need for you to take a detour."

"All right."

When the carriage reached the city gate, Song Ruize found a place to stop. Qin Huiyin prepared to get off but was stopped by him.

"Wait until the ox cart arrives before you get down."

"Aren't you in a rush?"

"No."

Qin Huiyin sat back down beside him. "Then I’ll sit with you for a while."

"Don't want to sleep anymore?"

"It’s just that your carriage is so comfortable; the gentle swaying makes me want to sleep. But now that I’ve had enough rest, I don't feel like it." Qin Huiyin looked up at the sky and tugged on Song Ruize’s arm. "Look, the first ray of sunlight is appearing."

Song Ruize followed her gaze.

As the first beam of light broke through, the world suddenly burst into color.

He had seen this sight countless times while hunting in the mountains, but he had never known it could be such an interesting picture.

"Finally caught up," Third Grandfather Tang said as he arrived slowly with the ox cart. "The ox cart really can't compare to a carriage. Have you been waiting long?"

As the ox cart came to a stop, two figures—one large, one small—snuck off the cart.

Li Taohua and the others stepped out of the carriage. Upon seeing the two furtive figures, they recognized them. A look of amusement flashed in Li Taohua’s eyes.

"Mother, isn't that..." Tang Yixiao started to warn her.

"Shh..." Li Taohua made a silencing gesture. "It’s fine. Let them take this small advantage; after all, they might still be useful."