A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Jiang Mingyuan bowed to An Qinghe.

An Qing became proud, "You're lucky to have good taste, that's why you've made friends with people like me and Xixi."

Jiang Mingyuan asked, "So we're already friends?"

An Qing glared at him, "When did we stop being friends?"

The two laughed heartily, and in unison picked up their teacups and drank a cup of tea instead of wine.

Looking at Lü Jing again, glancing at this and that, she was so moved that she didn't know what to say.

She suddenly stood up, "I toast everyone!!"

Lu Jing tilted her head back and drank the tea in one gulp. When she put down the teacup, her eyes were filled with determination, and she smiled at everyone.

From now on, I will no longer feel guilty for owing anyone anything.

Having decided to fight to the death, what else does she have to fear?

As for the immense kindness that is difficult to repay, she only needs to remember it herself and repay it with her life.

If I were to refuse again, it would be hypocritical and I would be letting down these friends who have shown me such enthusiasm.

Just now, An Qinghe mentioned changing the way she addressed him. Gu Xixi thought for a moment and then said to Lü Jing:

"You said you were born under the blazing sun, and your name is related to that."

"How about we call you Little Sun along the way?"

Lü Jing's beautiful eyes lit up, "Little Sun? That sounds nice, I like it!"

She wants to be like a little sun, warming the people around her and relieving them of their worries.

Jiang Mingyuan and An Qinghe also smiled and nodded in agreement.

As for the names of the other people, there's no need to hide them, except...

All three of them looked at An Qinghe.

Lu Jing said, "Brother An is a bit different; he's easy to spot."

"Moreover, he is so handsome that it's hard not to take a second look and leave a deep impression."

An Qinghe was initially a little sullen when he heard that he was different from everyone else, but he cheered up when Lü Jing praised his handsomeness.

"I think so too, Little Sun, you just love to speak the truth!"

There's a saying that goes, "Natural beauty is hard to hide."

"Otherwise, I'll wear a headscarf or hood to cover my face and head, so as not to attract attention."

Gu Xixi hid her face behind her rice bowl and chuckled. This guy is really narcissistic.

Jiang Mingyuan said, "Brother An, 'naturally beautiful' is usually used to describe a woman."

An Qinghe was probably used to being corrected by He Jinglan and didn't care at all.

"It doesn't matter, as long as you understand what I mean!"

Three days later, in the capital of the Daye Dynasty.

The carriage traveled along the straight, wide street.

The capital city had not experienced any war, and this place was close to the East Market, so the street scenes along the way were very prosperous.

Shops of all sizes lined the streets, and the shouts of vendors and street performers filled the air. From time to time, caravans from all over the country could be seen heading to Beijing.

Horseback riding was prohibited in the city, so An Qinghe had to slow down and move forward slowly.

That works out perfectly.

From the moment they entered the city, Gu Xixi had been peering out the car window, her eyes practically overflowing with wonder.

So this is the capital of the Great Ming Dynasty, this is the prosperity of ancient times!

Seeing a caravan of Central Asian merchants passing by, Gu Xixi smiled and said to those ahead, "There are camels!"

"Say hello to Anqing quickly, just in case he's a camel from your hometown, you might even recognize him!"

An Qinghe turned around and asked, "Why didn't you let me greet people?"

"You insist that I greet the camel? Do you mean you equate me with it in your mind?"

Gu Xixi's gaze drifted to the window, and she changed the subject, saying, "What a huge tea shop, no wonder it's the capital."

Lu Jing huddled behind Gu Xixi, marveling at the sight. "So this is a camel! It's huge!"

"A tea shop? Where? I wonder if they have any of my tea..."

Since traveling with Gu Xixi, Lü Jing has witnessed many things she had never seen before in her life.

She realized for the first time that the world was not her family's tea garden, nor Anning Village.

Unfortunately, she is not yet worthy to truly experience all of this.

The most luxurious places of extravagance in the capital were mostly concentrated in the East Market.

There are many teahouses and restaurants, and Gu Xixi plans to visit some of these places.

This was the first time anyone had been to the capital. An Qinghe had the most experience traveling long distances, followed by Gu Xixi.

So the two decided not to go to the East Market first, but to find a relatively affordable inn to stay in.

Anqing drove the carriage along the way, searching as he went, and finally turned off the main street and onto a relatively quiet side road.

There's a guesthouse here with a large entrance; you can see it by a tall hanging banner as you pass by.

An Qinghe and Jiang Mingyuan went into the store first to take a look.

The lobby is spacious, and the tables, chairs, and counters are clean and tidy. The building has three floors and a backyard, with a kitchen that can provide food and hot water.

Guests come and go from time to time, greeting the innkeeper and staff.

It's a normal inn.

An Qing glanced at the sign on the wall and decided that this was the place.

He still asked the innkeeper to open two guest rooms and prepare hot water and simple food.

It was past noon. After An Qinghe and Jiang Mingyuan had settled everything and came out, they saw Gu Xixi pacing beside the carriage.

An Qing glanced at the empty car and casually asked, "Where's Little Sun?"

Gu Xixi said, "Oh, she said why haven't you come out yet? Let's go in and see."

Jiang Mingyuan said, "But we've been in the lobby the whole time and haven't seen her."

Gu Xixi and An Qinghe exchanged glances, both of them startled at the same time.

An Qing exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that Little Sun has left without saying goodbye?"

Gu Xixi said, "She got off the bus first, carrying her bundle. I didn't expect her to leave; I thought she was just going to settle in first, so I didn't keep an eye on her..."

She and Lü Jing have been sharing a room, eating, and traveling together for the past few days, inseparable.

Having gotten so used to Lü Jing being by his side, he momentarily forgot their agreement to only travel together to the capital.

An Qinghe said urgently, "I'm going to find her."

"Don't go." Gu Xixi looked calmly at An Qinghe.

Once Anqing considers someone a friend, he will treat them with complete sincerity.

He asked, puzzled, "But she said the farthest she's ever been in her life is Nan Yi County. The capital is so big, with so many people. What if she gets tricked into being sold?"

Jiang Mingyuan said, "Let's listen to Xixi. Little Sun has the right to choose."

“She’s always afraid of dragging us down with her. Even if you go and find her now, she won’t come back with you and continue living with us.”

An Qinghe was stunned. After a moment, he murmured, "So we're just going to leave it like this?"

Gu Xixi and Jiang Mingyuan exchanged a glance and said, "Who said we don't care?"

"When she goes to the Jingzhao Prefecture to beat the drum and appeal for justice, it will surely cause a stir in the city. Then we will naturally be able to find her."

Looking at Jiang Mingyuan again, although he didn't speak, his expression conveyed the same meaning.

An Qinghe's eyes lit up again, "I knew it!"

"But is she safe now?"

Gu Xixi said, "A weak woman risked her entire life and fortune, going all the way to the capital to face the unknown alone. From the moment she made that decision, she was no longer weak."

"Besides, if she were a dull and stupid person, without the protection of her parents, she would have been killed by the evil servants of the Fan family long ago. How would she have had the chance to run out and meet us?"

An Qing was deeply shocked, "You mean her..."

Gu Xixi remained calm. "The capital is a large city with a large population. If she leaves us, she'll be a smaller target. I believe in her; she's definitely capable of protecting herself."

"You, me, and Brother Zichu all have our own things to do."

"Just do what you need to do and wait for her to... make a scene on her own."