Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

Yu Wanran thanked the two kind drivers, then led Yanqing and their horse to the other side.

"Master, should we still go to Xiaolin Town?"

Yanqing suspected that this Linjia Village was the same Xiaolin Town that their master had found. But it was said to be a place infested with bandits, a place that even government troops couldn't conquer. Was it really worth risking their lives there?

Yu Wanran remained silent for a moment.

She is now certain that Linjia Village is the predecessor of Xiaolin Town.

She learned about this trade route in her previous life by taking in a subordinate from Xiaolin Town.

It is said that his hometown is famous for its Chengni inkstones.

In the early days, the village couldn't find a market for its goods because outsiders had no idea about Chengni inkstones. In the following years, the government suppressed bandits and opened up roads, which allowed the villagers to sell their goods and become wealthy.

At that time, many merchants had already colluded with local gentry to control the supply channels, making it impossible for newcomers to intervene.

Yu Wanran was determined to secure this trade route ahead of schedule.

If Chengni inkstones could be transported from their place of origin to the capital and major cities, the profits would be considerable!

Red velvet grass can only last for a time, while Chengni inkstone can last a lifetime.

But venturing alone into the bandits' lair, she lacked confidence. The large-scale government troop operation had also failed; could she, outnumbered and outgunned, escape unscathed?

Remembering the driver's sarcastic remarks, a thought struck her.

The worst-case scenario is collusion between officials and criminals.

If the magistrate of Decheng County has problems, then she might not be able to manage this trade route on her own!

The former subordinate also said that his hometown had been plagued by bandits for several years before the bandits were finally eradicated.

For a moment, Yu Wanran was caught in a dilemma. She strolled around Decheng with Yanqing, pondering a solution.

As she passed the government office, she couldn't help but look in that direction. She saw a group of people gathered in front of the screen wall, making a ruckus over something.

She raised an eyebrow and walked over.

It turned out to be an old scholar who pointed to the government notice that had just been posted on the screen wall and read it aloud to the onlookers in a melodious and rhythmic voice.

The gist of the story is that Magistrate Hao of Decheng County offered a large sum of money to recruit brave warriors to help the government troops quell the banditry.

Yu Wanran overheard people whispering in the crowd.

"Why has the magistrate suddenly become so enthusiastic about suppressing bandits?"

"The weather is about to change!"

A companion who knew some inside information scoffed, "It's said that a new magistrate is about to take office in Decheng. Magistrate Hao issuing this notice at this time is nothing more than a show for this new magistrate!"

Firstly, it was to cover up his incompetence, and secondly, to show that he was indeed actively suppressing bandits.

Whether the successor can clean up this mess is their problem. In any case, he has already done what he was supposed to do.

After hesitating for a while, Yu Wanran led Yanqing to a nearby inn to stay in.

Looking around and seeing no one, Yanqing asked her master curiously, "Master, are the garrison troops in the city so useless? They haven't been able to wipe out this minor bandit problem for half a year!"

"I think..."

He lowered his voice, his eyes revealing disdain: "Is there something wrong with this Magistrate Hao?"

Yu Wanran glanced at him quickly, signaling him to be quiet.

Problems like these are none of the business of ordinary people like them! However, bandits are indeed an obstacle on her path to wealth and must be eliminated. Perhaps the arrival of this new county magistrate will be her opportunity?

The new official took office three fires.

Magistrate Hao allowed the banditry to fester for some reason. Perhaps the new magistrate has no such concerns and is willing to make bandit suppression his own achievement?

After thinking about it for half the night, Yu Wanran gritted her teeth.

Fortune favors the bold! She decided to wade into this murky water and see what happens. If the new magistrate is like Magistrate Hao, it wouldn't be too late to find a way out.

Business opportunities are like warplanes, fleeting in an instant. She couldn't wait until Linjia Village had evolved into Xiaolin Town a few years later, to come back and compete with numerous other businesses for that last bit of profit.

Having made up her mind, the next day she took Yanqing and strode to the yamen to sign up for the bandit suppression team.

After hearing her explain her purpose, the constable sized her and Yanqing up and gave them a disdainful sneer.

"Suppressing bandits is not something you ordinary people should get involved in; that's a matter of life and death! Just look at your skinny arms and legs... You only saw the word 'heavy reward,' right?"

He waved his hand, his face full of impatience.

"Get out of here! The magistrate is busy inside, he doesn't have time to deal with you bunch of troublemakers."

Yan Qing was furious, wishing he could beat up the arrogant yamen runner. Yu Wanran knew it wouldn't do much good, so she pulled Yan Qing away.

You can tell what kind of master you are by the kind of your subordinates.

Since she couldn't openly visit Linjia Village through official channels, Yu Wanran considered enlisting the help of local resources to investigate Qingling Mountain. In any case, she wouldn't easily give up on the Chengni inkstone trade route.

Just as I was about to leave, a surprised voice rang out behind me.

"Benefactor...is he/she a benefactor?"

Yu Wanran didn't realize it was someone calling her, and kept walking. Until the other person caught up and grabbed her clothes tightly from behind.

Turning around, she saw a handsome young man in blue clothes looking at her with delight.

"My benefactor, it really is you!"

Several constables stood beside the boy, all looking at Yu Wanran and her servant with puzzled expressions.

The constable who had just chased the two away turned pale and his heart pounded with fear. He hurriedly asked the young man, "Steward Xue... Steward Xue, do you know these two people?"

"Of course I know you!"

Without hesitation, the boy, a bright smile on his face, released Yu Wanran and bowed deeply to her with clasped hands. Only after straightening up did he remind the bewildered Yu Wanran.

"My benefactor, my name is Xue Jingui! Do you remember how you saved my master, Xue Heyu, in the capital a few months ago?"

As soon as he mentioned it, Yu Wanran immediately remembered.

"Ah? It's you! You're Mr. Xue's page..."

I never expected that after only three days apart, he would have changed so much.

The skinny pageboy who was covered in patches and followed his master into dire straits that day has transformed into a radiant young man standing before him today, showing no trace of his previous wretched appearance!

Hearing the yamen runner address him as "Steward Xue?"

This young page, who had shared hardships with his master, had been granted a surname by his master and had become a highly valued person by his side.

"My benefactors, my master has been sending people to search for you desperately. To think we'd meet you here today! Heaven truly has eyes!"

Xue Jingui warmly invited Yu Wanran into the yamen.

"Quickly, my benefactor, please come in! My master would be overjoyed if he knew you were here..."

The constable shrank to one side, trying his best to minimize his presence. While the two were talking, he had already prayed to all the gods and Buddhas in his heart, hoping that Yu Wanran, this noble person, would forget about him, this despicable person.

Yu Wanran naturally wouldn't bother with insignificant people.

Under Xue Jingui's exceptionally warm greeting, she followed him into the yamen. At that moment, she vaguely guessed Xue Heyu's current identity.

"Butler Xue, your master is..."