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

As dusk fell, Yu Man returned from the fields with his two sons, his brow furrowed.

After not working in the fields for several days during the Spring Festival, the weeds seem to be growing wildly. They went to Beijing and back; can Yu Wenrong manage to take care of over ten acres by himself?

But this trip to the capital is imperative. I just hope that, as my daughter said, I can indeed find that cloth merchant who needs red velvet grass!

Yu Wanran, unaware of her father's deep worry, suggested at dinner, "Father, we're going into town the day after tomorrow, and we won't make it in time to catch the escort agency's carriage. Why don't we go into town tomorrow and stay at an inn for the night?"

Yu Man understood the logic and nodded, holding his bowl.

Before even setting off, they're already spending money. Ji Chunhua felt a pang of regret: "How much will it cost to stay at an inn! Why don't you set off tomorrow night at midnight, reach Tongcheng, and catch up with the caravan?"

Yu Man and Yu Wenbin glanced at Yu Wanran, but remained silent. The dozens of miles of mountain road were indeed no problem for them. But could Yu Wanran, accustomed to a life of luxury and unaccustomed to working the land, manage it?

Ji Chunhua realized she had said the wrong thing and didn't insist. Little did she know that Yu Wanran, who was just drinking her porridge with her eyes down, had other thoughts in her mind.

She doesn't mind walking the mountain path.

However, she had other plans for arriving in the city a day early.

Merchants are meticulous and calculating.

We owe her some interest on the debt!

After the New Year, the villagers gradually returned to the fields. Some went to the city to find odd jobs, hoping to save some money before spring plowing. Yu Man and his two companions, after much advice and reminders from Ji Chunhua and others, picked up two baskets and boarded a mule cart, looking quite unassuming.

Their family has become famous throughout the surrounding area, and everyone in the car couldn't help but take a second look.

Unfortunately, Yu Man and his two companions were all rather reserved, and no matter how curious the others were about to ask, they couldn't get into a conversation.

They entered the city at noon, first going to the escort agency to reconfirm their departure time. Then, the three of them, carrying their luggage, wandered the streets looking for an inn. However, being located in the bustling West Market, where could they find something cheap?

Yu Wenbin said, "Dad, why don't we go to the East Market? We're already in the city, so if we get here early tomorrow, it won't take long."

Yu Wanran grabbed the two baskets belonging to the father and son.

"Dad, I know a cheap inn around here, even cheaper than the one in the East Market! It's just not very nice, but would you like to stay there?"

Upon hearing this, the father and son immediately replied, "There's no need to ask!"

"A place to stay is fine, as long as it's a place where people can sleep! Ranran, but can you make do?"

If it weren't for the curfew in the city and the cold weather, they would have no problem sleeping under the eaves of houses on the street!

"I can do it."

Yu Wanran smiled slightly and led her father and elder brother into a long, dark alley.

Leaving this alley, you'll find yourself on the main street. This is where Tongcheng is brightly lit and vibrant with flowers at night. It's a place men flock to—Chaoyun Pavilion.

This alley is home to a motley crew of people, from all walks of life. Normal or timid people wouldn't dare stay here, so the privately owned shops charge very low prices.

If someone loses something or is bullied, reporting it to the authorities is useless.

Yu Wanran was tall, and dressed as a man in Yu Wenbin's old clothes, she looked perfectly natural. At the alley entrance, a group of shady characters stared at the three of them and followed them for a while.

Upon discovering that they were just three villagers carrying baskets, who treasured even tattered blankets, the kind who were tough but had no substance, he spat and turned his attention back to other passersby.

Yu Man and Yu Wenbin tensed up, their hands gripping the carrying pole so tightly that the veins bulged.

Daughter (Third Sister), what kind of life did you live in the Duke's mansion before? How can she know so clearly about this place?

Just then, a hidden door opened, and a demon with a face painted red and green and deathly pale dragged a man who was walking by into the door.

A shout of "Come on, you rascal!" nearly scared the father and son to death!

Yu Wanran, who was leading the way, ignored everything and plunged headlong into a drab shop on the side of the road.

Yu Man and his son felt a chill run down their spines and broke out in a cold sweat. Despite being met with countless malicious stares, they forced themselves to follow.

Fortunately, the housing prices were a great comfort to Yu Man. A dormitory bed cost ten coins per person, and a private room cost no more than thirty coins.

Compared to other guesthouses that charge anywhere from a hundred to several hundred coins a night, this place is practically doing charity. Plus, they provide free hot water for your room!

Yu Man, thinking about the unsettling environment outside, was extremely worried about his daughter's safety. He regretted coming here! But the innkeeper and the waiter had menacing faces, and he was afraid that if he said he wasn't staying, he would get a beating.

Hesitantly, Yu Man went to check out the room first. It was tiny, with only a small bed and a bedside table. While regretting his actions, Yu Man counted out fifty copper coins and handed them to the innkeeper.

"Let's have one room for the three of us, with two shared beds."

He and his eldest son, a rough-looking man, would make do for the night. His daughter, however, should stay in a room with her luggage; it would be safer. Open robbery wasn't common in the city; they could just be careful not to have their belongings stolen.

The shopkeeper was slightly surprised.

I thought that three poor peasants would only be willing to sleep in a dormitory, but I didn't expect them to be willing to book a room.

A glance at Yu Wanran's fair, delicate hands revealed her delicate skin; it was clear this was another family that doted on their young child. No matter how hard life was, they couldn't let their child suffer.

The shopkeeper, who thought he knew the truth, threw a copper key with a red string on the counter.

"Room number seven is near the end of the corridor. Find it yourself. Alternatively, there are two shared beds in the large room across the way. You can choose either one."

"besides!"

He called out to Yu Man and the other two who were turning to leave: "Keep an eye on your belongings! If they are lost, this store will not be responsible."

His shop is cheap, but there must be downsides to that. Everyone knows it!

Yu Man nodded obsequiously.

After taking her children to room number seven, she put away her basket of luggage. Worried that she might not realize it when she slept soundly, she took out the little money she had on her and gave it to Yu Wanran for safekeeping.

After all, Yu Wanran was skilled in martial arts and was alert at night.

Yu Wanran gave the waiter two extra coins, and the waiter readily brought three servings of hot water for them to wash up.

The three of them stayed indoors all afternoon, sleeping soundly. This way they would be energetic in the evening and be alert to any possible disturbances.

As for meals, flatbread with hot water is much more filling than vegetable porridge. It has kudzu root powder added, making it crispy and tender, and not bad at all.

Hearing the night watchman's drum strike four times outside, Yu Wanran quickly got up. She changed into a dark-colored old dress, covered her face with a handkerchief, tucked the sickle she had taken from home into her waistband, and prepared to begin her work.

Although the baskets contained worthless items, losing them would still cause Yu Man great distress. She gently dragged over the cabinet, first slipping sideways out, then pulling the cabinet to brace the door.

The hallway was dimly lit, except for a half-open window in the filthy kitchen, through which a hazy moonlight streamed in. A swarm of rats, large and small, scurried in and out of the messy corners, squeaking and chattering.

Yu Wanran took out a burlap sack and crept closer.

In no time, he skillfully caught several large rats. He picked them up in a bag, climbed out of the broken window, and nimbly scrambled up the roof along the eaves pillars.

Treating other people's rooftops as a sunny avenue, he moved like a wisp of smoke, easily leaving the inn.