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

The next day, the constables "escorted" the Yu family out of the inn to meet up with the镖局 (security escort agency).

Yu Wanran glanced at the ranks and, sure enough, there were more than a dozen extra officers. They were all dressed in black, narrow-sleeved, close-fitting clothes, leather boots, helmets, and overcoats.

They were all fully armed. They carried bows on their backs, swords at their waists, and long spears in their hands, and each had their own horse.

These were the most elite local troops in the county, and maintaining them cost more than the clerks in the government office. Moreover, the key point wasn't their actual combat strength, but rather that with them around, ordinary people dared not offend them.

Unless the other side is determined to rebel, be prepared to have your family and clan wiped out.

The magistrate of Huangshan County is trying his best to make up for his lax governance.

The carriage arranged for the Yu family members was right behind Yan Cheng'an's. The magistrate of Huangshan County accompanied Yan Cheng'an, looking somewhat bewildered as he awkwardly made small talk, wondering why Young Master Yan was taking so long to get into his carriage.

It wasn't until the constables led the Yu family to the carriage that he saw Yan Cheng'an's eyes light up and he took the initiative to greet him, only then realizing that Young Master Yan had been waiting for him.

Looking at the simple-minded father and son of the Yu family, and the silent daughter of the Yu family with her head down, the magistrate of Huangshan County had a flicker in his eyes and was filled with countless confusions in his mind. Only he himself knew the truth.

"Old Master Yu, Brother Yu, Miss Yu, you've arrived?"

Yan Cheng'an greeted all three of them without leaving anyone out. However, his eyes were mainly on Yu Wanran, and he spoke politely to her.

"Did you sleep well last night? Let's set off early today so we won't miss our lodging again."

He reached out and lifted the carriage curtain, personally helping Yu Man into the carriage: "I specially asked them to add soft cushions and backrests to this carriage, put three hand warmers, and provide snacks and water. Can you see if there's anything missing?"

Yu Wenbin, carrying a sack of steamed buns and pickled vegetables... So why did they urge the shopkeeper to work overtime last night to set up a pot to steam buns for them?

Seeing the shimmering brocade rugs inside the carriage, smelling the delicate fragrance, and feeling the gauze curtains fluttering gently, Yu Mantong was at a loss, unsure whether to move forward or backward.

This...this is a carriage? It feels bigger than my little attic! Also, with such nice bedding, will they have to pay for it if I get it dirty?

Yan Cheng'an felt the weight in his hands tilt backward. He thought Yu Man had lost her footing, so he used force to lift the old man into the carriage. Then, he naturally reached out to help Yu Wenbin.

Yu Wenbin, carrying large and small bags, shrank back in fright, stammering, "I can do it myself, I can do it myself!"

This young nobleman was far too polite, making their hearts pound.

Originally, upon discovering an official wearing a gauze hat and a blue robe at the scene, he intended to kowtow before leaving. However, startled by the official, he forgot his original intention and quickly climbed into his carriage.

Yu Wanran bowed slightly to Yan Chengan and the magistrate of Huangshan County before gracefully boarding the carriage after following her father and brother.

Seeing her elegant movements, Yan Cheng'an was slightly surprised but not entirely. Thinking of the background he had learned from Wu Jian, he took a deep look at the tall and slender figure and gently lowered the carriage curtain.

The magistrate of Huangshan County came over and bowed.

"Young Master Yan, my men will escort the caravan out of Huangshan territory. I wish you a safe journey!"

Once they left the Huangshan area, he could no longer oversee the safety of Yan Cheng'an and his party. Yan Cheng'an's whereabouts had been revealed, and whether he could return to the capital unscathed depended on the Yan family's own power and the capabilities of their escort agency.

Yan Cheng'an nodded and clasped his hands in thanks to the magistrate of Huangshan County: "Thank you, Magistrate Gao. No need for you to see me off so far."

The assassination attempt occurred in Huangshan. However, Magistrate Gao reacted swiftly and showed considerable leniency. Yan Cheng'an was not one to be unable to distinguish right from wrong, and he did not make things difficult for Magistrate Gao.

We'll discuss everything after he returns safely to the capital and meets the Crown Prince.

Xiao Ze came over and helped his young master into the carriage. After a day of treatment and massage by the county doctor, Yan Cheng'an's back injury had improved considerably. However, it still throbbed with pain when he moved around too much.

The magistrate of Huangshan County stood by the roadside and silently watched the large group of people depart into the distance.

In addition to the remaining few bodyguards, Wu Jian also mobilized all the bodyguards available from the Huangshan branch to escort Yan Cheng'an with minimal travel.

He didn't believe it wouldn't even reach the capital!

Yu Man and his son sat in the carriage, looking around curiously. However, they dared not touch it, afraid that their rough fingers would scratch the edges of the brocade quilt.

Yu Wanran picked up the small hand warmer that was on the small table in the middle. It was made of copper, flat and round, with a lid and a handle. When she opened it, she saw that it was still filled with silver frost charcoal.

The person who prepared it had thoughtfully preheated it, and a box of silver charcoal and iron tongs were placed at the foot of the room so that the person could add more when it was finished.

Yu Wanran handed one to her father and one to her eldest brother. The two watched her demonstrate how to open the lid, how to add charcoal, and how to keep warm, their faces filled with emotion.

Yu Wenbin, holding a small hand warmer, said, "Third sister, luckily you know a lot."

Otherwise, he and his father would have made a complete fool of themselves on this trip.

Yu Wanran said gently, "Everyone starts from not knowing and then learns. I'm also lucky to have been born and raised in the Duke's mansion..."

She suddenly thought of Xiao Yao and immediately shut her mouth.

Actually, if Xiao Yao hadn't poisoned the Yu family, she wouldn't have hated Xiao Yao that much. Anyone would be devastated to find someone else replacing them and enjoying the glory that should have been theirs, while they themselves are suffering.

Who taught her to be a beneficiary?

Yu Wanran silently traced the patterns carved on the bronze stove with her fingers.

Xiao Yao's intentions are actually quite easy to understand: she wants to make her wish for death but also prevent her from living. In her previous life, she did indeed grant the other party's wish; in this life, she does not intend to live according to the same trajectory as in her previous life, and the two of them will likely remain in a situation of endless enmity.

This is really difficult...

Leaving her hometown seems to be the best way to avoid conflict? But if Xiao Yao persists and crosses the line, she doesn't care if she gets another person's blood on her hands.

Thinking of this, Yu Wanran glanced at the Yu family father and son, who were also silent, seemingly lost in their memories.

How much affection does Xiao Yao's family still have for her?

The officials and soldiers of Huangshan County escorted the caravan out of Huangshan territory. Further on, they would enter the territory of the capital.

However, to reach bustling towns, they still need to traverse mountains and valleys, passing through dozens of villages and several very remote sections of road before they can see densely populated areas.

We stayed overnight in the designated small village.

Because this small village is located at a crossroads of people coming and going, it frequently receives travelers from all directions. The villagers have spontaneously abandoned farming and instead expanded their houses, forming a series of privately owned inns.

When the caravan arrived, because of its large number of people, there was no need for the usual fighting over customers. It just so happened that several people lived in each household. The village head was familiar with Wu Jian, and Wu Jian, along with Young Master Yan and his servant, and the Yu family father and daughter, went directly to the village head's house.

The village head hired tenants to slaughter chickens and cook meat, which took quite a while to entertain the important customer.

During the meal, Wu Jian asked the village head if any suspicious people had recently entered or left the village.

The village head thought about it for a long time.

“A few people stayed overnight in our village the day before yesterday. They were all carrying weapons, and their backpacks were bulging with what they were hiding. Also, almost all of them were injured. I wonder if they are the suspicious people you mentioned?”