The post stations were minimally furnished houses on both sides of the public road and there was a big courtyard in front of them. Most importantly, there was food and water supply.
Thankfully these post stations were provided by the court and incidents of people taking advantage of them were not common. Therefore, normally the businessmen would choose to replenish their supply at these post stations.
Although basic, the post stations were appreciated for their vast space.
Master Guo and those businessmen were obviously frequent customers. Instead of the usual waiter of an inn, what they had was a forty something-year-old station master.
By the time Lin Mengya and her company entered the station, the hall was filled with people.
Fortunately, Zhao Fei and Wen Shi had taken up one of the tables. Once they spotted Lin Mengya, their faces broke into smiles and they waved her over to sit with them.
Wei Shi might not like to speak much, but he was sharp and quick. According to Qiu Yu, Wen Shi was usually the one who went around checking out new, unfamiliar territories. He was of an unassuming character, yet behind his crude appearance, he was attentive to details.
Zhao Fei, on the other hand, was a loud and humorous character by Master Guo’s side. He watched out for the businessmen in the group, lest someone should lag behind.
He was also the one who had specially arranged for Lin Mengya’s small horse carriage to be right in the midst of the procession. The intention was to protect her.
She was indeed appreciative of their kindness.
Qiu Yu and these two were old acquaintances so they were not strangers to him.
Baishao had taken out the stew beef and roasted goose and chicken which she prepared earlier on and laid them out, while Yuan San was actively serving everyone. As they chatted and laughed, they chased away the boredom of the journey.
“Little Brother Yuan, I’m surprised that you are already so skillful at this tender age. I, Zhao Fei, am really impressed.”
Lin Mengya, being a woman disguised as a man, naturally appeared to be a man with a woman’s features.
These businessmen were mostly unrefined and their attitude toward Lin Mengya was that of mockery.
However, when they witnessed how she handled those scoundrels with a hard fist, their impression of her went up a level.
She supposed that no one would dare make trouble for her for the rest of the journey.
“Elder Brother Zhang is too kind. As a man, wouldn’t I become a coward if I keep quiet and not spring into action when my wife had been offended?”
It was a usual practice not to touch alcohol when they were out traveling.
At most, they would have a sip for the taste. At this moment when they could have meat but no alcohol, cracking jokes would be their only side dish.
Not only did Zhao Fei burst out laughing at Lin Mengya’s sense of humor, but even Wen Shi also broke into a rare smile on his face.
As they became more engaged in the topic of their conversation, their table had turned into the center of attention in the hall.
Apart from Master Guo’s group of businessmen, there were also other groups of businessmen present in the post station.
Although Master Guo’s name was well-known in the Capital City, there were still others in the Capital City who were more prominent and powerful than Master Guo.
However, surely not every leader of the groups of businessmen shared Master Guo’s magnanimity.
While the conversation at Lin Mengya’s table went on in a lively manner, there was a pair of sinister eyes looking at them.
Sitting at a table in the corner, there were three men from another group of businessmen.
The usually sensitive Lin Mengya had sensed those sinister eyes. She gave Qiu Yu a look so that they got the hint to lower their volume.
“Brother Zhang, who are those men at the corner?”
Lin Mengya had intended to keep a low profile while she traveled out of the Capital City.
It was really because they were enjoying their conservation so much that they had attracted much attention from the people all around.
However, those looks she was getting from that table was giving her the creeps.
Zhao Fei did not even have to turn to look at them to know who Little Brother Yuan was referring to. With a look of disdain in his eyes, he whispered, “They are a group of businessmen who are heading towards Lieyun Empire. The leader is named Crow, a villain.”
Although Zhao Fei did not give any more concrete information, Lin Mengya could tell from her sixth sense that the name Crow did not only imply that he had tan skin.
As Lin Mengya scanned those three men sitting at that table, she had a strange feeling about them.
However, she was unable to put a finger on it.
From her understanding, Lieyun Empire and the Nation of Lintian were not in the same direction. All of a sudden, she called to mind the face of Xiaoyu, who had gone home. She had not heard from him since he left. Even after she sent people to search for him, they had failed to bring her any news.
She hoped it was because that kid had forgotten about contacting her because he was too busy.
After dinner, almost all groups of businessmen stayed to rest in the post station.
There were not many rooms and they were basically furnished with minimal decorations. Mostly the sleeping space was a big dormitory. Some men even chose to sleep outside the building where there went tents for their merchandise.
Only the leaders and wealthy businessmen would have a basic room to each of them.
Qiu Yu and ‘Yuan Lin’ being cousins by name, naturally shared a room together.
At present, the three were sitting around the oily, dark-colored table, and staring at each other.
Lin Mengya glared at Qiu Yu with hostility in her eyes, as if she was going to murder him.
“Erm… you two can sleep in the room, while I will make my bed on the floor outside.”
Qiu Yu was aware that he did not have a good reason to have the room, so he sacrificed himself to grant them the room.
Lin Mengya, however, did not intend to let him off so easily. The others might not be aware, but Qiu Yu obviously knew that she and Baishao were women.
Why would a man come into the room of the women? Was he harboring evil thoughts?
“Why do you want to stay with us? You must be having evil intentions!”
Qiu Yu almost rolled his eyes when Lin Mengya used the phrase “evil intention” on him.
How would he dare to conceive any evil thoughts when he witnessed how she handled those scoundrels？
Good heavens, unless he did not wish to live anymore.
He quickly put on a look of a faithful servant and made a promise while patting on his chest.
“I’m simply anxious over your safety. You surely know this place is filled with different people now. That ‘Crow’ was staring at you just now. How could my heart be at ease if I leave you to sleep here on your own?”
Lin Mengya looked at Qiu Yu suspiciously. This excuse seemed rather reasonable.
Like Baishao, Lin Mengya looked at him from head to toe and back to his head again. Qiu Yu’s pure and innocent eyes were almost beginning to twitch.
Lin Mengya and Baishao finally believed his words.
“Alright, we’ll believe you for now, but you are only allowed to move around outside the room. You are not to come into our room without my permission, lest…”
Lin Mengya pointed her two fingers toward her eyes as she glared fiercely at Qiu Yu before she and Baishao went back into the room.
As the old and broken door slammed shut before him, the expression on his face turned from a bitter smile to a somber look.
Pouring some of the cold tea into a cup, he took a sip and apart from the tea leaves, the tea was unpalatably bitter.
Qiu Yu, however, had down the entire cup into his throat and swallowed down hard.
Lin Mengya had guessed correctly that he had followed her here for a purpose.
Just that the reason was not as filthy as Lin Mengya imagined.
Qiu Yu could not help laughing bitterly at the thought of Lin Mengya’s threatening look before she entered the room.
This girl resembled that person so much.
It was late at night and a very thoughtful Qiu Yu had prepared a big bucket of hot water for the two ladies.
As the master-servant pair helped massaged each other’s back, they chatted quietly with each other.
“Master, somehow I feel that that Imperial Physician Qiu was really strange. Didn’t you say that there would not be such coincidences in the world? Do you think that he has some ulterior motives towards us?”
Apparently, Baishao raised this because she was concerned. The journey alone was difficult, little did she expect that even when they finally get to rest for the night, the circumstances did not seem to put her at ease.
At this moment, she could not bear the thought that her master, with such an honorable status and delicate body, had to tolerate the hardship of the journey. Would she be able to take it?
Lin Mengya shook her head. To her, the hot water had taken away the fatigue of the day. At this time during the night, her mind had been active again.
“He won’t do anything to us. I believe he won’t harm us. Moreover, he may be of help in asking for the medicinal herbs. My only concern now is if our identity may be exposed due to what happened at the city gates.”
As Lin Mengya spoke, she used her slender forefinger to massage her temple.
Having escaped from the backyard, she had taken the spies by surprise, so much so they did not have time to react.
However, the Capital City was not just a regular place. There would be many people who could recognize her.
If the Crown Prince found out about them, they would be in great danger.
Lin Mengya got up, put on plain clothes and peeked out the window towards those men who were camping around the fire, guarding their goods.
Everyone there had their own family and relatives.
She knew the Crown Prince and his men too well. Once they conceive a murderous thought, he would not care about these people.
These men had taken these business trips to provide for their families so they could live comfortable lives.
It was indeed a difficult life for these men to travel, eat and sleep in the harsh open.
In her heart, she was starting to have an impulsive thought of going ahead alone.
Alas, perhaps it was from this point that she realized that she was a magnet for trouble like the legendary Conan.
“I don’t suppose so. Even if someone saw you, they would not be able to recognize you in that short time. In fact, you look like Young Master Lin in this disguise!”
Baishao casually commented as she wiped her hair dry with a piece of cloth.
Lin Mengya had a sudden brainwave and looked at Baishao thoughtfully.
“Did you say I resemble my brother?”
Baishao nodded and replied, “Isn’t that true? Although Young Master Lin is a few years older than you, you are born from the same mother. There’s a strong resemblance around your eyes and eyebrows.”
Lin Mengya immediately positioned her in front of the bronze mirror. She could just make out the girl in the yellow bronze mirror.
Lin Nansheng’s facial features were well-proportioned and handsome. Given that he practiced martial arts all year round, the virility was evident on his forehead. He had an extraordinary poise whenever he wore an armor.
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