Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 793 - 744 Acquaintances Make It Easier to Enter the City (2)

Chapter 793: Chapter 744 Acquaintances Make It Easier to Enter the City (2)

As for those villagers who love to sneer, they no longer dare to come looking for Chai Eying.

The Li Family was exiled to Zhen An Prefecture to perform hard labor as Prince Luling’s family. They lost their status and real power, but Lou Chengye was from the Prefect’s house.

Prefect Lou was the legitimate local official of Zhen An Prefecture, Lou Chengye belonged to a truly aristocratic family, with power and influence in the household.

To offend Lou Chengye was to seek death!

Lou Chengye actually did nothing.

Every day he simply brought four armed guards, set up a chair under the shade by the fields, drank tea and ate snacks, and the short-term workers naturally performed their duties well.

Other members of the Li Family, such as Uncle Gui, Nanny Jiang, and the helper Song Chunniang with her daughters, were not overly worried about the Li Family; they believed the Li Family would overcome their difficulties.

.

The Eldest Young Master Chai and his wife from the county town came to the Li Family on the second day of Lou Chengye’s visit.

Li Xing’an entrusted the shop to them for assistance, said nothing, and hurried back home.

Li Xing’an hadn’t been to the county town for several days, and the Eldest Young Master Chai and his wife were concerned that something might be wrong with the Li Family, so they came to visit together.

Chai Eying invited her brother and sister-in-law to her South Courtyard House for tea, saying, "It’s nothing, look at you, rushing here like this, not doing business? During these days leading up to Mid-Autumn, the incense business must be busy."

Sister-in-law Chai asked repeatedly in disbelief, "Did nothing really happen to the Li Family? But why haven’t we seen any of the men from the Li Family?"

Chai Eying smiled and replied, "Truly nothing, sister-in-law!"

Knowing she couldn’t hide the matter, she explained the situation of the Li Family to Sister-in-law Chai and Eldest Young Master Chai.

The couple was shocked, exclaiming together, "The Li Family is Prince Luling’s family?"

"That was in the past. There is no title now. The Li Family is just an ordinary family like us," Chai Eying said with a calm smile.

Eldest Young Master Chai frowned and said, "Four members of the Li Family hurried back to the capital, could something have happened in the capital?"

With a calm expression, Chai Eying replied, "Brother, my father-in-law is not an ordinary person; Li Dalang and the others have had many experiences and will handle things well, so don’t worry."

Sister-in-law Chai sighed and said, "We can only sigh here, worry for them, and are unable to help."

Eldest Young Master Chai said, "Eying, don’t be afraid; if the Li Family has trouble, you still have me, your big brother. If your brother and sister-in-law have a mouthful to eat, so do you."

Chai Eying was very moved, saying, "Thank you, big brother."

"Silly girl, we are family, no need for formalities," Sister-in-law Chai laughed.

Seeing her genuinely concerned brother and sister-in-law, thinking of the insincere Miss Chai, Chai Eying felt anger rising.

That day, she thought Miss Chai intentionally came to mock her.

But after two days, news came from the village.

It turned out the elderly lady was seriously ill.

People from the second room didn’t want to keep vigil at the old lady’s bedside, so Miss Chai thought of her, trying to deceive her into serving the old lady at the Chai family.

Chai Eying recounted the incident of Miss Chai visiting her to her brother and sister-in-law.

Eldest Young Master Chai sneered and said, "Ignore them. When there are benefits, they never come to our siblings, but when hard work is needed, they think of us? Hmph, what nonsense!"

Sister-in-law Chai also said, "They drove us out of the Chai family long ago, now what relations are they seeking? Eying, if people from the second room dare come again, just drive them out, and if there’s trouble, I’ll support you with your brother!"

Chai Eying smiled knowingly and said, "Understood, sister-in-law, brother."

.

Princess Consort Luling learned the couple from the Chai family had arrived and proactively visited them in the South Courtyard.

Both respectfully performed a grand ceremony for Princess Consort Luling.

"We are all relatives here, what grand ceremony is this? Let’s not engage in formalities." Princess Consort Luling helped them up, saying, "There have been some issues at the old home recently, didn’t expect it startled you all, but rest assured, the father and sons will arrange things well, won’t implicate Eying."

"Aunt saying this seems distant. You just mentioned we are all relatives, and since we are kin, we share the same honor and disgrace. We are not afraid; we trust Uncle Li and Li Dalang," Sister-in-law Chai said cheerfully.

Eldest Young Master Chai also said, "Upon receiving news, we just wanted to tell Aunt Li that no matter what happens in the future, we are on the Li Family’s side."

"Good, good, our Li Family is fortunate to be related to you!" Princess Consort Luling said with a smile.

She felt a sense of gratitude, thinking about the Xue Family, who had immediately disassociated themselves when the Lu Ling Royal Mansion fell.

Yet now, despite facing greater troubles, the Chai Family insists on standing with the Li Family.

Why is there such a difference in people?

.

The four father and son of the Li Family traveled urgently and arrived at the Capital ahead of the messenger from the Wei Family.

At the city gate, people were lining up to enter the city.

The gatekeeper soldiers were inspecting each passerby, carriages, and vehicles, all require curtain checks.

Every man must be body-searched, everyone has to show a pass and report where they come from, where they are going, whom they are meeting, and what they intend to do.

Li Xing’an frowned, "Father, elder brother, second brother, I’m afraid it will be difficult for us to enter the city."

"After Li Can’s sudden death, it’s understandable that the city controls are strict," said Prince Luling.

"It’s getting dark; we need to enter the city quickly. It seems the gates might close earlier than usual."

"If the explicit method doesn’t work, we’ll use the covert one. Let’s think of a way to sneak into the city," Li Xingsheng squinted, observing the pedestrians.

Just as the four were pondering how to slip through unnoticed, the gate leader spotted them and suddenly walked towards them.

The Li Family father and sons, disguised as merchants, immediately became vigilant.

"Master, you have returned to the city? Long time no see, are you well?" The leader smiled as he walked up to Prince Luling, bowing respectfully.

Prince Luling and the brothers, Li Xingmao among them, were clueless, exchanging glances and using eye contact to ask each other, "Does anyone recognize this person?"

Seeing the Li Family seemed bewildered, the gate leader again smiled and said, "Master probably doesn’t recall clearly since it’s been a while since you were in the capital. My father was Mu Guisheng; he drove a carriage for you, but he was ill-fated and passed away early. It was you who arranged for the steward to handle the funeral at our house and let the steward bring me into the mansion to work as Miss Chai’s attendant, preventing me from starving. Three years ago, I was mischievous and got into trouble, so had to leave the Li Family, but I have always remembered the kindness and favor of the Li Family, and your entire household."

Only then did Prince Luling remember, "You are Er Muzi!"

The city gate leader, feeling shy, scratched his head, "Yes, yes, Master realized! I am indeed Er Muzi. A few days ago, Miss Chai and her husband, along with the Third Miss and Third Master, passed by and even spoke with me."

It turns out he was a former servant.

Li Family brothers relaxed their expressions.

Prince Luling appreciated this young man’s tactfulness, deciding not to reveal his identity.

He glanced around, "Unexpectedly, you are now working here after three years. Not bad, not bad, much more promising than before."

"Thanks to Miss Chai’s sufficient travel expenses, I got the chance to arrange and secure this job," laughed the city gate leader. "It’s getting late; you must be in a hurry to return home, right? Please enter the city quickly."

Prince Luling breathed a sigh of relief, feeling grateful for his leniency, and said, "Once my residence is settled, come find me there."

"Yes, Master!" Er Muzi responded joyfully, standing tall.

Li Xingsheng took a pouch from his waist and handed it to Er Muzi, "You’ve worked hard standing all day. After your shift, go with a few brothers and have some drinks."

The pouch was heavy, containing at least ten taels.

Receiving it in his hand delighted, Er Muzi said, "Thank you, Second Young Master."

"You have a good memory, Er Muzi!" Li Xingsheng smiled and waved at him, following Prince Luling into the city.

Li Xingmao and Li Xing’an followed behind.

The other gate soldiers were subordinates of their leader, not daring to inquire too much about the identities of the Li Family father and sons, as their entry and exit were decided by their leader.

Even though working at the city gate only provided a monthly salary of 1,500 coins, it was reliable income with occasional tips.

Losing this job meant being a day laborer, facing both hunger and uncertain days.

.

The Lu Ling Royal Mansion was sealed off, inaccessible.

After entering the city, the Li Family father and sons headed straight to the Wei Family.

By then, dusk was approaching.

The gatekeeper was about to close the main gate, seeing the four father and sons arriving dust-covered at the Wei Family gate, dismounted in shock.

"King... King... King..."

"Send word, I wish to see Mrs. Wei," Prince Luling dismounted and handed the horse to his sons, striding into the residence.

"Ah, yes!" The gatekeeper ran away in fright.

The cloak was too long, he stepped on it, almost falling.

The three brothers led the horses into the residence, shutting the gate behind them, and walked inside.

Prince Luling’s authoritative presence, as in the past, left the servants at the Wei Mansion stunned.

The servant dashed to the backyard, where Mrs. Wei was preparing for dinner, chatting with maids and nannies.

Upon hearing the servant’s report, she stood up in shock, "Quickly let him in!"