Chapter 20: Hong Tao Is Shocked

By the time Miao Suwen had finished bandaging everyone’s wounds, it was already deep into the night. After such a harrowing ordeal, sleep was out of the question. Gu Chengyong instructed everyone to hold torches and drive their wagons forward, away from the spot where they had just stopped. It was obvious they could not remain there any longer—wolf carcasses lay everywhere, the stench of blood was overwhelming, and if other wild beasts were drawn by it, disaster would surely follow. Everyone understood this well, so they each took a torch and moved cautiously through the darkness.

One of their three horses had died; the remaining two were lightly wounded but still able to walk. In the pitch-black night, the torchlight was barely enough to illuminate the road ahead. Coupled with the exhaustion from two violent encounters that day, the group was weary to the bone. After traveling five or six miles, Gu Chengyong found another place for them to rest.

“Tomorrow, when we reach the next village or town, we’ll stop and recover for a while. Everyone’s injured, and shaken, so it’s best to rest,” Gu Chengyong said as he started a fire, using firewood he’d gathered earlier and brought along on the wagon.

Feng Shi did not object; her limbs still felt weak, and the earlier events had nearly scared her to death. “Yes, a rest would do us good,” she agreed, her heart still pounding.

The fire quickly blazed, and everyone gathered around it for warmth. “Ah, what a shame we couldn’t bring any horse meat with us,” Gu Chengyong sighed. They had lost a horse, but fearing predators would follow the scent of blood, he hadn’t dared to cut off any meat.

“Let it go. We’ve had enough trouble for one day—I really can’t take any more,” Feng Shi said, waving her hand and leaning against Gu Chengyong, closing her eyes to rest.

So they huddled fearfully around the fire all night, none daring to sleep, at most closing their eyes for a brief doze. At last, dawn crept in from the east, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Having kept the fire burning all night, preparing breakfast was easy. The women quickly cooked, and after eating, the group set out once more. After traveling another twenty miles or so, they reached a small town. Gu Chengyong suggested they spend the day there to tend to their wounds and recover their spirits.

Fortunately, the town had a modest inn, so the family settled in, ate, and soon fell into a deep sleep, not waking until afternoon. Once awake, their spirits were much improved.

Thus, the Gu family stayed peacefully in the town for two days, and on the eighth day of the lunar month, resumed their journey north. After the two days of rest, everyone was in good spirits as they traveled onward.

Originally, the Gu family had three wagons; now there were only two. With fewer horses and more cargo and people, the wagons moved slower than before. The Wen brothers sat atop the flatbed wagon, and Jiao Yan, finding the weather pleasant and enjoying the changing scenery, decided to ride outside with her brothers rather than stay inside.

Qin Shaoyuan had recently grown very close to Jiao Yan—wherever she went, he followed, so naturally he joined them on the wagon. It was a group of children, and there was plenty of room.

The wagon carried boxes, with bedding spread atop them. Jiao Yan sat on the bedding, watching the scenery slip past on either side, feeling freer than ever.

These days, it was clear that the road was busier. There were wagons drawn by horses and oxen, young wives riding donkeys with husbands leading them—a sign of families visiting relatives for the New Year. People passed by, faces alight with smiles, for this was the season for visiting loved ones.

When passersby saw the Gu family’s group, they were surprised—who travels so far at this time of year? Curious glances followed them.

The wagons rocked gently along the road. It was not yet noon when suddenly, the sound of galloping horses came from behind, followed by a loud shout, “Make way for the Imperial Envoy! All civilians must clear the road!”

The Gu family’s hearts tightened—this must be the Imperial Envoy escorting Prefect Lin to the capital. Lin Hongtao’s eyes reddened at the news, and he immediately turned to climb down from the wagon.

Wen Xiu quickly pulled him back. “You know how hard this journey has been. You understand how my father has protected you. If you lose control now, you’ll bring trouble upon us.”

Jiao Yan also grabbed Hongtao’s arm, “Brother Hongtao, don’t be rash. As long as you live, hope remains. Uncle Lin still has a chance in the capital. Please don’t act impulsively.” She was truly worried—if he caused a scene, it would ruin everything.

Gu Chengyong halted the wagon, and Wen Xiu and the others got down, standing respectfully by the roadside.

In the distance, a procession approached, soldiers wielding swords and weapons. The lead wagon was large—likely carrying the Imperial Envoy. Behind it was a wooden caged prison wagon, inside which two people, shackled and disheveled, sat.

Clearly, these were Lin Jinyu and his wife. Their prison wagon was followed by household servants from the Lin family.

At the sight of his parents, Lin Hongtao could no longer contain himself—he opened his mouth to shout. But Jiao Yan was quicker, covering his mouth tightly. “Brother Hongtao, if you cry out now, you’ll end up in the prison wagon too. Look at Uncle Lin—would he want you to risk yourself at a moment like this? Do you want to break his heart?”

Wen Xiu and Wen Qi each grabbed one of Hongtao’s arms, while Jiao Yan, tiptoeing, pressed her hand over his mouth. They dragged him to the side of the wagon, shielding him from view.

Hongtao struggled desperately, but none would let go. Jiao Yan pressed her hand firmly over his mouth, refusing to allow him a sound. Hongtao, desperate, bit down hard on Jiao Yan’s hand.

Jiao Yan winced in pain but did not release him. Hongtao bit so fiercely that he broke the skin, blood running into his mouth, which finally brought him back to his senses.

Once the Imperial procession had passed and Hongtao’s cries could no longer be heard, Jiao Yan released her grip. Her fair, delicate palm now bore two rows of deep, bloody bite marks, blood still seeping out.

She quickly hid her left hand behind her back; she did not want her brothers to notice, for surely they would not forgive Hongtao.

But Hongtao’s lips were stained with blood, and Qin Shaoyuan, who had been watching closely, immediately noticed. He rushed forward, seized Jiao Yan’s left hand, and upon seeing the injury, was furious.

“Are you a dog? What did Yan ever do to you? She only covered your mouth so you wouldn’t shout—why bite her like this?” Shaoyuan didn’t care for propriety; he punched Hongtao outright. “I don’t care about your family’s mess, but you can’t treat Yan this way. The Gu family treats you like royalty, and this is how you repay them?”

Though Shaoyuan was a year younger than Hongtao, he had grown up wandering with his mother, helping with everything, and was strong. Hongtao, spoiled and pampered, was no match; Shaoyuan’s punch sent him sprawling.

The commotion drew Gu Chengyong and Feng Shi. “Shaoyuan, what are you doing? Why hit Hongtao?” they demanded. “If you have something to say, say it properly—how can you resort to violence?”

“I’ll hit him all I want. Uncle Gu, Aunt Gu, I don’t know what your relationship with him is, and I don’t care why you neglect your own children to dote on an outsider. All I know is he doesn’t appreciate kindness—he bit Yan’s hand and made her bleed. I’ll teach him a lesson.”

As he spoke, Shaoyuan grabbed Hongtao’s collar and punched him again. “Who do you think you are? Why should everyone yield to you? Why bite Yan? What does she owe you?” He landed two more blows.

“Wen Xiu, Wen Qi, pull them apart! This can’t go on,” Feng Shi cried.

“Mother, he deserves it. We’ve endured him for days, never disobeying you or father, no matter how you favor him. But him? He acts like we’re his enemies. Haven’t we done enough? Why isn’t he grateful? Now, just for restraining him, he bites Jiao Yan. If we can’t teach him a lesson, Shaoyuan can. Maybe then he’ll come to his senses,” Wen Xiu said through gritted teeth.

The other Wen brothers glared angrily at Hongtao, none moving to separate the two. Only Gu Chengyong intervened, pulling Shaoyuan away to end the fight.

Shaoyuan, still furious, ignored everyone else and led Jiao Yan to his mother, found some medicinal powder, and tended to her wound. “You fool—why let him bite you? If it leaves a scar, it’ll be ugly,” he muttered as he applied the medicine.

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My apologies for the late update—something unexpected came up at home and I’ve just returned.