Zhou Yu brought Ziheng back from the toilet. The little guy covered his bottom as he ran. It was so cold in winter that he could freeze to death if he went to the toilet outside.

Yang Xi wanted to laugh. She mixed some snow with the hot water and tested the temperature. It was not too hot. She took her son’s hand and said, “Wash it well.”

Ziheng felt embarrassed and obediently squatted to wash his hands. The little guy was wearing thick clothes, and when he squatted, he was round and chubby, like a panda, which was particularly cute.

Third Yang’s hands were naughty, sometimes pulling off the little boy’s hat, sometimes tugging at his cotton coat.

Zhou Yu was upset and bullied his son in front of him. He reached out and slapped Third Yang’s hand, “Behave yourself.”

Third Yang complained, “Jie, look at my Jiefu.”

Yang Xi rolled her eyes inwardly, “You’re bullying my son, too.”

Third Yang, “…”

They had baked buns and rice porridge for dinner. After dinner, they didn’t go back to the carriage to rest, but stayed by the fire.

Soon, the aroma of barbecue wafted from Miss Jiang’s fire. The aroma of barbecue was overwhelming in the cool air.

Third Yang and the other boys were drooling; it smelled so good.

Yang Xi was also craving the barbecue. It had a lot of spices in it. She sniffed it carefully again, squinting her eyes. “This smell is familiar.”

Zhou Yu said, “If I remember correctly, barbecue spices aren’t sold outside.”

He had eaten barbecue with this kind of spices with his father at Quanweilou before. The price was high because of the spices, and the taste was so memorable.

Third Yang licked his lips. His father was just a small city defender, and there were not many good things to eat. “I’ll buy the same spiced barbecue if I have a chance.”

Zhou Yu criticized Third Yang, “The exclusive secret recipe of Quanweilou in the capital is not for takeout, and not everyone can eat it.”

Yang Xi remembered that Zhou Yu said he would take her to try it, but they had to queue up. “I remember we waited for seven days before we got a chance.”

Zhou Yu nodded, “Yeah.”

Third Yang felt regretful and lowered his voice, “Quanweilou has a deep background!”

Zhou Yu nodded, “It is said in the capital that Quanweilou is Jiang Qiansui’s restaurant. No one in the capital dares to make trouble in Quanweilou.”

Third Yang smacked his lips, “Jiefu, do you think Jiang Qiansui is rich enough to rival a country?”

Zhou Yu did not reply. For a moment, the fire was particularly quiet. The eunuchs were in power, and the Emperor was incompetent. The powerful were still living a life of drunkenness and dreams. In the rise and fall of the world, it was always the common people who suffered.

Wu Shan was the one who felt it most deeply. When there were no rioters, corrupt officials were in power. The annual income was only enough to pay various miscellaneous taxes, and they could not eat enough all year round. The Wu family had strong laborers who worked everywhere to help others and saved some money. As a result, the rioters rioted, and the money was used up on the road to escape.

If it weren’t for meeting Master Zhou, the Wu family would have fallen apart after his death.

Third Yang ended the topic. It was getting late, and everyone returned to the carriage to rest.

The night was quiet. Zhou Yu asked Third Yang to keep watch and pay attention to Miss Jiang and her group. The night was peaceful. Miss Jiang did not show up in the morning, and the servant also kept his distance from the group.

Yan Bing still did not get off the carriage. Zhou Yu signaled Third Yang to talk to Yan Bing and be more honest with each other. The tests they had taken along the way were enough.

Third Yang lay in the donkey cart in an ungraceful manner, disdaining Yan Bing, who was wearing a mask, “You can’t do this.”

Yan Bing also knew it, “This Miss Jiang is not right, I’m afraid she will recognize me.”

Third Yang’s eyes were bright. “Are you very famous in Bozhou?”

Yan Bing, “Our family is very famous in Pingzhou. I’m afraid that King Jiang will find out that it’s not me who died, and draw a portrait of me to find me.”

Third Yang supported his head with one hand, “No one chased you along the way; they must not have found out about you being alive.”

Yan Bing rolled his eyes, “Bozhou is only for entry and not exit. Even if they find out that I’m not dead, they will think I’m still in Bozhou. The portrait I mentioned was circulated all over Bozhou.”

Third Yang thought about it and changed the subject, “You agreed not to cause us trouble at the beginning. Look at how you look now, are you sure you won’t cause us trouble?”

Yan Bing also smiled bitterly, “I didn’t expect to meet King Jiang’s legitimate son-in-law.”

“You’re full of hatred toward King Jiang and so agitated over the eldest legitimate son of King Jing—even if you didn’t tell me, I could more or less guess your background.”

In Gaoxian, he had become acquainted with the owner of a bookshop and often inquired about news from outside. King Jing’s rebellion had spread throughout the entire country, so it was easy to gather information about him.

Yan Bing chuckled, “Your Jiefu and Jie are very clever.”

When he sought advice from Mr. Zhou, Mr. Zhou would now and then mention the situation in Bozhou, and every such remark filled him with admiration. From what he had seen, he could analyze bits and pieces, but Zhou’s grasp of the bigger picture and his foresight were outstanding. It was just a pity that he cared too much about his family.

Mr. Zhou hadn’t concealed the plague rumors from him, and he knew he’d confirmed his background.

Third Yang curled his lips, “Why haven’t you said it yet?”

Yan Bing relaxed all over and lay down like Third Yang. He really had nothing to hide. He whispered, “My gugu was Queen Jing. My gugu gave birth to only one biaoge. King Jing had already taken refuge with King Jiang five years ago—the so-called rebellion was all fake. King Jing’s entry into the capital was arranged by King Jiang, and what they were really plotting was Bozhou’s money, grain, and military supplies. All of this you already know.”

Third Yang listened to his Jiefu’s analysis, “Your bioge is King Jing’s scapegoat, and your family is the food and grass that King Jing gave to King Jiang.”

Hiss, King Jing was also a ruthless person. He handed over his legitimate son to the court and offered his in-laws’ family to King Jiang!

Yan Bing’s tone was full of hatred, “My gugu was strangled to death. Even my bioge’s family wasn’t spared.”

Third Yang said in a faint tone, “You’re a golden child!”

Yan Bing, “…”

Inexplicably, a chill rose on his back, and he couldn’t help but move away from Third Yang!

Third Yang noticed this and chuckled, “Don’t worry, we’re as close as can be. Even if you don’t trust me, I still trust my jiefu!”

Yan Bing, “…”

Third Yang leaned closer. “Tell me, how rich is your family? Why is King Jiang so concerned about you?”

Yan Bing, “My family is poor, really poor.”

Third Yang, “…”

This was too perfunctory. Seeing that Yan Bing no longer paid attention to him, he thought to himself that Yan Bing’s family was very wealthy. Yan Bing’s confession now showed that he trusted them enough, and of course, he also wanted to rely on them.

When the chaos broke out in the future, and King Jiang discovered that Yan Bing was not dead and had not found Yan Bing in Bozhou, hehe, Yan Bing’s portrait would be spread across the country.

Third Yang studied Yan Bing’s face. “I don’t think you need this face anymore.”

Yan Bing, “…”

When they rested for the night, Third Yang brought Yan Bing over for another confession. Yan Bing still didn’t reveal his real name. All he knew was that Yan Bing’s surname was Qin and he was the second-oldest son of the Qin family in Bozhou.

Yang Xi stared at Yan Bing’s face. This face was indeed a sign of trouble.

Yan Bing hardened his heart, “I’ll cut my face.”

Yang Xi: “

No, she didn’t understand. Why did he think having more scars on his face would change his appearance?

Zhou Yu just spat out one word, “Stupid.”

Yan Bing: “…”

Yang Xi cleared her throat, “Your appearance can be changed. Do you know how to put on makeup?”

Zhou Yu: “…”

He was also silent. He was impressed by modern makeup techniques!

The next morning, Yang Xi used rouge and powder to help Yan Bing put on makeup. She bought rouge and powder to make herself and her younger sister look ugly, but she never expected to use it on Yan Bing’s face first.

With Yan Bing’s features softened into a slightly feminine appearance, one who didn’t know better might think he came from an opera troupe.

Yang Xi admired her masterpiece and was very satisfied. Then she ate too much and felt uncomfortable in her stomach.

Zhou Yu accompanied her as they left the caravan. Yang Xi saw Miss Jiang get off the carriage. This time, she was closer. Yang Xi grabbed Zhou Yu’s wrist and looked away when Miss Jiang looked at her.

(End of this chapter)

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