Hearing Deng Yi speak this way, the station master and coachman both revealed expressions of relief and joy.

“We will certainly relay your message,” the coachman said. “His Lordship had hoped to have a good conversation with you today, but unfortunately, the timing was not right.”

Deng Yi suddenly smiled, then appeared lost in thought. Could it be that earlier, Chu Zhao wasn’t avoiding connections with the Prince of Zhongshan’s household, but rather preventing him from having such connections?

The news said that Chu Li had sent his deputy general to see Chu Zhao. Was this something Chu Li had instructed his daughter during their brief meeting?

His mind wandered somewhat.

“Sir,” the station master hurriedly said, “His Lordship asks if now is the right time to go to the capital?”

Deng Yi regained his focus and patted the carriage door. “This is merely payment for the opportunity I gave His Lordship to meet the Chu family’s daughter. For anything else, additional payment will be required.”

The station master wasn’t offended and smiled, “Of course, of course.”

Deng Yi pondered for a moment, looking toward the direction of the capital. “Indeed, now is an appropriate time to go to the capital. His Majesty’s health isn’t good, the Crown Prince’s position isn’t secure, and the Third Prince has come of age. One could say it’s quite lively there.”

The station master said joyfully, “Then our Young Master will escort the Chu family’s young lady to the capital.”

This was the arrangement originally agreed upon, but Deng Yi looked at him mockingly, “Your Young Master failed to win Miss Chu’s favor. She won’t agree to be escorted by him.”

The station master sighed, “Yes, Sir. His Lordship thought of this point as well, which is why he requests your assistance.”

Deng Yi shook his head, “I cannot persuade that Miss Chu. However,” he looked at the station master, “if it’s within the scope of my duties, I will certainly fulfill my responsibilities.”

After saying this, he patted the station master’s shoulder, signaling his guards to handle the money matters here, and then turned to leave.

The station master didn’t dare detain him and stood there pondering.

Deng Yi passed through the noisy backyard. Just as he walked out, a guard approached and whispered, “Someone has been wandering around here.”

Deng Yi made a sound of acknowledgment. “Who?”

Someone was spying on him?

The guard said, “It’s Miss Chu’s maid.”

Miss Chu? Deng Yi became thoughtful.

“I thought about questioning her,” the guard said softly, “but she was talking to the servants and asked for some medicinal herbs.”

The backyard was crowded with all sorts of people who could move about freely.

The maid’s presence here was reasonable, and they had no right to question her. They had even hesitated, wondering if they were overthinking things.

Deng Yi remained silent. Just as he approached his quarters, he saw someone standing in the shadows of the corridor.

“Who’s there?” he stopped and asked.

The guards behind him immediately moved forward.

“Master Deng, it’s me,” Chu Zhao quickly said, stepping out.

Deng Yi looked at the girl who appeared even more delicate and fragile in the night. “What can I do for Miss Chu?”

Chu Zhao bowed, “I wouldn’t dare presume. I have a matter to trouble Master Deng with, so I’ve been waiting for your return.”

So the maid wandering in the backyard earlier was indeed scouting his whereabouts. Deng Yi smiled slightly, “Miss Chu is too polite. Please speak.”

Chu Zhao said, “On the return journey, my cousin and I would like to travel by carriage. My cousin’s body can’t withstand such extensive travel, and now that I’ve been captured, I want to make the return journey easier for him. If anything happens to him, I would truly become my family’s eternal sinner.”

This girl certainly knows how to jest about herself, thought Deng Yi with a slight smile.

After speaking, Chu Zhao called for A-Le.

A-Le came forward carrying a chest.

Chu Zhao continued, “Regardless, this is our family matter, but Master Deng has also been troubled by it. I would like to offer this money, not for anything else, but to ensure that you and your men can travel a bit more comfortably, eat and sleep well, and suffer less from the cold and hardship.”

Deng Yi looked with interest at the chest carried by the maid. It seemed to contain a substantial amount of money. Of course, it couldn’t compare to what the Prince of Zhongshan could offer, but for this child, it was a significant sum. And for him, even a penny was money, and he never disdained small amounts.

He had already experienced this girl’s generosity before. Not bad, not bad at all. Whether it was the station master, a prostitute, an itinerant doctor, or he, an imperial official, Miss Chu treated everyone equally.

“Miss Chu is truly too kind,” he said. “Then I shall respectfully accept.”

In the dimness, the girl’s face bloomed with a smile.

“Thank you, Master Deng.” Chu Zhao bowed and left happily with A-Le.

Deng Yi watched them disappear before entering his room.

The room was brightly lit. The guard placed the chest on the table and opened it, calling out, “Sir, this money is from what we confiscated earlier on the road.”

Deng Yi came over to look and smiled, “It truly is.” He sifted through the money and jewels in the chest, picking up a hairpin. “I remember Young Master Chu saying this was part of his mother’s dowry.”

The guard nodded, “Yes, Miss Chu gave it to that prostitute.” At this point, he looked at Deng Yi with a strange expression. “Miss Chu has brought these to give to you. Does Young Master Chu know?”

Young Master Chu didn’t seem like the type to approve.

Could Miss Chu have stolen them again?!

Deng Yi suddenly burst into laughter, something he rarely did. He twirled the hairpin in his hand, then tossed it back into the chest. “That’s not my concern. I only accept money. Where the money comes from is none of my business.”

……

……

The next day, when it was time to depart, Chu Ke initially wore a sullen face, but when he saw two spacious carriages with tall, sturdy wheels, he was immediately overjoyed.

“Is this prepared for me?” he asked.

“For us,” Chu Zhao corrected, watching A-Le load baggage onto the carriage. “We’ll ride in one.”

The carriage would be a bit cramped with two people. Chu Ke frowned, “Then what about the other one?”

“That’s for Master Deng,” Chu Zhao said, looking at him. “Do you want to ride with Master Deng, or do you want me to ride with Master Deng?”

Chu Ke was annoyed. I want you to run alongside! He stopped paying attention to Chu Zhao and urged the servants to load the carriage. Chu Zhao ignored him as well, climbing aboard with A-Le. She had few belongings and traveled light. She heard the bustling outside for a while, then Chu Ke’s loud shout—

Followed by rapid footsteps, the carriage curtain was abruptly pulled open, and Chu Ke’s contorted face invaded the interior.

“Where’s my money? Where’s my chest of money?” he shouted. “Chu Zhao, did you steal it again?”

Chu Zhao didn’t even look at him. “No,” she said, pointing beside her. “Look for yourself if you don’t believe me.”

Although it was visible at a glance, Chu Ke still angrily searched through Chu Zhao’s two bundles. Of course, he found nothing.

“You, it must be you who stole it,” his eyes reddened with anger. “Where did you hide it?”

Chu Zhao said, “Brother, we’re so far from home. If I hid it here, what use would it be? Am I waiting for it to produce offspring?”

Chu Ke glared at her fiercely, jumped off the carriage, and started searching everywhere for his money, causing an uproar throughout the relay station. The people staying at the station were all officials who wouldn’t allow him to search at will, and he nearly caused trouble.

Chu Zhao stopped him.

“Otherwise, you can report it to the authorities and let the local officials investigate. You can stay here and wait.”

Chu Ke felt as if he had suffered all the hardships of a lifetime. The young man truly understood the saying: a thousand days of comfort at home, one day of difficulty abroad. He didn’t want to stay outside for even a moment longer and yearned to fly home immediately.

“Forget it,” his voice was somewhat choked. “It’s all my fault. I lost it. I can’t blame others.”

With that, he climbed into the carriage and lay down.

Chu Zhao consoled him further, “The money was stolen by me to begin with, and I’ve spent it all. It has nothing to do with you. Perhaps thinking of it this way will make you feel better?”

Better, my foot! Chu Ke was so angry he nearly fainted. He pulled a blanket over his head. After returning to the capital this time, he would let the Liang family deal with Chu Zhao. After the Liang family was done with her, he would make his parents send this troublemaker back to the border commandery.

If she stayed in the capital any longer, she would be the death of him. What use would his prospects be then?

The carriage fell silent. Deng Yi glanced at Miss Chu, whose face remained calm as if nothing had happened.

Miss Chu smiled at him.

He smiled back, withdrew his gaze, and raised his hand to signal his guards: “Let us depart.”