Chapter 28: You Are Not In Exile You Are Clearly Traveling!
Chapter 28: By Hook or by Crook
"Slap!"
The stationmaster's palm struck bailiff He's face, leaving him dazed.
"Who gave you the authority to act on your own? Apologize to Lord Chen immediately!"
The stationmaster's face was grim. He had been minding his own business at the station when trouble unexpectedly found him.
Someone with connections to General Guo and possibly even a high-ranking official had approached him.
And it didn't stop there. Following closely behind were officials from the Imperial Censor, the Ministry of Rites, and several other high-ranking individuals.
He was completely bewildered. When had he offended so many important people?
He was just a lowly stationmaster without much authority. Any one of those influential individuals behind him could easily crush him like an ant.
It was only later that he found out his subordinates had caused the trouble.
He didn't know who Lord Chen was, but he understood that he couldn't afford to offend him. Realizing his subordinates had made a mistake, he hurriedly sent them to apologize to Lord Chen.
Bailiff He was left bewildered. He couldn't understand why he was being punished for a high-ranking official's sake, especially considering he was related to stationmaster by marriage.
After receiving the third slap, bailiff He realized he had kicked an iron plate and had no choice but to apologize to master Chen and send the Chen family's servants back.
The stationmaster also quickly invited the Chen family to dinner as a form of apology. He even had the bailiffs remove the shackles from the Chen family members and allowed them to rest comfortably.
"Master Chen, my subordinates were out of line. Please forgive them. If you need anything, just let me know!"
Originally, the stationmaster had intended to apologize and be done with it. But seeing so many influential figures intervening, he decided to ingratiate himself with Lord Chen.
If Lord Chen were to rise again someday and remembered his kindness, wouldn't that be a great benefit for him?
Chen Xue and the others didn't expect such a stroke of luck and naturally didn't hesitate to ask the stationmaster for help in finding a carriage.
One carriage wasn't enough, so when it came time to sleep, Chen Yuan could only sleep outside the carriage. Having two carriages solved that problem.
For the stationmaster, providing carriages wasn't a big issue.
Furthermore, they weren't asking for charity; they were willing to pay for the carriages, hoping to establish a good relationship with the stationmaster.
Unfortunately, their luck fell short.
There were no carriages available at the station, but there were old carriages without horses.
For the Chen family, this was still good news.
Although there was only one carriage and no horses to pull it, they already had one carriage. They could simply connect the old carriage to the existing one.
It would be a bit strenuous for one horse to pull two carriages, but they had no choice but to make do for now.
Since they were extending a favor, one old carriage wouldn't be enough. The stationmaster had a lot of supplies sent over to fill the old carriage.
Chen Xue and the others initially wanted to refuse, but the stationmaster insisted, leaving them puzzled as to why he was so keen on helping them.
They didn't know that Zhao Guang and Xu Tian had approached the stationmaster, revealing their influential backers.
Xu Tian had been instructed by officials such as the Imperial Censor to take care of the Chen family, prompting him to seek the stationmaster's assistance.
Zhao Guang, on the other hand, had no choice but to curry favor with the Chen family due to being poisoned and having a weak position.
The stationmaster was intimidated by the powerful backers behind Xu Tian and Zhao Guang, prompting him to befriend the Chen family.
So, the Chen family spent a comfortable night at the station, received a carriage, and even a carriage full of Zhang Yiquan had intended to take advantage of the Chen family but ended up inadvertently helping them.
Perhaps this was what they called fortune intertwined with misfortune.
"Oh, why is Master Zhang walking in but leaving in such a state?"
In the morning, as the Chen family was leaving the station, they saw Zhang Yiquan being helped away by his family, sparking their curiosity.
Zhang Yiquan was seething with anger but had no strength to argue. He had caught a cold from fishing by the river the day before and had worsened due to the rain during the journey.
He had spent the night outside in the cold wind and had been beaten by bailiff He, leaving him bleeding profusely.
Already furious, Zhang Yiquan was further incensed upon hearing that the stationmaster had gone out of his way to provide the Chen family with a carriage and supplies.
He had spent a considerable amount of money but hadn't even secured a room. Meanwhile, the Chen family, without spending a penny, had obtained a carriage, a carriage full of supplies, and even bailiff He's apology.
Enraged and already suffering from a cold, Zhang Yiquan sneezed uncontrollably, causing those around him to move away.
The Chen family, supported by the stationmaster, boarded the carriage and left. As they departed, the stationmaster even jovially invited them for a visit.
This scene was like a blow to Zhang Yiquan's lungs.
Why them! They're just criminals!
Why should they be treated with such respect!
Infuriating!
"How did things go?"
Zhao Guang looked at the person in front of him, sweating profusely, wondering if he should eliminate him to keep the secret.
He knew exactly what the person was referring to—Guo Qiang's order to get rid of Chen Yuan.
However, Zhao Guang had been trying to please Chen Yuan. How could he possibly carry out the task? And if he did harm Chen Yuan, what would happen to the poison in his body?
Therefore, he could only force himself to say, "I haven't found the opportunity yet. Xu Tian has been assisting the Chen family..."
"Useless!" The person cursed. "Act quickly."
With that, the person left the station. Fortunately, his master had anticipated Zhao Guang's incompetence and had prepared a backup plan.
He had come to confirm whether Zhao Guang had succeeded. If he had, great; if not, they would have to resort to the backup plan.
He unrolled a scroll in his hand, revealing a portrait of Chen Yuan.
His task was simple: find bandits, give them money, and have them attack the exiled convoy, taking the opportunity to eliminate Chen Yuan.
To ensure the bandits recognized their target, Guo Qiang had provided Chen Yuan's portrait.
His purpose in coming here was to confirm if the portrait matched Chen Yuan.
Seeing the Chen family board the carriage, the man turned and left, preparing to lay in wait ahead.
The journey continued.
With two carriages, the Chen family allowed their servants to sit in the back one, both to guard the supplies and to let the servants rest.
Though most of the supplies had already been taken by Chen Xue, the boxes remained in the carriage.
The Chen family's servants were grateful to have a carriage on the journey of exile, but the other prisoners couldn't help but envy them. Why did the Chen family's servants get to ride in
a carriage?
However, seeing Zhao Guang and the other bailiffs, they kept their discontent to themselves.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, the carriage shook, and Chen Xue heard the voice of her servant.
"Master, Miss, someone is blocking the road!"
Chen Xue and the others were stunned. There were people actually blocking the road in the exiled convoy? They must be truly impatient with life!
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