The villagers watched the departing figures of Head Constable Liu and the others with sinister eyes. Only after they vanished from sight did they turn back toward the old woman.
“Aunt Zhao, you failed today. Go back into the mountains tomorrow. If you don’t manage to bring someone back in the next few days, then your family will have to provide the sacrifices for the offering in a few days’ time.”
The old woman’s family turned pale, but the old woman herself looked indignant.
“You can’t blame me for this. It’s because you couldn't keep them here. We agreed that I would be responsible for luring them down, and you would be responsible for seizing them. This was your failure. How can you pin the blame on my family?”
A man’s face twisted in anger as he ground his teeth. “Aunt Zhao, do you think I didn’t want to keep them? Look at the people you brought down—every one of them was a burly man who knew martial arts, and each one was armed with a saber.”
“Furthermore, I’ve said long ago that we must not touch anyone from the government. It wouldn't be good if we attracted the attention of those above. Did you treat my words like wind passing your ears?”
The old woman’s neck stiffened. “Wasn't there a young person among them? The young constable who brought me back—I noticed it was a girl, not yet fifteen. She hasn't even reached her hair-pinning ceremony and is still a maiden; she would have been a more suitable sacrifice.”
“And as for you telling me not to lure people from the government... it was the middle of the night and pitch-black. How was I supposed to know they were constables? I’m just an old woman. To avoid giving myself away, I had to let them bring me back.”
The other villagers nodded in agreement, feeling that her reasoning was sound.
The man who had been speaking had a sallow complexion. “You still have the face to talk! Fortunately, they didn't discover anything. If we had been found out today, how would we have explained it to the Mountain God?”
“Did you not notice that these people seemed to be led by that girl? Under what circumstances would several grown men follow the word of a young girl? As soon as that girl said to leave, they immediately followed.”
He scanned the surroundings and let out a cold laugh. “There is only one possibility: that female constable is very strong, stronger than all those men. Only the strong can command such absolute loyalty.”
“If we had stopped those people today and allowed even one female constable to escape, we would be facing a military suppression by tomorrow. Therefore, we couldn't alert the enemy; we had to let them leave.”
His words silenced everyone present.
Finally, the man sighed. “Everyone, go back. Tomorrow, send someone to the mountains. If there are any lone travelers, tie them up and bring them back directly. Today was a waste of effort. Everyone, go back and rest.”
...
Head Constable Liu and the others gave chase, finally spotting her on the mountain road not far away. Gu Qingyun was waiting for them on a slope, sitting atop her horse.
“Qingyun, why didn’t we rest in that village and eat something hot before leaving?”
Her face was hidden by the darkness, and only her cold voice drifted over. “I’m afraid that if we had eaten those things, we would have had to leave our lives there.”
“Why?” Zhang San asked directly.
Gu Qingyun’s expression in the night was extremely unpleasant, and her tone was freezing. “You didn't take that old woman seriously, little knowing that someone you perceive as harmless might be a villain. That old woman said she got lost while picking mushrooms, but did any of you see her basket?”
“To an ordinary farming family that considers food their life, they would never abandon edible food in the mountains. Unless her reason for entering the mountains wasn’t to pick mushrooms in the first place.”
She didn’t mention it, but when she lived in the countryside before, her sisters often went to gather wild vegetables and mushrooms. Even if they fell and injured their legs, they would clutch the gathered mushrooms tightly to their chests. Those things allowed the family to eat their fill.
Moreover, the look on the old woman’s face when she first saw them was wrong. Gu Qingyun had caught it clearly.
Seeing that Head Constable Liu and the others were listening intently, she continued, “Because we brought the old woman down the mountain, the villagers were also very generous, offering to kill chickens and fish to entertain us. Villagers aren't usually that unified. Why wouldn't they keep the chicken or fish for their own families?”
“We saved that old woman, not their families. Those people were too enthusiastic, and it felt wrong. Therefore, leaving was the best choice.”
As Gu Qingyun spoke, the more they thought about it, the more they realized something was off. Wu Yong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
“Sigh, we should be more careful in the future. It’s better not to eat food from strangers. If we really were drugged and knocked out, we would be at their mercy.”
He took a stealthy glance at Head Constable Liu. His face couldn't be seen in the darkness, and everyone remained silent, processing what Gu Qingyun had just said. The closer it got to midnight, the colder the weather became, and their moods grew just as heavy.
“Let’s go. We’ll be more careful from now on. Remote mountains and treacherous waters breed unruly people. Qingyun is right; we shouldn't be too arrogant. Let’s head out directly; the sooner we arrive, the better.”
“We shouldn't have any more field duties this year. It won’t be long until the New Year. This weather really isn’t fit for human living,” Head Constable Liu said heartily.
They all nodded. Head Constable Liu took the lead again, while Gu Qingyun brought up the rear as they galloped toward the mountain forest.
...
Gu Qingyun arrived home before dusk the next day. Over the past two days, they had only stopped to build fires for food or to feed the horses; the rest of the time was spent traveling. She left her horse directly at the yamen and headed straight home.
When she returned, Old Lady Zhang and the others hadn't eaten yet. Seeing her return, they hurried to welcome her into the house and had her sit by the charcoal fire to warm up.
“Was the journey safe? Sit and rest first. Grandma will go make a few more dishes. You must have had a hard time on this journey; we’ll eat well tonight.”
After Old Lady Zhang finished speaking, she bustled off toward the kitchen.
Gu Yihan and the others pulled up chairs to sit beside her and watch her. Gu Qingyun felt helpless.
“Brother, what is it? Did you forget what I look like after just a few days?”
Gu Yihan scratched his head a few times. “No, I wanted to tell you some good news, Sister. Over the past few days, Grandma, Mother, and the others have developed a good snack: white buns made from flour and glutinous rice flour.”
“They’re stuffed with meat, mushrooms, vegetables, and bean curd. They taste fantastic and sell quite well. Over the past few days, after deducting costs, we can earn one qian of silver every day.”
“The few of us have been out selling every day, and our skills are fairly polished now. The pancakes we fry are golden brown, and many customers visit us.”
Gu Qingyun arched an eyebrow. “Not bad. Keep up the good work.”
Gu Yihan suddenly reached out and rubbed her head vigorously. “Am I the brother or are you? Why do I feel like I haven't accomplished anything?”
Gu Qingyun glanced at them and laughed. “This is my affirmation of you. Right, I noticed the house seems to have changed. Is Brother Yiyun about to get married?”
Gu Yiyun was a bit embarrassed and gave a shy smile. “Mhm. Grandma said we should bring the new bride into the family before the end of the year. She says our business is slowly getting better, and if I work even harder in the future, the family will definitely get better and better.”
Gu Qingyun nodded with a smile. “That’s a good thing. The family will be even livelier from now on.”
Gu Yiyun pressed his palm to his forehead. “Qingyun, you speak with such gravity now. You don't seem like a thirteen-year-old child at all.”
Gu Qingyu and the others brought in the dishes. Hearing the conversation, they looked at Gu Yiyun and the men.
“What are you still standing there for? Bring in the dishes! Look at Xiao Guai; she’s already getting the chopsticks. You guys are so big, yet you have no situational awareness.”
The table was filled with dishes made to Gu Qingyun’s favorite tastes. Naturally, she ate heartily. After several days of eating food on the road, the food at home suited her palate much better.
To surprise her family, she brought out the rouge and fragrant balms she had bought and gave one to each of them. Seeing how happy Old Lady Zhang, Lady Zhao, and the others were, Gu Qingyun pinched Xiao Guai’s chubby little cheek and handed her two red hair ties.
“Take these, Xiao Guai. Have your mother style your hair into double buns and tie these on. You’ll definitely look beautiful.”
Xiao Guai touched the two red hair ties, her smile brilliant. “Thank you, Auntie. I’ll massage your back; you’ve worked hard, Auntie.” Her voice was soft and childish, making everyone laugh.
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