As everyone's attention was focused on the Bai family, a group of seven or eight people quietly headed towards the Liangzhe region.
The one leading them was none other than Feng Jinxu, who should have been resting at home.
Following behind him was Fu Yi, and another person was a new face sent by the Bai family.
Judging by his demeanor, he was no ordinary person. He spoke little but was extremely vigilant, and nothing that happened along the way escaped those torch-like eyes.
They were disguised as traveling merchants heading south to do some silk business.
After traveling for several days, Fu Yi had not heard Xu Lin speak more than a few words, so he couldn't help but say,
"Xu Lin, you don't need to be so tense. I've been to many places with the young master. If you act like this, you'll easily give yourself away. Relax, just pretend we're out sightseeing."
Fu Yi "instructed" him from the side, but it was like playing the lute to a cow; he still remained silent.
It was Feng Jinxu who was curious about Xu Lin's background. For some reason, he always felt that this person had been lurking in the shadows for a long time, otherwise, he wouldn't have such a heavy, obscure aura about him.
Where did his maternal grandfather find this person? He certainly didn't look like he was from the Bai family.
At noon, when the group found a warm, open space to rest, Feng Jinxu went to Xu Lin alone and said in a low voice, "Young Master."
When traveling, it was natural not to address him as "Lord Feng" repeatedly. Since he was sent by the Bai family, calling him "Young Master" was acceptable.
Feng Jinxu grunted and then handed him a piece of dried roasted beef. Xu Lin sniffed it for a moment before tearing into it with large bites, like a fierce tiger in the mountains preying on a deer, with a touch of rugged wildness.
"Are you from the army?"
Feng Jinxu's words made Xu Lin falter, but he quickly concealed it and did not answer.
"I've observed you for several days. Your senses are sharp, your martial arts are superb, but you follow orders precisely. Your arrangements for night watch duty are very orderly, and your ability to scout the terrain during the day shows you are well-trained. It's hard to believe you're not from the military."
"Young Master, what you need to know, you will know in due time."
Xu Lin replied indifferently. Although he didn't say the latter half, Feng Jinxu understood it perfectly: "What you don't need to know, just shut up and don't ask." A sharp killing intent emanated from him, which was quite intimidating. It was precisely because of this that Feng Jinxu became even more certain of his guess. With such intense killing intent, how could he have it if he hadn't fought on the battlefield?
But how did the Bai family know such a person?
His maternal grandfather had little interaction with the military. Apart from the unusual relationship between Feng Er and the Su family, their Feng family rarely associated with military families. Who was this person?
Questions swirled in his mind, but he knew it was impossible to get anything out of Xu Lin.
This trip to Liangzhe was to investigate evidence of corruption in the Directorate of Grain Transport, which was bound to be dangerous. The Bai family sending him here was likely largely to protect him.
As for the divine being behind him, perhaps the truth would be revealed after returning from the south.
He leaned next to Xu Lin, eating the flatbread with water from a copper pot, bite by bite.
Meanwhile, hundreds of miles away, the Feng Manor was seeing off Feng Jinlin, Feng Yunhe, and Yin Canwen. The three of them were returning to the academy, and they would likely not see each other again until after the spring imperial examinations.
Madam Feng was more concerned about her grandson than Feng Er. She repeatedly instructed Han Jiang, who served him closely, "You must take good care of the young master. The mountains are not like the capital. It gets bone-chillingly cold. Warm up a few more foot warmers so he doesn't sleep restlessly at night and lacks energy during the day. Did you pack enough clothes? What about bedding? Did you bring the lambskin blankets I sent? They are very warm to cover yourself with. Don't forget, and also..."
"Mother, Yunhe is going to study, not on a winter excursion. If you fuss so much, he might be laughed at by his classmates," Feng Er couldn't help but interrupt Madam Feng. "Besides, aren't I here? Yunhe will be sharing a room with me and brother Canwen. We won't let him freeze, will we?"
"You mischievous monkey, I wouldn't worry even if you went there with your chest bared, but Yunhe has just recovered from his illness, so naturally, I'm worried."
Madam Wen, standing beside them, held Feng Yunli's hand and couldn't get a word in. Fortunately, she had already finished giving instructions in the courtyard, so it was fine for her mother-in-law to say more now.
"Alas, they say a married daughter is like spilled water. I see that our grown sons are like grass by the wall, unloved and uncared for."
Feng Er's words made everyone present laugh, and the reluctance and worry dissipated in the wind. Feng Jinyao was now completely at ease with him. With the matter of marrying a princess settled, her second brother naturally had a bright future ahead of him. "I ordered three sets of excellent brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones from Beifeng Studio. They are all in the carriage. Second brother, you can distribute them as you see fit. Sister wishes you and young master Yin great success and honor to the family."
"I love hearing you say that, A'yao. Just wait, with the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones you sent, second brother will surely be on the list!"
Yin Canwen also replied enthusiastically, "Third Miss is thoughtful. Canwen will not let down everyone's expectations."
He dared not speak to her alone, fearing it might damage her reputation. Madam Feng, however, glanced at Feng Jinyao after hearing this, but she merely stood in place, smiling faintly, and did not respond.
Knowing her own daughter, she suspected it was a case of the man's affection being unrequited.
"Let's go, let's go. The earlier you go, the earlier you'll arrive. Your fourth uncle is still in the manor taking care of grandfather. If you meet the dean and other tutors, be well-behaved, understand?"
"Grandmother, don't worry. Yunhe will definitely advise uncle to study diligently."
His childish face spoke words of maturity and prudence, causing everyone to laugh again.
Hehuan, who had been serving Yunhe for a long time, felt a pang of sadness as she watched the carriage gradually disappear around the street corner.
Lamei, standing beside her, patted her shoulder in silent comfort.
"Alright, you still have work to do with Sister Xiouqiu later. If your eyes turn red, she'll ask again."
"Mm."
After seeing them off, Feng Jinyao and her group also got into a carriage and headed to the Bai Manor. Although her second brother had brought back news that her grandfather was fine, Madam Feng was still worried, so she visited the Bai Manor every day during this period.
This, in turn, gave Feng Jinyao an opportunity to learn the reason for her eldest brother's sudden departure south.
As the carriage swayed and arrived at the entrance of the Bai Manor, they saw a familiar carriage with the character "Xu" prominently displayed on the door.
A servant smiled and came to greet them. Feng Jinyao asked, "Has Sister Xu arrived?"
"Third Miss has sharp eyes. However, it's not just Miss Xu. Elder Xu and Old Madam Xu have also arrived. They are currently in Shou Kang Yuan."