Chapter Thirty-Two: Setting Sail (Part Two)

Near noon, on the northern city wall of Yuezhou, a tall, middle-aged man in battle armor stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the commoners passing through the gates below.

"My Lord!"

A subordinate soon hurried up the ramparts and knelt on one knee before him. The man was none other than Yang Xun, the garrison commander of Yuezhou.

"What is the situation?" Yang Xun asked, not turning his head.

"The Qin family’s Xiangyun brocade has been loaded onto the ships. The three merchant vessels have set sail, and the young master of the Qin family is on board."

"And what of Lin You and Li Wei?"

"Both appeared at the harbor. Once the Qin merchant ships departed, they returned to the prefectural government office."

"What about Naval Commandant Zhang Pengyuan?"

"Commandant Zhang has not been home since yesterday afternoon, and he did not appear at the harbor this morning."

A cold smirk played on Yang Xun’s lips. "Any new developments regarding the naval fleet led by Admiral Chu or the merchant ships led by the Qin family steward?"

"They set out yesterday, heading south, and anchored at the same port last night," the subordinate reported. "It was too late, and the port was heavily guarded, so our men could not get close. However, early this morning, of the five merchant ships led by the Qin steward, only the family's own vessel continued south. The other four turned back north. Judging by the depth of their waterlines, they are heavily laden. Furthermore, since early this morning, neither Admiral Chu nor the Qin steward has been seen on their respective ships."

"This lad... he actually had such a plan," Yang Xun remarked, his expression showing genuine surprise. "Where is the young master of the Cao family?"

"Still at the Yunlong Restaurant. He has been recovering from his injuries there for the past few days, never stepping outside."

"Keep a close watch. If there is any movement, report it immediately."

"Understood!"

*If this reaches His Excellency's ears, he will surely be astonished,* Yang Xun thought to himself. *Could this young master of the Qin family be the legendary wolf in sheep's clothing?* A smile touched his face. *But that is fine. It is a great blessing for His Excellency and the Qin family.* Yet, as his thoughts deepened, his expression grew heavy. *It is only a pity for Brother Qin.*

The "His Excellency" Yang Xun referred to was not the current Right Prime Minister, Cao Renjie, but the Left Prime Minister, Qin Zhong. Despite the Yuezhou Yang family’s long-standing coldness toward the Qin family, they were, in truth, Qin Zhong’s men. Neither Qin Zhong nor Yang Xun had anticipated that Cao Renjie would collude with river pirates. By the time they realized it, it was too late; Qin Yuanhuai, who had sailed north with the brocade, had perished at the hands of those pirates.

As Yang Xun pondered this, a carriage arrived at the city gate and was stopped for inspection. The sergeant in charge glanced inside, his expression flickering with surprise, before he instinctively looked up at Yang Xun on the wall.

"Lady Lin? Miss Lin?" Yang Xun’s expression shifted instantly as he recognized them.

"Where are they heading?" the sergeant asked, his voice maintaining a facade of normalcy.

"It is a fine day, so I am taking my mother out for an excursion," replied Lin Wanqing, sitting inside the carriage. Her mother, Madam Zhang, echoed her quickly.

Their performance was clumsy, and the sergeant, noting their belongings, looked up at Yang Xun for guidance. After a moment’s hesitation, Yang Xun gave a subtle shake of his head.

"Miss Lin, Madam Lin, you may proceed," the sergeant said with a forced smile.

"Thank you," Lin Wanqing replied, exhaling in relief as the carriage slowly rolled out of Yuezhou.

"My Lord," the sergeant approached Yang Xun immediately after. "Were they really going for an excursion?"

"No," Yang Xun replied, watching the carriage fade into the distance.

"It looked more like they were fleeing," the sergeant noted.

"Let it be," Yang Xun said. "If anyone asks, they were merely out for an excursion."

"Understood."

*Everything seems to have exceeded His Excellency’s expectations,* Yang Xun mused to himself. *But the outcome remains unchanged, and many things no longer require our direct intervention. Qin Song, you might owe me a favor today. After all, you are still betrothed to the Lin girl.* He couldn't help but laugh, though a moment later, he looked toward the northwest, his expression softening. *By my calculations, the brat should have left Jiangnan Commandery by now.*

*I wonder when we shall meet again,* he thought, his eyes filled with lingering affection and melancholy. *Brat, since you have made your choice, go forward with courage. My son is certainly no less capable than anyone else’s.*

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Lin Wanqing looked back at the shrinking city of Yuezhou and let out a long breath. Having escaped that den of monsters and everything she detested, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

"Wanqing, where are we going now?" her mother asked, trembling with anxiety.

"Mother, the world is vast; surely there is a place for us," Lin Wanqing replied, her eyes bright with the prospect of a new life. "Besides, we have enough wealth to last several lifetimes. Are you still thinking of Father? He would have cast you aside just to marry another for the sake of his career!"

"I am not... I just feel a bit of regret," Madam Zhang said, tears welling in her eyes. "Wanqing, what about the young master of the Qin family..."

"Mother, why bring him up? We never had any relationship to begin with!"

"But you were betrothed..."

"What of it? The world is wide; we will never see him again. In time, that betrothal will be forgotten, and the Qin family will find him someone else." As she spoke, however, she could not help but recall the day Qin Song had beaten Cao Ruixuan to a pulp before the entire city, breaking his legs to seek justice for two courtesans.

Lin Wanqing shook her head vigorously, casting the thought aside. *From this moment on, the old Lin Wanqing is dead. The past has nothing to do with me. Forget everything, and embrace a new life. Yes, that is right.* She sat in the carriage, her face set, her fists clenched, bracing for the future.