Chapter 36
Late at night, Li Xia changed her clothes and climbed out the window, leaving Liuzhou City. Outside the city, Tian Jiu was waiting for Li Xia.
"You haven't left yet?" The man in black had resolved his matter. Li Xia also had no intention of restricting Tian Jiu's personal freedom.
"Where can a wanted man like me go?" Tian Jiu rolled his eyes. He wanted to leave but couldn't.
"Don't leave, let's team up as bounty hunters," said Li Xia, taking out a few wanted posters from her pocket. Looking at the abstract sketches on the posters, she couldn't help but sneer. "The drawings are so abstract, you wouldn't recognize the real person even if they were standing in front of you."
Tian Jiu looked curiously at Li Xia, "The young lady from the governor's family is short on money?"
"As the governor's lesser daughter, my monthly allowance is no more than two taels of silver," Li Xia said casually as she read the descriptions on the posters.
Tian Jiu appraised Li Xia. Based on her skills, if he said she was an old demon from the deep mountains, no one would doubt it. But if he said she was the governor's lesser daughter, no one would believe that.
Although Tian Jiu's appraising gaze was subtle, Li Xia still sensed it. She took her eyes off the wanted posters and glanced at Tian Jiu. Feeling Li Xia's indifferent gaze on him, Tian Jiu shuddered, "Catching thieves for bounties won't make much money. Let me find us a way to get rich."
"I won't become an assassin," Li Xia said. In her previous life, she had killed too many living beings and didn't enjoy killing in this life.
"No killing, just robbery," Tian Jiu snorted twice, as if he enjoyed being an assassin. If he had a choice, who would willingly walk this path of no return?
"Robbery, rob the rich to help the poor? No way, my father is the governor," Li Xia said, which Tian Jiu didn't believe at all. But he also didn't plan to rob the rich and help the poor.
"Prince YongKang is rebelling, and some mountain bandits have recently taken up camp in the hills outside Liuzhou City. Let's go take some of their money and valuables," Tian Jiu suggested.
Li Xia agreed, "Sounds good. Lead the way."
Tian Jiu led the way, and Li Xia followed. Along the way, Tian Jiu tried his best to run ahead, wanting to leave Li Xia behind. But unexpectedly, Li Xia always maintained a leisurely pace about three meters behind him. Realizing he couldn't shake her off, Tian Jiu gave up.
They arrived smoothly at the bandits' den, disappointing Li Xia, who had high expectations. These bandits were too careless, with no lookouts posted along the way. How could such bandits have anything good?
"This group of bandits just robbed a wealthy merchant today. That merchant was carrying ten chests of gold, silver, and jewels," Tian Jiu explained to Li Xia.
"Were you at the scene of the robbery?" Li Xia asked rhetorically, her tone suggesting she was sure he was.
"Let's go in," Tian Jiu said, avoiding her question and leading the way. Seeing how familiar Tian Jiu was with the place, Li Xia guessed he had already scoped it out.
The two entered the bandits' warehouse without alerting anyone. The floor was covered with chests full of gold, silver, jade, antiques, and more. Li Xia was pleased - these bandits were wealthy.
Tian Jiu had already opened some chests and taken out the platinum and silver. At the bottom of each chest were a few books, then a layer of gold and silver on top to conceal the valuables. He was clearly an experienced hand.
Tian Jiu loaded the gold, silver, and jewelry into a bag and slung it over his back. As he stood up, he saw Li Xia staring at him. "Aren't you going to take anything? What are you standing around for?"
Li Xia looked at the bag on Tian Jiu's back with disdain. "Is that all you're taking from this trip?"
"One can't be too greedy," Tian Jiu said, though Li Xia didn't believe him at all.
"The merchant was robbed today, so he'll definitely report it to Liuzhou. With my father's capabilities, he'll lead a team to suppress the bandits no later than the day after tomorrow," Li Xia said, looking around the warehouse.
Tian Jiu looked at Li Xia without comprehending, waiting for her to continue.
"So we'll come back tomorrow night to take the silver," Li Xia said before leaving. Tian Jiu looked at Li Xia as she departed, then at the gold and silver in the warehouse. He slung the bag over his back and followed her out. They returned along the same route to a secluded area of the governor's compound wall within the city. Tian Jiu looked at Li Xia, "I'm leaving."
Li Xia nodded.
"Aren't you going to be reluctant to see me go?" Tian Jiu asked Li Xia, who showed no sentiment, unlike other women.
"Why would I be reluctant?" Li Xia's words made Tian Jiu snort before turning to leave. After three steps, he heard Li Xia say, "Don't die."
Tian Jiu smiled, tightened the bag of money, and strode away.
Li Xia returned to her room, changed her clothes, and quickly fell asleep. She woke up and followed Auntie Mei to pay respects to Mrs. Lu.
Mrs. Lu and Li Xin were sitting together chatting. Seeing the two enter, Mrs. Lu waved for them to sit. With no outsiders present, she didn't bother with formalities.
Auntie Mei and Li Xia sat down after a brief courtesy. Just as Li Xin was about to speak with Li Xia, they heard a maid announce that Auntie An had arrived. Li Xin stopped and gave Li Xia a "we'll talk later" look.
Auntie An hurried in with a smug look on her face. "Paying respects to the lady of the house," she said.
"Sit," Mrs. Lu glanced at the smug Auntie An and couldn't be bothered to acknowledge her further, simply instructing her to sit and have tea.
Aunt Wang came last with Li Shan and Li Yao. Although Aunt Wang had applied makeup, her haggard expression from Li Yao's recent illness couldn't be concealed. Li Yao, carried by his nursemaid, looked over at Auntie Mei and Li Xia. In his previous life, they had treated him well, and he missed them dearly, wishing he could run over and hug Auntie Mei right away. But now he couldn't do or say anything.
Li Xia noticed the gaze fixed on her and Auntie Mei. With a sidelong glance, she was surprised to see it was Li Yao lying in the nursemaid's arms. This little brat's eyes held an expression unsuitable for a one-year-old child.
Li Yao's eyes conveyed longing, guilt, respect, and more. This little brat must have memories from a previous life or had been reborn. Li Xia pondered this and thought to take this opportunity to probe the little brat. As she considered this, she heard Mrs. Lu slam her hand on the table and say sternly, "Enough!"
Li Xia refocused her attention on Mrs. Lu, whose expression was grim as she looked at Auntie An. Auntie An had turned pale, while Aunt Wang's eyes held an amused look. It seemed Auntie An had said something foolish again.
Li Xia then heard Mrs. Lu say, "The second and third young masters have exams coming up. As their birth mother, you will stay in your room and copy sutras to pray for their success." Mrs. Lu's words made Auntie An's face turn even paler. Aunt Wang couldn't help but laugh.
Mrs. Lu glanced at Aunt Wang and continued, "Aunt Wang, if you can't properly take care of the fourth young master and he falls ill again, just bring him to my courtyard." Mrs. Lu's words drained the color from Aunt Wang's face.
"My lady, this servant will take good care of the fourth young master," Aunt Wang said hastily, not wanting to give up her son whom she had labored to bear. Li Yao looked up at Mrs. Lu's dignified countenance and recalled how furious she had been in his previous life when she learned he had helped Li Shan sabotage Li Xia's marriage prospects. It wouldn't be so bad to be raised by Mrs. Lu.
"Go take care of the fourth young master properly," Mrs. Lu said, allowing Aunt Wang to leave, relieved.
After reprimanding Auntie An and Aunt Wang, Mrs. Lu dismissed everyone. Li Xia followed Auntie Mei, offered a brief courtesy, and took her leave. On the way back, Dan Qing waited along the path. Seeing Auntie Mei and Li Xia, she curtsied. "Auntie Mei, the eldest young lady requests that the second young lady join her at the Elegant Refinement Pavilion for a short visit."
Auntie Mei looked at Li Xia. "Go ahead, and don't cause trouble for the eldest young lady."
Li Xia nodded and made her way to the Elegant Refinement Pavilion. Inside the resting area, Li Xin was lounging on a daybed, reading a book. Seeing Li Xia enter, she waved her over. Once Li Xia was seated, Li Xin took out a small bag. "Wang Lan asked me to give this to you."
"Who is Wang Lan?" Li Xia didn't recall that name.
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