The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 966: Chapter 943: Prestige Amidst Chaos 11

Xiao Jin found a carriage, let Xiao Yuan and Anning sit on it, along with the children, while he, the Hui Family, and Xiao Ling walked. They traveled straight from the Ministry of Justice until they approached the city exit, where they found an inn to stay.

The inn here was cheaper because it was far from the Imperial City.

Xiao Jin felt quite stifled.

As Mr. Four of Duke Ping Mansion, he had never suffered such grievances.

He used to travel in splendor, never worrying about spending money.

But now, he had only a tight fifty silver taels, and he had to calculate carefully, ensuring that not even a cent was wasted.

Upon reaching the inn, Xiao Jin originally wanted a shared sleeping area.

But Xiao Yuan called him over: ”Lao Si, rent a courtyard.”

”Third Brother, I don’t have money here.”

Xiao Jin felt quite troubled.

Xiao Yuan then called Anning: ”Give Lao Si some money.”

Anning took out various items from her hair, sleeve pockets, and shoes.

There were several gemstones, two golden hairpins, and two small gold bars.

She handed them to Xiao Jin with a smile: ”Take these to rent a courtyard. For these three days, we should live comfortably. Also, have the waiter prepare some hot water for us to freshen up and wash away the bad luck.”

”Alright.”

With money in hand, Xiao Jin straightened his back considerably.

He put away the other items, took out one small gold bar, and approached the shopkeeper. He rented a big courtyard at the inn’s backyard and ordered for hot water and food.

Having set up the courtyard, Xiao Jin got everyone settled and then invited a doctor for Xiao Yuan and Anning.

There was medicine preparation, meal arrangements, washing—busily working until nightfall.

After Hui Family finished dining with Xiao Zhong and Xiao Keke, seeing that Xiao Jin could finally rest, she let Xiao Zhong take Xiao Keke to play and approached Xiao Jin: ”Husband, should we truly travel with Third Brother and his family?”

Xiao Jin held Hui Family’s hand: ”I’ve wronged you.”

Hui Family chuckled: ”Not wronged, but Third Brother’s illness...”

Hui Family feared Xiao Yuan wouldn’t recover, causing problems on the road.

Xiao Jin laughed, pulling Hui Family to sit down, and whispered: ”Do you think Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law are truly ill?”

Hmm?

Hui Family looked at Xiao Jin, puzzled: ”What’s going on?”

Xiao Jin smirked: ”Only now does Lord understand, Third Brother is quite shrewd. The Old Master and those in the main branch and second branch have fallen into his trap. Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law are probably not sick; they likely did this to separate their lineage.”

Hui Family grew even more confused: ”Separate lineages? The main branch has the Zhao Family’s care, and the second branch has money, why would they want to separate?”

”Nonsense about care.”

Xiao Jin cursed: ”If the Zhao Family were sincerely caring, how could they only send stewards and servants? None of their masters showed up today, likely afraid of getting entangled, yet they couldn’t say no, hence just sent some silver coins. This in the Capital, their behavior is thus; when in Southern Yi where the Emperor is far, do you think the Zhao Family would care? Impossible.”

Hui Family pondered over this and couldn’t help but nod: ”Lord is right.”

Xiao Jin analyzed further for Hui Family: ”In the Capital, we are not troubled. The trouble lies on the road and how we live upon reaching Southern Yi. The main and second branches act in such ways; do you think they will manage when reaching Southern Yi? They might still try being pompous, and by then, we’ll see it clearly. But the third branch is different. Third Brother has his plans, and Third Sister-in-law grew up in the countryside. When it comes to farming, none of us collectively compare to Third Sister-in-law. When we reach Southern Yi, the third branch will live the best. Lao Liu is still young but genuine, and if we care for him now, he will be a help in the future. I’ve thought it through; it’s more stable for us to be with the third branch and Lao Liu than with the Eldest, besides, I disdain interactions with the main and second branches, even if there are enormous benefits.”

Hui Family also disliked the conduct of those two branches.

She rather liked Anning and was fond of the third branch’s children.

”If Lord has decided, I’ll follow Lord’s lead.”

Xiao Jin admired this trait of Hui Family, sharing a unified thinking, where both put their combined efforts into action. He hugged Hui Family with a smile: ”Rest assured, wherever we go, Lord will not let you be wronged.”

Hui Family smiled, handing the hidden items to Xiao Jin.

She indeed had hidden some things, including silver notes, along with some gemstones and gold bars.

Xiao Jin thought of the items Anning hid, and now these from Hui Family, he couldn’t help but laugh: ”Women are meticulous, all knowing to hide things, Third Sister-in-law hid quite a lot too.”

He weighed the items in his hand: ”These exchanged for money, are enough for our travel expenses to Southern Yi.”

He barely finished speaking when Xiao Ying’s voice was heard outside the door: ”Fourth Uncle, my dad wants you to come over.”

Xiao Jin stood up and went out.

When he reached the courtyard, he saw Xiao Ling had also come.

The brothers led Xiao Ying to the three-room apartment east of the main house where the third branch lived.

The three-room apartment was divided, with the easternmost room being the largest, partitioned into two sections with a screen between. The outer section had tables and chairs, while the inside housed the bed.

This was likely the room where Xiao Yuan and Anning stayed.

Currently, Xiao Yuan was seated in the chair in the outer section, with some snacks and tea on the table.

Seeing Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling arrive, Xiao Yuan spoke: ”Sit down; I asked you here to discuss some matters.”

Xiao Ling sat down and poured himself a cup of tea, gulping it down.

Xiao Jin nibbled on snacks slowly: ”Third Brother, speak your mind; we’re listening.”

Xiao Yuan chuckled: ”I was thinking, we need to buy two carriages; the journey from the Capital to Southern Yi is far. Walking on foot won’t do, especially since we have women and children. Us men enduring a bit is fine, but women and children can’t bear it.”

Xiao Jin put down the snack, clapped his hands: ”Indeed, carriages should be bought. Tomorrow, I will go out with Sixth Brother to look around for suitable ones.”

Xiao Yuan continued: ”At least three carriages; two for people and one for goods. We will inevitably encounter stretches with no villages or shops along the way, and we need food and drink, a place to sleep.”

That sounded right; Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling both nodded.

Xiao Ling pondered and said: ”Before leaving the Capital, it’s best if we buy some things to bring along, such as food, drinks, and things for women and children.”

”You two take care of this.”

Xiao Yuan tapped his index and middle fingers on the table: ”Is there enough money?”

Xiao Jin thought for a moment: ”There’s enough, but after buying these items, I fear we might run into difficulties without money on the road...”

Xiao Yuan responded: ”Don’t worry about this; you buy the items first, and I’ll find a way to ensure you all have a home in Southern Yi.”

Excited, Xiao Jin looked at Xiao Yuan: ”Third Brother, did you stash some money?”

Xiao Ling’s eyes also gleamed, eagerly watching Xiao Yuan, hoping for some truth from him.

Xiao Yuan didn’t hide anything.

He rose, went to the inner room, and brought out a bundle.

Xiao Ling exclaimed in surprise: ”Isn’t this the bundle Ying Ge’er’s been carrying all along?”

Xiao Yuan nodded, placed the bundle on the table, and opened it, revealing wooden plaques within.

”This...”

Xiao Ling became even more baffled.

Xiao Yuan dismantled the base of one wooden plaque, knocking it on the table until a gold piece fell out.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Ling both jumped in shock, and Xiao Ling picked up the gold piece, biting it: ”Real gold.”

”Third Brother, this...”

Xiao Jin was genuinely excited and speechless; he had been worried about not having enough money, and Xiao Yuan had produced such a stash of gold.

Xiao Yuan sat down and whispered: ”Eldest Brother was too flashy, having dealings with the deposed Crown Prince beforehand. I feared our family might face an autumn reckoning, so I prepared early. These plaques look old, as if they’ve been around for many years, but they are actually artificially aged, hollow within, filled with gold. During the house raid, I specifically instructed Ying Ge’er to hold onto them, no matter what. He carried them all the way into and out of prison, as those people regarded them as family heirlooms, so no one bothered them. As a result, the gold was preserved.”

Xiao Yuan spoke as he opened all the plaques, pouring out all the gold hidden inside.

The amount was significant, filling the table abundantly.

”These are enough for us to live on.”

Xiao Jin held the gold, so overjoyed he could barely speak: ”Third Brother, your foresight is amazing.”

Xiao Ling was equally elated.

He realized that choosing to travel with Third and Fourth Brothers was the right decision.