Chapter 232: Sending Someone Back Home
Chapter 232: Sending Someone Back Home
"What's going on?"
Seeing the old steward suddenly running over, looking disheveled, even Li Wa couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. Considering he was a member of Xiangjiao's household, she decided to offer him some food.
However, before he could finish a bowl of rice, he saw Mazige and began kowtowing and crying. He even went into the inner courtyard to talk, which piqued everyone's curiosity.
"Manager, please listen to me," the old steward said, his face twisted in anguish, as he spoke in a hushed tone. "I have something to say, but I'm afraid it might be unwelcome. As a steward, I know many things related to the master's household, but I couldn't say anything, even if I wanted to."
Hu Ma raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You're saying this, but why did you bring me here just to tell me this?"
The old steward sighed, his expression worried. "I want to tell you, Manager, that Miss Li is the only daughter of the Li family, but the Li family's situation is far more complicated than outsiders can imagine."
"The Li family has been guarding the Ghost Cave for generations, which is a huge responsibility. However, this also means they can't focus too much on worldly affairs."
"Our master is kind-hearted and loves Miss Li dearly, but..."
He paused, his expression clearly troubled. "As someone who has lived for many years, I can see that something is off. When Miss Li was kidnapped, it was right under my nose. And now, despite being a member of the Li family, she's been detained and can't return home."
Hu Ma's expression turned serious. "So, you think Miss Li's disappearance is not a coincidence?"
The old steward nodded vigorously. "There must be something fishy going on, and it's possible that someone related to the Li family is involved."
Hu Ma nodded thoughtfully. "I see. So, you think the letter I sent earlier should have reached the Li family?"
The old steward nodded again. "The letter should have arrived."
"But the one who received it wasn't the master?"
The old steward sighed. "As the master of the Li family, he has to guard the Ghost Cave and control the three valleys. External matters are handled by others, so a letter from the outside would have to pass through several hands before reaching him."
Hu Ma nodded slowly, understanding the old steward's intentions. "So, you're saying that instead of sending another letter, which might cause more trouble, it's better to send Miss Li back home directly?"
The old steward's expression turned solemn. "If someone has indeed plotted against me and kidnapped Miss Li, and then used underhanded methods to detain her after receiving the letter, then their intentions must be malicious."
"Miss Li is fortunate to have met someone as kind-hearted as you, Manager. She's lucky to have preserved her life and innocence."
The old steward's voice trembled. "I'm both happy and afraid. Happy that we've found Miss Li, but afraid of what might happen next."
Hu Ma furrowed his brow. "Why not just hire a escort service?"
The old steward's expression turned bitter. "Their abilities are limited, and I don't trust anyone right now. I don't know who might be plotting against my family, so I don't dare seek help from anyone, not even old acquaintances. That's why I've come to you, Manager."
Hu Ma seemed to be considering the old steward's words. "I understand what you're saying, but..."
He trailed off, looking uncertain.
The old steward's expression turned resolute. "Manager, please look at this."
He handed Hu Ma a copper coin with blood on it.
(End of Chapter)Hu Ma hesitated slightly and said, "This is..."
"Substitute life copper coin."
The old steward seemed to have made up his mind, and said in a low voice, "The Li family's secret methods are profound, and outsiders can't imagine them. They have always been generous and sincere in their dealings with people."
"This copper coin is actually what Master Li gave me when I first entered the Li family as a slave."
"I also know that I've been troubling you time and time again, and it's really too much. If I don't show some sincerity, it would be too presumptuous. So I've taken out this copper coin from my body, first to prove my identity, and second..."
He steeled himself and said, "With this copper coin, no matter what we encounter, whether it's a vengeful spirit, a demonic spirit, or a malevolent entity, we can use it to substitute our lives once."
"In other words, this is the life-saving money I received when I entered the Li family."
"In the Cao Shi Tang, I couldn't take it out because the people of the Si Men school of thought dislike such things the most. But now that I'm facing you, sir, I won't hide it anymore."
"Regardless of whether you agree to help or not, I'll leave this copper coin here as a pledge."
"..."
"You..."
Hu Ma looked at the copper coin in surprise.
The old steward was really anxious, and if he didn't take something out, he would have agreed to help already...
"Alright, alright."
Hu Ma waved his hand and sighed, "Old sir, please put it away."
"I have to say, when I paid the diagnostic fee that day, I've been feeling uneasy in my heart. What you said is very kind, but what if something unexpected happens to you, and my future is ruined?"
"So, when you said you wanted to send Xiang Niang back home, although it's a difficult task, for me, it's actually a good opportunity to observe, and my unease in my heart will be alleviated a bit."
"But from Mingzhou to Anzhou, it's not a short journey."
"Our trip will be difficult, so before we set off, you have to agree to a few conditions."
"..."
The old steward listened to Hu Ma's words and repeatedly said, "Please, sir, give the order."
Hu Ma thought for a moment and said, "Firstly, I can send Xiang Niang back, but if you're suspicious of ghosts, I'll be suspicious of ghosts too. You don't trust others, and I don't trust you either..."
"So, on this journey, we'll have to listen to me in all matters, big or small."
"..."
The old steward immediately nodded, and the more hesitant Hu Ma was, the more he believed that Hu Ma was not involved.
"Secondly..."
Hu Ma said, "If there's a problem, and I ask you about the Li family's affairs, especially if it's related to their grudges, you can't hide it from me. Otherwise, we won't know where the trouble comes from."
The old steward hesitated slightly and nodded, "Yes, it's all for Miss Xiang's safety. If I say something I shouldn't, I'm sure Master Li won't blame me."
Hu Ma nodded and said, "Thirdly, I can send Xiang Niang back to Anzhou, but on this journey, we have to keep a low profile and not reveal our identities. If not, to avoid trouble, we might as well let Xiang Niang sleep in a coffin."
"Don't worry, since she's not eating or drinking, and not moving, sleeping in a coffin with a pre-drilled air hole, and we'll disguise ourselves as coffin bearers, wouldn't that be more convenient?"
"..."
"Ah?"
The old steward was surprised, but after Hu Ma explained, he felt relieved.
As a former opera performer, he didn't have much experience in the Jianghu, but he knew that this was the safest way.
He just couldn't mention it himself as a steward.
Seeing that the old steward had agreed to all his conditions, Hu Ma finally put his mind at ease and planned again.
That day, he left the old steward to rest at the manor and the next morning, he sent Zhou Datong and Zhao Zhu to accompany him to the city's Cao Xin Tang to pick up Xiang Niang.
He also arranged for Zhou Liang to go to the city to find a mule team and ask them to draw a route, indicating where it was safe and where it was dangerous, where to go, and where to rest.
Later, he went to the town to buy a coffin for Xiang Niang.
However, the final
Chapter end
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