CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 188: THE REQUEST

Ah Hu said with a gloomy expression, "Actually, my young master is quite pitiful. He’s run into some troubles and doesn’t really want to live anymore."

"Since he himself insisted on becoming your guard, I just hope Doctor Gu, no matter what, agrees."

"Otherwise, the young master will just muddle through each day, and who knows when he might end up getting himself killed."

Yun Jiao replied helplessly, "As you can see, we are just an ordinary family and don’t really need a guard."

"Even if you don’t want wages, it’s still—"

Ah Hu interrupted Yun Jiao, "We don’t want wages. After some time, I’ll find ways to earn some money to cover food and lodging for him."

"I just hope Doctor Gu doesn’t let my young master know."

As a grown man, he put on a pitiful expression, "Doctor Gu, please, saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-storied pagoda. I beg you to save my young master."

What else could Yun Jiao say? They’re offering free labor with their food and lodging paid for. If she doesn’t accept, she must have a hole in her head.

She nodded, "Alright then, if the rain stops tomorrow, we shall leave together."

Ah Hu stood up and solemnly bowed to Yun Jiao, "Thank you, Doctor Gu."

Early the next day, the rain that had lasted two days finally stopped.

Everyone quickly packed and prepared to set off.

Lin Shuo had just finished his last dose of medicine. Seeing the carriage waiting outside the guesthouse, he hurried down as well.

The four carriages set off together.

Ah Hu, driving the first carriage, led the way.

Jiang Youzhi and the other boys rode in the last carriage.

After losing several days, the coachmen hurried their carriages faster than usual.

By afternoon, they saw the Prefecture City’s walls.

Liu Lang and Gu Chuan squeezed by the window, marveling at the city’s high walls, "These city walls are so tall!"

The carriage entered the city, and Ah Hu, familiar with the route, drove it to a guesthouse entrance. Yun Jiao lifted the curtain to see a lavishly decorated inn with exquisite red lanterns and two large stone lions at the entrance—clearly beyond her means.

She stuck her head out and said to Ah Hu, "Find a cheaper guesthouse."

Ah Hu paused, turned around and looked at Lin Shuo.

Lin Shuo said helplessly, "We need to find a cheaper guesthouse; we’ve run out of silver."

"Besides, we’re now Doctor Gu’s guards. We do as the host instructs, so why are you looking at me!"

Ah Hu chuckled and drove the carriage further.

After a while, Ah Hu found an undistinguished guesthouse.

The waiter beckoned them to bring the carriage in.

Mrs. Chen nervously asked about the lodging price as they entered. Fortunately, it was only slightly more expensive than the places they’d stayed in along the way and was barely acceptable.

Yun Jiao booked a room for the coachmen and settled their fare.

The coachmen planned to head back together early the next morning.

In the afternoon, they might stroll around the streets to see if they could pick up some work.

The family settled their luggage and went downstairs to eat.

Yun Jiao asked the waiter to stir-fry a couple of meat dishes, fry a fish, and prepare some greens.

With so many people eating, including the coachmen, there were more than a dozen.

Everyone sat at the same table, and Ah Hu, very aware of his role as a guard, kept running around arranging everything.

He sterilized bowls and washed chopsticks, more considerate than Yun Jiao herself.

Yun Jiao couldn’t help but sigh; those from respectable families are indeed different.

After the meal, Yun Jiao went to the shopkeeper, asking him to introduce a broker.