Chapter 496 - 496: So-called Oath

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Country Lord Ning waved at him. Mr. Yang leaned over and whispered in his ear, “I still have some treasures hidden. As long as you take them and help me organize them, I don’t ask for anything else. I only ask that they exile me to a better place. As long as you help me settle it, I’ll tell you the treasures hidden elsewhere. ”

Mr. Yang lowered his head and swore in a low voice, “Madam, don’t worry. I’ll definitely do my best to help you settle it. If I violate the heavens, I’ll be struck by lightning.”

Country Lord Ning nodded in satisfaction. “I hid a packet of golden leaves in the flower bed planted with epiphyllum in the corner of the courtyard. I’ll tell you when the other treasures are done. Come and see me.”

Mr. Yang’s heart was hot from the words “golden leaves”. His voice was filled with anticipation. “Madam, I will definitely do my best.”

Country Lord Ning looked at Mr. Yang in relief and said gratefully, “Thank you, sir.”

The warden shouted softly, “Let’s go quickly. The patrol is here.”

“Madam, wait for my good news.”

After Mr. Yang came out of the prison, he patted the dust off his body and looked at the sky, feeling that everything was so beautiful.

He went to the restaurant for dinner with a smile and slowly walked towards General Street.

When he arrived at General Street, he found a corner near Country Lord Ning’s residence and stayed there until midnight. He climbed over the wall and entered the Country Lord Ning’s residence. In the flower bed where the epiphyllum was planted, he dug up the small bag that Country Lord Ning had mentioned. When he opened it, he saw that it was filled with golden leaves.

Mr. Yang’s hands trembled uncontrollably as he hugged his bag to his chest. The smile in his eyes was almost overflowing.

“I should be satisfied with this bag after giving up more than ten taels of silver.

Madam, please wait patiently!”

Mr. Yang carefully tied his bag to his body and climbed over the wall to disappear into the night.

The three members of the Zhang family slept soundly in the inn. The next morning, they woke up and waited for more than two hours, but they did not see Mr. Yang.

Zhang Defa felt that something was wrong and went downstairs to ask the shopkeeper about Mr. Yang.

The shopkeeper glanced at him. “That gentleman hasn’t been back since he left. Do you still want to stay tonight, sir?”

Zhang Defa panicked. “Shopkeeper, Mr. Yang will definitely be back before noon.”

The shopkeeper nodded. “Alright, I’ll wait until noon. If that gentleman doesn’t come, you’ll have to check out if you don’t want to stay.”

Zhang Defa nodded and took out a few copper coins to buy a few steamed buns. He walked towards the guest room upstairs. Chen Zhaodi saw him carrying a few steamed buns upstairs. “Husband, Mr. Yang isn’t here yet?”

“Yes! The shopkeeper said that Mr. Yang has never returned and asked us to renew the room fee before noon. Otherwise, he’ll chase us out,” Zhang Defa said with a frown.

Chen Zhaodi held the steamed bun and looked at Zhang Defa helplessly. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Logically speaking, they’ve spent so much effort and money. They won’t leave us here.”

“What happened?” Zhang Guisheng came in from outside the house and looked at the two of them. “Mr. Yang isn’t back yet?”

Chen Zhaodi took a steamed bun and handed it to Zhang Guisheng. “Your father and I are talking about this!”

“Mr. Yang hasn’t been home for so long. He might have been delayed by something. He should be here after we finish eating.”

Zhang Defa took a hard bite of the steamed bun. “I still don’t think Mr. Yang will bring us to the capital and leave us here.”

Zhang Guisheng smiled and said, “That’s right! After we eat, we’ll go out for a walk when Mr. Yang comes.”

The family of three finished their steamed buns and stood at the window for a while longer, watching the endless stream of people on the street. It was almost noon, but there was still no sign of Mr. Yang.

The inn assistant stood at the door and smiled politely.

Zhang Defa hesitated for a moment. He looked at the shop assistant and asked,

“Little brother, is there a large bunk?”

The shop assistant’s smile froze. “There’s only one in North City. Go to there and take a look.”

Zhang Defa’s heart turned cold. “Thank you, little brother. Let us pack up and check out.”

The family stood on the bustling streets of the capital with a big bag on their shoulders. No one knew which direction they were going.

Zhang Guisheng looked at his parents and still did not believe that Mr. Yang would joke with them like this. He pointed at the corner of the inn optimistically and said to the two of them, “Father, Mother, let’s go sit there and wait. If we go far, it will be troublesome if Mr. Yang can’t find us when he comes.”

The old couple nodded and sat down at the corner of the street eaves.

The family was worried. When it was almost dark, they still did not see Mr.

Yang.

Zhang Defa looked at the sky and touched the only two pieces of silver in his pocket. He frowned and discussed with Zhang Guisheng, “Guisheng, I think Mr. Yang is most likely not going to pick us up. I think we should find a place to stay for the night before it gets dark and wait for tomorrow.”

Zhang Guisheng refused flatly. “I’m not leaving. I want to wait for Mr. Yang to bring me to the physician.”

Chen Zhaodi threw her bag to the bottom with a bang. “How can there be such a person who brought us from Tongzhou to the capital and left us here?”

Zhang Defa recalled everything from beginning to end and felt that no one would spend so much effort to harm his family.

“No, we can’t wait like this. I’ll ask the innkeeper.”

“Father, I’ll go with you.” Zhang Guisheng got up and followed Zhang Defa to the inn.

Zhang Defa omitted Li Yu’s family and told the shopkeeper about Mr. Yang bringing their family from Tongzhou to the capital.

When the shopkeeper heard this, he felt that he had never heard of what the Zhang family had encountered. He glanced at Zhang Defa and felt that his family did not seem to be loyal and honest.

He thought to himself, “There’s nothing to gain from a family that can’t even afford an inn. Why did they spend so much effort to trick you from Tongzhou to the capital? This family must not be telling the truth.”

He didn’t want to say much about such dishonest people. He smiled faintly and said, “Sir, I don’t know many people with the surname Yang in the capital. I advise you to find a place to settle down. There are soldiers patrolling the streets at night. If you get caught, you’ll be sent to jail.”

Zhang Guisheng thought for a moment and asked, “Shopkeeper, may I ask where the Assistant Minister of Revenue, Lord Zhou, lives on East Street? We’re from the same village.”

The innkeeper shook his head. “There’s a large area on East Street. The people living there are all influential people. I’m just a small innkeeper. How would I know where the Assistant Minister of Revenue lives? Guest, go there and ask tomorrow.”

“Thank you, shopkeeper.” Zhang Guisheng cupped his hands and thanked the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper watched as Zhang Guisheng limped out. He thought for a moment and said, “Sir, you’re from Tongzhou. You can go to the Tongzhou

Guild Hall to stay.”

Zhang Defa turned around and thanked him. “Thank you so much, Shopkeeper.

Please tell Mr. Yang that we’re going to the Tongzhou Guild Hall.”

The shopkeeper nodded and watched the father and son walk out.

Zhang Defa’s family went to the Tongzhou Guild Hall. Seeing that it was indeed cheap to stay here, they calculated the silver in their pockets and rented a common bed to stay in.