CHAPTER 2020: CHAPTER 2019: EATING AND TRAVELING TOGETHER

The luxurious horse carriage stopped not far from where Bai Ruozhu and her companions were, and beside her, Fen Jiu pouted and muttered quietly, "What a flashy carriage, like some sort of dandy."

Jiao Ling glared at him; while traveling, they should avoid trouble if possible.

At this moment, the curtains of the carriage were lifted, and a gentleman clad in dark patterned silk adorned with a fox fur cloak stepped down.

Bai Ruozhu was momentarily stunned; she had seen this person before. Wasn’t he Tong Zhengye, the one who had gifted her a gratitude gift?

She suddenly felt amused, originally thinking that he held some mysterious and unattainable status, only to find out he was merely the son of a rich merchant. Was there a need to be so arrogant?

With this thought, her impression of Tong Zhengye somewhat worsened, thinking that if he couldn’t even manage his servants, how capable could he really be?

Bai Zepei was also somewhat acquainted with Tong Zhengye and appreciated his talent, but at this moment, he wasn’t particularly eager to greet him.

"So it’s Bai brother and Lady Bai Chief Doctor here. My guards were disrespectful earlier, and I apologize on their behalf!" Tong Zhengye offered a respectful bow, cupping his hands in a gesture of politeness.

"Young master, how could you..." Following behind him, Axia’s face changed dramatically as she called out angrily.

Tong Zhengye’s slightly delicate brows furrowed as he solemnly said, "Hold your tongue, or else you’ll return to the Wudang Sect with your master. The Tong Family cannot afford you!"

Axia’s brother dared not continue to indulge his sister this time, stepping forward to pull her away, "You’ve barely mastered any martial arts, yet your temper is unbearable. You’re going back to the sect for reflection!"

"Brother, you can’t do this to me. You promised mother when she passed away that you would take good care of me, and now you’re treating your own sister like this for outsiders!" Axia cried out while struggling, and beside her, Adong’s face grew even darker.

He was against her just to side with outsiders against his own sister. Who was he doing all this for?

Perhaps it was true, as that lady said, that he was not a competent brother, spoiling his sister rotten!

Thinking of this, Adong directly tapped on Axia’s dumb acupoint, then handed her over to the guards behind him, saying, "Now, take her back to the Wudang, tell master she’s not permitted down the mountain for three years."

Axia panicked, unable to speak, she could only show a pleading expression in her eyes and shook her head vehemently at Adong. She didn’t wish to return to the mountain gate, bored beyond belief, surrounded by puritan Daoists, eating nothing but bland foods, and forced to train every day, it was torturous.

She didn’t want to stay there for a day, let alone three years.

Adong felt a sting of reluctance, after all, she was his only family. But remembering how spoiled and willful his sister was, he felt saddened and hardened his heart, "Take her away now!"

The two guards dared not delay, immediately carrying Axia away.

Adong returned to Tong Zhengye’s side, kneeling down, saying, "Young master, it was my poor guidance of my sister that caused you trouble. I apologize for the inconvenience."

Tong Zhengye, with a smile on his face, said nonchalantly, "You did not offend me, so you should apologize to Master Bai instead. I merely commented positively on the aroma, and you reacted so aggressively toward them. If you carry on like this, you may lose your life without knowing how."

Adong’s expression changed, but then he heard Tong Zhengye speak lightly, "There are at least ten people here who could take the lives of you and your sister. You’re really not aware of your limits."

Only then did Adong notice, not far away were Fen Jiu and Elder Su, both individuals with profound inner strength, their powers unseen by Adong. Even the lady roasting meat was an expert, as well as the grim-looking chief guard, both capable of defeating him.

The farther from the Capital City, the more tumultuous the River Jiang, where people are killed for wealth without any confrontation. Moreover, here was far from the village and city, and once they die, their bodies would quickly be devoured by beasts.

To traverse the River Jiang, one needs strength and vigilance; without life, how could they ever grow into an expert?

With a thud, he knelt down, knocking three times at Bai Ruozhu’s feet, "Thank you, Madam, for sparing my sister’s life."

He shouldn’t have let Axia come down the mountain; her disposition required a good few years of polishing within the sect.

Bai Ruozhu, slightly displeased, glared at Tong Zhengye, "Discipline your own people; why make me the villain? If I wanted to kill them, I wouldn’t waste time with you here."

Suddenly, Tong Zhengye began to laugh, "Lady Chief Doctor Bai is indeed as straightforward as rumored, I highly admire you, and your culinary skills are truly enviable. Might I request a piece of venison to try?"

"There’s none left," Bai Ruozhu said bluntly.

Even Bai Zepei thought Tong Zhengye might die of embarrassment. Luckily, he hadn’t touched the venison in his hand and said to Tong Zhengye, "Tong brother, here’s a piece of meat for you."

Tong Zhengye accepted it with a smile, "Thank you, Zepei. I can’t take this venison for nothing, so I’ll gift you a flask of Seven-color brew instead."

Upon hearing this, the servant hurried to the carriage and brought down a small flask of wine, handing it to Bai Zepei.

"In that case, I won’t be courteous." Bai Zepei said, removing the cork from the wine flask, releasing a fragrant aroma that even enticed Elder Su, who had been indifferent to them, to approach.

"Such good wine, let me have a cup first!" Elder Su looked eager for a drink, and beside him, Zu Mei pouted, wondering what had happened to the dignified demeanor of a Disciplinary Hall elder, reduced to nothing upon seeing wine.

Bai Zepei called for a servant to fetch a wine cup, pouring a serving for Elder Su. Elder Su took a small sip, his eyes lighting up instantly, "Good wine!"

Tong Zhengye, smiling, said, "Glad the elder enjoys it. Would you mind if I join you in eating meat and drinking wine?"

Bai Zepei glanced at Bai Ruozhu, fearing his younger sister might object. Bai Ruozhu slightly nodded since it was not Tong Zhengye who had offended her. Having accepted his wine, it wouldn’t do to appear stingy by denying him some courtesy.

"This way, Tong brother," Bai Zepei, seeing no objection from his sister, invited Tong Zhengye to sit beside him.

Soon, everyone forgot the previous unpleasantness and began eating meat and drinking wine. Unfortunately, there was too little Seven-color brew—just enough for Elder Su, Fen Jiu, and Bai Yihong, leaving the others craving.

After the meal, as Bai Ruozhu and others planned to resume their journey, Tong Zhengye cheerfully suggested, "The outskirts are fraught with dangers, and I am truly concerned. Would you mind me joining your group for added security?"

Bai Ruozhu asked Elder Su’s opinion, and after having enjoyed his wine, he naturally didn’t feel right opposing. Thus, the two groups merged and continued heading south.

Bai Ruozhu sat inside the carriage, contemplating Tong Zhengye’s situation. He appeared to be a modest gentleman, even looking somewhat frail and weak, with only a few guards by his side. Didn’t he fear encountering danger?

Yet she felt Tong Zhengye wasn’t as simple as he appeared. If his mother hadn’t died, he might have been an officer alongside her second brother. He seemed merely a year or two older than her brother, yet his literary talent was exceedingly impressive.