Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Lingnan
Next, misfortune closely followed everyone. Occasionally, they would encounter a post station, but others would only let them stay for one night. However, hoping to spend a high price to purchase supplies was impossible.
Liu Pingkang sensed that something was amiss here. After some inquiry, he guessed that it was aimed at the Gu Family.
Yet even in such dire straits, the Gu Family, these oddities, still had some backing, leaving him unable to comment or act.
Having suffered an undeserved catastrophe without a place for redress, Liu Pingkang could only brace himself, leading everyone to keep their heads down and press on.
The team survived thus far by occasional small games or digging for wild vegetables, eventually reaching Lingnan.
"This journey was simply too arduous." Seeing Qitian Ridge ahead, Liu Pingkang knew the mission was about to be completed.
"Hurry up, walk a little faster. Starting tomorrow, you will be free." They could finally return; the weather here was so bone-dry and cold that no one could endure it.
Bai Suihe heard the commotion, lifted the curtain, and looked outside. Mountains surrounded them, with even houses rare along the way, let alone farmland, making future life in this place seem impossible.
This place relies on the mountains for sustenance, yet it was too mountainous, without even a relatively flat spot.
"Once past Qitian Ridge, it will be fine." Bai Suihe unknowingly voiced this thought. Though Gu Kaiyuan had experienced it, he knew what lay ahead was not as grim as it appeared now.
"Are we being exiled here?"
"Yes, this area is under the jurisdiction of Lin Yi, aptly named a city within the woods."
"What are the local customs like?" Knowing they might settle here for a while, Bai Suihe wanted to understand more.
"The saying ’harsh mountain and wild waters breed unruly people’ holds some truth here. Although most folks are good, many are unreasonable. It’s best not to travel alone until we’re settled in."
Gu Kaiyuan thought of some unpleasant people, wondering if he could find a new place to settle this time.
Once the pardon decree arrives, moving to Lin Yi City, instead of staying in the village, would be worthwhile.
Bai Suihe cherished her life and, being physically cumbersome now, could do nothing, making sure she was never short of people around her.
The team ahead soon grew restless. Though aware of the harsh conditions beforehand, experiencing it firsthand caused inevitable anxiety and mood swings.
"This place is too remote, surrounded by mountains. If we settle here, will we become prey to those beasts?"
"There isn’t even land here; can we sustain ourselves by relying on the mountains?"
"We are not hunters; this simply leaves us no way to live."
"His Majesty is humiliating us; it would be better to give us a swift end in the capital..."
"Do you have a death wish, speaking this way in front of these escorts?" A family member hurriedly covered the mouth of the outspoken person nearby, lest they be implicated further.
"But look at this place; can we survive here?"
"Let’s ask Mr. Liu if we’re truly being placed here. If relocation is possible..."
The person speaking lacked confidence, knowing the journey here was nothing but these mountainous regions...
Liu Pingkang paid no heed to these concerns, having already moved ahead with his people. He had to quickly hand them over to complete this assignment.
Gu Baijiang sat leisurely in the carriage. Ever since Ming Peifeng and the others showed themselves publicly, the Gu Family’s days had improved.
With Xu Shuanghong also carefully attending by the side, if not for his ruined face, he would almost feel like taking up a new post.
"Father, have we truly settled here for the future?" Gu Kaiping had been waiting for news, but as everything was settling down, he grew anxious.
"Rest assured, I inquired from Lord Ming, and news will come soon." Previously, the Third Prince had taken a main wife and also added two concubines, creating quite a bustling affair.
He was now networking with ministers in the court, trying to find a solution for them.
Recent news suggested that His Majesty’s attitude had softened, making pardon just a matter of time.
Observing the changing winds, Ming Peifeng’s treatment of him had noticeably changed in recent days, becoming more respectful and not maintaining the previous high arrogance.
"But we’re about to settle..."
"Then settle," Gu Baijiang thought it was not a significant issue. When the day of reversal comes, it would only take a word to resolve.
Riding a horse until it dies, the saying is not false. What seemed within reach took until nightfall to finally reach the city wall’s corner.
Fortunately, Liu Pingkang and the others had gone ahead; otherwise, they would not have entered the city tonight.
Seeing so many exiled criminals, the Government Official here was used to it. This area often received such exiles; those who endure become locals, and those unable to endure provide no real loss to them as long as they don’t cause trouble here; generally, no one would watch them.
"Everyone, find a place to rest first," Liu Pingkang commanded with a whip, "Tomorrow morning we will start registration, and the County Magistrate will assign you places to stay."
Entering the city, they didn’t lead them to a post station but let them each find a spot by the corner of the wall to settle down for the night.
The two escort agencies, of course, did not squeeze in with them here. They bribed the Government Official, who specially sent someone to guide them to an inn.
Gu Kaiyuan and the others mingled with them, staying at the inn.
This journey took over a month, and Bai Suihe’s belly was nearly eight months along, making movement even more difficult.
After settling them in their rooms, Gu Kaiyuan did not stay at the inn this time but returned to the city wall with Zhuang Datou and Huang Pingguo.
Upon their arrival, Liu Pingkang nodded, recognizing Gu Kaiyuan as a sensible person who knew to return and handle matters, not making things difficult for him.
With this in mind, he was willing to provide one last aid and called him to the foreman Tian Zhuang’s side, "Brother Tian, this is a pretty good brother of mine from the capital. This time his family has met with misfortune. Please take extra care here."
"Brother Gu, this is the county’s foreman. His words carry weight with the County Magistrate, so you should get along well with Brother Tian in the future."
Tian Zhuang scrutinized Gu Kaiyuan, this man taller than himself, not appearing as worn by the journey, with an aura even stronger than their Lord Xu.
Smiling, he said, "Since you’re recommended by Mr. Liu, I will indeed take extra care. If you ever need anything, feel free to come to me, and I’ll help with what I can."
Gu Kaiyuan smiled and nodded, not taking these words to heart. People always said they would help where they could, so he played along, "Thanks in advance, Lord Tian."
"No problem, no problem. Since you’re a friend of Mr. Liu, I will start processing your papers. Is there a specific place you’d like to go? As long as it’s within our county, you can choose freely."
