Bai He twitched the corner of his mouth, having no desire to get acquainted with her.

He circled around her, beginning the routine interrogation.

"Name and birthplace?"

Qin Yao wouldn’t ignore the necessary act, and obediently bowed, "Lord, this humble woman is named Qin Yao, from Liu Family Village in Kaiyang County in Zijing Mansion."

"Where are you heading? What for?"

Qin Yao: "Lord, my husband is a scholar. To allow my husband to prepare calmly for the spring examination next year, I plan to enter the Capital early for preparations."

"Is that so?" Bai He sneered coldly, suddenly drawing his sword and pointing it straight at Qin Yao, "Speak truthfully! Why exactly are you going to the Capital?!"

Liu Ji murmured that it was over, exposed. His rationality told him to keep out of it, as this wicked woman was surely capable of handling it.

However, his true feelings came out, nearly making him rush out, only for Ah Wang to hold him back and whisper, "Master, don’t be impulsive, trust Madam."

Liu Ji didn’t resist but nodded in agreement, "I know, I know, Ah Wang, you have to control my body, it doesn’t quite listen to my brain now, understand?"

Ah Wang: "..." He understood.

"Lord, this must be a misunderstanding!"

Qin Feng hurriedly stepped out, unable to stand by as his sister had a sword pointed at her, while he stood aside as if it had nothing to do with him.

Bai He frowned, casting Qin Feng a glance, prompting him to bow respectfully, "I’m Qin Feng, Boss of the Northwest Qin Family Trading Company, having some connections with Lord Guo from the Ministry of Revenue in the Capital. Qin Yao is my sister, mischievous since childhood, fond of swords and bows, but only with some trivial skills that may amuse you."

Trivial skills?

Bai He glanced at the woman, calmly holding her ground with a sword at her throat, without batting an eye — is she someone with mere trivial skills?

"This journey, I’ve brought along my sister’s family to the Capital, together daily, all others can testify, so I stake my life and the reputation of the entire company on my sister’s character, she is definitely not a criminal wanted by the court, I hope Lord discerns!"

Qin Feng bowed deeply again, secretly signaling to Uncle Qi.

Uncle Qi understood, approached the guards with a smile, secretly handing each a round, heavy silver coin.

The guards’ eyes lit up, all glancing towards Bai He.

Bai He’s expression hardened, the guards’ faces changed, throwing the coins back to Uncle Qi as though they were hot potatoes — crashing back into his arms, their eyes fierce, on the verge of acting out.

Qin Yao sensed trouble, losing patience with Bai He’s indecisiveness, suddenly raised her hand, pinching the sword tip at her throat and fiercely pushed it towards Bai He!

"Lord He—"

Her lips barely parted, her voice wasn’t loud, yet it entered Bai He’s ears like a sudden drumbeat close to him, catching him off guard, stopping his heart with its intensity.

Coupled with the overwhelming force sent through the sword hilt, Bai He was terrified; this rude countrywoman was acting out again!

He quickly summoned all his strength to resist the raging force, his face contorted from exertion, looking quite menacing.

The guards remained unsure of the specifics but watching their Lord struggling, warily eyed Qin Yao who, with finger pinching the sword, forced Bai He into a half-step retreat.

Qin Yao’s eyes narrowed, with Bai He exerting fully, whereas she seemed unfazed, smiling:

"Lord, my brother means well, why make things difficult for your men? It’s late, tagging along after you, shouldn’t they be treated to a decent meal?!"

These words changed the guards’ expressions again, emotions of grievance, resentment, and reluctance flashed through their eyes.

Despite their impressive attire, once shed, they were no better than ordinary folks.

With a disciplined leader, the subordinates naturally lost opportunities for profit, harboring some grievances was inevitable.

Bai He didn’t miss the change in his men’s expressions, seemingly surprised they bore any feelings, unwittingly hesitating.

This moment allowed Qin Yao to flick the sword away with a finger, seemingly gentle but the concealed force pushed Bai He staggering backward.

She held back enough force to avoid repeating the tragedy from the Lotus Courtyard.

"Brother." Qin Yao immediately signaled Qin Feng.

Qin Feng was both surprised and delighted by her call, nodding in response, "Yes!" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Turning towards Uncle Qi, together they returned the thrust-back coins to the guards.

The guards didn’t retrieve them, looking to Bai He first.

Bai He’s hand shook from the shock, clenched his teeth to steady it, glaring at Qin Yao before nodding at his men.

Seeing the joy spark in their eyes, Bai He subtly inhaled deeply.

Meeting Qin Yao’s gaze, sparks seemed to audibly crackle between them.

Seeing Qin Yao’s sleepless darkened face, Bai He dared not provoke her again.

Though not learning their aim here, he deduced it must be related to Mr. Gongliang.

Leaving some leeway for future encounters.

Since she offered him face, he returned the favor, their eyes reaching an understanding, not interfering with each other.

Signaled to return her bow and arrow, Bai He glanced coldly at Qin Yao before ordering, "Let’s go!"

Qin Feng and the Shopkeeper politely escorted them to the official post station entrance before returning swiftly, closing the door.

A false alarm, the guests were indeed exhausted, yawning back to their rooms.

Liu Ji, playing the dutiful host, fussed over Qin Yao, holding the bow and arrow, escorting it to her room, cleaning it with a cloth from top to bottom, placing it by the bed.

"Dear wife, if there’s nothing else, shall I withdraw?" Liu Ji asked quietly, volume balanced to be clear yet not disturbing.

Qin Yao rose from the chair, motioned Si Niang who was yawning to sleep, then looked at Liu Ji, "Get out."

Liu Ji acknowledged with an "Oh", not forgetting to grumble about the chief instigator, "That damned fugitive, such a big place, yet chose to hide in this inn, causing so much trouble!"

His words reminded Qin Yao, prompting her to instruct Liu Ji, "Be alert with Second Lang; secure the doors and windows."

Liu Ji nodded in acknowledgment, closed the door and left.

Qin Yao undressed and climbed into bed, blew out the candle, yawned, and thought how comfortable it was to finally sleep.

The next second, her sensitive hearing picked up tense breathing beneath the bed.

Qin Yao’s just-closed eyes shot open, feeling exasperated.

Her father! Can’t a person get a good night’s sleep?