FID – Chapter 684

Chapter 684: If One Can Delay Death, Why Hurry?

Liu Dalin pretended not to notice his daughter’s look of disdain. “If I’m not going, then neither are you. It’s such a faraway place—there’s no way I’d feel at ease if you went without me.”

Back in Nanling, whenever his daughter wanted to go somewhere, she was always accompanied by Xiao Jinzi, Feng Qingbai, or other family members. That was the only reason they could barely feel at ease.

But this time, she was crossing the border—how could that be the same as running around freely within Nanling?

Even if Dahong and Dalan were accompanying her, he still couldn’t rest easy.

The elders all agreed with his decision, so even though Liu Yusheng was unwilling, she had no choice but to accept it.

Since the plan was set, Qian Wanjin immediately sent a message to his father, instructing the merchant fleet to make a detour to Yunzhou to pick them up when they set sail.

On the eve of departure, Fu Yuzheng and Liu Muqiu helped pack their luggage.

Liu Muqiu was the most reluctant to part.

Ever since coming to the Liu family, she had been living in the inner courtyard with Liu Yusheng, and they had grown especially close in their daily interactions. Now that the young lady was leaving, she would be left all alone.

“Nannan, when you arrive, send word back home so everyone won’t worry,” Liu Muqiu said, taking out a safety amulet from her sleeve and tucking it into the luggage. “I prayed for this a few days ago—take it with you, and it will keep you safe on the journey.”

“You actually believe in this?”

“Why wouldn’t I? That temple is filled with worshippers every day, all coming to pray for these charms. It must be effective!”

“Yes, yes, I’ll take it with me. Thank you, Little White Lotus.” Liu Yusheng pinched her cheek with a smile, then turned to Fu Yuzheng. “Sister-in-law, while I’m away, I’ll have to trouble you and Little White Lotus to take care of Grandpa and Grandma.”

“Oh, stop with the formalities. If anything, it’s Grandpa and Grandma taking care of us. I feel like I’m getting spoiled rotten,” Fu Yuzheng said, pressing her forehead. 

The Liu family doted on their daughters, and that extended even to their granddaughter-in-law.

They didn’t have to work in the fields, nor were they allowed to help in the kitchen. Her daily routine now consisted of looking after and playing with the baby. Just thinking about it made her feel guilty.

The three of them exchanged smiles—because it was true.

They were all pampered little freeloaders in the family.

Once everything was packed and the others had left, Liu Yusheng put out the light early, but she didn’t go to bed.

In the stillness of midnight, two soft taps sounded on the window.

Liu Yusheng immediately moved in the dark to open it. “Aunt Hong, is it time to go?”

“Nannan, are you really planning to sneak away like this? When you come back, you might be facing a serious punishment,” Wei Hong said expressionlessly, though her heart was heavy with sorrow.

The one most likely to face severe punishment was her.

And not just once—twice.

Once from the master, and then again from Grandma Liu when they returned.

“Let’s go. If we don’t leave now and my father really insists on coming along, how could I possibly have peace of mind? Just worrying about him would keep me from getting anything done.”

Liu Yusheng picked up her bundle, and with Wei Hong covering for her, the two of them quietly slipped out of the courtyard.

Not far from the entrance, Wei Lan and Liu Zhiqiu were already waiting for them, each sitting at the front of a horse-drawn carriage.

This was something Liu Yusheng had secretly arranged with them in advance.

She had deliberately given the family a slightly later time for the merchant fleet’s arrival. By leaving now, they would reach Yunzhou right at daybreak—just in time for the ship to dock. The timing was perfect.

As for a certain father… he was currently snoring away in bed, completely unaware.

“Nannan, I’m an accomplice in this. Once you leave, my days will be absolute hell. You better make it up to me when you get back,” Liu Zhiqiu lamented as he steered the carriage.

If he had a choice, he’d rather not be compensated at all.

But his biggest weakness was that he couldn’t say no to his sister. The moment she pleaded, he would always agree.

That was his fatal flaw—one he’d never be able to change in this lifetime.

Besides him, another person about to suffer was Wei Lan.

“Nannan, how about giving me a ‘pardon token’? When the family sees I haven’t left, I’ll be skinned alive for sure! I might not even be allowed at the dinner table before you return—I can’t endure that kind of torture! Why don’t I just go with you all?”

If he went along, at least his ‘death sentence’ could be postponed.

If one could delay death, why hurry toward it?

If he weren’t a man, he would have gladly swapped places with Dahong and stayed behind to guard the courtyard.

Liu Yusheng shrank deeper into the carriage, pretending not to hear him.

She had no good solution either.

Was she supposed to wait until daylight and take her father along after all?

That was absolutely out of the question.

The situation in Beicang was still uncertain. No one could guarantee they wouldn’t run into unexpected trouble—how could she take her father into such danger?

Besides, if Feng Qingbai really had any entanglements with that so-called princess, her father definitely wouldn’t let him off.

If that happened, their marriage prospects would become even more uncertain. Sigh.

Meanwhile, Qian Wanjin was already waiting for them at the Yunzhou dock.

By the time they arrived, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and the merchant’s ship was already docked at the shore.

Seeing the young lady jump down from the carriage, Qian Wanjin asked again, “Nannan, are you really going?”

“Since I’m already here, of course, I’m going,” Liu Yusheng replied helplessly.

Judging by Qian Wanjin’s regretful expression, he looked like he was ready to drag her back at any moment. Without giving him the chance, she quickly waved to the others beside her. “I’m boarding with Aunt Hong. You all head back.”

Her eagerness made the corners of their mouths twitch.

The merchant fleet crew was already waiting onboard. Since Master Qian himself was leading the team, Liu Zhiqiu and the others finally felt a bit more at ease.

After a brief farewell, the ship set sail, drifting farther and farther away, leaving the three men on the dock staring at one another in distress.

“Xiao Jinzi, are you going back home today?”

Qian Wanjin’s eyes darted around as he cleared his throat. “The restaurant business has been really busy lately. I don’t have time to go back just yet—I’ll wait until I’m done with everything here.”

“Need any help? I could stay and run errands for you,” Wei Lan offered, leaning in. 

“I’ll stay too. I already borrowed the family’s carriage—might as well be your driver for a while.”

Qian Wanjin thought for a moment and then said seriously, “I think you two should just go back and face your punishment. The longer you drag it out, the angrier Grandpa and Grandma will get—they’ll think you ran away out of guilt. I can handle things here just fine. Once Nannan returns, I’ll head back. As for the distillery, Zhiqiu, if you’re still alive by then, we’ll meet at the city’s restaurant.”

After patting both of them on the shoulders, Qian Wanjin clasped his hands behind his back and made a swift getaway.

The two left behind wore looks of utter despair.

On the ship. 

The Merchant Guild had twelve members in total, including Qian Baihao. Most of them were in their forties or fifties, all coming from prominent merchant families in the capital and various cities of Nanling. 

Thanks to Qian Baihao’s connections and the fact that everyone was well aware of Liu Yusheng’s identity, they treated her with great care throughout the journey.

Qian Baihao, in particular, was the most attentive. Though they hadn’t interacted much before, he practically looked after her like his own daughter.

After all, his rascal of a son had spent years freeloading off the Liu family, constantly troubling them.

Liu Yusheng had been on a boat before, but this was her first time taking a long-distance voyage in this era.

Along the Grand Canal, they occasionally passed other ships—some carrying cargo, others transporting people. Many of them bore the insignia of the Canal Guild.

By the time their ship crossed the border, passed through the checkpoints, and docked at the capital port of Beicang, it was late July.

They had barely stepped ashore, not even reaching the city gates, when a squad of soldiers suddenly charged toward them.