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Li Fu didn’t want to disturb his master, so he quietly led both families to the back of the convoy, intending to write up a simple agreement and then send them on their way.
Unexpectedly, Madam sent her personal yatou(Servant Girl), Yuetao, to inquire about what had happened.
Left with no choice, Li Fu hurried over and briefly explained the whole situation.
“Amitabha, so it was actually the Ye Family who did a good deed,” Madam chanted a Buddhist prayer. “Thanks to Hexuan, otherwise we would’ve wrongly blamed them.”
Li Fu wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, “Indeed, it’s all thanks to the young master’s reminder. This old servant will remember it well and be even more cautious and meticulous in the future.”
“It’s already commendable that you thought of helping them write up a proper agreement,” Madam replied. “We live in this world to cultivate good karma… Hmm? What is it?”
Li Fu stood outside the carriage, straining his ears, but still couldn’t hear what was being said inside.
However, right after the young master finished speaking, Madam immediately changed her mind.
“Li Fu, once you finish the agreement, bring the Ye Family over. There are a few things I want to ask them.”
Li Fu was curious about what the young master had said, but he didn’t dare ask.
After returning, he quickly drafted the agreement. He had someone watch as Shan Laoda and his wife pressed their handprints on it, then handed the document to Big Brother Ye.
Though Big Brother Ye wasn’t very literate, he still carefully read the agreement from beginning to end, then cautiously folded it and tucked it into his chest.
“Thank you so much!”
Madam Ye was equally overwhelmed with emotion. Hugging Qingtian tightly, she planted a kiss on her cheek.
“This is wonderful! Now no one can take Qingtian away from her father and mother again!”
“Mm!” Qingtian nodded with all her might.
Although they had only been together for half a month, she had already truly felt the warmth and kindness of the Ye Family.
Especially her new parents—they doted on her as if she were their own daughter.
That was why, when the Shan couple suddenly appeared just now, she had been utterly terrified.
She was afraid she would be taken back to those days filled with constant beatings and scoldings.
Fortunately, they had met good-hearted people.
Thinking this, Qingtian immediately turned to look at Li Fu and, in a soft but earnest voice, said, “Thank you, Uncle!”
“Oh my, what a sweet little girl! No wonder everyone’s so fond of her!”
It was the first time Li Fu had ever been thanked so earnestly by a child, and he couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.
The rest of the Ye Family also expressed their gratitude to Li Fu.
He waved it off casually, saying it was nothing, then turned to the Shan couple and said sternly, “You two had better leave now. If you dare try to snatch the child again, you’ll be handed over to the authorities.
“Now that the Ye Family has the agreement in hand, if they take you to court, you’ll be convicted without question. Then the two of you will end up behind bars—got it?”
Shan Laoda didn’t dare act out in front of Li Fu, but inwardly, he was far from convinced.
They hadn’t gone far before he pulled Madam Shan behind a tree at the roadside, scheming about whether there might be another way to profit from this.
If he couldn’t squeeze something out of the Ye Family, it made him feel utterly unsettled.
But to his surprise, from a distance, he saw Li Fu leading the Ye Family toward the largest and most luxurious carriage in the entire convoy.
“What are they doing now?” Shan Laoda frowned, unable to make sense of it.
The Ye Family, being led over, was equally confused.
Anyone who could afford such a grand carriage needed more than just wealth—status and power were essential, at the very least.
“We’re just poor country folk fleeing famine. We wouldn’t dare offend someone so important,” Big Brother Ye tried to excuse themselves and back away.
But Li Fu reassured him, “Don’t worry. Our master’s family name is Qin. The lady and young master are in that carriage.
“They’re both incredibly kind and compassionate. If they’ve called you over, it can only be for something good!”
It was Qingtian’s first time seeing such a magnificent and spacious carriage.
She widened her eyes and stared at it for a long while. Then, wrapping her arms around Madam Ye’s neck, she whispered into her ear.
“If only our family could ride in a carriage too. Then Grandma wouldn’t have to cough so much from the cold wind.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Madam Ye replied offhandedly, not bothering to explain to the child that a carriage like this was far beyond their reach.
When they reached the carriage, Big Brother Ye stepped forward and greeted respectfully, “Greetings to Madam Qin and Young Master Qin. Forgive us for disturbing you both.”
The rest of the Ye Family followed suit, mimicking his words in their own greetings.
From inside the carriage came a gentle female voice.
“Having you brought here so suddenly—if anyone was being presumptuous, it was us.
“But I heard from Li Fu that the four of you brothers have some training in martial arts?”
Madam Qin’s voice was kind and warm, putting them at ease.
Big Brother Ye quickly responded, “In response to Madam’s words, I wouldn’t dare claim we know any real martial arts.
“It’s just that back in our hometown, aside from farming, my brothers and I often went hunting in the mountains, so we picked up a few rough moves here and there.”
Madam Qin was quite pleased with Big Brother Ye’s manner of speech. She looked the four brothers over through the gauzy curtain.
Though their clothes were worn and patched, they were clean, and the stitching had clearly been done with care.
Most importantly, all four were tall and sturdy—nothing like the average refugee, who was usually frail and emaciated.
“It’s like this,” Madam Qin said gently. “I’m traveling to the capital with my young son. Along the way, we were attacked by bandits and lost several of our men.
“I’m worried there may be more unrest once we pass through the pass.
“So I’d like to ask—would you four be willing to escort us to the capital? You’ll be well compensated for your efforts.”
When Big Brother Ye heard this, he looked as if a meat pie had fallen straight from the sky and knocked him senseless.
Escort them to the capital? Wouldn’t that mean they could pass through Shanhai Pass with them?
Right now, entering Shanhai Pass was harder than climbing to the heavens.
Why else would so many refugees be camped out at the base of the city wall?
Just last night, he’d heard that some had been waiting outside for more than half a month.
But he quickly regained his composure. Even as Li Fu stood beside him, making all kinds of gestures and motions, clearly urging him to accept at once, Big Brother Ye ignored him.
Instead, he spoke honestly: “Thank you, Madam Qin, for your trust. If it were just the four of us brothers, I would agree without a moment’s hesitation.”
“But we’ve got a whole family with us,” Big Brother Ye continued. “An elderly mother above, and several young children below.
“I’m afraid not only would we fail to protect you and Young Master Qin, but we might even become a burden to you…”
Madam Qin said nothing, and it was unclear whether she was hesitating.
Then, unexpectedly, the previously silent Young Master Qin suddenly spoke up.
“It’s not like we’re asking you to fight and kill anyone,” he said. “We just need the numbers—to serve as a deterrent to petty criminals, that’s all.
“We’ll be stopping outside Shanhai Pass for one hour to rest and have a meal. You still have time to go back and discuss it.
“If you decide, come and find us. But we won’t wait past the appointed time.”
Young Master Qin’s words instantly stirred Big Brother Ye’s heart. However, hearing the boy’s still youthful voice—he couldn’t be older than ten—he wondered whether the child’s words could really be taken as final.
Li Fu quickly whispered a reminder, “Aren’t you going to thank our Young Master?”
Only then did Big Brother Ye snap back to attention. He immediately cupped his fists and said respectfully, “Many thanks, Young Master Qin. We’ll go and discuss it with our family right away. Whether we agree or not, we’ll definitely give you a proper answer.”
He and the others left with excitement bubbling in their hearts.
Once they had moved away from the convoy, Fourth Brother Ye couldn’t hold it in anymore and let out a cheer. “Big Brother, does this mean we can get into the pass?”
Big Brother Ye couldn’t keep from smiling either, though he still said, “Can you decide that? We have to ask Mother first!”
“We can get in! Into the pass!” Fourth Brother Ye grinned from ear to ear. “So many people are breaking their necks trying to get through, and here we are—getting in without lifting a finger!”
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