Bandits...
Wen Huan's face instantly turned as pale as a sheet. However, seeing her elder brother and cousin looking calm, as well as the Prince and Princess of Ning remaining composed, she couldn't help but start to deeply doubt herself.
Did she misunderstand?
Could it be that these "bandits" were not the typical kind?
Hmm...
Wen Huan forced a smile and tentatively asked, "So... what do you guys do for a living?"
Bearded Hua'er scratched the back of his head and replied with a grin, "We usually go out once every few days to see if there are any passers - by with money. We brothers rob some from them. Or sometimes, we fight with those shameless guys from the neighboring mountain for territory. If we win, we'll have a better life."
Bearded Hua'er said it seriously, but Wen Huan was trembling with fear as she listened.
She was wrong...
How could she have thought of them so simply!
...
As the gentle drizzle began to fall, they had already reached Bearded Hua'er's stronghold.
At this moment, he excitedly howled:
"We have honored guests! Come out and greet them!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, a group of women, old people, and children either ran or walked out from the scattered rows of tile - roofed houses.
Hmm...
It seemed that Bearded Hua'er and his men all had families.
An energetic old man walked in the front. After seeing Bearded Hua'er, he suddenly reached out and slapped him on the head.
"You little scoundrel! Why did you bring so many people!"
Bearded Hua'er shrank his neck and retorted with a pout, "Grandpa! You're scolding me again! If I'm a little scoundrel, then what are you? An old scoundrel?"
"I'll beat your ass!"
"Grandpa! Don't talk nonsense! My uncle passed away early! You can't treat him like this!"
"You! You little bastard! You're going to piss me off!" The old man cursed while punching and kicking Bearded Hua'er.
Bearded Hua'er just dodged with a grin and didn't get angry because of being beaten in front of so many people.
Chu Qing covered her mouth and tried not to laugh, and even Wei Ying's eyes showed a bit of amusement.
"Grandpa! Don't beat big brother anymore! There are so many people here!" Bearded Hua'er didn't care, but the thin Cao'er beside him blushed from holding back and tried to stop the fight.
The old man was so angry that his beard was shaking. He said, "What? He brought so many mouths to feed! Can't I beat this good - for - nothing?"
Chu Qing and the others were stunned...
So it was because they had to feed them that he was angry.
Chu Qing rubbed her forehead, feeling a bit helpless and a bit sad.
Although this situation was only encountered in Dongyi, both Chu Qing and Wei Ying knew that there must be similar people in the remote and poor areas of Dayan.
The common people were poor, and these young emperors were still not up to the mark.
Chu Qing frowned.
Seeing that the old man was about to pick up a weapon, Cao'er immediately continued, "Grandpa! These are all honored guests!"
The old man snorted and said indifferently, "How honored are they?"
"Well... Those two are our prince and princess, and that young master over there is from the Nangong family. And these two beside me are the Prince and Princess of Ning from Dayan."
The old man's wooden stick clattered to the ground.
Wen Huan and Wen Yi didn't say a word, but Nangong Jin waved his hand with a smile.
Chu Qing and Wei Ying also gave the old man a slight smile.
The old man stood there stunned and only came to his senses after his grandson patted him on the shoulder.
Then he suddenly knelt on the ground and bowed deeply.
"I, a commoner... Ruan Ming, pay my respects to the prince, princess, the Prince and Princess of Ning."
Seeing this, Chu Qing quickly sent Lvluo to help the old man up.
Seeing the tears in the old man's eyes, Chu Qing was quite touched.
The salute he just made was not something an ordinary commoner would do.
So... this old man must have some story.
After Ruan Ming was helped up, he walked beside Wei Ying and was about to kneel again.
Wei Ying quickly held him up:
"Old man, there's no need for such formalities."
Ruan Ming heaved a heavy sigh and said, "Your Highness the Prince of Ning may not know that I once had the honor of serving the Prince of Guangling."
Everyone was shocked.
This old man really had a story.
Seeing that he wanted to reminisce, Nangong Jin called Wen Yi and Wen Huan to leave and take a stroll around the so - called stronghold.
After the others left, Ruan Ming was about to kneel in front of Wei Ying again.
Wei Ying continued to hold his body up and frowned, saying seriously, "Since you are an old acquaintance of my father, there's really no need for such formalities. Isn't this making us seem estranged?"
Seeing that the other party insisted not to let him kneel again, Ruan Ming could only sigh a few times and then said, "I never thought that I, who am almost on my deathbed, would have the honor to see you again."
Wei Ying was also quite touched.
Chu Qing couldn't help but ask, "Since the old man once served the Prince of Guangling... then why..."
Did he end up in such a situation.
Ruan Ming arranged for someone to carry out a few chairs. After seeing Wei Ying and Chu Qing sit down, he slowly said:
"Back then, when the Prince of Guangling came to our Dongyi, he was entangled by a group of evil people. The Prince of Guangling was kind - hearted and didn't want to hurt them, so I came up with a way to help him get away. After that, because the Prince of Guangling thought I was a bit smart, he took me to travel around Dongyi for a while. When he returned to Dayan later, he also mentioned that he wanted me to go with him, but I thought that my home and roots were here, so I boldly refused. The Prince of Guangling didn't make things difficult for me because of this. Instead, he left me a large sum of money before he left."
Chu Qing's expression was solemn. She continued softly, "Then since my father left you the money, why is it like this now..."
Ruan Ming heaved another heavy sigh.
Hearing this, Bearded Hua'er, who was walking over with water, said angrily, "It's all my father. He stole Grandpa's money and squandered it all."
Chu Qing frowned and then sighed.
A good life was just ruined like this.
Seeing his grandson interrupt, Ruan Ming grabbed him and pressed him to the ground, saying, "Did you properly pay your respects to His Highness the Prince of Ning!"
Bearded Hua'er subconsciously shrank his neck again and said, "I knelt! I knelt!" He not only knelt in front of the Prince of Ning but also hugged his thigh! But he definitely couldn't say this, otherwise, the old man would scold him again.
Ruan Ming looked at him with hatred and scolded, "Just kneeling is enough? I told you to pay a grand salute! Have you forgotten everything I taught you?"
Bearded Hua'er trembled and then formally paid his respects, saying, "I, a commoner, Hua'er, pay my respects to His Highness the Prince of Ning! Ah!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Ruan Ming kicked him on the butt.
"You idiot! A name like Hua'er is not appropriate at this time! This is your baby name! I gave it to you so that you could be easy to raise! At this time, you should report your full name!" Ruan Ming glared at Bearded Hua'er and scolded.
Bearded Hua'er pouted and whispered, "I think Hua'er sounds nice. It makes people think this person is good - looking."
"Good - looking my ass!"
Seeing that the old man was really angry, Bearded Hua'er had to straighten his messy clothes and pay his respects again:
"I, a commoner, Ruan Zheng, pay my respects to His Highness the Prince of Ning."