When they arrived at the village that Ruo An mentioned, the time of the day has just entered Wei shi and their stomach has been calling for food. Though Lin Xiao had made sure his small group have few dry breads to snack on, it is not enough.

The village was called Beiyun village and it is a peaceful village. The reason for this is probably because the official that oversee the village is a great person. Their carriage and wagon, as well as the merchant’s caravan must be parked outside the village. Luckily, there are official guards guarding the area and they only have to pay 500 silver each. These were all borne by the merchant who tagged along with them. But while everyone else is gathering around, Lin Xiao slipped another three gold pieces to the guard, and informed him not to check the wagon. After all, his ‘three little brothers’ cannot go into the village.

When Lin Xiao came over to the group, he finally saw the rest of the merchant’s entourage, especially the merchant’s daughter. She looked haughty, making Lin Xiao have a bad first impression of her. He decided to ignore her and went to Long YinLian’s side. Fei YuXing was also there and thus; they finally entered the village. They only walked for a while and they saw a rest house with a tavern on the first floor.

“Brother Lin, this rest house is one of the best in Beiyun village and the food is also good. If you want to eat, I suggest you go here. Plus, the price is quite reasonable,” Ruo An said to Lin Xiao.

“Alright. Are you going to the Mercenary Guild outpost now? Should I help you order some meal?” Lin Xiao asked Ruo An. Since the White Swan is helping them, he felt that he should at least be more attentive to them.

“That would be great! Just tell the waiter inside that the White Swan wants the usual,” Ruo An said with a big smile on his face. Having their meal ordered early would mean that by the time they finished their business, their food will be done and waiting for them to eat. The White Swan member separated from them, dragging along the injured bandits which they did minimal treatment on. In any case, the White Swan is very knowledgeable in this area that even Lin Xiao knew that the bandits won’t die any time soon.

Lin Xiao then turned to the merchant’s group and eyed them for a while, but he didn’t say anything and instead, turned his attention back to Long YinLian and Fei YuXing. “Shizun, Miss Fei, let’s go inside and eat.”

As Lin Xiao said this, he went over to Long YinLian and led him toward the rest house with Fei YuXing following close behind them.

The merchant’s daughter just stared at their figure with disdain in her eyes. “Father, are we really going to be with them for the rest of our travel? The mercenary group earlier is the White Swan, right? Can’t we just pay them more and have them escort us instead?” she asked.

Ping Jianyu who heard this quickly reprimanded her daughter. “This foolish child! What do you think the White Swan is? If they can easily be bought over by money, do you think they can keep their reputation clean like this?” he asked back. Then, he saw that his daughter’s eyes had reddened slightly, and he suddenly feel guilty. “QiaoLian, ah… don’t cause any trouble, alright? Once we get to the capital, our lives will be much better. Just endure it for a while, okay?”

Ping QiaoLian just nods her head. She understood that her father had worked hard to get this achievement. From a simple merchant, to a well-known merchant. The man worked tirelessly and finally, they are able to expand their business to the capital. Their journey should’ve been smooth and yet, they were attacked by bandits. It was only by luck that they were saved by the White Swan and their employer.

She knew she should be thankful but when she saw another young girl came down from an expensive looking carriage, she felt that it was unfair. Not to mention, the young girl in question had covered her head with a sheet of muslin, making others unable to see her face clearly. This made her have a sense of inferiority and she does not like it in one bit since she is considered the most beautiful and richest young lady back in her hometown.

The father and daughter duo entered the tavern with their remaining guards and then, they saw Lin Xiao and his party is already seated on the table, ordering their meal. They were seated in the corner and there were several other tables beside them that are empty, so the Ping Jianyu went over to pick a table nearby. When Lin Xiao saw this, he can’t help but frown.

“Master Ping, these tables are for the member of the White Swan,” Lin Xiao informed them. After he said it, he could see the expression on Ping QiaoLian change but before he could say anything else, Long YinLian lightly knocked on his head.

“Xiao-er, don’t be rude. I don’t think I ever taught you this way,” Long YinLian scolded Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao felt that he was wronged. He was only like this because he didn’t want any danger to come their way during their travel. ‘If Master Ping doesn’t come with us, the travel would be easier,’ Lin Xiao thought before he let out a heavy sigh. “Lin Xiao admits his mistake, Shizun, don’t be mad anymore, alright?” Lin Xiao said as he tries to appease the older male.

“En. Since we will be travel companion, let us all get along well,” Long YinLian said before he addressed Ping Jianyu. “Master Ping, those tables are indeed for the White Swan members but there are some seats on out table. How about you come and sit with us instead?” Long YinLian offered.

“Is that alright?” Ping Jianyu asked, feeling touched with Long YinLian’s generosity.

“Of course. But your guards will have to sit elsewhere,” Long YinLian answered.

“That’s not a problem at all!” Ping Jianyu replied before he turned to the guards he hired and then handed them several pieces of silver. “Here, you go and find your seat and eat your meal.”

After he dismissed the guards, Ping Jianyu went to Lin Xiao’s table with his daughter. Of course, since he didn’t want his daughter to sit close to another men, he let his daughter sit beside Fei YuXing who is the only lady on the table.

Ping QiaoLian didn’t seem to be pleased with the arrangement, but she understood her father’s thought, so she didn’t say anything. But that doesn’t mean that she likes it. Both Lin Xiao and Fei YuXing could sense her hostility, even Long YinLian felt it despite him being blind.

The atmosphere was tense and Long YinLian felt that he needs to do something to remedy the tense atmosphere.

“Master Ping, why have you decided to travel to the capital? I hear that you are a merchant. It is quite unusual for a merchant to attend his own caravan,” Long YinLian asked after a careful thought. He felt that in order to ease the tension, it is better to get to know their travelling companion better.

“Ah, yes! That is true. Actually, this caravan is not only to deliver goods. I am moving to the capital since the business has gone well,” Ping Jianyu answered. “My daughter has long dreamed about going to the capital and there is also rumors that the current Emperor is being pressured to establish his harem so if she could enter the palace, her life would be even better!”

At the mention of the Imperial Harem, Lin Xiao just scoffed only to have his thigh pinched by Long YinLian. “Behave,” Long YinLian whispered to him and Lin Xiao can only lower his head in defeat.

‘Shizun is bullying me…’ was all Lin Xiao can say in his heart.