Chapter 2302: Returning to Zhengdao Village

Chapter 2302: Returning to Zhengdao Village

Although Shu Yu had told the woman that they would return in a couple of days to find the Dongqing Temple Master, they didn't have much idle time during these two days.

Since they were in Heichang County, they naturally wanted to visit their friends in Zhengdao Village. It made them appear as if they hadn't noticed anything unusual and were simply visiting their friends. Additionally, it was an opportunity to check on Shu Quan.

The letter Shu Quan had sent to the capital had been sent at the beginning of the year. Due to the long journey and multiple stops along the way, they had received it later than expected.

Since the time of the information he provided, more than half a year had passed, and there must have been significant developments on Shu Feng's side.

Therefore, the next morning, they headed straight to Zhengdao Village.

There had been some changes in Zhengdao Village since their last visit five years ago, and the most noticeable one was the increase in the number of houses.

It was said that a few years ago, after the exposure of Gongqiu's activities, the former emperor had exiled a group of people.

Later, the second and third princes plotted rebellion, and the new emperor exiled another group of people.

As a result, Zhengdao Village, now, appeared somewhat lively. In the past, when they entered the village, they rarely encountered anyone on the roads. But now, many people would peek out from a distance, curiously observing.

Carriages rarely entered the village. Either they were the relatives of exiled prisoners or outsiders.

No one knew what this carriage was doing here.

Everyone was curious, but no one approached to strike up a conversation.

Ying Xi remarked, "I don't know why, but as soon as we entered this village, it feels very oppressive. When we used to visit other villages, if a stranger's carriage entered, at the very least, a few children would run up to ask who they were looking for. Here, even the children just watch from a distance, and no one approaches."

Shu Yu, however, was used to this. "Life in exile is very difficult. Many people work tirelessly all day, and they can't even afford a bite of coarse cornbread. When even eating is a problem, who has the energy to care about newcomers?"

As they were talking, the carriage came to a halt, and in front of them was the steward's mansion. Carriages couldn't enter the village, so they had to stop here for now.

The steward of the mansion heard the commotion and came out to see them. He was quite surprised when he saw them.

Originally, the steward of the mansion was Wang Changdong, and he had a good relationship with Shu Yu. However, when Shu Yu left, Wang Changdong was transferred to the county, working for the new county magistrate.

The new steward of the mansion was someone Shu Yu wasn't familiar with, and she had never met the gatekeeper who stood before her.

The gatekeeper examined them and asked, "Whom are you looking for?"

"Is Steward Yu here?" Ying Xi stepped forward and said, "This is County Princess Wen'an."

The gatekeeper was taken aback. He might not have known about the others, but County Princess Wen'an was different. She was someone they had sent out from Zhengdao Village. Now, seeing her here, it was surprising.