Chapter 2301: No One at Home

Chapter 2301: No One at Home

After staying in the prefecture city for a day and realizing that they hadn't been followed, Meng Yunzheng left a message for Qi Lie.

On the second day, they headed directly to Heichang County.

For Shu Yu and the others, it was a revisit to familiar territory, but for Ying Xi and Xia Yan, it was their first time in Heichang County. Although they had traveled to various places before, Heichang County was different from any other place they had seen.

Here, the disparity between the rich and the poor was significant. While some were very wealthy, most people lived in difficult conditions. There were more beggars on the streets than in other towns, and most of the residents looked tired and dispirited.

Their carriage didn't move too fast, so after a while, Zhao Xi furrowed his brow and said, "It seems like someone is following us."

"Since we entered the city, we've been followed," Meng Yunzheng said. "There were two people by the city gate who observed the carriages entering the city. When we showed our faces and led the way for the city guards, they got up and followed us into the city."

"So what should we do now? Capture them and interrogate them about the whereabouts of the Master?" Zhao Xi asked.

"They're just small fry responsible for tailing people; they might not know about the Master's whereabouts. Let's pretend we know nothing and follow the normal route we would have taken after receiving the letter. When we arrive in Heichang County, we should go directly to the Master's residence as mentioned in the letter," Shu Yu replied.

The letter contained the address of the Dongqing Temple Master, and Shu Yu was quite familiar with Heichang County's layout. So, they proceeded towards the alley mentioned in the letter.

As the carriage entered the alley, everyone became cautious and slowly approached the fifth courtyard.

However, when Ying Xi reached the courtyard, he found that it was locked.

He turned back and said, "Miss, it seems like there's no one here."

Shu Yu had thought that Shu Feng and the others might be waiting for them in the house, ready to spring a trap. However, they had opted for an empty city strategy.

Everyone got off the carriage, and at that moment, the gate of the neighboring courtyard opened, and a middle-aged woman with somewhat dark skin came out.

When she saw them, the woman was momentarily surprised and then asked, "Whom are you looking for?"

Shu Yu and Meng Yun Zheng exchanged glances and smiled, "We are looking for the person living in this courtyard. Do you happen to know where she went?"

"Oh, are you here to find the Dongqing Temple Master?" the woman inquired. "She left yesterday, saying she had urgent matters to attend to and wouldn't be back for a few days. Before she left, she told me that there might be people coming to look for her in the next few days and asked me to relay the message if I encountered them."

Shu Yu pondered for a moment and then said, "I see. Thank you for the information, ma'am. We'll come back in a couple of days to see her."

"Sure, when the Dongqing Temple Master returns, I will inform her," the woman replied. With that, she smiled and returned to her courtyard.

The group got back into the carriage, and they all exchanged glances.

"It seems like they haven't prepared to make a move yet," Shu Yu said as she looked at the closed courtyard gate. "Either this woman is working for them or has been bribed."

Shu Quan had mentioned that the Master had been controlled by Shu Feng, so how could she have had the opportunity to pass on a message to this woman?

"And I wonder where they've taken my Master," Shu Yu added.

Meng Yunzheng held her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry, now that we're here, they will show up sooner or later. Let's find an inn to stay for now."

"Alright."