Fei Nanyu was very clever.
"Mrs. Mo means to ask me to help return this silver to its rightful owner."
He Zhiran just liked dealing with smart people.
"Mr. Fei also knows that my husband and I are in a hurry to be on our way and simply don't have the time for this, not to mention our status makes it inappropriate..."
Fei Nanyu already agreed with her idea and nodded, "If Mrs. Mo trusts me, I will definitely take care of this properly."
After a pause, he went on, "The county magistrate Sun hoarded so much wolfsbane, he must have gotten someone's order to do so. Judging from the current situation in Dongfeng County, the plague is likely man-made, either to make Prince Qi's disaster relief effort fruitless, or even cost Prince Qi his life due to the plague.
It's obvious to us all who stands to benefit most from such an outcome. I'm thinking once Prince Qi learns of this matter, he will certainly retaliate.
Presumably by then, Prince Heng will be too busy dealing with it to continue going after Young Master Mo.
Also, after I return to the capital, I will think of an appropriate reason to spread word that Young Master Mo and Prince Qi had a falling out.
Once Prince Heng believes that, he will also completely abandon the idea of assassinating Young Master Mo. Then your future days will be peaceful."
He Zhiran had not expected Fei Nanyu to consider all this so quickly, and his guesses at things that might happen aligned perfectly with her own speculations.
What comforted her even more was that Fei Nanyu took the initiative to suggest spreading word of the rift between Mo Jiuye and Prince Qi of the South after returning to the capital.
This saved her and Mo Jiuye the embarrassment of having to ask him for this favor.
He Zhiran sincerely bowed to Fei Nanyu, "Thank you Mr. Fei for considering my Mo family. I thank you on behalf of all in the Mo family for your kindness."
Fei Nanyu quickly helped steady her, "Mrs. Mo is too polite. If we speak of kindness it was you who saved me first and helped me so greatly today, I should be the one expressing gratitude."
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while. Seeing it was getting late, He Zhiran took her leave. Handling the wolfsbane and silver money was now Fei Nanyu's business.
Back in the mule cart, she briefly told Mo Jiuye what had transpired before setting off driving the mule cart.
To accommodate Mo Jiuye's health, she did not dare drive too quickly.
Not until they had traveled over ten li did He Zhiran feel it was safe and send Mo Jiuye into her space to recuperate.
It wasn't until the sun had set that He Zhiran stopped to rest.
She parked the mule cart in a safe spot, then bought some feed for the mule before slipping into her space.
And so, He Zhiran would drive the mule cart by day and rest in her space at night.
On the sixth straight day of travel, Mo Jiuye guessed they were probably not far from the exiled convoy.
At this point He Zhiran had changed back into her original clothing.
The stitches had been removed from Mo Jiuye's wounds and he could move unencumbered again. He insisted on replacing He Zhiran in driving the mule cart.
He Zhiran simply sat beside him, appreciating the different ancient scenery.
Before nightfall they finally caught sight of the exiled convoy up ahead.
He Zhiran considered that her space could provide fruits her family members could not enjoy here. She wanted to take this chance to buy some relatively ordinary fruit varieties by the standards of this time period and bring them back as gifts of thanks for the officers who had let her and Mo Jiuye slip away from the convoy for so long without reporting it.
After all, if the officers had not tacitly allowed this, they would have likely reported such an irregularity to the court long ago.
Seeing He Zhiran was ready, Mo Jiuye sped up the mule cart. In the blink of an eye they had caught up to the convoy.
The officer walking at the rear of the convoy saw who was in the cart and gaped in shock.
Without further thought he raced to the front of the convoy shouting loudly, "Chief, Mo Jiuye is back!"
Mo Jiuye slowed the mule cart until it gradually reached the Mo family members' position.
At the same time, Peng Wang at the front also heard the shout and walked over, coincidentally meeting them by the Mo family convoy.
Mo Jiuye first nodded politely at Peng Wang, then went before Old Lady Mo and fell to his knees with a thud,
"Your son has been unfilial and caused you worry."
As he spoke he solemnly kowtowed to Old Lady Mo.
Old Lady Mo's eyes were already brimming with tears. She tottered over to Mo Jiuye and helped him stand, choking back sobs,
"As long as you're back, as long as you're back..."
Seeing this, the sisters-in-law also kept wiping their eyes.
Mo Hanyue was even more dramatic, throwing herself into He Zhiran's arms weeping loudly.
"Sister-in-law Nine, you've finally returned! Hanyue hasn't been able to sleep at night from worrying about you...waah...Sister-in-law Nine, Hanyue missed you and Brother Nine so much!"
He Zhiran held Mo Hanyue, gently comforting her, "Don't cry now Hanyue. See, we're back safe and sound."
Mo Hanyue's were tears of joy. Of course she wouldn't cry for long. She nestled in He Zhiran's embrace acting spoiled for a bit before returning to Old Lady Mo's side.
At this time Mo Jiuye had gone before Peng Wang. After being away for so long he had to provide an explanation.
"Big Brother Peng, this matter came up suddenly. My wife and I accidentally fell off a cliff. Thankfully Lord Zhou was timely in his rescue, bringing us out of the valley..."
Peng Wang looked Mo Jiuye over carefully and patted his shoulder.
"Old Eight already told me about this when he returned. Don't blame yourself for it, as long as you rejoined us.
Having just gotten back, spend time comforting your family. They were worried sick for you two this time."
Mo Jiuye gratefully saluted Peng Wang with folded hands, "Many thanks for Big Brother Peng's understanding."
Peng Wang looked at the skies. He ordered traveling another half hour before stopping to rest.
He Zhiran considered that Old Lady Mo and the sisters would have much to discuss with Mo Jiuye after his dramatic return. She tactfully led the mule cart along behind.
The Eighth Old Zhou was in the middle of the convoy. Seeing He Zhiran alone he couldn't help hurrying over.
"Lady He, were you and Mo Jiuye safe on the road?"
He Zhiran gave him a proper smile, "Many thanks for your concern Lord Zhou. Our journey went smoothly. To rejoin you sooner we bought a mule cart in Pingyang County which made traveling much easier."
Peng Wang was not far away. He Zhiran saying this also indirectly explained the mule cart's origins.
The Eighth Old Zhou had not thought that deeply about it. He glanced at the mule cart and said softly,
"The rules say exiled convoys cannot have livestock transports. But don't worry, I'll tell the chief about this. Considering the special circumstances, not to mention you spent money buying the cart, it wouldn't do to just abandon it."
Peng Wang rolled his eyes at the Eighth Old Zhou. If it wasn't for He Zhiran's presence he would have dragged him off already to privately chew him out.
This Eighth Old Zhou truly never learned. He clearly knew nothing could happen with Lady He yet always tried to cozy up to her.
