Chapter 187

When the criminal was apprehended, rumors about the attempted assassination of the governor’s furen spread rapidly. Even Mu Heng, who had gone out to inspect the soldiers’ work, hurriedly rode back to her with great concern. Many townspeople expressed their worries. If even the governor’s furen was not safe, didn’t that mean the townspeople themselves were in danger too?

It wasn’t just concern for their own safety; this matter wasn’t entirely surprising. The people of Red Earth City already knew that the risks to their lives were higher than elsewhere.

However, this was an assassination attempt on the governor’s furen! It was an incredibly audacious act. In everyone’s eyes, the governor’s furen was a highly capable woman and extremely important to the governor. Such an act was almost like declaring war, wasn’t it?

What the townspeople wanted to know the most was who had the audacity to do such a thing!

As a result, many people gathered outside the governor’s mansion, waiting for news. Some villagers genuinely worried for the governor’s furen because she had been a benefactor to them and their families. Whether it was medical treatment, food, or helping them earn money, every family felt that their improved lives and newfound hope were partly because of the governor’s furen.

Inside the governor’s manor, Mu Heng held his wife, checking her from all angles to ensure the beauty’s safety. Even though the doctor had directly confirmed that no part of her body was broken or injured, not even a scratch, he still wasn’t reassured. He even ordered the doctor to prepare unnecessary tonics to nourish her body.

Yueqian didn’t dare to criticize him. She simply let her husband do as he wished, understanding that he must have been very worried about her. Seeing the sweat on his face and chest, and knowing that he had returned so quickly that even the soldiers accompanying him couldn’t keep up, showed how urgently he had ridden back.

After he was satisfied with his inspection, he turned to the young man, Yapo, who had helped save his delicate wife. Naturally, Mu Heng didn’t know how Yapo had been dealt with. He only understood that Yueqian had coincidentally caught the assailant and had the soldiers help restrain him.

Since no one spoke about it, Yueqian didn’t mention her own skills either. Thus, Mu Heng didn’t think that even without anyone’s help, Yueqian would have been safe and might have dealt with the bandit more quietly than Yapo did.

"Yapo, this accomplishment is yours. I will personally reward you," Mu Heng said earnestly.

Yapo looked like he was about to cry. He had only come to tell Yueqian that it was time to return to his own tribe and that they would sever ties forever. But now he had ended up saving the governor’s furen.

However, thinking it over, being in someone’s debt wasn’t such a bad thing. Since he was the other party’s benefactor, it would be reasonable to ask for something more, right?

"You will reward me? In that case... I have a request," the young man glanced at the governor’s furen, who was squinting at him suspiciously.

Yes, he knew that even if he hadn’t helped the other party, she would have handled the situation. But how could he have thought about it at that moment? Seeing a villain trying to harm a delicate woman, he rushed to help. So, it wasn’t fair to blame him alone. Moreover, wasn’t it her husband who offered to reward him? How could he be seen as an opportunist?

"What is your request?" Mu Heng didn’t immediately agree to give everything like a fool.

After all, this boy was from the Kuya tribe, which was neither a friend nor a direct enemy. Given the identity of the other party, he was not entirely trustworthy.

Yapo didn’t care about the other’s wary demeanor. He had a clear goal in mind for what he wanted from them, specifically from Red Earth City. No, actually! The furen of the governor of Red Earth City had many items.

"I want... thirty meat-filled steamed buns." Hearing Yapo’s request, everyone looked shocked.

Of course, Mu Heng was surprised. He hadn’t expected the boy to ask for something so simple. As someone who saved the governor’s furen, he deserved gold and treasures. This was clearly a typical mindset of someone who had been in the Du Region, different from the people of Red Earth City, who heard his request. The officials who heard this also widened their eyes, wanting to slap the greedy kid’s head.

To save the governor’s furen once and demand something as valuable as meat-filled steamed buns? What was the most valuable thing in Red Earth City? Was it the hard-earned money? Of course not! Especially in this situation, heavily pressured by other cities, no matter how much money they had, no one would trade with them. So, where could they get meat-filled steamed buns from?

"Little boy, isn’t your request a bit excessive?"

"Indeed, you should be more modest. The governor has been kind enough to let you stay in the Red Earth City and has treated your illness. You should feel it’s your duty to help the governor’s furen, not something to claim as a merit."

"That’s right. The medicine you received is usually reserved for those who officially become citizens of Red Earth City. You’re a special case because of the governor’s and his wife’s kindness."

"As a human being, don’t be too greedy, or you’ll end up with nothing."

Many people expressed their thoughts immediately. They already had a low opinion of Yapo. Some of them were scholars from other cities who had to change their registration to become citizens of Red Earth City to receive the medicine. Their dissatisfaction with this perceived unfair treatment was voiced as a warning to the young boy.

Yapo hesitated a bit. He had been in Red Earth City long enough to understand how things worked and knew that, as a member of the Kuya tribe, he shouldn’t have received the medicine. The medicine was rare and scarce, so much so that even neighboring cities within the Bai Region didn’t get any help. Thinking about this, he bit his lip tightly.Because he... just wanted to take something delicious back to his siblings!

Chapter 187 Part I

When the criminal was apprehended, rumors about the attempted assassination of the governor’s furen spread rapidly. Even Mu Heng, who had gone out to inspect the soldiers’ work, hurriedly rode back to her with great concern. Many townspeople expressed their worries. If even the governor’s furen was not safe, didn’t that mean the townspeople themselves were in danger too?

It wasn’t just concern for their own safety; this matter wasn’t entirely surprising. The people of Red Earth City already knew that the risks to their lives were higher than elsewhere.

However, this was an assassination attempt on the governor’s furen! It was an incredibly audacious act. In everyone’s eyes, the governor’s furen was a highly capable woman and extremely important to the governor. Such an act was almost like declaring war, wasn’t it?

What the townspeople wanted to know the most was who had the audacity to do such a thing!

As a result, many people gathered outside the governor’s mansion, waiting for news. Some villagers genuinely worried for the governor’s furen because she had been a benefactor to them and their families. Whether it was medical treatment, food, or helping them earn money, every family felt that their improved lives and newfound hope were partly because of the governor’s furen.

Inside the governor’s manor, Mu Heng held his wife, checking her from all angles to ensure the beauty’s safety. Even though the doctor had directly confirmed that no part of her body was broken or injured, not even a scratch, he still wasn’t reassured. He even ordered the doctor to prepare unnecessary tonics to nourish her body.

Yueqian didn’t dare to criticize him. She simply let her husband do as he wished, understanding that he must have been very worried about her. Seeing the sweat on his face and chest, and knowing that he had returned so quickly that even the soldiers accompanying him couldn’t keep up, showed how urgently he had ridden back.

After he was satisfied with his inspection, he turned to the young man, Yapo, who had helped save his delicate wife. Naturally, Mu Heng didn’t know how Yapo had been dealt with. He only understood that Yueqian had coincidentally caught the assailant and had the soldiers help restrain him.

Since no one spoke about it, Yueqian didn’t mention her own skills either. Thus, Mu Heng didn’t think that even without anyone’s help, Yueqian would have been safe and might have dealt with the bandit more quietly than Yapo did.

"Yapo, this accomplishment is yours. I will personally reward you," Mu Heng said earnestly. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Yapo looked like he was about to cry. He had only come to tell Yueqian that it was time to return to his own tribe and that they would sever ties forever. But now he had ended up saving the governor’s furen.

However, thinking it over, being in someone’s debt wasn’t such a bad thing. Since he was the other party’s benefactor, it would be reasonable to ask for something more, right?

"You will reward me? In that case... I have a request," the young man glanced at the governor’s furen, who was squinting at him suspiciously.

Yes, he knew that even if he hadn’t helped the other party, she would have handled the situation. But how could he have thought about it at that moment? Seeing a villain trying to harm a delicate woman, he rushed to help. So, it wasn’t fair to blame him alone. Moreover, wasn’t it her husband who offered to reward him? How could he be seen as an opportunist?

"What is your request?" Mu Heng didn’t immediately agree to give everything like a fool.

After all, this boy was from the Kuya tribe, which was neither a friend nor a direct enemy. Given the identity of the other party, he was not entirely trustworthy.

Yapo didn’t care about the other’s wary demeanor. He had a clear goal in mind for what he wanted from them, specifically from Red Earth City. No, actually! The furen of the governor of Red Earth City had many items.

"I want... thirty meat-filled steamed buns." Hearing Yapo’s request, everyone looked shocked.

Of course, Mu Heng was surprised. He hadn’t expected the boy to ask for something so simple. As someone who saved the governor’s furen, he deserved gold and treasures. This was clearly a typical mindset of someone who had been in the Du Region, different from the people of Red Earth City, who heard his request. The officials who heard this also widened their eyes, wanting to slap the greedy kid’s head.

To save the governor’s furen once and demand something as valuable as meat-filled steamed buns? What was the most valuable thing in Red Earth City? Was it the hard-earned money? Of course not! Especially in this situation, heavily pressured by other cities, no matter how much money they had, no one would trade with them. So, where could they get meat-filled steamed buns from?

"Little boy, isn’t your request a bit excessive?"

"Indeed, you should be more modest. The governor has been kind enough to let you stay in the Red Earth City and has treated your illness. You should feel it’s your duty to help the governor’s furen, not something to claim as a merit."

"That’s right. The medicine you received is usually reserved for those who officially become citizens of Red Earth City. You’re a special case because of the governor’s and his wife’s kindness."

"As a human being, don’t be too greedy, or you’ll end up with nothing."

Many people expressed their thoughts immediately. They already had a low opinion of Yapo. Some of them were scholars from other cities who had to change their registration to become citizens of Red Earth City to receive the medicine. Their dissatisfaction with this perceived unfair treatment was voiced as a warning to the young boy.

Yapo hesitated a bit. He had been in Red Earth City long enough to understand how things worked and knew that, as a member of the Kuya tribe, he shouldn’t have received the medicine. The medicine was rare and scarce, so much so that even neighboring cities within the Bai Region didn’t get any help. Thinking about this, he bit his lip tightly.Because he... just wanted to take something delicious back to his siblings!

"Fine, I don’t want anything anymore. Let’s consider this a clean slate between me and Red Earth City. Helping the governor’s furen once repays the debt for you saving my life." Even though he said this, he knew the significance of the two favors was certainly not equal.

Yapo knew deep down that he had gained the upper hand. If Yueqian hadn’t warned him and let him be treated here, he would have spread the disease to everyone in his village. This memory always stayed with him. He thought that Governor Mu and his furen were not as bad as other governors. So now, Yapo gave up on the idea of delicious food, even though he regretted it.

Yueqian shook her head slightly at the boy’s demeanor. She knew what the other party was thinking. It could be seen from the first time he had expressed his excitement at how delicious this ordinary steamed bun was to him. Not just buns, but many treats he tasted only a bit of before pocketing them. Even when she told him to eat them, he said he wanted to save them for the children in his village.

Therefore, she initially thought of giving him a gift to take back with him, and these gifts were all long-lasting snacks like mooncakes and fish-shaped sweets. She didn’t expect that he would like steamed buns the most.

In fact, it wasn’t that Yapo liked steamed buns the most, but he had eaten them the most and knew how delicious they were. As for other sweets, he only tasted them once and then saved them, so he didn’t fully appreciate their flavors as much as the buns. If the steamed buns could be stored for several days, he would certainly have taken them along too.

"That’s a good thing." After hearing Yapo’s words, the people around nodded in satisfaction.

If they thought Yapo received the precious medicine because he helped the governor’s furen, they had no objections. It was certainly better than him receiving it easily while they had to relocate their families to gain the right to treatment.

Although those who became citizens of Red Earth City would receive good benefits, this was still a city that was just starting to develop. In the past, it was considered a harsh and terrible place. Wouldn’t they face disasters in the future when Governor Mu left, just like the original citizens of Red Earth City did?

With a mind that was never happy to begin with, they still felt doubtful. They thought that moving to become citizens of Red Earth City was an unavoidable mistake, a cruel fate they had to accept reluctantly. Of course, soon they would realize that becoming citizens of Red Earth City in this first wave was a rare fortune in their lives.

In a few years, Red Earth City would be called the second capital, developing even more advanced than the main capital—a city of dreams where everyone wanted to move.

Unfortunately, by that time, becoming a citizen of Red Earth City would be much harder. With a population limit of 50,000, the city couldn’t accept more people. So, anyone wishing to become a citizen had to undergo a strict selection process.

In the future, people would almost have to kneel and beg to be accepted as citizens! Looking back, they would nearly punish themselves to learn their lesson—the punishment for daring to think poorly of this city!

Yueqian shook her head slightly. People were like this—when they received something different from others, without needing a fair reason, they already had their own sense of justice in their heart. Therefore, she didn’t talk about rewards or gifts in front of these people. She just winked at Yapo. The young boy was stunned for a moment, but finally, he smiled to himself with joy.

The governor’s furen was an odd person, yet she had been incredibly kind to him. Originally, he was like a criminal who had come to spy, but who would have guessed he’d be taken care of so well? Except for the time he spent working with the road construction crew, he had been living quite comfortably. Judging from his significantly increased belly, it should be understandable.

"As for Yapo, that’s settled. But has the culprit been interrogated? Has there been any report? We must investigate until we know who dared to do this to my furen," Mu Heng, noticing the exchange between the two, shifted the topic to the culprit.

A man stepped forward with a more serious expression than ever before. He had immense respect for Governor Mu and Furen Mu. He was an old official of Red Earth City who lived her and had fallen seriously ill and almost died. If it hadn’t been for their help, he and his family would not have survived. As someone deeply indebted to them, when he saw his benefactor being harmed, how could he just stay idle?

"I’ve had the soldiers handle it. We should have news soon. However, based on the initial investigation, the weapons and attire indicate that the assailant is undoubtedly from the Bai Region," he stated confidently.

"The Bai Region?" Mu Heng clenched his fists in anger upon hearing that.

Even if the culprit hadn’t said anything, he could already guess how this had happened. Throughout the past, the Bai Region had been secretly harassing them all along, causing endless trouble for the people and even falsely reporting them to the authorities for fraud.Fortunately, the authorities didn’t take the accusation seriously. Judging by the number of townspeople and the medicine used, they believed that the medicine was indeed produced for the people of Red Earth City. Above all, even the capital didn’t know the correct method of making the medicine. How would they know if all the requested herbs were completely used or not?