Qin Yao thought it over and agreed to Ah Wang’s suggestion, instructing him to ask the caravan about their route to see how far they could travel together.

Ah Wang received the order, immediately spurred his horse, and turned back.

Qin Yao watched him go, unexpectedly seeing Qin Feng riding into view alone. The two exchanged a distant glance.

Qin Feng was unusually excited, raising his hand to wave at her.

Qin Yao responded with a polite smile, then silently turned her head back.

Qin Feng, disappointed, put down his hand, thought for a moment, and turned back, not advancing any further.

Ah Wang returned shortly and said, "The Qin Family caravan is also headed to the Capital City, coincidentally along the same route as us. Their boss said that it would be good to have each other’s company on the road, and if the lady ever needs anything, she can go to them."

"Oh, right," Ah Wang added, "The other day, when I entered the city with Uncle Qi to report to the authorities, he kept bringing up the lady and the master, trying to inquire about the lady and the master’s news."

Of course, he didn’t say anything he shouldn’t have, even though the other party tried to bribe him with gold. Unfortunately, seeing how stubborn he was, Uncle Qi was so angry that he secretly cursed him as a blockhead.

Qin Yao wasn’t surprised they were inquiring about her. She nodded to show she understood, reciprocating the courtesy by saying, "Since both families are traveling together, if they encounter any issues, we’ll lend a hand as well."

Ah Wang agreed, glanced at Qin Yao, and seeing she had no further instructions, urged his horse forward to scout ahead.

Liu Ji watched as the horse galloped into the distance, relaxed, leaned against the carriage, and swung his horsewhip. With Ah Wang around, he only needed to take turns with Yin Le to drive the carriage, not having to worry at all.

Over at the caravan, Qin Feng waited for Ah Wang to leave, then approached Uncle Qi and quietly asked, "Did you find out anything?"

Uncle Qi, with a constipated face, shook his head. "That housekeeper Ah Wang, his mouth is harder to pry open than a turtle’s shell. Didn’t get anything out of him."

"Boss, should I send a couple of people over?"

Qin Feng waved his hand, "No need. Even if they go, it’s useless. None of that family is simple; let’s not have an adverse effect."

"What should we do then?" Uncle Qi was full of worry. He knew how the boss had been unable to eat or sleep properly these years while searching for his sister. Now, just as they had found her, this situation arose, and the dark circles around his eyes seemed even more pronounced.

At this rate, they might not even reach the Capital City before the boss’s health gives out.

An underhanded idea flashed through Uncle Qi’s mind, one he hadn’t wanted to mention. But since every other way to probe had turned up nothing, and the other party outright admitted to not having amnesia, there was only one option—

"Boss, do you remember last year when we passed through here? We encountered a rainstorm and had to lodge outside Wu City?"

Qin Feng thought for a moment and nodded. That rainstorm still made him fearful in retrospect. If not for the assistance of the Daoist from Qingyun Temple, the entire caravan’s salt would have washed away.

Seeing he remembered, Uncle Qi quickly whispered, "We’re less than a day’s journey from Qingyun Temple now. Tomorrow morning, we’ll reach Wu City, and the caravan will rest at noon. The boss could take this chance to consult the Daoist at Qingyun Temple."

"It’d be even better if you could bring the young lady along. That Daoist is highly skilled; he might discern something..." Thinking of the legends about demons and spirits usurping identities, Uncle Qi himself shivered in fear.

The person beside him remained silent for a long time. Uncle Qi looked up at him and saw Qin Feng filled with hesitation, asking in confusion, "Does the boss have any other concerns?"

Qin Feng looked ahead. That family, traveling light, moved faster than the caravan, and they had just passed a bend, disappearing from sight.

From ahead, he could vaguely hear the crisp voices of children reading.

Traveling while not forgetting to read, such a family tradition didn’t seem like the ways of an evil person.

"I’m just worried that if anything happens, it might harm Ah Yao’s health," Qin Feng sighed, frowning.

But right now, anxious for an answer, he had no other choice but to take a risk.

Qin Yao had no idea that Qin Feng was preparing to take her to meet a Daoist. At noon, while resting by the riverbank, Qin Feng came over with long strides, saying there was a scenic spot ahead and inviting her to come along.

Without a second thought, Qin Yao replied, "I’m not interested."

"There are still people waiting for us in the Capital, and we already lost three days due to the Wildcat Village incident. From now on, not only will we not have time to enjoy the scenery, but we might also forego midday rests just to reach the Capital sooner."

The implication was that, although the two families were traveling together, if the caravan didn’t keep up, they might not wait for them.

Qin Feng’s face changed slightly, not because she refused the invitation to enjoy the scenery, but because he realized Qin Yao was intentionally avoiding him.

They had agreed this morning that the two families would look after each other, and yet his first invitation was immediately met with a change in attitude.

Why? Was she feeling guilty?

"Dear, the blanket is laid out. You can come and sit now." Liu Ji smiled and waved by the riverbank. Seeing Qin Yao look over, he patted the blanket underneath him, guaranteeing she could lie comfortably.

The riverbank was a beautiful sight, with colorful wildflowers blossoming along the river for an entire stretch. Sitting here for lunch was a delight.

Qin Yao nodded at Qin Feng, stood up, and moved toward Liu Ji. She lay directly on the blanket-covered grass, intimately connecting with nature and basking in the sunlight.

Yin Le and Ah Wang set up the pot to prepare hot food, while the children propped up a tabletop on the book box, grinding ink and laying paper to start writing their letters of confession.

This matter could not be forgotten, as it was a full two thousand words. If not written well, Mother would surely be angry.

Liu Ji poured Qin Yao a cup of clean water, placed a box of snacks by her hand, entertained her with stories, served tea, massaged her legs, and occasionally offered guidance on how the children should write their confessions.

After all, having been tempered by his wife’s hand, no one understood writing confessions better than him!

Completely ignoring Qin Feng, he acted as if he couldn’t sense the other’s piercing gaze.

In Liu Ji’s mind: Brother-in-law is a bit scary; this brother and sister duo are both so unsettling.

In Qin Feng’s mind: Shameless scoundrel, daring to touch her with those filthy hands, I’ll cut them off sooner or later!

They rested by the river for an hour at midday, setting off again once the sun was lower.

During the break, Qin Feng brought a hooded hat.

"A young lady must take care of herself. The sun is so strong, put on the hat to avoid getting sunburned."

Qin Feng said earnestly, while secretly glancing at the axle of the wagon.

Unexpectedly, the rogue who had previously challenged him was now looking downward, with no reaction whatsoever, let alone any arrogant or defensive gaze.

This is outrageous!

Seeing someone deliver a hat to his lady, and yet having no reaction, he couldn’t truly love her! Qin Feng became even angrier.

He clamped the hat onto the stunned Qin Yao’s head and turned his horse back to his caravan, not forgetting to snort contemptuously when passing a certain person, expressing his disdain.

Liu Ji turned and faced the other way, as if to say, "You can’t see me, you can’t see me."

With the hat clamped on, Qin Yao thought to herself, "..."