OFTLHFRO C115

Chapter 115: Ancient-Era Workers

Only once Huo Yuhui’s body temperature had returned to normal and he had gradually fallen into a deep sleep did Luo Mingchen finally loosen his hold.

Still, he couldn’t shake the sense that something about this whole affair was strange, almost too coincidental.

True, Huo Xu was quick-tempered and clearly disliked them, but he had just been beaten by Luo Mingchen not long ago, and his panda eyes had yet to fade. And as for Huo Yuhui—he was always so cautious. Going to retrieve a necklace shouldn’t have led to such an incident.

Could it be that Huo Xu had tried to snatch the necklace?

It wasn’t impossible.

Thinking this far, Luo Mingchen set aside his doubts for the time being.

When Huo Yan returned and didn’t see Luo Mingchen waiting for him at the door as usual, he strode quickly toward the room.

Hearing the faintest sound, Luo Mingchen got up and opened the door.

Huo Yan lowered the hand he had raised to knock, and seeing only Luo Mingchen, he asked:

“What happened?”

“Xiao Hui went to look for his necklace and was pushed into the lake by Huo Xu.”

At those words, Huo Yan paused. He then asked:

“The house—did you find one?”

“Mm. Can we move? If so, we should leave right after this. They said everything is already arranged.”

Luo Mingchen had never wanted to spend the New Year in the General’s Mansion anyway. Now that their child’s safety had been threatened, he was even less willing to remain.

“If anyone asks, we’ll just say Huo Xu bullied our child.”

At this, Huo Yan lifted his eyes toward the inner room.

Huo Xiang, accidentally meeting his gaze, hurriedly shifted away and lowered his head even further.

Understanding, Huo Yan said:

“I’ll ready the carriage.”

“Mm.”

They didn’t have much left in the General’s Mansion, but those large chests would still need people to move them.

It wasn’t realistic to carry them all in one trip, but they could hire people to do it.

Once Huo Yan had harnessed the carriage, Luo Mingchen carried the quilt-wrapped Huo Yuhui inside, then lifted Huo Xiang and Huo Xinyue aboard.

Huo Xiang, groggy as he found himself carried by Little Daddy into the carriage: “…”

Was this because Little Daddy thought he was too slow?

They left just like that.

The steward thought they were heading into town again to shop and, puzzled, asked:

“Eldest Young Master! Where are you going?”

Naturally, Huo Yan gave no reply.

After a while, realizing something was wrong, the steward hurried to report the matter to Liu Lanyun.

In Huo Xu’s courtyard, Liu Lanyun felt her head throb the moment she heard about Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan.

“Go tell the Master. Do you think I dare interfere in their affairs? If I don’t meddle, Xu’er is already nearly beaten to death and drowned. If I meddle any further, won’t the three of us all be done for?”

The steward glanced at Huo Xu, bundled tightly from head to toe, then went to seek out Huo Yuntao.

The place the Third Prince had arranged for them was decent, not far either. Driving south for about two quarters of an hour, they soon saw the gate.

“This should be it.”

Luo Mingchen checked the simple map once more.

Huo Yan stepped down and knocked on the door.

Before long, the gate opened and a tall young man in his twenties emerged.

“And you are?”

“Huo Yan.”

At the name, the man’s eyes lit up. He bowed.

“So it is Lord Huo. Allow me to take the carriage inside. Lord Luo, please bring the young masters and young miss within—there are attendants waiting inside.”

“All right.”

Huo Yan went to carry the silk-wrapped Huo Yuhui, while Luo Mingchen held Huo Xinyue and led Huo Xiang through the gate.

As they walked, Luo Mingchen said:

“I recall they said there were five.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a strikingly pretty young woman appeared, smiling at them.

“This servant is Baixue. Greetings to the two lords, the young masters, and the young miss. Sister Ziyuan and Hongxing are in the rear courtyard. Please, this way.”

Luo Mingchen shot Huo Yan a look that said—this girl walks without a sound!

Huo Yan returned a look that meant—let’s wait and see.

Following along, they reached the rear courtyard where two more women stood waiting.

Luo Mingchen felt uncomfortable all over, but that discomfort eased greatly once they stepped into the room.

The moment the door opened, a warm fragrance enveloped them. Inside was cozy, the furnishings elegant yet simple, and the temperature pleasantly warm.

Not long after they sat, Ziyuan came forward with tea.

Luo Mingchen took a sip—it was just the right warmth to drink.

Was this what ancient-era workers were like?

They really had to go to such lengths…

After a short while, the rest of the group arrived, waiting respectfully outside the door.

Looking them over, Luo Mingchen asked:

“Did your master mention how much salary you should be paid each month?”

Expensive or not, there had to be a figure.

The five were surprised that Luo Mingchen’s first question was actually this.

After a pause, Ziyuan answered:

“Lord Luo may give as he sees fit.”

As shadow guards, their wages were regularly issued. If one of them died, and they had family, a large sum would be sent home.

Even here, the Shadow Guard Camp would continue their monthly stipends. So if Luo Mingchen paid only a single coin, it would hardly matter.

Luo Mingchen had never hired anyone before and didn’t know the going rates. He turned to Huo Yan and ventured:

“Ten taels of silver per month, per person?”

Huo Yan thought for a moment, then said:

“Ziyuan, twelve taels. The rest, ten each.”

All five bowed together.

“Thank you, my lords.”

Though Luo Mingchen still wasn’t quite used to being addressed as lord, he knew it was a respectful title and said nothing.

“Go hire ten or so freight wagons. We need to bring our belongings from the General’s Mansion.”

Even if only sacks of grain remained, they still had to bring them back.

“Yes.”

Luo Mingchen handed them a pouch of silver. Ziyuan passed it to Xiaochen—the same young man who had opened the gate.

Xiaochen and Baixue left to hire wagons.

Glancing at Huo Xiang, who stood watch by his brother’s bedside, Luo Mingchen walked over and took Huo Xinyue’s small hand.

“Your father and I still have to fetch the rest of our things. You two stay here with Sister Ziyuan and take good care of your brother, all right?”

The words were for both Huo Xinyue and Huo Xiang.

The children nodded obediently.

Ziyuan smiled at them. Hopefully, they would behave.

The two husbands returned first to the General’s Mansion. They hadn’t waited long before Xiaochen and Baixue arrived, leading a long line of carts.

Only then did Huo Yan knock at the gate.

“Who’s there?”

When the guards opened it and saw Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan, they remained calm. But upon seeing the many people behind them, they froze.

“Eldest Young Master, what is this?”

Huo Yan answered bluntly:

“Moving house.”

“Mov—”

Before the guard could finish, the pair strode inside, waving for the men behind them to follow in and begin moving things.

Nearly bowled over by Huo Yan’s towering figure, the guard barely steadied himself before dashing off to report to the masters.

Even though she had said she would not interfere, the moment Liu Lanyun heard Luo Mingchen and Huo Yan had truly come to move away the dowry, she couldn’t resist. Gathering her people, she hurried to Qiuyue Courtyard.

And there she found a whole team of movers already carrying things out.

“Dalang!”

Her voice came sharp, but realizing her tone was too harsh, she quickly softened it.

“Dalang, it’s New Year’s—what is the meaning of this?”

Luo Mingchen, catching sight of her, sneered.

“Then what did your son mean, pushing ours into the lake on New Year’s?”

Knowing her son’s temper, Liu Lanyun said coolly:

“Didn’t you push him in as well? That makes it even.”

“Even, my ass!”

Luo Mingchen rolled his eyes hard.

“I recall he was pulled out the moment he fell in. But Xiao Hui was left in the lake for a long while—and your son even forbade anyone to rescue him. With that kind of attitude, if we stay any longer, we won’t even know how we’ll die. Out of the way.”

Seeing that the movers ignored her, Liu Lanyun said quickly:

“But I heard it was your eldest boy who provoked him first. Xu’er only raised his hand lightly, and he fell in himself.”