Chapter 18: A Helping Hand from a Noble Soul

“A bunch of unruly scoundrels! This is the official courier station’s doorstep, not a place for your noisy disorder! Pack up your rubbish and get lost immediately!”

The cheerful atmosphere in the forest clearing was shattered by a furious shout.

A well-dressed middle-aged man, flanked by two attendants, stormed over with a menacing glare.

The Su family had just gathered, sharing tears and laughter before preparing to eat and then continue their journey. They never expected such trouble.

Su Da and Su Er, both young and hot-headed, rose to argue with the man’s rude curses and orders to leave, but the elderly matriarch swiftly stopped them.

“We sincerely apologize, sir official. We will leave at once,” the old woman said, swallowing her pride as she bowed low, signaling her son and daughter-in-law to pack quickly. The man clearly had some backing, and common folk like them dared not offend him.

She intended to defuse the situation by showing humility and making concessions. If the man didn’t press further, the matter could be settled quietly. But he had no such intention.

Noticing the defiance flickering in Su Da and Su Er’s eyes, the middle-aged man sneered coldly. “Wait a moment. Where are you from? Where are you headed? Show me your travel permits! Looking at your ragged appearance, don’t tell me you’re vagrants roaming and committing crimes! The empire has decreed that unidentified vagrants caught must be arrested and sent to the magistrate’s office for trial. Those who resist shall be killed on the spot!”

Since ancient times, commoners have feared officials instinctively.

Even the normally fierce old woman paled at his words. The three children clung tightly to their parents, crying in fright.

“Honorable sir, please see clearly—we are not vagabonds!” the elderly Su man hurried forward, kneeling with his entire family. Trembling, he produced from his chest an official exile document bearing the imperial seal, holding it up with both hands. “We are the Su family, sentenced to exile due to distant relatives’ crimes. We are en route to our place of banishment. Though we bear guilt, every member of our family is innocent and has never committed any offense. We are not wandering criminals!”

The situation left them no choice but to reveal their identities.

The Northern Yue laws clearly stipulated that unidentified vagrants could be sent to the authorities or even executed.

This was why, despite their exile sentence, the magistrate’s office allowed them to travel to their punishment on their own. Should they attempt escape, they would become vagrants, facing a fate worse than exile.

Now, the middle-aged man was clearly making things difficult. If they failed to produce their documents admitting their criminal status, he might really kill them all on the spot.

“So, criminals you are, carrying your crimes but still shameless enough to glare and bluff me, you despicable lowlifes!” Without even glancing at the document, the man sneered and barked, “Men, teach them a lesson!”

The two attendants immediately drew whips from their waists, ready to strike.

The Su family’s faces drained of color as they huddled together, angering yet powerless.

The middle-aged man made no effort to hide his intent to beat them. To commoners like them, their lives were as insignificant as ants, utterly powerless against authority.

Su Da and Su Er knew they had caused trouble. The two young men stood protectively in front of their family, gritting their teeth, bracing for the lashes.

Sweet Treasure was tightly held by the old woman and shielded behind the couples. Amid the chaos, no one noticed the icy, strange red glow flickering in the small child’s eyes hidden within the bundle.

Because of her past life’s circumstances, Sweet Treasure was unfamiliar with social niceties and had no upbringing.

She did not understand right from wrong; she only knew that they were about to hurt her grandparents, parents, and three brothers.

A strange, fierce anger blossomed in her chest, surging powerfully.

In an unseen, mysterious space, several sharp pear branches aimed at the middle-aged man and his two attendants.

Just as the branches were about to shoot, a cold voice cut through the turmoil.

“Stop!”

The young woman’s voice was soft but carried undeniable authority.

The two aggressive attendants instinctively halted.

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice.

The sight was dazzling.

A young, beautiful woman clad in embroidered silk robes with a lake-green rabbit fur cloak walked gracefully, exuding elegance and nobility.

She held the hand of a finely dressed little boy of about three or four years old. A middle-aged nanny led the way, with two beautiful maidservants following behind.

Such a retinue was no ordinary household’s.

The middle-aged man recognized the newcomer as a distinguished guest just settled at the courier station. He dared not be rude and swiftly softened his proud demeanor.

“Have these people disturbed madam’s rest? Madam, please wait a moment—I will have them sent away immediately!”

The noblewoman approached with a smile, shaking her head gently.

“Manager Zhang, you are mistaken. They are simply resting here briefly. They have neither entered the courier station to make noise nor offended any travelers. Where is the need for violence?”

The station manager, knowing she had witnessed the earlier incident, insisted, “Madam, you do not understand. These people are criminals. If not cautious, they dare act rashly and insolently; they deserve punishment!”

“Even if they are criminals, the authorities have their own judgment and sentencing. Besides, they are voluntarily traveling to their place of exile, thus abiding by the law. There is no reason for you to punish them. As for disturbing the station’s peace—such an excuse is utterly unreasonable. Is not all land under the emperor’s domain? I have never heard that this official road belongs to the courier station or to you, Manager Zhang, and that commoners are forbidden to be here.”

Hearing the noblewoman’s unwavering defense of these exiles, Manager Zhang’s expression darkened, displeased.

Though he had some backing to hold his managerial post, he had encountered many types of people and known numerous officials and nobles, considering himself well-connected.

Now, humiliated in public, his tone grew harsh.

“Madam, you come from a good family, so why do you side with these lowly criminals? They bear guilt, and your words in their defense amount to shielding offenders!”

“How dare you!” the nanny scolded coldly, brandishing a token. “To speak disrespectfully to a noble lady, I think you must be courting death!”

Having served at the station for years and knowing many things, the manager’s face changed drastically at the sight of the token. Terrified, he turned pale and trembled, immediately dropping to his knees to plead, “I was blind, madam. Please forgive my insolence!”

The Su family stood dumbfounded, utterly unprepared for how events had unfolded.

The once arrogant station manager now groveling on the ground?

Who was this noble person stepping forward to rescue them?

The Su family dared not speculate and could not fathom it, but they understood the signal.

A crisis was effortlessly defused by this noble stranger, sparing them all from bodily harm. The family knelt together in heartfelt gratitude.