Chapter 279
Upon seeing the name on the household registration paper, the lead officer couldn’t help but swallow hard. He scanned Yu Luo’s face once more, his eyes filled with disbelief as he muttered under his breath.
Yu Luo snatched the paper back, carefully folded it, and tucked it into the pouch at her waist. Only then did she raise her eyes to the officer, her gaze cold and indifferent.
“To be honest, these fruits and melons all come from my family’s estate. Are you planning to take them away?”
“N-no, I wouldn’t dare! Had I known these men were your people, I never would have dared to question them! Since these fruits belong to your esteemed household, they should absolutely be sold in the city. Though there’s a lot of foot traffic here, not many people can afford them.”
The officer’s sudden shift in attitude—a complete 180-degree change—shocked Hu Liu, Wu Er, and the dozens of brothers watching from a distance.
Others might not know Yu Luo’s true background, but Hu Liu did. Among their group, some had personally witnessed her exile to the wastelands—wearing prisoner’s clothing no less!
But why was she now called Xia Hou Yuan Wei?
And who was this Xia Hou Yuan Wei?
Why did this mere name cause these officers to turn pale with fear?
“Of course, we’re going into the city.” Yu Luo’s tone remained calm. “Now, get out of our way—don’t interfere with my servants’ business.”
“Y-yes, of course! Would you like us to escort you into the city, esteemed lady?”
“A noble like me travels in secrecy and alone. Do you really think I need a bunch of men making a spectacle of me?”
Feigning arrogance and impatience, Yu Luo narrowed her eyes slightly.
Hearing this, the officers nodded frantically, bowing and grinning obsequiously.
“Yes, yes, that was our mistake! We won’t trouble you any further. Farewell!”
Just like that, the officers, who had arrived swaggering with authority, scurried away like frightened dogs, their tails between their legs.
Not only were Hu Liu, Wu Er, and the other brothers completely stunned, but even the onlookers—the gathered townsfolk—gawked at Yu Luo with curious admiration.
“Stop standing around—let’s move,” Yu Luo ordered.
Once the officers were gone, she turned to Hu Liu and Wu Er, who were still frozen in shock, and without further explanation, led her white horse toward the city gates.
Wu Er and Hu Liu exchanged glances, then quickly rallied the others to follow, bringing their carts into line.
“Hey… why did our young lady suddenly show up? And who is this Xia Hou Yuan Wei?” Wu Er whispered as they walked. “Isn’t her real name Yu Luo?”
“Shut up! Are you trying to expose her?”
Hu Liu immediately stomped on Wu Er’s foot, hissing a warning.
Wu Er grimaced, nodding rapidly.
“Fine, fine, I won’t ask. But what about the old man who ordered a hundred jin of tomatoes? If we all leave, how will he find us?”
Hearing this, Hu Liu snapped back to reality.
“Alright, you stay here and wait for him. Later, one of the brothers will wait for you at the city gates, so you won’t get lost.”
Since their lady’s assumed identity was working for now, Wu Er confidently volunteered to stay behind. After all, he had the right “documents.”
“Good idea. That officer recognized your face, so you should be fine. We’ll go ahead.”
By the time Yu Luo and the ten carts reached the city gates, the very same officers who had earlier harassed them now hurriedly cleared a path for them.
There was no need to queue. No entry tax.
They passed straight through the gates, unobstructed.
Stepping into Yueyang City, the lively, bustling atmosphere made even Yu Luo take a deep breath, feeling strangely at ease.
This was the way people should live—not like in the wastelands, where one could walk for miles without seeing another soul.
The streets were packed with people—merchants shouting about their wares, peddlers lining the roads, and noblewomen in fine silk robes either strolling leisurely or shopping. Some wore veils, while younger women walked openly, chatting and laughing.
One could instantly distinguish the rich from the poor by their clothing.
Everywhere, the smell of hot food filled the air.
For the rough men who had spent months exiled in the wastelands, the temptation was unbearable. Some swallowed hungrily, while others looked around enviously at the townspeople’s freedom.
“You lot—go find out where the best place is to sell fruits and melons.”
Yu Luo turned to Hu Liu and instructed calmly.
“Yes!”
A short while later, Hu Liu returned.
“Miss, the best place would be East Market. That area is where most of the wealthy families live and shop.”
Yu Luo nodded.
“Take a few men and go set up a stall there. I’ll take the rest to find a place to stay first. Bring only one cart each—if you need more, you can come back for it later.”
“Understood! Once you’ve settled in, have someone come find us in East Market!”
Yu Luo nodded again. Hu Liu and a few men each took a cart and headed toward East Market.
Meanwhile, Yu Luo sought out a property broker and purchased a small courtyard.
Since Yueyang City was the largest eastern city near the wastelands, having a permanent residence here would make future business much easier. It was better than renting an inn—less trouble, and it would serve as a base for their trading operations.
Nearby…
In a hidden alleyway, a young man in white robes and a jade crown peeked out from behind a corner, his folding fan covering most of his face.
His intense gaze was locked onto Yu Luo’s graceful figure as she disappeared into the newly purchased courtyard.
“Tell me… doesn’t she look just like her?”
His voice trembled slightly, betraying his excitement.
“Although we’ve never seen her in women’s clothing before… it’s uncanny. And she’s… breathtaking.”
The handsome nobleman sighed dreamily, clearly mesmerized.
Behind him, his loyal bodyguard tried to keep a straight face.
“My lord, if you are so taken with her, why not approach her openly instead of skulking about like this?”
Hearing this, the nobleman—Ye Lu—suddenly snapped back to reality.
He yanked his head back, realizing how ridiculous he must have looked.
As the last of the carts disappeared through the courtyard gates, Ye Lu’s face darkened, and he shot his bodyguard, Ah Zan, a cold glare.
“When did I ever say I was obsessed with a woman?!”
