Acai's Sky

Chapter 655: What Does the Heroine's Escape Have to Do with Me?

It's a pity that this son-in-law was not very ambitious. Not long after he passed the imperial examination, he was bewitched by others due to careless friendships and spent his days idling around and doing nothing.

This eventually angered the old man of the Tong family, who sent him back to his hometown and ordered him to concentrate on taking care of household affairs.

However, even so, because of their relationship with the Tong family, the Gu family was able to thrive when doing business in the capital.

Today, the Gu family has become a highly-regarded royal merchant, and their business is booming.

In recent years, perhaps out of pity for their granddaughter, or perhaps to make up for the loss of her mother, the Gu family has been extremely caring towards this lonely and helpless granddaughter.

Every year, he would send all kinds of novel and interesting toys and a considerable amount of gifts, just to let his granddaughter live a carefree and free life.

Not only that, the original owner's uncles often took the trouble to visit him in person, asking about his well-being, fearing that this child who had lost his mother's love would suffer any grievances.

"Snapped…"

"There's something wrong with this Concubine Dong! She knows that the original owner is rich and has her family to take care of her, so why would she reach out to the original owner?"

Ah Cai frowned slightly, stretched out her right index finger and gently scratched her chin, muttering thoughtfully to herself:

"Is there someone else behind this manipulating everything? Otherwise, how could our father be led astray so easily? First, he took in those two concubines, and now he's been driven back to his hometown to guard the old house. No matter how you think about it, it seems like there's something fishy going on! It's as if our family has been ruthlessly tricked! The plan is targeting the Tong family, but the Tong family's original father is the flaw!"

As she spoke, she irritably scratched her hair and continued her analysis, "It's a pity that Concubine Dong has been sent back to the capital and handed over to the Tong family's old master for his fate... Since she has been handed over to the Tong family's old master, could it be that the Tong family has already noticed the hidden conspiracy here?"

The more Ah Cai thought about it, the more headache she felt. She couldn't help scratching her hair again and grumbling, "Oh, this family feud is so exhausting! It's really a bit brain-burning! Think about the people who sent those concubines here. I'm afraid they must have met with misfortune long ago. Otherwise, with the Tong family's ability, the person behind this should have been thoroughly investigated long ago."

Thinking of this, Ah Cai couldn't help but shake her head, secretly sighing in her heart: No wonder her adopted father, who has always been so arrogant, didn't even participate in the palace examination this time, and returned to her hometown honestly. It seems that he also knows that he has caused great trouble this time.

"But the capital is a very treacherous place! As soon as someone stands out a little, like a talented person like Dad, all sorts of tricks and tactics will immediately follow."

Ah Cai took a deep breath and tried to calm her chaotic mind. "Forget it, forget it. I don't want to think about these troubles anymore. I'd better think carefully about the task at hand first. As for other things, I'll just treat them as passing clouds!"

Thinking of this, Ah Cai slowly stood up and walked to the dressing table. After carefully combing her hair, she called Ginkgo in and told the maids to carry the bathtub out.

"Seeing my father spend a full ten years in that decrepit old house, living such a peaceful and tranquil life, the reason behind this is truly puzzling. Upon closer reflection, I can't help but suspect that the hardships and setbacks my father endured in the capital might have been just a trivial, insignificant move by some high-ranking dignitary!"

Ah Cai curled her lips in anger, feeling indignant. "Hmph! If anyone dares to use my father as a chess piece again, I'll make him pay! It doesn't matter if he's a high-ranking official or a royal relative, I won't hesitate to charge forward and overturn his chessboard, so he can never have fun playing chess again!"

Thinking of this, Ah Cai turned around and shouted outside: "Ginkgo, come with me for a walk."

The maids in her own family still have to have a clear way out. As for those so-called secret guards, Ah Cai knows them all very well - how can they be as reliable as Xiao Jia and others who were trained by her own family?

No matter if it's an enemy hiding in the dark or the mysterious mastermind behind the scenes, as long as she finds any clues, she will dig deep into the matter and eradicate it completely!

And those who dare to block his way forward will not be able to escape, they will all be wiped out!

...

Jialu County

Although on the surface it looks bustling with shops lining both sides of the street and people coming and going.

But if you think about it carefully, and take into account all the places in the entire county, big and small, its scale is actually not particularly large compared to other large counties.

"I estimate that the population of Jialu County is only about 50,000 at most?" Ah Cai muttered to herself softly as she sat in the swaying carriage.

The carriage was driving on the road, and except for some slight bumps occasionally caused by the uneven road surface, it was generally stable and quiet.

Ginkgo, who was in the same carriage, naturally heard her young lady's muttering. She couldn't help but feel a little strange. When did her young lady start to care so much about the population problem in Jialu County?

So he replied casually: "Miss, you are right, our Jialu County can only be regarded as a small county of lower middle class.

Fortunately, our location is good, right on a major traffic route, so there are many merchants coming and going every day.

It is precisely because of the business opportunities and commerce brought by these merchants that the lives of the people here are able to live a little better."

After hearing what Ginkgo said, Ah Cai pondered to herself, "Since this place is located on a major transportation route, then according to the plot, the heroine will definitely pass through here when she escapes famine, and then continue on to the capital. As for the population, once those refugees arrive in large numbers, it won't be difficult to increase the number of people we want!"

Thinking of this, a barely perceptible smile appeared on Acai's face.

She gently lifted the curtain embroidered with exquisite patterns on the car window and carefully stuck her head out of the window.

I saw a very lively scene before my eyes: people were coming and going in an endless stream on the bustling streets; the sound of hawkers one after another filled the entire space, and was endless.

On the streets, strings of red candied haws sparkle with an alluring luster in the sun, like crystal clear gems.

Not far away, an artist with superb craftsmanship was skillfully shaping clay figures, and various lifelike images were quickly born in his hands.

Looking further ahead, someone was performing a diabolo performance. The diabolo flew up and down in the air, making crisp and pleasant sounds.

On the other side, many children gathered together to play the bamboo ring game, and bursts of laughter could be heard from time to time.