TKTWC 14

Chapter 14

Where Did You Hear All That?**

Everyone felt the tense atmosphere and fled without daring to lift their heads.

The scholar-dressed young man beside Liu He had followed along as well. Without any politeness, he pointed at Liu Yi with his bamboo fan.

“Master He is here—who are you to give orders?”

Over these past days, Liu Yi had learned that this young scholar was the nephew of Tian Yu, the head of the Tian clan, a powerful family in Guangyang. His specific name was unknown—everyone just called him Young Master Tian.

The principal wife of Liu Yu, the Inspector of You Province, was also from the Tian family—a situation similar to Governor Liu and Madam Qian of Yuyang. So Liu He and this Young Master Tian were probably somewhat related by marriage.

But with large local clans having many branches, it was hard to say how close they really were.

“Your subordinate was afraid the noise and crowd might offend Master He,” Liu Yi explained before bowing to Liu He. “Greetings, Master He.”

The Zhang Jue he had mentioned was the leader of the Yellow Turban rebels currently rising in revolt—he called himself the “Great Worthy and Good Master,” and legend said he could turn beans into soldiers and cure all illnesses with talisman water.

In recent years, the Yellow Turbans had risen everywhere, with rebel forces numbering in the millions—a constant headache for the Eastern Han court.

Compared to the Yellow Turbans, the rebellion in You Province was small fry.

Comparing her to Zhang Jue was like calling someone a “devil” during the War of Resistance—if the rumor got twisted, it could be very bad for Liu Yi. That was why she had dismissed the crowd immediately.

Perhaps because Liu Yi’s attitude was so subdued, Liu He didn’t press the issue further.

He pressed his forearm heavily onto Liu Yi’s shoulder: “Come, explain to me what use all this mud and cloth of yours has.”

Liu He was large and sturdy, and Liu Yi hadn’t braced herself—she nearly collapsed under the weight.

She instinctively reached out to steady Liu He and push him off her. She strained—and he didn’t budge at all.

She looked up at Liu He. His flushed, drunken face stared back at her, but his eyes were unusually sharp and clear.

—So this was deliberate.

Liu Yi understood. This bastard wasn’t really that drunk at all—he was just using the pretense of intoxication to press down on her, trying to humiliate her in public.

So what if people worshipped you as an immortal? The immortal in their eyes was nothing more than something he could casually push around.

“Go on, explain,” Liu He urged, his pressure not lessening but increasing—something unnoticeable unless you looked closely.

Liu Yi glanced around. Young Master Tian was blocking the attendants, keeping them a few paces away, clearing the space so as not to obstruct the view.

But most people kept their heads down and worked, not daring to look.

“Alright.” Liu Yi replied simply. “Master He, please look this way.”

As if nothing were wrong, she methodically introduced the modified grain carts and the grain-storage fabric.

All the while, the pressure on her shoulder grew heavier. She couldn’t push it away, couldn’t break free.

She had become nothing more than Liu He’s walking stick.

Several times as they moved, Liu He deliberately added more weight, making Liu Yi stumble. She only straightened up quickly and continued her explanation without a word of complaint.

“Master He—” Governor Liu’s voice came from afar.

Finally, a turning point. Governor Liu came panting over and immediately lifted Liu He’s arm from Liu Yi’s shoulder and draped it over his own.

Someone clever must have secretly run to fetch him to rescue Liu Yi.

“Look at you—feeling unwell and still coming to inspect the grain.” He took Liu He’s full weight. “Your subordinate has prepared some fresh fruit, newly picked in season—please, come and try some.”

Seeing Governor Liu arrive, Liu He stopped pretending and stood up straight on his own.

He chuckled lightly at Liu Yi: “After seeing you today, your son is indeed quite talented. If the grain transport goes well, I’ll recommend him to my father and have him stay in Guangyang, serving as a minor official under me.”

This wasn’t satisfaction with her ability—it was satisfaction with her submissive, unresisting attitude today.

Governor Liu smiled and thanked him, finally leading him away.

After Liu He’s party left, several commoners close to Liu Yi immediately crowded around to check on her.

“Master Yi, are you alright…”

Liu Yi only waved her hand: “We’ve done enough for today. You should go home now. I think we’re on schedule—you don’t need to come back for the next few days.”

The commoners didn’t dare say more, but instead of going home, they went back to work.

At nightfall, Liu Yi did her routine inspection and arranged for guards. Only after confirming everything was secure did she leave.

Several dark, shadowy figures waited behind the trees. When they saw her come out, they stepped forward a few paces, then retreated again.

“Why haven’t you gone home yet?” Liu Yi recognized them—it was Sister Sun and her group.

By the time, they must have been waiting for a long while.

“Master Yi, did we cause you trouble today…” Sister Sun hesitated, then suddenly kicked her husband. “It’s all my man’s fault—he was the first to kneel without knowing what was going on, and it made you suffer.”

The man scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

“It’s fine.” Liu Yi genuinely didn’t mind. “I’m not just comforting you. I had offended Master He before today. Even without you, he would have found some other excuse to come after me.”

Sister Sun said urgently: “Actually, we heard… that the big man from Guangyang came to take grain from us common folk, and you stopped him for us.”

Liu Yi quickly made a “shh” gesture and lowered her voice: “Where did you hear all this?!”

That day, apart from her and her father, everyone present was Liu He’s man—who would have told?

“…Everyone knows.” The group looked at each other. “Wasn’t it supposed to be said?”

Wasn’t this good news? They’d been wanting to spread the word about Master Yi even more.

“Don’t spread it anymore,” Liu Yi said patiently. “Think about it—they wanted to do something bad and failed. If everyone finds out, won’t they think they might as well just follow through and make the accusation real?”

Everyone quickly promised not to speak of it anymore. The old and young stood obediently, all gazing at Liu Yi.

Silence stretched out. In the distance, dogs barked a few times.

“So… why are you all waiting here?” Liu Yi asked belatedly.

It couldn’t be that so many people had gathered just to apologize to her.

Sister Sun and the others exchanged glances and grinned sheepishly: “…We heard something else too. Can we say it?”

“Go ahead, go ahead.” Liu Yi was both amused and touched. “What else have you heard? Tell me everything.”

“That’s all, that’s all—just that you’re also going to Guangyang with the army. We brought you some things.” Sister Sun pulled out a bundle from her bosom. “My second sister sewed two sets of inner garments—cut specifically to your size. I know you don’t lack anything at home, but us country folk know what’s comfortable to wear out there. This fabric is breathable, absorbs sweat, and doesn’t chafe.”

She went on to describe the garments in detail.

Liu Yi didn’t refuse her kindness. She took them readily: “Perfect—I’ve been so busy these days I haven’t had time to pack. With this, I don’t have to worry about what to wear.”

Sister Sun was overjoyed.

Others quickly followed with their offerings.

Some brought shoe insoles, others gave her carved bamboo tubes to use as water bottles. Useful or not, Liu Yi accepted everything.

Old Wang, the blacksmith, gave her a small, lightweight dagger—light enough to carry at her waist without weighing her down, but useful for self-defense if needed.

“Thank you all. I’ve received both your gifts and your sentiments.”

Liu Yi hadn’t expected everyone to care so much about her—not only helping with the work but also preparing gifts. The warmth touched her heart.

“There’s one more thing…” Sister Sun leaned in cautiously, stammering. “Master Yi, that Master He—he’s not a good man. You must be careful on the road. Stay far away from him!”

“Don’t worry.” Liu Yi knew perfectly well that Liu He was no good.

Seeing Liu Yi’s calm expression, as if she hadn’t taken it seriously, Sister Sun wanted to say more—but her husband tugged her sleeve and pulled her away.

“Don’t say such disrespectful things to Master Yi—only you have such sharp eyes.”

Sister Sun was usually sharp-tongued and domineering at home, often lording over her husband. This time, being pulled away, she didn’t argue at all—everyone laughed at the sight.

“Master Yi.” A timid voice spoke up. Xing’er held out a sachet with both hands. “I, I heard that grain transport can be dangerous too—there might be enemies trying to steal it! I knelt in the temple for three days and three nights and got a peace charm for you.”

“You’re very thoughtful too.” Without thinking, Liu Yi took the sachet from the shy girl.

Everyone suddenly fell silent.

Liu Yi’s heart skipped a beat. Oh no—she’d forgotten again that she was supposed to be playing a man!