Yang Dao's caravan took seven or eight days to travel from Langya through Donghai and into Guangling. As they neared the border, he suddenly felt something was off.
He ordered the convoy to stop, stepped down from the carriage, and walked to the edge of a field.
After a long look, realization dawned on him.
On the Donghai side, the crops were still standing, not yet harvested. But across the river in Guangling, the fields were already cut—only short stubble remained.
And judging from the height of the stalks, the grain hadn't even fully matured before being harvested.
"So the rumors are true…" Yang Dao muttered.
Guangling really was facing a food shortage.
A few granaries burned, and now they were forced to harvest early just to survive.
His lips curled into a faint smile.
"If that's the case… we'll have the upper hand in negotiations."
Unaware that insects had begun to stir beneath the soil where he stood, he returned to the carriage.
Inside, his wife, Cai Zhenji, looked at him with concern.
"Is something wrong ahead?"
Yang Dao waved it off with a laugh. "Nothing. I was just overthinking."
"We'll reach Haixi after crossing the Huai River tomorrow."
Looking at her, his mood improved.
They had grown up together—true childhood sweethearts. Compared to the daughter of Kong Rong, whom he had never even met, his wife was far more ideal: beautiful, cultured, and the daughter of Cai Yong.
Perfect in every way.
Except for one thing.
That "ferocious tiger."
The man who had taken her sister as a concubine.
Yang Dao frowned.
He had studied that man carefully before setting out—and the more he learned, the less it made sense.
Among all the women around him, the one with the lowest status was from the Zhen family—a declining house, barely more than merchants now.
And yet the others?
Daughters of powerful figures—Cai Yong, Bian Rang, even nobility.
Any one of them could have been a principal wife.
And yet… they all stayed.
Why?
The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt.
Especially with the looming issue of Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi—he didn't want to get dragged into that mess.
When the caravan arrived at Haixi, Yang Dao stepped down and saw who had come to greet him.
A boy.
Fifteen or sixteen at most.
Dressed like a scholar.
Yang Dao's expression darkened.
Sending a child to receive me?
He suppressed his anger and said coldly, "I am Yang Dao, an official under Governor Yuan. May I ask your name?"
The young man bowed calmly.
"Lu Xun, military advisor and aide, greets you."
Yang Dao nearly choked.
A sixth-rank advisor?
At that age?
Meanwhile, he himself—though proud of his ninth-rank position—was still at the very bottom of officialdom.
The gap was enormous.
His arrogance instantly deflated.
"I… greet the Military Advisor," he said stiffly.
Lu Xun smiled faintly. "You're too kind. Please, follow me into the city."
As they rode together, Yang Dao tried to probe him—and was shocked again.
Lu Xun wasn't just an official.
He was:
A sworn brother of the magistrate Son-in-law of Liu Yu From the prestigious Lu family of Jiangdong
Each identity was far beyond Yang Dao's reach.
Jealousy surged within him.
Connections… it must all be connections.
At the government office, however, the magistrate was nowhere to be seen.
Lu Xun returned after asking around. "Apologies. The magistrate has gone out to receive someone."
Yang Dao narrowed his eyes. "A distinguished guest?"
Lu Xun chuckled. "It concerns your wife."
"He's gone to the dock to receive Lady Cai."
At Haixi Wharf, a large ship had just docked.
Before the passengers could disembark, Yuan Xi rushed aboard and took Cai Yan—Cai Zhaoji—by the hand.
Seeing the unease in her eyes, he said gently, "It's alright. I'm here."
Then, more quietly, "I'm sorry… I still haven't resolved your status."
Cai Zhaoji smiled softly. "I'm not worried about that. I just don't want it to affect your reputation."
Yuan Xi laughed. "When I was trapped before, I survived worse than rumors. Now that I have power… let's see who dares speak against me."
She leaned lightly against him.
"The days we traveled together… though short, they were the happiest of my life."
He sighed. "Once you enter this struggle, nothing is simple anymore."
Back at the residence, Yang Dao had already drunk several rounds of tea.
His patience was wearing thin.
Is this deliberate? Making me wait?
Across from him, Lu Xun quietly observed.
He had already seen through most of Yang Dao's temperament.
Proud. Ambitious. But shallow.
The kind of person whose thoughts were written plainly on his face.
Why send someone like this as an envoy? he wondered.
Is he being tested… or used?
Just then, a guard entered.
"The magistrate has returned."
Yang Dao straightened immediately.
At last.
The "ferocious tiger"… was here.