The Ace Bigshot Becomes A Farmgirl

Capítulo 1638: Chapter 1638: Arrival at Chenggu County

As soon as the city gates opened, Shu Yu and the others spurred their horses and quickly set off on their journey.

Shu Yu had been through this kind of experience once before, when she hurried to Changjin Prefecture to meet the Dongqing Temple master, traveling day and night.

Therefore, she was very experienced. This time, she made full preparations, tying thick soft cushions around her thighs, and also placing a small soft cushion on the saddle. Although she couldn’t rely on it most of the time, she could still rest a bit occasionally when slowing down.

The situation with the Meng family was urgent, and the group couldn’t afford to delay. They hurried along and finally reached Changjin Prefecture.

They didn’t enter the city, instead turning in the direction of Chenggu County.

However, the closer they got to Chenggu County, the slower their speed became. The road was too quiet, with not a single person in sight, and the atmosphere was unusually tense.

The four of them riding horses on the main road appeared somewhat conspicuous.

Fortunately, they finally arrived safely at their destination. The city gate of Chenggu County was heavily guarded, with several layers of soldiers posted outside, and barricades blocking the outermost area.

The city gate wasn’t fully opened, yet even so, not a single person was going in or out.

Seeing Shu Yu’s group of four, soldiers immediately stepped forward and shouted, “Who goes there?”

Meng Yunzheng was the first to dismount, helping Shu Yu down. Her thighs ached faintly, but it was much better than last time; after dismounting, her legs didn’t tremble, and walking wasn’t an issue. After a few steps, she adjusted.

Meng Yunzheng took out his travel permit, “I am Meng Yunzheng, a newly passed scholar of Chenggu County this year. I heard something happened in Chenggu County, and I’m worried about my family, so I came back specifically to check on them.”

Meng Yunzheng was known by everyone in Chenggu County as a local scholar who passed the county’s top exam thrice and was a newly minted scholar this year.

At this, the soldiers blocking the road improved their attitudes notably, bowing to Meng Yunzheng, “So it’s Scholar Meng. Chenggu County just had an incident, and now entry and exit require strict examination. We ask for Scholar Meng’s understanding.”

“Of course.”

But from what he observed so far, it seemed less like strict examination and more like common people being barred from entry and exit altogether.

However, Meng Yunzheng was a scholar, and his ancestral home was in Chenggu County, while Shu Yu was the Village Chief, meaning their statuses were inherently different.

After confirming their identities, they were allowed to pass.

Upon crossing the city gates, their expressions subtly changed. The county town was in worse condition than they had anticipated; just near the gate alone, there were at least three ruins, the charred beams and bricks stung their eyes.

The ground was damp, indicating it had been cleaned, but faint traces of red blood stains lingered, shocking onlookers.

Aside from patrolling soldiers, only a few pedestrians quickly scurried by.

Occasionally passing by several households, they could see silhouettes flitting by the windows, all moving carefully and uneasily.

Some even poked their heads out of windows, observing them with curiosity and fear. Upon meeting their gaze, they promptly retracted their heads.

Shu Yu also heard the suppressed cries of children, which were quickly silenced by reprimands.

Her fingers slowly clenched, “This is too much.”

If they want power and to play dirty tricks, they should fight their own battles, aiming at those who stand in their way. Why target innocent common people? To misdirect attention, they would resort to such means, making these innocent people pay such a painful price? They are living diligently, leading good lawful lives, how are they in their way?