Xu Tao glanced at the curious woman before him and began to walk once more, the two ladies trailing behind, eager to hear more and find answers to their questions.
"He did help Jian Bo escape death," Xu Tao began, his voice steady as he recounted the events. "The magistrate started from the lowest job and worked his way up to become a magistrate by using all the funds provided by Jian Bo. He must have felt immense guilt for allowing Jian Bo to get caught."
A sigh escaped his lips, a clear indication of the complex emotions the magistrate must have experienced during that time. "The other group... I'm not even sure if they can be called a group. It's hard to say. The royal worked with that bandit group to take us down and separate us all. None of us had expected any of this that time. The other group, their leader is a coward and only acts tough when he feels that he has the advantage to the situation."
Lian Yan listened intently, her mind a whirl of conflicting feelings and thoughts. She bit her lip, trying to make sense of the information. "What would he gain from trying to take you all down?" she asked, her confusion evident. She couldn't comprehend the reason behind Prince Hei An's actions to bring down Jian Bo and his family. The motives were unclear, and the situation seemed all the more perplexing.
"It might be due to us having a silver mine at that time," Xu Tao explained. "Jian Bo was the one who discovered it first, and our group took over to extract and produce our own silver. We managed to amass our wealth that way for years, until everything changed."
Lian Yan listened intently, trying to piece together the story. "So, you all were bandits, but you found a silver mine and used it to make money?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. She was eager to learn more about how these bandits had managed to achieve such a feat, something she had never heard of before. The idea of bandits turning into successful silver miners was both intriguing and perplexing to her.
"Yes, that is what we did, and still got punished for it," Xu Tao confirmed. "Jian Wei and I did not come from the richest family, but we still know how to be kind and give to the poor."
Xu Tao sighed once more, the weight of their past experiences evident in his tone. "I am guessing that Jian Wei told you the part about him and his family coming from a background of slaves. I did too."
He continued, "Jian Wei's father, Jian Bo, met his uncles under quite unusual circumstances. One day, as a slave, he was sent by his master to sell almost spoiled fish in the market. It was there that he came across his future companions, who were thieves at the time. Instead of turning him in or taking advantage of his predicament, they saw something in him. They helped him, and eventually, he joined them. Together, they formed a bond that went beyond mere survival; they became family."
Lian Yan and Ye Bia continued to listen intently, absorbing the intricate details of the family background and the remarkable story unfolding before them. "It seems like there was quite a lot that could have happened. I won't ask or delve any deeper into it," Lian Yan said with another sigh, acknowledging the complexity and depth of their past experiences.
Curiosity still lingered in her mind as she looked at Xu Tao, trying to piece together his role in this unusual family dynamic. "You seem like quite the refined individual alongside Jian Wei. Are you both like... personal workers here?" Lian Yan inquired, her question hinting at a possible connection to the world of courtesans.
Soon enough, Xu Tao laughed again, the seriousness of their previous conversation easing as a lighter mood settled over them. Ye Bia, though slightly displeased, refrained from hitting him this time, her expression softening into a mild pout.
"No, we are not like that," Xu Tao clarified, a hint of amusement in his tone as he sought to reassure the two ladies. "We work and do various tasks here, but I assure you, it is not what you might be thinking."
As the sun began its slow descent, casting a warm, golden glow across the sky, Lian Yan felt a wave of relief wash over her. She found herself trusting Xu Tao's words more with each passing moment, reassured by his insistence that they had not betrayed their principles by sleeping with clients.
The day had been long, and the soft hues of twilight signaled that it was time for them to partake in a late evening meal and seek the comfort of rest. Lian Yan turned to her companions, her voice gentle yet carrying a tone of finality. "Let us go and have something to eat before we retire for the night," she suggested, her eyes reflecting the fading light.
She continued, her thoughts turning to the practicalities of their arrangements. "I will speak to those in the pavilion and see if they can prepare a separate chamber for Ye Bia." The idea of sharing her room with Ye Bia made her uneasy, a sentiment she kept to herself. After all, she had been sharing her a room with Jian Wei, a detail she had not yet disclosed to Ye Bia and one she was not ready to reveal.
Xu Tao, ever attentive and seemingly always ready to assist, stepped forward. "There's no need for you to trouble yourself, Lian Yan," he said, his voice smooth and soothing. "You have done so much already, assisting us and caring for Jian Bo. Allow me to take care of Ye Bia's arrangements." To Lian Yan, Xu Tao appeared almost angelic in his offer, his words and demeanor painting him as a man of great kindness and consideration.
Yet, as he spoke, Ye Bia caught a glimpse of something else—a faint, almost devilish smirk that played on Xu Tao's lips for the briefest of moments.
"Let's go ahead and get something to eat," Lian Yan suggested, her tone warm and inviting. She took the initiative to arrange a meal for the three of them, a task made easier by the servants who had grown accustomed to her presence. They knew her well and had been strictly instructed by Jian Wei to treat her with the same respect and deference as they would any other esteemed guest.
The trio enjoyed a delightful meal together that evening, the food as nourishing to their spirits as it was to their bodies. As they dined, Lian Yan shared stories and moments from her life, one of which caused Ye Bia to blush and lower her eyes in shy embarrassment. Xu Tao, ever the charmer, managed to coax laughter from them with his witty remarks and shared some of the brighter moments of his own life. He seems rather happy and amused to hear all the stories about their childhood. He did not know that Ye Bia had been silly enough to eat salt to think it was flour or sugar.
As the night wore on and their meal came to an end, they exchanged glances, each understanding that it was time to part ways. Lian Yan, leaving Ye Bia in Xu Tao's company, was unaware of Xu Tao's intentions to have Ye Bia sleep in his room that night.
Meanwhile, Lian Yan made her way to Jian Wei's chamber, her heart fluttering with anticipation. As she entered the room, she noticed a familiar figure in the dimly lit space. There was no mistaking it. "Jian Wei," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper, "when did you return?"