Underneath A Thousand Skies ✔️

80 Foster Son, Don't Be So Crazy (17)

The next morning, Xiang Feng rushed home at late afternoon bearing bad news.

"Jia, not good! Nian Shou got escorted...to have his court trial in the capital!"

Because he had ran too fast, his breathing was heavy and he could not speak properly. Droplets of sweat plastered his dark hair to his forehead, and his jade-white face was slightly flushed.

Song Jia was alarmed. She grabbed a nearby towel and used it wipe his forehead.

"What happened?"

After letting the boy catch his breath, Song Jia finally learned the reason why he looked so panicked.

"The merchant's son was poisoned...and Nian Shou got accused as the culprit because he delivered the bad meat that he ate that day?"

Xiang Feng nodded. He bit his lower lip, causing it to turn faintly red.

"The local physician said that the merchant's son might not make it out alive. Because of this, their family wanted Nian Shou to be judged and be executed by the capital's Magistrate!"

The merchant's son...could this incident be related to the merchant's daughter that Nian Shou had told her about last night?

"The butcher...what did the butcher say?" she asked.

"He said he had nothing to do with this matter."

Song Jia's eyes was coated with a layer of frost. The butcher had completely abandoned Nian Shou to the wolves. He must have known his apprentice was innocent, but he simply watched with folded arms and did nothing.

"Jia..." Xiang Feng looked helpless. "What do we do? They were already on their way to the capital..."

Song Jia didn't have to think about it. At first she was reluctant to take Nian Shou in, but she had not regretted this decision ever since. She would not abandon him.

"Pack your things. We'll follow them to the capital."

...

Song Jia once again hid her hair, this time using a new cloak that was just recently bought. The soft fur of the silk-lined cloak caressed her face, and Song Jia held onto Xiang Feng's with a gloved hand.

The cloak was made from midnight blue velvet and silver fox fur, the richness of the fabric indirectly showing the people her wealth. She didn't bother to cover her eyes, and it lent her a quality of being out this world, of being mysteriously unusual. Both she and Xiang Feng were dressed in what could be considered a noble's clothing, with Song Jia in an elaborate dress and Xiang Feng wearing a black mini-tailcoat. His hair was swept back, and his scar was hidden underneath a crescent-shaped mask that covered the left side of his face.

They were sitting inside a carriage that was slowly making its way into the capital. Song Jia had exchanged all of the valuable wealth inside the treasury into taels of gold. Right now, she was probably much wealthier than the merchant family that condemned Nian Shou.

"Jia, you should sleep. We won't arrive at the capital until much later."

Xiang Feng squeezed her hand, his expression soft.

Song Jia rubbed his head and sighed. He was such a caring boy.

"I can't. In order for our plan to work, I need to teach you some things."

Xiang Feng was normally calm and reserved, which would give him an aura of a dignified noble. But Song Jia could not ignore that he didn't know the etiquette of an elite young master. The capital was where the richest, the noblest, and the snobbiest lived. Even if they were wealthy, they would still be seen as inferior and lowborn if they didn't behave properly.

That's why, throughout their journey towards the capital, both Song Jia and Xiang Feng didn't get any rest.

Song Jia knew that Xiang Feng was an outstanding student, but she still did not expect how fast he learned the rules that she taught him.

It was as if the foundation was already there, and he was only relearning the things he had already learned before.

Once again, Song Jia wondered how Xiang Feng became a slave. She didn't think it was by birth.

But judging by the nightmares he experienced night after night, if she pried into it, it would probably only bring back painful memories. Even though she wanted to learn, Song Jia restrained her urges to ask.

"M'lady, m'lord, we're here."

The reverent tone of the coachman was heard outside the carriage.

Song Jia smoothened her dress. She did not have much need for Princess Jin Jia's memories before, but her original host was still a princess. In terms of etiquette, no one could probably do better than her. The rules a lady must adhere to was much stricter during the time Princess Jin Jia grew up a hundred years ago, so these new rules and customs were merely a child's play for Song Jia.

Xiang Feng immediately got off first, and offered his hand to her.

Song Jia smiled. She put her hand in his, secretly amused that this little bun took to heart everything that she said.

"Many thanks."

It was still dawn when they arrived. Song Jia kept the hood of her cloak on as she instructed the porters the coachman had found for her. Even though her hair was kept hidden, her blue eyes still mesmerized them. They couldn't help but take a glance at her now and then.

Xiang Feng stood next to Song Jia and silently glared at them. Most of those who were staring immediately stopped, shivering at the cold look in his eyes. He was only a child, but the weight of his stare was too heavy for them to take. They didn't know that this was because Xiang Feng's glare had a hint of killing intent. They were only ordinary civilians and did not understand the threat that Xiang Feng posed, but their instincts still told them that this seemingly weak child was dangerous. The porters hurried to do their jobs to get away from him faster.

Song Jia had booked a single room at an expensive inn where the two of them could stay for a while. After their things were delivered by the porters, Song Jia ordered a heavy breakfast for her and Xiang Feng. It was still early in the morning, but the dining hall was bustling with people. Song Jia chose to eat there because she wanted to listen to the gossip of the people around her.

She knew that Nian Shou and the merchant's family had already arrived at the capital, but she didn't know the exact time of when the trial will be held. This was a good place to gather news.

Before Song Jia and Xiang Feng went down to eat their breakfast, she ordered a servant at the inn to find a black wig for her. The foreignness of her eyes would only make the people give her a second glance, but the combination of her golden hair and blue eyes would cause a stir. They were in the capital, which was home to the royal palace. Song Jia didn't want to draw Princess Bai Xue's attention and make her discover Xiang Feng.

As long as he stayed hidden, her mission would be completed without any complications.