Reborn Lady - Chapter 195

In April, the temperature in Jiangnan began to rise. That morning, before the heat set in, Yin Yong took Yin Lang and a few escorts to a tea garden outside Yixing City.

Yixing tea had a widespread reputation across the country and was particularly cherished by high-ranking officials and nobles. It was a sought-after tea among the nobility.

Yin Yong had purchased a tea mountain in the region and entrusted it to a reliable tea farmer for cultivation.

During the journey, Yin Yong imparted knowledge about tea to Yin Lang. He covered various aspects, including tea cultivation, transportation, protection, and even the art of tasting tea and life itself.

Having traveled the world since the age of ten, Yin Yong, the old man, had accumulated a wealth of experience. Regardless of the type of business, he could articulate his thoughts clearly and logically. Despite having numerous business classics in the Yin family library, those books were mere objects. The firsthand narratives from Yin Yong about his journeys were far more engaging and insightful.

Yin Lang’s perception of the old man underwent a significant transformation. In his earlier days living in the second household, the old man was merely the head of the Yin family – a distant grandfather with no blood ties who treated him with formality. Yin Lang harbored no resentment or animosity toward the old man at that time and held no particular feelings. Even after being adopted into the eldest household, Yin Lang’s gratitude was primarily directed towards his sister, Yin Hui, while he maintained a certain emotional distance from the old man.

Later, after Yin Wen was punished, the old man began to take him by his side and give him instructions on how to manage the business. 

Both of them were aware that their grandfather-grandson relationship was a result of various circumstances, lacking the purity of a typical family bond. Yin Yong did not display overt affection towards Yin Lang; rather, he treated him more like a disciple. In turn, Yin Lang refrained from playing the role of a traditional filial grandson, offering courteous and flattering gestures. Instead, he approached the old man with a respectful demeanor, demonstrating more than just respect but stopping short of complete intimacy.

However, genuine emotions have a way of surfacing. Over time, as their bond deepened, Yin Lang’s interactions with the old man became more natural. He would thoughtfully assist the old man when boarding and leaving from boats, free from concerns about potential misinterpretations of his actions as deliberate attempts to please.

As the young man willingly embraced filial duties, Yin Yong felt a sense of relief. He no longer had to worry about whether his grandson harbored any resentment towards him. Gradually, the gap that had initially arisen from their unfamiliarity dissolved during their time together.

“Grandpa, drink some water,” Yin Lang said after half an hour of walking on the tea mountain. He took the water bag from his waist and handed it to the old man.

Yin Yong accepted it with a smile, gazing at the mountain scenery below. With his head tilted up, he took a few sips, enjoying the moment.

Yin Lang also took two sips, secured the lid, and returned the water bag to his waist.

After a brief rest, the group resumed their journey. However, the weather took an unexpected turn as large, dark clouds rapidly approached, signaling an imminent rain shower.

“It may rain; let’s go to the tea farmer’s place for shelter first,” Yin Yong suggested with a smile, displaying a calm demeanor.

As everyone descended the mountain, Yin Yong and Yin Lang walked together in the middle. Two guards were positioned in the front, back, left, and right, totaling eight individuals, including the four discreetly placed by the Feng family.

The location of the tea garden was amidst rolling hills, offering an ideal environment for potential bandit activity. The guards kept a vigilant watch on the tea fields and nearby forests as they moved swiftly.

Despite their swift pace, the rain quickly caught up with them, descending in heavy showers. Yin Lang, supporting the old man with one arm, raised his other hand in an attempt to shield Yin Yong from the rain using his sleeve.

However, as he raised his hand, another hand suddenly reached out from the side and forcefully slapped the back of his hand. The abrupt and forceful action caused a burning pain, nearly distracting Yin Lang from the fleeting sting that followed.

Everyone stopped and directed their attention to Yin Laoqi, the guard who had “surprised” Yin Lang.

Yin Yong possessed a compassionate heart. Since his youth, he had taken in orphans and beggars, ensuring they retained their given names. He encouraged these individuals to pursue education and martial arts training. As they matured, he assigned them roles within various sectors of the Yin family based on their skills.

Yin Laoqi was among the orphans nurtured by Yin Yong from an early age. Not only was he physically robust, but he also served as the steward of the Yin family’s guards.

Although Yin Yong admired Liao Shisan’s martial arts skills and character, he held a deeper regard for Yin Laoqi, who had been under his care since childhood.

Drenched in the rain, Yin Laoqi frownd. Before anyone could inquire, he addressed Yin Yong solemnly, “Master, I observed a red bug on the back of the second young master’s hand just now. Its color was peculiar, and I fear it might be poisonous.”

Hearing this, Yin Lang promptly raised the back of his hand. His hands were notably fair, and the back of one hand displayed a reddish hue due to a recent beating. A cluster of crushed insect body and mucus from the confrontation still lingered but was swiftly washed away by the rain. Simultaneously, Yin Laoqi inspected Yin Lang’s palm, then frowned as he said to Yin Yong, “Master, the rain is too heavy. I couldn’t discern the type of insect.”

Yin Yong grasped Yin Lang’s hand and closely examined his face, subsequently requesting others to inspect as well. “There seems to be a small red spot. Was he bitten?”

Upon inspection, everyone agreed that the red spot resembled the aftermath of an insect bite.

Yin Lang chuckled and reassured, “It’s just a mosquito bite. There are many mosquitoes in the mountains; it’s nothing to worry about.”

Yin Yong wasn’t entirely at ease, suggesting, “It’s better to apply some medicine first.” As he finished speaking, another guard produced a bottle from his belongings. Taking Yin Lang’s hand, he generously applied a substantial amount of ointment.

With this minor incident resolved, the group continued seeking shelter from the rain. While hurrying along with the others, Yin Laoqi cast a discreet glance at Yin Yong and Yin Lang. Satisfied that there was nothing unusual between them, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

During a restroom break, Yin Laoqi discreetly disposed of something from his sleeve into the depths of the toilet.

In the blink of an eye, a few days passed. When the silk tea and other goods intended for the southern journey were loaded onto the ship, Yin Yong announced their departure. The expedition consisted of two ships – eight guards accompanied the passenger ship, while the remaining dozen guards resided on the cargo ship, spending day and night together.