276 Chestnut Town 1 (1/2)
With all the arrangements in place, it was no surprise that the group looked completely different from its original state, when they arrived at Chestnut Town* two days later. They had not managed to find any suitable wagon or carriage, but it was not too difficult to get their hands on another two horses. Albeit of a far worse quality than what the three of them were riding.
One of them was now serving as a pack animal, with a very obvious alchemical cauldron strapped onto its back. And the other was under Ye Honghua, who was clearly an inexperienced rider. Or it could be that she was not altogether comfortable, guiding her old horse while wearing a beautiful silken dress, rather than her usual robes.
The rest of the girls were also not wearing their usual Snow Swallow Palace attire. Instead, they were dressed as a variety of servants that could usually be seen accompanying a rich young gentleman and his lady on a journey. There were three maids, two footmen and one groom, following the quartet on their horses.
The fact that they didn't need mounts, and could keep up with the party, made it clear to anyone watching that this was no ordinary party. After all, anyone who could convince people with martial discipline to serve as servants could not be simple folk.
The alchemical cauldron, however, gave all gawkers a simple explanation that they could all fix on. After all, wasn't an alchemist a terribly rare and haughty creature? Qin Feng certainly heard enough comments from the crowd to tell that it had made an impact.
”An Alchemist? Who has the influence to drag an alchemist all the way here?”
”Are you asking me? Who am I supposed to ask then?”
”Idiots! The both of you! Wouldn't we learn the answer if we just keep watching?”
”He's right! Let's follow them!”
”Of course I am right.”
”Oh, stop talking and let's go!”
The response from the townsfolk led to a huge train that trailed behind the group. So much so that it attracted the eyes of everyone else that they passed. And the news of an alchemist arriving in town was enough to start drawing crowds from further afield.
Ye Honghua, however, looked more than just mildy upset with all the attention. ”They are all watching us as though they cannot wait to devour us whole!” she hissed at Qin Feng, who was riding beside her, taking care to keep her voice from spreading.
”That is the reason why we are doing this. Everyone will surely remember this event, and no one will even think of your Palace sending aid to the Su Family this way. Trust me. I have played this game several times before,” Lin Liushui assured her with his winsome smile.
Qin Feng, however, ignored all of that banter. Along with the attention that he was receiving from the rest of the townsfolk. He had to admit that it was a little oppressive, being the centre of attention like that. It was certainly not something that he cared for.