The Minister: Cold by Day, Hot by Night

By the time Zhi Wan and Shuang’er arrived at the dock, it was already bustling with activity.

Food vendors shouted their wares with gusto while a constant stream of porters carried sacks and goods, some unloading cargo from ships, others loading it on.

The entire dock was a scene of orderly chaos.

Just as Zhi Wan and Shuang’er stepped out of their carriage, a young man with a simple, honest face approached. He gave Zhao Dong a good-natured smile and said, "Brother Zhao, you’re here."

Zhao Dong clapped him on the shoulder and smiled. "You’re right on time. Have you been waiting long?"

The young man scratched his head and said honestly, "Brother Zhao found me work, so of course I wouldn’t dare be late. I just got here a little while ago myself."

Zhao Dong nodded, then turned to Zhi Wan. "Miss, this is Guo Yong, the man I just told you about. The lad is strong as an ox and very reliable. You can call on him for anything you need during the journey."

While the two were talking, Zhi Wan had already been discreetly sizing Guo Yong up.

He looked to be in his early twenties and of average height. Though he appeared thin, his skin was dark and weathered, and his exposed palms were covered in calluses. It was clear he was used to manual labor.

On the way over, Zhao Dong had already told her about Guo Yong’s situation.

Guo Yong lived with his widowed mother and earned a living through his strength. He had helped transport goods for Zhimei Restaurant a few times, which was how he and Zhao Dong became acquainted.

So, when she mentioned needing a reliable person to accompany her to Yangzhou, Guo Yong was the first person Zhao Dong thought of.

Zhao Dong had always been dependable, so Zhi Wan had full confidence in the person he had found.

"Proprietor." Guo Yong stepped forward, bowing a little awkwardly. It seemed he rarely interacted with young women, as he stammered, "On this trip, I... I will definitely protect you, Proprietor!"

Zhi Wan nodded. "I’ll be in your care."

Guo Yong quickly waved his hands. "It’s my duty." Seeing the bundle slung over Shuang’er’s shoulder, he held out his hand. "Let me take that."

Shuang’er glanced at Zhi Wan. Seeing her nod, she deftly handed the bundle to Guo Yong.

The two of them didn’t have much luggage—just some clothes and the rations Zhao Dong had helped prepare in the bundle.

Zhi Wan and Shuang’er kept their valuables and important items on their persons.

"Miss, it’s still early, and the boat won’t be departing just yet," Zhao Dong said. "Why don’t you find a stall to rest your feet and get something to eat? I’ll go check on things at the docks."

"Go ahead," Zhi Wan nodded.

"Guo Yong, protect the Miss well. I’ll be right back," Zhao Dong added, instructing Guo Yong, before heading toward the docks.

Although Zhi Wan was eager to leave, there was no point in being anxious when the boat wasn’t ready to depart. She took Shuang’er and Guo Yong to a small stall by the dockside for some breakfast.

Zhi Wan and Shuang’er ordered a few steamed buns and two bowls of soy milk. They also ordered a large bowl of beef noodles for Guo Yong.

Seeing the large chunks of beef piled on top of the noodles, Guo Yong grew very reserved. "Proprietor, I don’t need to eat this well."

Zhi Wan didn’t speak, just nibbled delicately on her bun. Shuang’er said to Guo Yong, "It’s for you, so just eat it. You’re not getting it for free. You need to protect the Miss during this time."

Hearing this, Guo Yong no longer refused. "Thank you, Proprietor."

As the three of them ate breakfast, they didn’t notice a few local ruffians at a nearby table sizing them up.

"The material of that chick’s dress looks pretty fine. She must come from a rich family. How about we ask ’em for some spending money?"

"Look at you, with your petty ambitions. I say, that chick won’t even take off her veiled hat to eat breakfast. She must be a real looker. Why don’t we just grab her and have her ’serve’ us?"

"So you’re saying we can hit the jackpot today—money and a woman?"

The ruffians whispered amongst themselves, heads close together, letting out obscene chuckles from time to time.

Guo Yong may have looked simple and honest, but he had grown up scraping by on the streets. Hearing their malicious laughter, he immediately became alert.

"Proprietor, you and Miss Shuang’er, go to the carriage first."

Hearing this, Zhi Wan glanced at him. Seeing his tense expression, she knew something was wrong. She said to Shuang’er, "Let’s get back to the carriage."

Shuang’er nodded.

Leaving the stall, Guo Yong escorted the two women toward the carriage.

Just then, the group of ruffians bumped into Guo Yong.

"Are you blind? How dare you bump into me!" one of the ruffians snarled, playing the victim.

In the blink of an eye, Guo Yong was surrounded by the ruffians.

The color drained from Zhi Wan and Shuang’er’s faces. Just as they were about to run, one of the ruffians stepped forward, blocking their path with a greasy smile.

"Don’t be in such a hurry, ladies. We’d like to invite you for some tea. Won’t you grace us with your presence?" As the ruffian spoke, he reached out, trying to snatch the veiled hat from Zhi Wan’s head.

But at that moment, a hand shot out and grabbed the ruffian’s wrist.

Before the ruffian could react, he heard a sharp "CRACK!"

The next moment, the ruffian screamed and dropped to his knees, clutching his broken arm and wailing in agony.

Zhi Wan was startled. When she saw clearly who it was, her expression changed drastically. She grabbed Shuang’er’s hand and ran.

"Miss?" Chen Jiu hadn’t even had a chance to ask for praise when he saw the Miss take off like she’d seen a ghost.

’What’s going on?’

Chen Jiu was baffled. Just as he was about to give chase, the other ruffians who had been surrounding Guo Yong turned and closed in on him.

"You’ve got some nerve, hitting our brother! You must have a death wish!"

Chen Jiu scoffed. He was about to speak when a large crowd of men armed with clubs surged out from behind the ruffians, surrounding him completely.

Zhi Wan and Shuang’er ran all the way to the main dock without stopping.

"Miss, why is Chen Jiu here?" Shuang’er asked, panting.

Zhi Wan didn’t answer, her fingers tightening anxiously.

’I never expected to run into Chen Jiu here.’

’For Chen Jiu to show up so conveniently, he must have been following us the whole time.’

’Chen Jiu works for my cousin. He’s only here because my cousin sent him.’

’Could it be that my cousin already guessed I was planning to leave the Capital City?’

At this thought, Zhi Wan became extremely anxious.

Just then, Zhao Dong walked over.

Seeing that Guo Yong wasn’t with them, he asked, puzzled, "Miss, where’s Guo Yong?"

"We ran into a bit of trouble just now. Guo Yong is probably still tied up with those ruffians," Zhi Wan said, then asked, "What did you find out? When does the boat leave?"

"That’s what I came to tell you, Miss. The boat is about to depart. You can board now," Zhao Dong said hurriedly.

Hearing this, Zhi Wan breathed a secret sigh of relief and said urgently, "Then take us to board right away."

"But Guo Yong isn’t here yet. Shouldn’t we wait for him?" Zhao Dong asked.

"We’re not waiting. Don’t worry, he’ll be fine," Zhi Wan said.

’With Chen Jiu there, those ruffians are no match for him. Why would they bother Guo Yong anymore?’

"But for two young ladies to travel without a man to protect you... it’s not very proper..." Zhao Dong said, concerned.

"It’s fine, don’t worry. Just get us on the boat, quickly!" Zhi Wan urged.

’I just have to leave now. If I delay, I’m afraid I won’t be able to leave at all.’