Fortunately, Li Chengwen remembered that they were in a government office and forcibly held himself back.
Even so, his plump face broke into a grin so wide that it was full of wrinkles. He cupped his hands toward the official and repeatedly said:
"Your Excellency flatters me. It was only right, only right!"
After completing the handover procedures and receiving the receipt, the group walked out through the gates of the Armaments Bureau.
Standing on the steps outside, Li Chengwen tilted his head up at the white clouds drifting across the sky, feeling an indescribable lightness and ease throughout his entire body.
The exhaustion from days of travel and the fear he had carried all along finally vanished like smoke in that moment.
Xu Zhibao also quietly let out a breath. The nerves that had been wound tight for days finally loosened a little.
But he still had something important to do.
Rolling his somewhat stiff shoulders, Xu Zhibao turned to Li Chengwen. "Young Master Li, the goods have been delivered. I should return to the Xu Family Escort Agency. I need to report what happened on the road to the family."
Li Chengwen nodded repeatedly. "Of course, of course. Go quickly. Don't let your family worry."
After giving a few more reminders about staying safe and the like, Xu Zhibao left with several yamen runners, heading toward the Xu Family Escort Agency.
Li Chengwen watched him disappear into the distance, then rubbed his hands together, his face showing an eager, restless expression.
Turning to the two remaining guards, he said, "Let's go! First, we'll find my little sister, then we'll have a good look around the city! It's not every day we come to Qingyang Prefecture. If we don't have some fun, how could we possibly do ourselves justice?"