The convoy was stopped as it traveled along.
"Up ahead is Miao County territory. Outsiders are not allowed in."
A group of men dressed in distinctive clothing and silver ornaments blocked their path.
"Hello, we're merchants passing through. We'd like to trade some goods with you."
Eunuch Wang stepped forward to negotiate with them.
In Great Xia, the people of Miao County had always disliked dealing with outsiders. That aversion had only grown worse, until now they refused to let anyone from outside enter Miao County at all.
"We..."
Eunuch Wang was about to take out his imperial merchant token, but just as one corner emerged, a stick pinned his hand down.
"Uncle Ou, they're my friends. Let them through."
A young girl whose clothes were noticeably finer spoke to the men.
After speaking, she turned toward Jiang Nuan.
"I told you to send me word before you came, but you actually forgot. See? Now Uncle Ou and the others have stopped you."
The girl smiled brightly, her words carrying an air of easy familiarity.
"Wasn't I just too eager to see you, Youyou? I was in such a hurry that I forgot. You won't blame me, will you?"
Jiang Nuan immediately played along.
Once Jiang Nuan called out the girl's name, the men blocking their path visibly softened their attitude.
But all of this was because...
[Host, hurry and stop Eunuch Wang. These people are deeply prejudiced against Great Xia's imperial family. Revealing your status as imperial merchants won't help—it'll only make them target you.]
The moment Guagua saw them, Guagua began digging into their juicy secrets.
Unfortunately, Eunuch Wang had moved a little too quickly. Mostly, he had never encountered a place that refused to show imperial merchants any respect, so he had not thought to be careful