Guo Tianyi looked at the people in Qingtian Town with a thoughtful look in his eyes.

The people on the road all looked sallow and thin, as if they had suffered from long-term malnutrition.

When Shanxi Road was dealing with the chaos among the princes, I often saw such situations.

Of course, the situation of the people in larger cities is slightly better.

Most people in villages and towns are like this.

In ancient times, things were not peaceful and prosperous everywhere like in movies and TV shows.

Even if ancient China lasted for five thousand years, all the prosperous times in total would be less than three hundred years.

The premise of these prosperous times is also very simple, that is, everyone has clothes to wear and enough to eat.

In Qingtian Town, apart from the inn, there are very few tile-roofed houses.

Most people's houses are still mud houses, and some of them are still newly renovated.

"Sir, would you like to go to the inn to rest?"

The mayor of Qingtian Town looked at Guo Tianyi, rubbed his hands and said enthusiastically.

He saw that Guo Tianyi had an extraordinary temperament. Since Qingtian Town was not far from the capital, there was such a young man passing through the capital.

Although it costs ordinary people's money to serve these young men, many young men are still very generous.

As long as you flatter him and serve him well, the rewards will be indispensable.

As long as there are rewards, life here will be easier for a while.

Especially as the mayor, he can live a good life for a long time.

Guo Tianyi naturally knew it well and waved his hand, "No need. I have to reach Fuyuan County before dark, so let's just say goodbye."

After saying that, Guo Tianyi turned the horse's head and prepared to leave.

He would not do anything to eat or drink with public funds.

Of course, he also knew the mayor's innermost feelings for Xiao Jiujiu and would not expose it.

If the water is clear, there will be no fish.

Guo Tianyi understands this truth.

"well..."

"Oh well."

"I'll send you off to the young master."

The mayor felt a little disappointed, but still pretended to be nonchalant as he sent Guo Tianyi out of Qingtian Town.

But when the mayor saw more than a hundred riders parked outside the town, he was stunned.

How can an ordinary young master bring so many guards?

Could it be...

When the mayor reacted, he had already seen Guo Tianyi leaving Juechen with his guards.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, he is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..."

The mayor trembled with excitement and quickly knelt down in the direction where Guo Tianyi left.

An ordinary young master will never bring more than ten or twenty guards.

If they come from the capital, it is illegal for a guard group of more than fifty people.

Moreover, these people's momentum was extraordinary, far beyond the ordinary guards he had seen.

"Mayor, you said he is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Oh my god, we actually met His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Mayor, this can't be fake..."

"Mayor..."

The surrounding followers spoke one after another, and there was unspeakable excitement in everyone's eyes.

"nonsense."

"How can there be so many guards?"

"And the horses they ride on are all Western Region horses. Who else could it be besides His Royal Highness?"

"Don't forget, this is the fiefdom of His Highness the Crown Prince, and ordinary officials will be polite to us..."

As soon as the mayor finished speaking, the others also knelt down. They all believed what the mayor said.

This is indeed the case.

This was originally the fiefdom of the King of Han.

Ordinary officials and wealthy young men passing by would not dare to make any mistakes.

Guo Tianyi's temperament and the number of guards are far beyond ordinary people. Who else but His Highness the Crown Prince can travel with hundreds of guards?

Not long after, Guo Tianyi approached Fuyuan County.

Although it is a county seat, it is only a small town the size of several Qingtian towns.

Compared with the majestic capital and some prefectural cities, it is still small.

The city wall is not high, but it has a quaint feel everywhere.

"What are you doing in front of you?"

"Getting married in the middle of the night?"

Before Guo Tianyi arrived at the city gate, he saw a team beating gongs and drums on the official road.

The strange thing is that this team is obviously a team to send off relatives.

Moreover, the music played is not festive, but rather desolate.

Even the leader looked serious.

What's even weirder is that they beat gongs and drums all the way and even scattered paper money.

In addition, it is getting dark now, which makes people feel a little bit gloomy.

"Your Highness, I will go take a look."

Fan Xiong heard Guo Tianyi's words and immediately asked for help.

Guo Tianyi said "hmm" and said, "Go and come back quickly."

"The general will obey the decree."

Fan Xiong bowed his hands and saluted, then rode his horse to the front of the procession sending off the bride.

The team seeing off the bride immediately stopped when they saw Fan Xiong and others. The leader of the team was silent at first, but when he saw Fan Xiong pull out the saber from his waist, his face turned pale with fear and he knelt down.

When he learned about the situation, Fan Xiong's face was covered with a layer of frost.

Immediately, the bride who was sitting in the sedan chair was invited out, and together with the leader, Fan Xiong brought her to Guo Tianyi.

"Chen Qiaoer, a citizen girl, comes to see the young master." The bride is very pitiful. Today is the darkest day in her life for she is only seventeen years old. At this moment, she seems to have found a life-saving straw when she learns that the person in front of her can make decisions for her.

He knelt down and kowtowed three times.

"If you have any grievances, just tell my young master." Fan Xiong said solemnly, "My young master will definitely help you redress your grievances."

"Master, please save the little girl..."

Chen Qiaoer cried loudly and knelt on the ground to explain everything one by one.

It turns out that she was originally a woman from a village near the county town, but she was selected by the county magistrate and became the target of a dark marriage.

Six months ago, the county magistrate's son, who was only three years old, died unfortunately.

The county magistrate missed him so much that he arranged a ghost marriage for his dead son.

There were many such things in ancient China, and they were particularly popular during the Tang and Song Dynasties. They became less common during the Qing Dynasty.

But what is outrageous is that the county magistrate of Fuyuan County has held six ghost marriages.

Today's Chen Qiaoer is the sixth time.

Basically, it is held once a month.

A girl from a normal family would not want to marry a dead person, but due to the coercion and inducement of the county magistrate, ordinary farmers could not resist the temptation and would marry off their daughters.

In fact, those who get married become the playthings of the county magistrate.

Chen Qiaoer's sister was the last partner of a ghost marriage.

But unfortunately, Chen Qiaoer's sister happened to tell Chen Qiaoer these things.

If a woman disobeys, she may be beaten severely, or beaten to death at worst.

All married women dare to be angry but dare not speak out.

Knowing the reason, Chen Qiaoer shed tears and felt despair.

"My lord, Qiao'er doesn't want to marry the county magistrate, please make the decision for Qiao'er..." After Chen Qiao'er finished speaking, he kowtowed three more times.

She knew that if the young master in front of her didn't help her, her life would be over.

"Asshole!"

"It doesn't make sense."

Guo Tianyi's face was gloomy and he said angrily, "Fan Xiong, put up the lonely talisman and enter the city!"

"promise!"

After Fan Xiong accepted the order, the guards behind him immediately raised the ceremonial talisman they had brought with them when they left the city.
Chapter completed!