The Village Chief didn’t notice the tense atmosphere and looked at the bathhouses with curiosity.

"Village Chief, what brought you here today?" Fu Chen’an asked.

Hearing this, the Village Chief gestured for Gu Muyang and Gu Langren to come closer and explained, "Squad Leader Fu, these brothers are refugees from the southern area near the river. They came here to search for their relatives."

"But we don’t have anyone living here who fits their relatives’ features, so they decided to settle down first. We came here to see if there are still any openings for them."

When he heard this, Fu Chen’an looked at them and asked, "What are your names?"

Gu Muyang knew that this person was suspicious of them and put on an honest expression as he replied, "Sir, my name is Gu Wushan. This is my brother, Gu Daniu."

Raising his eyebrows, Fu Chen’an said, "Neither of you looked alike."

"Well, we are cousins. It’s normal if we don’t look alike," Gu Langren replied with a foolish grin.

The Village Chief chuckled when he saw his grin. Since they arrived, it was the younger brother who handled the conversation. He thought that this man was aloof. It turned out he was an honest person who looked a little foolish.

Although they could fool the Village Chief, Fu Chen’an noticed that the foolish grin shown by this Gu Daniu was fake. Despite his foolish expression, his eyes were sharp. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

He didn’t know what they wanted to do in this village, but it was too dangerous to let them roam freely without any supervision.

He considered the pros and cons for a while before he said, "Village Chief, they can work for me with a daily wage of 10 wen. Since they are refugees, my family can provide a meal and water for them."

Even if the wage was lower compared to other workers, it was a good deal since they also received a meal and water. Everyone in the village knew that the meals provided by Fu Chen’an’s family were delicious, and the portions were generous.

The Village Chief winked at Gu Muyang and Gu Langren, signaling them to agree.

Receiving his signal, they quickly nodded and said, "Thank you, Sir."

Fu Chen’an nodded and said, "Village Chief, we still have a lot of work to do and can’t accompany you. I will invite you for a meal another day as an apology."

Hearing this, the Village Chief waved his hand and replied with a smile, "Squad Leader Fu, you are too polite. You and your wife helped us a lot, and it’s only right for me and the villagers to help you. There is no need for a meal."

Fu Chen’an didn’t insist and saw the Village Chief off before he led Gu Muyang and Gu Langren to the backyard.

He looked at them from head to toe as he asked, "What jobs did you do before?"

Gu Muyang was the youngest brother of the Marquis of Yongning. He was skilled in martial arts and also proficient in literature. Although he could handle politics and war very well, he knew nothing about rough labor.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "I worked as an accountant before."

"You are literate?" Fu Chen’an asked again.

Gu Muyang nodded and replied, "I know a little."

Fu Chen’an didn’t believe his words at all, but he said nothing. He turned to the older man and asked, "What about you?"

"I usually do rough work. I’m strong and know how to farm," Gu Langren replied.

As the head of the Marquis of Yongning’s shadow guards, he had learned everything. While he couldn’t master them all, he knew a lot of things. He was the best example of "jack of all trades, master of none."

The only thing he excelled at was killing enemies without spilling a single drop of blood.

While Fu Chen’an was still deciding what to do with them, Yao Zhi arrived with Xi Yi. Both of them carried two pots of water. Seeing this, he quickly walked over and took the pots from his wife’s arms.

Even if his wife’s arms were stronger compared to those of other women, to him, his wife was a frail woman. He couldn’t bear to see her lifting heavy things.

"Didn’t I tell you to go rest? Why are you carrying such a heavy pot?" he asked with a frown.

"Husband, I have already rested and feel bored. I couldn’t sleep, so I just came out to help Xi Yi," Yao Zhi chuckled when she saw her husband’s complaining gaze.

While they were talking in a low voice, Xi Yi was stunned when she saw Gu Muyang. Her hands trembled, and some water splashed onto the ground.

Noticing her strange reaction, Gu Langren quickly helped her carry the pot. "Lady, are you alright?" he asked.

Xi Yi was still unable to recover from her shock and shook her head in a daze. Since she was wearing a mask, her current appearance had no resemblance to her real one. While Gu Muyang didn’t recognize her, she recognized him at a glance.

She took several breaths to regain her composure and asked, "This brother, I have never seen you before. Are you new here?"

Gu Muyang stared at her and replied, "My brother and I just arrived in this village. We are looking for our relatives. Lady, do you know a girl around 9 years old with almond-shaped eyes?"

He gestured and continued, "She is around this tall, and there is a birthmark in the shape of a half-moon behind her ear."

At first, Xi Yi didn’t dare to believe her eyes. But after she heard his words, she was sure that this person was the Seventh Young Master.

She wanted to tell him about her identity, but she hesitated. She glanced at her Master and decided to ask her first.

Her Master had saved not only her life but also her children’s lives. She couldn’t involve her in the Marquis of Yongning’s matters without her permission.

After she made up her mind, her heart calmed down. She smiled and replied, "If I see her, I will inform you."