Chapter 371 Flat-billed Duck

"Brother, I discovered iron ore and some treasures. Unfortunately, I was injured by the boss and he escaped."

Jun Lie, who was soaked and injured, covered his chest and looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince with a pale face. He looked like a porcelain doll that was about to break!

"Third brother, you are adding insult to injury!" His Royal Highness the Crown Prince chased after him, supported Jun Lie, smelled the strong smell of blood on his body, looked at the dead bandits on the ground, as if he saw them bravely killing the bandits.

Thinking that he had mobilized thousands of soldiers from the nearby military camp, but Jun Lie only had such a small guard with him, all of whom were covered in blood and wounds, and had also found iron ore, His Royal Highness looked at Jun Lie with moved eyes and said, "Third brother, I will send you to see a doctor immediately."

"Congratulations, big brother, for finding the iron mine!" Jun Lie's words were equivalent to handing the credit of finding the iron mine to Jun Lie.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince supported Jun Lie, and the excitement in his eyes could hardly be concealed. This was a great achievement. Then his father, the emperor, and his grandfather, the prime minister, would definitely not say that he was impulsive and irritable, and could not do anything great except eating, drinking and having fun!

"Third brother, finding the iron mine is a huge achievement. You, are you really willing to say that I found it?" The Crown Prince looked at Jun Lie with a more eager gaze. He was just feeling jealous. Why did he mobilize thousands of soldiers, but in the end, the iron mine was found by the Third Prince?

If this news gets to the capital, how will the emperor view him?

"Brother, even if I had such great achievements, it would be useless. But you are different. You are the crown prince. If you find this iron mine, it will be a good thing that everyone in the world will be happy about. I only hope that you can help me in the future."

Jun Lie's words were heartfelt, and considering that he was injured and soaking wet at the moment, his eyes seemed even more sincere.

They both have no mother, but he has the protection of his grandfather who is the prime minister, and the status of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Everyone is respectful to him when they see him, but his third brother grew up in the cold palace. It is said that he was not well fed and clothed. If he had not accidentally caught the eye of the empress dowager, he would probably still be eating cold rice in some corner of the cold palace.

"Don't worry, third brother. I will protect you from now on and no one can bully you." His Royal Highness the Crown Prince patted Jun Lie's shoulder and said, this is really his good brother!

"Brother." Jun Lie looked relieved and finally fainted.

…

"Miss, put on these wolfskin boots to avoid water." Donggui found a pair of wolfskin boots. Because of mudslides, carriages could not pass through many places. If you wanted to go to Donglin County from Shibazhai, you had to either ride a horse or walk.

In some places, even horses can only be led.

"We should be close to Donglin County, right?" Xiao Jiuyue walked for the whole day. Except for the first section where he could take a carriage, he almost walked all the way.

"Almost there, ten kilometers to go."

As soon as Dong Gui finished speaking, Xiao Jiuyue almost knelt down. She thought she had a good physique, but now, she had to admit that her body was still far inferior to those who had been practicing martial arts!

Even Luo Kui, who was practicing martial arts, was in high spirits and was better than her.

"Miss, how about I carry you on my back?" Dong Gui squatted down in front of Xiao Jiuyue and said, "I'll carry you. It's faster."

"No need, I can do it!" Xiao Jiuyue said gritting her teeth. Although Donggui was good at martial arts, she was still a girl. She would feel bad asking her to carry her on her back!

Hua Qing said: "Miss, I will carry it. I can do it. I am not tired!"

Xiao Jiuyue flatly refused, saying, "None of you can carry me, but I can walk by myself. It's only ten kilometers, right?"

In later times, it might take less than ten minutes to walk ten kilometers, but now, it all depends on my two legs, and it takes a full two hours to walk ten kilometers!

This was because Xiao Jiuyue tried hard to keep up with their pace. Otherwise, at her speed, she would not have reached Donglin County until it was completely dark.

"Why are there so many people in Donglin County?" Xiao Jiuyue was panting. She was stunned when she saw so many people in Donglin County. There weren't so many people when she left!

"Miss."

"Sister Yue!"

When Lian Xin and Shang Yifan saw Xiao Jiuyue, they were extremely excited. They ran over with the carriage and said, "Luckily, Shopkeeper Jin has connections. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to enter the city. There are so many refugees here!"

"Let's talk after we get in the carriage." Xiao Jiuyue didn't want to say a word. She got on the carriage, returned to her residence, took a comfortable bath, and had a hearty meal. Only then did Xiao Jiuyue feel alive again. She said, "Are you all okay? Nothing happened?"

"We're doing great! We had a very smooth journey out of the bandit camp. We even ran into His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and his soldiers heading to the Eighteen Villages." Lian Xin said excitedly, adding, "Don't worry, Miss. We didn't show up because we were afraid we'd be discovered!"

"Miss, everyone is fine. I heard that Miss fell into the water again. I boiled some medicine. Miss, drink it first!" Lian Xin handed the prepared medicine forward and said, "Even if you are not sick, you should take some precautions!"

Xiao Jiuyue frowned when he smelled the Chinese medicine, picked up the medicine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

Lian Xin hadn't even prepared the candied fruit yet, but she handed it forward and said, "Miss, come here and reduce the bitterness."

"You should also go to bed early and see if you can make it home tomorrow." Xiao Jiuyue missed home very much at this moment. She missed the jujube flower pastry made by her beautiful mother. Even her beautiful mother's nagging words made her miss it especially!

"Miss, your feet..." Lian Xin wanted to see Xiao Jiuyue's feet, but Xiao Jiuyue waved her hand and said, "It's okay, I've already applied the medicine. You're tired, so go to sleep!"

Xiao Jiuyue felt sleepy as soon as she touched the pillow. She had walked all day and didn't want to fall asleep at all.

The next day, Jin Wen, Jin Wu and the others had already found a way. Although it would take a detour, at least it was wide enough for a carriage to pass.

"Okay, then we'll leave tomorrow!" Xiao Jiuyue decisively set the date. It didn't matter if it was a little later, as long as she could take a carriage. She didn't want to walk anyway.

It took only half a month to get here and a full twenty-five days to go back to Hongdu. By the time we arrived in Lancang County, even the Mid-Autumn Festival had passed. It was August 25th!

"Now, Jiayuan is going to say that I am not keeping my promise again." Xiao Jiuyue held her forehead. She had promised Jiayuan before that she would go back during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Who knew that on the way back, she would take such a long detour!

"Miss, you brought so many books back this time. Young Master Jiayuan will definitely like them." Lianxin said comfortingly.

Xiao Jiuyue raised an eyebrow: "How dare he not like it!"

When Xiao Jiuyue thought that Jia Yuan’s mouth was about to be flattened into a duck shape again, her lips couldn’t help but curl up.