Chapter 375 The Barrier in Ajiu's Heart

"Ah Jiu, you're back!?" Jiang Hongling greeted her cheerfully.

"Mm." Ajiu nodded and handed one of the packages in her hand to Jiang Hongling. "This contains some dry food. I also bought a roast chicken. You can have some first."

As he spoke, he walked over to Min Pan'er, squatted down, opened another, larger package, and took out a set of ordinary clothes belonging to the Da Lu people, along with some wound medicine.

"Let me put some medicine on your wound and re-bandage it."

As he spoke, he began to skillfully treat Min Pan'er's wounds.

"Thank you, thank you." Min Pan'er's face was flushed.

I don't know if it was from a fever or from being caught talking badly about someone behind their back and being so ashamed.

"Um, I'm sorry for what I just said. I was being petty."

Ah Jiu didn't say anything, but silently treated her wound and gently helped her change into new clothes.

"Have something to eat."

As soon as Ajiu finished speaking, Jiang Hongling, who had been waiting by her side, handed a chicken leg to Min Pan'er.

"Eat quickly, eat quickly! It's been a whole day and night, and we can finally eat something."

As she spoke, Jiang Hongling took a bite of the chicken leg she was holding in her other hand.

"Wow, this is so delicious! Pan'er, eat up!"

Then she looked at Ajiu and said, "Have you eaten? If not, let's eat together! This roast chicken smells delicious."

Ajiu smiled faintly at Jiang Hongling, then turned and left the cave.

After descending the mountain in the morning, she found a village, stole some clothes to change into, and then asked for directions before heading to the nearest town and county seat to inquire about information.

Unfortunately, she didn't find out anything.

She was worried that if she returned late, the two people hiding in the cave might be in danger, or that they might go out looking for her because she was late and get separated from her.

Unexpectedly, even outside the cave, she heard Min Pan'er questioning her.

Although she didn't show it on her face, she was still a little depressed inside.

If it weren't for the old lady's instructions, she would never have been able to come and protect Min Pan'er.

Without her desperate protection last night, Min Pan'er wouldn't be alive today.

But Min Pan'er is questioning her!

Fortunately, Jiang Hongling still trusted her.

Otherwise, she really would have to leave them behind and go find the old lady herself.

***

Liu Family Village.

Old Qiao changed into some old clothes that the village chief's wife had found, ate a simple meal, and then prepared to leave with Min Qiaoshi.

The village chief's wife politely tried to persuade them to stay a couple of times, but seeing that the three were determined to leave, she didn't linger and warmly saw them to the door.

Just as the three were about to mount their horses and leave, the village chief happened to return from the fields. Seeing that the three were about to leave, he quickly came up to stop them.

"Are you leaving?" The village chief looked at the old woodcutter. "And who is this gentleman?"

Madam Min Qiao smiled and introduced, "This is my family's guard. My son sent him to pick me up. I was originally planning to stay at your house for a couple of days, but now that we have news of my son, we won't bother you any longer. Thank you for your help. We'll take our leave now."

After speaking politely, Madam Min took the old woodcutter's hand again and prepared to mount her horse.

But the village chief quickly advised, "Why don't you stay the night before you leave? It's already afternoon, and it will be dark soon. It's not safe to travel at night."

"Besides, you've come from afar as guests. I was even planning to have my youngest son go to town to buy some good wine and food to treat you well tonight."

"You said it yourself, that Da'an is warm and hospitable, how can we let you come all this way for nothing? We should at least show you some hospitality, right?"

Seeing the village chief's enthusiasm, Min Qiaoshi didn't want to be too forceful. However, refusing was necessary.

However, she was about to refuse again.

But the old woodcutter's face turned cold, his eyes fixed on the village chief with a sinister glint. He placed his hand on the sword at his waist, patted it, and asked with a threatening tone, "Are you sure you don't want us to leave?"

The village chief was startled by the old woodcutter, and his expression immediately changed. He said awkwardly, "No, no, I just wanted you to stay for the night and learn about the new things in Dayan."

"Since you're in such a hurry, I won't keep you any longer. Please go ahead."

As he spoke, he quickly stepped aside, no longer daring to block the way.

"Village chief, please forgive us. Our caravan had an accident, and my son was very worried because he hadn't seen anyone. The guards were just following orders and meant no harm."

After offering a few more polite explanations, Madam Min Qiao mounted her horse and slowly left the village.

Min Qiao was delicate and fragile; even just walking a few steps out of the village nearly cost her her life. As soon as they left the village, the old woodcutter helped her down from her horse.

He then rode his horse quickly into the grove, brought out the carriage that had been hidden earlier, re-hitched the horse, and drove the carriage to Min Qiao's side.

"Grandmother, get in the car."

Madam Min looked at the luxurious carriage and couldn't help but worry, "Isn't this carriage too conspicuous?"

The old woodcutter thought for a moment and said, "Please get in the carriage first. We'll change to another carriage when we reach the next town."

Min Qiao nodded and got into the car.

The three of them avoided the place where the incident had occurred the previous night and took a detour towards Dayan.

Two days later, after three days without a good night's sleep and rest, the three were preparing to find a place to rest and recuperate when they happened to pass through a county town.

At this time, all three of them were dressed in the clothes of farmers from Da'an, and the carriage had been replaced with the simplest kind of small carriage pulled by a single horse.

As for the luxurious carriage from before, the old woodcutter burned it down.

The old woodcutter also took one of the two horses pulling the cart to exchange for money, which was used to buy a simple new carriage.

And so, the three of them traveled discreetly for two days without attracting any attention.

Little did they know that two hours after they left, the village chief's youngest son returned from the county town, bringing with him a message.

They said that no caravans from Dayan have passed through their area recently. However, the princess from Dayan who is coming to marry into a foreign kingdom might pass through here soon.

Upon hearing this news, the village chief was immediately shocked and made a trip to the county town overnight.

But by the time he arrived in the county town, the city gates were already closed. He didn't see the magistrate until the next morning.

When he told the county magistrate about the situation of Min Qiaoshi and the other two, the magistrate immediately felt that something was amiss.

However, before they could even ponder it, an official document from the prefectural government arrived. It said that the delegation from Dayan sent for a marriage alliance had been assassinated in a neighboring county the day before yesterday. The news had already reached Xijing.

The Emperor was furious. He ordered Yu Yang Prefecture, where the incident occurred, to provide an explanation within three days.

The Crown Prince personally led three hundred imperial guards straight to the scene of the incident, vowing to apprehend the murderer and uncover the truth.

As a county under the jurisdiction of Yuyang Prefecture and a neighboring county to the scene of the incident, Yuping County received official orders to assist in finding the person and apprehending the culprit immediately.

"So, those three people who came to my house yesterday were very likely part of the marriage alliance?"

The village chief stared in shock at his distant nephew, Magistrate Liu.

Magistrate Liu nodded in delight, “That’s right! Based on your description, that old lady is very likely the Lady Qinghe who was in charge of escorting the bride!”

Along with the official documents from the prefectural government, portraits and introductions of several important figures in the marriage alliance were also sent.

This naturally included Princess Xihe, Li Sanqi; Lady Qinghe, Min Qiaoshi; and Prince Chu, Li Chengming.

"If we can bring this person to the Crown Prince, that would be a great achievement!"