Song He'er did not argue with him, but casually placed the hairpin on the table in the boat, and then turned and got off the boat.

When they returned to the cave, Song Xiaoyu and the others were busy organizing the tasks they had been assigned, and for a moment they did not notice that Song He'er had gone out.

Qin Xiaoniang was so overwhelmed by the children that she had no time to pay attention to anyone else.

Song He'er stepped forward and looked at the papers and bamboo sticks on the ground. They seemed different from the ones that had been delivered before; they were much smaller.

"Third Uncle, wasn't what you brought back this time the raw material for oil-paper umbrellas?"

As Song Xiaoyu tidied up the items, she shook her head. "No, the profit margin on oil-paper umbrellas isn't very high, and the turnover is slow. These folding fans, on the other hand, can not only be sold in Nanzhao, but also sent to the Central Plains and Western Zhou, where the demand will be greater, allowing us to earn more money..."

Song He'er felt that what he said made sense, but then again, if they relied on making money by handicrafts, it would be a long time before they could get ahead in Xinzhou. They still had to hurry up and find a safe place to stay.

Tomorrow, she must see Song Xiaoqi. She doesn't care about anyone else; first, she needs to get her and Huan Ge'er's adoption papers.

I completely severed ties with this man.

"He'er, get some rest. Tomorrow you need to keep a close eye on the children; I need to help with the chores," Qin Xiaoniang reminded her from the side.

Song He'er nodded and obediently crawled into the quilt.

In the past few days, they have already eaten up their food reserves. Tonight, when they trade with the Nanzhao merchants, they will buy some new ingredients.

As dawn broke, faint knocking and banging sounds could be heard outside, perhaps indicating that Li Qiang and Song Xiaoyu had already come out to work.

"Mother, I want to see Father."

Qin Xiaoniang's face darkened, and she retorted, "Why would I see him? Don't you think he's the one who killed us?"

"No, I'm going to get the adoption papers so he can personally agree to let me and Huan-ge'er be adopted into Aunt Rui-zhen's family."

Song He'er felt that Jiang Huaifu made sense. Adopting Song Xiaoyu would be useless because the two were brothers from the same clan and direct descendants of the Song family. When the entire family was implicated, hundreds of people would be affected, and no one would be able to survive.

Only by completely severing ties with the Song family can I ensure the safety of myself and Huan-ge'er.

"Huh?" Ruizhen was deeply surprised.

"Auntie, you have to help me... This is the only way to protect me and my brother."

Ruizhen coughed lightly and replied, "Of course I'm willing to protect you, but this matter may not be so simple. Our household registration documents are all in the hands of the government, and the elders of various ethnic groups are scattered in different places. There's no one to witness this..."

"Never mind all that for now, just get the documents out of my father's hands."

Ruizhen nodded. "Alright then, what do you need me to do?"

"Just a fingerprint will do..."

Qin Xiaoniang was somewhat skeptical, so she pulled Song He'er aside and asked, "Why didn't you discuss this with me beforehand? Is this method even feasible? Even if we get it, it won't count in front of the authorities!"

"Mother, are we just going to sit here and wait to die? Let's try anything, even if it seems hopeless! It's better than doing nothing!"

Seeing her daughter's confidence, Qin Xiaoniang patted her hand with encouragement, "Alright, Mother believes in you, I'll go with you!"

The person Song He'er least wanted to bring along was Qin Xiaoniang. Not only was she prone to anger, but she was also in poor health. What if she went there and failed to accomplish anything, and ended up getting sick herself? Wouldn't that be a loss?

"Let Uncle San come with me. You get angry again after only a few words with that man. Uncle San is his brother after all. He should be more considerate when he sees him..." Song He'er advised.

Qin Xiaoniang really didn't want to see Song Xiaoqi. She'd rather spend that time doing more work here than arguing.

"Alright then, you can go, but just one thing: make sure you stay safe..."

"I see."

After breakfast, Song He'er and Song Xiaoyu went to Song Xiaoqi's residence.

In the month that has passed, Song He'er and Song Xiaoqi have only met two or three times. What other father and daughter in the world have done things like this?

Even children born to mistresses in wealthy and powerful families are usually treated well. A heartless and ungrateful man like Song Xiaoqi is truly rare in this world.

No wonder... no wonder he colluded with Zhao Changming; they seem to be the same kind of people.

"Third Uncle, do you think my father can write an adoption certificate?"

After pondering for a while, Song Xiaoyu replied, "Your father is an extremely sensitive person. I imagine he will definitely want to know the reason. However, on the other hand, you and Huan-ge'er are insignificant in his eyes. Without you, he should have less of a burden, and this matter might not be so difficult to handle..."

Song He'er nodded and didn't say anything more.

When the two arrived at Song Xiaoqi's residence, it was the same as usual. There was an old man guarding outside, like a butler. Song He'er remembered that the butler in the General's Mansion was not this one.

Could it be that Song Xiaoqi went berserk and killed someone to silence them, and then found someone who was even more tight-lipped?

Who are you looking for?

"Song Xiaoqi".

"Wait a moment, I'll go in and inform them."

This person spoke very rudely, as if he were still a steward in a wealthy household, and was very aggressive.

Song He'er didn't speak, but simply nodded, waiting for the butler to go in and 'report the news'.

A short while later, the butler came out and gestured for them to enter.

Seeing this, Song Xiaoyu and the other person went inside...

The room was indeed very warm, with two stoves burning and a fire wall on the wall. Song He'er couldn't help but stare in astonishment. What exiled prisoner could live so comfortably?

Ultimately, he still had some skills; otherwise, how could he still have dealings with officials even in his current state of destitution? Either he was blessed by the God of Literature, or he had some unspeakable secret.

Song Xiaoqi raised his head and glanced at the two of them.

"What brings you to my humble abode, Third Brother? Is there something important you wish to ask of me this time?"

Song Xiaoyu let out a long sigh of relief and said calmly, "For the sake of our deceased parents, I will still call you elder brother."

Song Xiaoqi sneered, "Enough. If you have something to say, say it. If you don't, there's no need for this pretense!"

"I think you're the one who's just putting on an act!" Song He'er retorted, unable to contain herself any longer.