Chapter 21: Life-saving Grace

"General's Mansion? Which General's Mansion?"

Wang Qiang's expression became excited because of Qin Xiangnuan's words. He grabbed Qin Xiangnuan's sleeve and his tone became anxious.

Qin Xiangnuan frowned and looked at him, then replied word by word, "General's Mansion, Qin Guang."

"Is it really General Qin? Who are you to him?"

Wang Qiang realized that he had lost his composure and took a half step back. His attitude towards Qin Xiangnuan was no longer disrespectful, but polite and respectful.

Qin Xiangnuan nodded and said softly, "I am General Qin Guang's daughter, Qin Xiangnuan."

"That's Madam Qin. The one wearing the emerald green shirt is my mother, Liu, General Qin Guang's first wife."

Wang Qiang seemed a little annoyed. "I was so blind that I didn't recognize you. You have the same demeanor as a general. How could an ordinary girl be so calm and composed?"

"I will lead you into the mountains and ensure you leave Savage Valley safely."

Wang Qiang picked up the tools in the courtyard, as if he was about to set off immediately. Before he took a step forward, Qin Xiangnuan couldn't help but interrupt him and reminded him, "Brother Wang, it's..." It was already night, and it was pitch dark for miles around. Only the fire and candles in the courtyard were lit.

"Look! I forgot all about this. We'll set out early tomorrow morning."

Wang Qiang patted his head and, without Qin Xiangnuan asking, he spoke without hesitation, "The wild animals in Savage Valley hide during the day and come out at night. When daybreak comes, they all return to their caves to rest, which is the safest place. I know a small path that's usually safe from wild animals. It's also far away from the canyon cliffs. If you can walk quickly, you can get out in three to five days."

"I will definitely not delay you."

Seeing that Qin Xiangnuan hadn't spoken yet, Wang Qiang pointed to a few pieces of red meat in the courtyard and said, "Please take these things with you when the time comes. Food, clothing, shelter and transportation are all problems during your exile. I think you must have not eaten properly for several days. This can only sustain you for ten days or half a month."

"May I ask why, Big Brother, you are so rude after knowing that we are from the General's Mansion?"

Qin Xiangnuan narrowed her eyes and looked at him. She didn't dare to accept the sudden kindness. She tentatively guessed, "Could it be that Brother Wang knows my father? Or is he one of his former subordinates?"

The general who defends the country is famous and the soldiers under his command are all excellent.

Over the years, countless subordinates have been given official positions, and most of the others are also serving in the court.

In Qin Xiangnuan's memory, the original owner had also met several capable and trustworthy subordinates with Qin Guang, but there was no one like Wang Qiang among them.

So she didn't dare to believe everything the man said.

"How could I possibly be so lucky as to serve under the general? It's just that when he was leading his troops to war, he passed by my village. My village was massacred, and I was the only one left. It was the general who avenged me and took me with him to the army..." Wang Qiang seemed to recall the past, his expression becoming somewhat nostalgic. "I also wanted to follow the general, risking my life to repay his kindness. But as you can see, my eye is broken, so I can't do that."

"The general gave me a letter that year, asking me to find his personal attendant here and giving me a job to make a living."

Wang Qiang smiled innocently, groping at his collar with his hands. "That's how I survived. I've been thinking about how I can repay the general for his kindness, but I never expected to hear the news in the capital that he's been charged with treason. I also never expected to meet you here."

"I think it was God's arrangement that I could take care of the general's family."

The details Wang Qiang described all matched up. In the original owner's memory, Qin Guang had indeed passed by a place where a village had been massacred. He couldn't be lying. Qin Xiangnuan's guard had dropped a lot. She politely declined Wang Qiang's offer, saying, "Brother Wang, you've already done us a great favor by leading us out of Savage Valley. You risked your life to obtain this meat. How can we accept it?"

"If Dad knew, he would probably scold me."

"What happened back then was just a piece of cake for Dad. Brother Wang, don't take it to heart. Just live a good life in the future. If there are other ways, don't continue to make a living in such a dangerous place..." Qin Xiangnuan said a few words to him, and seeing Liu's worried eyes, she wanted to go back to the yard.

She had just taken a step when she heard Wang Qiang calling her from behind, "Miss Qin."

Qin Xiangnuan turned around and looked at him puzzledly.

Wang Qiang lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, and then moved closer to her. He lowered his voice and reminded her, "There are people following you. I can only sense that there are quite a few people, but I don't know who they are. You must be careful on the road next time."

"Thank you for the tip, big brother."

Qin Xiangnuan looked at the dark night and thought that the Seventh Prince was not going to let the General's Mansion go. Savage Valley was a place where they had to escape death, and it was the best place for them to attack. They couldn't hide from it, but they had to be prepared and not let them succeed.

There is no peace of mind at all on the road of exile.

Qin Xiangnuan sat on the ground, facing the blazing bonfire, feeling a little irritated.

She broke two sticks and threw them into the fire. It would take about half a year to reach the border. The Seventh Prince was watching them secretly, and the supplies in her space could not be taken away casually. She had a family to support, and Qi was always unfaithful and kept things to herself. Qin Xiangnuan, who always traveled alone, felt tired for the first time.

"Nuannuan, are you tired?"

Just as Qin Xiangnuan sighed deeply, Liu came over and sat down beside her, handing her a hardened baked potato. "Sprinkle it with the seasoning you gave me. Although it's a little cold, it will still fill you up."

"Mom, I've already told you that you're weak, so don't always follow grandma's lead and leave the things behind."

Qin Xiangnuan wanted to push her back, but Liu shook her head, holding her hand and looking at her tenderly. "On this journey, mother can't help you much. I've lost weight just watching you run around everywhere. Your father once said that he fought for so many years just so that you could have a stable life and be a pampered young lady in the capital. If he saw you like this, he would probably feel bad."

"Mother, since I enjoy the splendor and wealth of the General's Mansion, I must naturally accept everything that comes with it."

Qin Xiangnuan felt guilty. Seeing Liu's haggard appearance, she put her hand into her sleeve and rummaged around. Pressing the jade bracelet with her hand, she took out two nourishing pills from the space and placed them in her palm. "Mother, I brought these out from the mansion. There are only two pills, one for grandma and one for you."

"Don't let Third Aunt see this, or she'll make a scene again."

Qin Xiangnuan took advantage of Liu's stunned moment and stuffed something into her mouth, her eyes narrowed into slits.