Chapter 9: Sprinkle some seasoning

"Nuannuan, be quiet and don't talk back to Third Aunt."

Liu worriedly pulled Qin Xiangnuan's sleeve, trying to stop her, fearing that she would say something hurtful to Qi.

Qin Xiangnuan shook her head and reassured her.

Then she walked up to Qin Xiangsong and said, "This dry biscuit is indeed not tasty, but look carefully at the surrounding environment. If we continue to stay here and make trouble, delaying our journey, when will we be able to reach the next village or post station?"

"This is a desolate place, but there's not a single bit of game to fill your stomach."

"There's not even a bird flying in the sky. Even if Cousin Feng has a slingshot, he can't make some meat appear out of thin air for you."

Qin Xiangsong blinked, stunned for a moment, but still turned away stubbornly and said, "Then I won't eat it either! I'd rather starve to death than eat it!"

“What if I could give it some flavor?”

Qin Xiangnuan tilted her head, reached into her arms, and took out the chili powder, pepper powder, and cumin granules that she had taken out from the space last time. She had wrapped them in oil paper at the time, so everyone looked at them curiously and couldn't tell what they were for a while.

Qin Xiangnuan picked up two dry biscuits and a hard steamed bun, sprinkled chili powder on them, and handed them to Qin Xiangsong's mouth, pushing them, "Would you like to try?"

Qin Xiangsong took it doubtfully and took a bite.

The taste of chili rushed into my mouth, and my bland mouth finally had a taste.

This aroused his appetite and hunger, and he began to eat in big mouthfuls.

Qin Xiangnuan smiled, pursing her red lips, and distributed the paper packets to everyone. "Although it's hard, you still have to endure it. It's really tasteless, so you can use these to whet your appetite. The steamed buns are hard, but they can also replenish your energy."

"Girl, where did this come from?"

The second uncle took a bite and looked at her in surprise, thinking that if there was more, it would make their journey easier.

Qin Xiangnuan watched them share the condiments and made up a lie to fool them, "It was when I was about to leave the city gate that the old ladies at the gate stuffed something into my arms. I didn't know what it was, but I only found out yesterday that it was condiments."

"Luckily, I had it in my pocket at the time, and the officer who searched me didn't look too closely, so I was able to stay."

Qin Yi nodded heavily, not suspecting anything, and spoke with nostalgia and emotion, "Big Brother has been honest all his life, and has made great military achievements. The people love him, so they gave us these things. Big Brother's efforts were not in vain. It's a pity that the fool in the palace city actually thought that Big Brother would..."

"Second uncle, be careful with your words!"

Seeing that Qin Yi was about to say something outrageous, Qin Xiangnuan hurriedly stopped him.

Although the officials stayed far away and would not interfere in their family affairs for the sake of silver and objects, if they heard such remarks, they would naturally report it back to the capital. By then, if someone with ulterior motives found fault, it would not be as simple as exile!

Walls have ears, so be careful.

What's more, there is not even a brick or tile to rely on, so you have to be careful with your words.

Qin Yi's straightforward and reckless nature almost caused a disaster. After Qin Xiangnuan's reminder, he finally realized the problem and just sat down to eat the dry biscuits. Qin Xiangnuan looked at everyone, still feeling like a heavy stone was pressing on her heart. She was thinking about rushing to the next place as soon as possible to get something out.

As she was thinking, she noticed Mrs. Qin's actions out of the corner of her eye.

"Grandma, you didn't eat again..." Qin Xiangnuan walked to the side of Old Lady Qin, squatted down, pulled her hands tucked into her clothes, and took out the two wrapped cakes. "I've told you many times that your body is weak. Even if you eat every day, your body will not be able to bear it. The officials will give us cakes every day, you don't need to keep them."

Old Madam Qin smiled awkwardly, her silver hair revealing a childlike smile as she narrowed her eyes lovingly. "Nuan girl, Grandma is in good health, don't worry. It's just that Beibei and Song'er are still growing up, so they have big appetites and get hungry easily. I ate some, but these are too much for me to finish, so I saved some for them."

"If you're hungry, tell grandma. She'll save some for you."

Old Madam Qin raised her hand and rubbed Qin Xiangnuan's face.

Her smile reminded Qin Xiangnuan of her grandmother, and she couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat and red eyes.

She put on a stern face and pretended to be annoyed. "Grandma won't listen to me. So from today on, I won't eat either. Since your body can handle it, I can too. Let's save it together and save it for Brother Song and Beibei."

"How can that be? Nuan girl..."

After hearing her words, Old Lady Qin became anxious and stammered. She was so excited that she felt dizzy and her body shook twice.

Seeing this, Qin Xiangnuan hurriedly supported her and put her finger on her pulse, but she was so weak that she couldn't feel much of her pulse!

She was so anxious that she secretly took out some nutritional fluids from her bosom and fed them to the old lady without telling anyone else. After half an incense stick of time, she finally recovered a little.

"It's normal for people to get old. Don't cry, Nuan girl. Grandma is fine."

The first words that Old Lady Qin said when she opened her eyes were to comfort Qin Xiangnuan.

Qin Xiangnuan turned her head away, wiping her tears with her fingertips, and said in a slightly heavier tone, "Grandma is worried about her grandchildren, but have you ever thought about my father? Your son..." Old Lady Qin was stunned by what she said, "If anything happened to you on the road to exile, my father would blame himself for the rest of his life. He would blame himself for being incompetent and letting you suffer such torment and torture. He will never forgive himself in this life."

"Do you want to watch your son suffer and never be happy for the rest of his life?"

When Qin Xiangnuan mentioned Qin Guang, tears instantly welled up in Mrs. Qin's eyes.

She shook her head and said, "Guang'er, why would I want to see Guang'er..."

"In that case, then you must promise me that you will eat on time every day, even if you can't finish it."

"Everything will be fine once we reach the border and see Daddy." Qin Xiangnuan held Madam Qin's hand and coaxed her softly, "I've heard Daddy and Momdy mention that you were also the daughter of a general when you were young, so you should understand these principles. No matter how bad the current situation is, as long as we can be reunited with Daddy, there is still hope. You still want to see Cousin Feng get married, don't you?"

Qin Xiangnuan's words gave Old Lady Qin hope. She no longer insisted and only took two bites of the pancake.

"I'll get you some seasoning and water. Please take your time..."

Qin Xiangnuan got up and wanted to bring back some chili powder and cumin, but after asking a few people, they all said that the things were not in their hands. Cousin Feng was even more confused, saying that he only took a bite and never saw the oil paper bag again.

The officers were far away, so they naturally wouldn't take the things away.

Qin Xiangnuan sneered twice. Things were lost in broad daylight. It's really hard to guard against thieves in the house!