Among the group of refugees, at the foot of the city wall of He'an County, a figure dressed in tattered hemp clothing squatted down.

The woman was covered in dust and dirt, her hair was disheveled, her face was smeared with black and filth, and she had nothing of value on her body. She was just an ordinary refugee, huddled there.

Previously, few people paid attention to her.

But today, quite a few people came up to ask, but they weren't asking about her; instead, they were asking about the elegantly dressed girl who was squatting in the corner with her.

The girl was dressed in expensive silk satin, her hair was neatly combed and shiny, and although there was some dirt on her face, it did not affect the roundness and fullness of her cheeks at all.

Anyone could tell at a glance that this girl was definitely not a refugee, but rather a young lady from a wealthy family in the city.

In these difficult times, everyone is insecure. Let alone wearing fine clothes, even having a full meal is a luxury that people dare not even dream of.

Everyone was starving and struggling to survive. At a glance, whether it was men or women, they were all pale and thin. Therefore, the girl stood out even more, and almost no one could ignore her presence.

At first, whenever someone tried to approach, someone would emerge from under the city gate and threaten them with swords.

Therefore, those with ulterior motives could only squat to the side and secretly look up at the girl because they were wary of her identity.

At this time, the entire He'an County had not received a drop of rain for nearly three months. The ground underfoot was cracked, and the sand and gravel rolled wildly in the wind, slapping against the face with excruciating pain.

Even with her head down, Jin Qi could feel that her mouth and nose were full of sand.

"Sister Chu Yao, I feel uncomfortably hot, I want to take a bath."

"Hang in there a little longer. If you give up now, all the work we've done so far will have been for nothing."

Jin Qi frowned uncomfortably, her expression somewhat reluctant.

Upon seeing this, Jin Chuyao's eyes darkened slightly, but her expression instantly softened.

“Aqi, I’m doing this for your own good. Think about it carefully. If you go back so easily this time, your parents will definitely think you’re easy to fool. No matter how much Jin Shu bullies you in the future, they won’t take you seriously.”

But if you are determined to teach them a lesson this time, your parents will eventually see your determination and will give in and come to take you back.

When everyone has witnessed your prowess, who will dare to casually talk about you or bully you?

The day Jin Shu beat you up like that, it was because you didn't pursue the matter and teach them a lesson that you didn't get justice for them. In the end, who will stand up for you? You ended up suffering injustice for no reason.

In short, if you can persevere, then your sister will always be outside with you and protect you.

If you can't hold on, then go back. The gate is right there. Go, don't worry about your sister anymore.

Jin Qi looked at Jin Chuyao with teary eyes, her voice choked with emotion.

"Sister Chu Yao...you're the best to me of all my family members."

"I want to stay with you. If they won't let you in, I'll never go in again! I'll never call them my parents again!"

Jin Chuyao nodded in satisfaction, her smile incredibly gentle.

"I know Aqi loves me the most. Aqi is so amazing, this time you'll definitely show Uncle and Aunt how powerful you are!"

Jin Qi nodded emphatically.

"Yes! Since they're so biased towards Jin Shu, let them keep only Jin Shu as their daughter! I only need Sister Chu Yao!"

After saying that, Jin Qi clutched her stomach and said with a pained expression.

"Sister Chu Yao, do you have anything to eat? I'm so hungry."

Jin Chuyao forced a smile, her face tense, and then took out the pancake hidden in the package and broke it in half for her.

"It's too dry, eat slowly. There will be plenty of delicious food when you get back."

"Don't worry, Sister Chu Yao. If they want me to go back, they have to take you with me. Otherwise, I won't go back!"

Hearing this made Jin Chuyao feel much better.

Although he felt a pang of heartache watching her eat his precious provisions, he could only endure it when he thought of his true purpose.

After what happened in the forest, when Li Yong woke up again, he had already been rescued by his servants.

The wolves were afraid of fire, and it took nearly a hundred of Li Yong's guards to barely get the two of them out of the forest.

Jin Chuyao thought Li Yong would soften his heart and give her another chance, but she never expected that the first thing the man did after waking up was to order her to be thrown out and left to fend for herself!

Jin Chuyao tried everything but couldn't win back that cold-hearted man's heart.

So in the end, she ended up living and eating with the refugees.

He'an County is her only hope now; in all the world, He'an County is the only place that can accept refugees.

In order to survive, Jin Chuyao had no choice but to grit her teeth and return to the place she once hated the most.

The situation had developed to a point she had never anticipated.

She thought that after Li Yong ascended the throne, she would rise rapidly to the position of empress.

In the end, after all her hard work, she ended up with nothing and was starving.

Thinking of this, Jin Chuyao felt a burning hatred in her heart!

Jin Qi is her last hope. As long as Jin Qi can overcome the Jin family's resistance and as long as the Jin family agrees to let her into the city, she is confident that she can be accepted back by that family.

But now, she can't even get through the city gates!

Jin Qi is useless now, all she knows is to eat! After eating, she sleeps! Her oblivious appearance makes Jin Chuyao's hatred surge.

She worked so hard, but in the end, she lived a life worse than a fool!

Seeing that life outside was getting harder and harder, Jin Chuyao couldn't hold on any longer, and she started urging Jin Qi to join her again.

"Qi, why haven't your parents come to pick you up yet? Is Jin Shu saying something about you behind your back again?"

Jin Qi has been outside for three days, and her once fair and tender face has now been tanned quite a bit by the wind and sand.

"No way! My parents love me the most! They'll definitely take me back!"

"Where is he? It's been three days, why hasn't anyone come to pick you up?"

Jin Qi suddenly fell silent.

Yes, her parents love her so much, why haven't they come to pick her up after all this time?

Just then, Jin Shou'an was standing on the city gate tower. Upon seeing this, Jin Qi rushed into the city gate without saying a word to demand an explanation from him.

As soon as she arrived at the city gate, she was stopped by the guards.

Do you have a pass?!

The guard was aggressive, stiff, and stern. He only uttered one sentence, which frightened Jin Qi into a daze.

She flinched at first, then, realizing what was happening, angrily pointed at the guard's nose and shouted.

"You dog! Do you know who I am?! You dare to stop me? I'll have my father beat you to death!"

(End of this chapter)