Chapter 135: Burning of the Ancestral Hall (2)

"That's all I need to save you," Jingzhe said. Although she didn't know why Shen Miao was doing this, having spent these days with her in the ancestral hall, she had noticed that Shen Miao wasn't panicking at all. People who don't panic in dire situations are either foolish or have already devised a strategy to deal with them. And Jingzhe didn't think Shen Miao was stupid. So, even though she shared Guyu's concerns, Jingzhe had unconditional faith in Shen Miao's ability to handle the situation.

Shen Miao noticed her gaze and sighed slightly in her heart.

Among her four maids, Guyu is the smartest, Bailu is the calmest, Shuangjiang is the most loyal, and Jingzhe is the bravest.

In order to help Fu Xiuyi win over the powerful official, Jingzhe used her beauty to become the official's concubine. The powerful official was greedy for beauty, and Jingzhe was also resourceful. Although he was eventually beaten to death by the wife, he also gave away the powerful official's handle before his death, allowing Fu Xiuyi to successfully win him over.

As a maid, yet she had such courage. Jingzhe was an unusual girl. Therefore, neither Grain Rain, White Dew, nor Frost Descent was suitable for this matter. Only Jingzhe could be slightly better. However, after Jingzhe knew what she was going to do, whether she would continue to help, Shen Miao did not know.

After all, what she was going to do was truly shocking.

"Actually," Jingzhe endured it and said softly, "If the young lady wants, it's not impossible for Mo Qing to find a way to take her out."

Mo Qing's skills are better than those of the guards in the general's mansion. Although two fists cannot beat four hands, it is not impossible for him to seize the opportunity and escape with someone.

"And then?" Shen Miao asked, "The world is so vast, will everything be peaceful if we escape? The indentures of the four of you are in the hands of the old lady. If I leave, what will happen to you?"

Jingzhe knelt down and said, "I know that the young lady is willing to stay here for the sake of our lives, but if the young lady is in trouble because of us, I will be blamed for my death. The master and the mistress chose the four of us to be with the young lady so that we can take care of her. How can we let the master take care of us in return?"

A touch of emotion flashed across Shen Miao's eyes. Shen Xin was indeed very good at selecting people. These four maids had never betrayed her even when she was in the most difficult times in her previous life. However, people are not commodities. Things in this world are so simple. Gratitude must be repaid and hatred must be avenged. To win people's hearts, one cannot give up even the maids around him.

"Don't worry." Shen Miao said, "You and I will be fine. Today is the old lady's birthday. I heard that my second sister made a painting of Guanyin for my grandmother. Since they have forgotten me here, I can't just let it go." She smiled slightly and said, "I also have a big gift for the old lady, but I don't know if she is lucky enough to accept it."

…

A few dozen miles outside Dingjing, horses were drinking from a frozen stream. The withered grassland looked a bit dry and decayed, and soldiers were taking a rest here.

Sitting farthest from the group of soldiers was a middle-aged man. His skin was bronzed, likely from the sun and rain on the battlefield, yet he exuded strength. His figure was like a small mountain, and his features were righteous and awe-inspiring. With thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a full beard, he looked incredibly bold.

The woman sitting beside him was stroking the head of a horse that was nibbling on grass roots. She was also middle-aged, wearing a short, azure jacket and breeches embroidered with goldfinch patterns. Her hair was tied in a simple bun. She had a pair of bright eyes and a delicate appearance, but what attracted people was her heroic and valiant temperament. A pair of double-ring silver bracelets on her wrists tinkled as she stroked the horse.