Ma Liu sighed, "Sometimes I don't even intentionally go out to find things; it's just a coincidence. Some things are being sold as junk, and some are even being prepared for firewood. How could I not try to salvage such good items?"

Good things are becoming increasingly rare. This wood takes at least a hundred years to grow, and some of them may even be extinct. We should preserve what we can, so that future generations can see what the older generation used and what kind of life they lived. Don't underestimate this object; every item has its own history and story.

Alright, everything's here. Let's find a way to move it quickly. There's too much of it, and I'm worried that someone might steal or destroy it. All my hard work would be wasted.

"Girl, tell Grandpa the truth, why are you here at this time? You should be in school by now!"

Jiang Qiao sighed, "What can we do? We invited them over to help treat the illness. As for whether they can cure it, I can't say for sure. Grandpa Liu, do you think there was a drug in the palace that could make people mute back then? How do we counteract that?"

It's no wonder Jiang Qiao asked that question. There are too many women, too many struggles and secrets in the palace. Those who know the secrets can't be executed; they can only be silenced. She thought that perhaps Ma Liu might know something about it?

After hearing this, Ma Liu gave a bitter laugh. "Girl, you've been reading too many stories. Do you really think those people in the palace are fools? Poisoning someone to the point of muteness would just give them something to talk about. There are plenty of ways to kill someone. I really don't know if there's an antidote. I'll ask my old buddies later. After all, we don't work in the same place, so maybe they know more than I do."

"Alright, you can come over and work tonight, then we'll go back."

Jiang Qiao didn't plan to eat dinner back at the compound, wanting to save everyone a bite.

"Grandpa Liu, I still need to go see my friend. I'll eat at his place. You go back and eat first. I estimate I can get things done tonight."

Ma Liu kept Qiao Jie's words in mind and didn't ask too many questions. After all, the children had their own ways, and as long as he was filial to them, that was enough.

So, she left quite easily. After leaving, Jiang Qiao went out for a stroll, looked around, found a place to eat a bowl of noodles, and when it got dark, she came back, waved goodbye, and moved all her things out of the house. Of course, she left behind what she was supposed to.

After finishing her business, Jiang Qiao carried a basket of fruits and vegetables to the courtyard. The veterans had just finished dinner and were chatting with the children. When they saw Jiang Qiao arrive, they all quickly got up to greet her.

"Sis, come and sit down. If you need anything, just let me know and we'll come over."

Looking at these children who are growing up, Jiang Qiao also felt a sense of satisfaction.

"There's not much food, and it's not tiring. It's just something a friend gave me, so you can try it out. Take it to the kitchen and wash it for everyone to eat."

Ma Liu was drinking water nearby when he saw Jiang Qiao wink at him, and the old man understood.

Jiang Qiao sat down and chatted with everyone, focusing more on the children's studies, the veterans' health, and everyone's living conditions.

"It's great. We have food to eat and clothes to wear, so we're not cold. Your Grandpa Liu always makes time to improve our lives. With this old man around, we feel much more comfortable living here."

Ma Liu often instilled ideas in these children, mainly emphasizing that they should thank Jiang Qiao because she had helped them stop begging, get into school, register their household, and have a home.

Therefore, Jiang Qiao's arrival was a great joy for these children. When they chatted, they would occasionally report to Jiang Qiao what they had learned.

With Ma Liu and the veterans around, these kids really didn't waste their precious time learning. These adults were truly generous with their expertise, and the kids were willing to learn, and they were willing to teach. Plus, with the shrewd old man Ma Liu's influence, these kids, despite their young age, were all very well-trained.

"Sister, when we grow up and learn some skills, we'll help you."

Jiang Qiao nodded with great satisfaction, "That's settled then. When you all grow up, come and help your older sister."

After talking with everyone for a while, Jiang Qiao gave Ma Liu a few instructions. The house contained not only grain, but also meat, cotton, cloth, and some ready-made clothes.

"Grandpa Liu, you can decide for yourself. Get the things ready for the children and these veterans. If you don't know how to do it, we'll find someone to help you. Just give them a little extra money."

Ma Liu nodded. "That's no problem. As long as they're paid, they'll be scrambling to do it. Don't worry, if I find out anything, I'll tell you. But don't get your hopes up too high. In the palace, it's either life or death. There aren't many people who can't speak."

Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "I was just asking casually. If you have it, great. If not, I'll figure something out. I'll be going now."

After saying goodbye to everyone, Jiang Qiao hurried back to the guesthouse. Luckily, she was skilled and daring; otherwise, in the dark, as a young girl, probably no one would dare to walk alone at night.

Although the crime rate is low these days, there are still people like that.

Fortunately, there were streetlights on the main road, so Jiang Qiao wasn't afraid of bad guys at all. If they really wanted to cause trouble, she had weapons in her spatial dimension that didn't even make a sound, so she could kill as many as she wanted.

When she traded things with others, she never used military supplies in exchange. These were treasures, and of course, she knew the dangers of them falling into the wrong hands, so it was safer to keep them in her own possession.

However, some people are indeed blind to their own faults. Jiang Qiao ran into two shady-looking young men halfway there.

He put his arm around her shoulder and blocked her way. "Hey, little sister, aren't you scared to walk alone at night? I'll take you home. It's so lonely walking alone. The three of us can keep each other company and have some conversation."

Jiang Qiao glanced coldly at the two men. They were young, around twenty years old. Just looking at their skinny little bodies, Jiang Qiao didn't take them seriously.

"A good dog doesn't block the way, get out of the way—"

"Hey, you're really asking for it! You think we're pushovers? Let's have a taste of the good stuff today. Look at that pretty face, so delicate! And that little body looks like it's got some meat on it—"

Before the other person could finish speaking, Jiang Qiao punched him in the chin. "I'll teach you to spew filth from your mouth. Do you think I'm easy to bully?"

"Hey, she's got a little firecracker, huh? I love this kind, bro, let's go!"

This punch didn't make the other party behave; instead, both of them attacked together. Jiang Qiao wouldn't even be polite to people like this. It had been a long time since he'd fought anyone, so it wouldn't be bad to practice on these two.