"Hey, Young Master Rui is a good man, nothing will happen to him. Besides, isn't A-Ping with him?" Madam Chen wasn't worried at all. Instead, she asked Chen Xiuer curiously, "Is there anything else you want to say?"

She only felt a little pity for this niece; she wasn't blind to what was being said—those words were clearly pointed at something.

Chen Xiuer quickly waved her hand and said, "No, no, I just felt... I felt that if my cousin-in-law went out with a strange man, what would happen if my cousin found out when he got back..."

"Don't worry about that. A-Zheng and his wife have a good relationship. Besides, the eldest son's wife isn't that kind of person. I also trust Young Master Rui. Moreover, the eldest son's wife isn't as weak and harmless as you think."

Chen casually recounted how Jiang Qinyu had led them to rob bandits in Qinggang Mountain.

After hearing about Jiang Qinyu's glorious deeds from Madam Chen, Chen Xiuer was completely distraught.

No wonder, no wonder everyone in the village follows Jiang Qinyu's lead, the village chief believes her words without question, and everyone respects her immensely.

It turns out they weren't doing it because of Lu Yanzheng, but because Jiang Qinyu had been bringing benefits to the villagers all along!

Chen Xiuer's face turned pale, and she quickly lowered her head, afraid that Chen Shi would see her.

It seems that it will be difficult for her to replace Jiang Qinyu's position in the Lu family; she will have to find another way.

...

Yunshan is the largest mountain range in Yongshan County, but the deep mountains are fraught with danger. After Xiao Rui learned that Dingshui Village had found a coal mine in Yunshan, he took Jiang Qinyu and the people he had found to Yukang Prefecture, another major mountain range, Yushan.

They went to three carriages. Jiang Qinyu rode alone in one, while Xiao Rui and the others rode in the other two carriages.

Jiang Qinyu's side was A Ping and another driver driving the carriage outside.

It was getting chilly, so Jiang Qinyu handed a hand warmer to Aping, saying, "Here, you can use this when it's your turn, and give it to Brother Chen."

The driver on her side was surnamed Chen. He looked to be in his early thirties, strong and healthy, and probably a martial arts expert.

Ah Ping was flattered and thanked her, "Thank you, Madam."

He was dressed very warmly, still wearing the cotton-padded coat he had received in the border town, plus a tiger-skin hat. He shouldn't have been cold, but the weather was really cold right now. Taking the warm hand warmer warmed his heart.

Jiang Qinyu smiled and lowered the carriage curtain.

The carriage Xiao Rui prepared had thick curtains and a stove inside. However, Xiao Rui had bought three coal stoves in Dingshui Village yesterday, and they were burning coal briquettes in the carriage.

The seats in the carriage were stuffed with coal briquettes, and a lot more were tied to the roof, all to keep them warm during their trip.

However, it was a bit of a waste for Jiang Qinyu, since she could go directly into the space to rest, and the system had plenty of warm items like hand warmers.

But she didn't say much, after all, it was Xiao Rui's kind gesture.

Yushan is not far from Yongshan County, and Jiang Qinyu and her group arrived at the foot of Yushan in two hours.

They could no longer travel by carriage, so Xiao Rui and the others all got off the carriage, untied the carriage, hid it in the dense forest, left one person to watch over it, and the rest of them quickly ate some dry rations and went into the mountains.

"Thank you for your hard work, Madam. I will definitely repay your kindness today in the future." Xiao Rui said to Jiang Qinyu with his hands clasped in gratitude.

Jiang Qinyu smiled, half-jokingly, "Then I'll be waiting for Young Master Rui's thank-you gift."

She came out to suffer in this freezing weather, isn't it reasonable for her to accept some thanks?

"Rest assured, Madam, I will never disgrace you," Xiao Rui smiled.

He liked Jiang Qinyu's frank and open personality; it was truly delightful to meet her.

Those who came out with Xiao Rui were undoubtedly skilled, and even those responsible for exploration were exceptionally fit.

Jiang Qinyu's physical condition wasn't much worse than theirs. After all, she ate better than most people in this era every day, and with all the training and exercise she had done in the village, keeping up with them was no problem at all.

The group walked quickly into the mountain and soon passed the outer perimeter of Jade Mountain, heading deeper into the mountain.

"Your Highness, someone is following us." Eleven suddenly approached Xiao Rui and whispered.

Xiao Rui frowned. "Bring the person over here."

Their operation was quite secretive this time, and if it were discovered and sabotaged by someone with ulterior motives, all their previous efforts would be in vain.

"Yes." Eleven accepted the order and left.

Jiang Qinyu and the others took this opportunity to rest for a while.

Not long after, Eleven arrived with a helpless expression, escorting someone over.

Upon seeing the person who had arrived, Jiang Qinyu almost laughed.

"Why are you here?" Xiao Rui frowned as he looked at the helpless Lu Wanqing, feeling both helpless and somewhat irritated.

Lu Wanqing stammered, "Cousin, I... I didn't mean to... I heard you asking Dad for someone, so I secretly followed you... Please don't send me away!"

At this moment, Lu Wanqing's appearance evoked pity in everyone who saw her; her current state was truly pitiful.

Jiang Qinyu still remembers when Lu Wanqing came to her house. The girl, dressed in a fiery red dress, was radiant. When she saw her beloved, her beautiful eyes sparkled and she smiled charmingly.

However, Lu Wanqing was filthy, with several withered yellow leaves in her hair, her shoes had a hole in them, and her hands were red and frozen.

Seeing her like this, Xiao Rui couldn't bring himself to say anything cruel or heartless. Besides, they were already deep in Jade Mountain, and it was getting dark. If they sent Lu Wanqing back, who knew what might happen on the way?

"Drink some hot water and eat something first," Xiao Rui sighed helplessly.

Then, feeling embarrassed, he said to Jiang Qinyu, "Please help my cousin with her toilette."

Jiang Qinyu admired the girl's tenacity, and upon hearing this, she didn't refuse, smiling and saying, "Okay."

Seeing that Xiao Rui and Jiang Qinyu were behaving appropriately and there was no hint of ambiguity between them, Lu Wanqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

She finished eating quickly, then walked nervously to Jiang Qinyu, "Madam, I..."

"Come with me first." Jiang Qinyu smiled at her and led her to a small hill not far away.

She had just brought over the boiled water and then handed Lu Wanqing the shower gel and soap she had brought from home, saying, "Use this to wash; it will get you cleaner."

Lu Wanqing took it, and a fragrant aroma wafted out. She asked in surprise, "What is this?"

The smell is the same as what this lady is wearing. Does that mean she usually uses these things?

"The soap is for washing your face, and the other one is for washing your body. The conditions aren't good right now, so just wash yourself a little bit. I'll watch it for you," Jiang Qinyu explained before turning her back.

Even though they were both women, she understood the other person's psychology very well.

Lu Wanqing felt a mix of emotions. She quickly tidied herself up while watching Jiang Qinyu's retreating figure, feeling a little ashamed.