Zhu Jinhui's expression immediately turned sinister as she looked at her husband and son getting off the second carriage.

Just as Yu Suqin had said, Lin Yinan showed no awareness of being a fiancée. When they went out together, she even shared a carriage with another man.

Thinking this, Zhu Jinhui's chest heaved violently.

Su Yunzhi assumed that his mother was just too worried about him and his father, and did not notice the distorted expression on her face in the darkness of the night.

He quickly reassured her, "Mother, Father and I have returned safely."

"Why didn't Anan ride in the same carriage as you?" Zhu Jinhui couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering her.

Su Yunzhi knew exactly what she was thinking. Her tone was somewhat helpless. "Mother, the carriage belongs to the Yun family. How we ride is their arrangement. We have no right to interfere. Besides, Anan has been with Brother Yiheng the whole time, and nothing happened on the way."

“Madam, we can discuss this further when we get back,” Su Kunliang said.

Scholars value their reputation and are reluctant to discuss family matters in public, fearing that outsiders might overhear and it would damage their image.

Since her husband had spoken, Zhu Jinhui had no choice but to comply and reluctantly left with Jixiang.

Back at the camp, the village chief, the clan elders, and the women and children of the Yun family eagerly awaited their return.

The next day, before dawn.

The campsite became noisy, and Lin Yinan was awakened by the noise. When she opened her eyes, everyone in the tent except for her and the youngest, Lin Yichun, had gotten up early.

She threw off the covers, got up, and went outside, just as Lin Yiheng came looking for her.

"Sister, the Yun family's secret guards have brought back the purchased supplies. Young Master Yun has sent someone to summon you to come and discuss this."

Lin Yinan nodded. With so many eyes watching, she couldn't afford to have too close contact with the Yun family.

"Brother, you and Uncle go ahead. Leave out what our family needs, and deal with the rest."

Knowing his sister's concerns, Lin Yiheng didn't say anything more and turned to find Lin Shuo.

Lin Yinan looked at the dozens of trucks loaded with goods. Everyone lit several bonfires in the camp, and for a moment the entire camp was bustling with people.

By the light of the fire, she saw that not far away, Yunyan and Luo Shouxin, along with their three sons, were exchanging pleasantries with an elderly couple. It turned out that the Luo family had also come along.

Only a few of the secret guards from Luo Family Manor remained stationed there; the rest all came over.

The villagers kindly went over to help unload the supplies from the truck.

By the time all the supplies were unloaded, it was already dawn.

Upon hearing Yunmo say that most of the grain, cloth, and cotton could be purchased or exchanged for wild vegetables and sweet potatoes, the camp erupted in excitement.

Grandma Zhao and Mrs. Zhang excitedly rummaged through their tent, thinking of exchanging it for some coarse grains.

At this moment, Lin Shuo and Lin Yinan returned carrying several sacks. They were overjoyed to learn that these were their own belongings.

"Don't we need to exchange anything?" Old Mrs. Zhao asked Lin Shuo repeatedly.

Lin Yiheng had already told Lin Shuo that the supplies exchanged for the villagers were basically purchased by the Yun family on behalf of Lin Yinan.

Fearing his mother wouldn't be able to keep the secret, he shifted the blame to the Yun family, saying, "Young Master Yun said this is our family's compensation."

Upon hearing about the reward, Old Mrs. Zhao immediately understood and praised them repeatedly, saying, "The Yun family keeps their promises."

After washing up and having breakfast, Lin Yinan took Lin Yi'an and Lu Changqing for a stroll around the campsite, where many villagers were picking wild vegetables.

Liu Ji found a few sweet potato vines near the water source, and the brother and sister dug them up with great effort.

Lin Yinan stepped forward and asked, "Liu Ji, the Yun family has brought a lot of food and supplies. Don't you have anything to exchange?"

Liu Ji smiled and shook his head, "Sister Anan, I don't need to exchange anything. The food I've stockpiled, plus the wild vegetables and sweet potatoes I've dug up, is enough for my sister and me to eat for several months if we're careful."

Lin Yinan glanced at the clothes on the brother and sister. They had grown taller these days, and their sleeves and pants looked obviously too short. The clothes were patched up in places where they were torn, and they were only wearing thin shirts in the morning when it was cool.

Seeing Liu Yu's face reddened by the cold wind, she kindly advised, "It's going to get cold soon. You can go and exchange some fabric and cotton to make two thick clothes, so you don't catch a cold."

Liu Ji was stunned for a moment, then looked down at his younger sister whose face was flushed. He felt guilty. When their parents were alive, he only needed to focus on his studies and never had to worry about food, clothing, or shelter. Now, every day when he opened his eyes, he would think of ways to stock up on food so that his sister wouldn't go hungry.

Looking at the half-dug potatoes, he felt conflicted.

Lin Yinan saw what he was thinking and took the hoe from his hand. "I'll help you dig. Hurry up, or they'll have replaced it all."

"Thank you, Sister Anan." Liu Ji bowed to him, then turned and jogged away.

"Ayu, let me help you dig."

Lin Yi'an saw Liu Yu earnestly digging in the soil with a small wooden stick.

Liu Yu dug a potato about three fingers thick out of the mud and placed it in front of Lin Yinan. "Sister Anan, this potato is for you."

Lin Yinan gently touched her slightly yellowed hair and said softly, "Sister, don't want it. Ayu, take it back and eat it with your brother."

"I'll cook it and bring it to you," Liu Yu said stubbornly, her face stern.

My brother said that Sister Anan's family has helped them a lot, and they should always remember this kindness.

Lin Yinan couldn't bear to go against her wishes, so she agreed.

The three children were digging for potatoes with small sticks, while Lin Yinan quietly took out a few pieces of dried meat from her spatial storage.

At first, Liu Yu refused to accept it, so Lu Changqing shoved his own jerky into her hand.

Lin Yi'an leaned closer to her and whispered something to her. Only then did Liu Yu pick up the jerky and start eating it in small bites.

“Brother said things will be better once we get to the south, Sister Anan, is the south really better than here?” Liu Yu looked at her with her big, clear eyes, which were full of tears.

Lin Yinan gazed at the leaves that were gradually turning yellow, recalling the South from her previous life.

"It's better than here. It rarely snows there in winter, and some crops can be grown twice a year..."

Here, the nomadic tribes could attack at any time. The people of this land suffered greatly from the ravages of war, and even their basic safety could not be guaranteed, let alone a life.

Life, life, you have to survive first, and then live well.

Lin Yinan was strong and dug out the two sweet potatoes without much effort.

On the way back, when passing by the Yun family's tents, Lin Yinan was called into a meeting tent by Yun Er.

She saw not only her own brother inside, but also the village chief, the clan chief, several elders, and promising young people from the village who were studying.

In the middle of the tent was a table with a hand-drawn map on it.

What important matter are they discussing?

She looked at Lin Yiheng in confusion, and Lin Yiheng waved to her.

All eyes turned to her. Lin Yinan obediently lowered her head and walked over to him, standing beside him. She lowered her voice and asked, "What are you discussing?"

Lin Yiheng gestured for her to be quiet.

When Yun Mo saw Lin Yinan enter, he nodded slightly to Yun Ye.

Yunye cleared his throat. "Miss Lin is here too. Next, let's discuss the specific arrangements for attacking the bandit stronghold."