Having lived to a ripe old age, this was the first time someone had dared to be so disrespectful in front of her. Just as she was about to speak, Lin Yinan reached out and blocked her way.

She took two steps closer, staring coldly at Zhu Jinhui, showing understanding for the difficulties of being a mother. "The doctor is taking good care of him, you don't need to worry?"

Su Kunliang came running over from a distance, panting.

He stepped forward and grabbed Zhu Jinhui, bowing apologetically to Old Madam Zhao, "I'm so sorry, she was very anxious when she heard that Yunzhi was injured." Then he turned to Zhu Jinhui and said, "Don't go crazy here, come back with me quickly."

Seeing his gloomy expression, Zhu Jinhui knew she couldn't say anything more and could only obediently follow him away.

Watching Zhu Jinhui being led away, Old Mrs. Zhao sighed, "Shulan, the two families haven't even arranged the marriage yet, and Zhu is already so dissatisfied with Anan. This marriage..."

Li Shulan lowered her eyes; she was also troubled!

Yunzhi is a good girl and a perfect match for Anan, but judging from Jinhui's attitude towards Anan several times, Jinhui is probably not satisfied with this marriage.

Seeing her mother's hesitation, Lin Yinan said, "Mother, marriage is a joyous occasion. Let's find a suitable opportunity to call it off."

Lin Yinan had other things to attend to, so she left in a hurry, leaving the three women—the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law—looking at each other in bewilderment.

Zhang glanced at her gentle sister-in-law and advised, "Sister-in-law, Anan is a woman of her own mind. If you insist on letting Anan marry into the family, Zhu might find ways to torment her in the future."

Lin Yinan stopped dwelling on the topic.

She arrived at the tent where Huang Qingqing and Yao lived, where eight-year-old Huang Susu was tending a fire at a makeshift stove.

"Susu, where are your mother and sister?"

Huang Susu looked up and saw that it was Lin Yinan. She grinned happily, but she looked a little comical because she had lost two front teeth.

"Sister Anan, my mother and sister went to collect firewood and dig for wild vegetables."

"Then I'll wait for them here."

The pot was bubbling and about to burst open and overflow, so the little girl found a cloth to wrap her hands and quickly lifted the lid.

It contained a porridge of millet and wild vegetables, along with sweet potatoes.

Before long, Huang Qingqing and her maid returned, each carrying a bundle of firewood, followed by Yao Shi carrying a basket and a nanny.

"Sister Anan, what brings you here?" Huang Qingqing threw the firewood on her back onto the open ground and patted the dust off her body.

Lin Yinan had once saved her and her mother, and Huang Qingqing felt an inexplicable sense of closeness and trust towards her.

Without the oppression from the Ge family, Yao Shi had come to a clearer understanding, and her brows relaxed. "Anan, I heard you were injured. Are you alright?"

Lin Yinan gently shook her injured hand, "It's just a minor injury. I saw Huang Yinyin at the bandit stronghold..."

Then she told Yao and her daughter in detail what had happened at the bandit stronghold.

Upon hearing this, tears welled up in Yao's eyes instantly. She had been married to Huang Guichang for over ten years, and although she was his concubine, Huang Guichang doted on her immensely. They had three children together, and their relationship was still very deep.

The old woman patted her chest in lingering fear, "We still have to thank the master for abandoning us and saving our lives."

Huang Qingqing's eyes were glazed over; she clearly hadn't recovered yet.

Back in Xincheng, her father was the chief of the military affairs department. Although she was born out of wedlock, no matter how much Ge Shi disliked her mother, she never mistreated her in terms of food, clothing, daily necessities, or upbringing.

Now, upon suddenly hearing that they had all met with misfortune, I felt a sudden emptiness in my heart.

Huang Qingqing couldn't help but sigh, "When I learned that my father was going to Qingdao County to stay with my uncle, I was very happy. Even if I was born out of wedlock, what did it matter? I would still be a daughter of an official and live a life of luxury."

“But when Father told Mother that because of Madam’s obstruction, we should wait for him in Gudao County first, and he would send someone to pick us up after he settled things there, my heart plummeted from the clouds to the bottom of the valley. I hated them so much for abandoning Mother and the three of us siblings.”

"Now that they're all dead, my heart feels empty, and all hope is gone."

"Sister Anan, tell me, how are we going to live from now on?"

As Huang Qingqing spoke, she looked at Lin Yinan, her gaze passing through her to her own uncertain future.

Lin Yinan listened quietly as she finished speaking. The area around the camp was bustling with people, all trying their best to live their lives, even though the future seemed uncertain.

She said in a cool voice, "Life itself is full of hope and disappointment, and many uncertainties. The difference between dreams and reality is only a hair's breadth. Perhaps this is the life we ​​have to face."

"We must learn not to place our hopes on others. Only by becoming strong ourselves can we prevent our lives from being controlled by others."

Huang Qingqing kept repeating this sentence. Lin Yinan in front of her was only one year older than her. If Lin Yinan could do it, she could definitely do it too.

From then on, Huang Qingqing's character became incredibly resilient, and she became the pillar of support for Yao and her children.

Yun Mo and his group had already finished their meeting with the village chief. The village chief's son, Lin Fu, was carrying a gong and going door to door to inform everyone that they would be setting off into the mountains the next morning.

The villagers throughout the camp became busy, and no one dared to voice their objections, because it would be useless. The Yun family and the village chief had told them that anyone with objections could stay behind.

To leave alone in chaotic times is tantamount to courting death.

Therefore, everyone was busy packing their things, afraid of being left behind.

The next day, before dawn.

The villagers of Linjia Village and the Yun family left the valley with torches.

Because there were so many people and so much luggage, everyone was carrying large bags and small bags, and walking through the mountains and forests with baskets on their shoulders.

After traveling for nearly an hour, the group finally saw the watchtowers standing tall on both sides of the bandit stronghold's gate.

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