The villagers waited so long their necks were stiff with anticipation that they finally saw the carriage return.
Everyone rushed over, and upon hearing the good news, they cheered with joy. With the delicious food as a accompaniment, their gloomy mood brightened, and everything became hopeful.
In the evening, the government sent troops, bringing tents, food, and daily necessities to temporarily settle the refugees.
It's late at night.
Su Jin called Mai Zizi back to the tent and said to her solemnly, "I will send someone to take you back tomorrow. If you travel fast, you can get to Lin'nan in one day."
Mai Zizi looked as if she were facing a formidable enemy, glaring angrily at Su Jinxia: "No!"
Su Jinxia earnestly advised, "Have you forgotten what happened on the mountain? I can't take care of you every moment. What if you get hurt, die, or become disabled? How can I explain it to Shen Qianxue? How can I explain it to your family?"
"Who asked you to explain? My life or death is my own fate, and it has nothing to do with you."
Mai Zizi turned her head away, her neck stiff, stubborn as hell.
"Don't think I don't know you're going to find Brother Qianxue. I'm going too. If you're scared, then don't come with me. I'll go by myself."
As she spoke, her lips pursed, and she looked aggrieved.
"He's at war, what are you going there for?" Su Jinxia's expression grew increasingly stern.
Mai Zizi retorted, "Then what are you going to do?"
"I can help him, but what can you do? You'll only make things worse!"
Su Jin's words were a bit harsh, but she had no other choice. Only after they came out did she realize that danger lurked everywhere, and she simply couldn't guarantee Mai Zizi's safety.
"You! I don't care, I'm going!"
Mai Zizi hugged her legs and started crying, tears streaming down her face.
“The night before last, I was very scared, but I found that the outside world was completely different from what I knew. I was like the little parrot in the cage at home, looking glamorous, but actually knowing nothing.”
Mai Zizi sobbed, her voice growing increasingly hoarse.
“You all use the excuse of doing what’s best for me to try to lock me up, but I don’t want to. I want to be as smart as you, have ideas, know everything, and be able to handle everything well. You blame me for not being able to help, but no one has ever taught me how to help others.”
Mai Zizi felt wronged, and she continued speaking while sniffling.
"Although you've been putting in all the effort for the village, even if I only said one useful word, gave a little money, or did a little bit of work for everyone, I would still feel incredibly important. I don't want to go back to doing nothing."
Mai Zizi's heartfelt words almost brought Su Jin to tears.
She hugged Mai Zizi tightly, overwhelmed with emotion.
Indeed, these past two days have been tough. I haven't been eating or sleeping well, and I've even encountered a thug like Qi Sanliang. Mai Zizi was terrified, but she didn't utter a single complaint, a word of weariness, or a single word of comfort.
Instead, he did his best to help everyone, following Su Jin around.
When she was in the county government office, she confronted the magistrate without flinching, which made the magistrate wary and eventually relent. She was actually quite formidable.
"Alright, stop crying. I won't let you go back." Su Jin reluctantly relented.
Mai Zizi raised her wet eyes and asked uncertainly, "Really?"
Su Jin nodded. "Really."
"Miss Su?" Li Wenci's voice suddenly came from outside the tent.
Su Jin told Mai Zizi to rest first, and then went out to take a look.
As soon as she lifted the curtain and stepped out of the tent, Li Wenci knelt down with a thud.
"What are you doing?" Su Jinxia quickly helped her up.
Li Wenci remained kneeling, pleading, "My widowed mother and I are truly unable to reach Qishan. Please, young lady, grant us permission to travel with you."
"Get up." Su Jin helped the person up. "We've been traveling together, how could I leave you behind? It's just that I have to go to Tianyang City, which may take some time."
Li Wenci quickly replied, "It doesn't matter, as long as we can get to Qishan, it doesn't matter how long it takes."
Only after receiving Su Jin's affirmation did Li Wenci feel relieved enough to go back to sleep.
Su Jin went back to the tent and lay down fully clothed.
After a long day, she was a little tired and began to feel drowsy as soon as she lay down.
"Su Jin, please exit."
"Um?"
Half asleep and half awake, it seemed like Maizizi was calling her.
"I suddenly understand why Brother Qianxue likes you."
"Um."
Su Jin mumbled an agreement in a daze, not really listening.
The next day, the sky finally cleared up, becoming a clear, blue sky without a single cloud, which lifted everyone's spirits.
Han Qing arrived early in the morning.
Su Jin and the others bid farewell to the villagers and left with Han Qing's group.
The villagers helped Li Wenci pull her horse-drawn carriage down the mountain, and Han Qing even sent a soldier to drive it for them.
With Han Qing by our side, the journey was very safe and smooth.
Su Jinxia and Zhou Lian were old acquaintances and often got together to chat, learning some things about Han Qing.
Han Qing was undoubtedly a well-read, upright, and honest official, but Zhou Lian was unaware of his profound internal strength and said she had never seen Han Qing practice martial arts.
Of course, Zhou Lian didn't know Han Qing very well.
Back then, Zhou Lian came to Tianyang City to turn himself in and was imprisoned.
Han Qing not only understood the cause and effect of the matter, but also personally brought Zhou Daquan's younger brother to court against Zhou Lian. Although Zhou Lian was sentenced, she had no further dealings with the Zhou family.
Zhou Lian did not suffer in prison. After serving two months, she was sent to work in a mine because of her good behavior. She was hardworking and could endure hardship, and she was more capable than a man. She never complained about being tired or suffering.
His desperate will to live moved those around him.
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